HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRC 2023-03-02 transcript[00:00:00] [MUSIC] Okay. We will go ahead and get started. It's 7:06.
Stephanie, will you do roll call please?
Um, Dillard.
Present.
Gathua.
Present.
Harris.
Here.
Krebs.
Here.
Merritt.
Here.
Nobiss.
Here.
And Rivera.
Here.
[00:00:30] Thank you. We'll go ahead and start with the reading of the Native
American land acknowledgment.
We meet today in the community of Iowa City which now occupies the
homelands of Native American nations to whom we owe our commitment and
dedication. The area of Iowa City was within the homelands of the Iowa
Mesquakie and Sioux, and because history is complex and time goes far back
beyond memory, we also acknowledge the ancient connections [00:01:00] of
many other indigenous peoples here. The history of broken treaties and forced
removal that dispossessed indigenous peoples of their homelands was and is
an act of colonization and genocide that we cannot erase. We implore the Iowa
City community to commit to understanding and addressing these injustices as
we work towards equity, restoration, and reparations.
Thank you Commissioner Merritts. Next, we'll move on to the approval of
meeting minutes from [00:01:30] February 2nd, 2023. Um, so, um, first I will
open up to a public comment. Is there any public comment on these meeting
minutes? Okay. We'll move to a vote.
Motion to approve.
I second.
Thank you.
Then properly moved and seconded to approve the meeting minutes from
February 2nd, 2023, uh, Commissioner Dillard?
Yes.
Gathua.
Yes.
Harris.
[00:02:00] Krebs.
Yes.
Merritt.
Yes.
Nobiss.
Yes.
Rivera.
And I say yes on Harris.
Okay. Motion passes 7, 0. Thank you.
Awesome. We will move on to Agenda Item Number 4 which is public
comments on items not already on our agenda. Is there anyone on- with the
online audience that would like to speak?
Is there [00:02:30] anyone in the room with us with an agenda item that is not
currently on our agenda?
Hi TRC committee. I work here with USG. Uh, I'm the city liaison. And we also
have our justice and equity, uh, crew with us too. And we'd love to, um, talk
about what you're doing some time and about what we're doing with the
university and just, uh, keep, uh, conversations. Thank you.
Thank you. Is there anyone else in this room that would like to speak?
[00:03:00] Okay. With that, I will move on to Agenda Item Number 5 which is
the facilitator service- services draft contract review. We'll again open up to
public comments for starting online. Would anyone in the room like to
comment? Okay. Then we'll- we'll just move on and I- I will let you have the
floor or- yes.
I thought you - having some trouble with the mic.
[00:03:30] Can you folks at home hear me on this microphone. -think so.
Thank you. Do you wanna switch it up with that? [LAUGHTER] Let's take the
one from the podium.
Okay.
Take that one back.
[NOISE] My name is Eric Goers, I'm the City Attorney. Um, and [00:04:00] I'm
pleased to speak with you today about, um, how we can best move forward
with the facilitator contracts so you folks can get your long-awaited work done
earliest moving. Um, there- it would probably be easiest to start with kind of
how the city typically acquires, uh, consultant contracts. Uh, typically, we, um,
have an internal staff person who is in need of assistance if, uh, designing a
bridge or a public improvement, uh, you know, let's say a street project or even
[00:04:30] such things as, uh, you know, regulatory filings at the landfill,
something like that. Um, they write up a scope of services. This is what we
need to buy; the services the city needs to buy, and, uh- uh, go through the
procurement process whether it's a request for proposal, request for
qualifications, something like that but there you go through the process and so
forth and select a preliminary winner. Uh, and that's when, uh, contract
negotiation, um, goes on. Uh, sometimes that's easy because [00:05:00] the
internal staff person has already provided a- a contract upfront and said,
here's the contract we'll expect you to sign. If you have any exceptions, please
note them as part of your proposal or, uh, sometimes that's, um, takes a little
bit more give-and-take, uh, to get to where we need to go. Um, uh, my office is
involved in that process. Uh, if there's a professional or a consulting contract,
we need to, uh, have some member of my office sign off on that. So that's how
it- how it normally works, uh, to secure [00:05:30] a consultant and so forth.
Um, what's unusual here, and as- as you already know is that the work that the
Truth and Reconciliation Commission is doing is- is not typical of, uh, the work
that the city does and so forth and so we don't have, uh, the wealth and- and
benefit of experience, uh, about, you know, writing up a scope of services and
see exactly what it is we would need and so forth. And so we instead have
been, uh, somewhat reliant on, uh, the consultants who have been interested
in doing this work, provide some, uh, some suggestions for, [00:06:00] uh, how
they would propose that we move forward. Okay. So here's, you know, history
that, you know, most of you probably already know. City council approved a- a
budget. Well, I'm sorry, that, uh, TRC went through a- a request for proposal
and found a preliminary winner. That, uh, preliminary winner was Kearns &
West. Uh, they had a budget of just under $200,000, and city council approved
that budget for just under 2,000- $200,000, but as you're also surely [00:06:30]
aware, uh, city council ultimately did not approve that contract. I should note
that they need to approve every contract over $60,000. The city manager has
authority for, uh, professional, technical, and consultant contracts of up to
$60,000. Um, So they, uh, declined to approve that, uh, contract and, um, sent
it back to this body for some additional work and with some clarifications and
what they'd like to see. I think their interests was in more local involvement
and, [00:07:00] uh, there was more work done by local consultants. And, uh,
what came before you is, uh, a- a joint proposal, uh, from a large number of
entities, uh, that propose to do this work together. Um, and- normally, how it
works is we have a single consultant and that consultant hires sub-consultants
for whatever assistance they need. Uh, but the advantages of that is that there
is, you know, one consultant on the hook from the city's [00:07:30] perspective
who is responsible for making sure that all the work is done and that it's done
well. Um, in a case like this, it's super important that we have the scope of
services nailed down for each of these different consultants because there's- at
present, and there is no single consultant who has been willing to step forward
and say, I will be the prime, the general contractor, so to speak, and take
ultimate responsibility for the work of this commission or facilitating the work
of this commission moving forward. So, [00:08:00] uh, I wanna- I wanna be
frank. I mean, that's- that's a concern, um.
We obviously wanna set this commission up to succeed, um, and- and not to
get bogged down in either debates about, um, who among the consultants or
even between the consultants and the city because part of this proposal
includes quite a bit of work, um, uh, by city staff on identified at present. But,
um, if- if this body approves and the city council approves, uh, city staff,
[00:08:30] uh, under the city managers, that guidance will figure out that part
of it. Um, but we wanna reduce the risks of that as much as possible so that,
you know, the work of this group can succeed. And- and so one of the things I
want to do tonight is go through- you've got, um, in your packet the, uh, uh,
various consultant contracts from the various entities that are present, um, or
involved, um, in this work. And just make [00:09:00] sure that you folks are
satisfied that what you wanna see these consultants done or do is represented
here- represented in these contracts. Uh, and I- I really can't emphasize this
enough. This- this is your time, this is your moment to make sure that we get
this right. Now. Don't get me wrong. I mean, don't feel like, you know, if you
feel like you need to give it some more thought, we can, you know, talk about
it more at your next meeting and- and I'd be happy to do that. But I- the point I
really wanna emphasize is that it's- it's [00:09:30] key that you folks are
completely satisfied that the work you wanna see done is represented in the
scope of services of these various consultant agreements. And that there's
nothing missing from any of those, that you're okay with the structure of the
agreement that is with all these different entities. A little bit more on the
various entities, um. Some of the contracts of- of which there are four that I've-
I've prepared and submitted for your consideration, have more [00:10:00] than
one legal entity between them. Uh, native partners, for example, um, a three
native partners, so they've- go back and forth with those names, but there's no
legal entity there. And- and so they've asked that each of the three individuals
be listed, and so they will be three parties individually signing on the other side
of that contract. Again, normally as a lawyer, that gives me concern if one
person, um, decides that they no longer to take part in the process, what then?
Um, [00:10:30] you know, do the other two just pick up the work or they
compensated in that fashion, or do they have the capacity to do that? You get
the idea. One of the other, uh, local groups is the healing partners and there
are- are two legal entities involved there, STIG Planning and Eastern Iowa-, uh,
media- mediation of Eastern -sorry, I get the name wrong. Eastern Iowa
Mediation Services, I believe it is. So, uh, and they proposed that they would
do their portion of the work together between the two of them. And so that's
one more contract with two parties [00:11:00] between them. Uh, Think Peace
is another one of the entities. Um, I looked for the legal entity of Think Peace
could not find it. I did find some information to suggest that they might be part
of a different foundation. So I've written it up in that fashion, that the
foundation would be the signatory on the other end. I remain open to them, uh,
telling me that I'm wrong about that or that there is a legal entity that I wasn't
able to find. Um, but, you know, we can talk that through with- with the other
side, um, of- of [00:11:30] that contract. And finally, Kearns and West- Kearns
and West is a legal entity that much is clear that's- that's clean among them.
At least in the sense that, um, there's only one signatory on the other side and
it's a legal entity that can be, you know, held responsible for the work or work
that do or don't do. So I feel really good about that. Again, we have the kind of
very many bodies kinda doing, uh, a single project together part that still, uh,
offers me some concern, but you get the idea. Um, so [00:12:00] we have
taken these contracts- well, I should say that, uh, I believe this body, uh,
approved the proposal that was brought to you. This joint proposal from all
these various entities and it came back to city staff and city staff reviewed, uh,
the proposals that had some questions. And so we reached out and I got some
answers, uh, to a good number of the questions and so forth. Uh, some of them
remain outstanding. Some of the questions, particularly, uh, some of the
financial questions, uh, remain outstanding. [00:12:30] Some of them have
changed a number of times during the course of those negotiations. I shouldn't
say negotiations really, questions that we've been asking to make sure that we
understand, um, you know, what services are going to be provided and how
much will be charged for them to provide those services. Um, and I'm still
waiting to hear back from a couple of those contracts. Um, and, you know,
that's something that may give you pause as well as to whether or not you feel
comfortable moving forward or not, um, but that's where [00:13:00] we are. So
we're back to you and I want, as I mentioned earlier, to hear your- your
thoughts, your concerns, um, your review of each of these contracts to make
sure that the scope of services accurately, uh, you know, contains what you
want to see done. Um, and when you are satisfied with these contracts and so
forth, then and only then will I send them out to the consultants. Now, the
consultants, you know, may have some changes that they would like to see,
uh, done and, you know, we'll [00:13:30] have those conversations in good
faith and- and hopefully we can reach some agreement, um, on all of that. And
all of that being both scope of services, the terms and conditions about liability
and indemnification, that stuff that we lawyers like to talk about. And then of
course, you know, the compensation. When, uh, this body in city- with city
staff's assistance and each of the consultants are satisfied that they, you know,
have signed off on- on their end, that they are satisfied with what's present,
then we would go back to city council and- [00:14:00] and seek their approval
because it's again, a contract is worth over $60,000. Quite a bit more than
$60,000, it's now over half $1 million, uh, total. Um, so that's where we're at.
Um, much of the, uh, contract just includes exhibits that are incorporated into
the contracts that, uh, include the summary proposal and kind of what each of
these various groups or entities will be doing as part [00:14:30] of their work.
Um, so instead of ten-carving everything out, we just put it all there because
that was provided to us in a single document and- and I like that because then
I presume that all the consultants have seen that document and are all in
agreement with that document. And thus, there is some division of labor, uh,
that seems to be, uh, already accomplished and so we like that. Um, similarly,
there's a spreadsheet. Uh, the spreadsheets have varying degree of details.
Uh, they of course all include financial components [00:15:00] of the contract
of various hourly rates that are charged, how much they believe, um, will-how
much time I should say will be needed in order to complete the work. Uh,
whether they get compensated for travel or not, how they're compensated for
travel, um, all of those kind of things. Um, and some of them also contain a- a
good bit of detail about exactly what it is that they're gonna be doing for work.
Currents and West notably is pretty detailed in that, uh, regard. So, [00:15:30]
um, that's what I got. I've been talking at you for quite a while now. Why don't I
take a breath and pause and- and see if you folks have any questions or
concerns for me at this point, um, and when we're done with that, I'd like to
just go through the consultant contracts one-by-one and see what work we can
do.
