HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRC Transcript - July 18, 2024[00:00:00] [00:00:07]
At 7:08, and we have full quorum, I believe.
[00:00:13]
Commissioner Dillard.
[00:00:14]
Here.
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Commissioner Gathua.
[00:00:22]
Commissioner Gathua.
[00:00:24]
Yes.
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Commissioner Kiche.
[00:00:28]
Yes.
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Commissioner Johnson.
[00:00:30]
Here.
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Commissioner Marie.
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Here.
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Commissioner Mohamed.
[00:00:36]
Commissioner Mohamed, she called you? I don't think they can hear you without the mic.
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Commissioner Mohamed?
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Hi. Can you hear me?
[00:00:46]
Yeah. We can hear you.
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Here.
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Commissioner Simmons.
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Here.
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And Commissioner Rossi.
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Here.
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Stefanie, did you hear me?
[00:01:00]
Yes, we heard you.
[00:01:02]
Okay. Thank you.
[00:01:04]
Thank you. I'm going to ask our Vice Chair to read the Native American land acknowledgment, please.
[00:01:13]
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, Muskoki, and Soc. 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 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.
[00:01:59]
Thank you - Thank [00:02:00] you, Vice Chair. Next, we will skip public comment. There's no one in
the room right now, and jump right into approval of the meeting minutes. From June 20, 2024, is there
a motion for approval? I move to approve. Is there a second?
[00:02:19]
Seconded.
[00:02:21]
Seconded.
[00:02:21]
I think Cliff and Amos both seconded it.
[00:02:24]
Okay. It's been properly moved and second to approve the meeting minutes from June 20, and I will
get those updated to reflect that Commissioner Simmons was not present at that meeting. All those in
favor?
[00:02:38]
Aye.
[00:02:38]
Aye.
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Aye.
[00:02:39]
Yes.
[00:02:42]
Anyone opposed? What's going on here? Motion carries 8:0.
[00:02:47]
Thank you. Um, we will move to the next agenda item which is next stats for Phase 3 and 4. And first,
I'll open it up for discussion. Is there anyone online [00:03:00] from our attendees list that would like
to speak before we dive into discussion? Okay, so we'll move on to next steps for Phase 3 and 4. We
talked earlier this week that we would combine the budget discussion, and we have our city manager
Jeff for joining us for that discussion. If everyone's okay with that, we can dive into that. Unless
there's other things you'd like to discuss on steps for next phases for three and four. I feel as we go
through the budget discussion, there'll be some other things that'll come up for discussion. Everyone
okay with that? Yes.
[00:03:44]
Yes.
[00:03:44]
Yes.
[00:03:47]
Thank you. So Jeff and, um, a group of us spoke last- last Friday about some possibilities for how we
can move forward and getting some clarification on [00:04:00] what we could do as far as a budget.
Um, if you all remember, there were some just concerns on what we're allowed to do without going to
City Council, um, and what would definitely require some guidance from city council. If you look in
front of you, he suggested that we use a similar budget from our Phase 1 and 2 approach with our
facilitators which are printed out, so we can discuss using that. And I believe our, um, Commissioner
Kiche put together another suggested budget which is another print out here, so. Jeff, did you have
anything you wanted to add immediately or would you- okay. [00:05:00] Stefanie, would you be able
to bring up the budgets on the screen?
[00:05:08]
That will- I only have the Amos right now. I didn't print out.
[00:05:12]
Okay. Well, if you could bring that one up, it's harder to read on the- on the paper. So, um, briefly like,
um, we all decided last fall that our categories would be special meeting accommodations,
community marketing, special event promotion, miscellaneous, pilot programs, splitting that evenly
up about 2,500. That's a simple suggestion of what we could ask for from the city manager. But Amos,
I'm going to let you take it away since you put together this alternative option for us to just explain
what you're thinking about that.
[00:05:53]
Thank you. So- so the- the idea behind this budget is [00:06:00] that we were looking for an
alternative approach that could help us really integrate very well to the communities different ones.
