HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRC 2023-06-01 transcript[00:00:00] [MUSIC] Recording in progress.
Hello everyone. We're going to get started and it's 07:09. Stefanie could you
please take roll call?
Um, Dillard.
Present.
Gathua.
Yes.
Johnson.
Here.
Krebs.
Here.
And Merritt.
[00:00:30] Here.
Thank you. Uh, next we'll go into reading of the Native American Land
Acknowledgment and I'll go ahead and read that. And it says, we meet today in
the community of Iowa City, which now occupies the homelands of the Native
American nations to whom we owe our commitment and dedication. The area
of the Iowa City- of Iowa City was within the homelands of the Iowa, Meskwaki
and Sauk. And because history is complex and time goes far beyond- far back
beyond memory, we also acknowledged [00:01:00] the ancient connections 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 in genocide that we can not erase. We implore the Iowa
City community to commit to understanding and addressing these injustices as
we work toward equity, restoration and reparations. Next, uh, we'll go to, uh, to
approval of meeting minutes, um, from May 4th. [00:01:30] First, um, I'm going
to give an opportunity for, um, public comments. There is no one. Then we'll go
ahead and, uh, get a roll call.
Uh, and a motion.
Oh, sorry. I forget about that. I don't have the power. [LAUGHTER] So is there a
motion to approve these mee- meeting minutes?
I make a motion.
Oh, I would like to make a motion.
Okay.
I second.
I second.
Okay. Thank you Stefanie.
Okay. Commissioner Dillard?
[00:02:00] Yes.
[NOISE]
Gathua.
Yes.
Commissioner Johnson.
Yes.
Commissioner Krebs.
Yes.
And Commissioner Merritt.
Yes.
Thanks. And Stefanie, I don't think we can hear you as well [LAUGHTER]
Sorry.
Thanks.
Um, so next we will go to public comment of items not on the agenda. First,
we'll move to, um, anyone online. Is there any attendees online that would like
to comment on anything not on the agenda? [00:02:30] Please go ahead and
raise your hand. Okay. Is there anyone in the public, in the room with us that
would like to make a comment on something not on the agenda? Okay. Well,
then we'll move on to agenda Item Number 5, which- which is a presentation
from Councilors Bergus and Dunn, um, on the City Council Strategic Plan. Um,
we'll go ahead and reserve public comment to after this- after the
presentation. [NOISE]
[00:03:00] Good evening, commissioners. My name is Laura Bergus and I serve
on your City Council. I'm so glad to be here with you tonight. You have in front
of you a few, uh, excerpts from our strategic plan, which was adopted in
December of 2022, after a almost year long process, uh, that included several
different stages. Um, and [00:03:30] I won't bore you with all of the details of
how this document came about. But I can say as someone who's been through
a strategic planning process for a number of different organizations, I was very
pleased and impressed with the care, um, and the time that we took to come
up with this strategic plan. The entire plan is only about 30 pages. Uh, it is
online at icgov.org/strategicplan and I encourage you to look at it in its entirety
when you can. But what's in front of [00:04:00] you this evening, uh, I wanted
to focus on the values that lead, uh, that inform the decisions that we make as
leaders in this community for the city of Iowa City. Uh, the double sided page
with the color photographs is just, uh, two pages from the plan itself that
articulate the vision statements for our three primary values that inform all of
our decisions. Those values are racial equity, social justice and human rights
[00:04:30] as one, climate action and partnerships and engagement. The
second sheet that's in front of you is taken directly from the website,
icgov.org/strategicplan and it lays out a summary of the impact areas that
we've identified, um, within the strategic plan where we're making decisions
informed by the values and hoping to impact the areas of neighborhoods and
housing, mobility, economy [00:05:00] and safety and well being. And we have
listed out different strategies, uh, within each impact area for achieving goals
that align with our values. Um, and there are specific action items in addition
to the strategies. So, um, what I really wanted to focus on this evening was,
again, these values that inform our work as I think they, uh, apply to you. One
thing that's been incredibly helpful in my time serving on the council, starting
my- halfway through [00:05:30] my fourth year now on the council, um, is that
this document really has kind of solidified and brought into focus so many of
the initiatives that we've been working on, just even in the time that I've been
on council and really what the city has been, uh, leaning towards and- and
focusing on for probably almost the last decade, I would say. Um, and perhaps
most pertinent to this commission, I want to focus on that first value of racial
equity, [00:06:00] social justice and human rights. I'm actually just going to
read aloud this future vision statement, because I think it is very impactful.
Iowa City welcomes and celebrates cultural diversity throughout the
community and accurate cultural historical perspectives are acknowledged and
commemorated. Each community member understands how systemic
inequities have disadvantaged and marginalized some populations [00:06:30]
and are equipped with the skills to disrupt bias. Growth and healing occur as
the city proactively addresses racial inequities and social injustices. The city
has removed and address systemic barriers present in all facets of city
government. Including policies, land use decisions, programs, services and
employment. Partnerships with businesses, schools and non-profit
organizations [00:07:00] facilitate equitable access to opportunity across all
sectors. City employees, boards and commission members and other advisory
and decision making entities reflect the diversity of the Iowa City community.
