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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRC Transcript - May 16, 2024[00:00:00] [00:00:06] Roll call at 7:06 PM. [00:00:09] Uh, Commissioner Dillard. [00:00:11] Here. [00:00:11] Commissioner Mohamed. [00:00:16] Here. [00:00:17] Ah, Commissioner Kiche. [00:00:19] Here. [00:00:20] Commissioner Johnson. [00:00:21] Here. [00:00:22] Commissioner Simmons. [00:00:23] Here. [00:00:23] And Commissioner Tassinary. [00:00:25] Here. [00:00:27] Thank you, Stefanie. Um, next, we'll have Commissioner Tassinary read the Native American Land Acknowledgment. [00:00:34] Iowa City owes its existence to the many indigenous peoples who were the original stewards of this land and who were some- oh, sorry. [00:00:42] No. [00:00:42] [LAUGHTER] We meet today in the community of Iowa City, which now occupies the homelands of the Native American nations to whom we owe our commitment and dedication. The area of Iowa City was in the homelands of the Iowa, Meskwaki, and Sauk. And because history is complex, and time goes far back beyond [00:01:00] memory, we also acknowledge the ancient connections of many other indigenous peoples here. The history of broken treaties and forced removal that dispossessed Indigenous peoples of their homelands was and is an act of colonization and genocide that we cannot erase. We implore the Iowa City Community to commit to understanding and addressing these injustices as we work towards equity, restoration, and reparations. [00:01:26] Thank you, Commissioner Tassinary. Next, I'm gonna move to public comment in the room. There's no one in this room, so we'll move on to Agenda Item Number 4, which, uh, is approval of the meeting minutes from May 2nd. Um, yes. May 2nd. So is there a motion to approve? [00:01:45] I move. [00:01:46] Is there a second? [00:01:47] Seconded. [00:01:48] It's been properly moved and seconded to approve the meeting minutes from May 2nd, 2024. All those in favor, say aye. [00:01:57] Aye [OVERLAPPING]. [00:01:57] Aye. [00:01:58] Anyone opposed? [00:02:00] Motion carries 6, 0. [00:02:02] Thank you. Um, before I move on to the next agenda item, I'd like to welcome our newest TRC member. Um, I believe it's- is it Lubna Mohamed? Welcome to the TRC. [00:02:13] Lubna Mohamed. Yes. [00:02:15] Um, thank you for joining us. I look forward to meeting you in person. Did you want to tell us a little bit about yourself before we move forward? [00:02:22] Yes. Yes. Uh, uh, my is Lubna Mohamed. I live in Iowa [inaudible 00:02:37] member and I commit and I [inaudible 00:02:41] all the suite when they have issues. And I'm trying my best. And also, I'm a member, uh, in NAACP. That's all. [00:02:53] Thank you so much. Welcome. [00:02:56] Okay. Thank you. [00:03:00] Next, I'll move on to, um, our discussion on the facilitator final report. If there's anyone online. Um, I'm not sure if there's anyone online, Stefanie. That would like to, uh, comment on this. Please raise your hand. If not, I'll move into our own discussions. If anyone had anything they wanted to bring up from, uh, reading through their report in the last couple of weeks. Also, the goal, I believe Redmond is not here is to, um, vote on it being submitted to move forward to city council. [00:03:44] I don't believe we should send it to city council. I do believe that we should write a letter telling, uh, city council that we've received the document, um, that, um, they have provided, uh, valuable information for us to a ponder, and we'll continue to provide, um, and include, [00:04:00] uh, some of our thoughts in the final report that they have, um, brought up in their report. But I don't- my recommendation is not to give it. A, it's not a final report. It's for them a final report, but it's not a TRC final report. And B, it's really only halfway through, um, the process. It's really only talking about the vehicle. [00:04:23] Thank you for bringing that up. I was thinking the same thing. [00:04:28] Thank you, Amos here. I'm also thinking the same thing. As you can see, the commissioner's is not a final report. This is facilitator's report to the city. So there's a problem, and there are some gaps that we still want to be included in this to help us here. So I support what Commissioner Simmons said. [00:04:50] Uh, I sup- I support that as well, but I just wanna be clear that we're- is there something in the contract with the city [00:05:00] that suggested that there was gonna be a report that was gonna go to city council from the facilitators directly, or was it always supposed to go through us. If it's supposed to go through us, I completely agree. If there's something that was supposed to go to them directly, then we don't- we're kind of stuck with having to submit. I- I just don't know. [00:05:19] I think that, um, the contract said that a report from them needed to be made, which has been done. Um, I don't know if there any- anything needs to be submitted. I mean, if it's- if it's put into our agenda, then they have access to it just as we do, correct, Stefanie? [00:05:34] Yeah. I mean, yeah, it's public record. It's published. It's published with your last agenda from May 2nd, and then this one, too. I just didn't print it out again because it's so many- it's so long. [00:05:45] Which is fine. [00:05:46] Um, and I don't know- Lou, your question is probably for the answer lies with Redmond. [LAUGHTER] And I know he's coming, but he must just be running a little late. So if you want to table, it maybe until he is present. [00:05:59] I'm fine [00:06:00] with table that, because I completely agree with everything said. I mean, it's- the way it's titled is incorrect, [LAUGHTER] right? And I just wanna be sure we're not doing something that's gonna bide us. [00:06:09] See, I don't think it's gonna- I- I don't think it's gonna bide us, nor do I think we have to wait for Redmond. I'm fine if we do. I don't think we have to. There were a couple of things that- that we're- had come to play. The first thing was is that, according to the contract and the agreement, there were two things that had to happen. Number 1, was that there had to be a presentation that was given to the city council. Remember, we fought long and hard because we didn't wanna give the presentation, but we went ahead and give the presentation so that we would not be- we, the city, would not be- um, um, would not do anything against a contract. And number 2, they would have to, um, provide a report. And the report was necessary for them to [inaudible 00:06:46] get final payment. And I believe that they are going to go ahead and get final payment. So those things have been fulfilled based on what their obligation is. Where I- again, I- I still see there as being the myths is is that [00:07:00] this is not the full project. This is just the vehicle. And so if- if- if anything, I think I- I- I- I would argue even with, uh, the city employees that, um, this is a part of the report that should come to us, and then we will incorporate any information in our final report that comes to them. They have the ability to take a look at this, but if they believe that this is a report, then I think that, um, we would mislead them by sending it to them. That's why I'm recommending a letter. [00:07:32] Right. [00:07:33] We received the report, acknowledging that we have the report. We will take it in consideration in the additional work that we do. If they have any questions, they can feel free to talk to- to the chair or any of them- any of the commissioners. [00:07:46] And if we were to write, um- excuse me. If we were to write, uh, a letter, Stefanie, like, um, it would formally have to be sent to the city council, or we just say we have this letter? How- how do we make sure that they get it? [00:08:00] [00:08:01] Um, you- you can put it in an information packet or even- I think it could go in an information packet. I also think it could probably go under correspondence on their formal agendas. [00:08:13] Okay. You said informal or formal agenda? What word you? [00:08:20] They have a section on their agen- on their formal meeting, um, agenda for correspondence. [00:08:25] Okay. [00:08:29] So- and so I'm fine with not waiting for Redmond. I think I agree with you. I think let's just move forward with this. [00:08:36] Everything I heard, I agree with. It makes sense. [00:08:39] Okay. Um, Lubna, I'm not sure how much you've been, um, following along, but we're just discussing how to move forward with the, um, report that the facilitators put together for us. If you have any questions? [00:08:54] Yes. I- I have that in the email. And yes, I'm looking. [00:08:58] Okay. [00:09:00] Yeah. Thank you. [00:09:02] So, um, would it be okay with everyone here for, uh, me to write a letter instead of us trying to do it together in- in- in front of everyone? And then, um, can either work with one or two of you or share it with Stefanie to share with everyone? [00:09:20] That works. [00:09:20] Yeah. Kind of works good. [00:09:22] I [OVERLAPPING] don't believe it. What would you say? [00:09:24] The letter would do, uh, but, uh, ah, I just want to be careful, uh, to exhaust the discussion on the report because it's part of the agenda. So we- that- that is just one issue with the report, but we also need to discuss here today. The- the problems we see with the report or the good things and- and get it done. [00:09:47] Absolutely. [00:09:47] So we don't get back to it again. [00:09:50] Um, just one last thing about the- the letter, um, and we'll get to that discussion, which is important. Um, just so we're all on the same page, what exactly needs to go into this letter? [00:10:00] [00:10:02] I think it's just to acknowledge that we have received their- their report. We appreciate the work that they have done, and they have provided us valuable information, and we will continue to consider that as we continue to- excuse me, too- too many continuous. [LAUGHTER] [00:10:18] Yes. [00:10:18] We will consider the information as we continue the work of- based on our charter. So just very vague and very general, but ack- but acknowledging that we have it, we appreciate it, and we will continue to work through it. [00:10:33] Awesome. [00:10:34] And I need to correct something. I- the council no longer has a correspondence item on their formal agenda, so it would more likely than not be placed in an information packet, which goes out every Thursday. [00:10:45] Okay. Awesome. So, um, I'll work on this letter. Ah, maybe, Stefanie, I can work on it with you. Um, and then we'll send it to everyone. And I assume that this would not- well, the earliest [00:11:00] it could go into is next Thursday's information packet. [00:11:03] Correct. [00:11:06] So I will work on that this weekend. Now, to, um, Commissioner Kiche's points. We should discuss what we have, um, discovered in the reports and any, um, things that we feel strongly about. I would like to bring up at this time. [00:11:44] Yeah. So commissioner study. If I may. [00:11:49] And I don't think what- it's picking up your voice if you can bring it a little closer to the microphone? [00:11:53] Yes. If I may, Chair. And, um, on, ah, the report [00:12:00] through Kearns & West, I see a gap. I remember the last meeting we had with- with them. We reached a point where we were discussing using stickers. This is what I getting the report, but we are not getting that information in the report here. That help. We did it from them like a summary so that we can move on quickly. So now, looks like it is we to go back to the video and look for that to make that summary ourselves. But I know we contributed. We can go back to the vi- video, but, you know, I thought these are the things that help us with. Like for the other areas, they have really helped with some conclusions quickly. So that's one area I see- I see very well. I think that's what I can think of right now. [00:12:53] I think was the email I sent out today from Annie. I believe that might be the- the [00:13:00] materials from March 18th. They sent them to me this morning, and they asked me to put them at the end of the report. And I sent the PowerPoint to each of you, and I said, "If you want a hard copy, let me know, and I'll print it off for you." Is that the supplemental information? [00:13:18] Is this the fact finding PowerPoint briefing? [00:13:20] Yes. [00:13:22] Are you talking about that MS? Or are you talking about from November or- [00:13:25] No. From March. [00:13:26] From March? [00:13:27] March 18th. Yeah. I think it is. Yeah. [00:13:29] So that might have- [00:13:30] I might have missed that email, probably. Yeah. [00:13:32] We just got it today. So- [00:13:33] Yeah. I just- I just sent it out today. [00:13:38] Are there any other things that we believe are missing from this report? Or any feedback on the report, things we love or dislike or would like to improve upon thinking about the future, how we'd like to implement it into [00:14:00] our final report? [00:14:07] One area, Chair, if I may. It's, um, from our partners, Think Peace. If they may probably write something to us. I know it's an ob- not an obligation given that their contract is not there, but this is if they're willing on their perception of the training program they had, whether the inc- whether we got the training well, whether there were some limitations that they think- think they could have done better regarding the whole process that they see, because I don't see that in the document, an element of that nature in the document. I do see other recommendations, but I think they're coming from the other partners. But so far, I really appreciate the fact that the other partners have included the training material in here, [00:15:00] a good source of reference for anybody else other than us that can only- we can use in case we are going to do other truth telling. [00:15:11] Events and I think, how we pick people, how we talk to them, select them and things like that. Those are all in the document in here. So those are really good material for us to- to rely on anytime we want to do something to help. And on Canson West, I really appreciate it, I believe they've done a very good job and giving us the facts to look into. There's nothing else they could have done on most of the areas regarding data gaps and other things that the police station, I mean, the city police department does not have. That's all they could do. I only have another question with them apart from the one that probably was mailed today. We did not see a report from the latest study that was committed almost a year ago, maybe a year ago the City Commission. That study is being done [00:16:00] by the University of OIA, a professor, one or two are doing. So we don't know why they were not able to give our partner any information and that's something that's really bothering me. I don't know if there's a chance they could give it, but if they don't give you, I believe I'm requesting the Commission to request, using two words at the same time, that report or a draft of where they are with the- their study. [00:16:32] Commissioner Kiche, would you be willing to reach out to Kearns and West about your questions? [00:16:38] Yes. [00:16:39] Okay. [00:16:39] Thanks. [00:16:40] And think peace as well? [00:16:41] Yes. [00:16:42] Okay. And then you can let us know either via email, what your findings are? [00:16:47] Sure, I will do that. [00:16:50] Are there any other, uh, things that we believe we need to discuss on this or it is a, uh, large document. [00:17:00] [LAUGHTER]. I think I will need to read it more to fully understand what we can do with it, um, by the end of this year. [00:17:12] I was going to say that one thing that struck me, and I also I need to go back through it multiple times, but there's a- there seems to be a kind of disconnect in the narrative a little bit. What I mean is that you put on one set of glasses and you read through it and you go, Iowa City's great. Relative to other cities. I mean, in terms of - you know, they spend less on police than other cities do. They have smaller police, and other people do the number of stops. But then you put on another set of glasses, and there's still this significant differential in terms of stops, relative to Whites versus Blacks. And there's not enough data in some of the other categories to know what to do with. But I think that's something we need to [00:18:00] kind of address head on, like to- because like I said, you can- you can read it one way and you can gloss over some things, and you see it one way and you don't see it the other way. And so there are no- there is attempt to kind of reconcile some of that in here. [00:18:17] That sounds like something like, when we include more of the community piece to really help reconcile that way, right? [00:18:25] Well, I think that when you ask a direct question, it's easier to get feedback regarding the question that you asked. The broader the question, the easier it is to provide information, but the harder it is to identify where the challenges are, as an example, because it's so broad. I believe that all of them allowed [00:19:00] us being broad and not truly identifying the specific work that we wanted from them, allow them to provide us data that met the requirements of the agreement, but didn't necessarily give us the type of information that we needed to better address the concerns that we have. And the best way I can put it is- is that, you know, I kept talking about this whole concept about the hole in the ground. Lewis is just sending me stuff, [LAUGHTER] right? Like, Hey look, this oh. Look, this one feel. Specifically, I said something, and he specifically was able to respond back to that thing. And so when I think when it comes to, for example, law enforcement, we know that there is data that says that our law enforcement is, what I'd say more efficient. There's less law enforcement than we need than some other places that [00:20:00] are comparable size. But there's still a discrepancy in the way that is- that the resources being allocated because of the number of stops that people have been- how they've been, in essence, addressed. But we don't have any information to really say, why is that? What is it that makes that happen? Was it because they receive more calls within that given area, and because of that, that's what they police more. Is it because, you know, other factors that they may hear from