As that was discussed in the minas that we had previously. So the budget is based on looking at
different, ah, groups we have in our community and trying to reach them. And that is on the if you
look at the column, the second column. Let's see. See the third column going all the way down, ah, we
have different groups, we have the African Americans grouping, immigrants and refugees, Hispanic
community and the South and Central America. Then we have the indigenous group, the Natives, the
Pacific Isla - Islanders too. So in the approach is that we wanted to reach everyone as - if possible, and
we'll try that. And then at the top, [00:07:00] the top row, we just have expenditure areas. And this is
in line with what we did last time. And these are the areas we spent on. So we didn't add anything
new. We spent on rentals, food, printing, and supplies, videography.
[00:07:18]
I think you need to speak into the microphone. Like we can't hear you.
[00:07:21]
Yes, and videography. So those are the major. So that's what it's based on. So what we did was just to
allocate, uh, some money into different areas there, and the standard each group is probably
allocated same amount for food and rentals. No- no, for food and I think rentals here. Rentals tend to
differ because some of the meetings are going to be in the churches, and we hope that they're not
going to require some money to be paid on that. And then another important thing behind the budget
[00:08:00] is that we have a limit. And this is based on the guidance from the city manager that we-
this is in line with the complexity that we reached last time when we tried to put a big budget on
other items that we are not very clear about. And this one probably will run faster and is probably
something that can be accepted without going to the floor for approval by the council. And we believe
that one was going to take a little more, much more. So this was a quick one. And then - so the
allocations are there as you see them. I don't want to go over all every little dollar there unless
somebody has a question. And but I was just guided by the limit, and the - I know a serious important
thing that probably questions will arise on the question of facilitator. And after putting in those- those
numbers, we are only [00:09:00] having about five- $5900, something like that, for a facilitator. And
the - so that's something that I want us to look into really whether that's going to help. And also the
write up of the report, too. Those are the areas that are really taking much of our money and will be
really- really needed.
[00:09:25]
So if I may, um, I thank you for putting together an idea for us to look at. One of the things I first
noticed is the last meeting we discussed that trying to reach out to all different, um, ethnic groups. By
pot groups was going to be impossible for us. So we collectively agreed to focus where this group
started which is the Black community. Specifically splitting it up between African American and African
communities, um, with a hope that we can model what this could look like for other communities
since we are not the experts [00:10:00] in those communities. Um, I believe that's what we discussed
last time. If anyone, um, feels differently, please correct me. And then I'll let Jeff talk on this. I do
believe he said that anything that would be requesting a staff that isn't like a videographer is going to
have to go in front of city council. So any of those unless, um, it was someone that we could do a
small contract or maybe you could clarify that?
[00:10:32]
Yeah, thank you. Uh, I don't know that it has to go in - in front of city council. But I think what I would
suggest is that you look at something similar to what you had with the first facilitators. This is
obviously a much smaller scale than the first facilitator group. But if you had, um - if you could identify
an independent contractor, essentially somebody that could work with you on this project base
[00:11:00] for a defined fee, uh, then, uh, we can certainly work with you there. Part of the - the
decision making when it comes to city council is going to be that dollar a limit. Here, with this
proposed budget right here, and I understand you're still talking through that, a $5,900 expense
certainly would not need to go to - to city council. On the other, kind of, end of the spectrum,
obviously, you could imagine like the first round of facilitators that were a few hundred thousand
dollar, that certainly has to go to - to city council. So I'm very comfortable with this estimate. I'm not
sure how feasible it is and who could do that work. But we can certainly try to help you explore ideas
on who might be able to do that.
[00:11:56]
I'm really looking forward to hearing what other commissioners think so [00:12:00] far about this
discussion.
[00:12:02]
So far, what I've seen I like it, and I think it looks good. I think it's well done, well written out, and this
is a decent plan to start off with.
[00:12:12]
So - so had your question, since we're talking about the previous meeting. We decided to focus more
on - so are we thinking of just this one section? Or I like the format, I like the amounts that were put in
for these, I think realistic and doable. So are we going to want to try to do this format? Are you
thinking of going back to this, kind of, format.
[00:12:41]
I think we as a - we can collectively agree to do whatever. So whatever we want to do. So, again, I
appreciate, like the breakdown that - that Commissioner Kiche gave us. Um, I love it as more of, um,
a guideline. And I would rather [00:13:00] take that and have it more loose, like the one that was
proposed to us by City Manager. But I know that it is whatever we want it to be.
