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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRC Transcript - September 19, 2024[00:00:00] [00:00:06] [MUSIC] It's 705 if we could get roll call. [00:00:09] Commissioner Dillard. [00:00:11] Here. [00:00:11] Commissioner Gathua? [00:00:12] Here. [00:00:14] Commissioner Kiche? [00:00:15] Here. [00:00:16] Commissioner Mohamed? [00:00:19] Here. [00:00:20] Commissioner Simmons? [00:00:23] Here. [00:00:24] And Commissioner Tassinary? [00:00:25] Here. [00:00:28] Thank you. Okay, um, so, uh, I'm going to read the Native American Land Acknowledgments, and it reads, we meet today in the community of Iowa City which now occupies the homelands of the Native American nations to whom we owe our commitment and dedication. The area of Iowa City was within the homelands of Iowa, Muskoki, and Sock. And because history is complex and time goes far back beyond memory, we also acknowledge the ancient connections of many other indigenous [00:01:00] peoples here. The history of broken treaties and forced removal that dispossess indigenous peoples of their homelands was and is an act of colonization 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. Um, next, we'll move to public comment of items not on the agenda, and, um, only persons in the room. So if there's anyone that would like to make any public comments, please come to the podium. Great. Next, we'll move onto agenda item number 4, approval of the minutes from September 5. [00:01:40] I move. [00:01:41] Is there a second? [00:01:42] Second. [00:01:44] Thank you. [00:01:44] Okay. It's been properly moved and seconded to approve the meeting minutes from September 5th, 2024. All those in favor say, aye. [00:01:52] Aye. [00:01:52] Aye. [00:01:53] Aye. [00:01:53] Any opposed? Chad, I don't know. Somebody just said [00:02:00] something. [00:02:03] Aye. [00:02:03] Okay. [00:02:05] Thank you. [00:02:05] So motion is approved 6: 0. [00:02:09] Thank you. Next, we'll move to, um, a presentation, um, Agenda number 5 by Resilient Sustainable Future Iowa City. I would like to welcome them to the podium. [00:02:23] Hi, everyone. Uh, good evening. My name is Sarah Haroun. Um, I'm happy to be, uh, one of, um, have this moment, uh, to talk about what, uh, my role in the community and also my position as project manager at Resilient Sustainable Future, uh, recently. Before that- before, uh, this position, um, community outreach, uh, in Sudanese American in [00:03:00] Iowa City. And also, I'm a member of Wonderful Website. Uh, and I'm so, um, glad to have this opportunity to, uh, work in my community and try to empower women's, especial and all the immigrants in Iowa City. And having the roles at Resilient Sustainable Future as project manager, uh, give me also opportunity to work with all- all American or Iowan residents. It's not just, uh, the Sudanese or just immigrants, but give me opportunity to work with- with everyone. At, uh, Resilient Sustainable Future, we help actually, uh, through Neighbors to Neighbors Grant, we help many [00:04:00] community or neighborhoods, uh, around Iowa City. Uh, we work with a film scene, and recently, we have more than 11 story of narrative of Iowa City. We just- we're trying to bring people together, neighbor together, to work together, uh, empower people, uh, for positive, ah, trying to just let people to be sustained. And, um, independent and all this kind of, like, good story, you can see it at the film scene and also, you can reach us at Resilient Sustainable in Iowa City if you want kind of, like, to learn more about, ah, what we're doing in a community. And we love actually to work [00:05:00] with other community, to partner with them and help each other to empower with other, uh, community, I mean, with the people love to work together. I'm just kind of, like, mumbling here. I'm so glad to have this opportunity actually to bring this. Um, I love to talk about Resilient Sustainable Future and also lo- love to talk about what I'm doing because this is something that is, like, really, uh, important to me; working with the community, trying to empower women, trying to empower immigrants, to get the citizenship, to learn ac- actually to just kind of, like, work with a lot of as- as immigrants, we have a lot of barriers, especially the English or the language. Uh, we having more than one, [00:06:00] uh, or it's kind of, like, a different area, citizenship classes and also English classes at the Wonderful West site. And also, now we're working to try to have the same idea. We have it or the same program, we have it at the Wonderful West site, we're trying to do it, ah, um, um, open hotline. I know they have also their own, but also we just kind of, like, trying to have those kind of, like, a package of, ah, activities. People they can get the advantage or the immigrants, they can get advantage to, uh, learn or to just kind of, like, being empower other people. And also, uh, we have it at Center for Worker Justice. They- already have as- English classes, but as, you know, we struggle to have kind of, like, sustain those classes because with the need with the funding, [00:07:00] we just kind of like as, uh, ah, Resilient Sustainable, we're trying to work with those kind of, uh, of organization just to help them, to empower them to see what is the resources around Iowa City just to- yeah. We're doing actually a lot and also as individual as Sarah Haroun, I'm- I working with women trying to give them or to train them, they can have, uh, they can have their own income through My Compassion Care LLC agency is just I have this recently just to hire those women they're in need. And my experience as a caregiver for 10 years [00:08:00] is just, um, I- I'm always have- have opportunity to learn what we have as a resources. And I'm also, I want to give in a passage to the other women, to the other family because I believe in a women, um, if they have a really good income, stable life, they able to raise their children and to take care of their family. Through Compassion Care, um, this summer, I hire more than seven. I know it's not a big, uh, but I'm just kind of, like, it's not a big- it's not a big number, but in the future, I dream to kind of, like, to- to add, like every time, like, a big number and [00:09:00] hire more women they need. I know there is a big need. I train them and I get them job. And also try to- it's not just through the Compassion Care, also through agency in Iowa