business community, that - that's important? So, I think it just helped me get to the place of saying the more we can narrow down where we believe, what the question is we want to address, then the more we can hold them accountable or anyone accountable to the type of information that we actually need? [00:20:58] Yeah. I- I completely agree. [00:21:00] I think we need to be able to use some of that to drill down and ask more specific questions to get better answers to better inform policy recommendations. [00:21:13] Chair, can I add? [00:21:15] Of course. [00:21:15] So I think that's a great point, Commissioner Simmons and then an area that when we're writing the recommendations, we need to really stress on that. On- the police department sometimes need to get - I know they really engaged with the community in certain good ways. But there are also other ways where their engagement level is very poor. When it comes to doing studies, they rarely hardly get input from the community. They assume maybe I'm wrong. That the community probably does not know anything about law enforcement, [00:22:00] does not have certain aspirations or goals or - or practice or procedures. Such that when they commit a study, like the one that's been committed to the guys at the professor at the University of Iowa, we do not know what the object is, what they're going to look into at the moment. I've not seen the document. If I saw it, I would say, well, this is going to be good. This is going to be supplemental. So we need to recommend when the right time comes that when committing studies, sometimes maybe have a discussion first, learn what the problems are, learn from the community, different people. Sometimes I can see somebody just working on the street and always you can collect a good idea from somebody just working. He's not a hey, she's not an expert, but you can really say well. That is really a good idea. So the issues that Commissioner Chad is talking about are issues that are missing in their studies. They do put a lot of money. These guys were given 70,000 and they might just bring us another report that is not different from [00:23:00] what Grice Burna has been giving us before. But 70,000 is gone, and the guys will feel good. We will not feel good. So these are areas that we need recommendations on when we start to get- to get into the rubbers meets the road. Because I just think that our facilitators might not have that answer. They're simply looking at what we're looking. The only difference that we don't have enough time to put those things down, but simply- we all of us are looking at the same things. [00:23:35] Yeah, and I also think that it's a matter of getting the correct kind of expertise, because the facilitators that we had were good at what they do, but there's a limit. I mean they- they're not, you know, at the level of professional for hire researchers who are going to go in in depth. They're going to give us [00:24:00] the big picture. They're going to help us out to- to help us in deciding how to think about things, how to organize things, how to help us deal with certain problems that might come up. But we- we're at the point where and I think this ties back in with the budget that we need to be more specific in the kinds of individual help that we need in order to address some of these things if we're going to move things forward. [00:24:32] I agree with everything that's being said. And I think there's- I don't think we can discuss everything today. There's going to be more time to digest and figure out how that looks, which is, I think we can come back to that during the next steps phase unless someone really feels strongly about discussing more about the final report. I'd like to go back to the question that Lubna had now that Redmond has joined [00:25:00] us. [00:25:02] I'm sorry, I mean, the- the question that I had posed was that we have what is titled Iowa City Truth and Reconciliation Commission Final Report. But all of us agree that it's really not our final report. It's- it's a report from the Facilitation group. So we would like to not submit this formally as our final report to city council. We would rather say, to tell the city council in the form of a letter, we've received this. We're going to look at it. We're going to use that as a basis or a foundation for our final report which you will send to you. They clearly have access to it if they want to look at it, but we don't want to acknowledge it as our final report when it really isn't our final report. And my question was, is there anything in the contract that is [00:26:00] requiring us to actually submit this with our stamp of approval on it or not? [00:26:08] So I- I understand your question. Um, as I think through it, I want to be clear that the term final report in this case, was just regarding the facili- facilitation piece of this experience, and that there is also an intent to have a final report from the commission, um, before December. [00:26:35] Right. [00:26:35] So, um, in - in listening to your comments, I think it's easily said that this is going to be a basis of your final report in December. And using- I mean that- this final report was supposed to be a collaboration of the facilitators and the commission,um, and that is- that is loosely stated [00:27:00] in the contract. But it doesn't necessarily say you have to give a stamp of approval or you have to have any kind of specified level of interaction with it. It's not clear in that way. So I think it's totally feasible and totally acceptable if the commission wants to take that approach because I- you're right, I think the city council have seen it, but they haven't been formally presented with it. So especially since this is still kind of in a draft form. So I think it's appropriate to say whatever you- however you articulated that just now and say that this is going to be the basis for continued work for a report that's going to be presented before December. [00:27:53] Okay. Great. Thank you. [00:27:55] I- I wouldn't say that it's a basis for continued work. I wouldn't say this is a foundation. [00:28:00] I would say that this is maybe a part of the building blocks, but it's not the ground that we stand on. [00:28:08] Okay. [00:28:10] Did you have something more? I will say before we move on to this that so we don't let this report fall by the wayside. It would be wonderful if one of us would champion, like, moving through it and how we can incorporate it, moving forward. Not alone, of course, people have come forward saying that they would like to help us with certain things. But I would hate for us to get to October and be like, Oh, yeah, we have this report that we haven't come through at all. So I'm going to say, first off, data is not my strong suit, so finding someone that is really into it, to lead that charge, not do it by yourself, not do it alone, uh, [00:29:00] would probably be best. So, anyone here would like to do that? [00:29:06] I- I'd be more than willing to volunteer to lead that and then anyone can let me know if you're interested in helping me with that, and we can move forward. [00:29:15] Great. [00:29:16] Yeah- yeah, we meet to work on everything. [00:29:19] Thank you. [00:29:20] I just wanted to add something as in our website. I'm not sure particularly our commission's website or just general City websit. It appears as the- as being alleged. And I think that is misleading to the public. When you go to our website, it is in big bold TS is final report and somebody looking at our website, somebody somewhere might get misled and think, No, this is not also I was just checking if somebody can look at that and see whether it can be taken out or remodified in a certain way. [00:29:54] I think that might be easy enough, right, Stephanie? [00:29:59] Yeah. [00:30:00] And maybe we can rename it, as well as- do we want to call it our facilitation team report or- or whatever. What did we call our seven month experience report? [00:30:18] Just to remove that confusion. So I'll work with Stephanie on seeing how we can take it off the website. Are we saying we want to take it off the website or rename it, okay? [00:30:31] Rename it. [00:30:31] Rename it, okay. [00:30:32] I think so. [00:30:33] You see, one thing that might be- maybe this is too simple, but just if it was renamed is something like final report to the Iowa City Truth and Reconciliation Commission by Native partners healing partners Prins and West. [00:30:48] Yeah. [00:30:48] That's really good. [00:30:49] Because that- that's- this is their final report to us, and if we label it that way, I think it'll be clearer. [00:30:55] Yeah, Semantics. I love it. So we can move that around, that'd be great. [00:31:00] Okay if everyone is okay, I would like to move jump across over the request for additional funds to go to upcoming presentation to City Council, then go back to the additional funds request, um, if that's okay with everyone. All right, I wanted to jump to agenda item Number 7, upcoming presentation to City Council. Redmond, could you explain to us what you sent in an e-mail earlier about presenting on Tuesday? [00:31:33] Yeah, so I think it was on May 21st meeting, the goal was to have a presentation, funding requests, and the final report delivered, um, and- and there was an a- I think there was a goal to reach out to council members needed to get three council members, uh, because I was corrected. [00:32:00] I thought it was two, but it was actually three to say, we want this on the agenda item. Or have the Mayor placed on the agenda item superseding the normal protocol to- to allow- have the items put on the Council agenda and apparently that threshold wasn't met. I had a conversation with the city manager. One of the aspects that was also tied into this was payout of the contracts and the fact that if we didn't make the May 21st, that would push it into to- to June, and that, kind of, thought to be a little too long for final payment. So although not on the agenda for next Tuesday, I got to go ahead- to go ahead and final out the contract. So we're- we're pretty close to- to getting that done, [00:33:00] where I should have final numbers on where we all come out. It- it seems to be trending that we'll be below the not to exceed number, but there's still a couple of little pieces to be finalized before I can say that definitively. And so it doesn't mean that the work is- is just not going to be on the May 21st agenda and there- there is a number of backlog of pending workshop items. And- and so this deliberation that you're wanting to have with the City Council may run into some logistical just how fast we can get it on the agenda item, with the number of pending items that are out there. [00:33:48] So I guess, I just had a question, because I guess the last meeting, for some reason, I thought that what we needed the votes for was to get the [00:34:00] additional funds voted on, but I thought we could always be put on the agenda just for a presentation, but that's not the case anymore. [00:34:07] No, presentation is, I think, is- is much easier to get on the agenda, but I think if I recall, it was the desire to get all of those items on the agenda and- and some of those items were action items or what I call action minus, which were to require a- a vote of some sort. So especially with the funding requests, particularly, the presentation is something that is- is can be done, and- and that's a lot easier the threshold to get on board. The funding requests different and the final report is also a very easy thing because it's just presenting the report, so or facilitators report. So yeah, that was- that was the- the [00:35:00] threshold because we were trying to do all of them at the same time. [00:35:03] Then in your opinion, what is the soonest with the backlogs that we could possibly try to get onto the agenda? [00:35:10] I- I think- [00:35:12] The first sport. [00:35:13] I think the first- I think first meeting in June is still a possibility. Um, but those- those agenda calls are not made by me, and they, kind of, run right up to the- to the moment sometimes, depending on what's going on in the city. [00:35:31] And they will meet twice next month? There- there's no canceling of any meeting next month? [00:35:36] That is to my understanding, yes. I don't think they take off a meeting to July. [00:35:42] Yeah, they meet the animal schedule in June. I just looked. [00:35:45] Okay, great. [00:35:46] So as of right now, the next time we can possibly present is looks like the first Tuesday, right? [00:35:53] First Tuesday. [00:35:54] And the 3rd Tuesday? [00:35:55] Yes. [00:35:55] So the 4th or 18th June. [00:36:00] With this new information, what do my fellow Commissioners think and feel? [00:36:07] So I just want to make sure I have this clear, because I- I think that there's some- at least I have- I don't have the miscommunication. We have, as a commission, have fulfilled all the requirements that needed as relates to the contract for the consultants. Nothing else needs to be done as relates to the consultants. If once we send our letter to them, to the City Council, then we have acknowledged that we received the- the final report, but nothing needs to be done. That's why we actually met in April. So I think that part of what you mentioned to me is off the table. I don't think that's really an issue, and- and please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe contractually or there's anything that puts us in a situation that we have to fulfill that requirement, because I believe we've already fulfilled [00:37:00] the requirement, as long as we send them a letter of the final report. [00:37:06] I think that's fair. [00:37:07] There are two issues, that, in essence, that what we're really talking about. One issue is, as it relates to us, doing a presentation about what our next steps are and what our plans are for the rest of the year that we talked about. And the second thing is that, in essence to be able to get the support of- of them to provide us funding so that we can continue to do the work that we have in place. So those are the two things that we were looking at doing. Considering that this is- so I guess my first question is- [00:37:39] [inaudible 00:37:39] [00:37:40] What makes it that the presentation was not put on the agenda? Is it that they rejected our request for the presentation? [00:37:51] No- no. I- it all stems from the deliberation. I thought it was clear that the Commission [00:38:00] wanted to have all those things handled at one time and just to- to add, you- you're right about the final report. But there was language that the Commission needed to have feedback in that process. There needed to be some time to allow that feedback to happen. Obviously, there's some more digestion you- you want to have, and all that and that is just fine that's why we went ahead and- and went ahead and moved to pay him out. But in the language of the contract, it- it reads as if there's a collaboration for that final report that involves the commission. So we wanted to make that happen. [00:38:38] So the- so this is where I'm struggling is, is that our timeline continues to be very short and the whole concept of what we attempted to do was to move this into May because we didn't want to do it in April. We chose to do something in April because of the contract. So we did that, what we were supposed to do. We are now in a situation [00:39:00] where we're going to lose another month when it comes to being able to even be able to present to them about what our plan is and we're also losing another month about even having any resources to be able to- to make that plan actually happen. I believe that there was concern at the last meeting that we were not going to have enough time to be able to achieve everything that we were trying to put in place so now our time is squeezed more. So what I'm first wanting to bring up, Redmond is that, can you understand how we feel where there is a challenge between the relationship that we're trying to have with the employees of the city, as well as with the City- with the City Council, that this, kind of, three legged stool is something that becomes very difficult for us to be able to achieve anything? [00:40:00] In essence, can you- can you understand, or could you at least acknowledge that when we talk about systems work, that some of it is the way that we're currently designed, which means that it's almost impossible to achieve the charter that we put in place? Not for you to answer. I was- that's a trick question. But by- but what a real question is, is that what is it that made it so that they were not even willing to vote on this? I understand from our perspective of us wanting to present, but was it that the- there was not enough support obviously there was not enough support to even put a vote on something that we requested in January and I just want can you provide more clarity of why there was it that they did that, that- that there was not enough communication that happened? [00:41:00] I don't understand why- why they have not voted on this for five months? [00:41:11] Well, taking the- the last effort aside, because to my understanding, commissioners are going to be reaching out to council members, and, frankly, that communication would have more insight than I can offer right now- [00:41:25] Let me- let me just do that. Can we then talk about what is it that we missed through our conversations with them that, in essence, put it in a situation where they don't even want to vote on the resources we need? [00:41:39] I can say the- no one commissioner I spoke with, I spoke with him for close to an hour and a half about all issues related to the TRC and I was really quite positive when I was thinking that it was going to come to a vote. So I don't- there must have been other things that went on after the fact, because [00:42:00] that was not my impression when I was got off the phone. I mean, he had- he had lots of issues about the TRC and what he thought about the TRC and the future of the TRC and all the rest, but ultimately, the notion of having a vote to have additional funding to help us move forward he was on board so I don't know. [00:42:22] I think, um, more coordination and more of us talking probably would be helpful. More time to sit down with each one of them. I know I wasn't able to talk to every City Council member and a desire, I