HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRC Transcript - October 5, 2023[00:00:00]
[MUSIC] I'd like to call a meeting to order. Can I have a roll call, please?
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Commissioner Dillard, if you can hear me. I try to promote you to pan- panelist, so you should be
getting an invite.
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Her hands raised. I know.
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Well, maybe I sent it to the wrong person. Let's try it.
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Yeah.
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Perfect. Okay. Commissioner Dillard, we're just doing-
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Here.
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Thank you. Commissioner Gathua.
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Present.
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Commissioner Johnson.
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Here.
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Commissioner [00:01:00] Krebs.
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Here.
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Commissioner Merritt.
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Here.
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Commissioner Nobiss.
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Here.
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Commissioner Tassinary.
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Here.
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And Commissioner Simmons.
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Here.
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Here.
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Thank you.
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I'll do the reading of the Native American land acknowledgment. Someone like to do that? Chad to do
it for me?
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Yeah, I'll read it.
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Uh, we meet today in the community of Iowa City, which now occupies the homelands of- can you
hear me okay?
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Yeah.
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Um- which now occupies the homelands of Native American nations to whom we owe our commitment
and dedication. The area of Iowa City is with- within the homelands of the Iowa Meskwaki and Soc.
And because history is complex and time goes back- goes far back [00:02:00] beyond memory, we
also acknowledge the ancient connections of many other indigenous peoples here. The history of
broken treaties, and forced removal that dispossessed indigenous peoples of their homelands was
and is an act of colonization and genocide that we cannot erase. We implore the Iowa City community
to commit to understanding and addressing these injustices as we work toward equity, restoration
and reparations.
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Thank you. Now with approval of the meeting minutes from September 21st and September 27th,
2023. Can I get a motion to approve the meeting minutes?
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A motion to approve?
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Seconded.
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Okay. It's been properly moved and seconded to approve the meeting minutes from September 21st
and September 27th. Any further discussion, Commissioner Dillard?
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Yes.
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Commissioner Gathua?
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Yes.
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Commissioner Johnson?
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Yes.
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Commissioner Krebs?
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Yes.
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Commissioner Merritt?
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Yes.
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Commissioner Nobiss?
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Yes.
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Commissioner Simmons?
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Yes.
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And Commissioner Tassinary?
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Yes.
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Motion passes eight, zero.
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Okay. Next, um, public comment on items not on the agenda. Commissioner shall not engage in
discussion with the public concerning said items. Are there any members of the public who wish to
speak on the item that are not on the agenda? We'll first go with anybody in the room.
[00:03:43]
My name is Emo Skitch and, uh, I just have one little comment, uh, based on the attendance, the
participation we had last week. And, er, this is, er, about the fact-finding. Uh, when Larry was, er,
presenting to [00:04:00] us, er, he gave us options. The first option he gave us was doing a
questionnaire, collecting primary data from the community. Then he also said the supplement to that,
which was the- the- the item we really dealt much with, was on the different areas in which we were
going to collect data, and this was going to mainly be secondary data. But unfortunately, I think he
ran out of time. Not only him, all of us ran out of time. It was getting late, so we did- we did not
respond. I don't know whether it was me or the Commission. I don't know if I was supposed to. On the
idea of doing a community survey, a questionnaire, it can take different forms, and so I did not see
that explored well, and, er, when I went back home, I was a little bit concerned that, okay, does it
mean he's just going to do it because he proposed it or because we didn't say anything about it? He
can just run- disappear like that. And, er- so that's what I wanted us to probably reflect [00:05:00] on.
Maybe he's not here, but I- I guess he's going to be hearing me. Yeah. And I know you're not
supposed to talk about that today, but this is just to the Commission. Yeah. Consider that please do.
It's a big- big important aspect of what we're doing. Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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In the fact-finding is actually on the agenda, it's number-
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Agenda number Item 8. So I was wondering that maybe you might want to bring that up. Number 8 if
that's okay? Is there anybody online who had an item that I want to discuss that was not on the
agenda? Okay. We'll move on. Um, there's no correspondence. So we will go back past that. Next
item, Number 6, the TRC budget presentation. Before I re- [00:06:00] turn this over to city manager-
deputy city manager, Redmond Jones, is there anybody in the, er, public that wish to discuss this item
or anybody online? Okay. I will turn it over to you.
[00:06:18]
Great. Thank you. I just wanted to take a couple moments, uh, to kind of give a update on the
expense. The expenses so far if you- Commission will recall, uh, the Commission had requested a
budget, uh, to conduct the activities surrounding the facilitation contract, uh, or contracts that the
Commission is currently working through. Uh, and- and that request, that went to the City Manager's
Office and the City Manager had granted that request. It was a $10,000, uh, budget amount. Um, so to
date, um, looking at August 1st, which is [00:07:00] when the contracts had started to October 4th,
the total expense so far as $6,667.91. Just- and I think everyone has got a copy of- of what those
expenses are, but for- for the public benefit, I'll just go through some of the highlights of those. Um, I
think the Commission was er, also interested in marketing some of the early events and, um, involved
in that was Living Justice Press, uh, and it's two copies of col- colonizing restorative justice, hand-
hands up communication. I think this was also some translation work that involved in getting some of
the early marketing materials out of Spanish, Arabic, Swahili, and [00:08:00] African French, um, just
to name a few. I think there are some others there. And there was also some graphic design work
done by the D- Daily Bankers Advertising Company also participated in getting some of, I think we
called our swag out and that involved scratch pad and pin images with the logo, uh, of the TRC on
there. And Amazon, uh, had some gift bags, uh, for us that we had purchased for Strategic Doing on
the 9th and 14th- on 9th, 14th and 9th, 16th, excuse me. Uh, and then for some of the meals of that
event. Oasis, uh- uh- uh, also Roy sand, sow food, Early Bird Cafe, uh, La Mexicana, [00:09:00] uh,
were some of those, uh, entities that provided food for those events. Uh-
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Um, and, uh, Dream City was, uh, the location of the, um, Spanish speaking, uh, strategic doing, uh,
and those costs were there for, I think that was $300 and, um, Mendoza Consulting was the facilitator
that worked that- that particular facilitation and, uh, that was $3,275. Um, Bread Garden was another
one of the, um, meals provided for the fact finding at $354 and, um, then some more supplies for the
fact finding, both by Amazon, um, for $127 and- and $266. So all those, um, add up to a [00:10:00]
total of $6,667.91, um, and we have another month to go, and this is for phase 1. Um, just to remind
everyone, um, we can have another budget request. And I think we had talked to inspect it to have
another budget request, uh, should phase 2 be- be, um, needed. So, um, the only pending piece on
there that you might notice that's just over a tax issue. The vendor charged tax to the city and so
we're working through getting that removed, um, and then having that paid out. So, any questions?
Great. I just wanted to let everyone know where we are.
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Thank you. Okay. Onto agenda item. Oh, I'm sorry.
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I'm so sorry. [00:11:00] Um, so I just wanted to, uh, V Fixmer-Oraiz, CEO Astig Planning. Um, so one
thing I just wanted to point out here is, um, in our original contract we had $10,000 set aside for
working with community members for- for the healing partners and it was because we recognized that
so many of our community members said we want to be included. And we thought at the time, you
know, we'll put that 10,000 in our budget. So if people feel more comfortable working with a
community organization as opposed to the city, that might make sense. Um, since then, we've had
contractual issues with actually putting that $10,000 in Astig Planning, and so that $10,000 is with the
city, um, and it was always intended to be paid to people working in our community. So I just wanted
to bring that up because I know we're talking about budgets and they're tight. Um, I would just- would
just be curious about having Mendoza Consulting as somebody who's in the community, as a
community member be paid out of that $10,000 [00:12:00] as opposed to this $10,000. It's just a
question. But I didn't know how aware the- the commission was of that shift from the Healing Partners
back to the city. Um, and the city was going to kind of, you know, pay people, I suppose. And so I just
wanted to say that there was that bucket of money there, uh, as well. So yeah, I just wanted to put
that out there. If I can answer any questions.
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Redmond.
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Is- is that something that can or can't at this point?
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I spoke with legal about that and my- my, uh, understanding is that can't, um, for reasons within the
contract with- with the vendor. If the vendor chooses to use it or not, it's up to the vendor. We had
talked about things that could possibly move that around but after legal reviewed the contract
language, uh, basically instructed that- that either the vendor would use it or- [00:13:00] or not use it
but the city could not or could not appoint it to the commission or anything, so that would be a
different part of money. Um, but again, [OVERLAPPING] probably might go back to our original thing.
If there's more resources you need, then you can make that request and then it can be considered.
[00:13:19]
Okay. So you're talking about the- so the 10,000 that- that was in their contract has to still be vendor.
Okay. In that case because the, um, this particular item was a facilitator project.
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That's the potential.
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Then this- [OVERLAPPING].
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Yeah.
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The insulting could potentially still be 100.
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Yeah, I understand where you're going.
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Okay.
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My comments were just to the fact of moving that 10,000 whatever to the commissions per se. Um,
the fact that, uh, that facilitator could be reviewed as a local group within that contractor- oh, within
that vendor's contractor. I'm sorry, I'm saying that vendor. [LAUGHTER].
[00:13:59]
So [00:14:00] offended.
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I have a name.
[00:14:02]
That's certainly a possibility that we hadn't explored. I would certainly, um, check with legal to make
sure that's okay, but it certainly wasn't what I was talking about.
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[OVERLAPPING]
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Considering it was something that was- it was actually their [OVERLAPPING].
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It will give you a little bit extra cushion as well.
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Okay.
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Yeah. But I think, you know, keep in mind we only have one more- technically one more month on this
contract. So we're kind of on target as far as our budget expenditures, but that certainly could give
you more room for sure.
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I just didn't want that-
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[inaudible 00:14:31] later on.
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Coming out later and then there being this extra money. So I just wanted to let you be aware of that
and certainly we can explore that still coming out of our funds, it's just that the city was requiring us
to use it as retainer. So we would have lost $10,000 in our contract. In a way it would have just
lowered our monthly invoicing ability. So if you retain something on the end, it's like they sort of hold
it for retainer. I don't even know how to explain this. Redmond, I felt like it took me an hour to
understand [00:15:00] it. It's like I have a contract and then you hold that 10,000. That means my
every monthly invoice would be about $1,000 or so less. You know, like it would it- it would come out
until the end when it was like, here's the 10,000. I know- I know. That's how I feel. That's how I feel.
Redmond can try again but like it's a retainer. It's a retainer. So it just- just know that I couldn't do
that. I have people I have to pay and so I couldn't take a lower invoicing amount monthly and that's
why. But if there's an opportunity to just invoice directly for a specific facilitator, I'm happy to do that.
I just wasn't able to do it upfront. Like I can't fork over that money.
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[OVERLAPPING] I do have questions for everyone.
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Can I ask you questions?
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Oh, yeah. I'm sorry.
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Is that okay? I'm sorry. I can't hear but, um, can I just get a better understanding because if it was
already in a contract that was signed that, um, this $10,000 would have been. So can someone
explain to me [00:16:00] why that would be reviewed after the fact of signing the contract to take
away the 10,000.
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It's not taken.
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Maybe I'm misunderstanding.
[00:16:08]
No, it's not taken away. It- I remember discussion- [OVERLAPPING].
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It's a mechanism, so it would.
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In meetings ago that we were trying to use it separate from yours. I remember the conversation. So,
you still have the 10,000. [OVERLAPPING]
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Periodically.
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It can't be reallocated for things outside of the contract.
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It is in my contract, but I have not invoiced for it. So I don't take- I don't want people thinking I'm
sitting on $10,000. [LAUGHTER] I don't have it. But yeah.
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You could use it if you want.
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But I could use it, it's just that I can't. I'm not willing to upfront that cost, but I'm sorry. Commissioner
Simmons here. Does that answer your question though, Chair Dillard?
[00:16:46]
Um, so you're saying, um, just so I understand, that you- that you would have to pay first and then
being reimbursed. Is that what I'm understanding?
[00:16:54]
Pretty much, yeah. I mean, that's one way of thinking about it.
[00:16:58]
Okay.
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You can talk to Redmond [00:17:00] about retainers later. [LAUGHTER]
[00:17:03]
You have an inv- you have an invoice. It can be submitted for payment from- to the city. The city pays
you and then you pay the person. It doesn't matter-
[00:17:14]
Correct. I could do that. And I'm wil- I'm definitely willing to do that. That's just not how it was
envisioned in the first place. In the- in the- in the first iteration it was a lump sum of 10,000 that we
would be able to expend based on community need. And it became clear that the city was just not like
set up for doing it that way. So we just- we went round and round and I feel like, we can- we can talk
about it, though, in terms of invoicing, but yes, Commissioner Simmons.
[00:17:43]
Yeah.
[00:17:46]
Chair, will you be recognized to me?
[00:17:48]
Yeah. [LAUGHTER] I'm looking at- yes. [LAUGHTER] Interested.
[00:17:53]
Okay.
[00:17:53]
Your question, Sir.
[00:17:54]
I just wanna make sure that I have this, uh, this- thi- this clear, um, [00:18:00] Deputy City Manager
Jones. There are two buckets. There are the bucket that we- we asked for probably in August, maybe
the beginning of September. There was a discussion around $10,000 that we have the ability to be
able to use. We said we wanted 10,000 because we didn't really have to go to the City Council. It was
something that could be, in essence, approved. Is that accurate?
[00:18:20]
That's accurate.
[00:18:21]
Of that $10,000 I believe you're showing us information that 6,000 of that has been actually- has
been used. Is that accurate?
[00:18:28]
That's correct.
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And based on the current agreement, the way that it is currently set up, um, the initial plan was at
phase, uh, one would be over and the- and the money- the 10,000 was for phase 1. And so it would be
used during phase 1 which is- which was, um, scheduled to be over at the end of October. Is that
correct?
[00:18:49]
That's right.
[00:18:49]
The $10,000 that we're talking about, that was a part of the contract that was given to, uh, the
consultants or given to the consultants or to- or to, uh, to one of them was [00:19:00] a part of the
money that was around the consultants fee that came out of, uh, the bucket of money for the, uh,
what do we- [LAUGHTER]
[00:19:10]
Contract.
[00:19:11]
GLC.
[00:19:11]
Facilitation scheme.
[00:19:13]
Yeah. I would have to called it a million man march, which clearly it's the wrong thing, but-
[00:19:16]
Black Lives Matter.
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Oh, yeah.
[00:19:17]
Black Lives Ma- Black Lives Matter Fund. Is that accurate?
[00:19:21]
Yes.
[00:19:21]
Of the money that, in essence, is- is allocated for that. If there is money that is not used, uh, then that
money continues to stay within the fund.
[00:19:31]
Correct.
[00:19:31]
Is that correct?
[00:19:32]
That is right.
[00:19:33]
The- the question that exists, I think, of what I'm hearing is, is that there could possibly be some
money that is, um, in the budget of the 10,000 that we have, um, have the ability to use that could in
essence come, uh, from the contract, depending on how- what the interpretation is. So if some of the
consultant fees that are listed here, there is a possibility that that could happen.
[00:20:00] [00:20:01]
So to- to be even clearer, I think the, uh, fees for Mendoza Consulting, the question is, could those
fees be paid from within the contract of estate planning? Estate planning has, um, uh, um, a item
within their contract called local groups. At the time, local groups wasn't necessarily totally identify
which local groups those were- those were. I think the argument could be that-
[00:20:36]
This could qualify.
[00:20:36]
Mendoza Consulting was a local group. And so therefore, the $3,275 instead of coming out of the
Commission's $10,000 request could then come out of the contracted $10,000 line item which is a
part of estate plannings, uh, uh, contract, which by the way, they haven't exercised or used. So it sits
[00:21:00] there, and primarily, um, the reason was if they would have taken it at the beginning, they
would have had to pay taxes on it and it would have- it would have created a- a larger tax burden for
them. So instead of doing that, we had talked about ways of maybe having the city have some
participation in directly doing it. So it wouldn't actually touch estate planning's hands, uh, as a way to
save in the tax burden, that wasn't- that wasn't, uh, ultimately allowed. The legal was like, oh, you
can't really do it. They just either have to use it or not use it. And so to this point, they haven't used it.
So I think that the benefit is, well, we might use it and we just use it for this amount. We don't have to
necessarily use it for the whole 10,000 amount. We can use it for just this amount. This would then
give more room for the Commission, should something come up, um, within the phase 1, uh, and
that's- that's basically the proposal. Um, er, have- [00:22:00] have I covered it a little clearer at that
time? [LAUGHTER]
[00:22:02]
I think so. We didn't get into retainers, so I think everybody's eyes aren't crossed.
[00:22:05]
So there's still more questions that I have. And I just wanna make sure that- that- that I'm clear about
this. Who dictates how much of the money that we have the ability to use for Black Lives Matter?
[00:22:17]
So, um, the City Council, ultimately. Um, I think it's been clearly committed four hundred, and, uh,
twenty, uh, thou- thousand for the [OVERLAPPING]
[00:22:32]
No, no, no.
[00:22:32]
For the facilitation.
[00:22:32]
I understand that part. I just wanna make
[00:22:34]
sure that I'm- that I'm clear, is who has the ability to dictate that. So for example, the- the City
Council gives us the power to do things. The- the City Council give us the power to dictate how- if that
money is used or not. Let's say the 400- $400,000. Is it- is it given to us or is it in essence not given to
us, and- and there has to be some mechanism that in essence [00:23:00] allow that money to be
allocated in a given- in a certain way?
[00:23:04]
Got you. I see. It would be not given to the Commission outside of the facilitation, uh, dollars. So those
are the only dollars out of that fund that, uh, you would say the Commission has some, uh, ah,, uh,
room or authority over how that contract is executed. Uh, any recommendations, uh, that comes from
the truth taking process, I think the Commission can make recommendations to the City Council that
could involve those funds in exercising the implementation of any of those type of recommendations,
but that would still, uh, have to have City Council approval.
[00:23:46]
The certain percentage of the work has already been done. Would you say it's 80%, 30%, 50% of
phase 1?