[00:13:27]
Commissioner Mohamed's hand is up.
[00:13:30]
Mohamed?
[00:13:31]
Is raised. Yeah.
[00:13:33]
I'm sorry. We can't see it right now. This one, Commissioner Mohamed, go ahead. Do you have
thoughts?
[00:13:39]
Yeah, about, ah, and this stuff, you know, like we still have to talk to the council and how long it takes
that?
[00:13:47]
We do not need to.
[00:13:50]
Okay. Thank you.
[00:13:54]
Thank you. Great question. I think the timeline is - I mean, we're [00:14:00] already into July, so the
timeline would need to change to be more realistic as we are fastly approaching our December end
date. Um -
[00:14:17]
Might I offer a suggestion? Um, I wouldn't get too hung up on the - on the format. You could actually
do both. You could have a summary budget that looks like the one you approved in August that does
give you a little bit more flexibility. And then, you know, maybe there's a more detailed one behind it
for your own planning purposes. So that when you're going through individual meetings, you kind of,
have a rough guideline. But from the city budget standpoint, we're going to be more interested in
that bottom line number. If some money has to float between food and rentals and special events and
promotion, not overly concerned about that. So I would suggest something like this that we would
[00:15:00] formally adopt. And then this would be more of a planning document for you that can
change as you work your way through that.
[00:15:09]
I'm sorry, for those that were on the video, um. I was holding up documents. I apologize. I was
referring to the summary as the budget that the TRC- a similar budget to what the TRC approved on
August 17th, which is more of a Microsoft Word format. And then, uh, the planning document I
referred to was the Excel, um, ah, what looks to be like an Excel document, uh, that Commissioner
Kiche, uh, has proposed.
[00:15:39]
And I put the, um, one that Jeff mentioned, it's on the screen now.
[00:15:44]
Thank you.
[00:15:46]
Looks good to me. I like it.
[00:15:48]
So, I mean, ah, so Commissioner Kiche, um, proposed that it be 20,000. So, would it be fair to just
double every category to get to that [00:16:00] 20,000? And then, as you're saying, uh, Jeff is that we
can- if we need to move things around, we can, but this can be just a general budget.
[00:16:13]
Yeah, I don't see a problem with that. The only thing I might suggest is that, uh, in this- in the budget
that you had approved in August of 2023, the last one is Miscellaneous pilot programs. If you like that
language, that's great, but I might add, uh, a facilitator report writing. Something- something that
signals that that's going to be a budget priority.
[00:16:34]
Yes.
[00:16:34]
Um, and you might- if you think that's going to be a little bit more expensive, you might just wait that
20,000 down, uh, a little bit. Again, not super important, but it signals intent.
[00:16:47]
Um, yes.
[00:16:55]
Writing this out. So, um, if we- in, um, your [00:17:00] budget, Commissioner Kiche, you put about
6,000 for facilitation- 7,000 facilitation and shared services, um, how much- about how much you
thought it would cost you? Continue that. That's what I see on there.
[00:17:18]
For facilitator?
[00:17:19]
For facilitation/, um, report writing.
[00:17:24]
I believe it text a little bit more. I was- when I was doing this, I was constrained by the 20,000. And
that was really tying my hand and trying to- to be fair to the different groups and the- and because
that questions is going to arise from the public that, uh, where is the money going, where are the
events and the activities going? So to- to me, the budget reflects that- that vision that we- we are
making an effort to go to each community. And, er, so that- but we can make adjustments. We don't
know probably it might not cost that [00:18:00] much in some areas, in some communities, probably
just going to be one event if possible. And- but, um, I don't have a problem with that. We- if there's a
possibility in which we can reduce some of those other things like on food and, uh, which I think is
very minimal. It just goes around 300, which really, really is almost 70% of what we- our average
used to be around 500, 600. So we're really really thinning ourselves here, probably just talking of
water and a few drinks and a few snacks.
[00:18:32]
Well, some of these areas that we could cut out would be rentals. I mean, we should try to find places
that will give us in kind or their space for free, so that would give us more budgetary room, um, which
could go towards food and stuff, like you're saying. Um, I- I don't think we need to spend as much on-
where we're going to be, because we also said that we wanted to go where people are, um, and that
we said community centers, [00:19:00] churches, things like that, outdoor spaces.