The presence of equity, inclusion and belonging is identifiable in all city
operations and activities. That's our vision. We're very clearly not there yet,
but it is what we are going towards. And [00:07:30] I think that you all as
commissioners, understand how well this aligns with your charge and what, uh,
brought about the commission and the resolution creating the commission in
the first place. So, um, I do want to just also note this, this value doesn't live by
itself. These three lenses all overlap. And climate justice is social and racial
justice. And we know that social [00:08:00] and racial justice require
partnerships and engagement throughout the community. So I would ask that
all of you just keep this in your hearts and your minds, in your decision making
and in the way that you approach your work. I think the timing of this is so
good with the facilitators who are onboard now. Um, and for them to
understand that this is the- the vision that's been adopted by our local
government for what we want Iowa [00:08:30] City to be. Again, we have a
long ways to go, but you all are helping us identify some of the challenges and
the ways in which we can improve and achieve this vision. So now I just kinda
want to open it up to you to maybe, um, brainstorm or give a little bit of
feedback on ways in which you think that your work, um, you know, how you
can see being informed by these values or even any of the impact areas
[00:09:00] that you know you're going to be looking at thinking about, again on
that second page, the neighborhoods and housing, mobility, economy, safety
and well being. So anything that jumps out of you is particularly relevant or
what you hope to focus on.
For me with the- the partners and engagement, um, that could be critical, um,
[00:09:30] as grassroots. And I talked about this before is like where we want
to extend our little tentacles to, you know, everybody. That's because there's
so many talented and, um, smart and ready people in this community and I
think that we want to connect with them and- and form that partnership and
get everybody involved. And I think that definitely is, um, true to my heart here
[LAUGHTER]
Awesome. Thank [00:10:00] you.
First I want to say thank you so much, um, Laura, for coming out and- and
speaking with us, um, it's always great to have city council members come in
and just remind us that you are here with us. So thank you so much. Um, I'm-
I'm curious if you can, um, remind us or inform us what you believe the city is
doing in all of these areas besides the TRC and how we might be able to
connect those to what our work should be do- should be doing in the next few
months?
Absolutely. [00:10:30] So I think if you look at the, um, the sheet without the
color pictures, [LAUGHTER] has the- the strategies for each impact area kind of
highlighted there. And so I think you can see, I mean, every department has
received a much longer detailed presentation of the strategic plan. So every
city department has understood kinda the adoption of this plan and has gotten
some training and exposure to it as well. The specific, um, [00:11:00] action
items that we have that are detailed in the plan aren't in the documents that I
sat in front of you today. But I think in terms of what the city is doing in
addition to, um, your work, is a lot of what Stefanie is doing in her department.
Um, and we have authorized on our hiring a full-time, um, human rights
outreach coordinator. That's the- I'm not sure if that's the- the right title as
well. Um, [00:11:30] that I know will just be able to bolster, uh, that work
significantly. Um, and I think all of the things that you see in terms of, um, you
know, annual reports from any department recently the- the city received the
Climate Action divisions report and certainly the equity lens and the need for
climate action to be, um, reaching people who are maybe most impacted are
more vulnerable, um, was a high- was a highlighter [00:12:00] focus of that
report that I think really kind of brought that together. So I don't think, I mean,
if- if you were to ask me what actions of the city are like carrying out, you
know, these values I would say all of them. [LAUGHTER] And where we're not is
where we need to be, you know, uh, looking at that focus. So I realize that's a
little bit of a dodgy answer but [LAUGHTER]
No, I appreciate it. Um, I- just curious and I- I know that this was like you said,
it took all of [00:12:30] last year to come to this. Um, and excuse my
ignorance, but I'm curious how big of a leap from the previous strategic plan
that you feel that this new one is.
That's a really good question and it's really well aligned actually. And- and that
was one thing that was great to see after going through a really careful
process that what came out of it was like, okay, we're pretty on this path,
right? Like we see areas where we need to move faster and further, [00:13:00]
but I would say this is not a big digression from the prior plans. Um, my
personal opinion is some things that were missing from the prior plans were
worthy action items where the actual measurable kinds of things and we've
had a number of discussions about, um, how we will be measuring our, you
know, achievements in alignment with the values and of those action items.
There's different resources that are available to achieve, you know, these. And
I think you all are aware that money is [00:13:30] a problem right now, right?
Um, you know, with, uh, property tax reform, we're certainly looking at not
being able to raise as much revenue to support the work of the city as we have
in the past. So, um, just knowing that that's a resource limitation, you know
what- what can we do to, um, move forward? But yeah, I was really pleased to
see the alignment, I think with- with the history. Again, my personal opinion
being, okay if this is the right direction was go.
[00:14:00] Thank you so much.
I have a question. Um, I know the general process of when you're rolling out a
new strategic plan and, um, have- was there any opposition from members of
the public to any areas of the current strategic plan?
There hasn't been and I'm glad you asked it that way, um, commissioner,
because the- the process really was- all of our meetings and discussions
[00:14:30] throughout the process were public, of course. Um, but there wasn't
like a, um, specific to the strategic plan. We didn't seek public input, so we
were informed by all of the existing plans and processes that have, you know,
differing degrees of public input. Um, but I have not received any negative
feedback or- or opposition relating to our action items.
It's good.
[00:15:00] Anyone else have any questions or thoughts?
