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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-07-2023 Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation CommissionAd Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission Thursday, September 7, 2023 Regular Meeting 7 PM - Emma J. Harvat Hall 410 E. Washington Street AGENDA: 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. READING OF NATIVE AMERICAN LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 3. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: AUGUST 24, 2023. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA COMMISSIONERS SHALL NOT ENGAGE IN DISCUSSION WITH THE PUBLIC CONCERNING SAID ITEMS. 5. COMMISSION BYLAWS 6. BETTER TOGETHER 2030 PLAN 7. INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN 8. STRATEGIC DOING WORKSHOPS 9. FACILITATOR WORK PLAN FOR PHASE ONE 10. CORRESPONDENCE 11. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS THIS ITEM INCLUDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR BRIEF UPDATES FROM STAFF AND COMMISSIONERS. COMMISSIONERS SHALL NOT ENGAGE IN DISCUSSION ON UPDATES. 12. ADJOURNMENT To encourage input from the public, the Commission intends to offer the opportunity to participate in the meeting remotely. However, this meeting is in -person, and those wishing to ensure their ability to participate should attend the meeting in person. If you instead wish to participate remotely, you may attempt to do so by joining the below link. https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN cMlaaV6cTxGwOIWu2-hFHq#/registration Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all City of Iowa City -sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in these events, please contact the Office of Equity and Human Rights at 319-356- 5022 or humanrights(d)iowa-citv.org. Agenda Item #2 Native American Land Acknowledgement Prepared for the City of Iowa City's Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Human Rights Commission PURPOSE Iowa City owes its existence to the many Indigenous Peoples who were the original stewards of this land and who were subjected to manipulation and violence by non-native settlers, invaders, and governments in order to make this moment possible. Acknowledgement of this truth is central to our work toward reconciliation across all barriers of difference and injustice. Starting with a Native American Land Acknowledgement, this Commission will bear witness to the legacies of violent displacement, migration, and settlement that have marginalized those who were the first inhabitants of this land. We must also address the mistreatment and exclusion that Native Americans continue to face today. The Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Human Rights Commission encourage the community and City of Iowa City to join us in these efforts through the use of a Native American Land Acknowledgement. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT To be read at all public meetings and events: "We meet today in the community of Iowa City, which now occupies the homelands of Native American Nations to whom we owe our commitment and dedication. The area of Iowa City was within the homelands of the Iowa, Meskwaki, and Sauk, and because history is complex and time goes far back beyond memory, we also acknowledge the ancient connections of many other Indigenous Peoples here. The history of broken treaties and forced removal that dispossessed Indigenous Peoples of their homelands was and is an act of colonization and genocide that we can not erase. We implore the Iowa City community to commit to understanding and addressing these injustices as we work toward equity, restoration, and reparations." LEARN MORE Native Governance Center Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgement US Department of Arts and Culture: Honor Native Land Virtual Resources and Guide Meskwaki Nation - History Special thanks to the University of Iowa Native American Council for their work and guidance, as well as members of the public, for their input. Agenda Item #3 Draft minutes of the August 24, 2023, meeting were not available when the September 7, 2023, agenda packet was posted but will be distributed as a late handout at the September 7, 2023 meeting. Agenda Item # 6 BY-LAWS OFTHE AD HOC TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION ARTICLE 1THE COMMISSION Section A. The name of this organization is the Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission ("TRC" or "Commission"), referred to in these By -Laws as the Commission. The Commission is authorized by the City Council Resolution Number 20-228, effective date September 15, 2020. ARTICLE 2 PURPOSE Section A. As stated in Resolution No. 20-228 Section B. The purpose of the Commission is to bear witness to the truth of racial injustice in Iowa City and to carry out restorative justice, through the collection of testimony and public hearings, with such work to include a recommendation to the Council of a plan for deciding and/or renaming public spaces and/or rights of way in honor of the Black Lives Matter Movement. ARTICLE 3 CHARGES Section A. Charges of the Commission, and as stated in Resolution No. 20-228, shall include: 1) fact-finding — the TRC shall collect evidence of discrimination and racial injustice in multiple settings and compile a complete record of racial injustices that will inform and support the fundamental institutional and policy reforms necessary to address systemic racism; 2) truth - telling — the TRC shall provide multiple for a and creative opportunities for persons impacted and traumatized by racial injustice to share their stories of racial injustice and experience to be heard by the community including but not limited to city government; 3) Reconciliation —the TRC shall provide opportunity for and facilitate direct conversation among and between community members of color, white community members and representatives of various sectors in which people of color experience discrimination and injustice. ARTICLE 4 MEMBERSHIP Section A. The Commission shall consist of nine (9) members, appointed by vote of the City Council who are representative of the City's BIPOC communities and organizations, including those who have direct lived experience with systemic racism, as well as experts who support those communities lalso with lived experience[ Iowa City residency is preferred but not commented [EGi]: suppress, in nee with resolution arc. required if an applicant offers expertise or representation not available from applicants who 2:"as well a s experts who support those communities reside in Iowa City. Members of other City boards and commissions are eligible to serve on the TRC. Section B. Members shall serve through December 31, 2024 Section C. Orientation for members, including functions, duties, and responsibilities, shall be conducted by the staff assigned to the Commission. Section D. Commissioners are expected to attend all regularly scheduled meetings. The Chairperson or staff shall be notified of an absence prior to any meeting. Section E. Three (3) consecutive, unexplained absences of a member from regular meetings can result in a recommendation to the City Council from the Commission to