Commissioner Merritt, um, so how many entities did you say that you did not
find? Or how many consultants under us you did not find a legal entity for?
[00:16:00] Right. So three native partners, eh, answered explicitly that there is
no native- there is no, um, legal entity and, uh, asked us to just list their three
individual names separately. So we got that done. Uh, Think Peace is the one
that I assumed going into this was a legal entity, but I could find no evidence
that there is a legal ent- and to be clear, it's not like they said that they're, you
know, legal entity or anything, but, um, I couldn't find any evidence of that
other than seeing at least one of the names I'd seen [00:16:30] associated with
that group being described as being in Think Peace and initiative of the, I think
Mary Hoch Foundation or something. I'd have to go back and look at it to make
sure I get that straight. Um, and so I- I would- I would probably look to that
foundation's guidance, and of course Think Peace's guidance to see, you know,
to make sure I've got that straight. I- uh, uh, you know, I wanna do what they
wanna see done, but I also would love to see a legal entity on the other side.
Those- [00:17:00] sorry.
Is it like, um, we've registered with depart- uh, security state, that type of-
Yeah. That they're legally incorporated as a- as a corporation or an LLC or a
partnership or, you know, any of those other kind of, uh, but non-personal legal
entities. Um, otherwise, er, I would need to know who the individuals are, who
are taking responsibility when they have them sign in their individual capacity,
much like the three native partners contract [00:17:30] is set up. Um, so those
are the two. The other one that the healing partners has two entities but from
the best I can see, tho- tho- those are both separate legal entities, they are
present, um, and currents and West as a legal entity as well.
Um, my experiences, you know, with contracts with the city, it's very similar to
what you're used to. Um, so especially the ones with their individuals that
they're signing these individuals, um, [00:18:00] would you be over the city be
looking for them to have a bond?
Honestly, uh, I'm trying to think of the last time we've signed a consultant
agreement with an individual. It does not happen a lot. Um, oftentimes, at least
the ones that I can remember were- were very small contracts, and we did not
get a bond because we didn't think it was warranted. I mean, I'm like $5,000
contracts, things like that. Um, that's something we could consider. [00:18:30]
Uh, again, I'm a little concerned about the, er, scenario of, you- you know, one
or more. I don't wanna pick on three native partners, but because they're the
only ones who are gonna fit into this, uh, category at the moment. If one or
more of them decide that they no longer wish to [NOISE] take part in this work
and so forth, what- what would happen? You know, er, it certainly wouldn't
want to put them in a- any single individual in a position of being forced to do
the work or something like that, although if they were a legal entity, that's
exactly what we would do. We would say, you know, [00:19:00] 123
consultants, you have signed off on this work. Maybe it's not gonna be by John
Smith, but you better send Paul Jones over here to get this work done, that
kind of thing. Um, we probably would not wanna do that with three individuals,
but again, I'm not sure what would be the result of such a decision.
Um, I see that Eric has his hand up. Would you like to go, Eric?
Yes, [00:19:30] I will. Um, so, um, part of this proposal, um, I don't understand
it. I'm like, I don't, you know, um, some of the things that were said in the
proposal, you kinda tried to cover- like cover it up like, oh, well, we're gonna do
this and gonna do that. How are you going to help the people that's on the
ground? And we need to get help like that. And how was your proposal wanna
help people on the ground, um, understand about, you know, I'm not upset
[00:20:00] about the money you guys are gonna make off that, this- the dollar
figures and stuff like that, but I need to get help with people on the ground
that's outside. And so I- not what a place to go, not with a place to live, test
things I need to get help with. I don't know how that proposal and the money
you talking about and things like that, I don't know how that's gonna help
those people.
I'm- I'm not sure. Were you addressing that question to me, Commissioner
Harris?
[00:20:30] Yes, I was.
Oh, well, to be clear, this isn't my proposal. Um, uh, I didn't- I didn't dropped it.
Right. We figured that out.
I'm- I'm sorry.
These are the actual contracts between the city and the facilitators to do what
the proposal that we approved. So these are just the legal contracts. Does that
make sense?
Yes.
Yeah. Do we- what we did was we took the [00:21:00] proposal that the, uh,
the group of consultants brought forth in which I understand this body
approved and converted that into contract form, splitting it up into four
separate contracts because of the number of entities that were present and
involved. Does- does that make sense?
That makes sense a lot, but, you know, the people that's involved, you know, I
can talk all day about who was gonna get paid this month, uh, amount
[00:21:30] of money and stuff like that. And man, that's kind of sad, man. I just
don't- I don't know, you know, my constituents and the people that surround
me, I- I won't be able to vote or anything like that so-
Commissioner Harris, I- I- I hear what you're saying. I- I think, um, this is the-
this is- this is the proposal so that we can get to do exactly the things that
you're talking about. Uh, this is the team that's gonna help us put together the-
the infrastructure so that we can, [00:22:00] um, work with the people on the
ground like you've been wanting to do for the last three years. So I do hear
what you're saying.
I appreciate that.
Um, I do see that, um, Eduardo is on- on here with his hand raised from Think
Peace. Would this be a good time to hear from Eduardo? Okay. If you could go
ahead.
Thank you so much. Greetings from Lima, Peru. Um, I was listening to a
presentation [00:22:30] by the, um, attorney from the city. Uh, you are correct,
sir. The legal entity for Think Peace is the Mary Hoch Foundation. Think Peace
is a learning and support hub that we have established to provide technical
advice to truth commissions around the country. So, um, indeed, for the
contract that will have to be, um, signed by the Mary Hoch Foundation, which
is a legal entity incorporated in New [00:23:00] York State.
Thank you for that clarification. Okay.
Any other fellow commissioners? Go ahead.
This is Commissioner Wangui Gathua for the record. This is to the attorney.
What Eduardo and by the way, thank you for always helping us- us ah, clarify
the legal things as we continue working.
Of course.
So with what [00:23:30] Eduardo has said, has that question been answered
because you're saying the some- no clar- no clarity on the entity for Think
Peace?
Yes. What I understood his comment to be was, that I- that I correctly
understood that the legal entity involved and I'm sorry, I don't have Oh, yeah. I
do have it in the first page here, the Mary hacker hookah, I may be
mispronouncing that foundation LTD. And sorry. [00:24:00] That that's the
entity that was incorporated in New York and so forth. That's great. It's a legal
entity. I found that one. And so we can have that entity sign Think Peace's
portion of the contract. Wonderful.
There the thing and this is checking in with you. When you talked about our
native the- our native partners.
We need native partners, yes?
You said even if this is [00:24:30] my understanding, that even if they will
come in as the three- as three individuals for legal purposes. This will no- will
not make the process not go forward. But down the road, I'm thinking if one
left, we might be left having to deal with holding a baby and how to resolve
that.
[00:25:00] Well, that's- that's one of my concerns with having three individuals
be on the other side of the contract as opposed to one legal entity. Now, don't
get me wrong. It might be that if you folks have been working with a single
individual with currents and West, let's say, um, or with Think Peace. And it's
that person and that person alone who would satisfy you ah, to do this work
than it would not be of much comfort to you that Think Peace or currents of
West is [00:25:30] going to follow through with their contract. But it won't be
Dr. Larry school or it'll be some other person or something. So it's not as
though dealing with the legal entity doesn't have some element to that risk.
Sometimes in consultant agreements we write right into it, that it's going to
be, you know, the- the principal contact for currency West is going to be this
person for Think- Think Peace, it'll be this person, and we can certainly do that.
But you've correctly identified one of my concerns with the three native
partners is that there is no legal entity, so it's just these three people. And you
know, what happens and- [00:26:00] and don't get me wrong. We can move
forward. We can do it with this contract. I just want you to be going in with
your eyes wide open. That you understand that there are some risks that, and
we can maybe work in some language to make clear that if any one of the
three leave the other two or even remaining one, if that happens, you know,
we'll complete the work if that's possible. I don't know. But we can work
through it. It's not ideal, but we can make it happen so.
Thank you.
Sure.
This is Commissioner Rivera. [00:26:30] I just wanted to extend my
appreciation to, I think a pretty monumental task that you had in- in trying to
create- in creating these contracts. This body has sat with discomfort for
[LAUGHTER] years. And I think sort of the- the resulting structure that we have
is the result of feedback that we've had, not only from the city as well as from
the- the people that we've really entrusted with, uh, the charge to help us
[00:27:00] carry out uh, our mandate. So I- I think that I understand that this is
new territory, um, and we recognize that in so many different respects. And so
I think for my part, I think that certainly happy to discuss any sort of point-by-
point details that you'd like to with each of the contracts tonight. We'll see kind
of where this commission body lands in terms of like at the end of, you know,
this section of our meeting today, if, you know, we need our chair and vice-
chair [00:27:30] to kind of have more private conversations. Or if, then you
want to go forward, you know, send these contracts out, and then have further
discussion with the different consultants then, um, then that's, you know, I
think what could be done to. And so I- I think that my sense is that, um, a lot of
work has sort of led up to this point. It's not traditional, um, and I'm okay with
that having read through the [00:28:00] contracts as they are.
I'll just piggyback on that, on the work that has been done to get to this
moment. We are talking almost two years, 2021 to get here.
December 2020.
Oh [LAUGHTER] yeah.
Yeah, before that, it was way before. We pre-pandemic, so.
Yeah. And we've all put in intense work. And when I'm saying we, I'm talking
the city, TRC, [00:28:30] the facilitator, and I mean, all the entities that are in
there. And so it's not just the time, but we have all been intense, and really
working on it and I'm not saying that something that's not on record or out
there for anybody to follow. So talking of- for myself, moving forward,
[00:29:00] uh, we have put in the work to get here and we've been paying
attention as we move. And at the same time, we've also become educated on
other TRCs. As they do these work, they use various names, task forces, and
they'd thank the city for even taking us, ah, through- some of us through six
weeks on a course to look at what is [00:29:30] happening around the world.
And the team we have, uh, some of them, they've been involved in this work.
And- and even right now, we have a manual that has been put together by one
of our universities on- on those who've done this work. What I'm saying in very
many words, yes, We've not walked this path, these TRC, but others have as
we go. And [00:30:00] at the same time, we are also specific to Iowa City. And
we don't have everything in the terrain as we move forward. And all these I'm
saying in relation to what you discovered that now, ah, I was thinking that the
native partners are one entity, but now they are not, they are three different
individuals. So if we were to move forward, not if we're to move forward,
[00:30:30] I'm at that point, and I'm agreeing with what I heard Commissioner
Rivera saying.
I want to make sure I understand what you're saying, it's that obviously, I know
you guys have been working with this issue for a long time and it's been a
frustrating process and no doubt about it. But are you saying that you feel like
the- the commission is comfortable and familiar with the scope of services and
the proposal, and it's all there. [00:31:00] You're comfortable with what you
need. And you don't feel the need to kind of go through each of the
agreements. Is that what you're saying or- or is there something else that I'm
missing on nuance?
No. I'm talking for myself.
Understood.
As Commissioner Wangui with everything that has gone on, I would be ready
and I was going to ask you a question.
Okay.
What's the time limit from your end as the city attorney?
What's my time limit?
Yeah, for us to get back to you? [00:31:30] And to make a decision too.
Oh, I'm sorry, to make comments on the contract and so forth.
Yeah.
Is that what you mean? Oh, I'm sorry.
Yeah.
Well, I mean, the timeline is yours, um, if- if you folks want to act quickly then-
then great, let me know and I'll do the same. If you feel like you need to be
more deliberate in- in working through, you know, for example maybe you want
to wait until we actually have the financial figures nailed down. Three Nato
partners, for example, it's moved around quite a bit. It went from $36,000,
[00:32:00] $229,000, and now I think it's at 80 something thousand dollars, but
I'm- I'm still not sure that that number is right either. Um, if- if you want to get
those numbers nailed down and I would imagine you might, um, then that's
fine. I can accept whatever guidance you folks wish to- to see in the contracts
and incorporate them and then bring them back to you and say, Here's what,
you know, we've got now with your input, does this look good and you either
give me more input [00:32:30] and we make some more changes or you say,
Yep, that's it, that looks great. Then I'll send it out to the consultants and- and
begin work with them. Is that- is that kind of what you're envisioning for the
process?
