HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRC Agenda 1 4 2024
Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Regular Meeting
7 PM – Emma J. Harvat Hall
AGENDA:
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. READING OF NATIVE AMERICAN LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
3. PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (COMMISSIONERS
SHALL NOT ENGAGE IN DISCUSSION WITH THE PUBLIC CONCERNING
SAID ITEMS.) 5 MINUTE MAXIMUM FOR EACH SPEAKER.
Only in-person comments will be allowed for Public Comment. Public comment for
specific agenda items, which must be directly related to that agenda item, may be made
in-person or remotely.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM DECEMBER 7, 2023, MEETING
5. MLK DAY – MONDAY, JANUARY 15
6. NATIVE PARTNERS HEALING CIRCLE TRAINING AND EVENTS
January 26, Friday evening: an experiential healing circle for community
members. Possible times: 5:30 or 6 to 8:30 or 9.
January 27 and 28, Saturday and Sunday: 2-day Circle training for the members of
the community that want to be trained. Possible times: 11 to 4, 10 to 5, 11 to 5.
Saturday Feb. 3 and Saturday Feb. 10: host 2 experiential healing circles for
people who want to be in a circle, want healing and/or for new trainees to help
facilitate. Possible times: 10 to 1 or 1 to 4.
7. NEXT STEPS FOR PHASE 2
A. PROPOSED PHASE 2 ROADMAP
8. UPDATE ON FACT-FINDING
9. DISCUSSION ON TRC MODEL PRESENTED BY COMMISSIONER SIMMONS
INCLUDING:
A. REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL $250,000 FROM THE CITY COUNCIL
10. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS
11. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF STAFF
12. ADJOURNMENT
In order to encourage input from the public, the Commission intends to offer
the opportunity to participate in the meeting remotely. However, this meeting
is in-person, and those wishing to ensure their ability to participate should
attend the meeting in-person. If you instead wish to participate remotely, you
may attempt to do so by joining the below link. Please note that the meeting
link and ID for the first Thursday is different than the meeting link and ID for
the third Thursday.
First Thursday Meetings
ID: 867 2424 8095
Third Thursday Meetings
ID: 895 3695 0485
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all City of Iowa City-sponsored
events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in
order to participate in these events, please contact the Office of Equity and Human
Rights at 319-356-5022 or humanrights@iowa-city.org.
1
December 7, 2023
Draft Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Minutes
Emma J. Harvat Hall, City Hall
Commissioners present: Chastity Dillard, Louis Tassinary, Chad Simmons, Clif Johnson,
Wangui Gathua.
Commissioners not present: Sikowis Nobiss, Eric Harris, Marie Krebs, Lauren Merritt.
Staff present: Redmond Jones, Stefanie Bowers.
Meeting called to order: 7:04 PM.
Reading of Land Acknowledgement: Tassinary read the Land Acknowledgement.
Approval of minutes from the November 9 & 16, 2023 meeting: Dillard moved, and
Tassinary seconded. The motion passed 5-0.
Next steps for Phase 2 and update on fact-finding by Kearns and West: The Commission
agreed that taking a deep dive into Phase 2 and fact-finding makes the most sense. The
categories for fact-finding are public safety/policing/law enforcement,
naming/memorialization/remembrances, economic development, health, environmental justice,
education, and other. Commissioners briefly defined what is intended by economic development
–job training and assistance and other opportunities that would assist communities in being
successful. Amos Kiche suggested that the TRC develop a process for handling topics that are
not on the current list or items marked "other".
Discussion on the TRC model presented by Commissioner Simmons: Simmons would like to
see the TRC host an MLK Breakfast on January 15. Dillard suggested building upon existing
events being held in honor of MLK. The Commission opted to participate in the MLK Day of
Service, which is being held at Mercer Aquatic Center and sponsored by the City. They hope to
participate meaningfully, including a listening post for community members to meet with TRC
members. Additional outreach opportunities include hosting an event at ICOR Boxing in
February.
