HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRC Transcript - August 1, 2024[00:00:00] [00:00:06]
[MUSIC] So [OVERLAPPING]
[00:00:06]
Well, it's 7:20. Stefanie, if you can go ahead and do roll call. Thank you.
[00:00:11]
Uh, commissioner Dillard?
[00:00:13]
Here.
[00:00:14]
Commissioner Gathua?
[00:00:16]
Yes.
[00:00:17]
Commissioner O Kiche?
[00:00:19]
Yeah.
[00:00:20]
Commissioner Johnson?
[00:00:21]
Here.
[00:00:22]
Commissioner Merritt?
[00:00:24]
Here.
[00:00:26]
And let's see. I will, uh, work with Lubna because I- I think she's having trouble just even logging on,
and then Commissioner Tassinary?
[00:00:34]
Here.
[00:00:34]
Okay.
[00:00:36]
Thank you. Uh, we will go ahead with the reading of the Native American land acknowledgment, uh, if
commissioner do so.
[00:00:45]
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, Misaki, and SOC, and because history [00:01:00] 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 dispossess indigenous peoples of
their homelands was and is an act of colonization and genocide that we cannot erase. We implore the
Iowa City Community to commit to understanding and addressing these injustices as we work toward
equity, restoration, and reparations.
[00:01:30]
Thank you. Next, we'll move on to public comment of items not on the agenda. As a reminder
commissioners, uh, will not be able to engage in discussion with the public concerning set items, and
we allow five minute maxim for each speaker. If there's anyone in the room with us right now that
would like to speak, this is the time. Please come to the microphone. Will you please state your name?
Uh, what city you- you're residing in and go ahead. You have five minutes.
[00:01:59]
Thank you. Uh, my [00:02:00] name is Massa Hamad, and I live in Iowa City. Can you guys hear me
okay?
[00:02:04]
Yes.
[00:02:04]
Uh, so today, I'm talking about the, uh, issue of Section 8 housing. Uh, I- I don't know exactly what the
law is called, but a law was put into place where the uh,- the landlords can basically have a choice of
whether or not they can accept people who have Section 8 housing to come and live in their, uh,
units. And that has really affected a lot of people within this community because there's a large low
income community within Iowa City that uses Section 8 housing to live in a shelter to live in a home.
Uh, so I want to- so what I wanted to suggest today were, like, three solutions to this problem of
"Section 8." Uh, of course, I'm just a 19-year-old, so [LAUGHTER] take all of this kind of slow and you
guys know more than me. Uh, but- but a big problem within the Section 8 that a lot of landlords said
is that the money- the money comes in from two different parties. Uh, you guys are all aware of how
Section 8 works, correct? [00:03:00] There's, uh,- so there's, uh, the- the- the government side and
then the tenant side. And they both split the cost depending on the person's income. So a problem
was that the money coming in- coming in from two different parties, it takes too long, etc- etc. So a
solution would be that instead of, uh, the government side, uh, sending the- the money to, uh, the, uh,
landlord, they can just give the whole sum of the rent to the person who's using it to the tenant, and
they can pay it that way. So it's- so it's- so it's all within one check, and that would avoid any delays
within the- the- the rent that's true. And, of course, would like security measures to make sure that
the money is used for whites square. Um, the second solution would be, uh, to split units, uh, let's say,
for example, like Watts Group. They're a really big landlord within the IOC they have thousands of
units. Uh, they don't have to except Section 8 in every single section that's okay. They can split or
make a sensible judgment of, [00:04:00] uh, giving a certain number of- okay, these, uh,- these units
will be available for Section 8, and these will not. That's okay. We will take that. Uh, and a third
solution can be, uh, to have buy a piece of land. Of course, it's like, five, 10 years it- it- into the future
understand how big of a project this would be if- if it got accepted. What- but it would be is to buy a
big piece of land and basically build houses, build town homes, build apartments, whatever you see
acceptable that are, uh,- that are adjourned to Section 8 people. Um, and we can even, uh,- and you
can even help- and you can even help the people who have Section 8 help in, like, terms of financially
paying. It will pay for the place that- that- that we are going- going to stay. This is just all to avoid
completely because it seems like they completely want to wipe out the idea of Section 8 that's just
not reasonable. There's too many people that depend on it. Uh, those people you can say, Oh, get a
better job. That's a whole other [00:05:00] cannon bombs, but that's all I want to talk about today.
Thank you.
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Thank you for coming.
[00:05:04]
Thank you.
[00:05:06]
Sure.
[00:05:06]
Yeah. Uh, is there anyone else that would like to speak? Are you- would you- okay.
[00:05:12]
[BACKGROUND]
[00:05:14]
Okay. Well, thank you for coming.
[00:05:16]
[inaudible 00:05:16] [LAUGHTER]
[00:05:16]
I appreciate it. Uh, next, if there's no other further, uh, comments from our public, we'll move on to
our agenda items. Uh, we'll move on to agenda Item number 4, which appro- is approval of the
meeting minutes from July 18. And so-
[00:05:40]
I move.
[00:05:41]
Is there a second?
[00:05:42]
Second.
[00:05:42]
Second.
[00:05:43]
Second.
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Thank you.
[00:05:44]
It's been properly moved and seconded to approve the meeting minutes from July 18. All those in
favor say aye.
[00:05:49]
[OVERLAPPING] Aye.
[00:05:51]
Anyone opposed? Motion carries 60.
[00:05:55]
Thank you, Stefanie. Next, we'll move into our agenda Item number 5, which is next steps for Phase
3, [00:06:00] and 4, including upcoming events and engagement. Uh, there are several events that
are coming up this month that I would love for us to all be a part of tabling at. Uh, I'd love to just jump
in- in discuss who's available for the upcoming events that I have on- on our radar. And if there's any
new ones, uh,- that anyone is aware of or doesn't know about that I'm not aware of, please speak up.
But the first one is National Night Out, uh, the City of Iowa City, it's partnering with several
organizations in the community to have, uh, these events. One being one that I'm working on hosting
with my organization at Weatherby Park. And there's another one, uh, at Christ the King Church over
on the west side of Iowa City. Um, I know more details about the Weatherby Park that one is from
5:30-8:00 PM next Tuesday. Since I am working this, I cannot be tabling at it, so I'm looking for
[00:07:00] at least one, but preferably two, because it's always nice to have two people at a table, uh,
to be available to table at that event. Since that is a larger event, I- I would put that as a priority, but
if there are two people that are willing to split and be by themselves, or 3-4 people that want to go
together, we can do both of those events next Tuesday. Uh, and the time frame is between 5:30 and
8:00. So I wanted to put that on our radar, see if anyone here or online is available for that, uh, so I
can get you the details as soon as tomorrow.
[00:07:37]
You can get me the details. Can I- just send me details I'm not exactly sure, but I think I can do it.
[00:07:42]
Okay. I'll forward the details to Lou. Is there anyone else?
[00:07:45]
I'll do it.
[00:07:46]
Okay. Cliff, uh [OVERLAPPING]
[00:07:48]
I can count them too.