mean on both sides, to want to hear us out. I think that's not there. So it's not a priority, obviously. [00:42:59] How should we think about that? [00:43:00] Yeah. [00:43:01] I'm sorry, please answer. [00:43:04] I'm alluding to them. The fact that we are not provided to them. [00:43:11] We're not what? [00:43:11] We have not provided to them. [00:43:14] Priority? [00:43:14] As this as a priority, in the sense that we need to explain very well right now. Commissioner Chad said, we are out of money. We are actually beyond the 20,000 that we have been got. Are not those ones we can find a way. But what if right now we wanted to do a community project that requires 30,000, a commitment that requires something like that. We can't even do anything. So it means to them, they believe all the funding that we are using here are within the 10,000 limit only, and the rest is probably pushed back towards the end. But when I read- I read the mandate, it looks like we can use those funds as we are continuing as part of the process too, and also as part of implementing [00:44:00] the recommendations too. So- so it looks like they're not getting that fact. They're not getting that justification. Either through the way we write our budget or through communication, or through pressure. We're not giving them enough pressure in- in- I mean good pressure, we're not protesting anything. There just explaining to them that, if you stop here, we're not moving, but you gave us a deadline, so It doesn't even make sense now. Yeah, you want us to finish it by this, but you are also not responding to our needs. Just like you say, I think we just need to do although, we don't know where they are. We don't know which one is the major factor why they are reluctant- they're been reluctant. Maybe it takes one- one of the council members to push it, to say this thing has to be in the agenda, and then we- we invest on that council member or two or three of them. Yeah, [00:45:00] that's what I'm thinking, which we have to do immediately right now. [00:45:07] I dropped the ball on the pressure myself, and I'll pick up on that. [00:45:12] I think the reality of all of us on this commission is that, that we've been saying is everyone has busy lives and things that sometimes have to take priority over this and adding additional stress when it feels, like, our project is not being prioritized in the list, and the list can be hard. [00:45:39] Before I move on, Commissioner Simmons, did you have more you wanted to say? [00:45:45] Well, excuse me. The first part of your question was the initial request. The only feedback that I've gotten since that time was more details were requested, more information behind. [00:46:00] Um, and I think there's been discussion about having some type of line item, explanation of, I think it was $250,000 request. So I think our approach is wrong. And I think we're- I think we're being led- being led to slaughter. It's one thing about having a project that you have to do and having ups and downs. It's another thing about being put in a situation where you've become the sacrificial lamb. And as my concern now gets into more of all of our personal reputations. I- I, um, I think the City has- has given the exact reason. They- they are the- the example of systemic racism just in the way that it operates, that there are approaches, in essence, to prevent people from getting certain things done that have [00:47:00] nothing to do with on the surface, how the policy is written. It has everything to do with, um, how it impacts people. And I think that that's where we're in a situation of how it impacts us. Um, so I- there are a couple of things that I- I would say, first is I- I do plan on going to the city meeting- going to the meeting on Tuesday and then raising the issue that- [00:47:25] During public comments meeting. [00:47:26] During public comments, and really just trying to raise the issue of- and I- and I will send them an e mail a formal letter, um, just simply telling them that, you know, that to remember that we are citizens as well, that they're not giving money to- to the city, they- they're giving money back to the citizens to solve citizen problems. And then also to really understand how systemic racism works, because it's clear that they don't really understand, in essence, how it works. But on the other piece is, it said, I'm going to be as [00:48:00] invested getting this done, as say, are invested is getting this done. I believe that asking for 250,000, if you just take all of our time that we've all put into it, um, times the amount of years that we put into it, times $20 an hour, right? A little bit above, you know, living wage, right? Then once you- once you do that, you realize that we've- we're starting, you know, to- to invest more of our time in something that's their project, and not our project. So I- I would simply say that I- I would urge everyone to start ha having- having the conversations in whatever format they- they did. I just feel uncomfortable now that they're wasting my time. And I will- I will tell them that, if they don't watch this on, you know, whatever YouTube, or whatever channel they want to watch this, I will- I will express that to them [00:49:00] that, you know, I get nothing from this, nothing. And that if they're not willing, if they're forcing me to they give me what they want to give me, the way they want to give me, but they don't give me what I ask for and what I need. And when I say, I, I mean we, but I'm trying to personalize it for me, then it makes it difficult to understand why we're doing this. [00:49:28] Um, I like that you brought up the fact that we can't go speak at public comment. I forgot about that. Um, maybe all of us could do that and just talk from our own perspective. [00:49:40] I think that would be, to me, putting it in- in place to say this is something you all have to make a decision about whether you want it. If you want us to solve this problem, you have to give us the resources based on what we need, not based on what you want to give us. That we're citizens, and that's what you need to think of us as citizens. You- you can't think of us as [00:50:00] a city employees. That's not who we are. We're citizens trying to solve problems for- for our fellow citizens. That's what- that's what I would ask us really strongly consider. Because I think that we're very close to solving this problem, but you have to be able to understand what systemic racism is. And nowhere in the system did they build in. They built use, like I said, a vehicle, but they did not build in what the problem is and how to address the problem. And a part of me disbelieves is because they don't know what it is. They don't know how to solve it. They don't even know how to think about it. So what they do is they give us projects and things to do to try to figure out whether what makes sense. That their model, the city's motto is, tell us what you need. We'll figure out how to solve your problem. And I think what our model is, we will tell you what the problem is, and we'll tell you the resources we need for us to solve our own problems. And I think that's a totally different model than the model that- that they used to provide. [00:51:00] [00:51:01] Yeah, that sounds like a good plan to me. Other thoughts from other commissioners? [00:51:06] Yes. So as not true, I would think we use maybe use one stone, or I don't know maybe two stones to kill a bird or one stone to kill two birds. I don't know which one is, but this is what I'm saying. That my recommendation of a Redmond Jones, that we also do our- try to do our part in terms of giving a good detailed budget. When we're putting up a report, let's tell them where the weaknesses are. This is where we want you to help us with so that they see maybe there are people who are, like, Commissioner Jess, they think in a certain model, maybe a business model, governmental, regulatory model that probably doesn't fit our functions or process here. So we have to tell them that [00:52:00] sometimes we have to wait and listen to the community. So that we get their needs. So it is not the business model where I want to have a place where I'm going to sell ice cream, this and this- and this, and here is whatever. That is not very useful. We have to take our time, listen to the community, digest the issue, conceptualize it, and say, the issue runs to be like this one. That's when we come to the commission and talk about it. Then we'll have to think hard about it. So I was just saying that in our report, let's put a plan, especially the one check putting the on our vision. Always. We start with our vision. This is what we're doing. Let's supplement that with the real figures so that they see, we want this for this and this. If they don't like the figures, they can tell us now. Well, why did you put too much money there this and this? Then we can answer those questions. If they ask us about which projects, we will tell them, we have all, kinds of, projects here here. Propose but [00:53:00] we can also tell them, how do you ask us about the projects when we're still listening to the people in the community? Maybe there's an idea somebody else out there that just comes as we are talking to the people. So if- if the- if the money has to be given because the project has been specified, that is the reverse way. Give us money to talk to the people in different formats that are possible, either in the church or those other formats, wherever is possible. Then we digest those ideas and say, I think this is a problem of this kind. And we can solve it this way. We- I think we have funds that was allocated to this. Then we work on that project in a certain way, those who know how to work on those projects can work on that. So me I would just suggest, I'll try my best, er, put supplement whatever somebody has with the information on the timeline, information on broad areas of projects [00:54:00] we think about, how much that is likely to cost. Information on facilitator. That is our major problem. We don't have a facilitators. We have to do things when we're supposed to do. And tell them, this is what it takes to have a facilitator or maybe a volunteer or something or whatever, because without some of these things, we're not going to do anything. Yeah. So let's just have that have a kind of a detailed budget. That's what I mean. In the business sense. Yeah. It doesn't have to be in the business sense, but something that reflects something. They're used to business models, contracts. They're not used to this informal social justice, kind of, things. The social things are usually very fluid, very malleable. Yeah. Things might not be exactly as you think. Yeah, I might be thinking it's going to take me 40,000, but it might take 60, 70 to- to achieve that because there are things that we can't control. So- so that's when we say, we want [00:55:00] this for this in this area. Let's define them some broad areas like the ones well defined before tell them in this broad area, we need a seed grant to do this. Other things, part of the one million will come later when we have started some projects working on and to sustain those projects. So with- we have to just insist on that and explain to them better that we are not going to write a good business model that somebody from the business college or from somewhere is going to look at and say, this makes sense, because there's no road break test for a social project of this kind for justice projects. They're usually just based on how much effort the community makes and how much effort their leaders make and things like that. And how much pressure they have and the willingness of the governments, local governments to work with the local community. So that is the level of persuasion that probably we have to reach, but we have to also help them a little bit. Yeah- yeah. That's what I was thinking. Yeah. I think I'll stop there. [00:55:56] To understand what you're saying, you're saying, as we're talking [00:56:00] about, possibly each of us going personally to give public comment, to have a detailed budget to also talk about during that public comment or are you talking about when we present? [00:56:10] When we present this time, unless- [00:56:12] And so- [00:56:13] Yeah. [00:56:13] And we want know when we can present until they put us on the agenda? [00:56:17] Yes, but we can start with pressure on to be put on the agenda, and tell them, we have problems. We are ready. These are the areas we want to start on. We don't even have the 10,000 right now or anything else to do anything if you want it so that they know we can't move on. We can't pay a facilitator because we need to pay a facilitator. Yeah. To help us with processing the data and the other things like this, and this. So the- I think that's the explanation. We need to give them the agency. Yeah, I know the city has their own priorities. You know, they do the four year, all council year plans. Things are prioritized. But if they can just let us a little moment, just take a few hours to vote because [00:57:00] the moneys there has already been allocated, and then we move on. And then- and then they explain to us, each of the council members the explain to us if they have an objection. They explain explain to everyone in public, why they have- why- which areas do they see a problem? Then we can feed- give them a feedback and tell them, whether they're right or wrong. We just have to argue about that. [00:57:24] Okay. So what I'm hearing is that, um, a few of us, if not all of us, uh, are interested in going and speaking public comment, uh, from our own personal experience as citizens also a part of this commission? [00:57:37] Yes. [00:57:38] Yes. [00:57:38] Right. [00:57:39] On Tuesday, uh, 6:00 PM. I believe. And then the other suggestion I have is that there are seven city council members maybe being a little bit more firm on who's going to contact each person individually. Um, and I'm going to say six because we don't really need to contact one of them. [00:58:00] So, um, does anyone- do we- do we want to- I think we should have signed this right now, right? [00:58:08] Yeah. [00:58:09] Okay. So going through the names, does anyone besides myself want to reach out to Mary Tig- Tig. [00:58:16] So it- [00:58:17] So Cliff is going to do Mary Tig. Just writing notes. Who wants to reach out to Mayor Pro Tem? Maza here, Soul? [00:58:26] I can try to do that. [00:58:28] Okay, Amis, I will reach out to Meghan Alter. Sean Harmson, Councilman Sean Harmson. [00:58:39] I don't know him, but I'll try reaching out to him. [00:58:42] If you need help getting in touch with these people, let me or maybe Stephanie Redmond can help us with that. Um, we don't need to reach out to Laura Burgess right now. Andrew Dunn, Councilman Andrew Dunn and then Josh Mo are the last two. [00:58:58] And I've I reached out to Josh. [00:59:00] And I think someone else it would be good for them to hear from another person, right? So- [00:59:05] I'll reach out to talk to Josh. [00:59:06] You reach out to Josh. [00:59:07] And I think we should still send Laura this a nice letter to- to thank her for everything that she'd always done to appreciate it. [00:59:16] Right. And I don't want to say we didn't want to talk to her or just like- [00:59:18] I understand- understand you just saying that she's someone that has been supporting us along the way. And so I think we should do that. I also believe that we should ask for two things. One is that we should ask that they support a vote. For the use of the funds as soon as possible. [00:59:45] Use of funds. All right. So, um, I will send this in an e mail. Um, does anyone else want to reach out to Councilman Andrew Dunn? I can reach out to him, but just wanted to give. Sorry, Lubna. [01:00:00] [01:00:05] You took my time. Who is the Bruce? [01:00:10] Bruce? What? [01:00:13] Who's going to meet with. [01:00:14] Going to meet with. [01:00:15] The me- the Mayor? Cliff has volunteered to meet with the Mayor. [01:00:22] Can I join him? [01:00:24] I mean, anyone can join anyone. I just want to make sure that every council person was contacted. So please contact your person and whoever else you want to. Um, Cliff, are you okay with Lubna joining you? [01:00:37] No problem. [01:00:37] Absolutely. So- [01:00:40] Thank you. [01:00:43] Lubna, would you also like to reach out to another one, or are you focused on meeting with the Mayor right now? [01:00:50] Ms. Mayor so I can understand about it. It was my first time. [01:00:55] Okay. I will reach out to you, Councilman- [01:00:59] Thank you. [01:01:00] [01:01:02] And then, uh, back to what you said about what we should send to Councilwoman Burgess. You said we should send a letter? [01:01:09] I think just something even if it's a call or a text or just something to let her know, that we do appreciate her. We know that she's been, um, very supportive through our ups and downs, and we appreciate her. [OVERLAPPING] I think we should say that to all of them, but specifically, I think saying something to her is important. [01:01:24] So I am happy to reach out to Lauren. I talk to her all the time. Um, if other people who do not have connect talk to her as often want to reach out and give her that, I think that would be appreciated, as well, um. [01:01:37] I'll definitely good. I know her, and I haven't talked to her for a while, so I'll reach out to her. [01:01:42] Okay. Um, and then back to your point, Commissioner Simmons, we should, number one, ask that they support a vote for, um, us to use the 250,000 or at the very least understand what their hesitation is, report back to the group. And then, um, I guess, [01:02:00] depending on how soon you talk to them, let them know that we will be there on Tuesday. [01:02:07] Yeah, I think you should let them know we'll be there on Tuesday. The first one was to ask, we need three people to recommend that there be a vote. And then we need I believe five people, what's the magic number? [01:02:20] Okay we need three people or the mayor? [01:02:23] Right. But let's just say three people of the mayor for the getting the vote, but then you need how many need for it to pass? [01:02:30] It five? Okay. That's what you're talking about. [01:02:33] And we need five people. So those are that's A and B. Right? In essence or Part 2. [01:02:39] And I want to say one other thing that if, during the public comment