[00:19:05]
Did we- did we have to pay any kind of rental for any place we've gone to? Where?
[00:19:12]
All of the spaces we use, we paid a rental fee.
[00:19:22]
Um, Mohamed hand is up.
[00:19:24]
I just saw it. Thank you, Commissioner Gathua. Commissioner Mohamed, go ahead.
[00:19:30]
Yeah, about, uh, you know, usually, uh, Coralville, uh, public library, uh, they can reserve- they have
rooms downstairs, and it's free. But we can tell them ahead, you know, like, we need this room. If we
need that room, like to just call them and say, we need that room in that day and it's no cost.
[00:19:53]
Yes.
[00:19:54]
And just to clarify, there wasn't cost when you do it at, like, the senior center or any city facility. It was
the outside [00:20:00] spaces that were- that charged.
[00:20:03]
That's what I was meaning in my head thinks through that clarification. Uh, so that's a way we can
take out cost.
[00:20:10]
Chair Dillard.
[00:20:11]
Yes.
[00:20:11]
I'd like to make a recommendation.
[00:20:13]
Absolutely.
[00:20:14]
I don't think that really going through the budget right now. This is something that you- you could
work with a subcommittee on. But what I think I heard the city manager say that if we have the
buckets that we need to have, and you have the vote on that, then you, in essence, have that
completed.
[00:20:30]
Right.
[00:20:30]
You can work later through the specific, uh, situations once you've made more of a commitment to
where you want to go and- and then what that cost would be, so it could be more real time. So that
would be my recommendation is, is that you could go ahead and make the motion or request a
motion, in essence, that, um, um- that the budget be, you know, give the different numbers that you
want for those different categories at the part about the, uh- [00:21:00] about the, um, the writer, and
that we would need, and then you can then move forward from there. Going through this is really the
type of minutia that's important, but it's something that you could do on the side.
[00:21:14]
Agree with that.
[00:21:14]
I appreciate that. Um, and I just wanted to try to figure out how much we think a writer would be
because that's the part that needs to be adjusted. So if I were to propose that that's the only part that
we move to about 7,500 for writer, um, and the, uh, writer facilitator that shared, um services. Does
that sound about right?
[00:21:38]
That could be right.
[00:21:39]
I'm talking about that one.
[00:21:40]
Right. I think the- the concept is is that directionally, it says, this is more important Directionally. So
you can always take money from those other places and move it to it. Right? So if the number is-
should you need to have 10,000, it's better than a 7,500 than moving money to it versus you set it
for, let's say 2000 and find out that the [00:22:00] 7,000. So I think the 75- 7,500 would work.
[00:22:04]
Right.
[00:22:04]
And then whatever money that you believe that needs to have a shift, you can ultimately make that-
that change.
[00:22:10]
Yes. So if everyone's in agreement with that, then I agree with you, we can distribute the remaining
dollars from that extra 3,000, I guess, to the other categories, unless you have something.
[00:22:22]
So are we still thinking total being 20?
[00:22:25]
Yeah, I mean, that's what we suggested. I think that was the highest number that you felt comfortable
with. So, is everyone in agreement with that? So we would start, uh. The last line, the Miscellaneous
pilot programs would be changed to, um, budget. Well, it would be changed to report writing,
facilitation, and shared services.
[00:22:52]
And you would rewrite it, correct?
[00:22:54]
We- we would rewrite this. Yes. Just speaking out loud. I would love for us to be able to vote
[00:23:00] on it today so we could move forward on it. Um, but it would be written out so that
everyone would be able to see it after the fact. Uh, and that would be 7,500. If everyone's
comfortable with that. If anyone thinks it needs to be higher, please speak now. Others are going to
keep at the 7,500, and then take that 3,500. No, 2,500, right? And redistribute that into the other
three, um, categories equally. Does that sound fair?
[00:23:30]
Sounds good.
[00:23:31]
Yes, is.
[00:23:32]
Or- or am I missing some dollars? Yeah, I'm missing.
[00:23:37]
You first said we were going to just double it. So each category was going to be 5,000.