[00:07:50]
Okay. So since there's three of you, uh, interested, do we believe that we should try to make an effort
to go to both with one person at- at least one person [00:08:00] at each event, or do we want to just
go to the bigger one at Weatherby Park?
[00:08:06]
So what was the other one that was not Weatherby?
[00:08:08]
Uh, Christ the King Church is hosting it they're churches on the corner of Mormon Track and mor-, uh,
and, uh [OVERLAPPING]
[00:08:14]
Melrose.
[00:08:15]
Melrose.
[00:08:20]
And that one starts an hour later.
[00:08:22]
Is it?
[00:08:22]
Yeah, it starts at 6:30.
[00:08:24]
6:30. What time does it end?
[00:08:26]
Um, 8:00 O' clock.
[00:08:27]
So that one's only an hour and a half, so 6:30-8:00 o'clock. Lubna, are you able to hear us now?
[00:08:37]
Yeah.
[00:08:39]
Hello. Can you hear us?
[00:08:44]
I'll make sure to follow up.
[00:08:45]
I'll- I'll send this information to everyone, but it would be nice to get a verbal who can do it tonight. So
I have Cliff and Amos for sure, and then Lou possible [OVERLAPPING]. Okay. Awesome. This will be a
great especially the Weatherby one I've been [00:09:00] working that one for years. We have at least
500 people there. It'll be a great time to talk to people in that neighborhood about what we do or what
we're hoping [OVERLAPPING]
[00:09:06]
Hello.
[00:09:07]
This can do. Hi, Lubna. Can you hear us? Commissioner Mohamed?
[00:09:14]
I'll send her- I told her that there were technical difficulties [OVERLAPPING]
[00:09:18]
Okay.
[00:09:18]
And kind of just what it is.
[00:09:21]
I can hear Stefanie.
[00:09:22]
You can hear me?
[00:09:24]
Yes.
[00:09:24]
Good. Okay. Well, perfect.
[00:09:27]
But you cannot hear me?
[00:09:28]
That is voice is far away, and I don't see any pictures.
[00:09:31]
Okay.
[00:09:32]
So, un- unfortunately, one of the equipment that we need to work is not working, and so- and so- and-
and so the quality of this meeting is gonna be a little more difficult for you on Zoom than it would be
in person.
[00:09:45]
Okay.
[00:09:48]
Okay.
[00:09:53]
Okay.
[00:09:55]
Um, okay. So, uh, we will figure that one out, and if we [00:10:00] have enough people, we'll see if we
can do both- both sides.
[00:10:03]
Tuesday Weatherby Park, I can- I'll- I'll take it.
[00:10:09]
Awesome. I'll put you down for that one. Uh, great. And then the other one that I wanted uh, to invite
everyone to is another one my organization is putting together in of Summer Jam. It's going to be on
the other side of town at Willow Creek Park. It's another great time, uh, to engage, uh, families, uh, in
that area, that neighborhood, from 2:00-5:00. Uh, it's going to be basically a back to school event, uh,
and we're inviting all resources, uh,- res- resources in the community. So I signed us up for that if-,
uh, again, I'm working that event, so I would need another that one. That one is August 17th, which is
a Saturday, from 2:00 PM-5:00 PM. Uh, if people are available to do all three hours, great, if there
needs to be a tag-tag team and, you know, switch [00:11:00] up, like, half the time, that's a
possibility, as well. We'll go ahead and send out that information, uh, to everyone.
[00:11:08]
And maybe we'll do part of it.
[00:11:10]
Okay. So I have Lauren as part of that, and [OVERLAPPING]
[00:11:16]
I may also be able to do that.
[00:11:17]
And then Lou.
[00:11:18]
Yeah.
[00:11:18]
Thank you so much. Uh [OVERLAPPING]
[00:11:21]
Maybe able to do that. I'm not sure yet. I got to check for that.
[00:11:24]
Got you. If we have at least two people, uh, I think that should be great. I don't want, uh
[OVERLAPPING]
[00:11:28]
Johnny.
[00:11:29]
Okay. I mean, if people can come, that's great, but if we want to make sure we're tag teaming, so
people don't feel burnt out this month, I totally understand that as well. Uh, I know that Latino Fest is
coming out this- at the end of this month, I- I believe, as well. And that is an all day event. Uh, I
wanted to see if we had, uh, enough interest in just, you know, spreading the word about what we're
hoping to do, even though it's not exactly our first focus areas, uh, for the remainder of this year, but
we still want people [00:12:00] to know that it exists, uh, so if people are in agreement that that
would be important, I think that could be- that's a great time. Uh, and it's, uh, well attended. I'm- I'm
trying to bring up my notes because I forgot what day that is.
[00:12:15]
It's on the 24th.
[00:12:17]
Okay.
[00:12:18]
August 24th from 12:00- 9:30.
[00:12:20]
August 24, 12:00-9:30. Uh, unfortunately, I will be out of town that weekend, but it is a long day. I- I'm
not sure if you have to be there the whole time, but I mean, it's beneficial, uh, as much as we can.
Maybe that's another- that's a time we can utilize some of our volunteers or people that have
expressed interest to come stand with us, and it's just one of us at a time with, uh, a couple of
volunteers helping us out with that, uh. So [OVERLAPPING]
[00:12:48]
Is it downtown or [OVERLAPPING]
[00:12:49]
It is at the Padmall. Uh [OVERLAPPING]
[00:12:56]
Chassidy, just to go back to the national night out, are tables and [00:13:00] chairs provided for that
or not?
[00:13:01]
They're not.
[00:13:02]
Okay. So everything we- I mean, if somebody wants to take a box because we had already divided,
you don't have a lot left from Juneteenth, really. But we do have the clipboards and the sign up
sheets. And so if somebody after the meeting just wants to run up and grab the box, and then maybe
somebody else can take the chairs in the table [OVERLAPPING]
[00:13:23]
Yeah.
[00:13:23]
And that way, you don't have to kind of fuss with it since you're already here.
[00:13:27]
That would be great.
[00:13:27]
Okay.
[00:13:27]
Thank you for thinking of that. Uh, another event, uh, that's not until September is I know there's the
African festival, uh, that's being planned on September 28, which is also Saturday. I haven't seen a lot
of details about what the hours are. I just know that it's been announced and it's happening, so I think
that's another, uh, tabling event that we should, uh, make sure that we're- we're attending. Um
[OVERLAPPING]
[00:13:58]
Do we also need to order what [00:14:00] Stefanie just said some more swag?
[00:14:02]
I didn't order some, but I know it won't be here by Tuesday.
[00:14:05]
Yeah.
[00:14:05]
So- but it should definitely be here by, uh- I would think by the 24th and definitely September 28.
[00:14:12]
Okay.
[00:14:12]
Thank you. Um, and the last thing, I was thinking, and I wanted to get everyone's opinion is, uh, if we
want to, uh, try to see if we can join like the University of Iowa Student fair that they have, I believe
it's September 4, uh, we'd have to- to reach out to them and see if they'll let us, uh, join as a
community partner. Uh, that, I believe is on a Wednesday in the evening. Uh, just another, uh,
opportunity for us to put our face out there.
