HomeMy WebLinkAbout07 08 21 TRC Agenda and PacketAD HOC TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
THURSDAY, July 8, 2021
Electronic Regular Meeting - 7:00 PM
ZOOM MEETING PLATFORM
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_Z1lKoUxcSB2o-XLnk7tQlA
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: 923 5355 5433.
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.
AGENDA:
1.CALL MEETING TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
2.APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM MARCH 4, 2021, JUNE 10, 2021, AND
JUNE 24,2021.
3.PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Commentators shall address
the Commission for no more than 5 minutes. Commissioners shall not engage in
discussion with the public concerning said items).
4.REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS UPDATE. *5 MINUTES
5.UPDATES ON THE LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT *10-15 MINUTES
6.NATIONAL NIGHT OUT/DISCUSSION ON TRUTH TELLING. *30-40 MINUTES
7.BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATES UPDATES/OVERVIEW *30-40 MINUTES
A.DISCUSSION ON BUDGET LINE ITEMS – COMMISSIONER STIPEND &
SUBCOMMITTEE NEEDS
8.JULY 22, 2021 MEETING DATE DISCUSSION ON WHETHER ON ZOOM OR IN-PERSON 10
MINUTES*
9.COMMUNITY TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION:
A.THE BANS ON CRITICAL RACE THEORY
B.REMOVING MONUMENTS TO WHITE SUPREMACY
C.SOUTH DISTRICT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
10.COMMISSION ANNOUCEMENTS (Commissioners shall not engage in discussion with one
another concerning said announcements).
11.STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS
12.ADJOURNMENT
*The times listed in the agenda are the anticipated duration of that particular agenda item. The actual
discussion may take more or less time than anticipated.
If you will need a disability-related accommodation to participate in this meeting please contact the
Equity Director, Stefanie Bowers, at 319-356-5022 or at stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org. Early requests
are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your accessibility needs.
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.
AD HOC TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
JULY 8, 2021 MEETING PACKET CONTENTS
AGENDA ITEM #2
•DRAFT MINUTES FROM MARCH 4, 2021, JUNE 8, 2021, AND
JUNE 24, 2021
AGENDA ITEM #5
•LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
AGENDA ITEM #6
•TRUTH TELLING HANDOUT
CORRESPONDENCE
•LETTER FROM THE ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER ON
THE AMERICAN RESCUE ACT PLAN
June 8, 2021
Draft Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission Minutes
(Electronic) Zoom Platform
Regular Meeting
Commissioners present: Amel Ali, Daphney Daniel, Wangui Gathua, Eric Harris, Clifton Johnson, Kevin
Rivera, Sikowiss, Mohamed Traore.
Commissioners not present: Chastity Dillard.
Staff present: Stefanie Bowers.
(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: 7:07
Approval of the May 27, 2021 Meeting Minutes: Motion by Ali, seconded by Rivera. Approved 7-0.
Gathua not present for vote.
Public Comment of Items not on the Agenda: None.
Review of (Draft) RFP for Facilitator: Rivera requested for the RFP to be updated to reflect Latinx/Hispanic
and not white/Hispanic. Commissioners requested that if the contract runs less than the anticipated length
that the RFP allow for the consideration of severance pay. Currently, the RFP allows for the contract to
terminate at any time if 2/3 of the Commission vote that their services are no longer needed. Staff will
work with the Purchasing Department to update the RFP. Motion by Rivera to move forward with the RFP
with the edit of severance pay consideration, Daniel seconded. Motion passed 8-0.
Updates from Commissioner Traore on correspondence with City governments on the Excluded Workers
Fund: The survey released by the City is not conducive to seeking input from all community members.
Further there is not a lot of collaboration between governments within Johnson County. The Catholic
Worker House has on their website tips on how to best fill out/respond to the survey. The Catholic Worker
House has inquired if the Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) would like to be added to
their supporters for the Excluded Workers Fund. Motion by Gathua, seconded by Johnson. Motion passed
7-1. Daniel in the negative.