The Commission also noted that Phase 2 is supposed to be a model and that it would be
beneficial for them to have a detailed plan from the facilitators on what this plan would entail. It
was agreed that the facilitators would present a draft roadmap of Phase 2 for the Commission at
its January 4 meeting date. Facilitators pointed out that the resolution creating the Commission is
a good source for the roadmap.
Commissioners inquired into their current financial status. Staff provided an update: the
Commission can roll over funds not utilized in Phase 1 and add that to the $14,000 set aside for
Phase 2. Simmons moved that the TRC allocate $5000 for the upcoming MLK Day of Service,
Tassinary seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0-1, with Gathua abstaining.
Agenda Item #4
2
It was requested of staff to order the TRC a table cover, t-shirts, and to create a brochure.
Discussion on whether to hold a meeting on December 21: A quorum of members is available to
meet on the 21st but would prefer to cancel the meeting. Tassinary motioned to cancel the
second December meeting date and Gathua seconded. The motion passed 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 9:52 PM.
To view the recording or listen to the audio of this meeting, visit this link.
AD HOC TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2023
(Meeting Date)
NAME
TERM
EXP.
5/4 6/1 6/15 7/20 8/17 9/7 9/21 10/5 10/25 10/26 11/9 11/16 12/7
Dillard 12/31/24 P P P P P P P P P P P P P
Gathua 12/31/24 P P P P P A P P P P A A P
Harris 12/31/24 P A A A A A A A A A A A A
Johnson 12/31/24 P P P P P P A P A P P P P
Krebs 12/31/24 P P P P P P P P P P A P A
Merritt 12/31/24 P P P P P P P P P P P P A
Nobiss 12/31/24 P A P P P P A P A A A P A
Simmons 12/31/24 - - - - P P P P P P P P P
Tassinary 12/31/24 _ - - - A P P P P P P P P
KEY: P = Present
A = Absent
Week GoalsCompleted Outputs NotesKey: All Consultants, Kearns & West, Think Peace, Healing Partners, TRC12/11-12/15 -Draft Phase 2 Roadmap12/18-12/22 -Finalize and submit Phase 2 Roadmap -Make plan for 1/4 TRC meeting Phase 2 Roadmap12/25-12/29 -Prepare roadmap presentation for 1/4 TRC meetingRoadmap presentation for 1/4 TRC meeting1/1-1/5-Present roadmap at 1/4 TRC meeting and Discuss Listening Posts and Witnessing elements of TT events and Ask whether the March "Culminating Events" will satisfy the TRC's request for doing "pilot" programs during Phase 2 and Get commitment on "Culminating Event" dates-TRC undertakes planning for Listening Posts to start determining focus topic for March event(s)1/4 Present roadmap and "pilot" question at TRC meeting; EG, LH, and JK to Discuss Listening Posts; LH to present slides on TT eventsListening Post planning1/8-1/12-Create a list of target community organizations for Listening Post outreach by focus topic (Education, Economic Development, Public Safety/Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement)-TRC continues planning for 1/15 MLK Day event Listening PostListening Post planning1/15-1/19-Set March event(s) date/time/length and objectives-Attend 1/18 TRC meeting-TRC completes planning for 1/15 MLK Day event Listening Post1/18 TRC meetingTRC Listening Post at 1/15 MLK event1/22-1/26-Book venue for March event(s) and Create promotional calendar-Hold 1/26 5-8pm experiential community Healing Circle and 1/27-1/28 two-day Healing Circle trainings for commissioners-TRC debriefs on 1/15 MLK Day event Listening Post1/26 5-8pm experimental community Healing Circle, 1/27 & 1/28 11am-5pm two-day Circle training (ML, DW, and TM)Listening Post debrief1/29-2/2-Present Public Safety findings at 2/1 TRC meeting-Create document on Witnessing (how to hold and support persons providing testimony)-Complete "Concept Note" for March event planPublic Safety data review at 2/1 TRC meeting2/1 MS to present document on WitnessingConcept Note for March event plan2/5-2/9-Hold experiential community Healing Circle-Share draft of document on public hearings with the consultant teamExperiential community Healing Circles 2/3 and 2/10, 10am-1pm or 1-4pm (ML and DW)Draft of document on public hearings to consultant team2/12-2/16-Outline run of show for March event(s) at 2/15 TRC meeting