Oh, yeah.
Okay. Great.
Yeah. Thank you.
Sure.
You got the two points that I was trying putting across.
Sure. Okay.
In many words, yeah.
No, that sounds great.
Yeah.
Okay. This is Commissioner Dillard. First I want to again, as my fellow
commissioners have said, Just thank you so much for being here.
Sure.
You mentioned in the beginning that you had some questions [00:33:00] that
you're still waiting on and I'm wondering if you are able to share those
questions that you haven't gotten answered yet?
Well, they both relate to compensation. Um, as you know, the proposal came
with the spreadsheet and so forth and, um.
Staff has gone through it and to make sure we fully understand, you know, the
numbers and- and performing due diligence as we always do when we review
consultant contracts to make sure that everything is clear so that all parties
involved understand exactly what the expectations are and how much
[00:33:30] it will be paid for those, you know, services and so forth. And some
of the numbers didn't add up quite right. And so, um, we've been in
communication with the consultants to, um, point out those differences and
ask those questions. And there's been some back-and-forth, particularly with
native partners, um, about those numbers and so forth. But I'm still waiting to
hear back, um, from the healing partners portion of it and the native partners
portion of the contract.
Okay. Thank you, um.
Sure. I know V is here. [LAUGHTER]
[00:34:00] V is here, would you like to speak on that?
Oh, yeah, please.
Yeah, V Fixmer-Oraiz, Astig planning. Thank you for, you know, this
opportunity. Certainly been a longtime coming. The financial piece. So I just
wanted to speak to that specifically. Um, with the native partners. Yes, it is,
you know, three native partners that we're working with. And I think it is- it is
really incredible that it's gonna be something kind of new [00:34:30] that is
being created. And so there has been some back-and-forth as to what would
that look like, which kind of speaks to what Eric was saying. In the end, we
came to a place where the three native partners that we were working with
were like, "Hey, we want to sit down and actually create a document. Create
something physical as a deliverable." And so that kind of switched around
some of the like, "Well, what do you think it would take and how much?"
[LAUGHTER] So that was kind of a deliverable that they wanted to offer. And so
that- that just took a little bit to negotiate and figure out, and then [00:35:00]
also my Excel spreadsheet capabilities. [LAUGHTER] So I made some errors. I'll
be totally honest, I'm human. I made some errors and it helps. [LAUGHTER] I
think that my, you know my ninth grade math teacher would be proud of the
fact that I broke everything out and that actually solve the problem. So um,
and I had just a few questions that I was trying to get some answers on. And
the- I think that we're literally tonight or tomorrow should have those final
figures. [00:35:30] Um, and it's- I think at this point Eric had some good
questions I'm trying to just nail down. And they're- they're much smaller figures
than what we were looking at before you know. As he was saying, they kind of
swung really wildly at this point there. So I just wanted to say that that was my
bad. And also that there was just some deeper communication as to what
native partners wanted to offer the commission. And so they had some
discussion around that amongst themselves and it just took a minute to get
back to us. So, um, I wanted to speak to that piece specifically and also
apologize [00:36:00] for my Excel spreadsheet skills. I just needed to break
things out.
Would you mind summarizing some of those, like the how the conversations
have evolved with the native partners?
Yeah. So I will be honest, Annie Tucker has really been the one that's been
leading that. And unfortunately, she has a family member in the hospital, so
she couldn't be here tonight. But unless she's on.
Yeah. No, no, no. Yeah.
Okay. Did you want to say something Commissioner Harris? Sorry, I just saw
your hand raised.
[00:36:30] I think he's still waiting to ask another question.
Okay. So yes, there was a conversation initially, or not initially, when we were
looking at the contracts, what the native partners want it to be involved with,
whether that was like final recommendations, how often they wanted to be
here. And we had had those initial discussions with them already, but now we
were trying to get to like, you know, the nuts and bolts. Like, "Okay, so what do
you think it'll take?" "Where do you live?" "Can we calculate the mileage?" It
was those kinds of conversations that we were having, [00:37:00] um, and or-
or I should say Annie was having. But also a really robust conversation around
what- what could be offered to the commission in terms of a document. So the
healing circles that we've been talking about, Monape came and did some with
some of the commissioners. And the idea was that, um, T and then also, um,
and I'm blanking on her name right now. Why am I blanking on her name? I
apologize. Yeah, [00:37:30] they're in the contract.
Danielle [inaudible 00:37:32].
Danielle. Thank you. Thank you, Sikowis. Danielle. That they also wanted to
create an Iowa based healing circle because they recognize that their cultural
foundation. And I you know, Sikowis, please jump in here. I think that I'm
misspeaking, but like the foundation of this healing circles and where they
come from culturally didn't want to be appropriated. But they felt as though
they wanted in order to kind of [00:38:00] move through that they wanted to
create something new for Iowa with Iowans. So this is something that has
never been done before. And the scope of it was a series of sessions where
we're literally coming together and just quite frankly figuring that out. It's not
that they don't have templates and ideas, they do this type of work. It's just
never been done for Iowa and the three of them coming together was also
unique. And I know Danielle has spoken extensively about, you know, her
father had done a lot of this work and so she [00:38:30] really feels a calling to
do it too, and wanting to do it in Iowa as well. And then T has extensive work,
um, you know, all over the Midwest in particular, and working with healing
circles, working with, um, you know, prisoners. And so just a wealth of
experience. And we kind of tried to capture that into what would that look like
for- for Iowa. So that's kind of what you see in their proposal section, was one
that came out of. And so I think Monape was going to try and jump on the
[00:39:00] call, but I don't know. I know he's also- he was in Canada for a
while.
I did see his name on there.
There he is, yeah. Monape I didn't know. I wanted to leave that open if I
mischaracterized something or please clarify. Hello, everybody. Monape
[inaudible 00:39:21] here. [inaudible 00:39:21] territory [inaudible 00:39:25]
territory right [00:39:30] now [inaudible 00:39:31] so I wanted to jump on and
hear what's going on. I'm not sure how to feel about this. with regards to truth
and reconciliation. I'm sorry, Monape. Can you hear me right now? We're really
having trouble hearing you. Um, it sounds like you're really [00:40:00] far
away.
Are you on speaker?
Yes, I am.
Can you take it off? Maybe that'll help.
Yeah, one second. How's that can you hear me?
Way better. Could you start from the-
Oh my God, so much better. [LAUGHTER]
I'm sorry, could you start all over? We did not catch that.
Yes. So thank you very much. I- thank you for working with me through the
technical issues of crossing the border and trying to get back in time or
[00:40:30] get reconnected in time for this meeting. And my understanding is
that, uh, we- we- we communicated immediately with one another to dot all
the I's and cross the T's and such. And you know my understanding is almost
as if- as if when- when- when we say that, uh, we are- how are we- how are we
legal? You know, the land that you sit on in Iowa City and then in the state of
Iowa was, uh, given [00:41:00] by my forefathers in treaty. We're the landlords
of this country. So I'm not sure I understand, uh, what- what you mean by legal.
And my resume speaks to speaking internationally at the United Nations and
all over the Indian territory. And I- I- I want to do the best I can for Iowa City
and the state of Iowa. Um, but I'm- I'm having some, you know, some- some
different [00:41:30] feelings, strange feelings about this meeting. I'm not- I'm
not understanding what you mean by me being legal or not legal. Um, I- I
maybe I need to forward you my resume. But, uh, but we do a tremendous
amount of work with the disparities that, uh, that our Indian people suffer in
this state and nationally. And- and I'm really eager to work with this group, but,
uh, but I- I- [00:42:00] I'm really not understanding what you mean by legal.
And- and I would challenge the Iowa City, the attorney, to find somebody with a
better resume in Indian country than us three. And so I think you'd probably
have to go out of the state of Iowa. And- and- and, um, you know, we've- we've-
we've given a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. Just in Sioux City, just in
Woodbury County, with the largest Indian population in Sioux [00:42:30] City.
And I want to remind everybody that there's- there's no Indian Center in Sioux
City. There's no Indian Center in Iowa. Those are very privately funded
grassroots programs and we're very proud of the work that we do to try to
change, uh, to try to find some social justice reform in many different aspects
of the system. And- and- and so I'm a little frustrated, uh, uh, with- with,
[00:43:00] uh, how we want to say legal or not legal, are they, you know, I
carry a government status with the United Nations. So- so if you need that
resume, I can- I can forward that to you, that's no problem. As far as Danielle
and Terry or team Medina, you know, we- we- we bring them in because the
Meskwaki Nation, Terry Medina's [inaudible 00:43:24]. And- and these are the
people that have occupied this [00:43:30] territory for thousands of years. You
know and so there's a- there's a very special understanding. And plus Danielle
is a woman. She's a matriarch of her people. And so I want to call to that. I
want- I just want to humbly remind everybody to just we want to work. We
want to do this work. We're eager and we're excited for Iowa City. But at the
same time, you know, there's these- there's these, uh, I would [00:44:00] just
say bumps in the road and- and maybe I can get some clarification on what you
mean by legal. Thank you.
Certainly.
Uh, I'll start by offering my apology. I did not intend to suggest, uh, that any of
the consultants who are, uh, being proposed for your work, uh, are not
qualified. Uh, I certainly I am not saying that. I had said that the three native
partners group were not a legal entity. There is not a corporation, there is not a
limited [00:44:30] liability, uh, corporation or partnership, anything like that.
They are acting-
If there needs to be a- a limited liability company that houses the native folks,
that would, um, we would- as Great Plains Action Society we'd gladly do that.
Well, to be clear, would the Great Plains Action Society be the legal entity
signing the contract in this case?
I mean, we can. I mean, we're- we're a 501C3, a 501C4. But of course, I'd have
to find out of this conflict [00:45:00] of interest. So [OVERLAPPING] I'm just
saying, yeah.
Yeah. The other problem with that is that, er, Sikowis is your commissioner
and, um, I don't think that your agency could be a contractual party to this, uh,
because of 362.5.
Okay. Jus- just making sure.
Yeah. Fair question I appreciate the suggestion.
We do have other organizations that we can house like these folks under if
that's what needs to be done.
Well- well, it's not so much a matter of housing these individuals. [00:45:30]
It's whether these individuals wish to be grouped together in a legally binding
partnership in some fashion. And- and I'm not here to say that they should, um,
that's a decision that's entirely up to them. And as I suggested in response to
Commissioner questions earlier, we can do this contract with individuals. I'm
just saying it- it comes with some risks to this commission, um, compared to,
uh, contracting with a legal entity. But I- I don't want to get hung up on that,
let me be clear, that's- that's not [00:46:00] a serious, er, or I don't see that as
a stumbling block.
You're saying in lieu of, uh, a legal entity like an LLC, um, this contract, as it's
written, is- is for three individuals under, you know, that native partnership,
you know, section of the- the contract. And so we, as a commission can move
forward with that, um, or we can have more conversations with our native
partners to see if they're comfortable with that. And we have to just
understand as a body like [00:46:30] what the risk is. Um, should any one
member of, you know, those three or a- any multitude of those members-
members of those three decide not just fulfill their portion of the contract,
right? I wanted to see if, Monape, if that answered your questions or concerns.
Yeah, I think that, uh, we would be- we want to make this pretty efficient for
you guys. So I think we can make that decision fairly quickly for you.
[00:47:00] Thank you, Monape.
May I have to say one thing?
Oh, yes, go ahead, Vee.
You know, as a consultant, you know, having an LLC-
You wanna talk in the mic a little more.
A- as a consultant, you know, having an LLC and being a legal entity, yeah, I
do, I carry insurance. You know, that's basically what it is. Um, I think that's
what it kinda comes down to oftentimes. Also, I'm not an engineer, we're not
building a building. You know, when it comes down to it, you're really asking
people, are they gonna do the thing that they're going to do. And you have
some of the three most, uh, [00:47:30] you know, qualified individuals. If I was
ever to extend individual contracts to folks, um, you know, working with these
three. Even in the capacity that we work with them so far, they've done
nothing but everything they said they would do. Um, and so I just wanna put
that out there just as a sort of like counterpart to that and- and kind of an
agreement with what you're saying. Just so as a consultant, I understand that I
am contractually obligated to things and also stuff happens and things, you
know, shift- shift as you have been doing for three years. So [00:48:00] also
just wanted to add that though as like the- the bonding issue and things like
that, that it's not an engineer's stamp or an architect's stamp, um, which is a
bit different.
