HomeMy WebLinkAboutTR December Packet and AgendaAD HOC TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020
Electronic Formal Meeting – 5:00 PM
ZOOM MEETING PLATFORM
AGENDA:
1.CALL TO ORDER and ROLL CALL
2.WELCOME FROM MAYOR TEAGUE
3.INTRODUCTIONS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS
4.OPEN MEETINGS AND PUBLIC RECORDS
5.RESOLUTION OVERVIEW
6.ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
7.DETERMINATION OF MEETING FREQUENCY, DAY AND TIME
8.PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Commentators shall address the Commission for no more than 5 minutes. The Commission
shall not engage in discussion with the public concerning said items.
9.COMMISSION ANNOUNCEMENTS
Commissioners shall not engage in discussion with one another concerning said
announcements.
Electronic Meeting
(Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8)
An electronic meeting is being held because a meeting in person is
impossible or impractical due to concerns for the health and safety of
Commission members, staff and the public presented by COVID-19.
You can participate in the meeting and can comment on an agenda
item by going to https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0sf-mrrTwpH9IoVJ60_U-HEvcP8tlMbzp1 via
the internet to visit the Zoom meeting’s registration page and submit the required information.
Once approved, you will receive an email message with a link to join the meeting. If you are asked
for a meeting or webinar ID, enter the ID number found in the email. A meeting password may
also be included in the email. Enter the password when prompted.
If you have no computer or smartphone, or a computer without a microphone, you may call in by
telephone by dialing (312) 626-6799. When prompted, enter the meeting or webinar ID. The ID
number for this meeting is: 991 8033 7356.
Once connected, you may dial *9 to “raise your hand,” letting the meeting host know you would like
to speak. Providing comments in person is not an option.
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this program/event, please contact
Stefanie Bowers at 319-356-5022, stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to
allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
10. STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS
11. ADJOURNMENT
AD HOC TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
DECEMBER 21, 2020 MEETING PACKET CONTENTS
AGENDA ITEM #5
• RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AD HOC TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
COMMISSION
CORRESPONDENCE
• EMAIL FROM PROFESSOR LANEGRAN
Prepared by: Council members Janice Weiner and Laura Bergus I
Resolution No. 20-228
Resolution establishing Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Whereas, in Resolution No. 20-159 (Initial Commitments addressing the Black Lives Matter
Movement and Systemic Racism in the wake of the murder of George Floyd by the Minneapolis
Police and calls for action from protesters and residents), the Iowa City City Council resolved asfollows:
By October 1, 2020, create an ad hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission to bear
witness to the truth of racial injustice in Iowa City and to carry out restorative justice,
through the collection of testimony and public hearings, with such work to include a
recommendation to the Council of a plan for dedicating and/or renaming public spaces
and/or rights of way in honor of the Black Lives Matter movement; and,
Whereas, the City Council committed to allocate City funds of $1,000,000 during the present
Fiscal Year to support Resolution 20-159, which includes a variety of initiatives, among them theTruthandReconciliationCommission; and,
Whereas, truth and reconciliation underscores the imperative that confronting and reckoning
with the past is necessary for successful transitions from conflict, injustice, resentment and
tension to peace, equality and connectedness; and,
Whereas, while we acknowledge that other forms of injustice and challenges have occurred
over the course of the history of the city of Iowa City, the focus of this Commission is on race;
and,
Whereas, the City Council acknowledges the existence of painful, systemic, persistent, and
varied forms of racial injustice in Iowa City, and acknowledges that such injustice persists
despite past efforts to address it, consistent with observations that systemic racism and white
privilege are deeply resistant to change; and,
Whereas, the Iowa City community must look comprehensively into its past and bear witness to
the truth of racial injustice in order to provide the best possible foundation for moving into a
future of equity based on healing and hope; and,
Whereas, the City Council recognizes that, for a Truth and Reconciliation process to be
meaningful, it must include bold action to confront privilege, stimulate difficult conversations,
and reach and engage a full cross-section of the community, including those in the community
not inclined to engage or resistant to engagement; and,
Whereas, a comprehensive process will require that City of Iowa City departments and the City
Council itself participate, including individual councilors, in good faith, in the process and to
actively encourage broad participation throughout the community, and the City Council hereby
commits to such participation and encouragement; and,
Whereas, creation of an Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission is in the best interests of
the City and its residents.