[00:14:45]
I think that's a smart move. All the students that are coming back, we get some momentum.
[00:14:49]
That's it usually down like at Hubbard Park area.
[00:14:52]
Uh, they've had it Hubbard Park. They've had it in the- I mean the IMU. I think somewhere in that area
is usually where they [00:15:00] have it. I think school starts a little bit later for the university
students. So it's in September instead of August this year. And that should be something that I can
attend. Uh, just wanted to put it on our radar, uh, and since it seems like we're in agreement that we
want to make this happen, uh, I'll work with Stefanie. We'll send out a Doodle poll to see who can, uh,
do what? I already have an idea of the next couple of weeks. And if there are anything- any other
events or tabling opportunities like this, exposure events for us that I- that are not on my radar, uh,
let us all know, uh, email us if there's other opportunities. Uh, we did talk about that we want to start
going to churches and, uh, things like that. So ah, I would say let's try to start setting those up and-
and if you have a connection, do- let's just email each other and see when we can make that happen.
I- I think two people minimum would be great because then you [00:16:00] can tag team with each
other. If you feel very strongly, you can go by yourself, but it's always- it's always better when you
have more people. So without burning people out, because, you know, it's a busy season all year, so
those are the, uh, engagement activities that I had gathered in-, uh, so far. Any other thoughts? The
last things is, um, I- I don't know how it works, uh, but as far as I know, we- we could go table also at
the farmers market. It doesn't seem like you have to have- like anyone can just set a table up there.
[00:16:38]
And that works.
[00:16:40]
Do you have to have a permit?
[00:16:42]
I think you do need a permit, but if you have a table that. But if you're standing around though, with
your shirts, we don't.
[00:16:51]
Cause, some of the sometimes they have political, like thi-like things. I wasn't sure if you had to.
Someone told me that you could just show up, but I want to do it the right way, [00:17:00] of course
[LAUGHTER]
[00:17:01]
Either way, we can accommodate it. I think if you want to have a physical presence, meaning a table
that you'll need approval, but we can make that happen. If you just want to stand and walk around
and talk to people, you wouldn't need anything, but we can check on the proper process and make
sure we're taking care of that for you.
[00:17:22]
Thank you. Do you, Jeff, I know I was talking about Iowa City, but do you know if it's the same for the
other cities that have their farmers' market?
[00:17:30]
I do not know sorry. We're happy to look into that for you.
[00:17:33]
That'd be wonderful if you could. So since that is not, like a set event, the Iowa City Farmers Market
happens every Saturday. I believe the Corb one happens on a Wednesday. We would need to decide
when we want to do it, how often maybe it's just like sending out the dates and seeing who's
available, and it could be as simple as, you're just walking around talking to people, the city
[00:18:00] manager just suggested. But this is something we want to I don't know, make a goal of
trying to get to maybe a couple of times over the next two, three months, just to find other areas.
[00:18:12]
That makes sense. Sounds good.
[00:18:17]
This is the loose plan. We-as we all know, we came together last time to have a budget. I don't
anticipate any budgeting dollars coming from these what we just talked about, except for the swag
items, as of now. When we start putting together, let's go in the churches or different things like that,
then we'll need to do a little bit more planning. But hopefully, maybe we all can just do a little bit
more research so we can have more things to put on our agenda as far as events over the next few
months at our whatever two weeks from now meeting is [00:19:00] August 15, I believe. That's all I
have to say about events. Any other thoughts, discussion. Love any input from city staff, if you think
of any things that we're missing or haven't thought of. Definitely appreciate that. The other thing I
wanted to discuss, I believe Commissioner Simmons was going to be here. He probably had to
continue at his business. But we were going to talk a little bit more about the documentary and what
our expectations are for it and what his vision is a he's been working more closely with Anthony
Houghton. I think it'd be great for us to just have our own discussion, so it can be in the record. And
we can just take that information as forwarded on to him what we're hoping to what our goal is with
this documentary and what we want it to showcase [00:20:00] and show to the public once it's
completed. I'm going to let other people talk.
[00:20:15]
I think it seems to me that any documentary would have to hit both the high points and the low points
in the process in some way. As well as have little bits where commissioners past and present talk
some. But I don't know how much what footage he has or what has been talked about with the
documentarian yet. But those two general things seem to me to be essential to having it.
[00:20:55]
Commissioner Simmons can correct me if I'm misquoting this, but I believe, like um [00:21:00] he has
the footage that we had at our events that we had in March and maybe a couple of other things, and
he was going to start working on some interviews, but also pulls from footage that are related to our
meetings. As well.
[00:21:16]
That's good.
[00:21:17]
But what I'm gathering from you, Lou, is that it should be all comb like a storytelling of our history as
a commission. Start to finish.
[00:21:27]
As much as possible.
[00:21:28]
As much as possible. I'd love to hear any other thoughts. Help you.
[00:21:36]
I talked to the gentleman just before he was contracted when he visited as somebody in the public, I
think, Commissioner Simmons brought him here. I told him that there's a lot of material he can get
from the public videos. That's what I was using before I came to the Commission. And that is probably
good enough with additional stuff that we got [00:22:00] recently in March to tell a good story of the
struggles we've had, the low points and high points that Commissioner Dillard has talked about. It's
just time It's a contractual thing that probably, I don't know we escaped or missed in some point to
have clear contractual agreement on some of the things that he would do because he's probably
been paid. He can say, these are additional things, am I going to get paid and that is not in our
budget. Those are things that I don't know. Commissioner Chad probably will help us with, but if he's
willing, he to tell a good story at the firm and documentary make, he should suggest look at the public
information.
[00:22:51]
I think that's a good point. I also want to point out, having worked with someone creating a
documentary before, since there's so much footage. If there's anything any [00:23:00] of us
specifically would like to pinpoint. The best thing to do for anyone working on that is to say, here is on
this day, at this time, will you please look at this? Because that would be asking him to go through
hours of footage without the context that we have as experiencing it. So just keep that in mind.
[00:23:22]
One thing that might help is if we can pull together and point him to the stories that appeared in the
press. That would get him focused on a few of the things that happened so we could make it easier,
like you said for him to find the stuff that he needs.
[00:23:39]
Absolutely. Any other thoughts? Go ahead.
[00:23:43]
Is this something that'll be on how's the presentation going to be on YouTube, on our public access or
film scene or all the above?
[00:23:54]
I assume it can be all of the above. Since we're a city commission, everything we have access to city
[00:24:00] elements like the YouTube and their social media? What is it? I don't know what it's called
The TV stuff. Access. Local access is what I was going to say PA TV. That's not right [LAUGHTER] I
don't see why we couldn't work with a community collaboration with film scene or other community
things. I will say that a documentary can take months. If-if we want to still be involved with this, we
either need to get this completed by December 31 or discuss what that looks after we are completely
done as a commission. So that's something to think about.
[00:24:41]
So are we going to set up a scheduled time where we are going to sit down and actually, like,
brainstorm on take the time to sit down with our fellow commissioner and the director and actually
discuss it with them and see what their ideas and thoughts are.
[00:24:58]
Is that what we would like?
