HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRC Meeting Packet 3 16 23
Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission Agenda
Thursday, March 16, 2023, 7 PM
Emma J. Harvat Hall
City Hall
410 E. Washington Street
In order to encourage input from the public, the Commission intends to offer the opportunity to
participate in the meeting remotely. However, this meeting is in-person, and those wishing to ensure
their ability to participate should attend the meeting in person. If you instead wish to participate
remotely, you may attempt to do so by joining the below link. Please note that the meeting link and ID
for the first Thursday of each month is different than the link and ID for the third Thursday of each
month.
First Thursday Meetings https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cMIaaV6cTxGwOlWu2-hFHg
ID: 867 2424 8095
Third Thursday Meetings https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lcIl8llPSRq1u0xPlL-1Ew
ID: 895 3695 0485
If you have no computer or smartphone, or a computer without a microphone, you can call in by phone
by dialing (312) 626-6799 and entering the meeting ID when prompted.
Meeting Agenda:
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. READING OF NATIVE AMERICAN LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
3. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM MARCH 2, 2023
4. PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (TRC MEMBERS SHALL NOT ENGAGE IN
DISCUSSION WITH THE PUBLIC CONCERNING SAID ITEMS)
5. FACILITATOR SERVICES UPATE
6. CORRESPONDENCE
7. FOLLOW UP AND PROGRESS ON ICCSD RE: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PERFORMANCE INCIDENT
8. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS/STAFF (TRC MEMBERS SHALL NOT ENGAGE IN
DISCUSSION WITH ONE ANOTHER CONCERNING SAID ANNOUNCEMENTS)
9. ADJOURNMENT
MEETING PACKET CONTENTS:
1. NATIVE AMERICAN LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
2. DRAFT MEETING MINUTES (MARCH 2, 2023)
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.
March 2, 2023
Draft Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Minutes
Emma J. Harvat Hall, City Hall
Commissioners present: Chastity Dillard, Sikowis Nobiss (on Zoom), Wangui Gathua, Marie Krebs,
Lauren Merritt, Kevo Rivera, Eric Harris (on Zoom).
Commissioners absent: Mohamed Traore, Clif Johnson.
Staff present: Stefanie Bowers, Eric Goers.
Community members who spoke at the meeting: Representatives from University of Iowa
Student Government including, the city liaison would like the opportunity to talk about the work
of the TRC and just keep conversations going between the two groups.
Recommendation to City Council: No.
Meeting called to order: 7:07 pm.
Reading of Native American Land Acknowledgement: Merritt read the Land Acknowledgement.
Approval of Minutes from February 2, 2023: Merritt moved, and Rivera seconded.
Motion passed 7-0.
ICCSD Elementary School Performance Incident: Krebs met with the Equity Committee on March
1. School staff reported that they will be holding a series of professional development trainings
for educators. School staff also reported that the book “Rethinking Columbus: The Next 500
Years” will be supplied to staff.
As a part of this discussion, TRC members would like to have a talk with the city on how they can
abolish Columbus Day.
Facilitator Services Proposal: City Attorney Eric Goers went over the four draft agreements with
commissioners. The discussion included what information the city still needed from the
facilitators which primarily relates to compensation. The facilitators have been reviewing the
draft agreements and plan to get the financial figures to the city within the next few days. Goers
also spoke briefly on the concern that when persons begin to come forward to tell their “truths”
that there is a possibility of exposure to the city from defamation claims.
Books and Materials Sent by Divided Communities: This item will be discussed at the next
meeting date of the TRC. Gathua has found the materials to be extremely helpful for her service
as a commissioner.
Andre Wright Proposal: The TRC would like to be come up with a formal process by which local
organizations can request financial support from them. Like the grants on racial equity that are
reviewed by the Human Rights Commission. This led to a larger talk on spaces that they could
hold future meetings, spaces that are felt to be safe.
Correspondence: No discussion or activity took place under this agenda item.
Commission Announcements: Krebs mentioned the 29 anti-LGBTQ+ pieces of legislation
currently being considered at the state capital. Dillard invited everyone to the Pheasant Ridge
Women’s History Month Open House being held on March 24 from 6-8 PM. Nobiss and Great
Plains Action Society will be recognized on March 8 at the Night of 1000 Dinners. Rivera noted to
be mindful of the numerous religious and cultural commemorations occurring over the next few
months. Gathua will be traveling to Kenya in the fall of 2023 and is requesting hygiene products
and shoes to take to the youth there.
Adjourned: 9:16 PM.
City Board and Commission meetings are recorded and can be viewed in their entirety by
visiting this link.
AD HOC TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2023
(Meeting Date)
NAME
TERM
EXP.
1/5 1/19 2/2 3/2 3/16 4/6 4/20 5/4 5/18 6/1 6/15
Dillard 6/23 P P P P
Gathua 6/23 A P P P
Harris 6/23 P P P P
Johnson 6/23 P A P A
Krebs 6/23 P P P P
Merritt 6/23 P P P P
Nobiss 6/23 P A P P
Rivera 6/23 P A P P
Traore 6/23 P P P A
KEY: P = Present
A = Absent
A Community Reading of Martin Luther King’s
“Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence”
Fifty-six years later, on April 4, 2023
TUESDAY, April 4, 2023. 10AM to 5 PM
Outside, at the Iowa City Ped Mall, Fountain Area
(In case of inclement weather, event will be in Meeting Room D,
Iowa City Public Library)
Martin Luther King delivered his most controversial speech on April
4, 1967. One year later, on April 4, 1968, he was assassinated in
Memphis.
Come read with us his 1967 Speech, and excerpts
from his last speech on April 3, 1968, ”
I’ve Been to the Mountaintop”.
Free and open to the public. Come listen, or read a porꢀon. The
presentaꢀon will be repeated 8 ꢀmes. Come and go as you wish.
(vfp161.org) Sponsored by Veterans For Peace
Chapter #161 Eastern Iowa