and Present Economic Development findings and Present document on public hearings-TRC Listening Posts progress check-in and selects focus topic for March event(s)Outline March event(s) run of show at 2/15 TRC meeting and and Econ Dev data review and Present document on Public Hearings2/19-2/232/26-3/1-Create detailed facilitation guide for March event(s)March event(s) facilitation guide3/4-3/8-Review March events' plan at 3/7 TRC meeting and Present Education findingsEducation data and March events' plan review at 3/7 TRC meeting3/11-3/15-Hold 3/14 FactFinding Culminating Event-Start to organize themes from ongoing internal feedback document (if that's established) for City Council report-Outline report for City Council3/14 FactFinding Culminating Event3/18-3/22-Hold 3/20 TruthTelling Culminating Event with Healing components-Attend 3/21 TRC meeting-Draft report for City Council3/20 TruthTelling Culminating Event with Healing components3/21 TRC meeting3/25-3/29 -Hold 3/29 Healing Circle Culminating Event (ML and DW) -Complete final report for City Council and submitHold 3/29 Healing Circle Culminating Event (ML and DW)Final report for City Council4/1-4/5-Debrief Culminating Events at 4/4 TRC meeting-Draft presentation to City CouncilDebrief Culminating Events at 4/4 TRC meeting4/8-4/12-Complete presentation to City Council and Send to City Council by 4/10 target, 4/11 normal, 4/12 last convenient date-Conduct a dry run of the presentation to City Council (if team is interested)4/10 Send completed presentation to City Council4/15-4/19-Present to City Council on 4/16-Attend TRC meeting on 4/184/16 Presentation to City Council4/18 TRC meetingAgenda Item #7
Week GoalsCompleted Outputs Notes12/11-12/15 -Draft Phase 2 Roadmap12/18-12/22-Finalize and submit Phase 2 Roadmap -Make plan for 1/4 TRC meetingPhase 2 Roadmap12/25-12/29 -Prepare roadmap presentation for 1/4 TRC meetingRoadmap presentation for 1/4 TRC meeting1/1-1/5-Schedule January FactFinding interviews-Present roadmap at 1/4 TRC meeting-Outline topline consultant brief on Public Safety1/4 TRC meeting1/8-1/12-Research and Draft topline consultant brief on Public Safety-Conduct FactFinding interviewsConsultant brief on Public Safety1/15-1/19-Complete topline consultant brief on Public Safety-Set March event(s) date/time/length and objectives-Attend 1/18 TRC meeting1/18 TRC meeting1/22-1/26-Select key Economic Development indicators to research-Outline topline consultant brief on Economic Development-Book venue for March event(s) and Create promotional calendar1/29-2/2-Research and Draft topline consultant brief on Economic Development-Present Public Safety findings at 2/1 TRC meetingPublic Safety data review at 2/1 TRC meeting2/5-2/9-Complete topline consultant brief on Economic Development-Select key Education indicators to researchConsultant brief on Economic Development2/12-2/16 -Outline topline consultant brief on Education -Outline run of show for March event(s) and Present Economic Development findings at 2/15 TRC meeting2/15 TRC meeting2/19-2/23 -Research and Draft topline consultant brief on Education2/26-3/1 -Complete topline consultant brief on Education -Create detailed facilitation guide for March event(s)Consultant brief on EducationMarch event(s) facilitation guide3/4-3/8 -Review March events' plan at 3/7 TRC meeting and Present Education findingsEducation data and March events' plan review at 3/7 TRC meeting3/11-3/15 -Hold event OPTION 1 -Start to organize themes from ongoing internal feedback document (if that's established) for City Council report -Outline final report to City CouncilFactFinding Culminating Event option 1Pending decision: Fact-Finding week of 3/11-3/15 or the following week of 3/18-3/22 (on 3/18 or 3/19)3/18-3/22 -Hold event OPTION 2 -Draft final recommendations to City Council for how to proceed with FactFinding -Attend 3/21 TRC meeting -Draft final report to City CouncilFactFinding Culminating Event option 23/21 TRC meeting3/25-3/29 -Complete final report for City Council and submitFinal report for City Council4/1-4/5 -Debrief Culminating Events at 4/4 TRC meeting-Draft presentation to City CouncilDebrief Culminating Events at 4/4 TRC meeting4/8-4/12-Complete presentation to City Council and Send to City Council by 4/10 target, 4/11 normal, 4/12 last convenient date-Conduct a dry run of the presentation to City Council (if team is interested)4/10 Send completed presentation to City Council4/15-4/19-Present to City Council on 4/16-Attend TRC meeting on 4/184/16 Presentation to City Council4/18 TRC meetingPending decision: Fact-Finding week of 3/11-3/15 or the following week of 3/18-3/22 (on 3/18 or 3/19)
