HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRC Agenda 5 2 2024Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Regular Meeting
7 PM – Emma Harvat Hall, City Hall
410 E. Washington Street
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 THE MINUTES FROM APRIL 4, 2024
5.FOLLOW UP & DEBRIEF FROM THE TRC PRESENTATION TO CITY COUNCIL
6.FACILITATOR’S FINAL REPORT UPDATE
7.TRC BUDGET UPDATE & REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS
8.NEXT STEPS FOR PHASE THREE AND FOUR
9.ANNOUNCEMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS
10.ANNOUNCEMENTS OF STAFF
11.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.
First Thursday Meetings
ID: 867 2424 8095
Third Thursday Meetings
ID: 895 3695 0485
If you have no computer or smartphone, or a computer without a microphone, you can call
in by phone by dialing (312) 626-6799 and entering the meeting ID when prompted.
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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.
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April 4, 2024
Draft Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Minutes
The Assembly Room, Iowa City Senior Center
Commissioners present: Amos Kiche, Cliff Johnson, Chastity Dillard, Lauren Merritt, Wangui
Gathua.
Commissioners on Zoom: Chad Simmons.
Commissioners not present: Louis Tassinary.
Staff present: Redmond Jones, Stefanie Bowers.
Recommendation to City Council: No.
Meeting called to order: Approximately: 7:15 PM.
Reading of Land Acknowledgement: Merritt read the Land Acknowledgements.
Debrief from Fact-Finding and Truth-Telling Events: Commissioner Johnsons shared his
thoughts on the truth-telling events, stating he thought the event(s) went well and there was growth
with the work that was done. Johnson also mentioned the idea of expanding these events into the
community to get others involved. Commissioner Kiche shared that he learned a lot from those
who participated in the events. Kiche was able to learn more about what goes on in the community
including how small business owners are affected and how systems (school system, legal system)
have failed individuals. Kiche suggested vetting people who will be speaking at truth-telling events
with more detail and communication to avoid surprises during the events. Kiche also suggested
sticking to guidelines on how the events should operate.
Commissioner Merritt agreed on the idea of a vetting process for the purpose of safety and
productivity in future events. Merritt also shared that there is potential to do more with these events
in the future. Commissioner Simmons spoke about the positive aspects of the events, including the
process of events (fact finding, truth telling, and healing circles). Simmons shared that the event
was not consistent with the model discussed regarding how the events would operate. Simmons
also shared that there is a need for better understanding of the systems (police, education, housing)
that the commission is working to fix to come up with solutions they can present to the city to
bring about improvements for the community. Merritt suggested implementing time to process
each truth-telling and putting aside additional time to brainstorm options for solutions. Johnson
recommended more advertisement to get more people involved. Commissioner Gathua suggested
implementing a stricter time limit where people stop speaking once the time is up (like what is
done in city meetings). Gathua also suggested being better prepared and tentative to any rising
tension during the events.
Agenda Item #4
2
Commissioner Dillard shared the need for community involvement and for the commission to go to
community members and share what they have learned to help the community. Dillard shared
strengths from the meeting including the process, mobile-crisis partners, and healing circles.
Dillard also suggested providing more healing circles for the community and a vetting process for
future truth-tellers. Dillard mentioned the need for the commission to present as a united front
centered around the message of racial injustice. Facilitator Dr. Larry Schooler acknowledged the
work the commission has done and shared he agrees with the need for separate time to absorb the
stories told at each event.
Phase 2: Budget Update, Request for Additional Funds from the City Council, Next Steps &
Follow-up: Johnson suggested reaching out to community members through churches to get more
involvement at truth-telling events. Dillard revisited the commissioners north star framing question
that represents the commission’s guiding vision. Dillard suggested taking what the commission has
learned, along with the model of the north star framing question and using it to reconnect with the
community and gather data/ information to use for the recommendation they will present to the
council. Simmons asked what the overall message is that the commission is intending to deliver to
the council on April 16th. Dillard answered that the commission will share that there is still work to
be done. Simmons followed up by asking if the commission does not receive funding will it stop
the work they are currently doing. Dillard answered that if the city wants the commission to do the
work that they have asked them to do then the commission will need the money to move forward.