City. They're looking for people to work, I try to connecting with them, uh, to get them a job. And I'm just feel I'm so proud of myself, so proud of what I'm doing and I hope just to get it bigger and bigger and see a lot of women, uh, have jo- having this job and to help themselves to kind of, like, sustain income. Um, I'm still actually working and I'm trying my best to- to- to empower other people to do the same. I'm not looking for the [00:10:00] quantity, but it's kind of, like, my goal is the quality of what I'm doing, what we have. Yeah. This is why I'm here today, and I'm just- I hope I can get support and also empower from you to just keeping going and everyone can do what they can do in their role and their field. Thank you so much. Thank you. [00:10:30] Thank you. [00:10:30] Thank you. [00:10:32] Sarah, can you spell your last name for me? [00:10:34] Thank you. [00:10:35] Sarah, Haroun. My last name is H-A-R-O-U-N. [00:10:39] And do you mind just some people might have some questions. [00:10:43] Okay. [00:10:43] Yeah, so thank you so much for joining us. I know- and I want to thank our commissioner here for making this happen. Did you have anything you wanted to start off with at all? [00:10:54] Sarah, I just want to thank you. And also- and [00:11:00] I know I got to know about Rasfik. I'm using the short version of that your long name. And also about your staffing agent- agency. Thank you for visiting our office for a meet and great and our office Nisaa African family services. That's how I came to know about those two pieces of work that you're doing in the community. And thank you my fellow commissioners for, uh, for- and Stefanie for making this happen because I felt it really resonates with what the TRC is doing in our city and the Greater Iowa City; empowerment and- and racial- racial justice in our neighborhoods, [00:12:00] especially what Resf- Resfic is doing in- it's really, to me, it really goes to our work of reconciliation. Having us and our neighbors get together, and I'm talking this excitedly because I've experienced that. I've attended a lot of the get togethers, and- and got to know other people who are in Iowa City and brainstormed, uh, which makes me excited because even after we are done with the TRC, those are some of the things we want to- we want to see happening; people getting together. And then again, I'm also hyper excited about you being an employer. So- and this is where we would want our city to be, to continue growing in that area and helping our- others empower themselves. And [00:13:00] also talking, uh, as the coordinator of Nisaa African Family Services, where we serve survivors of- of violences and whose mission is to eradicate violence in our communities. We- we benefit from the work that you do because one of the things we help the survivors or victims of violence is to empower themselves through being employed. And so knowing one more employer in my community, that is exciting because even if you don't have a job for somebody who is trying to make sure they don't stay in violence because they don't have a job, we brainstorm, and we brainstorm on this, on what more we can do. And then the other thing that makes me excited is knowing that now we [00:14:00] have added to where because Nisaa being funded by the state and by theVAWA- by VAWA, we don't get money for food if we have an event. And it- it is proven that people getting together around food, and thank you for the free food I get whenever I come to any of your meetings, that I can get a grant of $500 towards food. That's huge. So expect me for next month. It's domestic violence awareness month. So I'll be knocking on your door and filling that application to ask for some money to hold some potluck as we- because we also outreach in our community and talk about the violences that we do ha- that happens. So thank you. I could go on and on. I have a lot of- always have a lot of words coming out of me. So let me stop there, [00:15:00] Sarah. And actually, really, what I was saying is thank you for your presentation tonight. [00:15:05] Please do, thank you. You're welcome. [00:15:07] Yeah. [00:15:10] Anyone else have anything? [00:15:11] Yes. [00:15:15] Thank you very much Sarah for coming and, uh, for your engagement in the community in a very fruitful, productive manner, an area that is usually very difficult for the Bipok people. Especially the area that you are- you have ventured into, is very- very hard. Issues of licensing, issues of trust are always problematic. I just wanted to ask a short question, maybe one or two. Have you faced some challenges that have inhibited your work in the community, ranging from financial to social, any form that you believe might need [00:16:00] some walk? [00:16:01] Yes, of course- yes, of course. Uh, there is a lot of challenge, and there is a lot of, uh, struggle. But I just determined to, um, look forward and to keep my goal in my face, and this is why I'm here right now. I feel like, um, with the struggle with all the challenge also there is other bright sight and they gave me hope and opportunities. And one of- one of the, like I said, um, neighborhood Center, special the one at the wonderful west side. They are really support me and my community, [00:17:00] and this is one of make me like empower me. Make me very strong to just keep forward and also resilient sustainable future. I have those two sides. They are really actually help me and guide me. And from here, I love to also this is, I cannot miss the mission of resilience sustainable future. Uh, the mission, uh, hey trying to shift the culture of Iowa City by demonstrating appealing and sustainable example for resilient culture. This is what- what kind of, like, my dream all the time, [00:18:00] before I know them, before being in my sight. I'm always actually thinking about this. Then, as I said, the arcs kind of, like, guide me to key forward. Yep. I hope I answer your questions. [00:18:16] Yes. Thank you very much. That's very-. [00:18:18] You're welcome. [00:18:19] Very interesting. And my last question is an area that we as the commission, we care very much. It is our third mandate and it touches on issues of reconciliation. Neighborhoods working together. Minimizing differences, cultural, economic, and all health inequalities, everything that I think areas you're working on. I don't know. Maybe you have not been in this environment for a long time, but your organization. Uh, is there