Thank you for that addition. I wanted to go to Commissioner Harris because
he's had his hand up for a long time. Did you have something you wanted to
add?
Um, yes, I do. Um, I don't like to construct, and it seems like it's like a grant for,
you know, the money that we have that we need to, um, it just seems like a
[00:48:30] thing that is coming through where we need to get these hashtags
out and get this money and, you know, all of that stuff. I'm a poor person. I
don't have money. I mean, I have a house, I have a wife and kids and stuff like
that, but it's kinda difficult for me to be able to vote for something like this. So
I'm gonna let it, you know, out and be known that I'm not going to vote for
anything like that. And another thing is we had to hear, you know, about
[00:49:00] Native Americans. And, you know, the word native means a lot to
me because they were here before we were here. What- what place did you
come from? And it's really heartbreaking to hear what I have to hear. You
know, because Native Americans built this country. You know, this what I feel
and believe. And I saw them and I know a lot of Native Americans. I [00:49:30]
know they are really great people, but they have a thing where, you know, if
people were- were not Native Americans, why would the government have to
make casinos on their land? I just don't get it. So we can talk about it more
with that, I'm going to leave us.
Thank you, Commissioner Harris. Um, are there any other questions or
discussions right now? I would love to- I- I personally would like to go through
the different points that you were talking about to [00:50:00] see here what
you have to say, um, individually in the contracts. But is- if there's any other
questions, I'd love to move forward on that.
Yeah. We could move on.
Did you have something?
Look, I have one question that might be part of the points still unaddressed.
But I know that one of the things that when we, um, advanced the proposal, we
talked about, um, the extension and since the timing of the contracts and
becoming into effect, I wanted to know if the city- [00:50:30] if that's going to
impact the extension of the-
The TRC?
That's- yeah.
That's the City Council-
And the budget.
- question, right?
Right, yeah.
You're exactly right. That's a city council decision and I'm not empowered to do
that, but since this contract, well, these contracts will eventually come before
the city council anyway, you know, we would make- uh, at a staff level, we'll
make it clear that if they wanna move forward with the contracts and so forth
and want the work to be done, then we'll need to extend the work of this
commission [00:51:00] or the time period for this commission so that they- you
can get that work done.
Well, just, I mean, this is to Commissioner Harris. How about you just save the
money and then we can move on? Because I don't know what's going on. I
don't wanna hear about contracts man, you know, with that I'm gonna yield.
Thank you again, Commissioner Harris.
Commissioner Krebs here. Um, Commissioner Harris, I feel like- is your concern
that, um, we know we're dealing with the contracts and the budgeting? And
then you're kind of [00:51:30] wondering like where's the money for the
people?
Exactly.
Yeah. That's- where's it going to go because I know some guys right now that,
you know, we supposed to be about social and- and- and racial injustice. I know
some guys that's finna go do some murders right now. They finna go- they'd
want to shoot because they friendly guy killed and we don't- we're not dealing
with the stuff that we was contracted to deal with and is sad out here right
now. And I just [00:52:00] wanted- I don't want to hear about people getting
contracts and money, it's sad. I'm poor. I don't have any money. I could pay my
property tax every day. You know, and I just don't understand it. I just don't
understand why we even discussing this.
Commissioner Krebs here. I- I feel what you're saying, uh, Commissioner Harris.
Uh, we're working within a system that puts us in these situations, asking for
them to [00:52:30] essentially solve these problems. And I think that's part of
the- the, you know, kind of the- the concerns with the contract and our three
native partners. I can't speak for them, but, um, do you know to have kind of
fingers pointed at you about contracts, living [LAUGHTER] in a- in a, you know,
on your land with people [LAUGHTER] telling you about contracts when they
don't, um, adhere to their own contracts. So there's some sticky things that are
happening right now, and I feel, [00:53:00] um, I feel you.
I mean just to comb up what you said, like even with the natives you know, you
know, you've talked about Meskwaki and - you know, those people. I was, you
know, I mean, I'm-I'm sad to say it, but I was in prison with a lot of those guys
up from those reservations and just sad and stuff like that, it's- it's just sad to
me to hear us have to talk about people, um, about [00:53:30] how much
money they're going to get from the TRC. That doesn't- I can- I'm trying to find
a way to be, you know, want to hear about and listen to it, but I just can't listen
to that no more, you know, about how much money and contracts and this
then.
Commissioner Krebs here. Commissioner Harris, I think part of it is, um, you
know, with the funding of our consultants, we're also empowering people
[00:54:00] within our community. So, um, you know, a lot of us do the work for
free. It's good that they're getting paid. But I also understand what you're
saying, where's the money for the people? Where's the money to actually take
care of- of the people.
Right, and I do appreciate what you just said right there and, um, I'm not going
to get mad about it, but it's kinda crazy. You think about that, you know, the
money we're talking about approving the budget for people to get me as the
dollars that we [00:54:30] paid, and it's not right at all, you know, you have to
think about it in a conscious way. You-you like damn. Well, I paid all this
money from my property tax for my house. Where is that money going to go
to? We don't know.
I think I can, um, I'm going to go ahead and speak for everyone and say I
understand your frustration. We're all frustrated too by this long-term process,
I mean, obviously, Commissioner Harris, you've been here longer than I have
trying [00:55:00] to get towards this goal that started in 2020. And then I-I
assure you that we're all on the same page trying to move forward. But
unfortunately with, uh, governmental systems, we have to-sometimes we have
to do it a certain way. Um, we're, um, I- I know that you've been here when
we've talked to, um, all the different partners, I know that you've talked to
people individually and I know you know their hearts, and that they're putting
their blood, sweat, and tears into this. And this is just one [00:55:30] of those
pieces to the puzzle that is just so unfortunate. I- I understand that you're
frustrated right now and you don't- you're feeling like you don't want to- to
move in this further. Um, we do have to move further on it. Otherwise, we can't
do the work that you're talking about you want to do so badly and I want to do
that so badly too. But to get there, we had to move over this hurdle, which
doesn't seem fair, but it's what we have to do. So I hope that, um, you can just
find a little bit more [00:56:00] patience so that we can move forward just-just
tonight, if that's possible.
You exited the [OVERLAPPING] call.
Okay-okay. Um, well, I- I think we will move- [OVERLAPPING]
I'm sorry I-I just need to- this is Sikowis. Can I just say something quickly?
Yeah, go ahead.
Was there like some anti-indigenous stuff going on there just now? Like I just
want to clarify that.
Um, I didn't hear any answering. [00:56:30] I didn't hear it.
Okay. I just want- [OVERLAPPING]
Do you want to ask your question again? I'm sorry, I didn't- [OVERLAPPING].
Was there some anti-indigenous like rhetoric going on there with
Commissioner Harris's words? Like I just want to clarify that I heard that right.
[OVERLAPPING]
He was- he was standing behind indigenous people from what I heard, yes.
Okay I-I understood it as like we got casinos and so like why would we be
giving natives all this money.
So no-no, [OVERLAPPING] that's not what-
Was he was saying- this is Commissioner Krebs. What he was [00:57:00]
saying, he's-he's feeling a lot of frustration right now. He wants to do work, he
wants to help people. He doesn't want to sit in two more years of, you know,
contracts and what are we going to do? [BACKGROUND] So we're- we're trying
to build. Now, I'm new, so I don't- maybe I didn't even speak on those because
y'all have been working on it for a long time. So I can definitely feel the
frustration. [OVERLAPPING]
Sorry, I just- I really heard that in a very different way. But yeah, if that's wha-
if everybody [00:57:30] else like, uh, did not hear it that way, then I'm like
going to stick with what everybody else's, um, what they heard, and thank you
so much. Sorry but, you know, because this is the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission, we can't have that stuff like just so you know.
Absolutely.
[OVERLAPPING] Does happen. Um, so I apologize to Commissioner Harris
[LAUGHTER] because he's not here so I couldn't ask him to clarify, but thank
you.
Thanks for the question and clarification. Um, if it's okay with everyone, I'd like
to go with Eric and- and move forward if that's okay.
[00:58:00] Thank you. Um, so maybe we'll just go through the contracts in the
order in which they appear in your packet and maybe that would be easiest.
The first one, ah, at least in my packet, is think pieces that the first one you
folks have in your packet as well?
Yes.
Excellent.
Ah, so again, I've written on the top there that the entity is think peace and
initiative of the Mary Hook. And again, apologies if I'm mispronouncing that
foundation limited as consultants. The next several lines are just Whereas
clauses that kind [00:58:30] of layout as recitals the- the history of how we got
to where we are and kind of setting the stage for the agreement to that is the
subject matter of, um, the document. Um, it's where we get to the scope of
services that we kind of get more to, uh, what I normally, uh, differ frankly to
the internal staff person because they're the ones with the expertise and I
assume that they know, you know, what they want to buy here, ah, in that
case, that's you. And so much of it as you can see is just incorporating
[00:59:00] the proposal summary, which I believe is found at the end of this
contract. If you skip a couple of pages ahead, you'll see a document which says
proposal summary at the top.
Okay. So that's kinda the meat of what each of these entities are going to be
providing here, I see. Stephanie's got it up on the projector as well for those
who are participating in a hybrid fashion. So they're, [00:59:30] um, the
various consultants have put together the phased approach and, um, the
bottom part of page to give an outline about what each entity is going to be
doing in each of the two phases. Um, so this is - this is where the rubber hits
the road in the agreement. This is the detail of what's going to be provided.
And so the scope of services itself doesn't- in the contract doesn't say a lot
other than incorporating [01:00:00] this exhibit, it does give some additional
details on this and I believe several of the other ones that were added, uh, in
response to, uh, the answers we received from the consultants when we ask
them some questions and clarifications. So it's those two things, essentially,
the proposal summary that you have that is a total of two pages long. And the
additional details that you see at the bottom of page 1 of the consultant
contract agreement or page 5 [01:00:30] of your packet. So I guess my
question to you is, looking at those two documents, if you will, and to be clear,
the scope of services on page 5 of the packet, the first page of the consultant
agreement goes on to the next page with some additional detail and then gets
to the issue of deliverables. Of course, those are, you know, what are you folks
end up with your hands at the end, document or otherwise. [01:01:00] And
finally there- I shouldn't say finally, but - but let me - let me stop and pause
there for a moment. I'm sorry. I don't wanna rush ahead. I don't really - I don't
really have any questions about, you know, what's written in the proposal and
so forth. For me, it's just making sure that you folks are satisfied with what you
see and that you feel like you've got what you need in order for you to do your
work. Um, so that's really what I wanna do with a scope of services [01:01:30]
and so forth here. I mean, I do have some, you know, questions about some of
the proposals- or I should say the proposals summary speaks to not only what
each of the consultants will do, but also the expectations of the city and
commissioners. That's in the bottom part of the first page of the proposal
summary, page 10 of your packet. The other part of it is- that is make sure
that you feel like what work you want the consultants to perform is, you know,
accurately and in a detailed fashion [01:02:00] laid out. Part 2 is, are you
willing to agree to, you know, the stuff that you're gonna be responsible for and
city staff is going to be responsible for? We had some questions about, you
know, the city staff being certified in, you know- like I mentioned, that there's
gonna be some strategic doing- I believe excuse me. And it was a little unclear
as to whether we're going to be able to- we [01:02:30] the city staff will be able
to perform that work and so forth. But I'm comfortable we'll cross that bridge
and we'll figure it out. You know, I think we've got a great group of consultants
and I'm sure they'll help us out with that. So again, I don't wanna dominate this
conversation. I really wanna hear from you whether you feel like you've got
what you need in details there in the scope of services.
This is Commissioner Merit. Um, now, that- we see the [01:03:00] agreement in
print, I know for myself I like to look it over.
Sure.