Budget Subcommittee updates – overview: As the Commission looks into more line items, they asked
staff whether the end of the current fiscal year will influence their budget. Staff replied no. The discussion
then switched to Commissioners receiving a stipend for their services. The consensus was that this work
should not be done for free. If individual commissioners have any concerns with receiving a stipend, they
could opt to donate their stipend to an organization. A news release will be done at the same time the
budget proposal is released. The purpose of the news release is to explain why Commissioners should be
compensated for their services.
Community comment: Joe Coulter, as former Ad Hoc Diversity Committee member and based on his years
on the Human Rights Commission, Coulter has never been paid a stipend. Coulter has been reimbursed for
travel and any expenditures associated with his service. Coulter reminded the TRC to be mindful of police
qualified immunity, the ramifications of the loss of protection for Housing Choice Vouchers here in Iowa
City, the public report on the use of force (tear gas) here in Iowa City, the report to preliminary accelerate
community policing, and the reports to Council for the changes to the Community Police Review Board.
TRC Subcommittees: Healthcare: Ali, Rivera, Gathua, and Johnson. Rivera will serve as lead. Policing:
Harris, and Ali. Daniel will not serve on this committee. Johnson, and Gathua will serve on this committee
as time allows. Sustainability: Ali, Sikowis, and Traore. Traore will led this subcommittee. Education:
Gathua, Johnson, and Dillard. Gathua will led this subcommittee. Housing: Gathua, Ali, Mohamed, and
Daniel. Daniel will be lead for this subcommittee.
Timeline for future meetings (meeting frequency) & returning to meetings in person: Commissioners
decided to continue to meet bimonthly until the budget is completed and approved. After this is
completed, they will further discuss switching to an alternative meeting schedule.
Announcements of Commissioners: Harris, spoke on the recent Police raid in the South District and noted
that he did not want to see any bad encounters and that the MRAP is used as a tool of intimidation. Ali
wants a way to amplify the voices of folks who are affected by these practices. Traore, will send the
contact information for the Johnson County Board of Supervisors as it relates to the MRAP. He also will
send out information on the Diversity Market being sponsored by the South District. Gathua, noted the
African community has volunteered to collect their truths. Rivera wished everyone a Happy Pride Month.
Daniels wished everyone a Happy Juneteenth, and also noted African American Music Appreciation Month
is recognized in June. Sikowis, mentioned the 215 children murdered and buried in unmarked mass graves
at Turtle Island.
Announcements of Staff: Staff mentioned upcoming Juneteenth events.
Adjourn: 10:01 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 X X X X
Daniel 6/22 X X X X X
Dillard 6/22 X X X X O
Gathua 6/22 X X X X X
Johnson 6/22 X X X X X
Harris 6/22 O X X X X
Nobiss 6/22 X O X X X
Rivera 6/22 X X X X X
Traore 6/22 X X X X X
KEY: X = Present
O = Absent
June 24, 2021
Draft Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission Minutes
(Electronic) Zoom Platform
Regular Meeting
Commissioners present: Amel Ali, Daphney Daniel, Chastity Dillard, Wangui Gathua, Eric Harris, Clifton
Johnson, Kevin Rivera, Sikowiss, Mohamed Traore.
Staff present: Stefanie Bowers.
(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: 7:11
Public Comment of Items not on the Agenda: None.
Timeline for Future Meetings: The Commission decided to continue to meet every other Thursday until a
facilitator is hired and settled into the position. Staff gave an update on returning to in-person meetings.
The next upcoming meetings are July 8 and July 22.
Discussion of Land Acknowledgement: The land acknowledgement has been updated to reflect
reparations and also to mention specifically the original inhabitants of Johnson County. The Commission
will hold a vote to adopt the acknowledgment once the Human Rights Commission has had an opportunity
to review it.