something that you've come across that would help us as a commission, an example, a template [00:19:00] that you've learned from the neighbors, because you're making neighbors work together, come together in form of social events? Is there something that you've evaluated and found to be very useful, something we can replicate? [00:19:16] I worked for a long time, by the way. Yes, Resilient Sustainable has just came recently, but I was there in a community for a long time. Since I moved to Iowa City 2016, work in my community, work with neighbor, and just Resilient Sustainable give me a power and more opportunity and more resources. What we're working right now in neighbor to neighbor, neighbors to neighborhood grant, and this is small grant, but also kind of bring people together, bring neighbors together, to work together, empower them. Uh, we can give support by money and time and space. Those three [00:20:00] things we can support with. Uh, let people to come together and work together. I hope I answer your question. [00:20:07] Yeah- yeah. Thank you very much. [00:20:09] You're welcome. [00:20:10] Chair, can I tag on that? [00:20:12] Yeah. [00:20:12] I just want to add to Sarah's answer when she talked of space, and when Commissioner Amos there asking Sarah, what she has learned, and what we can also learn as a commissioner in relation to space. Commissioners, my fellow commissioners, if you haven't already, if you're able to, please visit, uh, Resfix building, not the outside. [00:20:38] Please. [00:20:38] The inside. Because when we talk about space and we talk about healing, remember, it's also part of what we do and reconciliation. The physical space itself to me, and I'm saying this professionally as somebody who trains counselors, it is healing. It is a very healing space. [00:21:00] I'm thinking, whatever we are doing and even when we are making our recommendations, that should also go with that in our series whenever we're going, especially into these difficult conversations, because like last week, the dinner Rasfik had, one of the- the- what we were talking about is really resonates with the TRC. Having continuing despite conflicts, I'm paraphrasing. So yes, in our city, in our county, I mean, we're human beings, so we can never say that we will never have conflicts, but continuing with our neighbors and our city and our county, even as we have those conflicts. So back to what I am really saying, as we do that, it's something we can replicate. Can we have these conversations in healing [00:22:00] physical spaces, so- and for that, you'd, if you can, go in person to that building and just check for yourself whether what I feel is what you would also feel and want to and recommend even to the city as we have- as into the future, as these conversations are being heard to make sure that the physical space is also healing, and we have for me a good blueprint. Thank you. [00:22:30] Thank you very much. I'll make an attempt to reach the place and have an experience myself. [00:22:35] Thank you, Wangui. [00:22:38] I'd like to thank you again, and, uh, I would also love for us to, um, find time outside of our meetings to meet with you and your team and just talk about how the TRC and Rasfik can work together, especially since, um, I mean, just talk about it, especially since we are approaching the deadline for our- our commission and how maybe explore ways that it can live on. [00:23:00] This is what we're looking for. Thank you so much. We would make it happen. [00:23:07] Great, so we'll be in contact afterwards. I'm just trying to say Lubna. [00:23:14] Hey Sarah? How are you? [00:23:15] I'm alright, how are you? I'm so glad to to meet you today. [00:23:21] Thank you. [00:23:22] Thank you very much. We will open up for, uh, public comments unless there's anything additional that fellow commissioners would like to add to this piece. Okay, is there anyone online, Stefanie? [00:23:41] I mean not that has their hand up. [00:23:43] You'd like to say anything. Please raise your hand. Otherwise, we're going to move on to, uh, step- step. I'm sorry, Agenda item Number 6, upcoming actions for Phases 3 and 4. Uh, I'd like to start off and thank Stefanie for putting out the press release, [00:24:00] um, request for meeting, uh, to the community. I've heard people, um, reach out about that. [NOISE] And I wanted to just ask if you've heard any response from that. [00:24:18] Yeah. It looks, um, like the best times or the times that people preferred were Sunday after four or a Saturday between 11 and 12. [00:24:33] It looks like people are wanting weekends for us to do something. Uh, so I think the next step is just for us to set those dates and, um, have four or less of us committed, uh, to be at these meetings. Should we do that now? Decide? [00:24:53] [inaudible 00:24:53]. [00:24:58] Probably in October, [00:25:00] to give us a little bit more time. Does that make sense? [00:25:03] Yeah, I think that makes good sense. [00:25:05] Thank you so much for coming. [00:25:09] Thank you. [00:25:10] You said a Saturday, between what time again? [00:25:14] 11:00-12:00. [00:25:15] 11:00-12:00, and then Sunday after four. [00:25:17] After 4:00. [00:25:19] First question, do we want to do, uh, the dates in the same weekend, or do we want to do them in a different weekend? That would be a Saturday 11:00 or 12:00 or a Sunday after 4:00. [00:25:41] Do you want the vote now? [00:25:43] The results from our request to see what most people would like to do, uh, for the meeting times that we put together last week or two weeks ago, um, is a Saturday between 11:00 and 12:00 or a Sunday after [00:26:00] Right now we just need to decide what day of in the month of October would be best. I will say that I am more available the last two weekends of October than the first two weekends. But if there is a majority that would like to do it the first two weekends, I will just have to make it to another one. [00:26:25] I'm out of town the weekend of the 19th, but other than that, I'm available. [00:26:29] Okay. [00:26:31] And I also, I was thinking that to make it more open to more people, maybe we should do one weekend to Saturday and another weekend of Sunday. [00:26:39] Okay, so two weekends but what? Alternating. Does anyone have preference for which Saturday of October, it is October 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th? [00:26:55] Any Saturday works with me. [00:26:57] Any Saturday works for Lubna? [00:27:00] What