Especially when we talk about the responsibility of the commission in regards
to the contract and stuff, but, um, I'm not sure if I'm gonna be positioned to
vote on it today, but maybe by next [inaudible 01:03:18] meeting.
Sorry. I just kind of share my perspective to you. I wasn't planning on voting on
anything today. I was hoping to just, you know, provide verbal feedback to you
to say green light, to [01:03:30] go ahead and contact each of the consultant
parties so that this can be further finalized so that this could be re-presented to
us. Does that sound reasonable as, you know, an overall approach?
Sure. I mean, you know, like I said, we're continuing to engage in some
interactive process with various consultants to get some details nailed down
and so forth. We have been doing that, we'll continue to do that and so forth.
Um, but at some point, you know, we need to- and I understand you need
some time [01:04:00] to review it and- so maybe that's next meeting or
whenever. It's really your timeline about when you'd like to provide that to us
so that we can- you know, for example if you wanna add some things like no,
we need to have someone do this or someone do that and we, as a commission
or staff aren't able to do these things, okay? Then, you know, we can make
some changes, but I need that from you. I don't know. I don't have any
expertise in this area, so I don't really know what to put in there.
So my question is, um, everything that's been listed that has [01:04:30] been
deemed that we or like the city staff, has that been, um, sanction that city staff
will be able to perform this? I mean, are we agreeing to something that we
can't agree to yet?
Well, I feel like- [NOISE] sorry. Um, I mean, if that's what you folks are willing to
agree to and City Council who will have a similar understanding, you know, is
willing to agree to it too, then we'll make it happen. I mean, city council will
obviously [01:05:00] need to give the resources to, you know, make it happen.
And if they're not, they won't. You know, that's - that's - that's kinda where it
is. But don't- don't feel like you folks need to kinda figure out, you know, city
staffing issues or something, I mean, you know, city manager and city staff -
we'll take care of that part of it. But- yeah. I'm sorry, one thing I wanted to
clarify, I'm actually seeing that, um, the proposal part that has been- the
proposals summary [01:05:30] here only appears to be two pages. The copy
I've got is it's five pages, so I need to make sure- I'm sure that that's my fault.
So let me make sure that you folks have the whole proposal. I mean, it might- I
mean it's the same proposal that you folks already approved, so maybe you've
already got it somewhere, but I wanna make sure we're all singing from the
same handle and making comments on the same set of documents. So let me
make sure that you folks all have that.
The proposal does appear in full. It amended to some of the other contracts
[01:06:00] that are.
Okay. You got all five pages worth?
Yes. So packet pages 36 through- it looks like something got- like 30- 36
through 39 has four the pages. Anyhoo, I did wanna point out, yes, that this
commission has voted to approve [01:06:30] the proposal and I hope that
means that we agreed to do the work that we're expected to do.
Great.
With that fight of what Commissioner Rivera I said we've already voted on it.
So this is just us agreeing what- saying yes again or?
Well it's - it's - I guess I would characterize it as speak now or forever hold your
peace. I mean, this is your, this is your last chance to, um, [01:07:00] consider
everything in its totality. And, uh, especially, um, given that I'm, I'm bringing
forth to you these four separate contracts which you did not know that that's
how they're going to be structured. There are actually more than four kinda
either individuals or entities involved, but that's how I propose that we put it all
together. And if you folks are confident that the proposal looks exactly how
you'd like it, everything you want is there, everything that you're agreeing to
do, you're willing and able to do, albeit with staff assistance, [01:07:30] that'll
have to come from council approval and so forth then great, then you're there.
I just didn't know. I mean, part of it, one of my hesitations is that, um, we're
still trying to figure out the money. I don't have a figure for you tonight about
what this is going to cost you. If that's something that matters to you, then I'll
need to get that to you so that you have that. Um, that's at least one
significant detail,uh, that we'd want to get nailed down.
And I understand that you will [01:08:00] be having follow-up conversations
with the consultants so that this does get represented to us. We will have from
figure.
Sure. Well, so my question is, do you expect that you folks would like to take
some time and offer some, uh, some proposed changes and so forth or do you
feel like, nope, we've got everything nailed down and get the money. Figures
figured out and send it to us and we'll say, great, that sounds good. Or what's
your - what's your pleasure?
Before we get to that, I wanted to ask supposing [01:08:30] we say we're
moving forward, what happens next? And you sought out there- those money
questions. What - what happens next? What happens after what happened
after you make the decision to move forward? What happens next.
Right, so we get the figures, nail down contracts. Good in your eyes, then I
send them out to the consultants. Now of course, many of them are either
sitting next to me or, um, you know, taking part virtually this evening and so
none of this should come as a surprise, but I'll send it to [01:09:00] them
because they may have changes. You know, they may want to see things
altered or amended in the contract because it's not just proposal, you know,
there's terms and conditions that the city includes in all their consultant
agreements and they- and some of those are insurance. And- and so for, um,
I'm really looking forward to hearing, uh, you know, responses from the three-
day of partners individually because I don't know if they have insurance. Uh, I
don't know how they would hope to handle that. That's maybe something will
need to work through. And we're here [01:09:30] for that. I mean, you know,
those are discussions that we engage in in good faith and when we're done
with all that, and we get to the point where, you know, the consultants are- are
willing to sign off an agreement, you know, we staff are willing to sign off to it.
Not that we're assigning it, but, you know, you're willing, we'll bring it back to
you. Then you would say, great, these are the contracts that were good with.
We approve these contracts and then they go to City Council and then they
would need to approve them and then you'd be good to go.
So our options as a commission [01:10:00] or just say before you send these
out, we want as a body to review these amongst ourselves and then, you know,
represent this. We discussed this that aren't maybe next TRC meeting and
then maybe give the city attorney a green light to then go talk to the - the - the
- the consultants. Or we can say have those conversations, the sooner the
better so that we can get, you know, the most finalized figures in front of us
and then - and then we make a decision from there.
You are saying there's [01:10:30] one that haven't finalized the numbers?
[OVERLAPPING] and then once that's done, then the contract would be going
out to them too?
Well, that's my question. I mean, that - that's up to you. If you feel like you
would like to see it again, then I'll bring it back to you again. If you feel like no,
figure out the numbers and whatever they are, that's great. Let's go ahead and
send them out to the consultants, okay. I'll do that. I mean, but that's up to you
folks on what your comfort level is. [01:11:00] Okay.
I think they had something she wanted to - they wanted to say.
Thanks. Yeah. Um, so I just wanted to say if you are looking at the, um, the
documents that are provided, I would say if you wanted further clarification,
the questions that the city asked us would be probably the thing where you
could dig into more because it does clarify some clarifying questions. What
does the city responsible for? Commission members and things like that. So
that would just be one place I would point you to as you're looking through it
[01:11:30] and wanting to know what was dug into a little bit more and we
were happy to answer those questions and get clarity. Um, and also too, I
mean, obviously Eric hasn't sent us these contracts, but it is public record. And
so a lot of us have seen them. And can - I just want to say that we're not - time
is of the essence too we're not trying to hold things up, so it's not out to
people. I get that. And also we are looking at it. So I just wanted you to know
that we're ready and, um, [01:12:00] we'll be having our conversations too as
you're having your conversation so that we can, you know, move forward
efficiently as possible. So just wanted to offer that as you're thinking about how
you want to deliberate, um, and the- the financials will be, you know, very
quickly shored up so that hopefully you can get that ASAP.
Okay. And still fellow commissioners, how do we want to move forward?
I have another question. [LAUGHTER].
Oh, boy.
Isn't so much about the, um, [01:12:30] the agreement ways it's put together.
They're similar to other contracts I've seen so the language of it I'm not
concerned about and even going forward to getting the numbers and then
going to the consultants to finalize everything. But the one thing that you
mentioned earlier, which is how my brain also works, it's like when it comes to
the scope of services and who's gonna be responsible for making sure the
scope of services are actually performed [01:13:00] for the- of the contracts.
That's the part I was - I'm hoping maybe the consultants can help provide that
for me. And the commission is like, how are we going to know that it's done?
So since there's not like a one, um, contractor that's doing the whole thing. If
you understand, that's the only thing that I would want to know as a
commissioner.
Yeah. Is that a question for me or is that a question?
If you had - if you have an answer, that'd be great, [01:13:30] but it's sort of
things.
Certainly it is unconventional to not have a prime and not have that main
person. Uh, we do identify city staff person that will, you know, be a convener
and, you know, help bring people together. The way that we've been working,
uh, as a group has been, you know, all communication, you know, those kinds
of things. We want to empower the Commission to be as informed as engaged
as possible. So all of the deliverables that you see here are things that,
[01:14:00] you know, we will be providing updates on. [LAUGHTER] We have,
you know, in our contracts, you know, not only meetings with you, but also
internal meetings. Um, so there's - I know it's not like we have one person
that's calling the shots, um, It's a bit dissipated, but it's also just function of
how we're working together, um, as opposed to having that top-down
structure. But I don't know if that answers your question. It was one of the
things in here that I think the city was also [01:14:30] wanting to and so we
were just like we will have these communications. We look to the city as a point
person, um, as well. So I think that's why I was trying to point you to those
answers and questions to dig in a little bit more as to who's doing what, um,
specifically because they were - they were good questions for clarification. It's
not going to give you the answer though. [LAUGHTER] There's no - nobody's
coming in and parachuting in and- and, you know, I'm calling all the shots.
I [01:15:00] think you asked a good question, but I think that that's a
philosophical like question for this commission body. Like what will we as a
commission do should, you know, certain terms of these, um, contracts not be
delivered as proposed and signed. And that, I have no way of predicting
[LAUGHTER], um, any of that. And so I think that this commission will need to
add to just at least commit itself to, you know, prioritizing solutions should
[01:15:30] bumps come down the road?
Yeah. I would be fine if the commission is the one that basically says yes, the
scope has been met based on the terms. I just want to know that that's set
when we go forward. Yeah, after the contract is signed and whatever else or
before they're sign. So that's all.
That is the way the commission feels you should put that in there then
somewhere more explicitly. That- if you are the one wanting to call the shots,
as he said, [01:16:00] how does everyone else feel about this?
If I can interject, the only hesitation I have about a- a border commission or
even a council being the lead is that you meet twice a month in your body.
You're not an individual. And- and so normally when we have people and again
get that this contract and this situation is anything but normal, but it normally
we would have a city staff person, probably a single staff person [01:16:30]
who's the point of contact with the consultant. They're the ones who are
interacting and- and making sure that everything is going on okay. I don't have
a name for you, uh, on that right now. Uh, and obviously, that staff person can
say, Oh good heavens, I don't think this is going on, so forth. I'm going to bring
this to the TRC, which, you know, you guys are the ultimate clients here, so to
speak. And so that's what I would expect that staff person to do. But in terms
of who's taken those calls on a day-to-day basis. Hey, have you delivered, you
know, X, Y, and Z yet? When is this coming [01:17:00] and so forth? That's not
a commission function. That's - that's really a staff function.
And- and in that expectations of the city and commissioners, that's what we
were trying to get at, was that, you know, if you look at some of those bullet
points, it's coordination, it is facilitation. It is that point person essentially
because they're creating the meeting agendas. They're assisting and keeping
the meetings moving forward in a productive manner. So that was something
that we identified was probably more appropriate to Eric's point, [01:17:30] to
the attorney's point. [LAUGHTER]
Just adding to that, at some point, we'll get to meeting once a month because,
uh, we had talked about that sometime back.
So again, the question is, what do we want to do?
I- I'd like for us to go through [01:18:00] all of the other contracts to see if you
have any other specific comments that you want to bring to our attention, and
then we can have our final discussion after that.
I really don't. You know again, the additional details section on each of those
contracts is material that I took from the responses from the proposers when
we followed up with questions and so forth. And so that information in
particular, I would like you to [01:18:30] view with a critical eye because that
was not part of the proposal that you already approved. The other scope of
services, that is the Exhibit A, once we are confident that we're all looking at a
complete version of it, in the same version of it. That is what you approved, so
if you're good with that, then great. But this those additional details that I want
to make sure you're looking at carefully and closely. But no, I don't really - you
know, I wouldn't otherwise go through [01:19:00] each contract. If you don't
care to go through the details of each, but I'm happy to if that's the will of the
commission.