[00:23:41]
Yes.
[00:23:43]
This one to be- so if this one's going to be 7,500, then, you know, the leftover is, um.
[00:23:50]
Right, because I'm thinking two class riddle.
[00:23:52]
So my suggestion would be if you just double- you double the numbers, uh, for a special meeting, you
double the number [00:24:00] for, um, a special I'm sorry, for a special event promotion. You keep
the number the same for community marketing, and you have, um, $7,500 for the miscellaneous and
event riders, and you would have your 20,000.
[00:24:18]
Thank you. My brand is not working right now, so I appreciate that. Um, so that is what the suggestion
is right now. Any, um, other thoughts on that? Anyone need any explanations or have any more
discussion on that?
[00:24:34]
I thought we were also using students, possibly to cheapen that up.
[00:24:39]
I did want to talk about that. Um, and maybe, Jeff, I'm not sure if you were able to talk more about
how we can use, um, staff or, um, staff to help us find interns to- to help complete this project.
[00:24:54]
Um, so if we- if we have, uh, positions, whether it's an intern or a full time employee, [00:25:00] we
have to- we have processes that we have to go through as a public body. We have to post those,
those are competitive. We interview, we select. Um, if- if you're more interested- if- if what you're
thinking is, hey, we may know of a department or a, um, student organization that could be interested
in this, and you want to work directly with them, uh, then I think we could probably frame that as like
an independent contracting, ah, type of situation. So if you can tell me a little bit more about your
thoughts there, if you have something specific in mind, we'll try to find the path forward to that. Um,
I'm just reluctant a little bit to do the open call. Like we're going to have an open position and do
interviews and applications. Government can move slow, and the hiring process is- is pretty slow.
[00:25:48]
So there would be two people that I would recommend. One person is a Tevin Robbins. He does an
event this called. Well, I- I always call it the wrong thing, but it's business in the Black. But it's
[00:26:00] whatever the event is.
[00:26:01]
Cedar Rapids?
[00:26:03]
Is he in Cedar Rapids?
[00:26:04]
No, he's- he works at University of Iowa. And he works in the- the College of business. And so he
would be one person that I would, in essence, target, he would have access to students. This could be
a project that some of them or one of the professors could work with them on. This could be of
interest. And then the other person would be Dr. Venee Sperry, who's responsible- who works with
the, um, journalism. And then they may be someone, in essence, as a team that they could, in
essence, help us put some things together from that perspective. So I would say that those would be
the- the two groups that we could have, uh, assist us, uh, and working- doing something, and then we
can then work with them and assist them in maybe a program or something of that nature that's a
benefit to them.
[00:26:52]
Were you thinking that that was going to impact our budget?
[00:26:56]
Yeah, I thought, uh, that was a way of saving a little bit of money.
[00:27:00] [00:27:01]
Well, I mean, I think, we're still going to have the 20,000. And if we- if we have the students then that
we can shift money elsewhere that's going to be more. The 20,000 still going to be the same.
[00:27:12]
Oh, yeah.
[00:27:13]
The breakout that we have is still the same. And then.
[00:27:19]
I assume we would just move it around and move it to somewhere we might need it a little bit more.
That's all. Makes sense to me.
[00:27:25]
Yeah. We can do that later down- down the road.
[00:27:29]
Yeah. Just freeze up a little bit. That's all.
[00:27:33]
One of the things I was, um, hoping is, um, maybe identifying where there are current staff that could
help us with some things. Like, I- I think I've mentioned is that our facilitators did help with a lot of
the event planning and logistics and stuff more so than we did, um, if- if we're able to do that, and the
reason why I did bring up interns, and I didn't know if you had to have an RFP selection for that, if that
was- maybe it's [00:28:00] more if we find volunteers that could work with your staff to kind of help
us facilitate some things. Um, that would be beneficial is what I'm saying, because we have, um, at- a
couple of our events identified people that want to get involved, it just, you know, managing
volunteers is obese in itself sometimes.
[00:28:21]
Sure. We'll do our best to help. The- the one thing I would say is, um, as- as best as we can plan
ahead and schedule, um, we have to manage those staff schedules as well. So, um, if we're not
moving on a day to day basis, if we're planning out a few weeks ahead, I'm- I'm pretty sure we'll be
able to accommodate, whether that's through Stefanie's office, my office, or communications, we'll do
our best to assist.