about you? [00:27:03] Any Saturday will work for me. [00:27:07] Chad, please go ahead, Commissioner Simmons. I do understand if none of these dates or times work for people. We just need one or two representation- representatives. Chad, if you're talking, you were muted, and we can't hear you. If you're talking, we still can't hear you, but it seems like you're unmuted. [00:27:42] Which-, of those Saturdays have football game? [00:27:46] Um, that's a great question. Thank you for bringing that up. Um, does anyone have access to the football game weekends? Readily available? I'm not always following that schedule. [00:28:00] [00:28:07] I think, yeah. You just let me know which, um, what dates you're looking at? [00:28:21] Um, in October, on the Saturdays that are available in October. Um, that do not have a home game. My phone is not working, so. [00:28:37] [inaudible 00:28:37]. [00:28:46] It looks like - got a home game. [00:28:48] When Iowa's on top. [00:28:52] That's November 2nd, so Northwestern. They have a home game on the 26, which I believe is probably homecoming. Um, [00:29:00] and then they have a home game on October 12. [00:29:10] The fifth and the 19th. I've already said that I'm not available on the fifth, and I know that Commissioner Tassinary is not available on the 19th, uh, so we'll let the two of you or the rest of you decide the fifth or the 19th, which dates sooner or later, would we prefer? For me, either works. [00:29:37] Commissioner Simmons, did you still have your hand raised? [00:29:45] And you're muted. [00:29:46] Um, so it seems like everyone all of it works. If you all would like to do it sooner, I would suggest doing it on the fifth, even though I can't be there so that we can, you know, [00:30:00] go with- do it as soon as possible, so if there's no one opposed, I'm going to go ahead and say, we'll do October 5, which is a Saturday from 11:00-12:00, and then. [00:30:12] Lets do with 19th. [00:30:14] Yes, and then- well, the 20th, I guess. What October- let's do October 20, let's just do four o'clock. So we'll give people two weeks in between those. If there's any opposed, please let me know now. Great, it looks like we have two dates, and it seems like we'll have enough representation, uh, for these two meetings. Uh, just a brief overview of what we discussed last time. We wanted to give people a space to just talk about how we can move forward, um, as a commission in the community, learn more about what people want to see more of, um, especially from, um, our mission, [00:31:00] um, in racial justice and just give us more opportunities to talk about things. Um, next steps would just be sitting out those invites. Um, I know the October 5 is two and half weeks and it will be a quick turnaround. It'd be nice to, um, have refreshments and drinks, not maybe a full meal, um, and Stefanie, you'd be able to help us out with that? [00:31:29] Yeah. Who's doing what days, though? [00:31:32] Should we decide that now, or do we, um, so I'll be there on- I'll be there on the 20th. [00:31:39] I'll be there on the fifth. [00:31:46] I'll be there unless something comes up. [00:31:50] On both days, is what you're saying? [00:31:51] Yeah. [00:31:52] Okay. [00:31:53] I'll be there with both these days. [00:31:55] Okay. So we have two people on- right now on [00:32:00] both the days. Lubna, go ahead, Commissioner Mohamed. [00:32:05] Yes, I'm available also unless something happen. [00:32:09] Okay. Great. And if anyone else, um, if your schedule clears up, let us know. I'll be sure to reach out to our other commissioners who cannot make it tonight and let them know of the plans. Um, I'll work with Stefanie to make sure we have food and then I guess we need to figure out a space for both of those places, both of those states. Um, we could go back to the Senior Center, but I think it might be more ideal to go into the community, um, in places that people might be more wanting to come to versus downtown. Yes. Commissioner Mohamed. [00:32:51] What the library? Corral. [00:32:53] The Corral library. Um, we probably should stay in Iowa City since we are a commissioned through the [00:33:00] city of Iowa City, but I like where you're thinking, um, maybe- I- I am suggesting that we avoid downtown. [00:33:11] Was that- [00:33:12] I'm sorry. [00:33:13] You're cutting out. [00:33:15] They have- they have good rooms. [00:33:19] So we could look at the library, but what were you going to say, Stefanie? [00:33:22] You also have the two recreational facilities. I mean, I don't know what's available, but you have Mercer or Robert A. Lee too. [00:33:28] Mercer or Robert. [00:33:29] Which both have very accessible parking. [00:33:34] Awesome. Yes, that's a great idea. [00:33:35] You can just pull up and there's not a- I don't know about Robert A. Lee, but I know at Mercer, there's no charge. And on Sunday, there wouldn't be a charge if you're at Robert A. Lee because the meters don't run on Sundays. [00:33:49] I do like the idea of going to Mercer, um, because of that- that's an area that we haven't been to. [00:33:56] That's a good idea- that's a good idea. [00:33:59] I'll have to check to see [00:34:00] if they have the room availability. [00:34:01] There- I don't know if there MPR or something room. They have a big space in there. Um, and maybe we should go to a different space for the- the other day or- or a different side of town or a part of Iowa City. If we're going to be on the south almost east side, we should probably go to the west side, maybe. [00:34:26] Or City Park. I like Shelter 13 because you can- you can be both outside and inside. [00:34:32] Are you worried about any weather in October, though? [00:34:35] Yeah, that's why [LAUGHTER] I said Shelter 13 because it's really, if it's available, which I know a lot of other people are also thinking of. It's really- you can be indoor, you can have microwaves and all that and all that. [00:34:49] I didn't know there was an indoor part. [00:34:50] There is one. I think I have the number right. I've been there enough times doing events to know. I think it's 13. [00:34:59] That can be an [00:35:00] area. [00:35:01] Yeah. [00:35:06] So do we want to do Mercer Park for October 5th? Give us a little bit more time to figure out the- the 20th of October. [00:35:13] No. [00:35:14] So we can look into that- that park. And if there's any other ideas for the 20th. We can send those- I'm going to send them directly to Stefanie. So we can get