[00:23:54]
Phase 1. Um, for just my facilitation team or the larger [00:24:00] facilitation team for phase 1?
[00:24:01]
Your facilitation team.
[00:24:03]
Um, I would say we're about te- I guess, technically a month out. Um.
[00:24:12]
Not based on the time, based on the work.
[00:24:14]
On the work.
[00:24:14]
So based on the work that you've already done. Based on the- the, um, strategic doing that has been
done, you've done several sessions, right? I don't believe what it did, uh, er, well, let me go back to
the question. What is it would you think the percentage is it's already done?
[00:24:33]
For phase 1. Just phase 1?
[00:24:36]
Phase 1.
[00:24:36]
Yeah. It's hard because I feel like we have so much more work to do. So it's, um.
[00:24:44]
Do we say 90%?
[00:24:46]
I- I don't know- I don't know if I would say 90, maybe 80. I'd say eight- I'd be comfortable with 80, I
guess.
[00:24:50]
When you think about the 20% that needs to be done, what would that 20% be?
[00:24:55]
So it's a lot of the training, attending meetings, um, [00:25:00] facilitating, yeah, during training, I
think, and then putting together presentation, and [OVERLAPPING]
[00:25:04]
Talk more about the training.
[00:25:07]
So, um, we are as the local partners here to help facilitate like the, um, truth telling trainings. We
were here for the fact finding trainings. So- so we helped facilitate those spaces. And, um, we come to
this kinda- so that I think is the- the training aspect of it. So we have the truth telling training and then
we also have the native partners circle training. So we will be a part of that as well. Um, yeah, actually
if I think of that, it's probably 75%. Um.
[00:25:36]
Still let's go with 80%. I know it's just the [OVERLAPPING].
[00:25:37]
Yeah, sure. No, that's fine. Yeah, yeah. Keep it simple.
[00:25:39]
And then- then- the- really the following question is, is that help me understand based on what you
think of the 20% that needs to be done, how if at any would the $10,000 be used for?
[00:25:54]
In our contract? Or which, um, which 10,000?
[00:25:58]
The 10,000 that is a part [00:26:00] of the contract.
[00:26:01]
So I don't know if I would say the 10,000 part of my contract is for the entire phase 1 and phase 2. So
I- I don't know, I guess, is a good way of saying that. Like I- I think that when we come to the truth
telling, when we come to like events that you all come up with- with like strategic doing or however
those things come together, we'll look for those local leaders to plug in and say, hey, we wanna, uh,
you know, acknowledge that these are time and resources that you're spending. So that's where that
would come from.
[00:26:27]
Just lost me when you said that, looking for the local leaders. What I'm just trying to get to is it's that
the $10,000 is supposed to be specifically for, you know-
[00:26:36]
For groups. Yeah.
[00:26:37]
Groups and local support.
[00:26:38]
Yeah.
[00:26:39]
I'm not sure what that is, but that's to say it is you have 20% of the work that's left for phase 1. There
are people that could be used. I'm trying to get a good sense of how would we use, if anything, how-
or of any of it, how would we use $10,000, in essence, to be able to in phase 1, based on the
additional work that we have to do. [00:27:00] How would we use that, if at all?
[00:27:02]
So I don't think you would necessarily, I guess, that's how I want to answer that. I mean, I think that,
in fact, a lot of this was probably envisioned in phase 2. Once we have a better sense of what you all
wanna do, then we would look to those local groups and loto- local leaders to do those events. So, um,
I guess that's what that would be my answer.
[00:27:19]
Is something that you could support that we don't use it during phase 1?
[00:27:23]
Well, I- I will- the- the reason why I came up here is because I actually do think Mendoza Consulting
fits under that because she was a local person that did the work, but-
[00:27:31]
But- but regardless, right now.
[00:27:33]
Yeah. I mean, that is the idea. That's why I came up here. But if she was paid.
[00:27:37]
But- but I'm just saying-
[00:27:38]
At that- at this point, no. In phase 1, I- I don't see, because there's so much training in education
that's happening right now, I don't really see us getting to any activities where we would be asking
local people to- to work for the Commission.
[00:27:53]
Thank you.
[00:27:54]
Yeah.
[00:27:56]
But this is based off of if we're ending [00:28:00] in November or the end of October. Is that-
[00:28:04]
Yeah.
[00:28:04]
Yeah.
[00:28:05]
Yeah.
[00:28:05]
Yeah.
[00:28:05]
Yeah.
[00:28:07]
Yeah. And since we kind of invoicing, in kind of came up, uh, the last, uh, invoice for October, we pay
that at the end of October. So I- I've gotten, uh, invoiced by several of our facilitators for October,
even though it's not over yet. And we- we did play at the beginning, uh, in earlier months because
start up costs and mobilization was an issue, and so we made- we made some exceptions. The last-
uh, the last payout is almost viewed as like the last payout of a contract since this is Phase 1 and
Phase 2 is not guaranteed. We- we basically hold that off, make sure all incidentals are cleared up
and all those kind of things. And in a way, that's kind of what a retainer is kind of there for.
[00:28:56]
[OVERLAPPING] If there's [00:29:00] a deliverable that needs to be done, we received everything
before the- the last part. Yeah, I have a quick question. So- um, so Mendoza Consulting has been paid.
[00:29:14]
To my understanding, they have been. Yes, I got the nodge.
[00:29:17]
The check should, um, be sent out tomorrow.
[00:29:20]
Okay. So then this might be a matter of accounting is, if it can fall under the facilitation, it's a matter
of whether accounting whether it can be shifted out of this into the contract, and then relieving and
giving us back this money for our 10,000. Okay.
[00:29:42]
For now, where is it supposed to come out of?
[00:29:46]
At this moment, it's coming out of the TRC. Uh, I would call a discretionary fund, uh, but we certainly
will go through the process. And make- if it's- if it's, [00:30:00] uh, agreeable to the contractor and,
uh- and agreeable to legal, then we can certainly, uh, move that over. Uh, and, uh, it wouldn't be a
problem from the City Manager's perspective as long as those entities agree.
[00:30:15]
Sophie, is that something we'd have to ask or we have to vote on whether to do this or is it just
something that?
[00:30:22]
No- no need to vote, but, you know, I just wanted to make sure I know you guys have approved it and-
and we hadn't had a chance to talk about what's been coming out of it. So I wanted to just make you
aware of- of where we are and, uh, what that those funds have went towards.
[00:30:38]
Okay.
[00:30:39]
Can I have just another set of questions real quick?
[00:30:43]
Yeah. Yes, I'm sorry. Go ahead.
[00:30:44]
Would you be open to- to removing the $10,000 and giving the responsibility to the Commission?
[00:30:51]
Yeah, absolutely.
[00:30:53]
Does the, uh, contract allow?
[00:30:57]
Yeah, I- I don't- I don't think that will be allowed from [00:31:00] my understanding. Uh, I'd cut a visit
directly with legal about the city taking the lead in that. And, um, frankly, that wasn't allowed either.
So you being part of the city as the City Commission, I'm pretty sure the- the legals would say that
wouldn't be allowed.
[00:31:16]
I'm sorry, but I just want to just throw this out. It's not allowed that the- the $10,000 can be the
responsibility of the Commission, correct? [OVERLAPPING] It is an opportunity that the Commission, if
they asked for, they could ask for ten- another $10,000, is that accurate?
[00:31:33]
That's right.
[00:31:34]
And it is a possibility that the $10,000 could just si- simply sit back in the fund? Would that be
accurate?
[00:31:39]
That would be accurate.
[00:31:40]
So there is a possibility through the adjustments and changes, right? Following the rules and
guidelines of the accountants and the lawyers, that the-that the Commission can- can access an
additional $10,000 with the permission of the City Council, while the fund is re- is, [00:32:00] uh,
committed to keeping the $10,000 that was contract- contractually given to, uh, my consultant, but
the consultant would be open to, uh, removing that from the contract. Would that be accurate?
[00:32:14]
In that- in that way you've stated, yes.
[00:32:16]
Thank you.
[00:32:17]
I would also say the Commission, at any point, especially the key word being the City Council can
make requests of the City Council for those 10,000 or even more funds. Uh, but we were at the time
looking at what the city and manager's authority would be, uh, without having to go to City Council.
And so that's where we were at that time.
[00:32:39]
And so thank you.
[00:32:42]
I just want to, uh, my fellow commissioners on the Mendoza Consulting, how clear were we that the
3275 would come from the TRC 10,000, [00:33:00] when we were talking about it?
[00:33:07]
I [OVERLAPPING] 'd have to go back to the minutes of how we broke it up. And we broke up the
amount.
[00:33:15]
I remember correctly, we did include that.
[00:33:19]
Well, then.
[00:33:22]
I'm sorry. I'm with my niece right now, but if I remember correctly, we included 2,500 for a consulting
fee.
[00:33:33]
For consulting fee.
[00:33:37]
Oh, yeah because we broke it down, 25, 25. Yeah.
[00:33:44]
Yeah, my recollection is that, yeah, we portioned out the percentage for [OVERLAPPING].
[00:33:50]
Thank you for the reminder. Yeah. Yeah. I remember [OVERLAPPING].
[00:33:52]
Something marketing. But we knew that we could adjust it if something was going to be higher or
lower. But just keep it capped under the 10,000. [00:34:00] But if we can get it to go fall under the
facilitators amount of money to relieve us, give us more money back, I would like to entertain that.
[00:34:13]
And for me, it's more because we always discussed whether the Mendoza Consulting should be on the
side without us knowing what's going on in there. Because even if- we discussed having people come
before the TLC speaking different language. But in real time, we were involved, there was translation
going there and interpretation. But in this case, there was that discussion. So I guess what I'm saying
in future, even if we did allow for consultation money, the [00:35:00] particular work that was done
away from the TLC, that when we always had those discussions.
[00:35:09]
And I was able to pull up the meeting minutes. So for budget for phase 1, commission decided to keep
the proposed budget at 10,000 in place. 2,500 in each category. In those categories were special
meetings, community marketing, special events, miscellaneous pilot programs.
[00:35:30]
Okay. So you're saying that when-if there is a consulting or something that there's more discussion
upfront before going into it? Yeah, because many a time we did bring out that, uh, even if, uh, not
English was being used in that- in those sessions, we've- we've not done that before, and, [00:36:00]
uh.
[00:36:04]
That's why I think it- it falls more under the facilitators contracts, you know, in the sense, uh, because
that was one of the facilitator's meetings. And technically that should have been under.
[00:36:16]
Yeah, because we did agree for the money to go to consulting, but it wasn't specific Mendoza
Consulting. Yeah.
[00:36:25]
Yeah.
[00:36:27]
That's what I'm trying to say in very many words.
[00:36:31]
I agree.
[00:36:31]
Yeah.
[00:36:38]
Anybody else have any more thoughts on this agenda item? Thank you, Redmond. Appreciate it. And
we'll look more into that one for the- okay thank you. [00:37:00] Next, uh, agenda 9 was number 7,
changing phase 1 time line. Before I ask Commissioner Simmons to discuss the item, is there anybody
in the public, um, that wishes to address or comment on the item? Anybody online? Okay. Then I hand
this over to Commissioner Simmons, please.
[00:37:28]
I think we've been under a tremendous, uh time pressure in order to get work done. And I think, uh,
that pressure creates diamonds, but it also creates pain. And, uh, I think maybe the experience of
pain has been a little bit too much without the- the riches of the diamonds. I would like to make a- a
recommendation or make a motion and make two different motions. But the first motion is, is that in
order to increase the learnings and reduce the pressures on the staff, consultants and commissioners,
I move that we change phase 1 [00:38:00] completion date to be no later than March 31st, 2024.
[00:38:10]
Do I have a second? When was phase 1 supposed to be completed?
[00:38:16]
The end of October.
[00:38:19]
I feel like March is kind of a longer, like kind of like too far out, is there anything that's kind of
intermediary?
[00:38:27]
Well, the only thing about is that we have holidays in between. [OVERLAPPING]
[00:38:29]
Yes.
[00:38:30]
Which kind of messes up with, um, some of the scheduling of activities. So that would be like no later
than. If it- if it ends sooner than that, that'd be fine.
[00:38:40]
Oh I see. Okay. So we can still get things done sooner if we [OVERLAPPING].
[00:38:43]
Yes. Yes. We just still wanted to yeah- go no later than that.
[00:38:47]
I'm cool- I'm cool with that.
[00:38:49]
And especially because December, it's always so difficult to get anything done. Yeah. Until like
January, maybe 4th or the day after New [00:39:00] Year, after January 1.
[00:39:06]
I would second it. I think it's a good idea. We've been shoving a lot of stuff into a short period of time,
and this is important and vital work to try to just kind of shove it all and quickly.
[00:39:18]
From someone that's been on this commission for almost 2.5 years, it feels frustrating. But I'm also-
and frustrating in the sense that, yeah, like we waited for so long, and then now all of a sudden we're
having meeting after meeting, after meeting, and it does feel very rushed. So- so yeah, I guess that
makes- that makes sense because it's been overwhelming and I can't even make half the things
because they're coming up all of a sudden, and I all ready have my year planned out, you know what I
mean? So I think that's yeah, I think it's a good idea.
[00:39:51]
Something else I want to add to this, ask is also, uh, and I'll talk more on this [00:40:00] when we
come to agenda item 9 and 11 the piece of reconciliation. It's, uh- it's one of the pieces that we'll even
keep going after the TLC work is there. We'll use a bit of time. Uh, I will suggest to clarify that and
what really goes into it beyond other than circles and strategic doing. So that huge piece is asking
time and as Commissioner, uh, Sikowis has said, we've been preparing for so long to do this and now
we are kinda- especially the reconciliation piece. I- I wouldn't want us to kind of just be checking up,
uh, point, which is the- a bullet point which is how it's feeling right now. [00:41:00] But I- that's my
support of the motion. So if we come to vote on it, I'm going to be yes.
[00:41:10]
So I'm just- excuse me. I was under the impression we had to give a report of some sort to the City
Council. If- if we postpone phase 1, does that postpone the report?
[00:41:25]
It's not being postponed, it's extended.
[00:41:30]
If we extend the time, do we extend the time we have to give the report.
[00:41:35]
Yes. The report has to do with the end of phase 1. So instead of the end of phase 1 happening end of
October, it will happen no later than March.
[00:41:45]
March.
[00:41:50]
Okay.
[00:41:50]
Fix my eyes again. Um, so the phase 1 deliverable is actually a presentation. Uh, the end of phase 2 is
a final report with full recommendations. So [00:42:00] the end of phase 1 was always meant to be a
pause and a reflection. How are we doing? Are we on the right track? What do we want to recalibrate
to move into phase 2, which is a lot of- as we were talking earlier, a lot of the activities, a lot of the
events, you know, things like that, to make sure that things are on track for that. So I just wanted to
clarify that it wasn't a report that was coming at the end of phase 1, it was a presentation and kind of
like a- a check in with City council, you know, to say like this is- this is where we're at. Um, so, I just
wanted to clarify.
[00:42:30]
Right. So is it- is there any downside to doing this? With respect to the City Council.
[00:42:39]
So with respect to the City Council, I mean, I think that from- I'll just speak from the facilitator's
perspective, um, you know, that would be extending our contracts. So that financially potentially
could be a difference.
[00:42:55]
I wouldn't- I wouldn't necessarily agree with that. And I don't think- but I- I would [00:43:00] like to- to
go ahead and- and still call for the motion as far as the vote on the motion. But I wouldn't necessarily
agree that it has an impact on the contracts, I think that's even a separate question.
[00:43:13]
Sure. I'll pose it as a question. Will it have an impact on our contacts?
[00:43:17]
I love to get- I'd love to get the motion.
[00:43:19]
Well, we've got a motion and we've got a second. [OVERLAPPING]
[00:43:23]
Okay. So any more discussion? Okay. Commissioner, [OVERLAPPING].
[00:43:28]
I have my hand written.
[00:43:29]
Do you want- Commissioner Dillard had- had her hand up?
[00:43:32]
Commissioner Dillard?
[00:43:34]
Um I guess- I- I wanna say that, um, I do agree that we need more time and kind of to what, um, and
Commissioner Sikowis was saying, I would love to know what that could mean and I want to have the
full picture of what it means if we choose to extend our phase 1. And, um, I mean, the contract is
saying that, uh, the facilitators [00:44:00] end October 31st, so the option is that they continue with
us until March 31st and they don't get paid, uh, or we look at extending the money. I think we- we
need to talk about that and what that looks like. So that's- I think we need to have that full picture. I
mean- I'm not saying which way to move forward, but it is a- a discussion.
[00:44:24]
So basically you're saying that, um, for us to fully vote on the extension that we do need to have a
discussion about the funds. Was- was that?
[00:44:40]
Yeah, we need to- I'm saying we need to understand what this looks like. Because as of right now, the
way I understand it, the contract for phase 1 ends October 31st. We do not have any dollars to move
past phase 1 to extend the contract for facilitators, which I'm okay with if that's what we want.
[00:45:00] But that means that we're asking our facilitators to either continue with us, um, for free or
we don't have facilitators until we're- we're- we believe that we're ready for phase 1. And so I= I
would love to hear more about what facilitators think. Um, I mean, and some facilitators may have not
used all- all of their dollars yet. But that is something we need to talk about.
[00:45:26]
Chairman [OVERLAPPING].
[00:45:27]
Does that make sense?
[00:45:27]
Dillard, I- I- I- I think- I- I would like to- to- to give you my general thoughts. The motion does not
change the work that is being done. The motion changes our time frame of when phase 1 is over with.
They still have to do the exact same work. If they finish the work early or they finish the work in
November- on October 31st, then the work is done on October 31st, and then we don't [00:46:00] use
them. If we're asking for additional work to be done, then maybe that's the question.But I'm not
suggesting that we ask for additional work. I'm simply giving us more time to digest so that the plan
that we as a commission put together falls under phase 1. And we don't- we don't move into phase 2
until we feel comfortable that we understand what we have put together. So I totally disagree and
would not support giving more money for the work that is being done. The face- [OVERLAPPING] the
agree motion just simply asks that we as a commission have more time to digest the work. And if they
tell us that, um, they are finished with the work that they've done, they fulfilled their commitment to
us, or they fulfilled their commitment to the staff, [00:47:00] or they fulfilled their commitment to the
City Council, then I think that we should accept that as the work for them has been completed, but
not the work for us.