Budget Subcommittee Update: A draft operational budget has been prepared that runs through Labor
Day. The Commission wishes to wait until the subcommittees have had time to determine their needs and
any subsequent funding needed prior to adding those line items to the budget. Some costs that will be
reflected in the budget include the purchasing of a Chrome book for the facilitator to use, printing of
flyers, boosting for social media, and the hiring of a videographer and researchers. The Commission also
discussed potentially paying participants for their testimonies. These payments would not necessarily be in
hand funds but could consist of childcare or mileage reimbursements.
The Commission also discussed stipends for Commissioners and whether stipends should be paid out
quarterly or just one payout. The monthly stipend could be $500 to $1200. A news release will be
prepared when the budget is submitted to City Council. Ali moved to include a line item in the budget to
pay stipends to Commission members, Gathua seconded. Motion passed 9-0.
Community Topics for Discussion: Excluded Workers Fund, Rivera, Harris, and Johnson all attended a
discussion at the Catholic Workers House where persons spoke of their struggles prior to COVID-19 and
their continual struggles during the last year to present.
South District, Ali would like to see the Commission partner with National Night Out. It is scheduled for
August 3. It is an event that brings the community together and also creates more connections with first
responders. It will be held at Wetherby Park and may serve as a great opportunity to hold a truth telling
session. The education subcommittee will further explore this event and possibility of holding a session at
it. The Diversity Markets being held in the South District have been very successful both Traore and Harris
have attended the Markets.
Juneteenth, the Commission would like to see the City do a better job in promoting the events for this now
federal holiday. The budget subcommittee will add Juneteenth to its agenda to help plan a better event for
next year.
Announcements of Commissioners: Daniels reminded Commissioners of the need for self-care and to
enjoy the summer. Sikowiss mentioned an event being held on July 4 that is sponsored the Great Plains
Action Society on abolishing white supremacist monuments. Gathua attended one of the Diversity Markets
and also noted that the education subcommittee met recently. Ali mentioned upcoming court dates for
some of the demonstrators from last summer and also her support of a persons right to freedom of
speech.
Staff Announcements: Staff mentioned that they are available if Commission members have any questions
about the budget they are putting together.
Adjourn: 10:14 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 X X X X X
Daniel 6/22 X X X X X X
Dillard 6/22 X X X X O X
Gathua 6/22 X X X X X X
Johnson 6/22 X X X X X X
Harris 6/22 O X X X X X
Nobiss 6/22 X O X X X X
Rivera 6/22 X X X X X X
Traore 6/22 X X X X X X
KEY: X = Present
O = Absent
The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds provide a
substantial infusion of resources to help turn the tide on the
pandemic, address its economic fallout, and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery.
The American Rescue Plan will deliver $350 billion for state, local, territorial, and
Tribal governments to respond to the COVID-19 emergency and bring back jobs.
Eligible Jurisdictions & Allocations
Direct Recipients
•States and District of Columbia
($195.3 billion)
•Counties ($65.1 billion)
•Metropolitan cities ($45.6 billion)
•Tribal governments ($20.0 billion)
•Territories ($4.5 billion)
Indirect Recipients
•Non-entitlement units ($19.5 billion)
Funding Objectives
•Support urgent COVID-19 response efforts to continue to
decrease spread of the virus and bring the pandemic under control
•Replace lost public sector revenue to strengthen support for vital
public services and help retain jobs
•Support immediate economic stabilization for households and businesses
•Address systemic public health and economic challenges that
have contributed to the inequal impact of the pandemic
Address Negative Economic Impacts
Respond to economic harms to workers, families,
small businesses, impacted industries, and the
public sector
Premium Pay for Essential Workers
Offer additional support to those who have and
will bear the greatest health risks because of their
service in critical infrastructure sectors
Replace Public Sector Revenue Loss
Use funds to provide government services to
the extent of the reduction in revenue
experienced due to the pandemic
Support Public Health Response
Fund COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical
expenses, behavioral healthcare, and certain
public health and safety staff
Broadband Infrastructure
Make necessary investments to provide unserved
or underserved locations with new or expanded
broadband access
Water and Sewer Infrastructure
Make necessary investments to improve access
to clean drinking water and invest in
wastewater and stormwater infrastructure
Example Uses of Funds