on that, but we have a little bit more time with that. Is there anything else that anyone can think that we need besides sending out these selected dates? Last question, Stefanie, you mentioned- I can't remember if you did answer this question, but we're not allowed to do a meeting grate during a one of our meetings, right? [00:35:50] Well, I mean- yeah, I don't- I don't know how you could put that as an agenda item because you don't know what people are going to say, [00:36:00] so they could only speak under the public comments of items not on the agenda, which then means that you guys can't speak. So it just doesn't really work well to do it as part of a formal meeting. [00:36:12] Okay. So there's that answer. Thank you for figuring that out. Any other things that we think we need. This seems like it can be very simple, very easy, a great way to reach out to the community, also show city council that we're doing what we're saying we're going to do. Um, even though days are taking away. [00:36:36] Do we have any thoughts as to how we can or should document what goes on at the meeting green? [00:36:43] That's a good question. How do we want to document? I- I mean, I didn't want to have anything on camera. [00:36:49] Right. [00:36:50] Or recorded that changes all confidentiality. I know that if we take notes, that still is, you know, admissible. [00:37:00] We can make sure that we're letting people know just how- how meeting- meetings work and make sure that they're fully aware that things that are recorded could be put into, um, the public. [00:37:16] I'm wondering if we made a commitment to- to those of us who were there to get together after the event and then just recollect on what we experienced. And writing that down is not a first-person transcript of any sort. That's just our own. So I think that might be another way to make sure we have something to go into the report that we're all in agreement with. [00:37:39] Yes. I think that's a great idea. What does everyone else think? [00:37:43] Who's getting together, Commissioners? [00:37:45] The commiss- just the commissioners, after the event's over, if we just get together for 20 minutes and just recollect on our experiences, and we can record those. And then we can use those for the report. [00:37:58] We can either do that or [00:38:00] do what Lubna and Commissioner Amos, they did when they- they talked to some members of the Sudanese community, they came reported, so it became part of our records. [00:38:14] Right. [00:38:14] Yeah. So either way. Either doing the after that meeting or just bringing it back to our next meeting. [00:38:22] Yeah, I was just suggesting it so we didn't forget. So when it's fresh in everybody's mind to just talk about it. That's all. But either way, will work. [00:38:30] So how- how long do we think the meeting if- I don't think it'll only be an hour, but no more than two hours, probably, depending on how much people want to, you know, talk. [00:38:46] Yeah. [00:38:46] Yeah. Okay. I think that's a great idea. [00:38:52] I think we can also- I have been doing some of the events to collect the demographics, [00:39:00] to put as part of the report. And it surely the city is interested in the evidence of how many people who attended this and who were they? We always have to remember that. [00:39:10] So, um, doing a post-survey would be important, an anonymous post-survey so people can respond would be great. Stefanie, would your team be able to help us put something together if we gave you some ideas for questions on the survey? Thank you. Um, and obviously, if people are very passionate, it would be wonderful if people felt comfortable after talking to us privately, maybe talking publicly in whatever form that we want or helping us move forward with some ideas of what to do next. [00:39:59] And that [00:40:00] has reminded me when you're asking of- about things that we may need. Er, because we are about ratio injustice. And those conversations, sometimes you cannot control on them being a motive and controversial or negative triggering. Really, that's where I'm going with that. So, um, I would be comfortable if we had somebody from the mobile crisis again. Yeah. [00:40:44] I think this is a great idea. I think our former facilitators were more in connection with them. Stefanie, would you have contact with the mobile crisis people? [00:40:55] I can get it figured out. [00:40:57] Okay. I know it was- [00:40:59] For the meeting greets or [00:41:00] for later. [00:41:01] The meeting greets, just in case. Do you have thoughts on that? Okay. [00:41:14] I can offer to reach out because I've always worked with them in the community. [00:41:19] Okay. If you are able to do it then. [00:41:22] And they also offered that in future. They can work with us. [00:41:25] That's right. [00:41:25] With the community. [00:41:27] I believe they're through community. [00:41:29] Mob crisis. [00:41:31] Yeah. I'll- I'll reach out to them because I'll know the locations by then and at least of the one. [00:41:36] Thank you. [00:41:37] Thank you again. [00:41:38] Yeah. [00:41:39] Thank you for remembering that. We want to make sure that people feel safe. Um, do you- can you share with us how many people have responded? [00:41:55] We're at six. [00:41:57] So six people responded, which means that we need to do some advertising. [00:42:00] The October 5th is in two weeks this Saturday, so 16 days, putting together maybe a simple flyer or something and- and trying to reach out to all of our community contacts, um, especially people who just present it to us that can put it out there. It's going to be prey important from all of us, um, to make sure that we have a decent showing. [00:42:35] Is there a possibility of getting something into Little Village? [00:42:39] I mean, I don't know. [00:42:40] I don't either. [00:42:46] Online, possibly, but not print, because Print, I think, is due the 16th of each month. And so- [00:42:52] We're already past that. [00:42:57] I mean, yeah- I mean, we can work [00:43:00] and put things out there. We do have a member from news media in the room with us now, so hopefully that will be put in there as well. [00:43:09] And we'll do the news release in, um, a social media post, so. [00:43:14] Great. Um, word of mouth is also a thing that we just need to put out there as well. Um, are you able to print out fliers that we can pick up- that we can pass out? That'd be great. [00:43:30] And we could also have those