[00:47:11]
Yes, I- I agree with you, Commissioner Simmons, I- I and- I think we are on the same page. I think
there is, um, differences when it comes to how the contracts have been paid out, um, and how things
are- I just think there needs to be some discussions just so we understand and we're all on the same
page. I- I do agree with you though.
[00:47:38]
Can- can I add something?
[00:47:40]
Yes, please.
[00:47:40]
Um, I had spoke with City Attorney about this particle- particular potential. Um, this is an important
step. This is just a first step. Um, we would still need to, um, speak with the consultants and they
would has- have to also agree. [00:48:00] Um, and and it still may also need to go to City Council
because the time could con- construe or could be constituted as a substantial change. City Attorney
wasn't 100% sure if it would or not because it doesn't change the dollar amount, but that's something
that's still yet to be determined by- by the City Attorney. So, it's potential that I- we do likely need to
have the commission buy in. But we would also have to get to buy in by the consultants, and it would
be all of them. And then at that point, we still may need to still bring it to City Council, just to say that
all these parties agree. And it would be expected or- or assumed that the City Council would- would
also agree. Um, so all those entities would need to play a role in-in this change. But this certainly
would be an important, um, first step.
[00:48:59]
That is- this [00:49:00] Commissioner Johnson, that's my fear. I just hope this doesn't turn into
something that's going to become an issue later on down the line. Is there any real exact reasons why
that we can discuss. I agree that we need to talk about this a little bit on scheduling and why this is
something that we have to kind of bump down a little. I- I hear the stress and I'm curious about a little
bit more. Could we go in more detail with it?
[00:49:28]
I mean, about like why it's happening or why we're asking it to be extended as.
[00:49:34]
And big up.
[00:49:35]
Because things are being rushed. [LAUGHTER]
[00:49:37]
Rushed. All right. What are your thoughts on rushed? What-
[00:49:41]
I mean, we've had about, like, I don't know, 15 meetings in just two months or something like that
and we still, like, none of us are getting paid, [LAUGHTER] like this is like almost a part time job now.
And that's not- that's not okay. You know, especially when you're forcing this kind of [00:50:00] labor
on BIPOC folks, you know, and this is a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and we're supposed to
be changing things. So BIPOC folks aren't using their emotional and physical labor to fix the problems
that white people created. And like then all of a sudden we waited for like what three years to get
some stuff done. We- we yelled, we fought, we did everything we could. And then they're like, oh,
okay, you can go now. And then all of a sudden we're supposed to just rush around like on their
schedule. Like I truly believe that this has been too much. I haven't been able to make half the stuff.
Because like I said, I got- I'm Executive Director of a nonprofit and I am a busy person. I'm a single
mom. I can't- I can't just do all that. And like, do we like, honestly, like Marie's a single mom and so
like, okay, let me just drop everything in my life just to like do this. I mean, honestly, like, I love this
idea and I think it's a brilliant idea and I'm sort of getting kind of mad because, like, I have felt really
[00:51:00] frustrated lately at how much has been thrown on us, like all of a sudden. So, um, I really
appreciate it.
[00:51:07]
Yeah. And I want to add to something Commissioner Simmons had said earlier. So TRC, our time so
far, has been flexible. We've been able to push back on time. So but then he had the facilitator. As
Commissioner Chad said, if their time and now I'm thinking were they contracted on time or work?
Then the other thing, it's tied to the language. The TRC had three charges and we're being helped by
facilitators, fact finding, truth telling, and reconciliation. Uh, like I had said earlier, Commissioner
[00:52:00] Cliff. We- there is the reconciliation piece, even in the contract and proposal, we had the
wording healing/reconciliation. Keeping to the TRC wording and charging. I- I'm feeling maybe we also
need a bit of time to revisit that, with our local facilitators. Because what I keep seeing on the
documentation is circles and strategic doing. And maybe I'm just a slow an but just understanding the
jump from healing, reconciliation to strategic doing and saccos. But from the research out there and
the education we've had so far on TRC's, and thank you City for paying for that, for some of us to take
those courses and the materials you gave us which were bought. [00:53:00] Reconciliation and
healing. Uh, strategic doing is a method to do certain activities that start as we do TRC work and
beyond. Sacos is a piece of the support and the counseling and the therapy to the- those who have
been harmed. There are other things. Maybe they were said, and they- and- but they would be. They
are still in our trainings and explanations as we worked with our local facilitators. But reconciliation
and healing, the major thing they used the word restoration of- restorations of the harmed
relationship between the hammer. This time we're talking of ratio injustice and oppression and those
who have been harmed by that [00:54:00] and the people who have caused harm. So reconciliation
and healing is mainly between those two groups. The word restoration, I don't know whether I want to
use that because I don't know whether there was ever a good relationship between the oppressors
through or ratio injustice, but more of creating good relationships. So we are needing time in terms of
asking for time. We are needing time even between ourselves and the local facilitators who are
helping us to work on this and ask Commissioners to really be clear on what- and Chad already
started by giving us a framework. And I remember saying can we put back the language of our
charge. Reconciliation and see what activities because it includes [00:55:00] restoring relationships
and some of the ways other TRC's have done. And we already on that fact finding we've started and
so far for me it's going as it should. Truth telling, it was made very clear by the facilitator of that, even
the difference between the two on healing and reconciliation on other racial injustice, truth finding.
One of the things which has been part of those conversations, repairations, accountability, I already
mentioned counseling and therapy things. That one we already have that we have, the saccos. And
we have strategic doing, helping us do some of these things. Then there is also- it also involves
compensation, [00:56:00] promotion of understanding, and Lois and Cliff, sometime back you
mentioned empathy. It's also part of that reconciliation. So we need time to talk about all these
pieces. Then in fact finding we mentioned systemic, uh, reforms. So here we during fact finding, we
called it, uh, safety- public safety, which could also be called reform in our security forces in our city.
Then there is also- we mentioned legal reforms. There is also governance reforms and dealing with
range- racial injustice there. Then we also mentioned memorizations, so those are still also part of
reconciliation.
[00:57:00]
Then there, the piece of that is involvement of the harmed members of our community, making sure
that we are involving them in all these processes. So Cliff- Commissioner Cliff, uh, that is part of the
reasons why the TRC is asking for an extension of Phase 1 because I- I went back, looked at our
charge, reconciliation, and feeling it's very anemic right now, what is going on. We need to go there
and get serious and not check a box.
[00:57:46]
I fully understand that. I- I- one of the reasons why I said a long time ago that, uh, our commission
isn't something that should be temporary, and should go on and on is because there's a lot of work to
do. I absolutely understand that. [00:58:00] I just wanna know how that's going to affect the city,
that's all, and- and how they are going to react to us, and not anything other than that. I- I-I
understand how much work we got to do. And I'm a father, I'm a soccer coach, I'm a gym coach, a
business owner. I got a lot on my plate too. I got shows I'm doing. There's a lot going on. I totally
understand and I- I sympathize and understand everything that you're saying there.
[00:58:24]
You're just afraid that there's going to be backlash.
[00:58:26]
I- exactly. I do not feel like any more backlash because we've had enough of that too long, and that is,
that irritates me a lot because I wanna get things done, and I don't want them to say, oh, well
because you did thi- because you did this, now we can't do that. I- I don't wanna hear that.
[OVERLAPPING]
[00:58:41]
I guess we can just see what they say, right?
[00:58:43]
Say it again.
[00:58:43]
I guess we can see what they say.
[00:58:45]
I wouldn't mind that at all. I just- [NOISE] I definately-
[00:58:49]
Can someone approach them and find out or?
[00:58:51]
That's what I would appreciate. That- I think that would make a lot of sense.
[00:58:53]
Who does that?
[00:58:54]
Just to see whether I'm lying. [OVERLAPPING].
[00:58:54]
Everybody's look at like I don't want to do it. [LAUGHTER].
[00:58:56]
You got me.
[00:58:57]
I think one, they look at the minutes [00:59:00] from- from all the commissions and, um, the vote
would- would definitely require staff to contact the facilitators and make sure that they're okay with
it. And so I- I think there's no- there's no downside to taking the vote, uh, and- and certainly is- is still
has to have the facilitators buying on board with it. And- and the council also, I'm not going to pretend
to- to know what the Council is going to do, but, uh, if they don't support it, then the original contract
holds, right? And so I- I think the challenge for the Commission, which I think was, you know, very well
articulated. Uh, but I think the challenge for the facilitators is just timelines that I- I- I think that even
they, uh, at least some of them, fi- find challenging and aggressive. So, uh, frankly, if you miss a
timeline, contractually speaking, uh, there's no Phase 2. So [01:00:00] I- I think there is a motivation
for everyone to come to- come together on- on an agreement, uh, that- that can be a win-win. So I- I
just throw that out there.
[01:00:10]
Um, let me tell you. If we, you know, vote to present it to the- to the city to extend, um, realistically,
when would it potentially be on the agenda for the city? Because I know you said we have to- we'd
have to go to the facilitators and talk with them, so-
[01:00:35]
Uh, the next meeting would be October 17th, um, and I- I believe we would have enough time
potentially, uh, to- to get on that agenda. If not, then, um, the November 2nd.
[01:00:53]
Sixth.
[01:00:54]
Okay. If the meeting- that's just too late. So if-
[01:00:57]
That's what I gonna hear.
[01:00:57]
If- if the City Council meeting is- is [01:01:00] October 17th, the agenda has to be posted when? I'm
looking at you say it.
[01:01:07]
The City Council?
[01:01:08]
For the City.
[01:01:09]
For the City Council, yeah.
[01:01:10]
Um, the City Clerk's Office usually posted on-
[01:01:12]
Yeah.
[01:01:12]
-the Thursday before the evening.
[01:01:14]
The Thursday before.
[01:01:14]
Which- what date is that? Um-.
[01:01:16]
I remember it would be the 12th.
[01:01:19]
Date 12.
[01:01:24]
Okay. Look, October. Okay.
[01:01:26]
So next Thursday.
[01:01:28]
So-
[01:01:30]
So this is just-
[01:01:30]
- so basically-
[01:01:31]
If we're denied, we're kind of cutting our-
[01:01:35]
No, it's-
[01:01:35]
But-
[01:01:35]
- it's still going as it's planned right now. But the question is if the facilitators can get back. You can
talk to the facilitators and get an answer back by the 11th whether if they're on board with the
extension.
[01:01:51]
Yeah. How much time they may need to determine that, it's hard to say. But we can certainly get out
the information. I think [01:02:00] we have a meeting scheduled tomorrow, anyway. Um, so we can
certainly get that information-
[01:02:05]
And-
[01:02:05]
- out to them pretty soon.
[01:02:06]
And so still it's a matter of it's no later than. It might only be a month or whatever else. So it's still say
no later than what else but.
[01:02:15]
Yeah.
[01:02:15]
We can basically, we're talking about facilitators having an answer back by the 11th so that it actually
can be on the agenda for the City Council on the 12th.
[01:02:24]
And- and frankly, we're not going to be recommending that anyone stop work.
[01:02:28]
No. No. It's like we're still-
[01:02:29]
Right. So they're still on the same time frame.
[01:02:31]
We- yeah.
[01:02:31]
We still have things
[01:02:32]
scheduled for the rest of this month.
[01:02:33]
Right.
[01:02:33]
So the question is this having some more breathing room.
[01:02:37]
So if- if that's going to make sense for them as well, yeah. More breathing room, should, I would think,
be acceptable. But we've got one facilitator, right?
[01:02:46]
Yeah.
[01:02:47]
Can I just- I just wanted to add just a tri- may just to be a trivial point. But when I looked at the
contract, it seemed to me that it said that the facilitators could request an extension that would
[01:03:00] then have to be approved by the TRC. That was the way it was sort of was worded. Is that
part of what's leading to the- these- all these approvals because I'm just wondering.
[01:03:10]
Yeah.
[01:03:11]
Is that a better- is that a better way to proceed potentially if we want an extension? If the facilitators
say, look, we're looking at the work for us to get our job done. We need the extension. We then all go
bless it, we're done. And then the city would say facilitators said they needed it.
[01:03:28]
But the facilitators are also operating under the TRC's, I guess, I'm saying command, guidance,
whatever else. And- and there's already been enough Commissioners that feel that things are rushed,
and we're not actually. So- so it- it does not have to only be from the facilitators that they're
requesting an extension.
[01:03:53]
Right. No, I'm not trying to say only. I'm just saying that given that the contract has that language in
it in terms [01:04:00] of making this more seamless. If the facilitator said, look, we're looking at the
work in front of us. We need more time, really, for this to work. The Commission says we completely
agree with you. Then when it goes to the city, I just would imagine that's a bit more of a rubber stamp
than if it has another look to it. But that's just a feeling.
[01:04:20]
Well, it's already gonna have to have both us and the facilitators' approval for it to even to be so. So
basically, we're going to have exactly what you're asking for 'cause we're saying we'd like to do this,
[NOISE] Redmond is talking about that he will have to go with the- discuss this with each of the
facilitators to see if they're on board-
[01:04:40]
Right. No.
[01:04:40]
- with the extension.
[01:04:41]
I'm just saying the optics are different. If the Commission votes 100% we want more time, the
facilitators- it looks like the facilitators have been backed into a corner. [LAUGHTER].
[01:04:53]
No.
[01:04:53]
If the facilitators say, I looked at the work in front of us. We need more time. And then the
Commission agrees with [01:05:00] them, it's- it's just different when it moves on to the city.
[01:05:02]
No, it's- we're- we're wanting an extension, but if the facilitators say no, then it doesn't even go to the
city and that's it.
[01:05:10]
All right.
[01:05:12]
Yeah, so I think Chastity had her hand up, too.
[01:05:19]
Chip your hand up, Chastity.
[01:05:20]
Thank you.
[01:05:21]
Okay. Commissioner Simmons.
[01:05:24]
Okay, I thought she had her hand up.
[01:05:26]
No. No.
[01:05:27]
From earlier. She had it up from earlier.
[01:05:30]
All right.
[01:05:30]
It just hadn't been lowered.
[01:05:31]
Uh, the- what triggers Phase 2 work? Or let me put it differently.
[01:05:45]
That's a question? [LAUGHTER]
[01:05:46]
Yeah, that's a question. Okay. Do we as a- as the commissioners of the TRC trigger Phase 2 work?
[01:05:57]
My understanding is the City Council, um, triggers [01:06:00] Phase 2 work.
[01:06:02]
Let's say that that is in our presentation, we then give a recommendation to the City Council as far as
how we should, in essence, move forward. Would that be accurate?
[01:06:16]
The- yes.
[01:06:18]
Okay.
[01:06:20]
The intention of the motion was to give us time to make sure that we were putting the pieces
together and that we were not being rushed through the process. We have- we have one of our
consultants bring up the issue of extra funding, which is not the intention. And the second thing is
you're saying is that even if we vote for it, if the commi- if the consultants do not support it, then it
doesn't go through. Is that accurate?
[01:06:54]
That's right.
[01:06:54]
So the first thing I'm going to do is I am going to rescind [01:07:00] and remove my motion.
[01:07:02]
Seconded.
[01:07:04]
I agree with that. That's a good idea.
[01:07:06]
Seconded.
[01:07:06]
Too.
[01:07:08]
Remove your motion and then what?
[01:07:13]
Oh, you wouldn't know the rest of the plan.
[01:07:14]
[LAUGHTER] Well- well, we're hoping that the- the consultants are gonna ask for this extra time, right?
At the consult or whatever.
[01:07:22]
Well, the consultants have a timeline that they have to hit.
[01:07:26]
Mm-hmm.
[01:07:27]
They have to be able to work with the schedule that we have. We have to get ready for the
presentation. I think the presentation should be led by the- the Commissioner and not the
consultants, they can consult.
[01:07:38]
It's- I think it has to be the consultants.
[01:07:41]
I don't think it does- I don't think it does.
[01:07:44]
Looking at the contract.
[01:07:45]
It does not.
[01:07:46]
Oh, who- who does it?
[01:07:48]
Well, right now, the- the way the contract is written is it allows the consultants to do that. But I- I that
e- and- and- even if the consultants want to give feedback, I believe [01:08:00] that we should, in
essence, make sure that the Commission's word is heard. I don't believe we should have ever had the
consultants talk to- uh, to the ones who empowered us and tell them what we should be doing. The
consultants aren't that important and they're not that knowledgeable. To tell- tell the City Council
what we the Commission should do and how we should move forward. So that- so what I'm doing is
that I'm- I'm removing my motion, I'm taking the motion off the- off the table, that's the first thing that
I'm trying to do. And the second thing that I'm trying to do is, is that then they have the ability to
make a decision on what they want to do and then they still have to come to us, that's on them.
Politically, Lewis is right. Politically, it's better that they ask us for time versus we tell them we want
more time. They say no, and then we- and then it never goes to the board. [01:09:00] Now we're
there puppets, we're doing what they want.
[01:09:04]
But it's still a matter of whether we think they've fulfilled their part of the contract of Phase 1.
[01:09:12]
As long as I- that's why I'm trying to get clarity around who triggers Phase 2. Because I still think that
there's work to be done even after they believe that they finish what their work is. That there's stuff
that we-
[01:09:27]
Right.
[01:09:27]
Is it the calendar that triggers end of October?
[01:09:31]
Well, that triggers-
[01:09:32]
In the contract.
[01:09:33]
It- it triggers the end of Phase 1. I don't know what triggers Phase 2. The City Council- the City Council
in response to the presentation.
[01:09:44]
Then I would ultimately make sure that we have a presentation of saying that we do not want Phase 2
to go forward until once we have done the appropriate due diligence to figure out what Phase 2 is a
part of.