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved by the City Council of the City of Iowa City, that:
1. The Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is hereby established
Resolution No. 20-228
Page 2
2. The TRC shall have nine members who are representative of the City's BIPOC
communities and organizations, including those who have direct lived experience with
systemic racism, as well as experts who support those communities. To the extent
possible, as determined by the City Council, the TRC shall include representation from
groups such as the Iowa Freedom Riders, the Black Voices Project, the South District
Neighborhood Association, the Iowa City Human Rights Commission, and the
Community Police Review Board. Johnson County residency is required. Iowa City
residency is preferred but not required if an applicant offers expertise or representation
not available from applicants who reside in Iowa City. Members of other City boards and
commissions are eligible to serve on the TRC.
3. Applications for membership on the TRC shall be announced, advertised, and available in
the same manner as those for all City boards and commissions.
4. The TRC shall select the Chair, who when present will preside over all meetings, and the
Vice -Chair, who will serve as chair in the absence of the Chair.
5. Within the charges of the TRC set forth herein, the TRC is not required to seek approval
from the City Council, mayor, or city manager to set its own agenda and prioritize its
activities.
6. The TRC shall be facilitated by an independent consultant, funded by the City, with
expertise in group facilitation and human rights, and to the extent possible, experience
with diversity, implicit bias, mediation and conflict resolution, until such time as the TRC
concludes by the favorable vote of at least three-fourths of all the members of the TRC
7/9) that facilitation is no longer needed.
7. To conform with the requirements of laws pertaining to open meetings and public records
and to facilitate transparency and public education and participation, administrative/clerical
assistance and media/event assistance shall be provided by City staff as determined by
the City Manager and City Clerk. Media assistance may be supplemented by outside
expertise on a case-by-case basis if the Commission believes it will substantially expand
outreach.
8. The TRC shall determine the frequency and conduct of its meetings. The meetings will
be open to the public and conducted in accordance with Chapter 21 of the Iowa Code.
Records, documentation, and communications of the TRC will be public records under
Chapter 22 of the Iowa Code.
9. The TRC shall serve from the date of appointment of all members to June 30, 2022. The
TRC shall have an organizational meeting no later than 30 days after the appointment of
all members.
10. Within 90 days of its organizational meeting, the TRC shall recommend to City Council a
preliminary budget for funds needed to carry out the charges of the TRC beyond what
existing City staff, programs, and services can provide.
11. The charges of the TRC are as follows:
A. Fact -Finding The TRC shall collect evidence, including first-hand testimony, of
discrimination and racial injustice in multiple settings and compile a complete
record of racial injustices that will inform and support the fundamental institutional
and policy reforms necessary to address systemic racism.
Resolution No. 20-228
Page 3
B. Truth -Telling The TRC shall: 1) Provide multiple fora and creative opportunities
for persons impacted and traumatized by racial injustice to share their stories of
racial injustice and experience to be heard by: (a) fellow communities of color; (b) a
broad cross section of the entire Iowa City community; and (c) key decision -
makers in city government, the business community and the University; 2) Explore
ways to provide such opportunities through art, music, theater, workshops, rallies
and other forms of congregation, multimedia and listening designed to reveal truths
that cannot be fully expressed in traditional fora; and, 3) Create a repository for
community stories expressed in multiple media (written, video, audio, art) that can
be catalogued and used to educate and inform members of the community.