fliers on September 28th as we table at the African Festival. So we'll also be able to get what out. [00:43:43] And who's tabling at that event? [00:43:46] I know Commissioner Amos and I will be there. Some we'll agree on the times because it's a really long thing all the way from 12:00 to 9:00 PM. [00:43:57] I'm actually going to be in town next week. I thought I wasn't. So [00:44:00] I'll reach out to you guys and try to see what time I could maybe be there. [00:44:03] Yeah. And we already- Stefanie, thank you for already giving us the swag- the box of TRC swag to have that our table. [00:44:12] That'll be great. Any other things that we're not thinking about or we're missing or concerns, excitement? [00:44:23] I just want to report also that, um, in the process of negotiating a date with the people of Housing, the homeless shelter people, Christine, and Iowa City Housing Coalition Secretary, Jessica. We are trying to get an agreement on a way in which they can present to us on their experiences, what they hear from the- their consumers, and things like that, yeah. I will coordinate with the Commissioner Wangui on [00:45:00] the Hispanic organization. It's hard to pronounce. [00:45:06] Thank you. [00:45:07] But the person is David. Yeah. [00:45:10] Okay. Thank you. [00:45:11] So that they can also join that panel on that day. [00:45:17] That really works with what I was going to add when Commissioner Dillard asked for something else on- yeah, I had a conversation with- he's talking about Catholic Worker House and the same paneling together. [00:45:33] Yeah. [00:45:34] So it's interesting because I also was having a conversation with one of them from the Catholic Worker House. I remember during our last meeting, I was talking about them possibly presenting and they were saying then they would be available to our meeting on October 3rd. [00:45:58] Okay. [00:45:59] Yeah. [00:46:00] They said they were available if we were able to have it on our agenda. Yeah, I don't know whether that's still the same way they want this to go, or they want to hold it someplace for the commissioner to go outside our meeting. I don't know about your conversation. [00:46:16] Yeah, my conversation with them is still about, um, the details of what they're going to talk about and, ah, the date. [00:46:24] Yeah. [00:46:24] Are you talking about a date at one of our sessions here? [00:46:27] Yes. [00:46:28] Okay. [00:46:28] Yeah. So that it is like Sarah came and something like that. I can be on the agenda. Yeah, so that it is really- [00:46:36] It's documented. [00:46:36] Documented, not one of those things that look like informal in a way. [00:46:41] Yeah. [00:46:42] Yes. [00:46:42] Yeah, and the person I was having the conversation with Emily had said they're available on October 3rd. [00:46:51] Okay. [00:46:51] On our agenda. [00:46:54] Are you requesting to put this on the agenda for October 3rd? [00:46:57] For Catholic Worker House presentation. [00:47:00] And the other one you talked about- are you talking about the open shelter or just the Catholic Worker Shelter House? [00:47:05] No, the open shelter. Iowa City open shelter. [00:47:07] If you work together. We all work together those of us who look for shelter. [00:47:12] I don't know if they can- that will be accommodating, but I'll use that the information you just given me that we already have. As willing to do it on that day and use that to push them, twist the arm a little bit if they can also join those people on that day, so that we don't have to. [00:47:30] Just know that we would need to know this by next Friday, the 27th. [00:47:34] But for- for me, I'm reporting from Catholic Worker House to the commission that they are available for our meeting to come and talk- to present on housing and where they're at right now for seeking fend- federal funding on our housing issues in- in our city. [00:47:58] I mean, that's okay with me. [00:47:59] Yeah. [00:48:00] Yeah. [00:48:00] So who would be the- is it open shelter in Catholic Worker House would be presenting? [00:48:05] For me, I'm reporting my conversation with the person with, her name is Emily, I would have to look for her last name. [00:48:11] It was just Catholic Worker House for Commissioner. [00:48:13] Yeah, for that date. [00:48:16] I've not confirmed yet with the open Iowa City shelter down there yet if they- [00:48:22] If they're available. [00:48:23] Yeah, if they're available. [00:48:23] But you're definitely presenting on. [00:48:25] Yeah. [00:48:26] Okay- okay. [00:48:27] She gave me that to report back. [00:48:29] Okay. [00:48:30] Yeah. [00:48:32] Great. Are there any other things that we need- that we would like to talk about for, you know, action steps? [00:48:41] I also wanted to just- just a gentle reminder that I did send an invite from NISA for the commissioners if you would want to come and I'm calling it a meet and greet at our staff meeting tomorrow at 9:30 [00:49:00] and if somebody, yeah, we- that communication was happening on e-mail. [00:49:06] Yes, I did see that. I have a big event on Saturday, so I cannot come. [00:49:09] No, tomorrow, 9:30. [00:49:11] Yeah, cannot come tomorrow. [00:49:12] Okay. [00:49:13] So that's- that's not Zoom anymore? [00:49:15] It's Zoom. [00:49:16] Zoom. [00:49:16] No, it's not in person. [00:49:18] I thought it was in person. [00:49:18] No, Zoom. No. Some of our stuff are in Des Moines. [00:49:23] Okay. [00:49:23] So yeah- yeah. It's Zoom. Yeah. It's Zoom. And if somebody still does not have the link, please let me know. Yeah. And I'll rescind it. No, not me. Yeah, but I can share with you. [00:49:39] Thank you for setting that up. [00:49:41] Yeah. I sent it out, um, earlier in the week and then I sent it out again today. [00:49:46] I did see that. [00:49:47] Yeah. [00:49:47] I did too. [00:49:48] Yeah. [00:49:49] Um, let's just make sure that there is no more than four of us on this meeting. And that includes Commissioner Gathua even [00:50:00] though she's there for work. Okay. Great. Good to know. Commissioner Tassinary, would you like to share anything about your research? [00:50:15] If- if not today, we can do it next time. Just wanted- [00:50:18] Well, I think all I'll share is that I've started to do what I said I would do, which is go through the, um, report from the consultants carefully, uh, read through it, and then start to come up with a rough outline for what our final report might look like. Uh, it's still very, uh, 0.2 draft