I'll go. Wangui for the record. Uh, thank you Councilor and, uh, I get excited
whenever I see you just because of the lead you to calm making the re-
solution that has have brought us here. [00:15:30] And always seeing you
following how we are working. For me, I take that as support. And I'm also- I
also get excited with the, uh, conversations we have- I have with you on ratio
inequity and social justice. You are asking how the areas where we would want
to [00:16:00] see most impact. For me, it's the areas of equity and social
justice in the area of education, because that's the future of Iowa City. And also
because for me, if I'm- since 2002, uh, July 26 when I landed in Iowa City. I am
able- [00:16:30] just using my own experience and those of others that I know,
um, from an immigrant po- population and I also learned to legally that I am
called African American. So from that time, I'm able to see what has improved
and I also check it against the research that is out there the improvements. So
I do want to see equity and social [00:17:00] justice accelerate in the area of
education. And right now for me, I'm also becau- I- like I stated as we were
talking during the last meeting with the council, I'm also for my grandbaby who
has just joined our school district. She is three-and-a-half, so that's the
personal part of it. But for the [00:17:30] overall betterment of our city, like I
said, the future lies. That's where our future is and that's what we are working
on. The other area that I want, I- if I could wave a magic wand and would want
to see but I- realistically, that is why I sit on this board and even if I- before I
was sitting here and even after these, I continue giving my time to [00:18:00]
this is because I belong to, uh, the populations that are really, really
marginalized. I said an immigrant and then currently I coordinate another even
if there can be even more marginalization, African immigrants, survivors, and
victims of domestic violence. So that's my dream for my [00:18:30] best city in
the world. And I want to be part of this exciting and painful journey. As we
continue, I want that exhilarated and I can already envision it. Thank you for
the way you talked about the vision- future vision as if it's already here. I am
excited to be for the ride, I yield.
Thank you, Wangui. Anyone else?
As Co- [NOISE] Commissioner Johnson. Uh, [00:19:00] first, I would like to say
once again, thank you for, uh, being you in general. You've always been very
helpful and, uh, always there whenever needed to, uh, kind of move things
forward in the right direction and the hard work and effort you guys are putting
into this. This is great. Uh, this is very exciting. I agree. Uh, I- I am looking at
this and I'm thinking of where and how I wanted to try to help out or where I
can help out. So this is very exciting for me as well and, uh, I look forward to us
moving [00:19:30] this forward. Tha- that's- that's all there is to it. I just, uh, I
like what I see. And now we can help us do it.
Excellent. Anyone else?
Commissioner Krebs here. So a couple of things that, uh, that just kind of
popped into my head. Um, um, I would like to see maybe more programs for
our teenagers, things for them to do to keep them busy. Um, and growth and
healing [00:20:00] is mentioned in here. Um, so I mean, I know the city is- can
only do so much, but it would be. There's a need for mental health care, I feel
like that would be great for helping with healing and trauma. So that's gonna
be a big part of social justice and equity.
I'm allowed to piggyback on what Commissioner Marie has talked [00:20:30]
about on mental health, yes, and the youth. Uh, because right now I've, um,
I'm thinking of some of our students in our school district who didn't graduate,
uh, because of social injustice and racial inequity. And as I think of that,
because I know some of them, the e- [00:21:00] I want to cry. Yeah- yeah, so
mental health is really part of that, yeah, thank you.
This, um, my last comment is, I'm just thinking about, um, the youth as both
commissioner, um, Wangui and Marie said, there is a group, I think it's a- a
group of people who have come together to co- create something similar to the
Commu- Community Leadership Program, um, which I was a part of. Um, I'm
not sure if you- you probably already know about [00:21:30] it, but, um, finding
a way to inco- incorporate this into that program would be wonderful, um, if it's
already not thought of.
It's a great idea, thank you.
There's a group
So-
that's been created
Yes, so if you haven't heard the community leadership program it was, uh,
previously put together through the Business Partnership, which was also
informerly known as the Chamber, and it's a leadership program that's, um,
wonderful for people to be a part of. Um, and it really gives you exposure to
being a part of this community in different sectors [00:22:00] of the
community, and they're creating a version for teenagers, um, especially those
that come from diverse backgrounds, I guess is the right word for it. So, um,
and I'm very excited about that, so.
Thanks for sharing that.
So just, [OVERLAPPING] I would leave you with this, um, you know, thi- this
plan aligns with other visions and plans in our region very, very well, and so
within the plan itself, we track the alignment with the Better Together 2030
[00:22:30] vision for our county as well as the East Central Iowa Council of
Governments, envision East Central Iowa plan, um, and all of those processes
which we're all very robust, kind of point us in the same directions, which I
think is really heartening. And I would encourage you to use this to hold
leadership accountable, because you can point to this document and say, is
what you're doing an alignment with this? Is there more that you could do to
be in alignment with this? [00:23:00] And how does this fit under the action
items that you've identified? That'd be helpful for us.
You said Better Together, 2030, and what else, who's?
Uh, East Central Iowa Council of Governments or ECICOG.
Okay.
It's, uh, envision East Central Iowa is the name of their plan.
Okay.
Yeah, it's- it's really interesting to see how- how well everything aligns even
with very diverse stakeholders [00:23:30] than those plans.
Thank you so much.
Thank you, appreciate it.
Okay, uh, do we have any other comments amongst us, fellow Commissioners?
If not then I will move to, um, public comments on what we just discussed.
Anyone online that would like to comment, um, please go ahead and raise your
hand. Anyone in the room with us that would like to comment, please come up
to the front, [00:24:00] okay? Well, we will move on to the next one, which is
an agenda item Number 6, follow up on communications with the Iowa City
Community School District, and we'll go ahead and do the same and talk about
that first and then open up public comment.