discharge said member and appoint a new member. Section F. Six consecutive absences of a member from regular meetings can result in a recommendation from the Commission to said member to examine its membership and, if necessary to resign his or her position ARTICLE S OFFICERS Section A. The Commission shall have two (2) officers: Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Section B. Officers shall perform the duties set forth in these by-laws. Section C. The Chairperson and Vice -Chairperson shall be elected from the Commission's membership. Commented [EG2l: Constant absence of members, even If explained, affect the work of the plenary notwithstanding the cause. Situations preventing a commissioner to participate for three months (or six meetings) should be prevented. Section F. Chairperson. The Chairperson, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the Commission, appoint committees, (represent the commission before City institutions and the community, coordinate with the facilitators, �nd In general, perform all duties Incident to Commented [e6al: Include among functions. the office of the Chairperson and such other duties as may be prescribed by the members from time to time. Section G. Vice -Chairperson. Inthe absence ofthe ChairpersonWhall perform the duties._ -- Commented [ee4l: suppress of the Chairperson and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Chairperson. ARTICLE 6 MEETINGS (Section A minus. The commission has the following types of meetings: Regular meetings Special meetings Work sessions) Commented [EG5]: Insert Section A. (Regular meetings are opportunities to take action on agenda items, receive public comment, discuss issues, receive updates from staff, and receive member communication. Yt_.. commented [EG6]: insert least one (1) regular meeting shall be held each month. Section B. (Special meetings are unscheduled meetings called to act when special circumstances require urgent action, or to focus on a specific topic. The Chairperson, Vice -- Commented [EG7]: Insert. Chairperson, or any three (3) Commissioners may call a special meeting. Commented [SD8R7]: suggest deleting the "cmzen"and inserting "members of the public" or "community Section B bis. Work sessions are meetings designed to discuss TRC matters in an informal members manner, allowing interaction between citizens and Commissioners. Work sessions do not culminate in action at that meeting. Actions or recommendations should betaken at either the next regular meeting or at another publicly announced date and time.).. - -- commented [EGB1: Insert Section C. Meetings shall be held in an accessible, public meeting place. Notices of meetings (agenda) for all regular and special meetings shall be posted and distributed to members and the media at least 24 hours before any meeting is held. All provisions of the State Open Meeting Law shall be followed. The Chairperson or a designated representative, shall prepare an agenda for all meetings, provided Commissioner suggestions are considered. Section D. A quorum shall consist of five (5) Commissioners. A majority of present and voting members shall be necessary to pass a motion. The Chairperson shall vote as a member. Section E. Noformal action shall betaken on items not on the agenda. Section F. The rules in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Commission in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules or order the Commission may adopt. Section G. Time shall be made available during all regular meetings for public comment on items not on the agenda. Commentators shall address the Commission for no more than 5 minutes. Commissioners shall not engage in discussion with the public concerning said items. (Section G bis. A closed session is a meeting or part of a meeting where the commissioners consider an issue in the absence of public. The commissioners may decide, by majority vote, to pass to a closed session where the matters being considered (1) involve attorney -client privilege, medical professional -patient relationship or are otherwise legally privileged from disclosure, (2) would pose a threat to the safety and integrity of those participating in the meeting, (3) to consider human resources -related issues such as discipline or performance evaluation of individual commissioners, facilitators and staff members. A closed session is not allowed for purposes of considering general human resources policies but only when they concern an individual person I.... (Section G ter. Minutes must be kept for closed sessions. All board actions, whether taken in open or closed session, must be recorded in the minutes. However, as long as the reasons for convening in closed session continue to exist the minutes may withhold any information that requires confidentiality, consistently with the Iowa Code, Chapter 22. Once the underlying purpose for the closed session ceases to exist, however, all records of the session, must be provided to any person requesting them Section H. Time shall be made available during all regular meetings for Commissioner reports of items not on the agenda. Commissioners shall not engage in discussion with one another concerning said reports. Section I. The Commission's designee shall record all activities and statements made at Commission meetings, hereafter known as minutes of the meeting. All Commission records shall be public except those excluded pursuant to Iowa Code, Chapter 22. re1;�EraliE7L]Y{.lt�i]t�i]E�Ei7.Y Section A. Formation of subcommittees shall be by majority vote of the Commission in Commented [EG10]: To insert Commented [Sol 1 R10]: Suggest deleting. This is not an accurate statement of Iowa law. With respect to closed meetings, Section 21.5 of the Iowa Code governs "closed sessions" to very specific situations. In my opinion, the TRC will not be able to go into closed session and having such a provision implies that closed sessions are possible. Further, even if the TRC can legally go into closed session, the bylaws do not need to provide for doing so. Commented [EG12]: To insert Commented [Sol 3111112]: Suggest deleting. This is not an accurate statement of Iowa law. Minutes of closed sessions are not available to the public at some point in time absent a court order with the exception closed sessions regarding the buying or selling real estate. Section 21. 5(5)b(l) of the Iowa Code states in relevant part: "The detailed minutes and audio recording of a closed session shall be sealed and shall not he public records open to public inspection. However, upon order of the court in an action to enforce this chapter, the detailed minutes and audio recording shall be unsealed and examined by the court in camera..," whatever subject area, or whatever number of committees, is deemed necessary. The Wommlttee(s) shall consist of no more than four members _ Commented [EGia]: insert ARTICLE 8 AMENDMENTS Section A. The By -Laws can be amended at any regular Commission meeting by a majority vote, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing to the Commission three (3) days prior to the meeting at which it is to be acted upon and such amendment is not in conflict with the Resolution No. 20-228. 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