C. Reconciliation The TRC shall: 1) Provide opportunity for and facilitate direct
conversation among and between community members of color, white community
members and representatives of various sectors in which people of color
experience discrimination and injustice (e.g. police and protesters, landlords and
tenants, students and teachers, patients and health care providers, business
owners and staff); 2) Create a replicable model that provides a structure for
enabling these conversations throughout the city; 3) Make available opportunities
for a broad cross section of the community to learn about discrimination and racial
injustice in our community; and, 4) Identify and recommend to the City Council
institutional and policy reforms, new social practices, expectations, protocols,
habits, rituals, conversations and celebrations that will move Iowa City toward a
shared experience of race and difference, justice and equity and community and
harmony.
12. The TRC shall strive to provide a safe and supportive space for its work, premised on
mutual respect, and shall conduct its work so as to promote healing and justice. The TRC
shall consider the possibility of adverse actions against those who participate in its work.
The TRC shall carefully consider mechanisms to protect participants, and shall work to
support those who allege harm due to their participation in the TRC process.
13. The TRC shall submit periodic updates to City Council to include, but not be limited to: its
plans for community education; recommendations for Council action; requests for
resources the TRC needs to carry out its work; and recommendations to dedicate and/or
rename public spaces and/or rights of way in honor of the Black Lives Matter movement.
14. By May 1, 2022 the TRC shall submit to City Council:
A. A report summarizing the work of the TRC.
B. A repository of community stories expressed in multiple media (written, video,
audio, art).
C. Recommendations to the City Council for: 1) Institutional and policy reforms to end
systemic racism; 2) Opportunities to create new social practices, expectations,
protocols, habits, rituals and celebrations that will move Iowa City toward a shared
experience of race and difference, justice and equity and community and
harmony; 3) Measures to enhance the autonomy/security/sovereignty of
communities of color and mitigate disparities in social and economic power; and 4)
A recommendation on whether and in what form the work of the Commission
should continue.
15. At any time in its work, and no later than June 30, 2022, the TRC shall strive to submit to
City Council a replicable model and structure for conversations between people of color
Resolution No. 20-228
Page 4
and white community members and representatives of various sectors in which people of
color experience discrimination and injustice.
16. Absent further action by the City Council, the TRC will dissolve on June 30, 2022.
Passed and approved this 15 day of September, 2020.
ted by
City Attorney's Office - 09/10/2020
From:Lanegran, Kimberly
To:Stefanie Bowers
Subject:Iowa City"s Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Date:Wednesday, December 2, 2020 11:13:36 AM
Attachments:We sent you safe versions of your files.msg
K. Lanegran resume short.doc
Mimecast Attachment Protection has deemed this file to be safe, but always exercise caution when opening files.
Hello Ms. Bowers,
I am on the faculty of Coe College in Cedar Rapids. One of my research areas is truth
commissions. I spoke with John Thomas once over the summer about the creation of Iowa
City's truth commission. I see from the commission's web-page that you are its staff contact,
and so I am reaching out to you.
I would like to closely follow the work of the commission as a research project. This would
probably entail attending events, interviewing participants, reading documents etc. over the
life of the commission.
I would like to introduce myself to you and the members of the commission. Could you share
this email and my attached CV with the commission members? Also, Is there an email list
that I could join so that I can be notified about meetings, work agenda etc? Finally, do you
have any suggestions about who else I should contact about my desire to embark on this
research?
Thank you very much,
Kim
--
Professor Kim Lanegran
Joan and Abbott Lipsky Chair of Political Science
and First Year Experience Director
Coe College
1220 1st Ave NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
319 399-8752
1
Kimberly Rae Lanegran Ph.D.