[01:09:56]
And which we can't even do Phase 2 until we know that Phase [01:10:00] 2- Phase 1 is done. But
Phase 1 is not- in my eyes, unless I'm seeing it differently, it's not just the facilitators contract, it's
also the Commission's work, whatever else. And if- if we see it- if the facilitators say they've done
their part contractually for Phase 1, but we still have, um, unfinished parts or questions, whatever else
that we need to work through that still needs to be done before a final presentation to the city.
[01:10:35]
But we're talking about the update, which is supposed to be the first meeting in November, which I
believe was like the 6th or 7th. So there's an update which- the- which is a pause, right?
[01:10:45]
That was- that was supposed to be the- my understanding of the presentation because Phase 1 was
supposed to be done at the end of October. But, I mean, just look the- we have [01:11:00] October
25th and 26th is the truth telling training sessions which is also part of Phase 1, so we can't even say
that Phase 1's even done when part of it hasn't even been conducted yet. [LAUGHTER]
[01:11:12]
So you- you understand the challenge I'm having is, is that we're in a situation that we can't stop it
without them- as a consultants, without them agreeing to it. We can't even stop it. If we let it go, then
it's probably still gonna be incomplete, right? And we still didn't have to make sure that there's a
presentation. We're put in a situation of- for a commission that we can't really win here. The only
thing that we can- we can do is prevent Phase 2 from being triggered so that we have the ability to
get our thoughts together about where we are.
[01:11:48]
Yeah- yeah. Because- yeah- yeah, the phase- my idea- Phase 2 can't even start until- yeah- until we're
comfortable with the presentation that's going to the city.
[01:12:00]
Can I ask a question? Because I- I- I know everyone is saying that Facebook can't be triggered and tell
City Council, but where- where is that coming from? [OVERLAPPING] I thought that it was- it's- it's our
commission. I thought that we guide the fa- facilitators and we've already contracted them to do
Phase 2. So where does it say that the City Council has to approve us or trigger us to go on to Phase
2?
[01:12:32]
I don't think-
[01:12:33]
Please help me if I'm misunderstanding.
[01:12:35]
The- Phase 2 is not- was not an- Redmond, I'm sorry. [LAUGHTER]
[01:12:41]
You- you guys are introducing some new things here as I'm trying to figure out what's- what the
contract says, but I'm sorry, go ahead. What was [OVERLAPPING]
[01:12:47]
So my.
[01:12:50]
So I- I guess what I'm looking at immediately, I guess, is the presentation of the City Council and
progress evaluation. So that- that's- [01:13:00] that's clearly stated and at the end of phase- of Phase
1. Um, I'm trying to find language that creates the trigger trigger. Um, I've always been- um, been
told that the City Council would- would look at that and evaluate that and, um, give direction to
continue, but I'm trying to find actual language, so-
[01:13:27]
I think the contract- I mean, it says Phase 2 not later than four months following completion of Phase
1.
[01:13:33]
You have a facilitator here. Could we- could we invite our facilitator to explain it to us?
[01:13:40]
Sure Because I-
[01:13:44]
So, um, let me fix my eyes. I'm not looking at the contract and this is also new information to me, so I
would probably refer to Redmond in terms of the- um, the specifics of the contract. I- I do want to say
because it feels really adversarial in some ways that like, you know, [01:14:00] where the- where the
consultants and you're the Commission, we're here to serve you. So I mean, let us help you do what
you need to be doing, right? Like if you are wanting to extend Phase 1, like I- I think that we just need
to understand, you know, what- what is your plan, like, how can we help you present to City Council?
The language in the contract, I'm pretty sure is like, yes, we are working on the presentation in
collaboration with the Commission and city staff, but it is important to us that the Commission be fully
empowered. And so there doesn't need to- it is- I don't know. It just feels really adversarial and I- I
don't know why I.
[01:14:38]
It should be adversarial.
[01:14:39]
But why?
[01:14:40]
The reason why it should be adversarial is is because there is responsibilities that we all have.
[01:14:45]
Sure.
[01:14:46]
You contractually have a responsibility with a city- the- the a contract with the city that the- the city
or we, the city, have to fulfill whatever that obligation is. But we also have an obligation because we're
[01:15:00] on a commission in essence to fulfill the responsibility. The way that things have been put
together, they've been put together so that there is- there is a sense of who is running what? [NOISE]
Who is a ki- is the- is the- the consultants running things? Is the Commission running things? If you
can take a look at what we have done over the past four months, right, and so I've been involved
since August, so August, September, and October. I've been involved for the three months, right? So
we can take a look at what's been done there. I don't believe that we would have enough information
to be able to justify how we're going to do one thing versus another. Everything right now is practice.
We have consultants that are going to be communicating to us almost like seven days before we are-
we're we- we're responsible for meeting, that couldn't meet with us in- because their schedules didn't-
didn't permit- couldn't couldn't meet with us. [01:16:00] Money that's being paid but still work not
being done. So the way the system is set up is as of right now, in my opinion, the Commission is
losing.
[01:16:16]
And that means the city is losing, and that means the people are losing. So the only ones in there that
are winning are the consultants.
[01:16:27]
So I just want to reframe that because you're talking about- I'm assuming the native partners
canceling. Is that what we're talking about, the seven days-
[01:16:34]
No. What I'm trying to talk about is, is that we're designed to put together a system. And putting
together a system, we have to have all of the pieces so we can have the conversations. There are
additional conversations we need to have once we see and experience some of these pieces.
[01:16:50]
I think- can I add to that? Do you mind? Like I think- cause I- I don't think he means adversarial in the
sense that like there's hostility, but just like, um, [01:17:00] like you know how I was voicing my
frustration from how like I can't do all this, right?
[01:17:04]
Yeah- yeah.
[01:17:05]
Um, and like so what he's saying is like the commissioners are losing right now because like we can't
keep up with this like timeline. But the, um, the- the consultants are- are well winning, if you will, I
don't think that's the right-
[01:17:20]
We're just trying to do our job.
[01:17:21]
Yeah, but that's not the term I think we should use. Like the consultants are always going to come
out, um, like, okay, cause you're doing your job and you're doing a wonderful job, right, and you're
trying to go on the timeline that was given. So you're doing what you have to do. In the end, you're all
still going to make a lot of money and like, you're still going to finish your- and do your job. But like
what is the outcome then, right? Like who's like cause like half- half the commissioners can't show up
to the meetings, right? Um, and like a lot of us are feeling like the pressure, like I've been feeling so
much pressure. Um, and so like I think that's why like extending the timeline was like, you know, the-
the whole purpose. [01:18:00] Because in the end like, you know, what I think he's saying is like the
people are- are not going to get what they need and I haven't even been able to be around to, you
know, talk about some of the ideas I have, you know, in terms of these strategic doings and, you
know, like how I think that we should actually be with the people and not like the leaders per se, you
know, because we're kind of doing a top down hierarchical kind of thing right now. Um, and, you know,
it'd be cool to kind of like add some of those like grass roots, um, ideas into it. I don't know. Does that
make that- I don't know, does that help?
[01:18:35]
Well I don't- I don't- I think that like in- what I was trying to say was that like I don't think there will be
an issue at all with extending it. I just- we just needed to talk about it. So it was the fi- kind of the first
real conversation we've ever had about extending it.
[01:18:49]
Exactly. Yeah- yeah, I don't know. I totally agree with what you're saying. [OVERLAPPING]
[01:18:51]
It was more of like I guess, yes I want it to be successful. We want it to be successful. We're here to
serve you an extension [01:19:00] I don't think is an issue. We want you to be fully engaged to the
best of your ability. We do have timelines. We do have things that we have to meet, and I'll be totally
honest. The three months and the four months was to try and meet when the commission was going
to be decommissioned. That was the only reason why we chose seven months.
[01:19:16]
Oh, well that's interesting- I mean yeah, that's interesting that we're talking about that now.
[01:19:20]
The reason why. [LAUGHTER] So that was two years ago. I mean, truly.
[01:19:24]
Yeah.
[01:19:25]
And then you were able to extend the time of the commission and we were like, oh, great, well, we're
still working on the- under the same contract. And we did that because of what Commissioner Johnson
is saying. We didn't want to go back to the commit- to the council and say, well, now if we're going to
be doing a years worth of work, then it's going to be- l'll just be honest, it's just going to be more
money because it's more time. And we didn't want that. We wanted to do what we had and say, is this
going to work? How far can we get? And that's why the pause is in there. And if there needs to be an
extension, a breath, like I don't-
[01:19:59]
Yeah.
[01:19:59]
So like [01:20:00] we can still do the work but it's just extended, right? Like, and we don't have to pay
more?
[01:20:05]
Yeah, and I understand that people are flinching at that. I don't- I'm only- it's literally a question. I
don't understand the mechanics of the extension of Phase 1. And if that is what you all are-
[01:20:16]
We just don't have to jam everything in. I think that's what we're trying to say. So if we can- it's still
the same amount of money.
[01:20:21]
Right.
[01:20:21]
It's still the same work. It's just that we're just extending things.
[01:20:24]
Right.
[01:20:24]
Um, and like, yeah. So yeah- and like- I'm like, you know, I would love to rely on you guys and like
have you- like, you know, like you said, like, we're here to, you know, support you. And I love that
comment and like, thank you. Yeah, like let's- let's do that. Let's have you like if you can like help
support that, like give us the breath we need like and yourselves included. Honestly, [LAUGHTER] like
everybody's like working so much right now.
[01:20:48]
Yes.
[01:20:48]
And it's-
[01:20:49]
So I will just invite like Redmond Jones, you know, we have our meetings on Fridays and I know the
Chair and Vice Chair attend. And we had, you know, Commissioner Simmons and Commissioner Krebs
came at some point. It'd be great to have this discussion [01:21:00] of like, what this could look like,
the parameters of the contract. It's all the first time we've heard it. I don't have the contract in front of
me, so I- I think we just need a little bit more time to understand the nuance of what you're asking for
so that we can just help, um, try and make this vision successful. The other thing I wanted to say
because you had asked like who's going to be talking to the city about, you know, getting the
extension, like I hope you all are talking to city councilors. We- like the more that they hear from you,
the more that they are engaged and can see your face and like have talked to you and understand
what's going on, like the better it will be. And not obviously at once we all understand quorum, but
like just one offs, you know, have coffee with some of them, call them, whatever, it will help in the
long run. Like when we are- when you all, when everybody is standing in front of them giving a
presentation. So anyway I just- but, yeah, so I hope that that is helpful in terms of like we- we want
this to be successful. I want nothing more than that. But if we could just work out some of these
details, I guess it's just the first we'd heard of it, and I- and [01:22:00] I'm sorry that I said more
money. I shouldn't have said that. I'm just tired [LAUGHTER] I did not mean that.
[01:22:06]
Yeah. Something else. Commissioners, even as we get tired and facilitators, please let's put the- that
charge reconciliation back with our local, uh, facilitators because even in the contract it's healing and
reconciliation, and it's really huge versus just having circles train and, uh, and strategic doing. We-
we- I don't know and, uh, how we lost it or why, but let's go back to that. Because if we just narrow it
down to just circles, and again, I'm repeating something I've already said. But that's one of the ways
where Commissioner Chad was talking about, ah, who's leading who. So how did we [01:23:00] lose
that as the local facilitator is working? How did we lose healing, reconciliation? Reconciliation is the
word that is in the resolution and that is the one that is our charge.
[01:23:13]
Maybe it's because we're not at the reconciliation phase yet, do you know what I mean?
[BACKGROUND] Like because reconciliation is like the last phase. Is that just me trying to understand?
[01:23:21]
But it looks like the activities that are happening now are part of that. The circles, the trainings of the
circles strategic doing. It's already part of those activities. [OVERLAPPING] We need to start from up
there. Maybe I missed a presentation on their work, because it's written on the proposal.
Reconciliation healing maybe like- and- and Commissioner Dillard had used about the trainings of
strategic doing we had. There was a disconnect. I'm still feeling that disconnect of their work is
healing and reconciliation. [01:24:00] So probably as you're saying, maybe we haven't started that.
But the activity so far happening from the research out there and from the- looking at the other TRCs,
those activities are part of reconciliation.
[01:24:19]
Cool.
[01:24:20]
Yeah, I mean, that's fine with me.
[01:24:21]
Reconciliation of this part to be part of Phase 1.
[01:24:24]
Yeah. I mean, if you-
[01:24:25]
Contractually.
[01:24:26]
-that's fine.
[01:24:26]
Yeah, so.
[01:24:27]
I don't think it was left out on- intentionally. I think that they were just using the terms circles and
strategic doings for the- for the activity that was being carried out. But like truth healing and
reconciliation are like always the overarching theme. Do you know what I'm saying?
[01:24:42]
Yeah, but let's not lose the word reconciliation at all and just go with pieces of reconciliation. It ends
up being things that are always same old same old that haven't achieved.
[01:24:53]
So what you're saying we use circles, like you want to call truth, healing, and reconciliation circles?
[01:24:58]
Our charge as commissioners, [01:25:00] let's keep looking. We- we were given all the facilitator to
help us with our three charges, so let's keep our eye on that. Fact finding. Is that going as it should?
Truth telling; what is it? Is it going as it should? Then the other piece, reconciliation. Are we still with
it? Where is that?
[01:25:24]
Yeah, I guess I just don't understand but yeah. Um, I mean, yeah, it's fine with me.
[01:25:29]
So-
[01:25:29]
Chastity has her hands up.
[01:25:32]
Chastity?
[01:25:33]
I just wanted to say- can- can everyone hear me? I'm sorry if it's delayed.
[01:25:37]
Yep.
[01:25:37]
Yes.
[01:25:38]
Um, awesome. I just want to say like and I hear what you're saying Commissioner Gathua, um, not
losing things, and I just want to try to help everyone remember that we- this is practice. It's been
barely 60 days of actually doing the work because we spent almost three years trying to get to the
point so we could do the [01:26:00] work. So there's going to definitely be missing pieces and that's
why we're learning alongside the facilitators is how I see it. I just think that we need to remember
that, give ourselves grace and push forward. And just remember that this is like a lot of people
already said has been very like fast. [LAUGHTER] It's been barely 60 days. So that's all I want to say.
[NOISE]
[01:26:46]
Sorry. I was putting out something on the contract that's going from phase 1 to phase 2. So back to-
to- you gave a motion, you [01:27:00] rescinded your motion. Where are you- are you still rescinding
that? We should go till the end of October or?
[01:27:10]
So what I've been thinking of is how to what I really want to do is how to extend our Commission's
time without- without request- without getting support from the consultants. And I believe the
consultants would support it, but I don't want their support. If you understand what I'm saying, Judge?
[01:27:33]
Well, what? Sorry, can you explain that?
[01:27:36]
But it's already been explained that we-
[01:27:38]
Go ahead.
[01:27:38]
They would have to be both parties, the facilitators, as well as the TRC have to be in agreement for-
[01:27:49]
The extension.
[01:27:50]
Extension. Like I said, I don't want their- I don't want their support for the extension and I believe that
they would support it. I don't wanna be put in a situation where it [01:28:00] happens because they
choose it to happen or not happen. So for example, we vote and everyone votes yes, and they say no,
then it doesn't happen.
[01:28:09]
But I don't think that they're going to say that.
[01:28:11]
It doesn't matter to me whether they say yes or no. It's that they have the power to dictate. It's what
Lewis said. They politically have the power. They're controlling us as a commission. We're not
controlling them as consultants. So I don't wanna be put into the situation where they have the power
to make a determination about what we're doing.
[01:28:30]
So does that mean that we should re word something like that's written down somewhere that's
making you feel this way. Do you know what I'm saying? Like because I- I know that that's not what
they want. Like, I don't think that our consultants are trying to have that power. So like if we want-
[01:28:45]
That's what-
[01:28:46]
Yeah, if that's what's bothering you, like can we reward something?
[01:28:49]
It's kind of like, to me it's kind of and- and- and I'm saying this loosely, it's kind of like going to the
oppressor and asking the oppressor [OVERLAPPING].
[01:28:55]
No, and I totally get what you're saying yeah.
[01:28:57]
I'm doing.
[01:28:58]
No, I'm there with you.
[01:28:59]
It's not even whether [01:29:00] they say yes or no, it's I'm not asking the oppressor. You with me?
[01:29:04]
Yeah, no, absolutely. And- and so like we need to re- we need to fix the problematic source, which is
like if that is like some- and I mean, we love our consultants, right? But I mean, like technically, if they
do have that power over the commission, yeah, that does bother me because like this is supposed to
be run, you know, by- by poc folks, right? So like, um, look, if we can figure that out, that would be
really great.
[01:29:28]
Redmond. I- I was just gonna say, so I'm listening to- to the conversation and contractually speaking,
all parties need to agree to- to- to have an extension. It's clearly stated here. And now going to your
point about renegotiating or anything, there's also a termination clause. There's the ability to
terminate and then renegotiate, I would assume if that's [01:30:00] what you're getting at. I'm not
trying to say but the Commission has the power to terminate and there's a clause. Um, and I'm gonna
take my glasses, just give me a second. Uh, the city may terminate the agreement upon seven
calendar days with written notices to the consultants. So there's- you know, I'm hearing there's
always that ability of the commission to be able to do that. And I assume that if there's some
language that you don't like that's in the contract, then you could address it at that point.
[01:30:31]
Well, let me ask for what I'm looking for, but after-
[01:30:34]
Yes, Judge Lois. So Lois has her hand up.
[01:30:43]
Hello. I okay. I wanted to just speak on the fact that I work with Think Peace, but I am also a resident
of Iowa City. I am a black woman in Iowa City. I think there is a big misunderstanding on what the role
of the Commission [01:31:00] actually is. The Commission is not- I mean, sorry, of the consultants.