I don't- I don't have anything.
There's nothing- that's a [LAUGHTER] no need to be sorry.
That's the reason I apologize.
It's schools, no, got it.
Yeah, um, well, that's fine, then we'll move on and we'll just continue to keep it
on the agenda, um, as we move forward with this. Uh, [00:24:30] the next one
is going to be, next steps on phase 1 of the facilitator plan. Um, I think we
should do public comment afterwards for this one as well. Um, so we'll go
ahead and open it up to, um, our facilitators who are in the room or Redmond,
or.
I can probably start- start us little off.
Okay.
Um, so I think, uh, at our last meeting, I have declared I was going to go on
vacation, and [00:25:00] that we would hopefully start, uh, shortly once I
return, June 1st was the date that we were looking at, so I did, I accomplished
the vacation, made it back safely, went to Vermont, by the way, so
[LAUGHTER] if anyone have ever went, uh, or haven't went, you have to go is a
beautiful state. Um, and so after, um, upon my return, I started working on
some housekeeping matters, uh, with our consultant groups, um, primarily
some, um, tax compliance things [00:25:30] we need to get in and insurance
compliance issues. So, um, I haven't received all of those documents, um,
although I will say in the last couple of days, we've made some progress, and
at least I think we have a strategy to get everybody on board, so they can at
least have insurance, so the way that the, uh, contract looks, we can't really
get started without the insurance work, and without the tax work I can't pay
anyone. So those are pretty critical things, especially when you're [00:26:00]
talking with some of the smaller contractors, getting paid, um, is- is going to be
really important for them, especially since there'll be kinda providing work, uh,
initially, uh, cause contract work is usually you- you provide to work and then
you get paid, and it's kind of a reimbursement type of thing. There were some
requests to try and do some advancing and we don't do that with professional
contracts even though there's some experience with construction related
[00:26:30] issues, but it doesn't really apply here, so we had to kind of go
through that. Um, and, um, I've- I've worked with our procurement process
that hopefully ex- expedite payment process, so typically it takes 30 days, and
I'm going to really be trying to keep it much shorter than that, but I'm going to
need the- the contractors to help me along, uh, so we- we've kind of- I'm
working on getting a work plan together. Uh, the idea is [00:27:00] that work
plan will help me, um- um, identify and articulate those invoices when they
come in, uh, because sometimes there's a process of as- a line item in the
invoice, and the contractor administrator has no idea what that service is and
why there's 14 hours there. Um, by having a work plan in advance, it's going to
allow me to kind of make sense of those invoices, so that [00:27:30] it- it
doesn't sit on my desk very long, and then I can help get it through, uh,
procurement, uh, procurement faster, and hopefully turn around and have a
check for them, which I know is also important for them to deliver the surface.
So those kind of housekeeping matters we're- we're working through now, um,
had some, uh, good meetings with our local, uh, contractors, um, with, um,
healing partners. I think we're on- on a- on a good- good track there. I- I think,
uh- um, I think peace [00:28:00] is- is pretty advanced, and current the West is
starting to come on board, and, uh, the native partners are, um, starting to
come on board. So I think we're good- we're going in the right direction, we're
not quite ready to- to start, um, June 1st yet, but I- I- I'm still suspecting that
early June we'll be able to start. And it's pretty critical, I think there was some
question as to- can some of us get started now and- and maybe not wait for
others. The- the challenge is- [00:28:30] is once we give that heart go date,
um, the contract basically says three months, the toc- clock starts ticking, and
since the work is so inter-related, I- I would hate to see some contractors
waiting or other contractors to, you know, get milestones done, uh, or they just
blow right past it because they're, you know, advanced, I mean working on it,
and then we wind up having a product that's not quite where it should be or
could be. [00:29:00] So, um, if we can kinda have a nice good start date,
everybody online or when and where they interact with each other, and those
work plans layout. I think that also would give, um, the Commission the
opportunity to, um, kind of put together your work plan as well, and see how
that works in and out of what the, um, facilitators are doing as well. So if we
have all of that, hopefully it'll be nice, and clear, and expectations [00:29:30]
will be clear, and payments would go out quickly, and everybody will be happy,
[LAUGHTER] that's the idea. So we'll see how that goes, but um, right now
that's what we're trying to get in place.
Okay.
Thank you. Um, and we have, um, any in the room with us, I'd like to give you
an opportunity to speak if you'd like to.
Thanks, [inaudible 00:29:53].
Thank you. Um, I'd like to just address a couple of things that Redmond said.
And then I love to [00:30:00] pass it on to Dave because I think what he has to
say is like super important. And then I might have something to say, follow up
on that.
Absolutely want to hear from everyone.
Okay. Oh cool. Thanks. Um, so, um, he can't be here tonight. And I talked with
them today and they had some suggestions after talking with Redmond and I
came in and talked to Redmond this afternoon as well. Um, so, um, about
insurance. [00:30:30] It's been challenging for our native partners to get
insurance. I heard someone say that it's like, kind of, like, not red tape but like
white tape, like, like a hurdle that's hard for some- like challenging within the
way that they usually operate. And so, um, options are being worked on. Like
for example, a monopoly is like looking [00:31:00] for, we'll general insurance
cover, this is professional insurance, right? So- so that challenge is happening.