stage, um, just in terms of some ideas. So I think maybe one more iteration, maybe if Chastity and I look at it a bit, and then I'm ready to sort of share it with everybody, and you can then just go at it. [00:50:57] Okay. [00:50:57] It's really- the only reason for doing it is that [00:51:00] we're getting close, and we need to have something to start working on, and that's all this is meant to be. [00:51:07] Great. Thank you for your work on that. [00:51:10] Commissioner Lou, I have question for you. Uh, considering we- our time is ending on December 31, and December, really, it's usually very difficult to get any work in. So which means we would have to, uh, have this with the- with the council. Um, I think my question is, are we- um, I don't want to say, are we going to be done for you. How is it doing this? Is it overwhelming? And I guess where I'm going with that is, do we need city staff help? [00:52:00] [00:52:01] At the moment, it's not overwhelming. Um, it could become overwhelming, uh, but I think from my perspective, as long as we've got at least the outline of something we all agree on is what we wanted to look like, then- and that can happen within the next- like, within a month, I would say. Then maybe we might have to turn to city staff to help us, you know, polish it up and do some things with it, but we have such- so little time that we just have to do what we can. So, um, but I'll be ready, I think maybe- like I said, maybe one go around with Chastity, just to be- to get it a little bit more complete. Not complete, but put together in a way that makes more sense as a final report. And then if- I think we can work on it each of us independently through comments, and then we come together, we can work on it, but I think we'll have to [00:53:00] do something- some offline, some online to make it happen. [00:53:05] Commissioner Simmons. [00:53:08] My suggestion is that if you just go to the city council and ask to be able to provide a report, um, in maybe the second meeting in January, that then free up and give you some time so that you're not committed to doing it, um, in November. [00:53:26] Okay. Thank you. That's a great suggestion. [00:53:27] Yeah, good idea. Thanks, Jack. [00:53:28] Because the council only meets once in December and it's on December 10th. [00:53:35] Would that request, um, also be us requesting to extend our time or do you- because when we're- when our time ends on the 31st, what does that mean? Like, that means that we are no longer meeting. Um, we're not recognized as a commission, but we still need to fulfill our responsibilities to go before them, or do you [00:54:00] understand what I'm trying to ask? [00:54:01] Yeah, I do. Um, I- I- I mean, if you're still acting as a city body, then you need to ask for an extension of your time. Or an extension of the commission, how have you want to say that? [00:54:19] Together with this- this- my question is to you, Stefanie, how does stuff help look like in putting together a report? [00:54:31] You know, I think it's going to depend on what we get. So I'm not sure I can answer that- that question, but I mean, um, you know, we can assist with it, but I don't know if I can tell you what that would look like, because I don't know what we're going to get presented with. [00:54:48] That makes sense. Um, I- I mean, I have been thinking about maybe we should consider, um, at least requesting more time, like Commissioner Simmons said to at least present it or to write, [00:55:00] um, what we need to write. I mean, we've also been operating like we just got to do what we can do and recognize everyone's time, um, accordingly. I don't want to say- I'm not saying that we need to extend the time to do more things or anything. Just, um, I would agree the- the undertaking of writing something that feels like a dissertation, um, does seem like a lot, especially before the holidays. [00:55:28] Yeah. And personally, I'm thinking about all that and kind of feeling overwhelmed because right now, am- I am having a writer's block on writing. So even if I volunteered, I would right now just sit and stare, but, uh, you talked about comments and orally. I am good, but the writing I'm not really able to commit. [00:55:55] I also would like to remind us that we don't have to do the writing. We did talk, um, about more than a few [00:56:00] times hiring a contractor to help us out with this. I- I kind of look at what Lou is doing is really writing our outline, um, so someone can- who has the time. I'm not saying no one else can write eloquently, but who has the time to do that, um, piece of it in the- the best ability, because this is a full time job. Um, so we can always still look into that, um, if there's any one that people would like to suggest that hasn't already been suggested. Um, we should do that. And Commissioner Simmons, I'm not sure if you raised your hand again, but please feel free to speak. [00:56:37] So I'm not recommending that we- we ask for additional time. I still think that we should, um, fulfill the requirement as far as the report by December. [00:56:48] Okay. [00:56:49] What I'm just simply suggesting is that we don't spend the time trying to complete a report and, uh, spend, uh, time trying to do a presentation. [00:56:58] Okay. [00:56:59] If we just simply request [00:57:00] that the presentation is done in January, and we still spend-spend some time focusing on the report, then we should be able to get the report done by the end of December. And then it's just a matter of the presentation that needs to be done. [00:57:16] I'll check with the City Attorney's office tomorrow, and I'll just send out the response to everybody in terms, but I- I'm not sure if that makes a difference if that's really going to make a difference or not, and how it would have to look or proceed, but I'll- I'll get it figured out. Um, I think they're out of the office tomorrow now that I think about it. So probably won't be till, um, Monday or Tuesday that I'll be able to get in touch with them. [00:57:44] Thank you, Stefanie. And thanks for the suggestion, Commissioner Simmons. Um, I- I just want to make sure that we fulfill our duties before the end of our term. Um, anyone else have anything they would like to add or suggest? [00:57:58] Just if we're getting [00:58:00] somebody to help or a consultant with the writing, when do we have that discussion? [00:58:08] We- we- we've talked about it. And the last time, um, city manager was here, he