period, if we all go up, um, there and do. Um, what I noticed the last time I was up a city council because of the issues surrounding the Pali building. The media are definitely there, right? And they come up and talk to people afterwards. [01:03:00] So I just think we need to be prepared if it's clear that it's the truth and reconciliation Commission taking advantage of the public comment period. We're probably going to be asked by people afterwards to talk about it. We can decide not to or not, but I just think we need to recognize that's likely going to happen because that's going to be something they think will sell papers. [01:03:22] We'll just agree. We gonna introduce ourselves and say what we're. [01:03:25] Yeah. [01:03:28] We can't stop anyone from talking to the. [01:03:30] No- no. I'm not saying I'm just saying, I just noticed that for certain issues, they clearly are there and they want to talk to people so. [01:03:37] I mean, if we're deciding to go out in public, we can expect to be put on the face of a public publication. [01:03:43] Right. [01:03:43] I, um, mean, we've already discussed what we're talking about- talk about from your experience and how you believe that you want this to move forward and why it's important. Everyone has their own viewpoint of that. Um, if anyone wants help [01:04:00] with deciding how to talk about it, we can talk offline, anyone of us, not just me. Um, and I mean, there's no pressure to do this it's up to you. [01:04:11] The other thing I would ask is that- that we have a conversation about and I don't want to leave this thing about money because I still have stuff that I want to talk about about money, but at least to kind of put to me, another book in on this one piece. The presentation that we make adjustments to whatever the presentation that we have, and we send it to them. [01:04:33] Okay. [01:04:33] That they get the presentation. [01:04:35] In the information packet type list? [01:04:37] Either they- well, we can we can send it to them via send them an email or put it in the information packet, whatever it is, that they have the information so that we can refer to it. We're sending you some information that you should, in essence, look at. So that that gives them something in writing that they have as well. [01:04:59] And you want this sent [01:05:00] before Tuesday, or you saying like by like in our next meeting? [01:05:03] I think - I think it needs to be sent before Tuesday. [01:05:06] Okay. [01:05:07] I think it's just enough to give them to say that we do have a plan, you know, but we're-, you know, we're struggling with all the rules let me say it differently. Based on the rules that are set up, it makes it very difficult for us to be able to get anything done. So we're having to use other systems and other ways to talk to you all because it'd be very difficult to get everyone on the same page, in my opinion. [01:05:36] So this is the presentation you sent to us, right? Thank you for putting that together. Per your suggestion, maybe we should look through it and see what else needs to be in it right now if everyone's comfortable with what we've talked about so far. [01:05:50] And I'd just like to bring one while we do that, if I can, I'd like to bring out one issue around money. [01:05:54] Yes. [01:05:55] To Redmond. [01:05:56] And that's okay. Go ahead. [01:05:57] Just one. So Redmond, there was [01:06:00] money that was sent to Coco Filming. Two checks. There was one for, I think, 5,000, another for around $4,500. That was a part of the spreadsheet. [01:06:17] I had been- my hands didn't touch that, so I'm going to refer to Stephanie. She might know more. [01:06:23] What's the- I don't know what the question was. [01:06:25] So there were two- there was money that was paid to Terrence Same. Who was working on a project for us. [01:06:33] Yes. [01:06:34] He was received money for two payments. One was kind of in advance because he steal this work to be done, but he feels that because he received the money, that everything, in essence, is really paid in full, that more of the work has to be done than being paid in full. But there was two checks. A part of the money was specifically because the city asked for the information to be provided in a specific format. [01:07:00] I do not believe that that money should come out of the commission's bucket. I believe that that should come onto the city manager's bucket. How do I help address that issue so that we're not dinged for that additional money that we have that money still available for us to be able to spend. [01:07:16] How much is that, do you know? [01:07:19] Um, I think- I think it's just a little under 10, because I think one was- I think. [01:07:27] One was 5,000 and one was 4,500. [01:07:30] So - so for that format change, it was $4,500, is what you're saying? [01:07:35] No. What I'm saying is whatever that amount is the format change, whatever it is. [01:07:40] Yeah. [01:07:41] That that money should have come from the city manager and should not count for the commission. [OVERLAPPING] What I request. [01:07:47] Conceptually, I understand what you're saying, but I know that you're already over budget. So if I don't know the number of what that is - that it's kind of hard to say. [01:07:56] But if I tell you what the number is, can you get it removed? [01:07:59] I can. [01:08:00] But again, we have to look at how much you're already over. Is it going to be more than that overage? I'm not sure when you say we're already over- over $20,000 for both phases. We're actually above 20,000. [01:08:17] Yeah, we have it. [01:08:20] Was it that much over? I can't. [01:08:22] Well, there can look, I think. [01:08:24] I didn't think we were that much over, but I saw some numbers 22,000. [OVERLAPPING] [01:08:29] Yeah 22,000. [01:08:30] Total number. [01:08:31] Yeah. [01:08:32] That was a number. But the number includes, again, stuff that the city asked for, but it was not a part of the scope. [01:08:38] No, I follow- I follow. I just don't know what that- that adjustment was. [01:08:43] So if I tell you what the adjustment is and proof, then you can work to get. [01:08:48] That- that could help. [01:08:50] Yeah. Could help. Yeah, [LAUGHTER] I think - I think the goal of the $20,000 to get through Phase 1 and Phase 2. And so Phase [01:09:00] 2 is there's a portion of it that might be lingering with regards to the final report and what exactly was a final- final. But I don't think that it's for carry on beyond Phase 2. So that's where- that's where I think there would need some clarification. [01:09:24] So is it possible to justify. [01:09:29] So one was 5,000 like chat set and the other was 4,500. [01:09:33] Yeah. Can it be justified by claiming that the cities earlier on, they were promising that this portion of the things we're doing that the city was gonna be City or staff will be responsible for? Just like now videotaping and other things like that. So the only thing is that the city did not have a capacity to do something as good as what we expect. Otherwise, [01:10:00] they would have told us, we have all these things. We have this equipment, we are videotaping this. So you don't need to go by that. What Commissioner Chad is saying, Well, because you did not have that. This could have been your role to do it on a project here, and you did not. So we used our money that we could have used or reallocated for other things. I'm just repeating what he's saying, in other words. Yeah. [01:10:21] Yeah, I follow- I follow though. [01:10:22] Good. [01:10:23] Yes. [01:10:23] The argument, I certainly- certainly see what he's saying. [01:10:29] Does that answer your question? [01:10:31] It's not fully answered, but- but Redmond understands what I'm asked. [01:10:34] I will check into it. [01:10:36] That's what I was looking for him to understand what I was asking. [01:10:39] Okay. [01:10:39] He can't give me an answer. I understand why he would not be able to give me an answer today. [01:10:46] Okay. Well, the next step for the presentation is to look through what commissioner Simmons put together and see how we can forward it. I think Chad, my only concern in forwarding it is that this was meant to [01:11:00] be presented with other words versus what's on here, so we would have to add a lot more detail, right? Or narrative? [01:11:09] No, I don't think so. A reason why I say I don't think so is is that if we're going to speak on Tuesday? Then we and we're all going to speak, then we can all be able to speak. We can all give a verbal summary of why this is important to the work that we wanna do. I would agree with you that traditionally, that any presentation that you would give would be something that's going to be either more written out or it's going to be the overview is gonna be verbal. But in this case, to me, it's look, you know, we've done Phase 1, we've done Phase 2. We have a Phase 3, Inter-phase 4, we have a short period of time. We need the money, in essence, to be able to do that. If you don't give us the money, then, in essence, you're telling us, you don't want us to do it. [01:12:00] And I think that's what we have to bring to their attention is that core thing is you're stopping that from happening from us. You're forcing us to do stuff that we don't wanna do if we still believe in this, but we don't have you all support. [01:12:15] And I just want to make sure we're all on the same page with what commissioner Simmons just said, because that's basically the theme of us going on Tuesday. [01:12:23] Yeah. No. [01:12:25] That's like the theme, and you put your own spin on it. [01:12:28] So- so you're talking on Tuesday we don't need to give them many details. We don't even have enough time. Is a three minute. [01:12:34] Yeah you get three minutes. [01:12:35] Yeah- yeah. So you don't have time to do a lot. We just stress on the theme and the limitations and the problems we're facing. [01:12:42] Yeah. [01:12:42] So such that we're just telling them in advance, we have our budget or plan somewhere. If you are ready to vote on it, we will give it to you as soon as you can, and that's it. [01:12:53] Whatever your three minutes are, I'm sure if all of us are there, they'll already have information because [01:13:00] if one person is saying they say something slightly different, then they can hear from that. And the whole public will hear it. The news will hear it. [01:13:08] Six people, 18 minutes. [01:13:12] I can get a lot done. [01:13:13] And then we still have, um, our other two commissioners that weren't able to be here tonight. [01:13:20] How do you know if? [01:13:21] Well. [01:13:22] Lauren. I would be here. [01:13:23] Lauren will actually not be here, but Commissioner Gathua might be able to. [01:13:27] Last seven people, 21 minutes. [01:13:31] And so, just diving into this. What do we think needs to be added or. [01:13:41] Okay. [01:13:55] Commissioner Chad, on this page. [01:14:00] I think this is usually typos usually. I don't think you meant to have fact finding twice. And yeah, I think I think we'll take this out. [01:14:10] So the goal was, is say this continuous loop. And so I can remove it if it's confusing, but the concept was that once you come up with solving a part of a problem, you may identify other problems and you want to then continue to dig deep. We came up, for example, we talked about police, and- but we realized we needed to dig deeper. There were some specific things that we wanted to get to. So I can remove that. [01:14:42] Another suggestion if it's supposed to be a loop, maybe it's format it differently in a circle. [01:14:47] So that they understand that it is a loop, that we are saying that this thing has to be a continuous. This is even after reconciliation, we'll still have issues from the feedback of the projects we're working on to work on, and there [01:15:00] will be need to look into the impact of those things on the community and the areas. So if you can do that in a different way, yeah, that would really help. They don't understand it. I tried I didn't get it. Yeah. [01:15:12] So let me- let me help do this to make keep it real more simple. You all understand what I'm saying, but I don't wanna confuse them. I'll just simply say topic A results and review. It's kind of what the the model was when we did it at the presentation in April. [01:15:29] Wait, so getting rid of everything here? [01:15:31] No. [01:15:32] Okay. [01:15:32] It's just getting rid of the last fact finder. [01:15:34] Oh, topic A results in review. [01:15:36] Beside just says Topic A results in review. [01:15:38] Okay. Um, would you keep the experts on there, too? [01:15:43] I think you on a different page. You're still on one page. [01:15:45] Oh, am I on the last page? [01:15:47] Yeah, I think this is the page I raise the question. [01:15:51] Yeah. And you're talking about the last fact finding, right? [01:15:56] Yeah. [01:15:56] And so are you saying you would get rid of the last fact [01:16:00] finding and add Topic A review? [01:16:03] Yeah. Topic A results and review. [01:16:05] Results and review. Okay. [01:16:08] I mean, either way, I think that people are going to be confused, and maybe that's another reason for us to come and give more understanding. [01:16:16] Should we just say topic A results or just. The concept was is that you develop your story truly behind closed doors. And then when you do your public session, it's supposed to- you're supposed to publicly tell the story. But you get to the place when you listen to everyone, speak, and you kind of better understand how the system works and where people are having problems, then you come together and say, well, this is really what the issue is. We find that this is kind of the problem and then that's what you hone in on when you're trying to develop that final story based on everything that you've kind of gotten. But everything that says developing our story is really done, not in front of people. [01:17:00] I think that- I mean, again, I think people will always have conversations. You've said multiple times. I don't- you don't think that people really get it. And so maybe just that what you just said, maybe that can go along with the email, just a brief paragraph of, like, we have so much more to tell you, but the gist of it is what you just said. [01:17:19] So should I just take that total off? It doesn't say fact finding nor it does it say results in review? I just take that off totally. [01:17:28] May be it's- [OVERLAPPING] [01:17:29] Drawing cycle. [01:17:30] Yeah. Let see. [01:17:32] Instead of fact finding, just get rid of that review. [OVERLAPPING] [01:17:35] How different is this from recommendations? [01:17:37] Say it again. [01:17:37] How different would this be from the recommendations? [01:17:48] It leads us closer to the recommendations. It's like, once you've heard everything from everybody, then you come up and say, well, here's kind of- here's the problem really isn't the hole [01:18:00] in the ground. The problem is, is that there's no one to talk to about the hole that's in the- in the ground. And we want to solve the issue around someone to talk to about the hole in the ground. You with me, that becomes now this- this clarifying thing that it's not the hole. It's the system of the people that you can even get to. There's no one to talk to, and we want to then address that. So once you get all the information of how the system works, what's going on, who's all involved, you know, what the protocols are, what the policy is, you would get a better sense of where really the problem is. Once we go through all of this- once we gather all of this data, we- we're now more informed to figure out what we're really trying to solve. So the- developing of our story is really the whole collection of data behind the scenes. And then once we figure that out, then we include it in our public session. That would also include here's kind of what we- here's some- [01:19:00] some of the, um, recommendations we have to solve this problem of no one dealing with the hole in the wall or hole in the brown. [01:19:09] Right, and I honestly think that this is in a six image PowerPoint presentation, there is going to be ambiguity. There are going to be things you don't, and that, and that's fine because that's part of what we do when we talk about it. And so I think this shows the direction, shows what we want to do, um, and if- it's going to be tweaked. And so, um, I'm pretty happy with the way it lays out. [01:19:37] Going to be tweaked, and the other thing is, we don't want people to lock us into something. [01:19:42] Right. [01:19:42] Yeah. [01:19:43] Because we're not ready to be locked in, right? [01:19:44] Right, because we're still testing. [01:19:46] We're still testing. So we're just trying to get it so broad that we have ability to move and discuss versus saying this is a hole in the ground, and they're like, well, just tell such and such, and he'll patch the hole. Well, that's not really what the problem is. [01:20:00] Right. [01:20:02] One thing I- maybe it's just in mind, but the dates that are on these images, it says Phase 3 from January to April and Phase 4 from May to December, I think we want to have Phase 3B. Now the way the timeline has changed, don't we? [01:20:22] Do you have the most updated one? [01:20:23] Maybe I don't. [01:20:24] So- [01:20:25] Phase 3 says June to September on mine. [01:20:27] I have the older one up, that's fine. [01:20:28] Okay. [01:20:29] Right. So the one, I want you to look at the one I- you received on Tuesday. [01:20:34] All right. [01:20:34] Yeah, I think- so the one that she printed out is that one. [01:20:37] Okay. I pick- I called up the wrong one, sorry. [01:20:41] No problem, uh, yes. [01:20:45] So do we come to a consensus that you will tweak the word a little bit, because as it is, um, I think it's confusing. [01:20:57] I'll remove. [01:20:58] I know when- I [01:21:00] don't want to be- I know you gave them different colors. They're dressing differently, but it's the same person, I mean, to the layman out there. I get you because it's a loop process, I get you that it reaches a point where you go back to the facts again, yeah. [01:21:16] Um, if you get rid of fact finding, and if you are able with whatever software, just put an arrow going that way and arrow going back, I think above it, that might help eliminate it, then you don't have to write any other words. [01:21:29] Yeah. So