Department of Political Science
Coe College
1220 First Ave NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
klanegra@coe.edu
work phone: (319) 399 8752 home phone: (319) 363 2573
EDUCATION
Doctorate of Philosophy University of Florida Dept. of Political Science May 1997
Dissertation Title: "Social Movements, Democratization and Civil Society:
The Case of the South African Civic Associations"
MA Political Science University of Florida August 1991
BA Political Science Grinnell College, Grinnell Iowa May 1987
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Coe College Department of Political Science 2005- present
University of Botswana Department of Political Studies visiting lecturer Jan-May 2008
Hood College Department of History and Political Science 1998 - 2005
University of North Florida Department of Political Science visiting professor 1997-1998
University of Florida Department of Political Science instructor 1997, 1996,
1993, 1991-92
PUBLICATIONS (selected)
"The Importance of Truth Commission Leadership" in Global Leadership Initiatives for Conflict
Resolution and Peacebuilding edited by Andrew H. Campbell. IGI Global 2018.
"Justice for Economic Crimes? Kenya's Truth Commission." Air and Space Power Journal - Africa
and Francophonie Vol. 6/4 2015.
"The Kenyan Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission: The Importance of Commissioners
and Their Appointment Process." Transitional Justice Review Vol. 1/3 2015.
"Prosecuting Recruitment of Child Combatants by the Special Court for Sierra Leone: Precedents
and Problems." in Trials and Tribulations of International Prosecution edited by Henry F.
Carey and Stacey Mitchell. Lexington Books 2013.
"The Importance of Trying Charles Taylor." Journal of Human Rights Vol. 6/2 2007.
"Truth Commissions, Human Rights Trials and the Politics of Memory." Comparative Studies of
South Asia, Africa and the Middle East Vol. 25/1 2005.
"Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation in Africa: Issues and Cases" with Lyn Graybill. African
Studies Quarterly Vol. 8/1 2004.
2
OTHER SCHOLARLY WORK (selected)
"Gender Balance Requirement for Local Government Appointed Boards in Iowa” Presented at
Midwest Political Science Association Annual Convention, Chicago, IL 2017.
"The Implementation of Iowa's Gender Balance Requirement" with Thomas Petrino Presented at
the Iowa Association of Political Scientists Annual Conference, Des Moines, IA 2017.
"Quantitative Political Science" with Lynda K. Barrow. Exercise booklet for Introduction to
Political Science. May-August 2009.
"Reconsidering Botswana's 'Miracle:' Critical Reflections and Future Challenges" Pane l
Discussant. Annual Conference of the African Studies Association. Chicago, IL 2008.
"Politics of Transitional Justice in Timor-Leste" Presented at Annual Conference of the
International Studies Association. Chicago, IL 2007.
"Confronting a Painful Past: Truth Commissions Around the World" Beloit College/ACM
Workshop on Teaching Peace, Justice and Human Rights Beloit College, 2007
"Developments in International Law regarding Recruitment of Child Combatants from the
Special Court for Sierra Leone" Presented at Annual Conference of the International
Studies Association. San Diego, CA 2006.
"Memory and Transitional Justice in Sierra Leone" Presented at Annual Conference of
the African Studies Association. New Orleans, Louisiana. 2004
"First Two Years of the Special Court for Sierra Leone" Presented at Annual Conference of the
International Studies Association. Montreal, Canada 2004.
"Child Combatants and the Special Court for Sierra Leone" Presented at Annual Conference of
the African Studies Association. Boston, Massachusetts 2003.
"International Tribunals and Sovereignty" Presented at Annual Conference of the International
Studies Association. Portland, Oregon 2003.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Manuscript reviewer - 19 journals and publishers
Book reviews - 14
COMMUNITY SERVICE
University of Iowa Center for Human Rights Advisory Board Member 2013 - 2019
Amnesty International USA Country Specialist for Sierra Leone 2005 – 2015
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE
Coe College First Year Experience Director May 2020 - present
Coe College Learning Commons Program Director July 2017 - May 2020
Coe College Chairperson Department of Political Science July 2012 - June 2015
Director ACM Study abroad program. Gaborone, Botswana Jan-May 2008
Guest editor. Special issue "Truth and Reconciliation Commissions in Africa "
African Studies Quarterly Vol. 8/1 2004