HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRC Packet 4 29 21AD HOC TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2021
Electronic Formal Meeting – 7:00 PM
ZOOM MEETING PLATFORM
Agenda:
1.Call to order and roll call
2.Approval of minutes of April 15, 2021
3.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 it ems.
4.Introductions
5.Review/Discussion of Resolution 20-228, Mission and Values
Commissioners will discuss concerns and goals for the Commission, the values and
assumptions that will guide the Commission's work, the opportunities and challenges
Commissioners perceive, the stakeholders and beneficiaries sought to be engaged, all
consistent with the charges of the TRC, which 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.
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
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/webinar/register/WN_JqUB3IViTUOpVPu7rdauiQ
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: 977 3152 8690.
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.
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, t heater, 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.
MISSION STATEMENT
WHO ARE WE? Our Commission represents a collection of citizen activists from diverse
backgrounds calling on the Iowa City community to account for their history of racialize
oppression. We are individuals who are committed to structural change, truth telling,
healing trauma and repair. We share in common a vision for an equitable and sustainable
community free of violence and systemic racism. We believe the time has come to foster
change.
OUR MISSION The Iowa City Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission is committed
to implementing and sustaining grassroots, community-centered truth-telling processes
to address past and present instances of both direct and indirect actions of violence,
discrimination, and racism in Iowa City. We will collect testimony from a variety of
institutions including but not limited to schools, housing providers, government officials,
health care, banking institutions, and law enforcement.
6.Discussion of Governance and Organizational Issues
Commissioners will discuss establishing rules/bylaws for conduct and governance of the
Commission, including duties of commissioners, frequency of meetings, future meeting
schedules, voting, election of officers, creation of subcommittees or working groups, training,
recruitment of facilitator(s), consultants or experts, creation of budget, and other issues relating
to activities of the Commission.
7.Discussion of Commission Subcommittees/Working Groups
Commissioners will discuss the appointment/creation of subcommittees and/or working groups,
including their purpose, structure, composition, duties, and the terms of service of
subcommittee members.
8.Land Acknowledgement Discussion/ Update on Land Acknowledgment
(Commissioners Nobis & Rivera)
9.Commission Announcements
Commissioners shall not engage in discussion with one another concerning said announcements.
10.Staff Announcements
11.Motion to Adjourn.
AD HOC TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
APRIL 29, 2021 MEETING PACKET CONTENTS
AGENDA ITEM #2
•DRAFT March 1, 2021 MEETING MINUTES
AGENDA ITEM #5
•RESOLUTION 20-228
•TRANSFORMATIVE JUSTICE DEFINITIONS
AGENDA ITEM #6
•BY-LAWS/PROCEDURES
AGENDA ITEM #7
•SUBCOMMITTEES
Draft Minutes
Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission
April 15, 2021
VIA Zoom Platform
Commissioners present: Amel Ali, Chastity Dillard, Wangui Gathua, Clifton Johnson, Layana Navarre-
Jackson, Sikowis (Christine Nobiss), Kevin Rivera, Mohamed Traore.
Commissioner not present: Eric Harris.
(Electronic Meeting Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8)
An electronic meeting was held because a meeting in person was impossible or impractical due to
concerns for the health and safety of commission members, staff and the public presented by COVID-19.
Meeting called to order: 8:37 PM.
Approval of the minutes from the March 1, 2021 meeting: Rivera moved; the motion was seconded by
Ali. Motion passes 6-0-2 (Gathua and Nobiss abstained).
Public comment of items not on the agenda: Karen Kubby hopes there are opportunities for the Ad Hoc
Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the Peoples’ Truth and Reckoning Commission to work
together and that by working together it makes them both stronger than what can be done individually.
Discussion of items from joint meeting with Council: Karen Kubby in terms of subcommittees hopes
that there are public notice of subcommittee meetings and of the subcommittee meeting minutes so
that this process is transparent on all levels. Kubby also noted what other organizations and individuals
that have expertise in certain areas can assist the TRC with but also that the TRC makes sure those
organizations and individuals are looking through their missions with a racial equity lens. In terms, of the
budget Kubby would encourage that the TRC have line items for unknown trainings and consultants
because at this time the TRC may not know what may be needed in the future.