Is that what you'd like to do, commissioner Rivera?
No, I mean, I'm open to hearing what you guys want to do.
[01:19:30] I guess. I would like to take the time to now in the next meeting,
just kinda look it over. Have you continued going talking to the consultants,
trying to get everything finalized? And we meet back next week. And we have
questions that come up before then, we can send them to you. But I just think
it's a matter of sitting down and reading. I think it's gonna be lot easier for us
to understand what's going on. Then, [01:20:00] well we can go over here.
I guess like if - if there is a potential that one of the members of this
commission are gonna be sending thoughts or feedback to the city attorney, on
like changes that should be made, and that does like get- that doesn't interrupt
the process of the consultants themselves having a finalized document. And
that puts that commissioner in a position of making suggestions at the other
commissioners have not [01:20:30] reviewed or approved. Right.
So as Vee mentioned, that what we have so far as public record, they are
happy to talk amongst themselves. But if we're suggesting that this
commission needs to take more time before like to consider other changes.
Like, I do think that should happen somewhere sequentially rather than
concurrently [01:21:00] with ongoing discussions between the city and the
potential consultants.
You talking about actually changes to the agreement?
Yeah. You're suggesting that you need more time to look over it so that you
can send feedback or updates then like that's something that we should do
and then discuss it in our next meeting, and then give a blessing for their
conversations to move forward.
[01:21:30] I- I don't forsee probably changing anything. I want to read through
it and so I understand it, but not has it- not to stop the attorney from
continuing to work with the consultants to finalize the numbers. The- the
language is already here, so this part's not going to change. It's the other
number part that he's still working on with the consultants and I don't think
that that should stop while we review this.
I'm [01:22:00] sorry, I misunderstood. I thought that you wanted some time to
sit with these contracts so that you can offer a proposal like changes.
Oh no, I just want to read it so I understand what actually, because this is the
first time we've actually seen the agreements, you know so.
Then I think that I'm on the same page as you which is that, we'll have an
opportunity to look over these again once we have firm all the other sort of
blanks filled. Right?
In agreement with both of you. I think it'd be great to just [01:22:30] sit and
read these while you figure everything else out and get the numbers. Yes?
I just wanted to add one thing because the contracts in front of you and I'm
here and there's questions about the um- payments to, you know how are we
going to pay for other members of our community to be involved and it is in
our contract. And so I just wanted to answer any questions about that. If you
look in your packet at page 28, and under scope of services, [01:23:00] you
have quote unquote local groups. Our team has been super adamant that we
have carved out funding for local groups. We don't know who that is. We don't
know if that's just an individual. What this does for us is, as you can see as it's
written, do I have that number right?
Well, I think we may have a different number, this is page 28.
I'm so sorry. I'm looking online the 28th is the PDF. Page is it 25? Sorry.
Thank you.
All right.
No.
[01:23:30] Scope of services for your guys is on page 26.
Thank You. Page 26. Sorry. I'm the - I'm the online version. Okay. Yes. So you'll
see under additional details, the sum total payments Local Group shall not
exceed $10,000. What that does is it gives us that money to set aside and just
pay people to do the things because we recognize that there are experts.
[01:24:00] As Commissioner Harris said, I'm not trying to even - I'm not even
trying to insinuate that $10,000 is enough. I'm just trying to say that we've
been adamant about having some fund. It just that it's in our contract. It had to
go somewhere. And so I just wanted to point that out. And then I'm also happy
to answer any other questions that you have about our contractors just
because before you now. [LAUGHTER] I know this is the first time you've seen
it, but that was also something that the county had asked us [LAUGHTER] it's
gonna be [01:24:30] - it's gonna be super fun. The city had asked us explicitly
about and so I just wanted to clarify if you have any questions about that or
anything.
I don't have any questions right now, but thank you.
Does anyone else have any questions? So again, the way I understand it is that
we want you all to move forward with what you're doing. We're just going to
read through everything again. And then when you get the numbers solidified,
we'd love to see them so that [01:25:00] we can give you the green light. And
my summarizing that correctly, Everyone? Yes. Okay. That works for me. That
work for you all?
Yes.
Yes.
Is there anything else we'd love to discuss about this?
I have one other matter about the contract and I'm sorry, and it's- it's related
to the contract and the work that you're ultimately going to do. But I thought it
would be wise to raise it now before any work gets done and that's this. It's in
my understanding of that part of the mandate of this group and so forth is
[01:25:30] to go forth and collect people's truths and to share them in some
fashion. Our office has been researching the issues of defamation. And here's
the issue. You can imagine a member of the public coming forth and saying, I
was discriminated against based on my race by bank one-two-three. And the
President of Bank one-two-three, and its particular didn't give me a loan
because I was a part of this protected class. Be it race or whatever [01:26:00]
the protected class is. In order to not be sued for defamation because that
would be a defacto defamation. That is basically calling someone a racist is- is-
it's we don't- no one has to prove that that's offensive or so because no one
wants to be called a racist. And so the only other defense against something
like that would be well, we properly in fully invested to get the matter. I think
the Greensboro, North Carolina was truth and reconciliation [01:26:30] was
based on this premise. They were looking at a single event. As I understood it,
Stephanie was kind enough to kind of share with me some of the other models
that you folks have been looking at and shared that one and I looked and it was
this one event and that they investigated very thoroughly and they reported
their findings. That's fine. We could do that. But what this group cannot do
because of course, you are the city, you are officers of the city and what you do
the city is doing and what you do the city is just accountable for. [01:27:00]
What I want to make sure that whatever you do in your work moving forward,
it's not or does not include a collection of allegations of racism or any of these
other things that are not going to be investigated and then are published. And
even in, doesn't even that just have to be a name like President Smith of one-
two-three bank. It could be a senior banker at one-two-three, but you could
probably figure out who that is. And so [01:27:30] this is a conversation we'll
be having moving forward and so forth. And so I just want to raise the issue
tonight. There's nothing for you to do tonight, but I want to make sure you folks
didn't feel setup later on, like good heavens, we've gone down this path in
good faith, and now we're ready to publish this document and so forth, which
has all these you know, allegations that are people's truths. Now Darn it, the
city is saying that we can't publish it. I just wanted to kind of get that out now
so that we don't have problems later on.
[01:28:00] All right. I'm just curious what is publishing mean? We're being
published right now. So what do you mean by that?
Well, if it's- I mean right now there's a lawsuit that's being filed against the
school district because some students in high school came forth and accused, I
believe, a tennis coach of misconduct and that tennis coach has sued the
school district. And you know because their meetings are, as you say, they're
broadcasts, they're published. [01:28:30] And school district didn't take them
down because they're public record. And I think the school district is right
about that. No, I don't know how that case is going to be. I don't know how it's
going to turn out. But my point is that, yeah, there's, there's some you know,
live possibilities. There are present suits in this city that are based on that kind
of thing. And so we wanna you know- we wanna do what we can do, obviously
to make sure that you folks can achieve all the goals that council has laid out
for you and so forth. But I just want to make sure that [01:29:00] we have
these - sorry, we have these conversations moving forward and so forth so that
we can do that in such a way that your goals can be met without getting the
city sued by a bunch of different folks who feel like they've been defamed.
Um, I think I'd had a question earlier similar to that. And I think one of the
things that we've talked about was that the facilitators, were going to figure
out how are we going to get these truths. To I think- and that was gonna be a
consideration. At least my [01:29:30] concern with on behalf of the city is that
make sure that we get the trues, that is always thought of. So, um, but it's- it
was too early for us to put it down. Well, this is what we have to do when we
haven't even figured out how we're going to acquire these truths. So-
Yeah. Right. But-
It's- it's on the fourth day.
Yeah. Okay. Great. I just wanted to kind of lay it out early.
Yeah.
Yeah. Great. That's all. Thank you.
Well, again thank you very much for your help with all this- this. Do [01:30:00]
my fellow commissioners have any other questions or things you want to talk
about?
Yeah. I just want to follow up. Uh, of being aware that there can be a lawsuit.
Yet, we are listening to people's truths and somebody comes forward. I don't
know what they're going to say.
Right. But there's a couple things- I mean, did you use a school as example. All
they did- they did not know what these, [01:30:30] um, young students were
gonna be saying. They said their truths. Um, and the school district still has
those videos up, um, and that's it. But is it that or will you be producing a
report at the end? And now, you know, we've got, you know, city emblem at
the bottom of it and you send it out. Now, maybe you never envisioned any
such thing and that I'm just being a professional worrier as we lawyers
sometimes do to suggest such a thing could even possibly take place. I don't
know. I- I don't know what shape [01:31:00] your work will ultimately take, but
it's that kind of thing where it would be hard for us not to say that we
published, um, something like that or it doesn't have to be a written report. It
can be, you know, here's a video montage or, you know, 150 hours worth of,
you know, people telling their truths. Here's where they are, please members
of the public check it out, you know. It would be hard for us to imagine not
being on the hook for whatever is contained therein at that point.
In all of your professional and [01:31:30] professional worrying, [LAUGHTER] do
you anticipate like city or your office like coming back to the TRC or there are
consultants in saying here's what you can't do in a truth-telling session.
Well, it would depend on what you- well if you would ask for that, I mean,
maybe that's what you meant. And so if you'd ask, certainly we would. If
otherwise, I- I don't see it as our role to show up at every one of your meetings
and kinda look over your shoulder. Um, [01:32:00] you know, we would want to
kinda know what your, you know, the shape and structure of what you're doing.
Um, but if- I'm struggling to answer your question, um, certainly we're here
anytime you ask for us. Um, and- but if you've gotten to the point where you
are going to put out a product at the end of your work and so forth. I'm- I'm
confident that we would not have to read every page, but at least look to see
what the structure is and have some sense as to what the content is.
[01:32:30] I want to be clear, you know, you're the city we're the city, please
don't take this as some kind of censorship or something. Uh, but just we need
to obviously make sure we're looking out for the, you know, best interests of
the city and the city taxpayers and so forth.
But in- in effort to clarify, what you're saying is if you professionally disagree
that we should put it out, then you would tell us that we shouldn't put that out
or you would stop us from putting it out?
I don't know if I want [01:33:00] to get into those hypotheticals just yet. Yeah, I
don't know. It would depend on what's- what's the plan.
And then you've made me go down the path where at some point maybe this
city might even separate itself from Commissioner Gathua separate from other
than looking at us as TRC or being part of the city. But separate. And say, that
is their own personal [01:33:30] thing. And then I'm left again dealing with
something alone.
Right. I don't know if that's something that can be done at the end of the
preceding, I don't know that we would be- if I'm understanding your question,
you were saying for example you would be a city commission through 95% of
your work. And then you'd get to the point where you're ready to publish
something and then you would become a standalone entity not associated with
the city anymore and then publish the work. Is that the hypothetical you're
presenting?
[01:34:00] I'm- I'm- I'm going to use the example you brought here since it's in
public about the tennis coach.
Sure.
Now, that the swing the district with the district can put it on any one of the
board members in a personal capacity.
Oh, I see.
Yeah.
I- I well, I don't represent the school district and so I don't- I don't know if they
are bonded [01:34:30] and indemnified in the same way City Board and
commissioners are. I'm not sure. But they would certainly be a party to the
lawsuit, um, but whether they would be exposed for financial damages? I- I
don't- I don't know. I'm not sure how the school district works in that regard. I
really didn't mean to take it down this trip, but and I'm sorry. [LAUGHTER] I- I
just wanted to raise the issue and we're here for you. We will work with you.
It's my hope that [01:35:00] this will never be an issue, but I just- I didn't feel
like I'd be doing you any favors if I showed up only at the very end and then
said all this great work you've been doing, you can't publish it or something
like that. I didn't think that would be fair.
I think our consultants are the professionals that we are relying on to help us
with this. And so I think that they- they understand, um, the importance of it
and it definitely will be something that we're- is addressed and make sure that
the city is [01:35:30] in all of that.
Uh-huh.