[00:24:59]
That's what I think we need [00:25:00] to do that [OVERLAPPING].
[00:25:01]
I would just reach out to Chad because Terrence has received all the videos or the meeting recordings
on the TRC. I think Chad is Kind of the person who is guiding the work that he's doing. And so Just
maybe sending a note to Chad about what you think should be included or what you want to include it
could probably facilitate it happening sooner than say waiting until your next meeting to discuss it
because I know Terrence is working on it.
[00:25:31]
I think that's a great idea. Let's if you have anything specific that you want, send it to Chad. We also
probably have Terrence e mail as well, so you could send it to both of them. I can also e mail both of
them and say that we want to be able to discuss this together with them. It is a possibility that
Commissioner Simmons might not be available the next meeting, but we can still see if Terrence is
able to be here, and just make sure [00:26:00] that we're all in agreement of what the next steps are
and what the vision is for this product.
[00:26:08]
That sounds good.
[00:26:10]
Would it be inappropriate to specifically we can reach out to Terrence and had individually, but could
we ask Terrence to present some short thing to the commission at the next meeting as to what he's
done so far, where he's gone.
[00:26:28]
We could, I have no idea where he is at it. It could be a tall order to bring in something that's not
complete.
[00:26:37]
But I was just saying just verbally tell us where he is.
[00:26:41]
Verbally I think. [OVERLAPPING].
[00:26:42]
That's what I mean about me. Just sitting down and talking with him. Because that makes sense to if
there's anything he's working hard at, and then we're like well, I don't know about that or something,
makes sense.
[00:26:55]
Yes, I think that is a great idea that we're all in agreement [00:27:00] that we want to bring in
Terrence, and you know Commissioner Simmons working alongside him to see what their vision has
been so far and see what input we'd like to put into that. I think that's a great idea. Any other
thoughts on just thinking out loud, what we definitely want to make sure it's in this documentary.
[00:27:26]
The people from our city. I want them to be interviewed. Specifically on how they feel about our city,
what are the things they love about it. And then also what they might have concerns about. That's
hopefully something that will link up with everything that we have been doing.
[00:27:53]
That makes a lot of sense. My hope for a documentary of any [00:28:00] sort that really tells the story
of Iowa Cities. Truth and Reconciliation Commission is that it's authentic and is able to, I guess,
encapsulate all the hardships and the winds and you know, the back and forth to get to. So that
people understand what the hope and dream started off with and where we are now. Even if it leaves
off on a cliff hanger [LAUGHTER]. And gets people to think a little bit more about how this all came to
be. Hopefully we can find a way to do that. I'm not sure how long that would be in a documentary. But
it's not a small undertaking. It's definitely a big task we're asking.
[00:28:53]
Do we have anybody that's going to narrate or anything like that, or have there been any thoughts,
somebody that's possibly.
[00:29:00] [00:29:01]
I think that we should ask Chad that. I think he did have some ideas. I'm going to let him tell us what
his plan was for that specifically. But this is our group project, so we can give some input on that. I
don't know maybe the narrator is everyone throughout the whole thing. If you go ahead?
[00:29:27]
I think it is important that all commission members are given access to what's going on and are
transparent and given a choice so that we don't have surprises when there's limited time to make
changes. And I think that's very important. What is going to be there? How diverse the conversation is
going to be? Is it much on the side of injustices-injustices? Is it also on talking about efforts at
reconciliation and other things? Those balances are we going to look because [00:30:00] we are
looking at all those three things, the facts issues or problems. And what efforts we as a community are
making too, and I think Commissioner Cliff talked about that too. That balance, we need to talk about
it when the right time comes so that we are not overweighted on certain areas that I know we have
different views here, but I think the complement of that is very important and should be. I think the
community wants to see that.
[00:30:32]
Absolutely.
[00:30:33]
I was going to say and also, so that we have realistic expectations and we're not disappointed. It
seems to me that part of what the documentarian should be able to do is organize the materials in a
way that it's continually accessible. But that the product that he is producing it's not going to be an
hour long PBS documentary. It's got to be like at most a ten to 15 minute piece.
[00:31:00]
I say 20 minutes back. What we've already paid.
[00:31:05]
I think that's how we need to focus is it's not going to be everything. It's going to be a particular
perspective that we're all comfortable with, but there's a lot sitting behind it so that can be used later
for other things.
[00:31:19]
I think it's a great idea for us to bring him in and talk to us. if-If I when I reach out and they want to
meet beforehand, I'll be sure to see if anyone is wanting to do that before we have the group
discussion to make it easier as well. So as far as next steps for Phase 3 and four, those are the two
topics I had, the documentary and the events coming up. Was there any other topics before I circle
back to one other item or any other things that we need to make sure on our radar as far as events or
next steps for Phase [00:32:00] 3 and 4?
[00:32:03]
I think the question of calendar schedule is going to confront us here very soon. We have to think of
some deadlines, or some things to guide us so that we are really on our feet and area because we
might be thinking we have a lot of time to meet these groups in the communities, and if you keep
postponing and thinking because you don't have a date, you just think, I'll do it in October, November.
I think that would be a disaster. This has been expressed by some members of the commission here.
And I think it is also in the report in the minutes of the last meeting that is something that we should
have probably looked at today seriously, but I don't know if it is implicitly a part of the calendar or
could have been specific. Calendar is going to be a problem. We have to have some dates and say
like me, I'm going to meet some guys in the Immigrant community. I need to talk [00:33:00] to them,
and they're going to ask me, so what time are you thinking of? What dates? I have to serve something
that I can promise them that walk around these dates during this period, this week of the month and
get me a calendar so I can go back to the commission to make necessary arrangements. The calendar
thing, I think we have been kicking it down a little bit, but it's dangerous.
[00:33:28]
I would agree with you. I would say that if you were meeting with any immigrant people in this
community and they suggest a date, that's the date that we do. It shouldn't be around our schedule.
We need to be flexible and go around other people's schedules. Again, if one or two of us are
available to do it, I would prefer to, at least, let's just do that date and I don't think we need to wait
until our next meeting to make those things happen. Please just reach out to me if you have a date,
and you want to make it happen, and I'll reach [00:34:00] out to the group, say this is when people
are available, they want to talk. Let's do it. Let's not like you said, it back because we don't have time
for that. If that is for everyone, if that's the permission we need to move, just if someone says they
can do it, let's just do it. It is my opinion.
[00:34:22]
I agree.
[00:34:26]
Um, do you have any, um, specific dates at this time, Commissioner Kiche, that people are interested
in sitting down and talking?
[00:34:34]
The- the persons of- the groups that I've talked to have been waiting for me to give them a date
because I'm not sure if the commission is ready yet or have some processes that are in bill that are
necessary to have that to happen, and, uh, I needed that kind of clearance that I can now fix a date
with them from the commission. And didn't want to just go out them myself fixing a date, I think that
probably is not something that's good. So I need this clearance [00:35:00] so that I can say, "Okay.
We are working around this, the commissioner is clear, and they are ready, they can listen to you or
they can come to your community, uh, under certain these circumstances like this so that the city is
also aware to provide the audio visual equipment because I think these- these are public meetings,
and I think all those things will be nec- necessary.