We're not here to like be telling anybody what to do. We are hired by the Commission, we work for the
Commission. And quite frankly, it is extremely harmful to spread that narrative that there aren't that
we are trying to manipulate the Commission or work on top of the Commission, because that's not at
all what we're doing. And I think- I don't- I think although you guys might not see all the work that's
being done, a lot is being done in the background, this work requires a lot. As a person who's a part of
this community, I want what's best for my community, and I wouldn't let anything come in the way of
that. And I hope you guys can recognize that we are working as hard as we can and we are working
for you guys. We want to work with you guys. We aren't trying to be on top of anybody. And I don't
want this narrative to be divisive because it sounds very divisive. This is not us versus you or you
versus us type thing. We are [01:32:00] all working for a common goal and I hope that you guys
realize that.
[01:32:03]
I don't think that that's what's going on here. I think that what's trying to be like unearthed or talked
about is the deep systematic problems that we have. And how like in the end, like the- the system-
the systems in place, um, still make it so that like even this commission, which is supposed to be like
giving power to black and brown folks, um, to do this work, is still being, um- and it's not the
consultants that is the problem. It's still being moderated, if you will, or like there's still hoops we have
to go through because of like, you know, contracts which were, you know, not written, um, you know,
by the people for the people if you want to say it that way, um. [LAUGHTER] And [01:33:00] I think
that's what you're trying to get at, right? Like it's- it's not that we don't trust our consultants, I think
that it's just that that piece of writing is not okay, in that sense.
[01:33:11]
Well, I do believe the consultants are here to work for us.
[01:33:14]
And yeah. And I think that's what they both- they've all just said that very clearly.
[01:33:17]
I always feel they do. I would say- I would say this. I am simply trying to create an environment that
allows the Commission to be able to take a look at the information that's been provided to it to digest
it, and then to make sure that based on the information that we have that we feel comfortable in
what we have and where we're going before we go to phase two. And so where I'm struggling is, is
that it's not so much that I want to end anything, but I want, I want us to have as a commission the
time to, in essence, make the triggers for what next steps are we say a phase 1 and phase 2. Then we
[01:34:00] want to have the ability to dictate phase 2 so that we feel comfortable that what we put
together, what we've seen, how it looks, whether it really considers right, truth telling, whether the
fact finding, truth telling, reconciliation, whether it's something that we feel that when we do the final
presentation that we're going to get closer to that place. So what I'm asking for is how do we do that
in such a way that we give ourselves the time without it going into phase 2 contractually.
[01:34:36]
And so I would just add, um, I think your- your initial motion gets you to that point. I- I think
Commissioner Lu brought up a good point as well, but I think the time- timing is working against that
because your next Commission meeting wouldn't be until October 19th. There's not very [01:35:00]
much time from that point to be able to wrap all this up before, um- before November, right before
the presentation. So if you- if you want that pause, it seems like this would be the best way to get
there, So at least get the clearest direction. If the consultants have issues there or they need more
time to work through, we still have that time to be able to do it and still be able to get on the council
agenda. Sometimes before the presentation really gets- preparation for the presentation really starts
getting, you know, to a point where it has to- the work has to be done and the consultants can still
deliver, supposedly on the time frame of the original agreement. So I- I would think for time
sensitivity, even though I think and I just I found that language, it does- it still has to get at a written,
um, letter from the- [01:36:00] the chair of the TRC after the- the consultants would ask for an
extension. So the TRC still, the chair still has to give a letter to that point based on the contract, and
the consultants have to agree, and then it goes to the City Council. So there's still those processes
that have to happen. And so, I would think if you wanna do that and you wanna move quickly on it, it's
probably your original.
[01:36:28]
Your original motion-
[01:36:28]
Yeah.
[01:36:29]
Need to be back on the table.
[01:36:31]
Can I just throw in one? I'm perfectly willing, if the motion gets reintroduced, to vote for the motion,
because I think if the motion comes forward, I think it's important that all of us say yes rather than
anyone of us saying no to it. Just my opinion. But what I still want to mention is I'm a bit worried that
we're putting too much emphasis on this phase 1, phase 2 distinction. To me, the pause the
presentation is what's [01:37:00] important that something goes to the City Council at this point and
they look at that presentation and they say, this is good. I don't even care what's in it. If somehow we
could sprinkle dust in the room and they all said it was good, that'd be fine too, to be honest. But just
wanted to say it's good. Then we move on with some more serious work, then move forward. But so-
and the other thing that worries me a little bit is that once we ask for the extension, there's additional
pressure now.
[01:37:38]
Now, we damn well better have something that's better than it would have been now in three months
or four months. So we just have to keep that in mind that we're not getting rid of pressure really,
we're potentially adding a bit more pressure, [NOISE] even though we're adding a bit more time.
[NOISE] But that's just what.
[01:37:56]
Yeah. Thank you. I- I and I agree. I think that's part of the dialogue [01:38:00] that would be with the
consultants. That's certainly one of the points, like the presentation could be moved is, you know,
when is that presentation at that right time to be presented to council. No need to give an extension
and still be rushing in- in the presentation. The council's going to have to evaluate that presentation
and that's clearly stated. So, um, obviously, all the parties need to be comfortable with Phase 1 before
Phase 2 gets started. And- and so that's, I think, the fairest interpretation of the- of the agreement
that we can come up right now. And if there's any part that feels like they're not 100% comfortable
with where we are at Phase 1, it makes sense to give it time so that everything can be done and- and
folks can be where the original, um, contract from the consultants thought we would be at and the co-
commission understanding what their next Phase 2 are and what their responsibilities will be and then
as [01:39:00] the city that we're comfortable that, uh, everything has- has been, um, given the
appropriate time and resources to making sure that success is lined up to be possible.
[01:39:13]
Uh, I just also wanted to say that Phase 1 was always intended to be educational. And so when you're
talking about the presentation, you just you're- we're literally showing them all the things that you
have done and that you have learned. I think that the added aspect of it which I'm incredibly grateful
for is, you know, the framework that Commissioner Simmons put forward in terms of, you know, the
fact-finding, truth-telling like those buckets and like a process forward, is something that we could
really, you know, like could kick us into a Phase 2 that's very, like intentional, right? So I think, um, I
want to be sensitive to the burden that you all are doing. We're burnt out too, [LAUGHTER] you know,
I don't know if it's just my day job at the moment, but like it's a lot. And so I- I think that there is-
[01:40:00] you know, we want everybody to feel like we are going to be presenting the best that we
possibly can. And I also just want to say that if you look at the contract, a lot of it is educational, the
truth te- telling, the fact-finding, all of those things was Phase 1, so that Phase 2, we could launch into
whatever that was going to be and Commissioner Simmons has, you know, a framework that could be
doable. Um, and so I just wanted to add that to that. I would love to have the conversation about how
much time do you all want us to aim for. I also want to add that like city council is going to be going
through an election the night before. You know what I mean? [LAUGHTER] Or the- the day after. So
like they're going to be a little hyped up too. Um, timing is everything. Politics is timing in a lot of
ways. So I just wanted to add that too. Happy to talk about it with any commissioners. Our meetings
are on Friday mornings. You know, we don't want to hold up the process. It was information to me
tonight that you would need our permission, you know, like that was- and maybe speaks to some of
the conversation [01:41:00] being, you know, feeling adversarial. Like I didn't know that. But again,
it's in the contract, right? Like and I didn't write that contract, [LAUGHTER] so, but I did agree to it.
Um, anyway I just wanted to add that aspect to it in terms of the Phase 1 and what it is really
supposed to encapsulate.
[01:41:17]
So, I- I'm more than willing to give the- the motion again. I would still prefer that we have the meeting
with the presentation with the city council still in November, and give them a summary about where
we are and where we're going, a brief summary. I think that- that does make sense and still focus on
what the extension will allow us to be able to do. Does that make sense or no?
[01:41:43]
I like that.
[01:41:46]
So, um, okay. Did you talk about. So, okay, the city council would be voting on, [01:42:00] you know,
the extension like we said later this month. But you're still talking about meeting with the city council
in November to give them an update?
[01:42:14]
Yes.
[01:42:18]
I was just going to ask that clarification because there's- there's contractual presentation to council,
but then there's the commission can always have always [OVERLAPPING] had a dialogue with the
council and it certainly could be, uh, could be on the agenda to do a presentation to city council. So, I-
I don't know which one you are looking at, um.
[01:42:41]
Well, I would leave it up to us to determine whether it is the day before election or earlier. I'm not
going to get into that. [LAUGHTER] I do think we just had- need to have a conversation with them
somehow, with them, about [01:43:00] what we're doing and why we're doing it, to make sure that
they continue to support the efforts of what we're doing. I don't think that we should say we need
more time and then it's silence or the only thing that they have to make the determination is a
minutes. I think that we have to talk to them and tell them. But I will leave that up to our chair, vice
chair and the- and the commission to do that. I will be willing to still do the motion.
[01:43:29]
Well, I mean, I think something has to be written up anyway to the city why we're requesting this
extension, so that some of that explanation, one could be in that presentation or and that what we
present to the city why we're doing this extension. So basically it would be meeting at the- on the
agenda for the city when they're voting on the extension.
[01:43:56]
I will- I will follow the lead of the chair and the vice chair.
[01:44:00] [01:44:01]
Okay. But we need a motion.
[01:44:04]
I move in order to increase the learnings and re- reduce the pressures on the staff, consultants and
commissioners. Um, I'm sorry. In order to- to, uh, increase the learning and- and re- reduce the
pressure on the staff, consultants and commissioners, I move that we change Phase 1 completion
date to be no later than March 31st, 2024.
[01:44:30]
Do we have a second?
[01:44:34]
I'll second.
[01:44:38]
Any further discussion? Okay. Commissioner Dillard?
[01:44:45]
Yes.
[01:44:45]
Uh, Commissioner Gathua?
[01:44:48]
Yes.
[01:44:50]
Commissioner Johnson?
[01:44:53]
Yes.
[01:44:54]
Commissioner Krebs.
[01:44:55]
Yes.
[01:44:57]
Commissioner Merritt?
[01:44:59]
Yes.
[01:45:00]
Commissioner Nobiss?
[01:45:01]
Yes.
[01:45:03]
Commissioner Simmons?
[01:45:04]
Yes.
[01:45:05]
And Commissioner Tassinary?
[01:45:07]
Yes.
[01:45:08]
Motion passes 8-0.
[01:45:10]
I have another motion. So, I move that Phase 1 include a practice example of all the parts of the
model working together with a review of the expected outcomes.
[01:45:24]
Read that more- one more time, please.
[01:45:27]
I move that Phase 1 include a practice example of all the parts of the- of the model working together
with a review, um, of the expected outcomes.
[01:45:43]
By the model, are you referring to TRC work?
[01:45:47]
I'm referring to whenever we agree to that is a part of the process of TRC or the- the system that
we're putting together that we actually see it all the way through, working [01:46:00] all the way
through and then assess how well we believe that the system that we've created, how well it works.
[01:46:07]
By when?
[01:46:10]
It would have to be by March 31st, 2024. So, [OVERLAPPING]
[01:46:15]
It's practice run.
[01:46:16]
It's a practice run, but it has to happen within Phase 1. Whenever we want Phase 1 to- to- to end, but
no later than March 31st. Right now, the pieces are separate, right? We, where- we've done- uh, let's
say we've done reconciliation first, and then we've, then we've done fact finding and right? We've
done them- but we're going to eventually put them in order, whatever we think the order is, and
we're going to see if it works.
[01:46:54]
So there's a sense in which what you're doing is dividing Phase 1 into two parts. [01:47:00] There's
like Phase 1A and Phase 1B. And Phase 1A is occurring before the presentation, which is telling the
city council everything we've done to date, everything is great. And then Phase 1B is about creating a,
um, the actual model and doing some, simu- you know "simulations" of the model among the
commissioners and talking about it before we move into the actual doing which would be Phase 2. Is
that- I'm I hearing that correctly or?
[01:47:34]
Yes, you are hearing that correctly.
[01:47:38]
So what are you saying is happening right now, Commissioner Simmons?
[01:47:42]
That we're- we're right now looking at the different parts. Discussing it. Yeah.
[01:47:47]
Since April? Since when we started this work?
[01:47:51]
Since we started in August, we were just looking at the different parts. We- we're not trying to put the
puzzle together, we're just getting the puzzle pieces. That's what we've been doing. [01:48:00] You
brought up very good points about where, you know, is it two if you know, strategic doing
reconciliation, how does this fit? Are we using the right wording? Um.
[01:48:15]
We're trying to develop a- a system that allows- that allows our community to get to a place. And
right now, we haven't yet seen all the pieces to even understand what we expect the picture to even
look like, if I can best use that as an analogy. So we- we'll probably sometime around the 27th have a
good portion of the pieces. Then we have to talk about what works, what doesn't, what-
[01:48:48]
That makes sense.
[01:48:49]
What- what, you know, I mean, on some things do we want, you know, someone outside of the culture
doing, some of the things that are- you know, are they culturally appropriate [01:49:00] for others to
do that? Is it right? Is it comf- you know, those type of things we gotta talk about, put it together, then
we're going to test it and then say, okay, this makes sense or no, this doesn't make sense, this is
crazy.
[01:49:14]
And you know, the next four items on the agenda we're going to talk about those pieces- our charges-
charges. We're going to talk about, I guess, what has happened and the way forward.
[01:49:31]
Well, in looking the- I- I actually look at the contracts on my phone. But that Phase 1 talks about, you
know, there's ed-education, truth telling team, our healing, reconciliation, training, strategic planning,
doing sessions, there's a begin data collection and fact finding, and then the last part is your- the
recommendations, you know, for moving forward. So maybe, [01:50:00] um, as before we just go to
the city, you know, we have the facilitators meet with us after we've had all the parts. And that's, uh -
that part of that recommendation, that is, sort of, like the maybe how are all these things putting
together and how's it- how can we see this actually?
[01:50:25]
Right. So a part of it is, like, we have this hypothesis, we think this is gonna work. So we're going to
share, this is- we're going to go to City Council and say, this is what we think- this is what we think we
have, and this is what we think it's going to look like. Now, we're gonna go and test it, but in general,
this is- this is a 50,000 foot view of what we think. Then we're going to test it, and then we're going to
say, this doesn't work- this doesn't work. We need to shift this or change this over here, or we need to
get more of this feeling or this over. That- that's- and then once we have that, plus we have all the
fact finding information, we have all the data [01:51:00] then-
[01:51:02]
I guess, some of the- I mean, some of the data. I don't think we'll have all the- all the data collection,
but we will have.
[01:51:09]
By what time?
[01:51:10]
They say two months. We'll have something from what we- we did.
[01:51:18]
Some data collection is supposed to be occurring in Phase 1. More of it would be happening later, but
yes.
[01:51:24]
So, my thought is- is that for the November meeting with the City Council, this is what we think. This
is a bi- big picture view. We're gonna go out and do some more work, that's why we've asked for
more time to be in Phase 1, but this is what we think big picture. Now in Phase 1, we're gonna go in,
and we're gonna see how these pieces all fit together. When we- when will we have experienced all
the pieces? By what time?
[01:51:52]
By the end of October.
[01:51:53]
So let's say the 28th of October. That's my birthday. Happy birthday to me.
[01:51:58]
Happy birthday to you.
[01:51:59]
So the 28th on a Saturday.
[01:52:00]
Well, except the extension that we're asking for is gonna be voted on before then.
[01:52:09]
I understand.
[01:52:10]
Though but- but your- this next motion that you were asking about was that is it when- when we
finally- you say Phase 1 is wrapping up that before we actually do that, uh, the true presentation to
the city of what we came together with for Phase 1, that we meet with the facilitators and actually
have.
[01:52:39]
What I'm saying is- is that the second part of the motion was just simply to say within Phase 1, there's
an example of the system and how well it works. We get to see the car if it runs or not, if it moves
forward or not, and we get to make adjustments. That happens way after the presentation [01:53:00]
that we're working with the consultants on. We're just talking to them about, you know, this is our-
this is what- this is the direction we think we're going. This is why we asked for more time last week
because of the direction that we're going. And we want you to understand that we're headed- we're
going in the right place. And then we would take the rest of the time, including what's going to
happen during the holidays to finish building this vehicle and seeing how comfortable we feel with this
vehicle as it relates to what we want which it will help us achieve. And then we move into a Phase 2.
[01:53:44]
So then we should probably have at the- at the end of the new and revised Phase 1, another
scheduled presentation to City Council before we move into Phase 2.
[01:53:56]
Well-
[01:53:57]
Right, so there is-
[01:53:58]
I still think there's only one, like, [01:54:00] true presentation of the facilitators and commission of
our- of the Phase 1. We are gonna be on the agenda with the city. Just, kind of, give them, like, which
we can do at any time [LAUGHTER] as a commission, an update as to why, like I said, why we do this,
where we're going just, kind of, keep a communication open.
[01:54:22]
So let's use- let's use- let me use your terminology because I like your terminology better than I like
mine. We're gonna give them an update which we can do any time.
[01:54:31]
Yes.
[01:54:32]
And we will give them the official Phase 1 presentation after we finish Phase 1.
[01:54:38]
Yeah, when- yeah, when Phase 1 is done, that's when the official. But that's-
[01:54:44]
The latest that we'll say we'll give them the presentation.
[01:54:47]
Which is- which is written the March whatever date was written.
[01:54:50]
Which is the end of March. It's the latest.
[01:54:51]
That is the latest. Exactly. But we- we can always have requests to be on the agenda for the City
Council to give [01:55:00] updates, which I think would be a good thing to do, you know, with keeping
the communication open and with the City and everything so.
[01:55:06]
So I would like to come back to that part, then I would be- I'm totally- I think we're- I'm on the same
page as you. I'm on your page.
[01:55:13]
But one thing- but one thing you're saying though is that we wanna make sure that we get from the, I
guess, the facilitators is an actual, I guess, uh.
[01:55:27]
Well, I think the goal is we- that we have to go to the facilitators anyway. And we have to get the
support of the facili- facilitators. So I'm- I am- I am understanding and accepting that as the- as a
process.
[01:55:47]
Yes- yes.