[00:28:49]
And, Chair, I really think it would be valuable to get the event planner.
[00:28:53]
Event planner. And you were thinking we should be able to get an event planner out of that budget of
7,500, we need additional money [00:29:00] for that.
[00:29:01]
Well, I think the money that we're ultimately going to work with is a 20,000. And that number is not
going to change. I think once you start getting to the details, what- what, you know, Commissioner
Amos has provided us. Once you get into the details, you'll figure out how to break down the money.
And then we'll figure out again, where we're- where we're weak and where we're strong at, right?
[00:29:22]
Right.
[00:29:22]
So I think that within 20,000 that you should get an event planner, just like within the 20,000, you
should get someone to help when it comes to the writing. But to better understand the impact that it's
going to have on a budget, you have to really just talk to some people and then plan some things out.
But they're going to be- they're going to make sure that whatever is supposed to happen happens
based on our schedule versus us really just taking people when their- when they may be available.
[00:29:48]
Right. Um, any other thoughts?
[00:29:54]
Well, I just said- I have a question and I saw an advert on an additional staff [00:30:00] for the city
and community outreach and engagement. I wonder when- how soon that person can come. And if
that capacity can be shared.
[00:30:16]
Um, so I just sent out a note to the people who will serve on the interview panel with me. And so I'm
still waiting to hear from them, but we're at least looking at the second week in August at the- early
as Steven start interviews. So, you know.
[00:30:35]
Any position that they're in their office.
[00:30:38]
Awesome. Thank you. Um, other thoughts, questions? I can't see everyone online. If anyone's raising
their hands, feel free to speak.
[00:30:52]
We have a stock of our merchandise and all that, right? Already?
[00:30:56]
Um, I think we probably need a restock.
[00:30:59]
Is it [OVERLAPPING]
[00:30:59]
We don't [00:31:00] have any shirts anymore.
[00:31:01]
No more shirts? Okay.
[00:31:02]
Yeah. So- but that's something that Stefanie and I can work on. Stefanie did a great job putting some
stuff together for us, so thank you.
[00:31:10]
I think the shirts are a big hit.
[00:31:12]
I'll give you more. [LAUGHTER]
[00:31:14]
The shirts are a big hit and I think it's important to have some of those things as well. Um, if anyone
wants to meet out offline as was suggested in the subcommittee to discuss how we can move forward
with certain things. I know, if you look at the budget on the left hand side, there was suggested on
who would lead certain spots. Another reason why we said we would condense it so that we wouldn't
have, like, everyone spread thin. It would be a lot easier to have two main focuses, uh, versus six. So,
um, and then we can really put together a schedule. Today, the next meeting is the 1st of August.
[00:32:00] It would be great to, like, have a schedule of what we're really planning to do for the
remaining of August, September, October, um, as far as, you know, getting out into the community
after we've talked in our subcommittees. And then, as far as I guess, I'm going to ask Commissioner
Simmons. Do you have, like, strong contacts with the people you suggested? Would you be able to
reach out to them? Or do you have [OVERLAPPING]
[00:32:28]
Sure, I can reach out to them.
[00:32:29]
Okay. Thank you. Are there any other people that we all know that anyone would like to throw out and
make a suggestion of that could help us with this? When- Commissioner Gathua go ahead, and then
Commissioner Mohamed afterwards.
[00:32:55]
Commissioner Chastity, before we get to the details [00:33:00] of who's doing what, I wonder whether
because Commissioner Simmons and yourself, we- you've mentioned schedule. Can we outline- can
we, sort of, get an outline of the activities we're doing and if possible, kind of, start backwards with-
when do we do our final report? Especially knowing that December we're usually able to just do the
first meeting, that one. The second one is, kind of, just taken up by the holidays. So maybe this is just
me feeling that now that we are, kind of, uh, agreed on the budget now going to a timeline of
activities. Yeah. Thank you.