[00:35:21]
Oh, we don't need that.
[00:35:22]
We don't need that.
[00:35:23]
We only- oh.
[00:35:24]
Sit down meeting.
[00:35:25]
It's just a sit down meeting. If we only need, like to do quorum like things if we're in quorum. But if it's
just one-
[00:35:32]
Not- not- I'm talking not about quorum. Taping. They taped.
[00:35:37]
But we don't want to tape an event because it's not an event. We're just meeting peo- we're just
sitting down and meeting people. We're not doing events.
[00:35:43]
It's like a conversation.
[00:35:44]
It's just a little gathering.
[00:35:45]
Yeah. I mean, that's what I mean.
[00:35:46]
Yeah.
[00:35:47]
I get you guys. That conversation with a group of 6, 7, people, 10. So-
[00:35:52]
But we are not taping.
[00:35:53]
We are not- we're not getting anything from them.
[00:35:55]
Yeah. No taping. That's a whole-
[00:35:56]
You just listen and take it to your head, and that's it. How [00:36:00] is it gonna get in the report?
[00:36:01]
Well, you write- you take notes. This is just informal, like, this is the same as when- in my opinion,
when we go and we do our tabling events, on Tuesday, Saturday, we're meeting and getting to talk to
people. This is an introductory way-
[00:36:14]
To reach out.
[00:36:15]
-to reach out, and, uh, maybe someone will sit down with us and- and do the witnessing, um, part of
our job. This is really our key engagement. If you put, er, a camera in front of people when you don't
even know them, they're not- gonna- they're not gonna talk to you.
[00:36:32]
Um, I'm thinking that this could not be very different from the ones we did in March.
[00:36:37]
Oh, that's not what I was thinking at all.
[00:36:39]
Yeah. That's what I thought we were continuing with the process.
[00:36:42]
No.
[00:36:43]
No. That- those- those
[00:36:45]
That's not what-
[00:36:46]
At least I thought. Those required a lot of effort.
[00:36:49]
Yeah. No.
[00:36:50]
And because we had very limited amounts of time now before we need to get a report out in
November, these were just ways to supplement what information we've already acquired [00:37:00]
and to give us potential directions for how the next phase could be done better.
[00:37:05]
This is really just- um, because this is what we talked about the last couple of months or the last
month that we wanna just find, uh, a mass way to get in front of as many people as possible and- and
talk to them and- and get them to know what we're hoping to do and hear from them what they would
like to see us do, not recreate what we did in March.
[00:37:25]
I get you, but I'm still wor- worried about how that information, the conversation we're having with
them. How does- how does it get relayed to the public?
[00:37:34]
It gets relayed by you retelling your- what your experience was.
[00:37:38]
Me- the commission are taking the notes.
[00:37:41]
Whoever's meeting with the people.
[00:37:42]
Yeah.
[00:37:43]
We're going- we're gonna listen to them, and we're gonna take notes, and we're gonna bring that
report back to us what this group.
[00:37:50]
Should we just, like, record it ourselves, like, on a- any kind of recorder of any sort, and then
[inaudible 00:37:57]
[00:37:57]
I would ask commissioner of the people if they would want that. If they'd be willing for that?
[00:38:00]
Yeah. Can we- can we back up? Let's just- maybe we're not all thinking of this at the same. Can you
give me a scenario, um, Commissioner Kiche, what your ex- what you're thinking is going to happen?
Just take me through the moment. Like, what would happen? Like, you- where are you meeting, who
are you meeting with? You said six or seven people. Like, where?
[00:38:20]
Okay. Yesterday, I attended a city event on housing. A big event, almost over 200 people of Hispanic
background at the church. And, uh, they were telling their stories, their experiences, with issues of
housing. And I think somebody was probably recording or taking serious notes about that for a report
to a consultant. The consultant is no different from the- our facilitators that we had before. Yeah.
They're just doing a different thing in a different way. So the consultant had people writing and video
taking, I think, using their computers and other [00:39:00] things. I had one also at the neighborhood
centers, ah, Johnson County Neighborhood Centers in Broadway. They were doing the same event like
today, and there were like 10 people there. Talking.
[00:39:13]
Talking to mic.
[00:39:14]
Okay. I talk to the mic.
[00:39:15]
Yes. Yes.
[00:39:16]
You're talking about the input meeting at the city?
[00:39:19]
Yes. Yes. Yes.
[00:39:19]
The- the city input meeting.
[00:39:20]
Yes. The input meeting is where we get stories about experiences. We get issues on how to reconcile,
how to improve things, and, uh, I take them very serious because we get them from the people, but I
know the conversation is informal, but if people realize that those ones are not as important as other
ones that were done before, then, uh, I- I feel like I'm not performing my duty very well.
[00:39:55]
So what I'm hearing you say, I- to me, it sounds like you're- you're jumping [00:40:00] a process. I'm-
uh, I'm asking us to take the step beforehand, which is getting to know the people first so that they
are comfortable with us bringing them to certain things. I know that some of the- the, um, events
don't get a lot of people to them in this community if people don't know who they are or why they're
coming or fully understand, but they come when they- when they know and trust the people, and we-
we're- we need to work on our trust level in this community and the knowledge of why we're here. So
I think what you're talking about is important, but I don't think we're there yet to do that process.
[00:40:44]
But that there yet- that yet time, when is it coming when we only have two months?
[00:40:50]
That's been the problem we've been talking about since May, and I thought we all agreed that we
can't get to that yet until we do this first process of [00:41:00] sitting down and having informal, like,
conversations with people in the community where we go to a church and just talk about who we are
and listen to people's stories. If they feel comfortable with us, then maybe we create, uh, an event in
November and invite them to talk a little bit more on tape. Or maybe we have them sitting from a
camera one on one and talk on tape, but we're really just trying to talk to as many people as possible
as how I thought we agreed to do it.
[00:41:36]
I- I would like to piggyback on that. Yeah. It's kind of it's- it goes back to that structure that we were
talking about before that we're sending different people off, and it's just about building a good
repertoire. We just want to make sure that they feel comfortable with you. Once they feel comfortable
with you and you're like, "All right. Well, I'm glad you guys were spending this time. Let's, uh- we-
when we have this event, [00:42:00] come on in. I'm the guy that you're gonna see when you're
there. Come on over to me, and then we'll- we'll guide it off from there." That- that's the basic
premise of what. I think, uh, this whole thing is supposed to be about four right now, at least until the
next event.
[00:42:17]
So the next event will be, ah, a situation where all that information that we need from them is
available to us in a better way than this one. I don't know if the community members always have
that time, um, to come to us twice, maybe it's a group of people.
[00:42:34]
No. That's why we are going to them first. That's where we're talking- we're- we're right now reaching
out to them on there wherever they are.
[00:42:42]
Okay.
[00:42:42]
Having the talk, hearing from them.
[00:42:44]
They tend to be only come out once.
[00:42:46]
Yeah. They come out once, and- and we are not given- we're not gonna visit them again.
[00:42:50]
We could.
[00:42:51]
We could.
[00:42:52]
Any time.