The consultant team prepared a detailed roadmap for Phase 2 of the contracts, which
covers Q1. The roadmap shows, for each week, the objectives and associated deliverables,
color-coded by the team responsible (see the key at the top of the sheet). In January and
February, to support the work of the TRC, the consultants will be conducting research,
developing materials, holding training sessions, and giving presentations. Kearns & West will
investigate the three topics the TRC identified as priorities--Public Safety/Criminal Justice/Law
Enforcement, Economic Development, and Education--and give periodic presentations to the
TRC with their aggregated findings. Think Peace will create documents on Witnessing and
public hearings to guide the design and delivery of the Truth-Telling events, and will facilitate
discussions with the TRC about the content contained in those documents. The Native and
Healing Partners will offer experiential Healing Circles to introduce both commissioners and
interested community members to the medium, as well as provide commissioners with a
two-day training on how to conduct Healing Circles themselves, so they can continue to hold
Healing Circles in the community. All the while, the TRC will continue to meet on the first and
third Thursdays of each month; in addition, the roadmap entails the TRC holding "Listening
Posts" at the already-planned events of community partner organizations, starting with one on
January 15th at the event celebrating MLK Day.
As March approaches, the roadmap defines the focus of the combined efforts of the TRC
and the consultants to be the preparation for the "Culminating Events" (CEs) around the first
priority topic identified by the commission, Public Safety/Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement.
These events are proposed to fulfill the commission's stated expectation of "pilot" programs
covering each of the three legs of the stool of the TRC's mandate. There are three options for
how to time these events: all in one week with no break, all in one week with one day off, or one
CE per week (with the Truth-Telling CE in the same week as the regular March 21st TRC
meeting). The final report and presentation to City Council will follow at the end of March and
early April, respectively.
Once the consultants' contracts are up, the TRC will take over full and sole responsibility
for brainstorming, planning, and executing Truth-Telling and Healing and Reconciliation Events
for the rest of the year. The consultants recommend that the commission replicate the structure
of Q1 in both Q2 and Q3. First, the consultants recommend that the TRC hold many more
Listening Posts to hear informally from community members what they find important to focus
on, especially in the warmer months when community events are much more frequent. Second,
the consultants recommend that the TRC brainstorm, plan, and execute one series of
Culminating Events per quarter, based on each of the remaining priority topics identified by the
commission, e.g. Economic Development in Q2 and Education in Q3.
Anticipating the need for the TRC to deliver a final report and presentation to the City
Council at the end of Q4, the consultants recommend that the TRC begin researching and
outlining the final report in Q3. The final report will include findings and recommendations.
Then, in Q4, after the Culminating Events are complete, the consultants recommend that the
TRC focus on completing its final report; planning a ceremony for the presentation of the final
report; and holding the ceremony to present the final report to City Council and officially wrap up
the project, including Healing support for all involved in the presentation ceremony.