Joe Coulter encourages the progress the TRC is making and wishes them the best. Coulter also noted for
the TRC to become acquainted with all things on the police department, transportation, and other
divisions of the City.
Angie Jordan gives the TRC a high five!
Rivera thanked the community and noted the work communities can do together. Ali feels good about
the meeting with Council and trust them in their guidance and appreciates everyone’s time.
Commissioners went over current subcommittees (Policing, Housing, Budget, Education). Dillard asked
about creating a subcommittee on youth. Ali thinks such a subcommittee can fall under Education.
Gathua is interested in serving on the Education and Healthcare. Nobiss is interested in environmental
racism and agriculture. Motion by Ali, seconded by Rivera to have the following subcommittees for the
TRC: Policing, Sustainability, Budget, Education, and Healthcare. Motion passes 8-0.
Ali has been working on a draft of by-laws and will forward to the TRC via staff for any feedback.
Coulter would like to see the TRC endorse a Land Acknowledgement. Ashley Lindley and Rivera also have
assisted with a draft. Kubby would like to see the Land Acknowledgment put in aesthetic places such as
public art. Rivera read over the draft Land Acknowledgement that was worked on by community
members, Human Rights Commission (HRC), and others. Nobiss has been doing this work for 20
something years and the trend for having Land Acknowledgements has been good in many ways but
also very tokenism. Nobiss suggested edits to the Land Acknowledge including that the Land
Acknowledgement be made with, created or with Meskwaki input.
Traore would like to recommend to the Council to truly honor the Indigenous Persons who were here
before us and also invited others from the community to join the TRC on these efforts.
The TRC decided to get feedback from a Meskwaki persons perspective on the Land Acknowledgement
prior to approving it.
Gathua believes it is a good step to have a Land Acknowledgement and thanked Rivera for bringing this
forward.
The TRC will continue to meet every other Thursday at 7 p.m.
Reports of Commissioners: Navarre-Jackson thanked her fellow Commissioners and wished them all the
best in their future work as her resignation date is April 24. Ali will send out the draft by-laws prior to
the next meeting. Ali also let the TRC know that at its next meeting there will be an agenda item that will
allow them to learn more about one another. Rivera shed light on the numerous tragedies that face our
nation, the events in Atlanta and the support for standing up against Asian hate. Rivera is asking anyone
in the community to make contact so Rivera can learn more on how the TRC can serve the needs of
Asian communities.
Traore mentioned the South District Neighborhood Association’s Clean up to Team up event. The
meeting point is at the Faith Academy at 10:30 AM this Saturday. Nobiss mentioned the University of
Iowa’s Pow Wow on April 17 will be a virtual event that includes a roundtable and also recognizes the
Native graduates. Dillard is super excited to on the TRC and looks forward to the work. Johnson looks
forward to getting to know everyone a lot more and for the TRC to get moving to get things done.
Gathua announced that April is sexual assault month and wants to make people aware of this with
emphasis on immigrant and refugee communities in Iowa.
Reports of Staff: Staff encouraged TRC members to reach out to her if there are ever any concerns or
questions or to discuss her role with the City.
Adjournment: 10:11 PM.
AD HOC TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2021
(Meeting Date)
NAME
TERM
EXP. 4/15 4/29 5/13 5/27 6/10 6/24 7/8 7/22 8/5 8/19 9/2 9/16 9/30 10/7
Ali 6/22 X
Daniel 6/22 X
Dillard 6/22 X
Gathua 6/22 X
Johnson 6/22 X
Harris 6/22 O
Nobiss 6/22 X
Rivera 6/22 X
Traore 6/22 X
KEY: X = Present
O = Absent
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 reckoningwiththepastisnecessaryforsuccessfultransitionsfromconflict, 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 afutureofequitybasedonhealingandhope; 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 communitynotinclinedtoengageorresistanttoengagement; and,
Whereas, a comprehensive process will require that City of Iowa City departments and the CityCouncilitselfparticipate, 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