The last thing that I just kinda want to say about this agenda item is I think as,
you know, complicated as these conversations have been so far and up- up
until this point, I- I think that, um it's a good reminder that we're trying to
invent a new process. You know, we're at a unique commission in the way that
we're associated or a part of the city. And so, um, I [01:36:00] just want to hold
space for even like- you know, a lot of the discontent that Commissioner Harris
expressed earlier, I think that it's appropriate for us to hold that. And also for
us to come down and say like, and this is the stuff that we have to figure out in
order for us to do the work, right? I think that we can lament, uh, the- the fact
that we have to sort of work these things out and we can keep moving forward.
And so I just really want to- I [01:36:30] respect my fellow commissioners for
being engaged in this work. I respect all the people who have been willing to
be part of this process with us. Just wanted to give Stephanie another shout
out for everything. [LAUGHTER] Um, that's what I want to say before we move
on to the next agenda item.
Okay. Again, thank you so much. We're going to move on to the next agenda
item, um, which is agenda item number 6, correspondence. We did get an
update from the public letter, um, and I believe there are people in the room
that might be wanting to discuss [01:37:00] this. Maybe I'm incorrect. Okay.
But, um, I have not heard back from anyone regarding the public letter
condemning the comments made, but we did, um, get an update, um, and it
has been put into our packets. Are- are there any comments in the public,
online or in-person? If not, I'll let commissioners discuss.
[01:37:30] If there are no discussion for this agenda item, I will move to- move
to the next agenda item. Okay. Um, the next one is the update on the Iowa City
School District performance incidents. Um, I will, um, let Mary, I'm sorry, Mary.
Commissioner Krebs, go ahead and fill us in.
Commissioner Krebs, [01:38:00] put together a great document that I did not
bring. [LAUGHTER] I'm not doing great so far. So, um, I was part of the- the
equity committees meeting last night. Um, some of the things that they are
doing, um, there- they're adding more information, um, to their- their equity
[01:38:30] toolkit, some do's and don'ts and ways to approach, you know, the
curriculum. Um, so they're offering that guidance of the book. They were not
able to mandate because of I think it was House file 802.
Uh-huh.
Um, and I- and I- I kinda wanted to look into that a little bit, but I didn't have
time because this is just last night. And then they want to do some professional
development [01:39:00] with the-, you know, the teaching staff, etc, in the
schools, um. I was- I was hearing a lot of information from Laura Grey. She
seemed like she had a lot- lot of good information, um, and extended the offer
for me to reach out to her. So I will, um, because I asked her specifically, like
what does this professional development look like? Because it just like two
hours of some [01:39:30] info and- and sounds like she's interested, you know,
she's- she's interested in more of a series approach, um, rather than just kinda
which she called it the one and done. She prefers a series approach which I
thought was good. Um, and she expressed that she would like to work with
some indigenous folks who might be able to help with that. So looking into
finding someone to assist, um, in- in [01:40:00] implementing the professional
development. Um, I think that was all that I have so far. So I will keep everyone
updated on what else you find out.
Thank you for that update. What was the house file number again?
Eight hundred and two.
Awesome.
Is there anything else, any other updates or, um, discussion that we'd like to
have around this agenda item?
I would like to, uh, speak to that briefly, [01:40:30] if that's okay.
Yeah, of course.
Just House file 802 shouldn't prevent them from using that book. Actually,
House file 802 is a really loose bill, if you will. Like it doesn't really have much
teeth in it. So, like, I don't know why they couldn't use it, because it's not, um,
making another- some making a race feel bad. So, um, I think we should revisit
that for sure.
Yeah, um, I wanted to look at that too.
Yeah. And I'm just [01:41:00] asking maybe if the, um, the seat- okay so this
right here, is a perfect example of how the TRC can help with issues like this,
because, um, like this is lite- literally like, you know, government legislation,
and, you know, the powers that be oppressing people, right? So, like, the House
file 802 is the critical race theory bill. I don't know if everybody here knows
that. It's the- it's the, like, when- I was one of the 18 states that has banned
[01:41:30] what- what the, uh, rights are calling critical race theory. But it's
actually not that it's diversity, equity, and inclusion. Um, yeah. So, um, look,
I'm actually, like, Mary, and I haven't had a chance to connect yet, since she's
been at the meeting. So I'm actually quite concerned about this. Um, and, like,
this is what I'm proposing, I guess like that- the TRC really investigate this, um,
and [01:42:00] back- back us up that, like, we probably should be the- the- the
school- the school district should be able to purchase this, and that, you know,
the city go to bat for us, honestly. Um, because I know, like, there are, you
know, there are people fighting this. There are, you know, counties, and cities,
and other parts of the country that had been fighting their state on- at- at- at
this level so far.
I wanted to clarify also. So they're- they're- they're providing the book, and all
of the, [01:42:30] um, in the schools. But they couldn't mandate it as, like,
teaching material. Does that make sense? Um, and again, not to discredit what
you're saying, and all, but I agree.
They are also really, they're getting the book then.
Yes. Yes. They will- they will provide the book. They can't mandate, you know,
that teachers are teaching from the book, or mandate.
Oh, well, that's- that's the- that's cool at least.
Yeah, sorry. If I wasn't very clear about that. Also-
I know you [01:43:00] sent me an email. I haven't even read it yet, so that's my
bad. I literally been-
What just happened last night? So-
Yeah. [LAUGHTER] So much time in a day.
Yeah. I know I have a grandson. I'm actually- I had to get- I don't know if
everybody knows this. I just want everybody to laugh a little bit. Chastity
notice this. I had to get off between 7:15, and 7:35 for a quick 20-minute
meeting, and then hop back up. [LAUGHTER] So bad it's been, um, but yeah,
no, this is great. Okay. I'm happy to hear that, and I'm happy to hear the school
board is, [01:43:30] like, kind of standing up to that, you know, CRT issue,
because I know it's been scaring a lot of folks away from doing, you know,
what's right. And so, um, yay. Okay. I mean, I know they kept many folks, but-
Also, um- sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt.
Hello. Go ahead- go ahead.
So I- I- I asked Laura about, uh, you know, like, curriculum, and what teachers
teach, if it's set, and things of that nature. Because I wanted to know, I'm
concerned with whitewashing of our- of our [01:44:00] curriculum. And she
mentioned, um, a woman named Carmen, um, that she thought would be good
to loop into the meeting, um, because she is, I think, like, the Executive over
curriculum. Sorry, had all of this laid out in my document. [LAUGHTER] So- so I
think it- it's- it's sounds pretty positive, and then she'll be able to give us more
information, and clarification on what they're able to teach or what, you know,
things of that nature in the schools.
[01:44:30] Yeah. Um, and sorry to sort of just diverge at the touch, but we're
still on the same topic. This brings something to mind just now, that maybe the
TRC could also work on, um, while we wait endlessly, uh, to get money to use
things. It's- it's that like, like when you talk about mandated curriculum, like
right now, like teachers can still teach about like Columbus, right? They can
still teach about, [01:45:00] um, you know, that, that- that really racist stuff if
they really choose to. And that's really unfortunate. But this reminds me that
maybe the TRC needs to, um, also consider, uh, I'll just talk about this in
another time, but, like, also consider talking to the city about how we can
abolish Columbus Day, and not just, like, uplift Indigenous Peoples Day. So
that's a whole other thing. But anyways, I just want to put that out there to get
people's will starting, and we'll talk about another time. Say no, I'm not
typically allowed [01:45:30] you, so thank you.
Thank you. Commissioner. Let's start getting to point out, and I'll put that on,
um, I'll take that note down, and we'll talk about it later. So I think we have
discussed everything, uh, my guess, is there anything else, Commissioner
Krebs, and Novus that we, as a commission can do now, or are we still just
waiting?
Before that I just have a question for you, Commissioner Mary. Uh, I heard you
mention about [01:46:00] indigenous people being involved. I didn't really
catch, uh, what does that mean?
Yeah. So they- they wanted to do some professional development, and working
with, you know, our people who are working in the schools, teachers, and
administration, etc. But they do want that input from indigenous people. They
want, you know, people to come in, and assist them with rolling that, you know,
that- that professional [01:46:30] development out.
Go to the experts. [LAUGHTER]
Yeah.
Yeah. I'm also hoping in a paid capacity. Not in a voluntary capacity to people
who are on the clock, and being paid yet providing expertise for free. Yeah. I
just wanted to put that out there, and also, uh, being on the lookout for that.
[01:47:00] I appreciate it.
Thank you.
We'll be consistent with how it's done with anybody else, so they'd come in for
their professional development?
Yeah. You are absolutely correct. Thank you.
Either of you think of any other ways that we can be helpful as you all go
through this process?
I can't think of anything right now. I really appreciate everyone who, you know,
who's come to the meetings, or eve- even just ask questions showing support.
That [01:47:30] to me is very helpful. And then once we have action steps if we
need assistance, will be- we'll definitely reach out, and bring it to the attention
of the commission.
Sounds good. We will now move on to agenda item, um, number- where am I
at? I would like to skip Agenda Item number 8, unless there's anyone that
would like to discuss it, is discussing the book. I unfortunately have not had a
chance to read it. Off birds. [01:48:00] A moment, would you like to discuss it?
Not really discuss. Just say that. Now that I'm really diving into it, it- it's really
hands-on, and it's also resonating with the cost that the city paid for us to go
through, in the six weeks, and also, uh, I really [01:48:30] appreciate even
somebody paying for the manual for me. Because, for me, it's not just for TRC
work, it's also useful for teaching, and research work on the topic of social
injustice. I just wanted to add that. But I'm speaking from Chapter 1, and 2, as I
they keep diving deeper into it. Yeah. That's all that I have to say for now. That
I'm gazzetted. Actually [01:49:00] keeping me up beyond, yeah, I'm excited.
I'd also like to just step back to our agenda item number 7, because I'd never
ask if anyone in the public would like to speak on it, and just making sure that I
didn't miss anyone online, or in person. Okay. Um, I'm going to go ahead and
move on to agenda item number 9, and this starts with, um, Commissioner
Novus, so she can present this to us, and then we'll go, and ask [01:49:30]
public comments.
Hello. Um, yes. Excuse me while I get up my notes, um, I wasn't expecting this
at this moment, um, all right. So I know that we have been looking, uh, to
uplift, you know, black, and brown businesses, you know, slash, you know,
projects.
[01:50:00] And all of that. And, um- I- I am really impressed with what Andre
Wright from Wright- uh, well it's called Wright House of Fashion right now but
it's- the name is going to change to something like a community center, um,
like a cultural center or something. Um, so I'm impressed with what, like, he's
done with, like, um, acquiring this piece of property where, uh, varsity cleaners
used to be, and, uh, he's currently, you know, converting [01:50:30] it into a-
like a- a community space for black and brown folks and- and focusing on
youth. This is a really unique project in- in the City of Iowa City because it's
run, um, uh, by a- uh, a black organizer, um, community member. Um, and, uh,
it's meant to be a- a community space for all folks. So it's encompassing of all,
you know, black and brown folks. And I feel like, we should like, somehow like,
[01:51:00] utilize that space, like, as we move forward, um, you know, for, like,
where we help- hold our- some of our truth and reconciliation meetings. Like
for instance, like some of our like- you know, like, uh, community meetings and
such. But also like I don't know if this is- if we're even able to do this, but I think
that we should try to also, um, support, like, this, um, er, initiative fiscally,
because, um, it's just getting off the ground. It has very little funding, you
know, to- to- to- to for programming. [01:51:30] Um, like- and it would be in
our- in our benefit to, like, have a space that's like a safe space for black and
brown folks to be. So, you know, I just feel like it's kind of in our purview, but I
don't know if it's something that we technically can do. So I just wanted to
bring it up first and see if this is something that TRC is interested in, uh, you
know, um, exploring. And if not, like, that's totally cool too. You know, and I-
uh, uh, I think the information [01:52:00] - I think there's some information in
the packets there. So- um, and if not, I can - I can read something, but, um,
yeah. Let me- uh, I guess I'll open it up for discussion now.
Thank you Commissioner Nobiss Is- does anyone in the public have any
comments on this? I'll open it up to Commissioner discussion.
Uh, this- Commissioner Merritt. And I think that, um, I'm totally on board with
you with this. And I think that once we finally get going [01:52:30] with the
contracts and actually have money, that this should definitely be one of the
items that we discuss, um, with how we want to best utilize the money that we
have to support the community that we're addressing. So I think definitely you
want to have this one on there.