And so while people are trying to find ways to make it work, it's- it's an
unfortunate requirement for the city with their concerns about um, with their
concerns. It's not an- it's not an easy match. So I just wanted like, um,
acknowledge people who are trying to make something [00:31:30] happen that
usually isn't in their world. Okay? And if there's any way you can help that not
be a significant problem, I don't know what that would be, but I was asked to
say that. Okay?
Are they having problems with finding a company to get the insurance with, or
finding a plan that actually matches the kind of work that they're doing?
That's a good question and I- I just honestly don't know the answer You know
when I hear someone- as someone who has [00:32:00] professional insurance
in a particular area and I hear someone like looking for, or going to a general
insurance person since that didn't work, it's, um, it's someone who's looking
for options that aren't clearly obvious and they're getting mentoring from folks
on our team. So it's just a challenge. Go ahead.
I was thinking the city would have some experience of businesses or bu-
insurance companies that they could go to [00:32:30] for this kind of thing,
wouldn't they?
Well, I think when a construction-related type of project, which is the bulk of a
lot of contracting that the city does. Dave's experience said professional
services, I think is- is a little different, and the novelty of this particular project
also probably adds some- some challenges. So I think there's a- a- a good
strategy. [00:33:00] I think if, uh, if I don't want to overstep, but I think there's-
there's some uh, movement to have some collaboration amongst the uh,
consultants so that one can kind of be like at the lead and the others would be
like a sub-contract or a sub of that particular consultant and fall underneath
kind of like an umbrella policy. Those- those other- those other [00:33:30]
consultants that are having some shareable. So I- I think that- that is a recent
consideration that is being looked at and probably needs a week or so to see if
that's going to be doable. That is doable, then I think that takes a big bulk of
the challenge uh, with the insurance. And then- then the other part is- is the
taxes to in when I think where I've seen some come in now. And so I think
that's not really a hard- [00:34:00] a hard to get a W9 in, but that's been the
other challenge to get those that paperwork in. So those two things happen. I
still feel pretty comfortable that we can get started in the first couple of weeks
of June. So I don't think it's gonna be, uh- uh, kind of delay that's going to
throw us off because our- our big goal is to train and have our check-in
presentation this second meeting of the City Council in September. So if we
[00:34:30] can get started by the second week of June, we're still on target. If
we go beyond that, then we're probably going to have to look at having a- a
check-in meeting in October because there's only the council and he meets
twice a month so.
So my question is, and then I- I would love to let David Ragland speak. Is- was-
was this a surprise for contractors? Was this information that wasn't known
before uh, hand that this [00:35:00] was going to be asked for?
I don't know the- I can't answer for the native partners.
Okay.
And I do know about um, what Ragland is referring to, the possibility, and yet I
was also asked to let you know kind of the- the challenges going on.
Well.
And how so- so I can't answer that.
Yeah.
Thank you.
Okey-doke. Thanks.
[00:35:30] Uh, David, would you like to speak about any of this?
Um, not necessarily about that particular um, issue. Just we're here and uh,
we've met and, uh, are working together to figure out ways to support and
move this forward. Um, and let me know if you like me to, uh, speak about our
own- our plans for- our facilitation [00:36:00] plans. Let me know, now is the
time as well.
I mean, do we have any other questions about what's already been talked
about right now about insurance or where are we ready to move on?
I think we'd love to hear about the plans that you have. So go ahead and plot.
And um, I- I appreciate the care that's being taken to make this happen and
make sure that, uh, all is legal and correct. [00:36:30] And um, I'm Dr.
Ragland, I'm one of the co-founders of the Truth-Telling Project of Ferguson.
Um, and I've worked on a number of Truth processes around the United States
and uh, teach about it in my academic work at Pacifica Graduate Institute and
most recently at Harvard Divinity School, where I'm teaching about, uh,
transitional justice or truth and reconciliation, as well as reparations. I'm also,
[00:37:00] uh, associated think peace, and although we are- um, waiting for
the official start, we are at the beginning of this process and we've been- it's
been a pleasure to be here, um, to be in Iowa City. I've been there a number of
times and a pleasure to see some faces that I'm trying to make out, um, for my
last couple of visits, um, and last couple of times on [00:37:30] uh, Zoom at
this council meeting. But this is an important process. And think peace and all
of the partners who will help facilitate or in this facilitator role are also on the
trust that the city in this commission or demonstrating. As you know, according
to his mandate, the TRC has three key activities; truth-telling, reconciliation in
fact-finding. [00:38:00] Truth-telling, according to Dr. Imani Scott, author of
crimes against humanity in the Land of the Free, and a Truth and
Reconciliation process heal racial conflict in America suggests that truth-telling
is a searching moral inventory. Truth-telling consists of creating platforms that
are safe and respectful [00:38:30] for people to share their stories and
experiences. These need to be carefully planned to protect participants, to
ensure that the result is healing and empowering. These can be public
hearings for testimony, but there are also other forms of witnessing; poetry,
song, theater, art, and in private spaces. [00:39:00] Reconciliation refers to the
circles where our local partners will use and integrate indigenous wisdom to
promote healing. Fact-finding is the research that will be conducted to obtain
concrete data about how discrimination and injustice shape the day-to-day
experiences of many in this city. The sum total work [00:39:30] on truth-telling,
reconciliation, and fact-finding will lead to healing, we believe, and concrete
recommendations about what to do to overcome the situation of division and
injustice that Iowa City has experienced. Think piece will focus on the truth-
seeking component of the work of this TRC. Up partners will [00:40:00] focus
on the other two components; reconciliation and fact-finding. What we want to
focus on, with your co-operations as commissioners and city leaders is the
following. We- we- we welcome all this- everyone who's in this room right now
to join us and be a part of it. Firstly, training, ensuring that all members
[00:40:30] of the TRC have a lot- a lot of time for training on specific questions
that you may have about truth-telling activities. A two-day training session, we
propose in late July, to go over the organization and co-create truth-telling
activities.