suggested that we make some suggestions, if we know of anyone that could do it. Um, I'm not sure if he was able to find anyone on his end, um, but it is definitely something to approach again. So I'm sure we- I'm sure we could- if we put it out there- um, is that something that you could even put in as a press release that we're looking for a contractor to help us write this? [00:58:45] I- I would have to talk to the city manager's office and the city attorney's office, which I'm taking notes, so I'll let everybody know when an email response. [00:58:54] Great. Thank you. [00:58:56] Yeah. Thank you. [00:59:00] And Commissioner Lou, I really appreciate you starting us off and really getting us to a point where the even no matter how crude the outline for us is. Yeah, at least having something tangible. Thank you. [00:59:21] You're welcome. [00:59:22] Yeah. [00:59:23] If there's nothing else, um, with this, um, agenda item, I will move to announcements. Is there anything else any other commissioners would like to add? [00:59:37] Yes. [00:59:41] Go ahead. [00:59:41] Go ahead, Commissioner Lona. I have spoken a lot. [00:59:43] Commissioner Mohamed, go ahead. [00:59:46] Okay. Uh, on Sunday, uh, a Sudanese guy called me from the jail Newton, his case with Pack County. And, you know, it shows [01:00:00] me what is happening. And do you think that something can take care of it? He will send to me, uh, by mail to my house, all the paperwork. Uh, he's been in the jail since 2018 and he's innocent. And he called me- he talked to me like three hours about what happened to him, he is not involved, but, uh, I was shocked, you know, about the county attorney and the judge and the lawyers and the police officer and everything. And at the conclusion of this, how many hours I, you know, is just discrimination. And he said he going to send to me everything by mail. I did not receive the mail yet. [01:01:00] So your question is- [01:01:01] No, go ahead. [01:01:03] I was going to actually refer her to you for the Human Rights Commission, possibly. [01:01:10] Yeah, that's fine. I'm- I'm just not sure it's in the context of the agenda items. [01:01:14] Oh, it's not. [01:01:15] That's- well, I mean, you can put it on a future one, um, and she can talk about it more on reports, uh, of commissioners, but I don't- I don't know if it's pertinent to what the agenda item right now. [01:01:30] Okay. Um, sorry about that Commissioner Muhammed. Let's- let's talk more about this offline and so we can see what we can do as a commission. And, um, if it needs to be talked about and added to our next agenda item, to- we'll make it an agenda item, so you can talk more in depth and inform us if that's okay. [01:01:49] Yeah. I guess I mentioned because, you know, I did not receive any paper yet. [01:01:53] Okay. [01:01:53] I should receiving them. [01:01:55] Okay. Thank you, Stefanie. Um, so are there [01:02:00] any other comments, um, on agenda item coming actions for Phases 3 and 4? Okay. We're going to move on to agenda item number 7, which is announcements of commissioners. Are there any announcements from anyone? [01:02:16] Yes. I want to bring to the attention of the commission and the community on an act of restitution, not reparation yet on behalf of the University of Ohio. They have, after three years or more decided that it is right to return to the kingdom of Bernin what the British soldiers looted. Three bronzes, and other materials that pertain to the culture and the pride and knowledge of the people during- let me get the year right. In- I think 1867. [01:03:00] So the University of Iowa found it nice that it is in order to return those items. And I think this is pressure coming from what we've learned here in the US on issues of restitution and reparation. So what we're doing here and what we've learned from those who have also been before us working on this are sensitized other people in the rest of the world, that what was looted, acts of violence, culture, and other things that happened to other people, property, land, and other things, need to be returned by the colonialist. And so we appreciate what the University of Iowa has done, but there are still more a lot of items of importance. I believe here in the US, too, there are a lot of material artifacts from our people who are here that probably were looted, put in museums and other things and not return to those families. And I think this is something very- very important that all institutions need to [01:04:00] there to that they cannot take people's property and knowledge. They are able to take people patterns and recognize patterns, but they are not able to recognize these arts- art works, knowledge, cultural items, and other things. And it is high time that all that is done also here by all institutions. Thank you. [01:04:26] Thank you. I just want to share with my fellow commissioners my excitement, uh, that today in Des Moine, my 24-year-old daughter got her American citizenship. It's- yes, it's sweet, but at the same time, for her, [01:05:00] it's a journey that immigrants in the city and in our county, can relate to. I came with her when I came to school in Iowa City when she was two years. So- and Stefanie is my witness. She's one of the- since she was young. She has always served the city and volunteered for the city because she was termed as a- as a student for all that time, because her mother was going to school and she came with her mother. So 22 years down the line, she has finally completed her path, what they call in immigration path to citizenship. So join me in that celebration of one of the newly minted American citizens in our city. Thank you. [01:05:59] First thing [01:06:00] I want to say is it's Hispanic or Latin Heritage Month. So I hope people are aware of that and are able to celebrate that with people in this community as we are here to celebrate all diversity. And, um, the second thing is, again, my organization is holding our celebration for our new building in the Town Crest neighborhood this Saturday. Rock the Block and raise the roof. And would love for you all to join if you have time, 2:00-5:00, 1041 Arthur Street, which is the site of where our new early childhood center will be located, um, from 2:00-5:00 PM, this Saturday, September 21st. Anyone else? If there are no announcements from commissioners, um, do staff have? All right. Is there a motion to adjourn? [01:06:51] So moved. [01:06:53] Seconded. [01:06:54] Thank you.