by the time we are dealing with reconciliation and maybe because the mandate is in, our task is to make recommendations. So that has to show up somewhere in our model, we can't ignore that. [01:21:43] Well, I think that's why he has the final report down there. [01:21:46] Yeah. [01:21:46] Maybe add report and recommendations. [01:21:49] Yeah. Yeah. So the final report probably, I don't know. You'll find, you know, it's the model you've been working on, so I don't know the foundations very well, but, if [01:22:00] you can use some arrows a little bit and see us, okay, we reach a certain point, we have to go back again, and see, are we making progress or not, or was there added information through the process that we've gone through? [01:22:14] Commissioner Simmons, I know everyone's busy, are you -would you be able to do this, and I send it out tomorrow or what's more- [01:22:21] I'm going to do this tonight, and then I will, um, I'll do this tonight. [01:22:27] Okay. Do- do you want to do the verbiage, or do you want me to work on that, or- [01:22:33] You can work on the verbiage, if you- I'm sorry, when you say verbiage. [01:22:36] I'm sorry, whatever needs to go into the e-mail to make it- just give it a little bit more clarity of why we're sending it to them. [01:22:43] No, I think you should- I think it should come from you, and then you should send it. [01:22:47] Okay. [01:22:47] To them. So I think you can work on if you would work on the verbiage. [01:22:50] Okay. [01:22:51] I will go ahead and make the adjustments to the um, to the document. [01:22:57] And I think it'd be a good plan to try to [01:23:00] send it out, um, tomorrow, if not, I mean, Sunday at the latest, but tomorrow, probably. [01:23:05] You will- you will have it tonight. [01:23:07] Okay, perfect. Um, as far as sending, um, anything to city council, we can send it to their public e- mail, or is there a better way internally? [01:23:17] No, you can send it to their public e-mail, um, which I think is online, I think you've done that before, yeah. So then, I just wanted to give you a bit of information, I just got finished talking to the city manager, um, about the commission's thought of using the public comment to- to basically communicate your presentation. Um, so he- he said he would- and he said, certainly, that's- that's a way to go about it, he can certainly do that, um, but he's going to check with the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem to see if um, this would- this might deserve a late addition to the agenda. The agenda has already been put out, [01:24:00] um, but to add a presentation. So, again, I think originally, and certainly the way I presented it, that the commission wanted it altogether, but if it's a presentation, it's a lot easier to get on the agenda. So they may if you want to, if you still want to have the presentation, give it a presentation without having the clock ticking and all that kind of thing. Um, there may be still an avenue to get on the 21st agenda. [01:24:29] What does everyone think about that? [01:24:31] I think we should make it happen. [01:24:33] If that's a possibility, we'd love to do that. [01:24:36] Well, I'll let them know to have that conversation, um, and then if- if it's approved, I'll- I'll let you know. [01:24:43] Okay. So if that is an opportunity for us to have a 21 minute or however minute presentation, um, it's a different approach than what we were just talking about. So do we need to talk what that logistically looks like? Um, do we all want to go up [01:25:00] and say our own little spiel, still less than three minutes, um, or go through everything in this? And then each of us have our own opportunity to share, like, what this means as a citizen and a partner of this commission? [01:25:19] I think if we're going to be on the agenda, it would make more sense to have it be more coherent. So have one of us give the presentation with all of us there in support able to answer specific questions that might come up. Um, I just think to coordinate it, it's going to be a bit harder to make it coherent if we're all free agents kind of talking, but I don't know if that. [01:25:48] That makes sense. [01:25:50] Thank you for reaching out to the city manager, um, to figure that out. Um, if we do get on the agenda, I'm going to say that I would love to have Commissioner Simmons [01:26:00] up there speaking with me, um, as- as the chair, or, however, because I believe he has the most coherent vision of how this could be best communicated, um, especially since he created this presentation. [01:26:20] I have no problem with doing that, and I have no problem with again, like I said, making the changes so that you have them tonight. So I don't have any problem with that. [01:26:29] Um, does anyone else feel very strongly that they'd like to be a part of, um, standing up there and speaking if we were able to get on the agenda? [01:26:40] I feel like we should all kind of have an opportunity, if need be, if there's something that we can add on to help out, to just step up and say something. [01:26:50] I'm not poss- [01:26:50] That's going to kind of leading away wouldn't be a bad idea. [01:26:54] I'm not opposed to us, um, having, like, going through everything, giving our, you know, our [01:27:00] thoughts about the process and allowing everyone on our commission to give their thoughts briefly, um, just to show that we're a united front. Does anyone have anyone against that? [01:27:13] What I would say is just said, I think it would be great if everyone would speak, and if- if- if I could have the honor of being the last person to speak. [01:27:24] Okay. [01:27:24] I would appreciate that, but I think if they hear from all of us and understand the significance of this that we came, and we invested our time to do this, then, um, I- I would love to be able to wrap this up with a bow. [01:27:40] Okay, um, if we were to do that, I just because we're not going to meet until Tuesday, let's- just I want to understand what that could look like. I mean, I am willing to go first, um, to open up as chair and have everyone in between, but is that, like, we're presenting this, or you're saying you would go last and take a piece of [01:28:00] this or present it, or it's inter mixed? [01:28:03] Yeah, my- I believe more in storytelling and really helping people understand the story of the significance of the work that they're- they're doing and the decisions that they're making. I think that we should be able to say that we've given you a summary of what we believe the next set of work is. And you should be able to go and say, you know, Phase 1 is to do this, I mean, Phase 3 is to do this, Phase 4 is to do this. And then we want to wrap it up with making sure that we have a final report. We do something specifically for the community, and we're able to document this. But the only way to do this is that we need the funding. And the longer you all wait to give us the funding, the less likely we are to be able to get it completed. And then for everyone then to speak up and just give their truth about why this is important. And then- and then my goal is to be able to just simply say to them is, is that, you know, this is innovation, it's a new model. We understand you're struggling with it, we all struggle with [01:29:00] it. For the first time you wanted a cohesive group to be able to help solve the problems, we are cohesive. For the first time, you wanted the group to be able to move forward on its own, we have the ability to stand on and move forward, but if you do not give us citizens the ability to solve our problems, then there's going to be a problem, because it's not just about this situation, it's about the way we need to operate. And because financially, the city is being put under more stress from the powers that be, you're going to need our help. The only way that you're going to be able to get any of this work done is by expanding citizenship and allowing us to be a part of the solution, versus us simply to tell you what the problems are, that's the gist of what I really want to tell them. My specifics will be more based on what everyone says, that's traditionally how I operate. So based on what everyone is saying, what everyone is saying, then I want to incorporate that and say, you've heard this, and this is what we need to do, because at the end of it, we want them [01:30:00] to figure out how to vote on this so that we walk away knowing we have the money, or we walk away understanding that they don't support the rest of the project. [01:30:11] Right. And to clarify, this is just an opportunity for us to present, but there's no option for our vote happening. [01:30:16] No, but this can lead the way so they can get on the agenda for a vote. [01:30:21] Okay. [01:30:22] Just for clarification for the minutes. Are we talking a work session, then? [01:30:26] That part is still to be determined because the manager is going to talk to Morten tomorrow, and we'll know what that looks like if it's going to be the formal meeting, the workshop meeting, I don't know, but we'll see what we can figure out. And if not, you always have public comment during a formal meeting to- to take advantage of. [01:30:45] Okay. So just so we're all on the same page, um, what I'm imagining is I will, if we have the presentation, go up and introduce myself basically the same thing, um, trying to, um, convey to them, reminding them that we're citizens [01:31:00] first for this commission. We're citizens first in the city of Iowa City, um, whether we live here or work here, we're integrated into the community, that's why you chose us. Um, this is our plan moving forward, and this is how we believe we can get to it, but we can't do that without the partnership of the city. So that would be me leading, and then I would say, other commissioners, oh, wait before- and then I would go through this kind of, okay. [01:31:27] Yeah, you can assembly say Phase 2, we've been through Phase 1 and 2, right. This is Phase 3, here's Phase 4, and here are the other items that we want to pro- pro- provide by the end of our tenure. [01:31:37] Right, um, my fellow commissioners, um, have, again, citizens would love to just express what this experience has been for them and why they believe we should move forward. And then everyone gets, let's say, 60 seconds to go and explain what it means. And then either before that, I'll say my piece or after that, I'll say my piece, and then have you come in, [01:32:00] you know, finish it off. [01:32:03] Bring it home. [01:32:04] All right, are we all on the same page at that? [01:32:06] That more time, all good. [01:32:09] And I want to recognize Commissioner, um, Lubna Muhammed, I know that you're new, and this is a lot of different information. We can, um, meet at some point before Tuesday or just- just to talk about a couple of us or just me and you just to talk about everything that's going on with the commission. So I hope you don't feel too lost, but I know that you're here. [01:32:32] Yeah, I'm trying to catch up. [01:32:34] Yeah. [01:32:34] Yeah, I need to sit with someone so I can understand more. [01:32:38] Yes. And I'll reach out to you after this so that we can set up some time to meet. [01:32:45] Okay. For- to meet with the mayor, it's going to be when. [01:32:50] We'll have to meet afterwards to give you that information, we don't have the information yet. [01:32:55] We should met- I should meet with you next week? [01:32:59] Uh, [01:33:00] yes, have I send you an e-mail after this, and we can make sure to work out the details, and I can give you Cliff's information, and we can move forward on that, is that okay? [01:33:11] Yeah. Through e-mail, or we're going to meet in person? [01:33:14] First, I'll e-mail you, and we'll decide where we will meet in person. [01:33:19] Okay. Perfect. [01:33:20] Okay. Thank you. [01:33:21] Thank you, thank you so much. [01:33:23] All right. [01:33:24] So back to this present- go ahead. [01:33:26] Yeah, just clarification. So when we will be talking, will we be talking about the details on these areas, like in terms of financial obligations, because we will be asking for money, they're going to say, but you're not telling us what you're going to spend on issues about housing all this and these projects. Do you want us on that day or this one is supposed to be on a report later? [01:33:55] Later, I mean, I believe that we're trying to sell the idea, and the vision. [01:34:00] Just psych them up, we are going to give you this, and we want you to act on it. [01:34:04] I get 60 seconds worth of letting them know we have a plan already accomplished, and we need their assistance. [01:34:11] We need some face time with them. If they want to at least give us the questions that they have, at least they can hear our plea for why we are feeling strongly about this, did you have a question, Stephanie, yeah? [01:34:23] No, I was just a friendly reminder of speaking to the mics. I know you can hear each other well, but there are people who watch the videos who may have hearing impairments, and it's very difficult for them to- to hear stuff correctly if you're not speaking into the mic. [01:34:37] Thank you for that. So I believe we have a plan if we get on the agenda, and we have a plan if we do not get- get on the agenda, um, for this first step. We also have a plan for every one of us to take ownership and reach out to at least one assigned, um, city council member. Feel free to reach out to whoever else after that, um [01:35:00] and then our after this presentation, we are hoping that we are inspiring, um, you know, our city council enough to move forward with an actual vote. Um, it might be the case that afterwards, we need to talk to several different people multiple times, um, but they will be meeting before our next meeting, so we'll have to figure that out. Are we on the same page? Go ahead. [01:35:28] Yeah. Chair MOC. [01:35:31] Commissioner Chair, I have another question on one of the pages, and one that says Phase 3 community engagement projects. And in the small writings, you do include our first project, which we have been working on is- or you will enhance that with some other detailed projects with- with more of a conversation. You are proposing that the [01:36:00] next one is more of us- let me know use the word more, but we'll be- we are thinking of a symposium. Then I see the next one is a conference, I see the last one assembly. And I was just not getting- I know you have probably a strong good thought about that, why you did that. But, um, if you can just help me here a little bit, because these things are usually different. They take different levels of, um, people to attend. Some of them- some people might find it a symposium. They might find it very- very difficult, they don't want to attend because they- because of the- the nature of discussions. They could be so technical. Maybe a conference is probably more flexible. Anybody, even children can come and say, I don't know conversation probably. I don't know how - which order they come in terms of people feeling comfortable in attending this. And then they come with different obligations. I'm not worried about the obligations because [01:37:00] we have to use money to do these things. But I just wanted to see if you- [01:37:05] So the- the- the easy part of the wording is simply that the goal was to use different words. I didn't want everything to be conference conference conference conference or symposium symposium symposium. What I - what I was trying to portray is that, different situations, we may want to have dialogues in very different ways. And remember, my goal is not to get us boxed in. So I was not trying to really say to them, hey, this is going to be this,it was really to say we're going to do something around this topic, and we would determine what that would be and- and what we would call it and how it would look. So for example, there- when it comes to police, there may be simply a dialogue where we have- it was done in Cedar Rapids, where we have the different police officers in the area talking [01:38:00] to us about their setup and how they do things. And maybe we, you know, they- what they did in Cedar Rapids is that they put it on PBS. They had, you know, educators, they had, you know, uh, a military person kind of guide it and really have some of the discussion and dialogue. I'm not saying that's what we should do, but I'm just saying that we may- that may be a different format than around the issue, let's say of housing. Housing could be that many people do not understand the process of developing housing. And because it's taught nowhere, if you're not taught that process, then you don't know how it actually works. So, if you're trying to do anything about development of housing and you're clueless of that process, then that could be problematic. So that may be more classroom where we bring in people that have that type of expertise. We have non- profits here that do that, um, but we also have other folks that could do that, so it could be more- more of a classroom [01:39:00] type of setting than maybe, you know, I call it a symposium. But we may just bring in a variety of different people says, here's how the communities get together or here's what, you know, if you're part of the church community, here's how your church should look at how it needs to operate within a given community. They love churches because money is always coming into the bank every week. They love churches because churches have all this equity in this building. This is how you can leverage that in essence to be able to grow your community. In essence, this is how you can do it to grow, you know, the folks that work for- that are in your church. This is how you can use it to help the people. I don't know what those things are. I just used different- I want a different terminology just so that they understood it wasn't always going to be the same thing or the same solution. I don't- and I don't want them to hold us to any specific way, so I want to keep it very vague and not be able to say it's this or it's that. [01:40:00] That was kind of what the intention is. And the other- the last thing I would say is, it could be a number of different things that we may want to do. It's not just one thing, but it could be a number of different things that going to be around, um, economic development, right? We