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Home My WebLink AboutTRC Agenda 3 14 2024 Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission Special Meeting Thursday, March 14, 2024 5:30pm Emma Harvat Hall, City Hall 410 E. Washington Street AGENDA: 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. READING OF NATIVE AMERICAN LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 3. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM MARCH 7, 2024 4. FACT-FINDING COMMUNITY BRIEFING: MEMBERS OF THE FACILITATION TEAM WILL REPORT ON FINDINGS FROM RESEARCH CONDUCTED ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE AT THE REQUEST OF THE TRC. A. THE OBJECTIVES INCLUDE: I. TO PRESENT DATA ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY THAT RELATE TO THE TRC'S CHARGE OF COLLECTING EVIDENCE OF DISCRIMINATION AND RACIAL INJUSTICE IN MULTIPLE SETTINGS. II. TO DISCUSS AMONG THE COMMISSIONERS (AND INTERESTED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT) WHAT THE DATA REVEAL TO THEM. III. TO REVIEW AND CONFIRM PLANS FOR A MARCH 18TH DELIBERATION SESSION. 5. ADJOURN 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. https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KFhWkswZT9WF6fPoFNgP5A 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 March 7, 2024 Draft Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Minutes Emma J. Harvat Hall, City Hall Commissioners present: Louis Tassinary, Chad Simmons, Amos Kiche, Cliff Johnson, Chastity Dillard. Commissioners on Zoom: Lauren Merritt. Commissioners not present: Wangui Gathua, Sikowis Nobiss. Staff present: Redmond Jones. Recommendation to City Council: No. Meeting called to order: 7:15 PM. Reading of Land Acknowledgement: Tassinary read the Land Acknowledgement. Public comment of items not on the agenda: None. Approval of meeting minutes from February 15, 2024: Dillard moved; Johnson seconded. Motion passed 6-0. Correspondence: Commissioners will defer the letter from U.E. Local 896 to their next regular scheduled meeting. Production team for upcoming events: The commission wants to document their history through past and current events. The video/documentary would be used to tell an overall story of everything the TRC is doing. Commissioner Simmons suggested the TRC hire Terrance Thames. Dates and budgets for a production team were discussed and it was agreed that information will be relayed to Terrance to consider availability for upcoming truth-telling events. Before the motion was passed, public comments/questions were accepted. Melinda Salazar asked who will shape the story and to what degree will the commissioners be involved in the editing process? It was stated that the intent is for the commissioners to be significantly involved in the editing process and the entire commission would approve before the video is released. Redmond Jones stated that the production being self-contracted by the commission allows them to have control over when and what is released. It is also stated the video will not become public record until it is released to the public by the commission. The commission closed the conversation by discussing general ideas of script, content, and scheduling. The project will be under the leadership of Commissioner Simmons. Simmons moves for $4000-$5000 of the TRC budget go towards a videographer to capture the work of the TRC. Johnson seconds the vote. Motion passed 6-0. 2 Translations for upcoming events: Annie Tucker was unable to provide a direct solution for translation tools to be used during upcoming events, however she will continue to research possible solutions and accommodations to provide translation during the events. Update on fact-finding: Dr. Larry Schooler updated the commission on fact-finding and that there will be written materials to review ahead of the March 14th meeting. Schooler reiterated the purpose of each event and how they will aid the commission in their report and relate to their overall mandate. Updates on truth-telling: Eduardo Gonzalez went over the documents provided to the commission in their packet related to truth-telling. Gonzalez suggested the event be simple and intimate for participants, and went over what could be expected of the event including turnout, participation, and length. It was also recommended that the commission and those participating in the event take time to reflect and react in a constructive and compassionate manner. Commissioner Kiche brought up a question considering safety. It was expressed that the presence of law enforcement may cause discomfort to participants. Gonzalez stressed the importance of the commission’s part in providing elements of security to participants and that discomfort may be inevitable due to the nature of the events. Possibilities of private testimonies were discussed with consideration of bylaws and legal regulations. Updates for Phase 2: Commissioner Simmons revisited a previous conversation of reconciliation events that would occur after the events currently scheduled, confirming this would be a focus in future meetings. Gonzalez and Salazar agreed with the need for reconciliation opportunities following the events. Announcement of Staff: None. Announcement of Commissioners: Dillard encouraged other commissioners and the public to attend the Neighborhood Centers for Johnson County’s 50th Anniversary Gala in April. The meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM. To view the recording or listen to the audio of this meeting, visit this link. AD HOC TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION ATTENDANCE RECORD YEAR 2024 (Meeting Date) NAME TERM EXP. 1/4 1/25 2/1 2/15 3/7 3/21 4/4 4/18 5/2 5/16 6/6 6/20 7/18 Dillard 12/31/24 Z P P P P Gathua 12/31/24 P P P P A Kiche 12/31/24 - - - P P Johnson 12/31/24 A P P P P Vacant 12/31/24 - - - - - Merritt 12/31/24 P Z P P Z Nobiss 12/31/24 Z Z Z A A Simmons 12/31/24 P P P P P Tassinary 12/31/24 P A P P P P = Present in person A = Absent Z = Zoom