[01:55:51]
But they understand I hate that. [LAUGHTER] But I acknowledge- I acknowledge that is in essence
what needs to be done. So I'm fine with that. [01:56:00] So I'm fine with the presentation being done
at the end of Phase 1. I'm fine with us giving them an update before the presentation. I'm fine with
the consultants having to approve it.
[01:56:10]
You're - speak in your microphone [LAUGHTER].
[01:56:11]
I'm fine with the consultants having to approve it? I'm fine with the presentation give- being given
after Phase 1, and I'm fine with us giving an update. I'm just, um- generally I'm fine with that. So my
last motion is just simply to make sure that we have a chance to practice before Phase 1 is over. So if
I- I will read it again because I'm not sure whether it was- whether it seconded already.
[01:56:33]
No, we're discussing it.
[01:56:39]
So I'll just read it- we'll just read it again. Is that I'm just making- I'm saying I moved that Phase 1
include a practice example of all the parts of the model working together with a review of the
expected outcomes.
[01:56:55]
I'll second it.
[01:57:00]
Okay. It's been properly moved and seconded. Um, any further discussion? Commissioner Della.
[01:57:07]
I'm- I'm still not clear on the language, how Commissioner Simmons. How did we move from the three
charges for the Commissioners to that language?
[01:57:20]
So I'm just saying that- that based on the charges that we have responsible that were response-
based on the charges that we're responsible for achieving. We're- we're going to develop some
systems, a model. We have identified several different pieces that we've been going through and
we've been experiencing. And we'll continue to do that. And we'll put something together that allows
us to achieve those charges, but we'll test it out. That's all I'm asking, for us to test out whatever-
whatever model we put together to achieve those three charges.
[01:57:50]
Because so far what we've been doing and being helped by the facilitators is to work on those
charges, and as we go,uh, [01:58:00] we continue discussing and the things that are working we
continue using them. Then for example, today we discussed the- the consultancy- the mentors of
consultancy and make changes where needed.
[01:58:20]
So the consultancy to me was just a discussion about from a budget perspective, where it fits. I don't
know what other discussion we've had around its effectiveness and how it fits. I don't- I don't know
what- I- It did- it was not my understanding. We talked about its effectiveness and where it fits, just
simply that where we should pay it from.
[01:58:44]
Yeah, I'm just trying to make it clear to myself. What model and when did we get there?
[01:58:51]
And the model that I'm recommending is a model that we put together.
[01:58:56]
Which model?
[01:58:57]
Whatever we create.
[01:58:58]
[OVERLAPPING] [01:59:00] I'm finding it difficult to go with something that I- I- I'm not understanding.
[01:59:07]
Okay, so-
[01:59:08]
It's a test run. Pretty much. We're gonna get everything together- we're gonna get everything
together. Once we have it all together, make sure that we run it between ourselves before we take it
and move it forward to anybody else. All information that we gather from this point in time to before
March.
[01:59:26]
Information on- on what?
[01:59:29]
Are- oh the trainings that we're doing right now, you know, to the- to telling [OVERLAPPING] the fact
finding the reconciliation. We're getting training from the consultant and we're getting an idea of how
are we putting this all together that it meets what we are- we've been commissioned to do. Once
we've gotten or put it together, we've got to make sure, okay, how is this model gonna gonna work?
And so [02:00:00] we need to have that understanding and have it with the Commission- with the
facilitators.
[02:00:06]
I do understand what you're saying, and I understand that I'm not actually out of that communicating-
[02:00:10]
Mic, mic, mic.
[02:00:12]
I do understand what you're saying and I do- and I do acknowledge that I'm not communicating in a
such a way that is- that- that is sufficient. I do acknowledge that.
[02:00:21]
But- after we've got- done everything in phase with the education, the training, all these parts, we
need to have an idea of what we're gonna do phase II. So and that's where we're talking about. Once
we get all the pieces together and have that concept together and have the facilitators show us how
it's actually going- how it will operate.
[02:00:54]
So le- let me take a stab at it. [LAUGHTER] So in my mind, it would be [02:01:00] we get to a point
where we say we've come up with six different ways to fact find. We've come up with five different
ways in which to engage and facilitate reconciliation. And we've come up with seven different ways to
do other things that we think are important to fulfill the mission of the TRC. Won't- once we- so we say
that, but now what we're going to do is we're all gonna discuss that and run through all the
possibilities. Have we missed things? Have we lost things? Are there conflicts? Are there
consequences we haven't thought about? And come up with a model that says this is how we wanna
move forward to fulfill the TRC. At least that's the way I think about it.
[02:01:50]
Commissioner Saka is from the Canadian TRC. Uh, do you have any thoughts on [02:02:00] what
we're talking about right now, about running through a model or practice or something?
[02:02:08]
No. [LAUGHTER] Sorry. I- well, okay. I think that um, I like what's being, I like that we're talking about
like extending things. I like that we're talking about creating our own like model for how we're gonna
do this, because like right now this top down approach worries me, um, like and it just came at us so
quickly. And again, that's not the fault of the consultants because they were trying to work on this
really- really tight timeline. Um, but knowing that we can extend that makes me really happy because
with uh- in Canada, all the work was done like with the people. You know, like a lot [02:03:00] of um,
gatherings and meetings with the people, um, cultural activities with the people, um, to find out, like,
what those- we know, what was- what was painful for them. Um, like I was- you know, thinks like, I
don't know, like we're gonna talk about housing, like it just seems weird, like it's just, like we're
picking a- a topic and we're just kind of putting it on the people where it feels like the people should
be telling. I mean us, I guess, like, I don't know. So like, you know, that's why I guess I appreciate that
we're having this conversation because I was like at a point where I'm like, I don't even think I'm
useful here, because like I'm not- I don't work that way, like I don't work from like that kind of
approach. Like let's get all the leaders in a room to decide what like the people need, right? Like even
though we're, you know, leaders of bi poc communities- in bi poc communities. There was a lot of
white people too there, right? So that's- that's not- that's not okay. That's still, like, white people, like,
telling us what to do. [02:04:00] Um, so, like, I just think that, like, when I saw things going on when
the- when our process was going on, unless this was huge, right? Like it was across the entire country.
I was just like- I mean, there was a lot of stuff that wasn't good as well. Like a lot of people that came
in, um, like therapists and lawyers and consultants that like white. They were white of course. And
they took tons of money. They took their cut, of course. Right? But like, um- so that's the things my
aunt talks about. She talks- because she was a part of that, like she's- she's a social worker. So she
told me the negative like sides of all this. But then she said like, you know, the good sides were that
like the people were- the people were talked to. So like shouldn't we just be having like social
gatherings and getting together and just like having people testify? I mean, like, that's how I would
imagine doing this.
[02:04:55]
So I will- I just to kind of back that up, I feel like,um. So the consultants [02:05:00] work for the DRC.
We work for the people. So it is kind of backwards. Like we should have information from the people
to guide us to guide the consultants.
[02:05:13]
Yeah. And the- and the consultants, you know are like,um, like I think, you know, I don't want to see
this, like I- I honestly like think that our consultants are great and they've been- we've been working
together really well, but yeah, like there is this definite disconnect that I think is happening where I
think everybody was rushing. And so we were doing things to try and get all these things like handled
like right away. And so maybe if we don't have to do that, it's gonna be a much more like grassroots
approach. And that's going to be really nice. Like I think about that and I kind of like, oh, it's going to
be good. You know like it's actually gonna be nice to be in the community and like, yeah, so.
[02:05:59]
I don't think [02:06:00] the comment was about extension part asking about the model.
[02:06:05]
[OVERLAPPING] A and the B section.
[02:06:07]
The trial run model, example before [inaudible 02:06:10].
[02:06:10]
Oh, I don't know. I can't respond to that. I- I don't know. I think, I mean, I just us making our own
model is important, I guess, right? I don't know. Right?
[02:06:21]
Then via, um-
[02:06:26]
I wasn't here to see the model.
[02:06:28]
No.
[02:06:29]
[OVERLAPPING] Hasn't happened yet.
[02:06:30]
The one we reject here. That's what I'm struggling with.
[02:06:32]
[OVERLAPPING] No, I thought you were about the model...
[02:06:33]
No, no, no, no.
[02:06:34]
...that you came up with.
[02:06:35]
Oh. It's- it's- it's not proposal to have a test run. So after we get all the pieces of the education
together.
[02:06:42]
Yeah.
[02:06:43]
Um, to have a test run of what we've learned. Putting it all together and doing a test run.
[02:06:49]
Before moving on.
[02:06:50]
Before we go to phase II.
[02:06:52]
Yeah. I don't know. I can't- I can't say anything about that. I wasn't involved in.
[02:06:56]
Yeah, but you said a lot of important things. [02:07:00] At what point are we- are we involving the
people or are we even the communities?
[02:07:12]
That's why I wanted to have us to have more time. We had a conversation about truth giving, right?
[02:07:22]
Oh, truth giving?
[02:07:23]
Truth giving.
[02:07:25]
Yeah.
[02:07:26]
That's been on my mind since our conversation. I looked at it as an opportunity to have a three-day
festival of people getting together to have conversations with each other about our truths and how it
has impact on each other. But when do we get a chance to test it out?
[02:07:46]
I mean, like, yeah, because it's coming. That's on- that's on November 10th. So, like, here we go. You
know, Russian things, like, [LAUGHTER] it's just always behind- it feels, like, we're always behind the-
what is that saying? Behind the APAL.
[02:08:00]
Behind APAL, but- but we could take a part of the concept and push it and just do it at a different
time. But understand that within the motto, we're going to have this done every year this set thing,
whatever this thing is.
[02:08:14]
That would be cool. I love that idea.
[02:08:16]
Where people can really get together and we can- some of you all look as conflict as- as you know
problem and to being adversarial, I look at it as being the ability to get to creativity and innovation.
[02:08:29]
I agree though.
[02:08:30]
And for us to talk about it and figure it out. I love when there is disagreement because it forces one to
think about the words we use and whether our words even make a difference.
[02:08:40]
[OVERLAPPING] Community member called it energy. Yeah.
[02:08:46]
So I just- I'm saying if we have the ability to stop focusing on which we'll need to do, the training, and
focus on the practicing of different [02:09:00] other concepts that we want to leverage within our
thing that we create, then we're going to feel good about it, or argue about it, and get to something
better.
[02:09:13]
Commissioner Chad, you've made me think, you brought a framework. Uh, I'm assuming that the TRC
could be working from. And I'm kinda thinking now what you're calling a model is filling in, what are
we doing when we break down the three charges. And you've made me think, so this is the
educational phase from our facilitator. And I'm- I'm looking at this as a teacher or as a counselor or as
a counselor educator when you go in. And it ties in with also strategic doing. [02:10:00] What- when
you're going in you have- you have a- a- a syllabus when you're teaching a course or a class. So your
students, even if they don't know the nitty-gritty content of what you are going to teach, there is an
outline and every week the- there is a topic. But the way I'm see- I'm looking at it now, with our TRC
work and working with the facilitator, we don't seem to have a course outline. Neither do they from
them and from ourselves. But thank you. We- we were given the charges. The- the big topic is there.
We have the charges, but the content or maybe they gave us but may be like I said, I'm a slow
learner. I have to go back and [02:11:00] see. And this is where you're saying we go through it that
content with the facilitators. They're the ones who have it or maybe they give it to us and we don't
know. And then after we are done at the end, then- uh, then we'll because you talked about practicing
or.
[02:11:21]
I think that we have to create the syllabus.
[02:11:25]
For ourselves.
[02:11:26]
For ourselves.
[02:11:27]
When?
[02:11:27]
I believe.
[02:11:27]
At the end of this Phase 1.
[02:11:30]
Yes. I think during what we- is while we're going through it, we're putting it together. You- you
brought up, you know, you know, I was so proud of this model until I realized and you brought up a
point that excited me because I realized how wrong I was, that I was focusing on strategic doing
versus focusing on reconciliation.
[02:11:50]
And strategic doing is the method of anything you might want to be doing in the world. So where- but
it's brought [02:12:00] in by our- one of our local facilitator. Where the big topic- because these are
three pieces. Reconciliation. So strategic doing can run through all the aspects of res- of
reconciliation. So it can't just be that because it's a method.
[02:12:19]
Correct.
[02:12:20]
That's a method.
[02:12:21]
And then circles, healing circles, that's a piece of reconciliation. Uh, you could call it counseling. You
could call it therapy. Just one of the little pieces. But you've said that we'll- we are doing- we'll do we'll
do our own lesson plat- there are lesson plans in there. The whole syllabi course outline.
[02:12:46]
Yes.
[02:12:47]
But we're doing it backwards. I'm- and I'm- I'm thinking as a teacher.
[02:12:50]
Yes.
[02:12:51]
We do it at the beginning, but now we are doing it backwards.
[02:12:57]
If we knew everything [02:13:00] at the beginning, we could do the syllabi.
[02:13:03]
We are the ones who are supposed to have that.
[02:13:05]
We're getting [OVERLAPPING]
[02:13:05]
As TRC.
[02:13:06]
We're getting- we're getting it now.
[02:13:08]
We're getting the information in order to create it.
[02:13:10]
Yeah. We need the education to create the syllabi for-
[02:13:15]
This is pre-course work. Do you want to think of it that way?
[02:13:19]
Thank you for talking to me in my language as a teacher. So thank you. So the outline we're making is
still also what you're calling a model?
[02:13:34]
Correct.
[02:13:35]
Okay.
[02:13:35]
It is- it is to create the syllabus for the work that we want to move forward, but we're gaining
information. And then we will come to an agreement on what that syllabus should look like, and then
we will test it.
[02:13:51]
And are we going to look for- are we going to get the facilitators syllabus?
[02:13:59]
So it's- [02:14:00] well, technically it's our syllabus if syllzators are helping us to fill in-
[02:14:05]
Ours.
[02:14:05]
-to get the information so that we can actually construct the syllabus.
[02:14:08]
Teachers assistant. [LAUGHTER]
[02:14:11]
Okay. Thank you- thank you.
[02:14:14]
They are specialist in certain areas, but we're trying to put their specialties together to make
something bigger.
[02:14:30]
Okay. And I am hoping we also work on putting the communities there, because thank you,
Commissioner Sikowis [OVERLAPPING] for bringing that back. Yeah, yeah
[02:14:45]
Help us with the topics. So, yes.
[02:14:51]
So do we still have to vote on the motion?
[02:14:54]
[LAUGHTER] I would like for us to vote.
[02:14:57]
Yes. That's okay.
[02:14:58]
I second.
[02:14:59]
Okay.
[02:15:00]
Commissioner Dillard?
[02:15:03]
Yes.
[02:15:06]
Commissioner Gathua?
[02:15:08]
Yes.
[02:15:10]
Commissioner Johnson?
[02:15:11]
Yes.
[02:15:12]
Commissioner Krebs?
[02:15:13]
Yes.
[02:15:15]
Commissioner Merritt?
[02:15:16]
Yes.
[02:15:18]
Commissioner Nobiss?
[02:15:19]
Yes.
[02:15:20]
Commissioner Simmons?
[02:15:21]
Yes.
[02:15:22]
And Commissioner Tassinary?
[02:15:23]
Yes.
[02:15:24]
Motion passes 8-0.
[02:15:27]
Okay. We're onto agenda Item 8 and-
[02:15:33]
Um, Chair, um, or Vice Chair Merritt, actually, Dr. Schuler and Laura cannot join this evening. They
sent an e-mail. And just being mindful of everybody's time this evening, I can read the e-mail and
probably you can then move on to the next agenda item.
[02:15:51]
That sounds good to me.
[02:15:53]
Okay. Let's see. So, uh, they wanted, um, me to mention that [02:16:00] Commissioners Krebs,
Nobiss, and Johnson were unable to attend the session last Wednesday, and that out of that session
there was a list of major categories. And I- uh, let's see, public safety, policing, law enforcement,
namings, memorizations, remembrances, economic development, health, environmental justice,
education, and then other. And so they're- they asked that, um, the three of you kinda think about
things that you feel, um, were, uh - that are missing from the list. A big categories of fact finding that
are missing from the list that you would want to see included. And what are some key indicators you
would want to be sure that they track under any of these categories or a new category. So after the
meeting, I can just cut and paste this in an e-mail to each of you. It's my understanding that Dr.
Schuler and Laura will be reaching out to each of you individually anyways. But [02:17:00] I will send
something out after the meeting and there was an overall update for the whole TRC. Um, and that
they would ask that I report that we are continuing our fact finding work by developing a list of
sources and some preliminary findings. We are anticipating a follow up in person session in the next
few months to discuss those findings and get further direction. We will e-mail the TRC a full report of
the requested focus areas and specific fact finding priorities A-S-A-P likely next week. So that is the-
the update from them.
[02:17:45]
Okay.
[02:17:45]
Thank you.
[02:17:45]
We're good to go. Thanks.
[02:17:46]
Okay. I guess we can move on to the next agenda item.
[02:18:00]
And this one has an accompanying handout that you should have in front of you. That would be an e-
mail from Annie Tucker. [NOISE] I'm, oh on the first one on [inaudible 02:18:16].
[02:18:38]
Here's the deal. I was talking with each of the three of the native partners separately and trying to get
us [NOISE], this is the end of phase 1, so that we're all trying to get the education pieces to you.
Trying to find dates [02:19:00] in October for the things they said they would do. What I'm giving you
is they can be in town October 14th and 21st for the circles. But what they need you guys to do is
decide and they will be three-hour blocks and they will be like introductory sessions, so people get to
experience circles. You guys can decide what you think are the best three block- three-hour block
times and they will work with that.
[02:19:32]
Now that we're extending like our time frame, do we have to have two circles like in one week?
Because like they have to drive five hours.
[02:19:44]
I'm with you-.
[02:19:44]
From two cities, so if we can maybe just have one and then we can have one, you know, a month or
two down the road, that might be a lot better.
[02:19:54]
You know, here's the- I think I agree with you and I agree with you guys having- not that it matters,
[02:20:00] but having more time to digest and create, and generate. That's okay with me and I think
it would be fine with them. This is them working within what we understood the constraints to be.