We will prepare educational materials for the commission and the community.
[00:41:00] Among the materials that we'll produce is a proposed glossary of
terms referred to- referring to restorative justice and reconciliation and
transitional justice, so that we can all share the same knowledge to re- enrich
our understanding of the task. In terms of technical support, we want to co-
create the truth-telling activities with you based [00:41:30] on your needs in
the city, your wisdom, and your experience. We contribute with comparative
experiences, but you, here are the leading force. We'll produce a number of
memos and documents for you to consider on the key issues at hand. For
example, what is a public hearing or a truth-telling hearing? How to organize it?
What types of hearings [00:42:00] and other truth-telling activities have
happened and can be organized, etc? I like to request that you provide us with
feedback on these proposed ideas that we use the June 15th session for a first
conversation on the topics that you identify. We also encourage you to block
two days in late July for a visit from us all to do [00:42:30] in-person work. I
thank you. And I am, uh, open for questions and comments.
Um, thank you again so much, um, for, you know, being here and working with
us. Um, I guess my first question is to- for the two days in July, um, how- how
long and they can be any day of the week, it could be a weekend.
[00:43:00] We're- we're- we're open. Um, some of the days that our team has
identified is the 20- let me just look again, the July of the 26th and the 27th.
Uh, but we're also open and are very happy to, uh, coordinate with times and
dates that work for you.
[00:43:30] You said the 26th and 27th?
Right.
Um, I think it's something that we should talk about, um, and since we're
mostly here right now, maybe we can discuss some dates. Um, I will say off- I- I
would prefer weekend just because then I won't have to take off work. Um, I do
know that that's going to add longer to our facilitator's week, but it'd be much
easier [00:44:00] to do at least maybe one day like a Friday and Saturday or-
or something like that. And, um, I'm- I'm not a parent, so I'm not sure if
daytime or nighttime works best for parents in the room or wha- what's
everyone thinking?
I think, um, maybe like a Friday, Saturday or a Sunday, Monday would be good
just to add one weekend day and then make it a little easier for folks. Um, uh,
[00:44:30] I- I have kiddos, but, you know, we- they're older so I can- we can
make it work.
My own personal preference, uh, this is Commissioner Johnson would be, uh,
towards the very, very end of the month. And I think I agree with, uh, uh, Friday
and Saturday will work out this. Uh, but worst-case scenario I could try to be
flexible if need be. But I think the 30th would work for me 30th and the very,
very end of the month.
So the Sunday, Monday 30th [00:45:00] and 31st of July?
I am actually- might be able to change that. I was looking at the wrong month.
I was looking at June.
I was just going to say July 28th is this rag by and-
The end of July.
And core, while I was sitting there-
I was looking at June- I was looking at June, actually.
Is that a-
[00:45:30] Is not a bad thing.
So does that not work for you because of records, what you're saying or.
The whole city is going to be crazy.
Yeah.
I don't know how effective with people getting people together and doing
things when-
What we were just beginning ourselves here, not the whole city. Maybe I'm not
understanding what you're saying.
I guess it's just going to be just meeting with the commissioners for those two-
Correct. Is it just- it's just us commissioners, right, for training that we're
[00:46:00] discussing right now?
We see this first gathering as, um, training, but also organizing, uh, beginning
to do some more, uh, uh, in-person truth-telling organizing for the larger
community. Um, but it's stuff that we'll also begin reaching out to you about,
um, as soon as we can officially begin.
Yes. And again, David, the time commitment, are you thinking like [00:46:30] a
five-hour trading each day? Eight-hour? Like what- what does it look like?
Um, we- we haven't gotten that far. We- we were just thinking that those are
two days and thus co-create an agenda together.
Okay. Whoever-
We can definitely be better because, um, I worked for the treasurer and last
day of the month not going to work real well. That's worth trying to [00:47:00]
close things up.
Potentially, we're looking at Friday, the 28th of July and Saturday the 28th-
29th of sa- of July. Um, my next question is I'm wondering how does it work for,
um, us all being in the same room together, open records laws?
We would- I mean, even if we handled it as a work session, it would- agenda
would still be posted.
Okay. And we'd have to like meet in- in a [00:47:30] space, a public space that
people can come.
Um, I don't mean like a government space.
Like how we're meeting now or we-
I mean, if- if you want it to move it to a different location, we would probably
just have to pay this list and just see which one is most accessible on a bus
line.
Okay.
Um, things like that.
Okay. Just curious how that works. Yes.
Uh, Chair, I don't know if any of the healing partners would be participating.
There is [00:48:00] a restorative retreat that is scheduled for July 27th and
28th. I don't know if- yeah I don't know if people who might be involved in this
process may already be planning to do that. I just wanted to let you know.