[00:42:52]
We can visit them as many times. So I think what- I- I thought we all, uh, agreed with is that we tried
the- let's [00:43:00] get them to come to us first, and, you know, we did okay, but it wasn't our
greatest, and we- we all discussed that we need to go to people first. But if you're worried about time,
again, like if, I- I- I understand that we can't fit all of this in- before the end of December. I mean, we
can try. We can also discuss, maybe we should ask city council to extend the time. Um, I don't know.
Or we- we also discuss that we need to do as much as we can to present to city council why that they
should give us more time or make this, er, a permanent commission so that other people can do what
we're trying to do better. I- I hear, um, your concern. There's a lot to do, but it's only us. We're not
gonna- we're not gonna be able to- it's not gonna be perfect.
[00:43:57]
I stand by exactly what you just said, and I have for [00:44:00] a long time that this is why the
commission is too big. It- we- it has a lot of work that needs to be ongoing, and it should be a
permanent thing, so people don't have to scramble, but they have projects that can be done properly
in the- in the right way. But for right now, for what we got to handle with right now, the best thing we
could do is try to go out there, meet with them, gather as much information as we can, and then from
there, present it when they- when they can come in. So we're- we're going to meet them on their
ground, and then build in the repertoire with them, and then from there, inviting them to come in at a
certain time. As- I mean, it's it's- it's fast, but it's all we got right now. We don't really have anything
else, and I don't- unless we're talking about, I don't think we're gonna get a lot more extra time unless
we're saying, let's extend this off and permanent. That's what I see, at least.
[00:44:57]
Right. I mean, the way- if we look back at the minutes from the [00:45:00] last meeting, one thing
that jumped out at me was Dillard's report that tacit hands are her focus on the report with Tassinary
leading the work and the suggested date of October early November to get a report to the city council
by its December meeting date. That's not enough. I mean, we can't have an event and- and get that. I
mean, what we can do is take what we have done so far, supplement it with these active
engagements with the community in small ways, feed that information back into the report to suggest
[OVERLAPPING] what is needs to happen.
[00:45:33]
Part of our recommendations.
[00:45:34]
What's the recommendation for the future? We need to have these bigger events happening on a
semi-regular basis on a regular basis, and you set everything up, so this works better because this ad
hoc way of doing it and the burden placed on all of us work sort of, but it didn't work great. I mean,
we have to sort of set the stage for what the next thing is gonna be.
[00:45:55]
Yeah. I- I really get that, and I'm not very different from what you are thinking about. I'm just
[00:46:00] worried about the transfer of those voices. But- but you guys as sort of our fellow
commissioners are saying that we just talk, and I can take notes or you can take notes, and we go put
it there in an informal way, and, uh, that is where my worry is.
[00:46:17]
Yeah. I agree with, uh, asking for their permission and recording it. So you can go back and take notes
and find exactly what works out best and- and the things that you can highlight, so everybody can
speak freely, but then find the most important aspects from yourself. So you're still hearing
everything from everybody. That's what I was- that's what I'm thinking if- if that's where I'm going
with it. That's- I- there's no way I would be able to remember everything all at once. So I- I would have
to have their permission to record it and then just go back and kind of write it all down and get it
squared. That's what I'm thinking.
[00:46:50]
But- but you might only need to audio record it.
[00:46:53]
Yeah.
[00:46:53]
Right.
[00:46:53]
No. That's all. Yeah, I wasn't saying, like, video.
[00:46:55]
If everyone is agreeable, you put the phone on the table and hit record, and then-
[00:47:00]
Yeah. Yes.
[00:47:01]
-and then use that to, you know, construct your notes.
[00:47:04]
So- so can someone tell us on those processes what those qualifications to do things like that. So that
we inform the groups that are coming I might meet a group, and that I'm gonna have to tell that,
yeah, I will be recording this or things that are- is that okay? Can we- can we get some help on that?
[00:47:25]
Uh, on recording?
[00:47:26]
Yeah.
[00:47:26]
So, I mean, the reason why I didn't wanna do work with all that, because that- that hinders our
process. That delays more if we are worried about recording and video or audio. Also, that changes
legality. It changes, like how we're storing it. It changes like, who owns it. Like, once we record,
everything is, you know, public records. So, um, we just- we would- we have to change and make sure
that we're telling people a specific thing. So it's just two different realms. [00:48:00] Um, so I mean, if
you are comfortable and the people around that you're gonna sit with or, like, want that, let's do it
because that's what we're here to do. Um, the people I'm talking about sitting down with that don't
know me very well. I don't- I don't plan on doing that right away, but we certainly can. It just- once we
start asking for that, it just changes the process and makes it harder, more planning is needed. I
mean-
[00:48:32]
Stephanie? I just wanna- I don't know if you know this or not. I just wanna ask a question about
recording. Um, given that the group is not- um, it's not a public meeting. It's one single individual
talking with some people. Um, if there was a, uh, piece of paper that was- or some sort of
acknowledgment was there that we're gonna record this, [00:49:00] but it's only a work product. And
as soon as the notes are taken, the recording is erased.
[00:49:06]
Yeah.
[00:49:07]
Does that run counter to any public? I don't think it does, but I don't know what certain.
[00:49:12]
The piece of paper or the video would be public record.
[00:49:17]
So are you talking about-
[00:49:19]
No video. I'm just saying, just an audio recording.
[00:49:21]
The audio would, too.
[00:49:22]
But used for the purpose of taking down a transcript.
[00:49:27]
No.
[00:49:28]
So wasn't there a situation with a documentary where they said, like, because it's a working progre-
product, like, you can scrap something?
[00:49:35]
I think when that- that's when you're working on something.
[00:49:37]
Okay.
[00:49:38]
Well, that's what he's doing. He's working on taking down notes to go into a report. That's the point of
the recording.
[00:49:48]
I mean, because even if you have, like a subcommittee meeting and there's not a quorum, I mean,
those- any notes you take as a part of that subcommittee are public record. Even though you're doing
[00:50:00] draft work for the entire commission, somebody could still say, "Hey, I want Chastity spiral
notes from the meeting that they had on April 7th," and so I don't know, but Jeff's here, so he can
chime in too.
[00:50:12]
Well, I'm- I'm certainly not a lawyer, but I- I pretend to be sometimes. We can get a legal opinion if- if
it's necessary. Um, I would think it's a public record. I would think once you take that recording, it's a-
it's a public record and, um-
[00:50:25]
They're functioning the capacity as commissioner.
[00:50:28]
The- the only reason I ask is that the last time this came up when someone asked for notes from the
commissioners that taking while they were sitting down, my response to the lawyer was, I took the
notes down for my own personal purpose, and I destroyed them, and there was no problem.
[00:50:41]
Yeah.
[00:50:41]
Well, there may not be a retention requirement with that public record. And, if the audio recording no
longer existed, a week from- a week from the time you took it, that- that may not be a problem, but,
uh, may not be a legal problem. Maybe politically, you know, cause some frustration in the
community, but, uh, [00:51:00] I- I'd be more comfortable making sure attorney's office could guide
you on this. And if you'd like, we can just have them issue a memo or some written guidance to you at
your next meeting.