[02:20:14]
Yeah. Maybe they can come during truthgiving time for their next one, which is around, it's Friday,
November 10th, so they can come the night before, so they can also engage in the Native American
celebration happening.
[02:20:34]
So then- so this is a decision for you all and then I can go back and ask them?
[02:20:40]
Yeah.
[02:20:41]
Right. Why don't you guys talk and see what you want and see what kind of timing in the day you
want?
[02:20:51]
We have October 14th and the 21st so I mean, my recommendation would be to keep October 14th
and nix the 21st [02:21:00] and then have them come back on November 11th.
[02:21:04]
I definitely cannot do October 14th.
[02:21:07]
Neither can I.
[02:21:07]
I can do the 21st. [LAUGHTER].
[02:21:09]
Okay. Let's just do the 21st then.
[02:21:11]
That's Buffalo.
[02:21:12]
Oh, yeah, we won't be in town.
[02:21:14]
We'll be gone.
[02:21:15]
Yeah, we'll be gone. But, I mean, I don't want to be in the circles. [OVERLAPPING] I don't need to be in
a circle. I've done circles.
[02:21:22]
That's what I wanted to highlight. I don't think we all have to be at this, especially if you've already
been if you've already attended. This is supposed to be to invite the community to like experience it. I
think it's also the best if we don't have quorum, so four commissioners in one circle or less, so it can
be a safe space.
[02:21:46]
I mean, the 14th is a little over a week. I don't think that's even enough time to get the word out if it's
going to be something that's going to be for the community.
[02:21:56]
Yeah so like oh, yeah. Okay. Have time. Wow. Yeah. The 14th. Is that close? Oh my gosh.
[02:22:00]
It's yeah. A week from this Saturday.
[02:22:02]
Yeah. We should do the 21st.
[02:22:05]
Also, we still have to operate like we have the 31st as a deadline until that's official.
[02:22:14]
I mean, but I'm not- I don't think we like I don't think we should operate like that.
[02:22:20]
Well, I mean, technically since we, you know, we have to wait until the city, which won't be until the
17th, but I'd say the 21st I think would still be a good option for the first circle.
[02:22:36]
Yeah.
[02:22:37]
I mean, we could still do a presentation with one circle as information.
[02:22:42]
Yeah. Because I mean, I was even going to bring this up like already as an issue. Like, when I saw this,
I was like, this is ridiculous like the 14th and then the 21st, I mean like and they have to drive 5 hours
from Sioux City, you know I just don't think. Again see, there's just this [02:23:00] pressure and then
also us. Like, you know, we have to get all this like people to this thing and it's they're happening.
Just, I don't know, I was already going to like say, I don't think this is good timing.
[02:23:13]
Great. This was working within.
[02:23:15]
Of course. Yeah, not your [OVERLAPPING] fault.
[02:23:18]
No, it's not about fault but it's also about their availability and working within the rest of the team so
I'm sure- I'm sure they'd be willing to work with what you counteroffer. You know, these just happened
to be the times they can do it.
[02:23:36]
Is there a way to talk with the city that we don't have to wait for like a council meeting? No. Like can
we send an email to them and they can?
[02:23:47]
It doesn't work that way.
[02:23:47]
No. Okay.
[02:23:53]
I appreciate the challenge, but obviously, we're going to be starting the dialogue. They're going to
hear [02:24:00] from us tomorrow and then we're going to have to work with the chair to get the
actual letter and we can get on the agenda. I'm- It's hard for me to say how comfortable I am that the
council will support it but obviously, if you support it, the consultants support it. I think it's a good a
chance that the council will support.
[02:24:26]
Yeah. I feel good about it too. I mean, the city has been supporting us more lately, so I think they
would hopefully understand that like this is something you can't really just rush, especially when
we're talking about people's traumas. So I would hope they would understand that. But yeah, and
thank you so much, Annie, for doing that. You know, thank you for like again, for you and the
consultants always like busting your butts honestly, just trying to get everything done so quickly. But
like, yeah, if we can have some time to spread it out, [02:25:00] like that's amazing.
[02:25:02]
Annie.
[02:25:03]
Great. Yes.
[02:25:05]
But those two dates, the 14th is not realistic. [LAUGHTER].
[02:25:09]
Yeah, I agree, 100%.
[02:25:13]
If we were thinking of the 21st as being the first time, I mean, what all needs to be- do you know what
all would need to be done to make it happen?
[02:25:27]
You would need to choose what time of day so you could inform people. So do you want it from 1:00
to 4:00? Do you want it from, I don't think nine to 12 in the morning, but that's an example. It's a
three hour time. You guys would need to decide that they would need to. Yes, exactly. A location and
a location where they could smudge. Right.
[02:25:50]
Could we [OVERLAPPING] do it at Robert A Lee. Oh, I would love to have it there.
[02:25:57]
That's a question over to Stefanie but what [02:26:00] we're talking about [FOREIGN].
[02:26:01]
Robert A Lee. Sorry.
[02:26:02]
Robert.
[02:26:03]
Robert A, no, not that yeah, Robert Lee. [LAUGHTER] I always do that.
[02:26:07]
Terry Trueblood.
[02:26:07]
Terry Trueblood. That's what I was trying to think of, because that's a good place where people could
go out and smudge and. Yeah, sorry. Firstly, Robert Lee. Second of all, Terry Trueblood. That's what I
was trying to get at and it's a really nice space because people can go out and smudge out there.
[02:26:24]
The only hiccup to that space, and it may not be a big concern, but it's not on the transit line.
[02:26:30]
So anybody who's relying on public transportation, it doesn't take.
[02:26:35]
Okay. Never mind.
[02:26:36]
You know, but there could be alternatives. There could be rides that are somebody wants to do it.
[02:26:41]
No. It should be accessible, so never mind. I don't know what I was thinking.
[02:26:45]
I'll once again put out I have a gym that is literally a stage that fits hundreds of people at a time. The
bus lets off right there across the street, it's the one, anytime the judge. Basically, [02:27:00] think of
a Ted Talks, if those ring posts go down, you have nothing but a big stage. And we usually clear that
place out and have at least 200 plus seats in there every time. It's always open and I control it. Offer
is always there.
[02:27:17]
Does it smell like a gym though? [LAUGHTER]
[02:27:21]
It smells like- it smells like a fight. Yeah.
[02:27:23]
Yeah. See. [LAUGHTER]
[02:27:26]
They also have three bay doors that open up that let air circulate and fans and-
[02:27:32]
Yeah. No, it's a beautiful gym.
[02:27:34]
It's clean.
[02:27:34]
I've been there. It's a beautiful gym but it's still a gym. [LAUGHTER].
[02:27:38]
That's true.
[02:27:40]
I wonder.
[02:27:40]
It's a stage. People come all the time and it's literally in the heart of a city and-.
[02:27:46]
I want to come for one of your next events for sure. But like maybe we can have it in a more
comfortable, serene place. You know what I mean? Like is there a place that has like, I don't know,
like [02:28:00] plants and [LAUGHTER] it's just calm, you know.
[02:28:06]
There's one of the houses that the city owns that's rented.
[02:28:09]
Ned Ashton house.
[02:28:10]
Ned Ashton yeah.
[02:28:12]
What road is that? Is that Park? Park Road? It's off of Park road. It's yeah. It has greenery space and it
yeah. I mean, I can send images.
[02:28:24]
That would be nice. Yeah. Like see. Yeah. Just because these are circles and it's going to be, for some
people, like a lot so you just want to make sure it's like a nice transit.
[02:28:33]
I think that there is transit actually and there's- it's next to the river.
[02:28:37]
But we should definitely go to your boxing place [LAUGHTER] and like we should.
[02:28:43]
No there's absolutely zero pressure on it.
[02:28:45]
That should be [OVERLAPPING] fort there obviously is out there. [OVERLAPPING].
[02:28:47]
We should use it for something at some point-.
[02:28:49]
every time I hear that we have a location need.
[02:28:52]
Yeah, man. Like for some of us to just duke it out. [LAUGHTER] Okay.
[02:28:55]
So we're in agreement that the 21st. [02:29:00] We're in agreement on the 21st.
[02:29:01]
Yeah. Does 1:00 to 4:00 Sound good everybody?
[02:29:04]
21st sounds good to me.
[02:29:05]
Yeah, 1:00 to 4:00 sounds good.
[02:29:06]
So we can maybe get the house and-
[02:29:08]
I'll put a reservation or ask in tomorrow.
[02:29:11]
Oh, cool.
[02:29:12]
At some point.
[02:29:14]
So actually if 1:00 to 4:00 doesn't, let's just say because there's a conflict back up would be what?
[02:29:25]
It doesn't have to be a city space. You know this is, it's not going to be recorded. It's not going to be
live streamed I mean. It's not going to be a meeting, so it's not a formal meeting of the TRC so it
might really be an opportunity also to go to places that you may have more barriers to going to if
you're having a traditional meeting. Okay.
[02:29:46]
Well, I guess, you know, we'll you know tomorrow?
[02:29:49]
Yeah. I can call.
[02:29:50]
Okay. So, if there's a conflict, then we'll have to work on an option for that.
[02:29:58]
But if there's a conflict [02:30:00] for that place at 1-4 then Cliff can be the backup.
[02:30:05]
Oh, no. It's too scary there.
[02:30:11]
No. [LAUGHTER]
[02:30:12]
Only kids and people who are elderly, community go there all the time. No big deal. [LAUGHTER]
[02:30:20]
Okay. There's also the East Side Educational Recycling Center too.
[02:30:24]
Oh, that's really. Yeah That's kind [OVERLAPPING] of far out though, too, isn't it?
[02:30:27]
Yeah, it's a little smaller, but yeah, right off the buff line.
[02:30:31]
And it is nice.
[02:30:31]
Oh, we're talking on Saturday?
[02:30:33]
Yeah.
[02:30:37]
Saturday bus schedule.
[02:30:39]
Yeah, but it would still go out there.
[02:30:40]
Okay.
[02:30:40]
It might be a little more restricted, but it would still be out, yeah.
[02:30:48]
Okay.
[02:30:48]
The second thing is that they're going to do a two night training. And what they were looking at was
you can see down there further down the week of [02:31:00] November 14th-17th. And they were
thinking two nights in a row. So from 5:30-9:00 two nights in a row would be where people who
wanted to be trained in this to be facilitators could attend that. Ideally, they were thinking that the
two circles that people could experience would be before that, but maybe you're saying November
11th, maybe they could just stay, you know, maybe it could be November 11th, Saturday is the
second circle to experience. And then Tuesday and Wednesday, the 14th and 15th, they just stay and
have that be the training.
[02:31:38]
I mean, we could also push the training too so that.
[02:31:40]
Sure.
[02:31:41]
You know what I'm saying? Now that we don't have to-.
[02:31:42]
Right.
[02:31:43]
-rush. So we could have the training like even in January, or December, you know.
[02:31:50]
They were thinking after the holidays or before the holidays. So I'm guessing they would think after
the holidays as well. Yeah.
[02:31:57]
Oh, okay. So like January?
[02:32:00]
I'm thinking.
[02:32:01]
Because I mean, we're not going to be having any circles between I mean, I- we're not going to be
hosting any circles between November and-
[02:32:08]
Right. Because you've got your a-
[02:32:09]
Yeah.
[02:32:09]
-presumably, you have your experience.
[02:32:11]
So maybe January to kind of give people.
[02:32:16]
These are just a quick question, these two consecutive evenings, are they something that we have to
attend both or we just can attend one of. I mean, I just want to make sure. It's not like a Part 1, Part 2.
It's just that there's events happening two consecutive nights.
[02:32:32]
Two consecutive nights, because it's all one kind of seven or eight hour training.
[02:32:38]
So it is something. [OVERLAPPING]
[02:32:39]
It is Part 1 and Part 2. Yeah- yeah. And if you- you know, if you wanted them to come November 11th
around truthsgiving, then people will in October and November, experience the circles that they're
offering and be able to plan their time for two consecutive nights. [02:33:00] I mean, or if you thought
like a full day Saturday, they will have more availability further out. This was based on those nights.
They all three could be here two nights.
[02:33:15]
Yeah, that would be great. Then if we have it in January, that'll work out better for them then. Right?
[02:33:20]
Could. I mean, this does work for them, but this is all that works.
[02:33:24]
Oh, yeah. But that's what I meant. Now they can have more choice.
[02:33:27]
Yeah. Sure. Okay. So am I hearing October 21st and November 11th, that you would like them to be in
town to do circles?
[02:33:37]
Yeah and what for?
[02:33:38]
The community to experience. Both to just experience it but also consider, um, do I want to learn how
to do this? Right? And then they would be part of your team to the extent that you were. And you all
could be trained too and help offer the circles.
[02:33:56]
Hi there. I want to ask a question.
[02:33:59]
Yeah.
[02:34:00] [02:34:01]
Uh, since the local facilitator is helping us with reconciliation. Uh, as people come to train, are they
going to be educated on how it's tieing with reconciliation in context of ratio injustice or they will- it's
just a stand alone thing. A circle- a tender Sacco. Learn to do a circle.
[02:34:37]
Right. Really good question. So when really it was Sikowis that recommended them and when we told
them that the city wanted to learn- wanted to have a kind of circle that could be- that anyone could
provide or learn to provide. So what [02:35:00] Monapay, you guys have met Monapay. What he said
was, okay, we'll develop Iowa circles for all Iowans. That's what he said. So I'm coming around to the
answer of your question. This is not what you're asking. And that would be something further to
develop. But they didn't take on developing something beyond a basic circle process that they could
teach to other folks locally who could do it. So- so tailoring it for more healing, I mean they do
healings. You guys were present, some of you were present for healing circles. Right? Um, I think
that's an add on that could be developed and I think you guys- some of you might be interested in
being part of that.
[02:35:54]
I look forward to it.
[02:35:56]
Yeah- yeah.
[02:36:00]
So it's healing generally, not in relation to racial injustice reconciliation.
[02:36:12]
I think- I think they weren't asked to do that specifically, but I think- I think at this point you could say
yes. Can you- can you build that in? Remember how the questions are? Could you build in-
[02:36:26]
I'm not thinking of the- the contract and the local facilitator and reconciliation, and also being a
charge for the TRC. So I'm trying to tie that to that- to that part.
[02:36:48]
So I'm sort of missing what you're saying. We- we were- we are working with them, but really it's been
their role to create what it is.
[02:36:59]
I [02:37:00] don't think that everything we do is like always going to have every component of this
entire process involved, right? Like people are going to come and testify. This is circles or a form of
them being able to testify. People are going to like, you know, you have to give people a chance to
talk and a chance to heal and like, for things to come out so that we can, you know, figure out where
people are at. I mean like reconciliation is more of the like, the reconciliation is like the thing that
happens at the end. Like it's not like we're always reconciling while we're doing this work, right? A lot
of this stuff is health- is healing and- and- and testi- testimony and truth. Um, and so the reconciliation
part comes like after we write the recommendation and that's how I see it happening. And then the
city, it's on the city to like try and do something, which I'm crossing my fingers that they actually will.
Um, that's how [02:38:00] generally this kind of process works from my experience.
[02:38:06]
Can I add something that I read that Dave Glen wrote?
[02:38:10]
Um.
[02:38:10]
He was talking about reconciliation that a big- that a part of it is people actually listening and
accepting other people's truths.
[02:38:21]
Oh yeah, absolutely.
[02:38:22]
Yeah, and so that's foundational to the circles and to your point I think that that we can talk with them
and have the questions be more than just general. They could include racial issues, racial
discrimination, racial harm. It could include questions that open it up for people to respond with that.
[02:38:51]
Oh, yeah, I missed that part. Yeah, I thought that's what they would include; wouldn't they?
[02:38:58]
From what we did with [02:39:00] Monapay, they were more general- more general questions. But
people spoke forward with their experiences, right? And maybe I'm forgetting the exact questions.
[02:39:13]
I don't know if this helps, but at least the contract speaks to the terms restorative justice. So I don't
know if- if restorative justice fits what those concerns are, um, because I'm learning restorative justice
myself. So if you could, that's at least what the contract says. I don't know if that helps what you're
trying to communicate. [LAUGHTER]
[02:39:40]
That's like the reconciliation part, right? Restorative justice.
[02:39:43]
Can be depending- depending on who's in the circle, right?
[02:39:46]
Yeah.
[02:39:47]
So, um, so Wangui when you're thinking of it, what were you imagining would help that focus to
occur?
[02:39:56]
I'm just trying to make sure as a Commissioner I just keep track [02:40:00] of our charge and the
activities therein.
[02:40:05]
Yes.
[02:40:05]
Because just to- just so that for myself, I don't get lost in a rabbit hole and lose track of a rabbit- of the
rabbit.
[02:40:17]
Yeah.
[02:40:17]
So yeah. And especially just because for the fact finding that language is kept for truth telling, that
language is kept. But then now I just get sucks strategic doing, which are pieces of reconciliation. But
somewhere along the line, I don't know where I lost reconciliation, so every time I want to stay
connected to the three charges as a commissioner. So that's what I'm trying to do here.
[02:40:57]
I appreciate that.
[02:40:58]
Yeah.
[02:40:59]
Um, good.
[02:41:00] [02:41:06]
So we will talk with them about that concern, bringing that in, and I- I will bring that to our meeting
tomorrow. All the facilitators meet. And it's- it's as someone else said, circles were seen as a- a
process that could be part of reconciliation. But- but it's- but if- but I take your point about [inaudible
02:41:35] [OVERLAPPING]
[02:41:35]
Publication going to go to the community members who come in or that piece.
[02:41:43]
It- it can be designed anyway, right?
[02:41:45]
Or will they just be attending a circle, or have attended a circle?
[02:41:52]
I do- I don't know what they have. [OVERLAPPING]
[02:41:53]
I can chime in.
[02:41:54]
Pardon?
[02:41:57]
Um, I just want to chime in and say I- I agree wi- with what Commissioner [02:42:00] Wangui is
saying, I think it is very important that everything that we do is tied very closely to the charges. And if
it's not clear, then maybe we need to look a little further at that. So I just want to just chime in on
that.