With that in mind, maybe it could be we could look at the weekend before and
the weekend after, um, David, if that's possible, to ask and see what works.
And maybe, um, Stefanie, if you could send out a Google poll or doodle poll or
whatever [00:48:30] you do.
I will but you guys have to promise to respond to it.
Yes, everyone. [LAUGHTER]
I have no problem sending it out though.
And we can figure that out.
I think we need for information is what it's going to entail before we can
actually vote on it. So-
We need to vote on it?
No.
Oh, for that. Okay. Well, I guess I'm trying to mostly preliminary I'm trying to
see when people are most available. And then on June 15th, we can talk more
about what this means. As David said, we can co-create [00:49:00] the agenda
together. Is that?
Again, once we know, I mean, and it's gonna be five hours. That's the thing.
That's where I'm talking about I need more information-
You need more of that. Okay. I don't know if we can find that information until
we create the agenda together. Because we- it's up to us.
I apologize. I do think it will- will- will hopefully be part of it is also, uh, building
communities. So I see us using at least- at least five hours a day.
[00:49:30] Okay. Um, so we will-
The weekend of August 4th, 5th.
I know I will not be in town that weekend, so I know I personally won't be here.
Um, but those other two weekends, I can commit to you if we want to work
around that or we. And the closer we get- the further we go into August, the
more we're pushing back our timelines. So we probably do want to work in July,
um.
And [00:50:00] my preference would be the 22nd weekend. The weekend of
22nd. That would be better personally, but.
I wouldn't agree off the weekend of the 22nd would be better for me, but I
could make the following weekend work. Um, anyone else have any questions
about what, um, David has just presented to us? There is any follow-up from
you, David, about what we've been talking about so far?
[00:50:30] Ah, no, just, um, pleasure to be here and really excited about the
work of the Sydney and the commitments that I've already heard on this call
and the trust, um, in moving forward in this process that it can be
transformative and help us reach, um, the kind of city and the kind of nation
that we wanted to be.
Awesome. Thank you. Any other discussion about, [00:51:00] um, next steps,
phases, either related to what we've heard already or our own thoughts? This
is our time to talk about it.
I just want to thank the part of the facilitators for what you have presented.
David and also our assistant city manager on these and how [00:51:30] we are
moving along. Thank you.
I also want to make sure that we- can, one thing we talked about was, um, sure
that town hall type beating and that that's still on the forefront, yeah, so we
can connect with some of the people who had already expressed, you know,
we need to contact [LAUGHTER] when Richard that's definitely up there in the-
the agenda.
So, um, with that thought, I was hoping, [00:52:00] um, s- some of the things
that we, I think identified last meeting is that some marketing and all that is
not a part of the facilitator budgets. Um, it's, am- am I correct in that if we
wanted, like if we wanted t-shirts or things like that, it- it's something else.
Yeah. That would be something else.
That would be something else. But we- what if we wanted to get t-shirts for
truth and reconciliation? We were told that they wanna see us in the
community more, we wanna go to the diversity market and stuff [00:52:30] like
that. So I wanted to talk about us on our own creating that and getting those
things printed so that we can start going out and doing that, um, because we
don't really need the facilitators' help for that in my opinion.
Can I offer, um, so I- I've prepared a matrix to kind of, is a work plan. And I-
and when I'm hearing is you probably need to have your, uh, a work plan
yourself. So what I- I will do is for that matrix to each of you. I would suggest
[00:53:00] that you just kind of go through and think through what you think
you would like to see in that and then you can then talk about those issues,
um, independently as a group when- and bringing those together and kind of
just- just kinda go through. When you think those things will happen, so some
of the- the- the issues of that's been introduced of the dates. It's hard to know
exactly what's in town or what's going on, what's happening with one group
and another until you see it all on some- some matrix of a- a unified plan.
[00:53:30] So the commission itself has a piece and you probably need to have
a process so that you can kind of go through what you wanted to add to the
process. If it's in or out of the contract, you at least need to be able to talk
about it and then find, you know, where so- resources going to come and how
we go about that process because you still are commissioned, you can still
make that request, um, but you'll have a process then to say, okay, we looked
at it. We think we can do t-shirts on whatever day for this event [00:54:00] and
lead up to this and lead up to that. However, um, so you're not really eating-
you know what I'm saying, so you can frame it nowhere it is, and if it's a
separate process outside of the physicist facilitation contract there's a process
for that, and we can walk you through that too. So I'll get you that matrix. I
would encourage you to- just to kind of think through what you think you
wanna see, what you wanna add, even if it's no bad [00:54:30] ideas, right? So
just billboards or whatever it is put it out there.
[LAUGHTER] Billbords
And then you can talk about it as a commission and then maybe we can find
the appropriate, um, pathway to deal with whatever those requests are.
Maybe we could work with Andre on t-shirts because they do printing and also
use that as, um, a, resource and opportunity for some community building?
Now that sounds like [OVERLAPPING] it is a good idea. Um, [00:55:00] yeah.
Thank you, Redmond for that suggestion. I would love to see work plan. Um, I
have to use that in my own work, so it gets us all on track. I think we could still
use at least like five minutes to just kind of think out loud. So because we're
each individually gonna be working on our own work plan and coming back
together so that we won't, um, be too surprised by what people are thinking,
maybe. [LAUGHTER] And then if anything else comes up, if anyone does want
to argue for a billboard, [00:55:30] just come with a great argument, I guess.