[00:33:56]
Thank you. I will answer your question. Commissioner Mohamed, did you want to [00:34:00] ask your
or [OVERLAPPING]
[00:34:02]
Yeah, I want to talk about here on the left side. Is that like, we talk together or [OVERLAPPING]
[00:34:12]
The left side, the tentative lead commissioners? I believe that is a suggestion that was created by
Commissioner Kiche.
[00:34:21]
Yeah, and so [OVERLAPPING]
[00:34:22]
And so [OVERLAPPING]
[00:34:22]
That was just something to make us think about it that we somehow get committed to. It can be
rearranged. You don't have to work with the person there. These are based on just my thought, but I
had to put on some despite budget. Yes.
[00:34:42]
Okay. Thank you.
[00:34:44]
I'll- I'll stick with that for me, so I have no problem with that.
[00:34:48]
So after this meeting, I can work with Commissioner Kiche. We can clean up a little bit from the
suggestions and send it out to everyone so people can voice their opinion on what they are willing to
do, [00:35:00] or would rather do, or okay with doing so we can move forward. And ah, Commissioner
Mohamed, do you have a question? I see your hands still up.
[00:35:11]
I'm saying no, effective.
[00:35:13]
But to get back to Commissioner Gathua, question about talking about our plans, working backwards.
Um, we- I mean, what we've talked about in the last couple meetings is to focus on the report.
Commissioner Tassinary has agreed to ah, take the lead of making sure that the report gets done with
whoever we're able to help us- help us with that in volunteers and things like that. Ah, I believe we've
talked for a few months especially with Commissioner Simmons, that we definitely don't want to be
doing activities in December or late November, because that is holiday time and not when [00:36:00]
most people are available. So I believe our plan is to somehow get a report ready or prepared by
October early November of some sort to be presented or looked through to City Council latest their
December meeting. Please correct me if I'm wrong, if anyone understands differently or want
something differently. So working backwards from that, right now we're really focused on the
community engagement part of everything, so really getting out to the community. So we have until
now until October, November to really just be out in the community gathering information,
showcasing what this could be so we can move on to our recommendations. One being that this
commission should live on and really getting the input from the community of what that could look
like which will hopefully go into that report. We'll definitely [00:37:00] go into that report. Ah, we're
going to be working on a report simulta- simultaneously while we're doing these community events
since, you know, time is ticking, as it has been for months now. That's how I understand it.
Commissioner Gathua, I'm not sure if that answers your question, or if you have any other things you
want to ask or add to that?
[00:37:23]
So we are in a position to do a calendar of activities, October tentative dates. October this date we do
the final presentation. Then September probably the last group on that outline that Commissioner
Kiche drew out. And then, I guess, maybe next month, maybe engage with the African Americans, and
then after that, sort of, attentive calendar of events.
[00:37:59]
I would say [00:38:00] September through end of October is community events, simultaneously
working on the report the same months through November. Maybe even some community events
happening in November. Um, we're hoping to, you know, divide and conquer. So there might be
multiple things happening that everyone doesn't go to or in like, for instance, we're talking about just
going to a church. Um, just talking or there's several events that are happening in August and
September throughout the community. Maybe it's going to tableing at those events and talking to
people, making conversations and getting invited to other ah, groups to talk to. Really trying to work
the grassroots organic side of things is how I'm picturing it, using our contexts, and their contact- the
people [00:39:00] of our contacts contact to really just get out into the community.
[00:39:05]
So we're able to put that timeline down on what is happening when?
[00:39:11]
Yeah, we kind of [OVERLAPPING]
[00:39:12]
To have a visual to work with, like the one- the ones we've been working with today. So we have a
visual with that. So that we can check off done, or what's happening when.
[00:39:23]
I see- I see we can put a timeline, but I also think it needs to be flexible because we also don't know
what we don't know.
[00:39:32]
Yeah, totally agree. Not written in stone, but at least just have something. For example, what
Commissioner Kiche did, he made it very easy to have something we are looking at as we talk. So just
have that, uh- have the timeline written down and tentative dates of what is going on when. Yeah. It's
- it's very clear as we talk- [00:40:00] as we talk we'll do this - we'll do this. But also other than just
having it in our minutes, but also just have some sort of document. Yeah, just like we've done before,
we've- now we have phase, but now breaking down that phase to a calendar of events. Tentative
dates, something that's no written on stone, but changes is flexible as we move.