[00:51:10]
Okay.
[00:51:10]
Thank you.
[00:51:23]
So I think, um, we started all this discussion, which is a great discussion on, um, plan/calendar of how
we're gonna move forward. Um, and how we can best do what's best for the people that we're serving
and to achieve our mission as a Commission. Um, and what's the best way moving forward? I don't
wanna dismiss anyone's concerns. So, um, [00:52:00] I think we're all in agreement that, you know,
these tabling events, trying to, um, get in front of as many people as possible, to give exposure is a
great idea and finding ways to sit down with different groups of people is important. We just need to
decide what's the best approach, um, in different situations.
[00:52:20]
Do we wanna think of, um, certain key- key questions that we wanna ask whenever we are with
people?
[00:52:30]
Like a suggestive question list or how to engage the conversation?
[00:52:34]
Yeah.
[00:52:34]
I think if we also go back to some of the many notes that, um, our facilitators provided for us,
especially on truth telling and, um, all of that. Although what we're doing is a very modified version of
what they suggested to us. I think some of those questions will help guide us, um, in having a
discussion if you need that help. But yes. I mean, we can refer to that [00:53:00] or have, excuse me,
specific suggested notes for those discussions. Um, Commissioner, uh, Amos, are you, um, how can
we best help you since you were one of the first people, I believe, that is- you're ready for us to- to sit
down with people? What's best for the community that you're thinking of?
[00:53:42]
My idea is, um, to give them a safe place.
[00:53:46]
Mm-hmm.
[00:53:47]
Where they can- we can talk to us under this, uh, belief that all that they're giving it to us is gonna be
relayed in a manner that [00:54:00] creates value and impact to the Commission and to the report.
Not in a manner that I go and distort it in a different way and then it can't be verified. Because some
of that could be evidence of injustices. Somebody can just tell me, er, this is what happened like
today, what I had about housing, is somebody being threatened by a landlord for reporting to the city
that the faucet is leaking, another thing, and they're called- the police's call on them, they
threatened. So I was thinking that is something that's very, very important that I have reported in a
way that it makes sense so that the policymakers can design a way to deal with that issue or maybe
establish something. So I'm- I'm looking at these processes, the voices that are very impactful as data
points that are used, whatever. I know some of them are gonna be reluctant. But that's the case like
we've had before. You know, we just usually get a few come here to tell us their [00:55:00]
experiences. So we were thinking there maybe they are more comfortable. And actually, when I was
in the church yesterday in St. Patrick's Church, I was amazed. I've never seen that a community
event like that. And that was on housing. Just housing only, they were not talking about anything else.
And people talked, there were evidences of injustices to them with the- through the landlords and
what actually, they gave a lot of suggestions for the city to work on based on a grant that the city has
received. So they are also helping us get solutions at the same time. And, er, so I'm not disagree with
it, we are in the same boat. It's just that sometimes if we make it too informal then at the same time,
yeah, but-
[00:55:46]
Can I make a suggestion?
[00:55:48]
Yes.
[00:55:48]
Because I hear what you're saying. And I just thought of what you're saying sounds like a town hall
meeting, like a bunch of people being able to talk about and say what they believe is injustice and
offer solutions, [00:56:00] which maybe we should do that. And I th- uh, I guess because I know that
you say you're agreeing with what we're saying, but maybe the disconnect is that wa- some of us are
saying that we want to have the precursor to that. Like, because what if someone comes up to the mic
and says something that I mean, is- we don't agree with or it doesn't make sense, and I even agree
with. What's the right word? Is something that we haven't verified. We don't wanna- we learn from
Eduardo that we don't wanna have testimonies that are unpredictable. We should know what people
are going to say before they are saying it. And if someone says something on a recording and it could
get them in trouble or us in trouble, we have no way of protecting them. So that's my only concern
about not knowing beforehand what people are gonna say recorded. So what if we have some of those
smaller meetings and as [00:57:00] soon as we hear someone and they're like, oh, I wanna come to
this town hall meeting, and I want you to record it, then we can make sure that they get to that. We
can.
[00:57:08]
And I'm actually not insisting on recording. I'm just looking for any media technology that picks up
stuff to help us when we need because these reports that we're gonna start going out through, we
can't remember these things. All I can remember, I'll have to go to the videos, actually. Me I'll go to
the videos, when we start looking to verify these things.
[00:57:26]
So you-
[00:57:27]
I will not use my brain to remember anything. It won't happen.
[00:57:30]
Okay.
[00:57:30]
Yeah.
[00:57:30]
Are you looking for a way for us to make sure that we get everything down correctly?
[00:57:34]
In- yes.
[00:57:35]
Okay.
[00:57:35]
In a manner that really helps.
[00:57:37]
Okay.
[00:57:37]
Whether it is a town hall or, um-
[00:57:40]
Okay.
[00:57:41]
A team meeting, that is not- those ones are allowed by our mandate. All those are all allowed by our
date- mandate. As long as we get the voices from the community in manners that achieves the
purpose for which the Commission was set.
[00:57:56]
So I think, um, my misunderstanding of you is you're saying that you just wanna make sure [00:58:00]
that we're not forgetting anything and-
[00:58:02]
Yes.
[00:58:03]
Okay.
[00:58:03]
That's one of the things. Yeah.
[00:58:04]
One of the things.
[00:58:05]
There also another thing to make it public, which means if we make it too informal, then it is also not
public enough. I don't know.
[00:58:12]
So I think we should have- so you wanna have some public, and we wanna have some that are closed
so people feel safe because you can't have sanctuary always in the public.
[00:58:22]
Yeah. Yeah. Just in case necessary, but- but I believe most people, not really most, maybe I'm wrong
there. We're gonna just get cases where people are willing to discuss with you in a group or
something like that telling you this is what, you know, you can help us with this and this, and we're
taking that seriously and putting it.
[00:58:39]
Mm-hmm.
[00:58:39]
Yeah. For somebody else to look at. But these are primary records. They're data points. Is- these
things are not gonna only be looked by us only. Somebody might come again and look at the things.
Well, let's see what the Commission did given these people told them this and this and this. And if
those things are not well taken care of, then you see. So we are sloppy in collecting the information.
[00:59:00] We are also probably sloppy again, in getting the recommendations.
[00:59:03]
Okay. So, uh, would you be able to go back to the people that you- they're- they're waiting on us for a
date and ask them like two or three dates, see when they're available. And then you can let us know,
let's just make it happen with them.
[00:59:19]
Yeah, yeah, that what-
[00:59:19]
And then not a quorum of us, um, go and sit down with these people and just listen.
[00:59:28]
Yeah, let's wait for the clearance from- the legal clearance on whether quorum is need- needed there
or not.
[00:59:35]
We already have the legal clearings.
[00:59:36]
Okay.
[00:59:36]
We don't-
[00:59:37]
We don't need the quorum.
[00:59:38]
We don't need to wait for anything. We've already done.
[00:59:40]
Okay then. Then I just run into confusion.
[00:59:42]
Let's not wait anymore. We don't have time to wait.