could, you know, easily partner with the city to do X, Y, Z. They have a policy. Their policy is very restrictive because it requires you to do A, B, C, D, E, and F. We could say that this policy should be changed because it's not that the problem is with the- with how the policy is written, it's how the policy is executed. And because of the way it's executed, we want you to change the way it's executed and then- we can then have that type of dialogue and talk about how this is done versus doing it a different way. So the goal was to leave it broad. [01:40:52] Yeah, I get you. I think I get you because you are just giving us a degree of freedom in terms of the types of hearings. [01:41:00] You know, generally here, they're like hearings. That's the word we commonly use. But they could take different formats and which we need, maybe in housing we can hold three hearings, one for people of this type, one for people of this type, whatever, and I get that, yeah. I was just worried that a council member might be saying, what are we- are we playing with their heads or not? Yeah. We are not very clear. And I don't know if that's some of the problems they're facing. So- and I see that you do not want to make it very detailed because it push us into like wearing one jacket or getting into a hole, but it is- it doesn't hurt. Doesn't hurt to put three hearings, one of this type, one of these types. Let's just- that helps them see these guys are- have these things in their heads. They're thinking of these things yeah. [01:41:52] So what I can put, for example, up top, um, because instead of, you know, I have community engagement up top, or what I can put up top is something like, [01:42:00] um, hearings or community hearing. That's going to sit up here, and then leave that the same and so- [01:42:08] You can put here your variety 1, 2, 3. All the things you've talked about are genuine and we can do that because they contribute value to our discussion in total. We just help them here- here and here, we help them here, 1, 2, 3, or 1, 2. And it doesn't mean those are the only ones. Some will get from the community, say, oh, we want to talk to you in this format. We don't know right now. That's why I'm saying the model we're using is not the typical model they're used to. We- we develop things as we go along but if we help them a little bit with the chat, that would be great. [01:42:39] I will- I will put that in. [01:42:41] Yeah, and it hasn't even hart to say that, okay, we were playing with this words in here because we are also having struggling - to struggle with the type of gatherings we are going to have. We have learned some lessons that this type of gatherings don't work very well. This does work. So that's- that's- that's what [01:43:00] I want it. So if you can work on that, that will be very- very great. [01:43:03] I'll make that change. [01:43:04] Sure. [01:43:05] Um, I just have a question, just to make sure I'm understanding. Um, so you have Phase 3, but there's three different, um, parts of it. And that the first one is the subject matter experts. Second is expert testimony and research, and the third is the community engagement projects that we're going to change to the- the public hearings or whatever you guys just said. Um, which part and- which part of this is where, like, truth telling, like, one on one or- or like, big would be under? Or like this- the preliminary things that we- we would do outside of the public forum stuff that we practice. [01:43:47] Would that be the first? [01:43:50] Yeah. So I'm going to say this. I'm going to mess this up. I'm going to try to see if I can get this. [01:44:00] Many people are subject matter experts, even when it comes to their own experiences of dealing with certain things, but they see it from that perspective. So if I own a house, I see it from the perspective of a homeowner- a homeowner. But there's someone else that may see it from the perspective of, you know, a developer and a builder, and someone else may see it from a different. So they're looking through different lens that the exact same thing. What my hope is is to get a 360- degree or as close to a 360-degree view of how people look at that one thing differently. And then once you have a good sense of that, then you can start then focusing on building your truth telling. So a part of it is you're doing it all at the same time is kind of your- you're- you're changing the tire on a- on a- on a kind of a moving bicycle. But the other part is is that once you've spent all of this time, you'll start realizing, like I said, this is where the problem is. We don't have enough tires, or this [01:45:00] is where the problem is. We don't have- we don't have the air pumps to pump up the tires. And then you start building the whole truth telling around that given topic for the public. So we will get closer- once we listen to everybody, we'll get closer to what we believe a problem that we can solve, and then that's what we, in essence, want to present to the public. [01:45:25] Thank you for that clarification. [01:45:26] So we'll- can that be part of- let me see if I get the right page of what we just talked about. Can that be the truth telling because these words are very- very important to the public. They have been used to a certain language that we've been using. And when we lose that language, then they get confused. So in whatever we are doing, they want to see that, like you said, [01:46:00] as part of the conversation, there's a truth telling component of it in each area here. [01:46:07] So- so if you go back to- go back to the initial presentation where we talked about kind of the fourth phase, and it has- under the developing our story, it has the concept of community truth telling. Do you see that? [01:46:28] In- in Phase 4? [01:46:30] Yes. [01:46:30] Yeah. [01:46:32] So that is where we're still- where it is the- it is the truth telling portion, but it's a portion that helps us educate on where we ultimately identify a core problem is that we want to help solve. [01:46:49] To Commissioner Kiche's point, would it be helpful for people that aren't understanding it like us just to have maybe one long tab that says community truth telling right here? [01:47:00] Does that make sense? [01:47:04] Yeah, is- is difficult because- [01:47:07] I think that just one of those bars worse. [01:47:08] I guess these are instruments that we use like the methodology we use to deal with our problem. And the- the other ones are subject areas. So- so here I see community truth telling, community sponsorship, fact finding. These are the tools we're using. And I don't know. That's what I was thinking that, if I don't want to lose the word very much, especially given the mandate we have fact finding truth telling. But I believe at least one of the gatherings hearings we're having should be about truth telling. I can tell my story myself. I can give you, I think it's part of the community. When I was having trouble getting a house, my experience I can tell that. That is truth telling. And [01:48:00] I wanted it to be on- on the time we're dealing with that topic, then it is clear that maybe one of the gatherings you're going to have is going to be to telling. [01:48:10] I think- I think what you're saying to me is out of the four areas of what we're operating on, there are two things that you're looking to have happened. One is, kind of this arrow that says that there may be different ways of us having this dialogue. There could be conversation, there could be symposium, there could be conference. And then the other thing that your- I believe you're telling me is, is that within these four areas, that it incorporates, for example, uh, community truth telling or systems or- or expert truth telling, it- it- it encompasses the different layers or the different groups of people that would, in essence, be a part of sharing their truth. Would that be- [01:49:00] Yes. [01:49:04] I get it. Yeah, I get it. Because as- as I see your model here, all I need to do is to simulate this I'm saying. I'm projecting from Topic A, I'll move to Topic B and repeat the same process. [01:49:15] Correct. [01:49:17] Got you. [01:49:18] I get it, but yeah. Anyway, the report is meant for us here to- to digest. It's not really meant for the- I don't know. But it's usually public document. [01:49:27] Got you. [01:49:28] Do we feel good about the presentation now? [01:49:32] Yeah, I think. [01:49:33] Again, thank you so much Uh, Chad for putting it together. [01:49:36] So I will send it to you. I will send it to Stephanie and then in the morning when she gets in, then she can send it to everyone. I think that makes sure I don't violate a rule or something. I'm not supposed to talk to you all via text message. [01:49:49] I'll work on the email, and I'll try to send that um, to everyone. If you- if you have a chance to look at it and are not in agreement with something, let me know. [01:50:00] Um, if everyone's okay, I'd love to move on to the next agenda item. Great. Is there anyone online that would like to make public comment on the agenda that we just- item we just talked about, which was upcoming presentation to city council? Please raise your hand. Okay. Um, I'm going to go back to, uh, Agenda item number 6, which was the request for additional funds from city council. Those were kind of intertwined, but I just want to make sure that nobody had anything specific that they wanted to talk about on that. I will make a note that, um, as Commissioner Kiche has been saying, we- we probably need to, uh, develop some kind of details for what we're asking for. Um, is there anyone that wants to champion that or- [01:50:49] I'll take care of it. [01:50:50] Okay. Um, and if you need any help, you know who to ask. Thank you for that. Are there any other things we'd like to discuss on this agenda item? [01:51:00] What? [01:51:01] We are on agenda Item number 6. [01:51:02] That's number 6, yes. [01:51:04] Request for addition points. [01:51:05] Just, I don't know. [01:51:08] Stephanie could help with the chat number 1. Not very important because everyone knows that information. I was just trying to- to put it there in case. You never find- sometimes you find one of the commission. Sorry, Council members can ask us where- where have you spent your money, how have you spent your money on weekends? So that's why I tried to do that. And I used the information Redmond gave us the other time. Yeah. That's all that is just put in a different way. I just put it in a different- [01:51:37] That's not what you wanted, is it? That [inaudible 01:51:39] Okay. I just saw Excel. I was like, oh, this is it. Here we go. [01:51:46] Thank you. And it's a lot easier to see. [01:51:49] Yes. [01:51:58] Was there something specific that you wanted [01:52:00] to put our attention to? [01:52:01] Yeah. The- the area I wanted- the reason I was just saying why- why is it important? Yes. [01:52:07] I don't know. [01:52:07] Yes. But I think you can see the reason I was just putting it here to help us know where our spendings go, and then how much you spend. We need to report to them that, okay, we have used all our resources right now. Unless we even get additional 10,000 for our operations, we are stuck. And we can't do any other project at all- at all because we are stuck. We are only getting 10,000 after Phase 1 and Phase 2, and you see we have used all that. Yeah. We are- we are stuck now, so we- we- we need additional funding, and also to tell them which areas much of our spendings are going to, and then that wanna leave to the commission members to- to see whether they think, uh, uh, we are not being efficient in the way we use our money or not, but I don't think it's an [01:53:00] issue. That is a long period of time since 2020. [01:53:05] '23. [01:53:05] 2023. Yeah. Yeah. That's a long period of time. That's is a whole year, almost- almost all year, and that's what we spent. So- [01:53:13] That was a good perspective. [01:53:14] So the- the other reason why I- you- I put that is because in the next chart, that is the information I use to put in rough budget or estimate in what we expect to use roughly maybe monthly on a specific area. So this was all that was used in area A. That is, uh, public safety. Mainly, it went to public safety, I think so, and the training. That's why it is double 20,000. So we're just saying that, well, if now, we already trained, we're not gonna need 22,000 to work on house. We are only gonna need maybe half of that, if we can, or more, so I put in around 9,000 for that if you see the yellow orange [01:54:00] box then. You put this together? [01:54:02] Me. [01:54:03] That- you put together that proposal? [01:54:05] Yeah. These things? Yes. Yes [01:54:07] Okay. Just making sure I understand. [01:54:08] Yes. Yeah. [01:54:09] Okay. [01:54:10] Yeah. So- so- so you can see the little boxes, colored boxes, we have, I mean- at the moment, I have three areas, which you can adjust accordingly as we wish. Yeah. And, uh- and you can see that for every area like housing, we have some certain amounts there. Maybe six, the first one is 60. I can't read very well. Yeah. You see the- the- the bottom, you see the totals in they- they all adapt to 250, but we can make a lot of adjustments here to fit our original request of January that we had earlier. And we are just saying that at the moment, we are proposing hearings, and you can see the column, the second column of hearings, I say, the first one, we might need two more hearings or one. The other is gonna need three roughly, but we can change them to four hearings [01:55:00] in each hearing. The- the conferences he was talking about, the dialogues he was talking about, the committing, the whatever, those are different things that will require money, and, uh, we require rentals, we require those. Those are- those are the projected expenditures I was putting there, and I tried to fit that what we proposed earlier, which is 250,000. But this is just a start because this is- I believe, is one area there [inaudible 01:55:26] saying we don't see how you, whatever, gonna use the money. I do not specify the specific projects there because of the reasons we just talked about before. But what I'm saying is that at the moment, the 250 we have, we think we can use this on this area- this on this area on these areas, yeah, you know, there's community projects. You see everyone has got- uh, every color there has got a commu- com- community project underneath it, and, uh, so I don't know. Maybe when we were doing the detailed report, I think- I was thinking we need [01:56:00] something on this to support our model. [01:56:03] I will give something or- on- I- [01:56:07] Yeah. Yeah. We can- we can manipulate it if there are other ideas, uh, uh, using the budget of 250 so that if there are additional projects, we're thinking of that are major areas, we can put in, then I think it helps them see our plan. It tells them see the expenditures we are thinking of the- why we are requesting that, even though we don't tell them exactly which project we're gonna have on housing. But it tells them that in the beginning, the initial projects might cost maybe 50,000. But we know this out of the one million, we still have some money out of it. I think 400+250 is just 650. Yeah. So those additional ones are the ones that- we just need something like a [inaudible 01:56:48] seed money to start a project on something to see how it is working very quickly. That's the idea. That's why I put in this to help us a little bit, but I believe [01:57:00] it is supplementing our model to be- it works behind the model. It is the financial part. Yeah. You will tell the story, then we can have this to accompany it to the report year. If they ask a que- if they ask you a question, how much have you spent? It is easy for you to see you spent about 22,000. [01:57:18] I think we all can appre- I think we can all- can appreciate that having a detailed, but budget, it's gonna be helpful. Um, uh, I was going to say that, um, I appreciate you putting this together, and maybe we need to discuss further what our plans are because this is not what I thought we were talking about the last time. We were together, uh, but it is a good start to what things expense wise could look like. It's very ambitious, uh, doing a hearing every month for the next- in the next couple of months. Um, that's my thoughts right now. Commissioner Simmons, what are we going to say? [01:57:53] Well, I- I love the concept. [01:57:55] Yes. [01:57:55] The concept is brilliant. What I- what I- what I would say is, is that, um, [01:58:00] I would love to work with you on it, because there's a couple of things I would want you to add. Like, I went there, for example, we talked about someone writing, right? Writing the prom- writing our- our final thing. Well, we want to include that. Right in there. Um, so it's not gonna be one of those specific pro- community projects, that's kind of what happened at the end. Or we talked about, um, doing the documentary, right? Well, we wanna include that, the, uh- the documentary. And so we wanna make sure that they have something in there. So I think if we can take that and mesh it with the- the timeline of pre- then we can stay vague enough but specif- more specific of saying, this is what I think our best thinking is of how we would invest the money, um, that we would- we would in essence use. [01:58:50] Yes. So as you can see, the yellow line down at the bottom. [01:58:53] Yeah. [01:58:53] All the way down is talking about those things is just that we can't see those things very well, and I don't know [01:59:00] how to deal with this document to be legible enough, yeah. But down here, I'm talking about the videography films and the things. And yeah, we have that proposal down there in the- so. But if you open it in- in- in your computer, you can see those things clear. [01:59:16] Right. [01:59:16] And the last time we talked, um, I think I made, uh, a point that I think trying to do four topics. And for the remainder of the year is extraordinarily, like, ambitious. I think we agreed to doing more on what we already have and choosing one other topic, and I think it was housing. Um, and with the caveat that we would put in our recommendations, that we ex- we do understand that these other tops are important, if not- and there are more, but we just don't have enough time, and that's why