[00:40:26]
Yes. Any other thoughts from anyone?
[00:40:35]
So we just have to vote on the budget, and- okay.
[00:40:40]
I think we, uh, need to vote on the changes that were made verbally and agree that we're going to
use that as a framework so that we can move forward with a more detailed budget that's following
that framework. Anyone want to make a motion? [00:41:00] I don't know how that should be.
[00:41:04]
I think the motion can just generally ask for approval of the budget of $20,000 to be divided as- as the
discussion articulated between the four categories with- with the edits to the fourth categories I
suggested. Stefanie and I have the minutes in the recording. We'll get it all cleaned up, and we'll
present you with a clean copy at your next meeting in case you think we missed something, but the
$20,000 numbers is really what the motion needs to have.
[00:41:42]
Okay.
[00:41:42]
Make a motion to approve the $20,000?
[00:41:46]
It has to be- I think it needs to be a little bit longer than that.
[00:41:49]
Consistent with the discussions that the Commission had.
[00:41:52]
Yes. And I can read what- I mean, if you want me to read what was said, if you want it to be that
specific.
[00:41:58]
That would be helpful.
[00:41:59]
Okay. [00:42:00] So the motion would be to revise the miscellaneous pilot
[00:42:06]
program to report writing,
[00:42:08]
facilitation, and shared services. And you would redistribute the funding for special events- excuse
me, special meetings. Instead of 2,500, it would be 5,000. Community marketing would increase
2,500-5,000, and special event promotion you would keep at 2,500 which should get you at the
20,000.
[00:42:35]
And I think that was a flip. I think the community market.
[00:42:37]
It's the community? Okay. Thank you.
[00:42:44]
Okay. So your motion is to [OVERLAPPING]
[00:42:48]
My- my motion is to approve the redistribution of the money that we [OVERLAPPING]
[00:42:57]
With the 20,000?
[00:42:57]
Yeah, the $20,000 that we just, uh, [00:43:00] discussed.
[00:43:05]
And is that sufficient?
[00:43:08]
Yeah.
[00:43:09]
A second.
[00:43:10]
It's been properly moved and seconded to approve the budget for the Phase 3 and 4 for the Ad HOC
Truth and Reconciliation Commission 20,000. All those in favor say aye.
[00:43:22]
Aye.
[00:43:22]
Aye.
[00:43:23]
Aye.
[00:43:23]
Anyone opposed?
[00:43:24]
Aye.
[00:43:25]
Aye.
[00:43:26]
I abstain.
[00:43:30]
Okay. So motion carries seven. Simmons abstaining. So seven, zero with Simmons abstaining.
[00:43:39]
Awesome. Thank you. Ah, are there any further discussions that we need to have for ah, next steps
for Phase 3 and 4? Okay. If not, I'm going to move on [00:44:00] to the next ah, agenda item. And if
there's anyone online that would like to speak on what we have just talked about, please go ahead
and raise your hand. If not, we're moving into Commissioner announcements. Well, I have one
announcement. National night out is happening on August- no, the second Tuesday of August at
Weather B Park. Ah, I'm speaking about this because it's a great event, but it's also an opportunity for
us to table at. And I will reach out to see who would like to join me in that. And also bring your kids or
your family. It's going to be a good time. August 6, 5:30-8:00, Weather B Park. Anyone else have, uh,
commissioner announcement?
[00:44:58]
I'll go. I [00:45:00] just asked my fellow commissioners and others who are part of this meeting to
spare adult for Kenya, since we do have some people in the- in our city and county who are part of
whose homes of origin are Kenya. Spare the adult right now it's- there have been protests for a month
led by Gen Zs who are peacefully protesting for good governance and end of corruption in summary.
And the country has been joined by other people internationally. And a lot of lives have been lost. If
you ask me and others, it's- it [00:46:00] could be 10,000. Although, officially by the government, the
numbers are being reported as very few, but no lives should be lost when protesting peacefully.
Thank you. I yield.
[00:46:18]
Thank you. Anyone else? Any announcements from staff? Motion to adjourn.
[00:46:29]
Second.
[00:46:29]
Second.
[00:46:31]
Thank you.
[00:46:32]
Thank you.