[02:42:14]
Perfect. So thank you. So what I'll say is that Vee and the three native partners, and we will talk. And
we will make sure that that is- that that is the focus and the opportunity. I won't say outcome
because people choose, right? But I will say the opportunity that is there. And definitely, if- if any of
you guys wanna be involved more closely in that conversation, you are totally welcome. So.
[02:42:57]
Are [02:43:00] you feeling better about that?
[02:43:04]
It's clear now.
[02:43:07]
Okay.
[02:43:17]
I think if there- is there anything else on the circles, are we done?
[02:43:23]
I'm done.
[02:43:24]
Okay.
[02:43:25]
Thank you.
[02:43:28]
And let's go on and move on to this.
[02:43:32]
Is public comment allowed at this stage?
[02:43:35]
I'm sorry.
[02:43:36]
Is public comment allowed and anything from the public?
[02:43:41]
On the circles? I guess I missed at the beginning. If you have a comment.
[02:43:47]
Yes.
[02:43:49]
Go ahead.
[02:43:50]
Absolutely.
[02:43:50]
That um-hmm.
[02:43:52]
This?
[02:43:52]
Yeah.
[02:43:52]
Okay. So I've been holding back for a little bit because some of the comments we've been having
were inter motion events and I could not come in, [02:44:00] and that's gone, but you've made your
motion. And I thought maybe my input would have helped in some way or another. But I think this is a
good opportunity now. I just want to tell you this from my experience, I'm talking from somebody from
the community. I'm not a Commissioner. There are not very many of us here. I want to tell you that all
these three stages we're talking about, they're not parts of bicycles. These things come together. It's
a whole process. Sometimes the first time you touched the bicycle you started maybe building
something like an architect. In itself it might be involving truth telling, it might also be involving
reconciliation. And I will tell you a story. The first time I came in here, when I talked in this place, I
think I talked about some issues I've had as somebody who works at night. That day, Redmond
offered me help and support in a great way. I felt good [02:45:00] just by hearing what I was saying.
That process was a reconciliation to me because I told him the truth. And you guys, with- most of the
meetings I've been in have been presenting maybe some experiences not only mine but other
experience of people in the community. So anytime it could be an individual, it could be two people,
three people. Anytime they're talking about something, do not cut them into parts. This is this this is
this with the rubric, we're going to do the puzzle. It is not a puzzle, it is a process. And- and I think the
guys- who came up with it, I don't know, who came up with the whole mandate saw it that way. So
let's not break that. So let's come to the talking circles. It gives us opport- opportunity to heal. I've
talked about expressing this the other day when I was in a meeting with the Commissioner Cliff in a
group, he told me something that helped me. Maybe I was not aware [02:46:00] of it. He told me
those experiences are not good. I felt good because I felt like a fellow human being. Felt that maybe
some things I've experienced something that somebody else has experienced. It's not good. It should
not happen. That is a form of healing. I don't expect an injection. I don't expect $20 to be given by
somebody who has harmed me. And if- so these things are not that tangible they are not that- I've
always told you this is a very, very difficult process. What we are eng- engaged in here, very difficult.
It is not a one target commission problem. We are looking at very very complex systematic things
that sometimes takes bits and bits. So if you are not very careful, some are not going to be healed.
But let me tell you the- what we are doing is a great. So let's just put them together. Be very hopeful
that these parts are healing. The circles are going to be very helpful. It's going to give some people
opportunity. Maybe are there from [02:47:00] our ethnic groups, different ethnic groups to them, they
will feel good and it might not touch the restoration part that we're looking for, but you never know it
touches somebody, I go there like I've told you, I felt good from what Cliff told me from Tl, and what
others have felt that empathy. Much of the healing you're going to have from these things are going
to be in the form of empathy. The other ones will take years, I'll be dead. My grandchildren probably
are going to benefit from them, maybe when they make policy changes and other things. What I can
get right now, actually what most of us are gonna get, who have just a few [NOISE] years ago, are
issues of empathy, education, and learning. I die- I died, but I felt that what I expressed to the
community is going to make a difference to the others. So let's not really hang on the- the big parts,
okay? I wanna see the tangible, they're gonna be there. And so that's what I want to ex- express with,
thanks guys.
[02:47:56]
Thank you.
[02:47:56]
Thank you.
[02:48:00] [02:48:03]
Okay. Nothing else. We can go to the next agenda item to telling training sessions. And first I will
open it up to the public if they have any comments on this agenda item. Anybody online? Okay.
[02:48:26]
I don't know who was going to.
[02:48:29]
I'm not sure either, but the dates are on the- on the agenda and the space that's been reserved is the
per usual, the assembly room at the scene. And it's 5:00-9:00 each night.
[02:48:43]
Do we have a place?
[02:48:47]
Yeah.
[02:48:48]
Is there a location set for the 25th and 26?
[02:48:55]
The Senior Center. And I believe I sent out [02:49:00] uh, the invites.
[02:49:02]
Yeah.
[02:49:03]
Yeah. So that has the date on it too. Yeah. Date and location and time. But that's all I know.
[02:49:16]
There's always that place with that activist on the wall, named Muhammad Ali, who fought for
people's rights. [LAUGHTER] As a fighter, whenever there's a fighter out there, people fight for the
right of the people and they stand up for them and sometimes it smells a little bit, but it usually
smells like some cleaning [LAUGHTER] and getting the job done. So just- just saying that,
[02:49:39]
their is- their is another place out there.
[02:49:40]
I don't mind- I don't mind doing any training there. I'm cool with that.
[02:49:44]
Whatever we need, there's always a place for us to fight back against oppression and things along
those lines because fighters is what we're supposed to be and that's who we are. So just- just saying
we- we got a place out there if need be.
[02:50:00] [02:50:01]
We're at the Senior Center for the 25th and 26. [LAUGHTER]
[02:50:05]
Cheers the day.
[02:50:06]
Not to say anything about-
[02:50:07]
Okay. We have to have the next [OVERLAPPING] The next of- the next thing has to happen at his gym.
[02:50:13]
We have to have something legit.
[02:50:16]
Who- do we know who else is going to be attending?
[02:50:20]
I don't know, man. I- I got so many things going on like I- yeah.
[02:50:28]
Let's see. When- when the invite, I- I have Chad, Commissioner Simmons, Commissioner Merritt, uh,
Commissioner Krebs, Commissioner Sikowis. One- so those are the RSVPs I have.
[02:50:45]
So you did RSVP?
[02:50:47]
Oh, I did. I mean, I don't know if I can come though. I mean I- yeah, because I have conflict. Isn't that
the plan?
[02:50:51]
So on the 26th, I, um, I think okay,-
[02:50:56]
Oh, you have your class.
[02:50:57]
-sent you an email, hopefully. Yeah, I have class [02:51:00] um, till 6:45, but then I could come after.
[02:51:03]
Are we talking both days, 25 and 26?
[02:51:13]
Yes.
[02:51:13]
Yeah. From 5:00-9:00.
[02:51:17]
Yeah.
[02:51:17]
Can we order pizzas for meetings this long?
[02:51:20]
Stefanie, can I ask you with a- I don't even know whether you'd have that answer. You said you only
have RSVP from Commissioner Simmons?
[02:51:30]
No. From- it was Simmons. Let's see here. Caps.
[02:51:40]
Anyway, what I'm trying to get to is if I haven't sent a yes, I have meant to.
[02:51:48]
Okay. Yeah, I think I have one that I will give to you.
[02:51:49]
But sometimes I don't know whether it's my computer or something.
[02:51:53]
That's fine.
[02:51:53]
But sometimes it refuses to do that. So like for this meeting, I had to send you a separate email.
[02:51:59]
That's fine. Yeah.
[02:52:00]
Yeah. Yeah.
[02:52:00]
Okay. Thank you for letting me know.
[02:52:01]
Yeah. Thank you.
[02:52:05]
My response for 25th and 26, I'm available. So I'll make it. I'll make the availability.
[02:52:12]
You all heard it. [LAUGHTER]
[02:52:17]
And- and I responded yes as well so-
[02:52:20]
It must be different systems. It doesn't always come through. Thank you.
[02:52:27]
Okay.
[02:52:29]
May I ask a question?
[02:52:30]
Does anybody else usually have a problem with RSVP? I usually do on my devices. It's not just one.
So- and I'm sorry, I always- sometimes you have to text me. But now that I've learned that thing
doesn't load or it loads later or whatever, I've learned and I've started to either text you that I'll be
there before you ask, or like for this meeting as I've said, uh, email Stefanie directly letting her know
it's [02:53:00] a yes. But I wish I could- it could be easy for me to just click there. Yeah.
[02:53:05]
Yeah.
[02:53:07]
I'll be honest. The- the fastest, easiest way to get me is through text. If you text me I can get back to
you like that. But I'm very busy. I have a lot going on.
[02:53:16]
We won't mention that I text you and you didn't respond back.
[02:53:19]
That's all I said. That- I said the easiest- I said the easiest, I didn't say it was absolute. [LAUGHTER]
Absolute.
[02:53:26]
Annie, you- you had a question?
[02:53:28]
Yeah, I'm wondering, um, I'm wondering if you guys would consider having this video taped.
[02:53:34]
Sure.
[02:53:35]
Like these- these guys are from- are bringing us experiences from all over the world. Definitely, you
guys are going to be creating your own process. But it might be a really- a really good resource to
have for the years of the TRC members to come, to be able to look back on this as well as the
experiences you guys have created here. So I- I think it's worth considering.
[02:54:00]
Are you talking about the circles?
[02:54:02]
No, I'm talking- actually the truth telling.
[02:54:05]
Telling training?
[02:54:06]
Yeah. And- and you could consider the circle training too but building kind of your resources.
[02:54:12]
I mean, considering the number
[02:54:14]
of- considering the number of commissioners that are going to be there would that have to be sort of
like unofficial?
[02:54:20]
Well, I mean, it kind- whether it's recorded or like it kind of depends on, you know, what they're doing.
If they're breaking people up into like six different groups, you know, [OVERLAPPING] that's just not
really, I mean, there is- you're not going to be able to get much there. Uh, but if it's more of a
presentation, classroom style, then yeah, it's- it's easy to- to get that recorded.
[02:54:43]
Okay. So maybe if we can get details how the format is going to be and if- and ask them if- if it is
format that- because the camera is going to be stationary so if it's- if it's going to work then we can
probably work on getting it done.
[02:54:59]
Great. So [02:55:00] we can be talking tomorrow with them?
[02:55:02]
Yeah.
[02:55:02]
That'd be great.
[02:55:03]
Okay.
[02:55:03]
Will do.
[02:55:04]
Thank you.
[02:55:09]
In- in the circles, I guess in my opinion I wouldn't- I don't think those should be recorded. That's just
my personal opinion. But, you know, I can get some pretty deep conversations going in those and I,
you know, I don't- I don't know if that's something that [OVERLAPPING]
[02:55:26]
Yeah. Particularly with members of the public, we want them to feel safe in everything.
[02:55:32]
Okay.
[02:55:39]
And I think we can move on to the next agenda item. Strategic doing update. Are there any members
of the public that have comments on this agenda item? Then I think [OVERLAPPING]
[02:55:57]
Yeah, we fixed all right.
[02:55:59]
Oh, there's a- oh, there's a handout [02:56:00] too in the packet.
[02:56:01]
Yeah, I'll- I'll -I'll get to that in a minute. It was really a strategic doing update for the groups that met.
So all the groups should have met at this point. And so I just wanted to give commissioners an
opportunity to update about their group, um, but I don't know if folks are prepared to do that tonight
and it's 10 o'clock [LAUGHTER] so, um, I realize it's a bit late in the hour. Uh, we can certainly, you
know, do the update next, uh, meeting as well. [NOISE] Um, maybe just- just wanting to get updates
that's all, from those groups that met. Um, so I guess I'll just move on to the- the Spanish speaking
ones. Those are the ones that are in your packet. And, um, as you can see, there were two
opportunities that were created. Um, one was really around the, uh, empowering communities on
their labor rights. And this was an issue, um, that you can see several individuals. And I'll just note too
that a lot of these individuals I've worked with before are really, [02:57:00] um, you know, they're real
community leaders and so I was excited to see them here present. Um, so they've identified, you'll
see, characteristics and then KPI or key performance indicators. Um, I know, I had to ask what that
was actually. [LAUGHTER] Uh, their next meeting is on October 19th. They have some guideposts that
they've identified, um, and it looks like they're going to be doing like workshops, um, and trainings,
working with, um, other folks that are working in labor and specifically in Spanish. So I'm so- sure
they'll be working with CWJ, but I think that there's always more work that can be done in the
community around labor rights. So those were the- that was one that they identified. And then the
other one, um, on the second page is the, um, creating a physical space for community members of
color and oppressed communities to create community with each other, have their voices be heard,
and provide opportunities to immerse themselves in their cultures and shared values. Um, so I did
[02:58:00] talk to one of the folks that was a part of this commu- this, um, Pathfinder Project and, um,
she was like euphoric. [LAUGHTER] She was just like, this is everything I've ever wanted. Is like a
community cultural center. Um, and so I think this team that you see here, how many people are in
this group, um, they're really excited and, um, they have some guideposts and dates. Their meeting
is also that same night, um, on the- on the 19th. And so, um, you can kind of see for yourself like what
they looking for.
[02:58:33]
[OVERLAPPING]
[02:58:34]
Which 19th?
[02:58:35]
October.
[02:58:35]
Okay. [LAUGHTER] Each one of them has it.
[02:58:38]
Yeah- yeah. They're both listed actually on the- in red like at the bottom of each page, but that one's
on the backside. So, um, I think that the- what's exciting about it is that obviously it's a community
space that can be created by- BIPOC people and to have your culture there and to be present. And,
um, I know that- that the [02:59:00] city has talked about, you know, how can we be more inclusive us
as the county. Um, and I know that there's a lot of, you know, talk and so it is- it is really, um, I guess,
moving to have it come from specific community, you know, groups and so hopefully this will kind of
push forward and, um, they'll be giving updates as well. Um, I know there was also a desire to get to
know folks from these groups and so still trying to work on what that would look like. Um, I- I feel like
last time I was here there wasn't really, or there was just questions about having them come here. It
sounded like folks were really more interested in like maybe a more social event or like more like
outside of City Hall, so still kind of working on those details, like what they would feel comfortable
with. Um, but I'll- I'll report back on maybe some possibilities. But, um, that's my update. And then
maybe [03:00:00] next time we can just get an update from each of the groups. I know it's late and,
um, I didn't actually write that in the agenda, so I apologize for that to be more specific. Thank you.
[03:00:17]
Okay. Then I think that- go on to the announcements staff and commissioners.
[03:00:26]
I have an announcement. Um, this upcoming Monday, October 9th, is, uh, Indigenous People's Day
and, uh, if you go to the Parks and Recreation Department website, or no Facebook page-
[OVERLAPPING]
[03:00:46]
- you can also go to the city calendar too.
[03:00:48]
Oh, go to the city calendar. Okay. You can go to the city- city calendar or you can go on Great Plains
Action Society's Facebook page, um, or Instagram and find information, uh, under events [03:01:00]
and, um, to get the information, but there- there'll be, uh, this first time ever that the city has worked
with indigenous peoples, uh, to do an Indigenous People's Day event so it's kind of a big deal. Um,
and it's being, uh, carried out by Parks and Rec, and Human Rights Commission, and Office of- Office
of Human Rights. Yeah. And then, um, and Great Plains Action Society. And so, uh, please, uh, try to
make it if you can because it's the first time ever and we could really use the support. Indigenous
peoples have never gotten this kind of support [LAUGHTER] before from the city, so it's a really big
deal. There's going to be lots of, uh, good stuff happening. We're going to have, um, the Musquaki
Nation's, uh, singers, uh, come and drum and sing. Um, Regina Tsosie, who is Dine from the Navajo
Nation is going to, uh, also come and, uh, play a guitar and- and- and her hand [03:02:00] drum. Uh,
she's from the Quad Cities. She's, uh, one of the founders of the Native American Coalition of the
Quad Cities. Um, there's going to be a lot of booze there, um, and there's going to be a lot of like, you
know, swag to hang- hand out. Um, and I think there's even like a free gift from, uh, Douglotsie, the
local like, uh, native-owned jewelry store here. And then there'll be free food for the first hundred
people, um, from South Side Street Foods, um, like fry bread, tacos, uh, and like sweet versions of
that. Um, and, well, there's even going to be an Atlatl presentation by the archaeology department,
which is really exciting because I love the Atlatl. My son's really good at it. And [LAUGHTER], um, oh
my goodness, I can't- I think there's- yeah, it's just going to be a really fun time. So, uh, I think it
starts at 5:30. [OVERLAPPING]
[03:02:54]
Five.
[03:02:56]
Five- five o'clock, um, on- on Monday [03:03:00] at, uh, Terry Trueblood. Did I- did I put everything in
there?
[03:03:05]
Yeah.
[03:03:06]
Yeah?
[03:03:06]
Yeah.
[03:03:06]
Okay.
[03:03:06]
And it goes 5:00 to 7:30.
[03:03:08]
Yeah, 5:00 to 7:30. Weather's going to be 60-ish, I was told. So anyways, that's it.
[03:03:20]
Uh, tomorrow, uh, is the- yeah, it's tomorrow. Tomorrow's the homecoming parade. That's pretty
awesome, with the University. Uh, I would hope that next year we can have something with the TRC
in that parade. Uh, I think that would be a great idea. Uh, that's a time when you're going to see the
entire city, and, uh, I just think that's a missed opportunity that we don't have anything in there right
now. Uh, when it comes down to the 28th, on the 28th in- at our court boxing, we're having another
tournament out there where you have an extremely diverse group of people all over the place from all
over coming together towards, uh, [03:04:00] one thing, and that's boxing. And, uh, that'll be on
October 28th at 3:00 PM. Uh, that's all I have for right now.
[03:04:15]
Nobody else? I ask for a motion to adjourn.
[03:04:20]
Second.