an argument to move forward. Um, I don't wanna prevent people from coming and doing any truth telling or anything, but, like, what we would focus on, I think would- I think we have time to do one other topic well. I think this is the same argument that Kearns & West had when they asked [02:00:00] us, do we want to do all three or four of them in three months or try to do one, and I think we learned that there's still a lot of things left out of that. Um, so I mean, I'm open to how- how we wanna do it, but that- I mean, we're already almost in June, so we- we would just have to, like, move things around and see what it looks like. I know that we last talked about, um, community engagement, um, pieces, like using the, um, circles as a way to gather, going to community events and, like, really just being in the community. Um, I guess, the way I envision our plan is a little more intertwined, um, trying not just specifically being, like, uh, June or July is gonna be one topic and then moving on to the next. But again, I say all this to say, I am very happy that you put something together because, um, that's not how my brain works, so I appreciate it. [02:00:58] Yeah. You're just confusing [02:01:00] me a little bit because we just talked about the- the areas we propose to go talk about these four major areas, and now- now you're saying that we might not talk too much about this. [02:01:13] Well, I think that- I think what- what the chair is just simply saying, because I think she's always had to thought about it, which is, we only got so much time. We can only do so much based on the amount of time that we have. We do as much as we can do, but we don't- but- but we wanna be careful about being blocked and committed to doing something that we may not have enough time to do. So the thought is, we still present the four. We're not committing to them, right, what are the four because we don't have the plan in place. And once we have the plan in place, that's what we're gonna be committing to. But what we're gonna show them is a holistic plan, and I think we also said, we believe and I could be wrong is that we think that there's continued work that needs to be done in another group that can continue do- to do this work. And here's kind [02:02:00] of the pathway that they can work on projects that we may have missed or were- or wasn't able to get to. [02:02:06] Right. And I- I wanted to have- I think that, Amos, this is really critical that you force us to think like this, right? This is really important, but I also wanna say that the story is what's important at this point to get the city council to say, yes, because the bottom line in all this is, we are dead in the water unless we get your support and funding. Period. Once we have that, once we know we have that, then there's gonna be lots of questions in which we're gonna have to do this and think about this hard as to how the money will be spent, depending how much money they're willing to allocate, and all the rest of that. Um, but I- I would- I would say as we're moving forward at this point, it really has to be more about the story, the vision, and to drive home that point that without [02:03:00] additional resources, you can go home. [02:03:04] So, um, to everyone's points, um, because, again, I think each piece of this makes sense. What if it's, [NOISE] um, one package, and we can take for each topic, we know we're gonna need to do the experts. We're gonna need to do this, this, and that we know how much it is, and like that's factual budget. Um, and if we repeated it, then that's how much it's gonna cost. And if we repeat it, and then the under- underlying factors are, like, the, um, people who work- well I can't speak right now. It's after none. Um, the people who are gonna write for us, um, the videographers. Um, that, to me, helps give a picture that's vague enough to fit everything in the model, uh, without the timeline on it. [02:03:50] Yeah. I just wanna- I don't have a problem with that as the commission will decide. If you look at each box- [02:03:57] Can you scroll it down just a little bit? [02:03:59] Yeah. Just look at- I don't know. [02:04:00] [inaudible 02:04:00] no. Up. Up. Okay. [02:04:04] Just pick any one of the box, yellow or orange. [02:04:06] There we go. [02:04:07] And try to make it big as possible underneath down there. Sometimes it's on the bottom corner. [02:04:13] Is that 14,000? [02:04:14] You can increase the percentage a little bit on. And then you'll see that I am having allocations for operations, regular operations is 9,000. Then I'm saying there's operations on truth telling, then we have expenditures facilitator. You can see the bottom one is the facilitator, I think, and yeah- so we can take housing only, but we have not discussed all the things we wanna do in housing. We don't know, because we don't know the issues people have out there, so how do you make a budget- the details of housing issues. [02:04:48] But I think we can, because we know that we need to get more information, and we know that that's gonna cost money. We know that people enjoyed, uh, being able to have the opportunity to sit in a circle to [02:05:00] learn more about everyone, um, and we know how much that would cost to provide that type of event. Um, we know that there's a lot more to learn, and- and we don't have to have extreme details, but we have some details. I could be wrong. [02:05:15] So this is not different from model Chad has where he talks about- it's not different. Yeah. It's just they are figures, they don't talk. This is not different from this one, where we have Topic A. Topic A is the- the initial one. Chad does not go to say topic BC down here, but it's the same thing. All I'm doing was putting dollar values in these areas. That's all I was doing. [02:05:40] Yes. [02:05:41] But you have an issue, will we be able really to do those other projects? [02:05:45] And that's the question we- we can ask of the Model 2 and other things. The model is a concept, but the concept must be followed with something that tells them that we really trying hard to do this. I don't want to suggest to them, "Oh, we already decided, we're just gonna do housing." Yeah. So we are now- [02:06:00] we're gonna give you that money. Like- like now, they're going to say, so you wanna allocate to 50,000 on projects of law enforcement and housing only. [02:06:11] I- I don't know. I think they will see that we are not probably committed to the mandate as they were- the- they were- they gave us something here that we agreed to, we really wanna do to explore our issues. Somebody, the community can complain, you have one million to work on these issues. And then later, within a few months, you're gonna be complaining and nobody's paying attention to us. You are given an opportunity to talk about it with the community, and you did not talk about education, you did not talk about, uh, small business development issues. So to me, personally, I see that is usually a challenge to me, the way I think, yeah, I try my best until I'm really complete, I can't do. And I try to do the minimum in all the areas so that I can able to be able to speak to housing, be able to [02:07:00] speak to issues of education in our schools in here and other things. I know it is very tough, and that's why I was thinking- [02:07:08] Can I interrupt? I'm- I'm sorry. I- I feel like it's not tough, it's impossible. I- I feel like what you're asking for us to do is, um, close to not reasonable because it took 400 years to get here, and you're saying that people are going to complain about us not getting onto topics within a year of trying to do this. That seems like an unjust amount of pressure to put on ourselves to complete an impossible task. Uh, I think that housing and, uh, issues with public safety and- and education and everything else are large issues that we could spend years, if not decades, doing the same work to try to- to heal everything. Um, I- I can't- I- I would have to push back on anyone saying that we're not doing enough. That's what it sounds like you're saying [02:08:00] the public would say, um, when we're trying to build foundations right now. Am I misunderstanding what you're saying? [02:08:09] I'm getting your proposition and, uh, your suggestions given the limitations we have, and, uh, so you- all these thoughts we are having about the limitations capacity is like the people who designed this pro- this chatter for us. We're not thinking like that. [02:08:29] They were just giving an insurmountable task. They did not believe we should be talking about this. We- they could have probably said, we are having this problem law enforcement public safety. Have a commission on that. Simply that only. The other things will come another time. Thus, we are pushing them back that to telling them that you overfed us or you overangered us by giving us all these areas to work on, that pertain to social injustices [02:09:00] and other things and like that. Right now, you are also telling the public- the community, that we as the commission seem to know where they're hurting better more than others. [02:09:11] We seem to know what? [02:09:13] Where they hurt more, in which areas they hurt more in our model there. So we are telling them, well, we only want to talk about public safety and housing, but somebody will say, we have problems these are areas, too. So we have decided them- for them as the commission that these are the areas that they seem to. How do we know? They can say? How did you know that? Because here we voted to choose Point A, Point B, and C and D. We voted for those things in the Commission. I was not part of the vote at that time, but you voted. The other members of the voted for that. That's why I was saying, if we try to do a little bit more is tough, but that's how I was thinking. But I think it's an issue of capacity in terms of time that we have. And, I just don't know how [02:10:00] the public will feel, how the city will feel at the same time. We are putting ourselves in a situation where they will say, the amount of work you've done is just going to be the few thousand, maybe 400 the facilities has used, and maybe an additional one. They will just work on one area, only maybe public safety, and that's it. The rest of the money will go back. [OVERLAPPING] And the commission can, I mean, the community can blame us for that. [02:10:32] I guess I'm misunderstanding because one of the recommendations I thought we all agreed on, is that we believe that this is a commission that needs to continue to live, and the work will not be done this year or next year, or the year after. I mean, this is something I feel like several of us have worked on our entire lives in some capacity, except for and, being a part of the communities that this is affecting most. [02:11:00] I don't know. I guess, Commissioner Kiche, I don't- I'm not saying like that. Why I am saying, I don't think that we can do all of this in six months. Several times throughout our seven phase, people said that we were- it was too much. What I'm looking at right now is doing the same thing in half the time quadrupled. I just don't see how that makes sense. Now, of course, we can be ambitious. I'm hoping that we're going to use the community even more so to do what we need to get done. I want to see this to live on. I don't believe that when we turn in our report that everything is over and done. But I think sometimes you have to put all eggs in one basket to give the best you can to move forward. But doesn't mean you forget about everything else, it just means that you're paving the way [02:12:00] to make that model to move forward so that we can copy and paste, tweak in between. [02:12:08] We do have- we have a long fight ahead and pace. We have to pace ourselves, if that helps. [02:12:16] Right. I think we also have to recognize that we need relatively clear success. The only way we'll have a relatively clear success is if, I believe that we can recognize what our capacity limitations are and focus on one or two areas so that we can clearly show how you move forward. Because to build off of what Chast you just said, this can't be just a one year project or a four year. This is an ongoing thing. That's what will be successful as we demonstrate to the city council that look with respect to policing and safety and housing, we've shown the way. Now, let's keep going. [02:13:00] The reason I think all of them are in Chad for- the way Chad has laid it out is that again, not to hamstring us, not to bind us to any particular thing because we could find out two months from now. Wow, there are some great experts in another area, and maybe we can take advantage of that. That's why so come back to, we need to focus on the story, the big picture. We know we need additional funding. We can't do anything without it, and we just need to convince the city council that we're right [02:13:37] Build a momentum off from many battles one- many battles, one small. That's all, but not that it's being forgotten. Not at all. [02:13:48] We definitely need more community input on things. [02:13:58] Well, what I would say [02:14:00] from the feelings I'm getting is that and this is public- this is public. This is that the majority of the commissioners are not feeling like we are going to complete these four or three areas. [02:14:18] I mean, not this year. I don't see how we're going to; we're not even completed with the public safety. [02:14:25] What if we and maybe this is the reason why we're having the four areas. We have an extension. [02:14:34] A what? [02:14:34] An extension. Or they make it continuous for another couple of months. Because you're going to ask for the continuation of this. I think that was a recommendation, and you we have been talking about this for some time. Are this- the additional ones you'll be working on is that the argument we are going to have. We can only do one or two. If you give an extension of the commission or [02:15:00] make it permanent, then they will be looking in on these areas. They're going to use the methodology, the approaches we have used before to give to you the recommendations that help you talk to the community, give projects to the community, let them voice what they want to do in the community. That's what I'm getting from you that, we are only- we are telling them that we are going to ask for time again for the other projects. It doesn't mean that I have to continue to be in the Commission, but somebody else will be in the commission to carry on with the thing we have started. That argument makes sense to me. [02:15:37] Yeah. Absolutely. [02:15:40] I think the challenges that we- we face a lot of challenges, and I think the first part of the challenge was finding a cohesive group that was willing to be able to move forward. Our battles have been more productive [02:16:00] than destructive. I also believe that we know that like, 400 years of creation take more than four years of- a 400 years of destruction takes more than four years of putting this together if you start from when we- where we began. I think that that is something that we should applaud ourselves with. But there are two things that I would ask that to me- that I think about. One is, we spent $400,000 on consultants. I would like to spend $400,000 on community. Bottom line, if $400,000 goes into the pocket of community, most of them would be excited because they would get something out of this overall thing that we're doing, not just the model, but they would get something that they would feel proud of, [02:17:00] and maybe they're not going to give us 400,000 because we didn't ask for 400,000. But the concept is that they give something that would be proud of. I think the other thing is, I do not believe that the- I do not believe that everyone in the city council really understands what they were asking us to do. If they truly understood what they're asking us to do, they would understand why this project is more important now, with all of the adjustments and changes that have happened from the state that are happening that it is more important now to expand your resources when people are trying to take resources away from you, and the way you do that is bringing community. That if you get community to truly be involved and engage, we can solve any problem that is put in front of us. But normally, it's always a small group, the [02:18:00] elected few. The employees that set rules that in many cases don't work for us. I think that if we can show them that the concept of innovation, if they really lean into it, that we can make Iowa City one of the premier living environments, that the 2030 project that they talked about, that we're really in the center of that, because everything that they're talking about is dreaming of what it should look like. What we're doing is we're engaging the community to make what they want to have happen- actually happen. That's to me the only way that we can be successful in this. Invest in the community and show them that we believe in them, because we are them, and then make sure that, again, that we're able to use innovation to create things that traditionally have been very difficult for us to create. What you're putting together [02:19:00] is something that flows, because for me, because it says, once you give us the okay about us moving forward with the money, we will be responsible. We will be respectful. We will use our community's money in such a way that makes sense. That we have a plan. Now we can't get it all done. But if you understand what we're doing, you'll understand what we're doing is something that should continue to move forward in the future. To me, that's- that's the most precious gift that we have the ability to give the city of- Iowa City. The community matters and people can solve problems that community has. I love what you've done. [02:19:49] I will be part of what the Commission decides to do and contributes to the best of my knowledge. [02:20:00] In the presentation, the Commission will decide how much of that is. [02:20:06] Well, we're not going to put this in the Tuesday presentation. [02:20:08] Not on the Tuesday presentation. [02:20:09] Okay. [02:20:10] In the report. Where you to asking for the budget. [02:20:12] Yes. When we follow up. [02:20:14] Yeah. [02:20:15] I think we'll have one- at least one other meeting so that we're all on the same page [OVERLAPPING] I