[LAUGHTER] But, uh, we don't have to spend time on it. But if there's any other
ideas that anyone wants to talk about right now, that would be outside of the
contracts that we can individually go to work on her own, work plan and come
back, maybe we can talk about it now. Anyone?
Do you have any artists that can come up with like an awesome pie- like piece
of art for [00:56:00] t-shirts, or flyers or like-
Things like that.
I can reach out and see if I can find an artist. There's a very strong likelihood I
might be able to find one that can help design it. So-
You're pretty cool if we could find someone in town. Yeah.
Yeah. Yeah. I think we need to get that done and our shirts too as well.
Okay. Cool. Because I wanna wear a shirt. [LAUGHTER] We can put it on the
shirts, we can have stickers that are beginning to do.
I think that's something that could.
Magnets, mugs.
Um, the- [00:56:30] the other question, if we don't have any more on that, I
just wanted to ask. I do- I think this is the time to ask about it is so we will be
eventually getting new, uh, commissioners and I'm just wondering where that
process is right now.
Um, so the council would, um, appoint on their Tuesday, July 11th meeting.
Oh, so is it- is it still open for people to apply?
Correct, they're open until July 3rd at 5:00 PM to apply.
Okay. Good to know. [00:57:00] Well.
How are we going about letting everybody know that these positions are
available?
So I know the city has done a news release. It's been released on Facebook and
it's been released on LinkedIn. I am not sure about Twitter. I can check, um,
but I know they have released it on their major channels and through their
major communications.
. I'd encourage commissioners since you know what the work is and what
you're doing to also let people now use your networks and encourage
[00:57:30] people to apply.
I agree with that. That everyone know I've been doing that. We need more
commissioners. Well, if there's nothing else to be discussed on this agenda
item, um, we can move on.
Just a moment, ah, sometime back when we began, we came up with a list of
organizations in the community that-and some responded and said, they're
willing to work with us. When do we- how- how do we go back [00:58:00] there
and-[OVERLAPPING].
I think we need our plan first before we go back and- and reach out to them.
And, um, it seems like we're gonna hopefully talk about what that plan looks
like. Next meeting.
So we need to go back and find the list who they were so that we can actually
input them in the plan that we're gonna be talking about next meeting.
We have that list in the meeting notes somewhere.
Yeah. It's our archives so I can pull it out.
But tha- [00:58:30] thanks for bringing that back up because we need to keep,
um, that in mind.
Yeah. And also because when you're talking about each commissioner's plan,
for me, that's top of my plan. Yeah. yeah. Thank you.
Anyone else? Well, I'm going to move that we move to public comments on,
um, what we just spoke on an inch. And in number 7 is there anyone in, um,
online that would like to speak on what we've just talked about? [00:59:00]
Anyone in the room with us that like to speak on what we just talked about?
Probably you've already been thinking about this, but I've just been wondering
about a tagline. You know, like a couple of phrases, a phrase that is, goes on
the t-shirts. It lets people know what it's about. There's so much- there's such a
range of what it could be but, um, anyway, just tossing that out.
[00:59:30] Thank you. Thank you.
Okay. Well, we're going to move on to agenda item number 8. I don't believe
there are any correspondence. Okay. Then we're going to move on to agenda
number 9, announcements of commissioners and stuff. Um, Stefanie, did you
have anything?.
I do not have anything to [OVERLAPPING].
Anyone else? Okay. Then commissioner is any announcements?
Uh, only other announcement I have is, ah, we're gonna be working with the-
this Saturday, I- I core, we are working with Big Brothers, BIG Sisters program,
[01:00:00] which will be great. Uh, we're starting off that program where we're
bringing everybody in. Uh, it was helped funded by, ah, Big Grove, which is
fantastic for them to help out with our community. And, uh, we're gonna try to
get kids together with, as, role models and hopefully push this forward a little
bit more in future. So that's all I have for right now.
That's awesome.
For announcements.
Anyone else? Um, I would like to thank everyone in the community, um, who
has been helping at my organization too, [01:00:30] as we raise funds for, um,
after-school and summer camps scholarships, the campaign I've been talking
about to raise $100,000 for these kids. We have an event this Saturday, um,
June 3rd, from 3 PM to 6 PM at Mark Twain Elementary. All proceeds are gonna
be going to the kids in that after-school program. Fortunately, we have raised
enough dollars to use and all kids at summer camp, but we're still looking to
raise enough dollars to get them through the school year. So it's gonna be a
fun day on local band home-brewed. [01:01:00] I was city, um, who is a band
that specifically benefits non-profits is gonna be playing. We're gonna have
field games, we're gonna water game since we 94 degrees food, um, all kinds
of things, um, to come out and have fun. Um, I know there's a lot of different
activities this weekend, but if you wanna stop by, we'd really appreciate it
because it's for the kids. Anyone else have announcements?
This is a little bit off the beaten path, but our core box and kind of reminded
me of this, ah, this weekend, [01:01:30] Clarissa Shields will be, uh, defending
her middle-way title, and [LAUGHTER] in the time of- of great strides for
women's sports. She is a premier of- of boxer and if you don't follow boxing you
may wanna tune in, I think it's pretty exciting.
Cheers.
There's no other announcements. Um, I'm gonna motion to adjourn.
I second.
Okay. [01:02:00] Thank you all.
Thank you.