Uh, this is Commissioner Dillard. My- uh, my concern is- is, um, favoritism or,
uh, just, um, [01:53:00] ho- what- what do we do when other non-profits, and I
say this as a non-profit worker, here is that we're funding organizations and 10
of them come to us. How do we decide who are we going to fund? Um, their
processes usually for grants- grants like this. And if we're going to do
something like this, which I'm not against, I think there should be a process for
that, um, similar to what the Human Rights Commission does.
Oh yeah. I- I think that's a great idea. Also- and I want to say that, [01:53:30]
like, the reason I'm bringing this up- because I had the same thoughts as well,
is that this is a- quite a unique- like this is a- a unique, um, er, non-profit, right?
Like it's - it's serving, like, not just a black community, you know, it's like- or
just a- you know, um, like Latino, Latina community. It's serving all BIPOC folks.
Plus it's a space, like a community center, that can be utilized where folks can
go and feel safe and themselves and, um, where, like, [01:54:00] you know,
testimony may come out easier, uh, for folks because they're in, you know, a
space that's, like, you know, for them. So- um, yeah- but I definitely think that
that's a great idea though. Also, um, putting together, um, you know, in- in the
future, um, like, uh, I guess a competition or whatever you wanna call it, um, to
get grants.
Yeah. And, um, I could get behind the idea of, um, if we were to be utilizing
their space where that would be- a- a non-profit [01:54:30] organization that
we're- we're partnering with and that would be a stipend situation because
they're letting us use your space, er, which, you know, would still help them
out. Um, and then if it was more like, you know, programmatic wise, we would,
um, explore that grant process, um, because I do know, I mean, again, as a
non-profit worker, I would definitely be looking to see how can I get- get some
money too, because there's not enough in this community for everyone.
Yeah, [01:55:00] that's actually - that's a great- yeah. Like, so- thank you for
helping me break up these two thought processes I was having. Yeah, I want to
utilize- I would love the TRC to utilize the space in the future. Um, and then
also, yeah, um, you know, getting funding towards, you know, this particular
entity, um, it's just something I think would be, you know, a great idea. But
then you're right. There are also some other groups that are working, er, with,
like, you know, the whole BIPOC community as well.
Yes.
And- I - I do have a question. Staff, are [01:55:30] we - do we have the power
to- to grant dollars like this?
Er- not at this. I- I think you would have to ask for city council to allocate some
of the funding for your existence to support x cause or to support x
organization, so-
But, er, in, um, with what we're supposed to be doing, this could be a part of
that end report that suggests that we start giving out grants specifically.
Yea- I think that's correct. And I also think, you know- I [01:56:00] don't think
you've really revisited the budget either. And- and so it could be part of a
budget proposal to the city council at a future date too.
Um - but I'm- I'm so- I'm excited that you brought this to our attention. I didn't
really know exactly what, um, Andre was doing in the community completely.
So I- I think this is also great for people to see that there's another, um, black-
owned run immigrant non- non-profit in this community, you know, serving
[01:56:30] BIPOC people. Is there any other- what- what would you like to see
us do moving forward? Um, Sikowis?
Oh, um, I guess I just really wanted to just bring it up, you know. Like we don't
really have to do anything about it today. But, um, you know, I guess I've just
been thinking so much about spaces and how, you know, we're in all of these-
like where you guys are right now, right? Like where- where we have our
[01:57:00] meetings, how they're not- they have never been like- been- the
people walking the halls of these places have never been like, you know, like
BIPOC folks, right? And how, um, you know- I feel like if- if we're going to be
doing testimony which I've- I've been involved in truth and reconciliation
processes and believe me, like, they can just get so hard. Um, and they just go
so much better in, like, er, community spaces that are built, like, you know, for
us, like, in like I've- I've been- as an indigenous [01:57:30] person I've been
involved in some of this stuff and it's like it's better when you're, like, in a- in a
place where, you know, you feel like you belong. So that was why I brought it
up initially. Um, and then I realized as well that, like, basically what he's doing,
like trying to put all- together all this programming for- for- for BIPOC youth
across the board is like what are- what we're- like we're trying to provide, you
know, more opportunities. And so because it's like, it's not just focused on one
particular group [01:58:00] of folks, it feels like it would be a great- um, a
great, uh, like, uh- I guess- I don't know what you want to call it, program for us
to- to, uh- to support fiscally as well. But yeah. I mean, right now, like I said,
there's- you know, I just- I brought it up. It's on record so we can come back to
it at some other point.
[OVERLAPPING] Sorry. [LAUGHTER] Go on.
You wanna say something? Okay. Sikowis, thanks for bringing this to our
attention. I think that, like, again, [01:58:30] um, we, like, just have, I think, a
lot of exciting opportunities, um, of- of- and like visions of what we can do as a
commission and the types of recommendations that we can make at the end of
the work that we're doing, um, both like in- in creating specific funds that can,
you know, fund, you know, innovative programs that support BIPOC students
like this, or, you know, whether this commission later decides that, you know, a
better use of the city's money is in reparations and, kind of deciding what that
would look like. I think, [01:59:00] um, we have, uh, a lot of work ahead of us in
order to kind of decide like, what, like, how we think money should be spent,
um, with regard to, uh, the things that we're investigating. Um, but I- yeah,
um, I think this gives me a vision of, you know, the type of work that
community members are doing so that we can keep this in mind as we're
formulating and as we're going through our process.
Yeah. Like I'm- I'm- I'm very much, uh, a doer kind of person, [01:59:30] so my
mind just keeps moving ahead. I apologize. Um, I know we're stuck in this
never-ending- uh, it feels like a nightmare of a process [LAUGHTER] to get this
budget passed. But like- I'm just like looking ahead and I'm thinking about all
these things we could do and thinking of all these people we can partner with,
you know, and like- um, that's why I wanted to mention this just because I- it's
- it's been very inspiring to me to see what he's doing. And, um, er, I just feel
like, you know, we- it would be like a win-win to- to- to use the space for our
work.
[02:00:00] Absolutely.
And I was thinking when we were talking about, um, like a- a web presence for
the TRC and basically getting the word out to the community as, hey, guess
what? This is here, you know. And I think that's something that is not
necessarily, uh, um, a financial cont- contribution, but it is something that
getting the word out that we can be posting this on our site kind of thing. So
it;s- this is the kinda [02:00:30] thing that I'm hoping that we can do. This is- I
think is achievable.
I also think it's, um, really important for us to have a safe space, like you said,
for people to- to go. I think that's a really valid point.
Absolutely. Any other thoughts? Okay. Well, we're going to move on to, uh,
agenda item number 10, which is announcements. And up first, I'm going to go
to Stephanie.
[02:01:00] No, I don't have any announcements. But thank you. [LAUGHTER]
Anyone else?
Um, I have som- uh, I hope this counts as, you know, [inaudible 02:01:11] say,
but I attended, uh- yesterday the youth did a walk out at- from the schools,
um, and it sounds like there's a ton of legislation that's being brought, um,
forth, uh, to harm our, um, LGBTQ [02:01:30] community. So I just wanted to
bring attention to that. Um, I believe it was 21 pieces of legislation, 29 pieces of
legislation that is focused on harming, er, parts of our community. So that's-
that's a big number. Just wanted to bring attention to that.
I [02:02:00] just wanted to say my organization is going to be doing a women's
history mixer on March 24th, from 6-8 PM at our pheasant ridge neighborhood
center. It's part of our, um, trying to reactivate the neighborhood and get
people back together, you know, after the height of the pandemic. So I would
love to see anyone, um, out there and to join us.
What was the date?
It's, uh, March 24th, I believe that is a Friday, from [02:02:30] 6-8. And we will
be highlighting Deja Taylor, who is an amazing young woman in this
community. So if you haven't met her or talk to you, I know you wouldn't love
to speak with her.
I would like to let everybody know that they can get tickets to night of 1,000
deters. That's going to be on March 8th, uh, from 6-8 PM at Mercer- [02:03:00]
Mercer Park Aquatic Center. Um, basically, I'm just going to read what it says
here. Uh, nearly 4,000 dinners will feature an international buffet followed by
entertainment from diverse cultures and recognition of three local groups
dancing UN Sustainable Development Goal number 15, which is life on land,
um, and I am proud to say that Great Plains Action Society will be receiving
one of these awards, uh, and then proceeds from the organism- from, uh, this
full, uh, benefit, the organizations plus [02:03:30] the UN World Food
Programme. And there's entertainment as well. Tickets are between $10-$25.
And I should mention Sikowis- I'm glad you mentioned, so the office has a
sponsor of that so if you in your official capacity as commissioners want to
attend, um, I will send out the link either later tonight or first thing in the
morning. And if you could just let me know and I can purchase a ticket for you
to attend. So I'm glad you mentioned that, so thank you.
You're welcome. [LAUGHTER] [02:04:00] You didn't have an announcement,
but you did. [LAUGHTER].
Yeah, I did.
Anyone else?
I have three announcements. I'm not responding to Sikowis, I'm attending the
dinner in my capacity as a member of the UN chapter here. And my other
announcement, uh, so in relation to that, it reminds me that on working on
social justice, not just local but [02:04:30] globally, so the other piece I'm doing
in September, uh, related to justice, I will be presenting in a conference. Uh,
Kenyan faculty in diaspora in the US. We have an association. So I will be
presenting in Georgia on the work [02:05:00] that I do to mobilize resources, to
empower girls and women in Kenya to go to school because basic education is
not free in Kenya. Then the last week of May, still part of, uh, doing my piece
on global justice, I will go on a mission trip by- through [02:05:30] my work as
faculty. Uh, we shall go to Zambia from 18th through 26 to one of the poorest
villages in the country. And we shall also go to Botswana. And, uh, I shall be
talking about, uh, counseling because some people, this particular foundation
we are working with, they don't [02:06:00] have access to counseling. So we'll
spend a week helping those who do not have access to counseling, giving that,
doing some counselor education. I will- I will do HIV AIDS teaching on that. And
in relation to that, since somebody is paying for us to take any material things,
I have chosen [02:06:30] to, I do not want to use the word hygiene- female
hygiene products because products encompasses a lot of things, I want to see
as many suitcases that I can take since somebody else is paying for it. Uh, I
shall take pads and underwear. Because I know in my experience in Kenya, this
is something I already do, some girls don't go to school [02:07:00] when
they're on their periods because they don't have pads or underwear to hold
those pads. So around our community. I will be asking for help. And if anybody
is aware of any organization that does that kind of work, uh, reach to me. But
through our e-mail, I will give more information on [02:07:30] this, uh, because
it's something I'm excited about. Because I believe justice in a way, not just in
my city, but also out there in the world. And I'm- I have the qualifications and
the experience to do this piece. Thank You.
Can I ask a question?
You're not allowed to.
Sorry- Sorry. [LAUGHTER].
Maybe you can ask a clarifying question.
It is a clarifying question. Are you specifically looking [02:08:00] for pads, or
can it be other items?
Another item is black shoes because most of Africa, uh, students wear a
uniform and black shoes, because of the demand, the price is high. So even
black shoes and other- and.
So what I wanted to- what I'm trying to understand, are you looking for
[02:08:30] pads specifically or could it be tampons? Could it be the reusable
cups or just pads?
Yes. Yes. All those are the products too.
Okay. So all-
[OVERLAPPING] Hygiene products, female hygiene products too, yeah.
Especially reusable. Thank you for reminding me that.
Um, the things that I just wanted to make sure that people- were on people's
calendars [02:09:00] for the month where the Holi Festival, which starts on
March 7th and goes into March 8th and Ramadan starting on March 22- 22nd.
And so as, you know, you're working with people in your life, either at work or
otherwise, just be mindful, uh, and make sure to kind of accommodate and
respect, uh, some of these holy days for them.
And the last thing I just wanted to say, just to remind everyone if you do have
any agenda items, if you could send it to me, Lauren, [02:09:30] or stuff by
next Friday, that will be most helpful. If anything comes up after that, we can-
we can accommodate- it just helps to get it out earlier. And if you-