appreciate you bringing that up. That is important stuff, and I think we all have the same mission, just different approaches. [02:20:28] I agree. [02:20:31] It is almost 9.30. Does anyone else have any other things they want to talk about as far as where are we at? Are we on number 6 right now, still? The request for additional funds. [02:20:43] I think we're done with that. [02:20:44] I think I have an issue. [02:20:47] On which one? [02:20:49] In the same agenda? No. [02:20:50] Same agenda item or I can move on? [02:20:52] You can move on. [02:20:54] Does anyone- if there's anyone online that would like to comment- make public comment on our [02:21:00] last agenda item for requests for additional funds from City Council, please raise your hand. I'm going to move into next steps for phase 3 and 4. I think we've done a lot of talking about some things. One of the thoughts, low hanging fruits I think if some of us wanted to do now, we could- some of us could go to the farmers' markets. The diversity markets are coming up. Again, this is time and energy from all of us. I'm not expecting everyone to do this, but just looking at those different things, I was thinking about at the right demographic. We've been talking about that we want to go to churches. I think we really need to, in the meantime, really decide who's going to contact who and put meetings together or whatever is reasonable. The last thing I will say, I'm sure everyone saw the email, but there is a woman who reached [02:22:00] out and said that she would be willing to dedicate 15 hours a week of volunteer service to us, which I've been texting her and I'll reach out to her to see what that could look like. If you have specific ideas of what you think that could look like, I'm really thinking more of the logistics behind the scene stuff and maybe going out and helping us find volunteers or things like that. Those are the two things I can think of for next steps. Any [02:22:32] I have a couple of people who might volunteer as well. I think I can get a few people that are interested. [02:22:42] Any other thoughts on next steps, or do we, I mean, we have a lot to focus on for Tuesday and hopefully getting the dollars to make this happen. [02:22:53] When is the arts festival? [02:22:54] It should be the first weekend of June, I believe. [02:23:00] The second and third. When I was thinking about all these different events, my question is, is that the target audience? Because unfortunately, it can still be a little segregated here. If I can be politically correct. We could spend time putting information out there or reaching out to those people, seeing if we can get to those events, but I think definitely diversity market. [02:23:32] The Arts Festival, definitely. [02:23:35] You think the arts festival? [02:23:37] That's- what we get- that's the majority of the city right there. [02:23:40] But is that the target audience? Because the people I know don't go to that. Maybe. [02:23:49] I would say definitely the diversity market, but the arts festival, we want to get as many people as we can and I- I understand what you mean, uh. [02:24:00] If we want it might be too late to get on that, I don't know if Stefanie would let me know what the process is to even approach someone to be a part of, um, the arts festival. I mean, you cannot- we can also just walk around. [02:24:11] Have some-. [02:24:12] Flier. Talk to people wearing our shirts. [02:24:16] Oh yeah shirts. [02:24:18] If we get a table, you- you- I'm saying it might be too late to get a table so it just depends. [02:24:23] I was thinking something like even if you don't do the arts festival, and I can understand where you're coming from from the Arts Festival. I'm a collector. I like arts. [02:24:30] I mean, I love going to it, too. [02:24:32] I get it- I get it. But even something like, you know, you know, the 4th July, you know, independence day celebration or, you know, leveraging or working with, uh, you know, minority businesses. A lot of them do vending during that period of time. Are there something that we can do to- to highlight their businesses? Can we do gather information? Can we do videos of them and why they do this and what's happening? So there are some things that we could do just [02:25:00] during a time. Maybe, again, we have a month to plan for it, so maybe that would be something that would be- that would give us time, more than a month, maybe a month and a half to be able to plan for. We can- we can, you know, and this is from me, prayerful, and we get what we need to be able to move forward, then we can then talk about what are those- those specific events that we want to hit. Maybe we can just come up with kind of our list of items so like you said, the diversity, um, you know, a market, you know. [02:25:34] Arts fest. [02:25:35] Arts fest, you know, Juneteenth. [02:25:38] I was going to say Juneteenth. [02:25:40] Stuff of that nature, we can ultimately hit and- and then target. [02:25:45] With those different things coming up, I want to also be thoughtful of our time. I don't necessarily believe that we always have to be there, but maybe at least one of us and some of the many people that came to our events can join us in that or, um, [02:26:00] the person who, um, said that she might be able to volunteer and just to help get the word out. We're not spreading ourselves too thin so that we can, you know, have the right capacity, enough capacity to do the work that needs to get done, um, because there's going to be a lot of things going on as summer. [02:26:15] For example, right, you know, there's- there's always, you know, the t-shirts that they sell during, you know, we can work with some of the arts and we can put, you know, our logo on the t-shirts and make a deal with them so that t-shirts sell for- for less so now we can have people walk around with t-shirts during the summer that say, you know. I mean, so the stuff of that nature that we can get to that our presence can be made, you know, because everyone's walking around with our, you know, our logo on. [02:26:42] I think it would be worth, um, like, us talking offline, again, um, whoever is interested in this to just kind of come up with a game plan with what that could look like before June, whatever that day is that we have our meeting the first Thursday. Um, I can reach out and see who's interested [02:27:00] in having that discussion. It doesn't have to be in person, but if you want to meet in person, we can. If you have ideas, but aren't able to meet, email them, um, to Stefanie and she can forward it to us. Um, I will reach out to people that I know that are part of some of these things and see what it takes to get, um, on some of that. Just really trying to focus on how can we like, spread the work and, um, work smarter, not harder, especially without, um, you know, all the support that we had for the other events that we did. [02:27:33] Just- just all those things, we need some money to print pants, T shirts and all this and you could see that from the chat. [02:27:41] I still have a bag of the shirts that we have. That's true. [02:27:47] In all this, how much, so it's like we need a meeting or a way to decide on all these events. What do we want to put out there? Is it with T shirts for kids or whatever? [02:27:59] I think we can come up [02:28:00] with. Like, to me, our June meeting, our first meeting is a master plan of what the rest of our at least the next three months looks like. [02:28:07] Yes. That is a great idea. Again, um, anyone that's available to meet next week, the week after I will be out of the state, but willing to start the framework for what that could look like, um, and, um, hopefully by that first meeting in June, we can talk about the things that we can do without dollars and what we need dollars for. Just a quick question, Redmond, as of right now, we have zero budget. If we said that we needed some pins and some shirts, we can't, um, ask the city manager to buy any of that, or. [02:28:42] You can always ask. This just the earlier commitment is gone. But you can still ask, and there's still incidentals that the staff can, um, provide, too, so. [02:28:58] The earlier commitment? [02:28:59] The earlier [02:29:00] commitment of Phase 1, Phase 2. It is also past 9:30, so I'm starting to drift, but yeah. [02:29:06] Minus some money that you're going to help us get back. [02:29:12] Thank you for putting that back in there, I guess. It is 9:30. Does anyone else have any other thoughts for next set Phase 2? I will on top of the other stuff we talked about, sent some emails tonight or- or in the morning. [02:29:26] Yeah- yeah still, I have a question on the volunteer person. Kathy. I think her name is Kathy Fitzpatrick. I was suggesting you were going to talk to her, but I wanted us as a commission to take this very serious because this is where we're having a lot of problems. See, given her resume, what she told us she can do, I think everyone got that email. [02:29:49] She- I think she's online right now, too. [02:29:51] Yeah she is somebody who can really help us a lot and fill in in the area. She will come in and deal- deal with some of the issues [02:30:00] we're having in here to make sure certain things are done or maybe just keeping records and reminding us about certain things in here. [02:30:09] It's, um- would you like to join a call with her, um, to talk with her about some of the things? [02:30:15] I- I wanted the Commission to make a decision. [02:30:17] On? [02:30:19] Her volunteer status if she can. We have to agree as a commission, whether we can accommodate her or other volunteer. You're talking of other volunteers and those ones, you know, we allow all volunteers. They don't have to go through the commission to do certain things. But this is a volunteer who is going to be looking at our data, our information and the people we talk to. It's different from somebody going to- to help us distribute T shirts and pens. It's very different yeah. This is somebody who's going to know everything I know everything you know about the commission. As a commission, I wanted us to make a decision on that- a clear decision [02:31:00] on that. [02:31:01] As I said, I haven't, um, actually spoken to her yet, but if you feel like there's, uh, that we need to discuss on whether or not we would like to have a volunteer in that capacity. That's fine. What does everyone else think? [02:31:13] What's Zoom that. Zoom meeting at? Can we do that? [02:31:18] With her? [02:31:19] Yeah. [02:31:19] Only four of us can attend. [02:31:21] That's fine. We get a Zoom meeting, and we can all sit back and talk and if need be, only four at a time, but we can mix it up on whomever, make it a little bit easier. [02:31:30] Can you see if she's still online for me, please? Um, Kathy is your hand raised? Someone's hand is raised. If it's okay with, I it okay if she just speaks? We're all together right now. [02:31:47] Yes we can talk about it. [02:31:48] Hi, Kathy. Would you like to welcome to our meeting? There's a few questions about how you could possibly volunteer for us? I think you've been promoted if you want to unmute [02:32:00] yourself. We cannot hear you. I see that you muted and unmuted yourself, but for some reason, we're still not able to hear you. Unfortunately, we still can't hear you. Maybe if you wanted to log in and out, log out and then back in, I'm sorry. Now, we can hear you. [02:32:41] You can? [02:32:42] Yes. [02:32:43] Okay, yep, I see a green light now. I'm not sure what I did, but so yeah, I- I- I'm more than happy to help out any way I can. Um, I know you guys so I've been kind of following the meetings, and I feel bad that you guys are putting in so much effort, and you're not getting [02:33:00] a lot of support. I'm retired, so I've got I've got time. I have some skills. Whatever you think is appropriate or needed, I'm hay to do what I can. [02:33:15] Thank you, Kathy. I know Commissioner Keech, you might have had a question. Since we're all together, this is an opportunity for us to all, like, talk to her in person. Is there anything specifically that comes to mind? I know it's impromptu. [02:33:27] Yeah, it's impromptu, and I don't want it to look like an interview, but. [02:33:32] Well, it is. [02:33:33] Yeah you gave- yeah you gave us a lot of information on the things that you have been able to do regarding logistics on data. We are having a problem with the- doing our reporting. Is this something you can help with so that we start with you and we have worked on public safety. We have some information. Is that an area [02:34:00] you can- a project, you can start for us? Start writing a report. [02:34:04] I'm not sure. When you say reporting, I don't exactly know what that means. Um, I mean I can work a spreadsheet. I can I write pretty well. But I don't know exactly what you mean by reporting? [02:34:20] Yeah, I mean writing a report. Yeah. O a draft. Drafting a report that we can look at at some stage and. [02:34:28] Based off of looking at what Kathy had submitted to us, I was thinking of someone more as a project manager or someone that could help with some of the logistics. If we have an event, maybe, Kathy, you could help us secure the location or that that Stefanie and and her team are wouldn't have as much time for that our facilitator team was able to do. I mean, if you do have, um, expertise and would be willing to work on the final [02:35:00] report and recommendation that I believe Commissioner Keech is talking about, um, there's that is a larger task. That I think is part of the dollars we're trying to get from the city to pay. [02:35:14] I can definitely help set up meetings and events and make phone calls, um, organize things. Like I said, I'm familar you with spreadsheets, I can do PowerPoints, whatever. But any of those sort of organizational things I can help with. [02:35:41] Does anyone else have any questions? [02:35:43] Another question in case a position of that nature is put out there by the city. We talked about this a the time, well, we had a lot of uncertainties for payment. Would you be willing to apply or that's something you can commit? [02:36:00] I- I wouldn't want to commit that right now. I'm retired. It would depend on how many hours and, you know, what the circumstances were. So for right now, I wouldn't want to go there, but I'm definitely willing to volunteer. [02:36:17] Okay. So I want to thank you so much for reaching out to us in offering your volunteer services. I think, as our fellow commissioner said that, how about after words, I'll email you back or call you, and we'll set up a zoom just to talk further about what it could look like as a team. We can all agree on what would work best for both of us. [02:36:43] Sure. That works for me. By the way, the diversity market, I don't think is going to be running this year. [02:36:50] Okay. [02:36:51] Good to know. I think they canceled that for this year. There is a Latino fest this summer, though. [02:36:57] Okay. Good to know. Thank [02:37:00] you for that information. Does anyone else have any other questions that we should all hear the answer to for Kathy right now? [02:37:08] Not at the time. [02:37:10] I don't have any questions, but I just want to again express my gratitude for you reaching out and offering to help out. I really appreciate that. [02:37:18] Yeah, me too. I appreciate Cassy. [02:37:23] Commissioner Ki, do you have anything else? [02:37:25] No, nothing, I just to thank you when I got that e mail, I think I was excited. I could see some of the things you have been involved in and things that we're having problems with. And if you can start us off, even if you get a facilitator, we'll know we are somewhere. And so to continue with the projects in issues of management, collecting data and summarizing them to us in a way that will help us make recommendations. Because we can be doing tons and tons of things, and they're just piling up somewhere. We're not doing anything with them. We can generate a lot of information, but if you're not synthesizing them or putting them in a format that helps [02:38:00] us in the future, we are just doing a disservice. And by the time we need that data, we will be exhausted. One of the Commissioners shall have said, I'm gone. I'm done. I don't want that to happen, so I really appreciate you identifying the problems we're having. Then know the other community members like you out there, and if they're willing to volunteer in certain areas that we're missing in, we really appreciate, especially in the topics we're going to have in the near future housing. Thank you, Kathy. [02:38:34] Again, thank you so much. I think that's all we need for right now. We'll follow up after this meeting. Fellow commissioners, do we need a vote, or are we okay with moving forward on just exploring what this relationship could be? [02:38:50] I don't I don't know, I'm Rodman, you can give. If you're going to vote, it probably should have been a lot more specific on the agenda. I just think for [02:39:00] transparency for the public, UM, certainly can discuss it all. If you want to take a formal vote, I guess, my suggestion. What I was saying. [02:39:07] Do we have to vote? [02:39:09] That's up I mean, that's up to you. Commissioner Keech had indicated that he felt there should be, so, which is fine, but I just think that it could have been clearer on the agenda if that was the insism. [02:39:19] I think a quick Zoom meeting to talk a little bit further would make a lot more sense. And then after that, we can make the decision to make votes and everything like that. But for right now, felt like, uh, just for one, thank you. Again, this is Commissioner Johnson saying, thank you, and we can speak in the future, so we can get a little bit better acquaintance. [02:39:38] Yes, um, so again, I'm gathering that Commissioner Cliff. And Amos would like to join this. Is there anyone else that would like to join in on this? I'll put it to prompting us to think about that in [02:40:00] that way. I appreciate it. Are there any other things for next steps for Phase 3, and 4? All right. Is there anyone on line that would like to comment- make public comment on Agenda item number 8. Please raise your hand. [02:40:18] Okay. [02:40:18] I'm going to go to announcements of Commissioners. Announcements of staff? Men? Okay. I move to adjourn. [02:40:33] Second. [02:40:34] Second. [02:40:35] Thank you.