[00:59:45]
Emma thinks that when- when you're talking and you're taking notes, I mean, you- you can go back
and say, make sure I heard you correctly and you recite what you have in your notes, and they will let
you know if what you've written down is correct and convey, you know-
[01:00:00]
Notes are also, you know, subject to public records.
[01:00:03]
Okay.
[01:00:03]
So you might as well just record, if maybe. But, um, also if- someone else can take notes while you're
listening, we can also get someone else to do that. So- but what- what we're deciding is we wanna,
um, move forward with this known group of people that are ready to talk to us, preferably this month
in some way, shape or form. Um, a group of us, um, are more than ready to meet with them,
depending on the days, times. Um, if they give us some dates and it just two of us can't make it, let's
just figure out what can happen and let me know how I can assist with this. Don't wanna do-
[01:00:40]
Certainly know what I'll do.
[01:00:41]
Mm-hmm.
[01:00:43]
Okay.
[01:00:44]
And the same goes for the rest of us, including me, if there's other groups of people we wanna try to
make it happen. We're really doing grassroots right now. Don't burn out, but let's try to see what we
can do. This is kinda the motto. Okay. Great [01:01:00] discussion. Anything else about next steps? I
will work on putting together, um, a calendar as soon as we get some of those other dates, put it- I'll
put those together too. Um, just a list of dates of thing, and, um, I'll work with Stefanie about a Doodle
poll first, um, those other dates we discussed. Um, if there's anything else that comes up, let me know
or Stefanie know, let the group know and we can make it work. So does anyone else have anything
they wanna add to this?
[01:01:32]
I think we should permanently push for truth and rex- reconciliation Commission.
[01:01:37]
So that'll go in our recommendations.
[01:01:39]
That's all.
[01:01:40]
Yeah.
[01:01:41]
Push.
[01:01:41]
Um, I guess, Lou, I did say last time that you were gonna help us lead the, um, for the report. So
maybe you and I should talk about what we need to make that happen and, um, how we can get on
board with that and talk maybe next meeting and the meeting after.
[01:02:00] [01:02:01]
When is our next meeting?
[01:02:02]
Um, two weeks from today would be the 15th.
[01:02:08]
Okay. So I- I will make a good faith effort to do the first part of that report, which was what I agreed to
do, which was go through the consultant's report and create a sort of executive summary of that.
[01:02:20]
Okay.
[01:02:20]
Um, and then just start to outline some things, just so we have something to work off of.
[01:02:27]
Great. And it looks like we have an extra week in August, so we'll, um, have three weeks between that
one and the following one. Um, anyone else wanna say anything about this? Okay, a member- go
ahead.
[01:02:42]
On the last meeting, I think, er, we- we- we approved- not yet approved by the CTA on other locations
to report writing and other things like that, getting help from some gentlemen or ladies.
[01:02:55]
I'll get-
[01:02:56]
And I think Chad talked about that, but he is not here to help us see [01:03:00] where- how far that
has gone so that-
[01:03:03]
That was supposed be from the university, right?
[01:03:05]
Yeah, from- from diff- yeah, some guys [inaudible 01:03:07].
[01:03:07]
I haven't, um, heard any updates on that, um, but you're asking about, um, finding help for the
writing part of I think yes.
[01:03:15]
Yeah, yeah, yeah. We- we now have some money to facilitate these things, even the things I'm
talking about.
[01:03:21]
The, um-
[01:03:23]
These community events, we require some of these things so we just have to be ready, and we use
whatever has been provided to us too. And, uh, so if you can check with Chad.
[01:03:34]
I'll check with Chad. Did you have a question for, uh, Jeff or Stefanie about that, too?
[01:03:39]
No, no.
[01:03:39]
Okay. Yeah. I'll reach out. Was there any other things on this topic? All right. I'm gonna move, um, for
public comment on this. Um, if anyone, Annie. If you'd like to say anything, now's the time.
[01:03:58]
This is more about public outreach [01:04:00] and information. I usually go to find out what's going
on. I go to Iowa City, TRC, and then I get to your web page. And I encourage you guys to go there
because the initial paragraph, I can't find it on my phone, but it says something like the charges that
they could change some street names. It's very- it looks very small, the scope of what's possible, and
what- the scope of what the council really offered and stated they wanted. So I encourage you to think
about, um, maybe we wanna have the whole resolution right there, right, front and center that says,
includes the- and what recommendations on all these things. Because just to kinda boil it down to
street names, is much smaller than what you guys are up for and what you signed up for, and what
the council signed [01:05:00] up for. So I just encourage you to look at that and even just block
putting the resolution or something that already exists, front and center might be great. And I just
really appreciate just the conversations y'all keep having and what you're creating, you know. You're
keeping the ball in play, and I really appreciate you. So thanks as a community member. Thank you.
[01:05:23]
Thanks, Annie.
[01:05:23]
Thank you.
[01:05:25]
Okay. If there's no further comment, we'll move on to Commissioner announcements.
[01:05:33]
I don't have any.
[01:05:35]
Yeah.
[01:05:35]
Go ahead.
[01:05:36]
This week, uh, on Tuesday, I attended three sessions on housing, City of Iowa City housing, public
hearings with the consultants, they are trying to pick information just like what we're doing here. And,
um, they were addressing housing justices, barriers to housing- affordable housing, [01:06:00] forms
of discrimination, and difficulties associated with housing. Things to do with health, with getting to
the- getting transport given the places where you live. Amenities in different areas. And these are
things that really touched to part of the mandate of the Commission too. So I just wanted to let you
know, I've attended three of them with the stakeholders, and I've tende- attended two public
hearings. And, um, I just wanted to know that, uh, it's very, very something the community is really
concerned with. I tell you if you look at what- the event that was there yesterday, you really see how
people are suffering out there. If you hear the stories, the- the- what they're going through, especially
on housing in particular, you'll- you'll feel a lot of empathy on these people.
[01:06:49]
Thank you.
[01:06:50]
That's it.
[01:06:53]
Anyone else have announcement?
[01:06:57]
I'm just gonna reiterate and say again that I believe [01:07:00] that the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission should be permanent. And it's only because we have another situation that took place
just recently with Sonya Massey, I believe. I'm terrible with names, and I don't wanna say wrong.
[01:07:18]
Yes.
[01:07:19]
But that is one of re- not that is specific, but one of the reasons why we have this Commission in the
first place is because the same situations keep happening in different ways. And then just in what
we've discussed tonight, there's so much more we have to do and so much more detail that we might
wanna do, but we just don't have the time, the funding and so on and so forth. So I just think that it is
something. This is what I've been saying for a long time, and I'm sticking by it and I really hope that
we can possibly push for it that our Truth and Reconciliation Commission should be a permanent
thing. And there's no such thing as everything's fixed. There's always gonna be a time where
somebody's gonna need some voice for themselves that is coming from the community. [01:08:00] So
that's all I have is a announcement.
[01:08:06]
There's no other Commissioner announcements. I'll ask staff if you have any announcements. Thank
you. I move to adjourn.
[01:08:12]
Second.
[01:08:13]
Seconded.
[01:08:13]
Seconded.
[01:08:14]
Thank you.