Johnson agreed that The City needs to be held accountable for what they set out to achieve with
this commission. Johnson also mentioned the possibility of sponsorships for funding.
Commissioners discussed the importance of city involvement and what the future of the
commission would look like without it.
Dillard then brought up the need for increased community support. A solution presented was
providing more healing circles to the community which would then lead to people who may be
interested in the commission work. Merritt suggested an advertising budget. Dillard emphasized
the importance of word of mouth to get community members involved. Johnson suggested a digital
billboard advertising. Dillard brought up the upcoming April 16th meeting with council and
proposed moving the meeting back to give more time to provide an itemized list of what the
proposed increase budget would be used for. Facilitator Annie Tucker brought up the importance
of the April 16th meeting regarding the facilitation team that reports to council. Schooler asked for
clarification on what the city believes to be the commissions obligations under the contract relative
to the presentation planned for April 16th. Redmond Jones clarified that the contract speaks to a
joint effort to put together a closing of the activities and recommendations that the facilitators have
brought to the commission. Dillard stated the need for the commission to present on progress on
April 16th and to then schedule an additional meeting where budget and funding is discussed in
detail. Schooler clarified that the facilitators’ role is to both report on the TRC’s progress and to
provide a set of recommendations to allow the TRC to continue once their contract with the
facilitators ends. Simmons shared that he does not think it is a good idea for the commission to go
to the April 16th meeting without a full presentation including budget. Simmons shared the political
nature of the meeting suggests what the commission is bringing to the meeting will benefit the city
rather than simply updating them on progress. Simmons suggested to go to the city and ask to
move back the date. Simmons agreed to support whatever final decision is made by the
commission.
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The commission had to consider contractual obligations regarding the date of the meeting with
council and information presented by Jones resulting in a final decision to present a progress report
and highlights of their plans moving forward with a promise of additional budget information in
May. Commissioners discussed who would oversee giving the presentation to the council at the
April 16th meeting. It was decided Simmons and Merritt will present to the City Council.
Announcements of Commissioners: None.
Announcements of Staff: Jones stated there will be a budget report available at a future date.
The meeting adjourned at 9:52 PM.
The full meeting video can be viewed at 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 3/14 3/18 3/20 3/21 4/4 4/18 5/2 5/16 6/6 6/20
Dillard 12/31/24 Z P P P P P P P P P
Gathua 12/31/24 P P P P A P P P P P
Kiche 12/31/24 - - - P P P P P P P
Johnson 12/31/24 A P P P P P P P P P
Vacant 12/31/24 - - - - - - - - - -
Merritt 12/31/24 P Z P P Z P P P P P
Nobiss 12/31/24 Z Z Z A A A A P P R
Simmons 12/31/24 P P P P P P P A P Z
Tassinary 12/31/24 P A P P P P P P P A
P = Present in person
A = Absent Z = Zoom
Revised April 14, 2024
Truth & Reconciliation Commission
Chastity Dillard - Chair
Wangui Gathua
Clifton Johnson
Amos Kiche
Lauren Merritt - Vice Chair
Chad Simmons
Louis Tassinary
Agenda Item #7
Truth
Telling
Topic ExpertOrganization
Support
Phase One: System Design Learning
August 2023 - October 2023
Training Sessions
•Opening Session (Aug)ꢀ
•Strategic Doing (Sep)ꢀ
•Fact Finding (Sep)ꢀ
•TRC Worldwide Models (Oct)ꢀ
•Healing Circles (Feb 2024)
Phase Two: System Design Practice
*Topic A
(Experts)
(N/A)
Truth Telling
(Mar)
Organization
/Community
Support
(Mar)
Reconciliation
Healing Circle
(Mar)
Topic A
Results and
Review
(Apr)
Fact Finding
(Mar)
Developing Our Story in Public
January 2024 - April 2024
*Reconciliation
Strategic
Doing
(N/A)
* Will be incorporated during Phase Four
Part II: Community Projects
•Public Presentationꢀ
•Educator’s Work Groupꢀ
•Housing Work Groupꢀ
•Social Justice Work Groupꢀ
•Small Business Work Group
Phase Three: Subject Matter Experts
May 2024 - August 2024
Part 1: Areas of Interest
Affordable
Housing
Economic
Development EducationSocial
Justice
Topic A
(Experts)
Community
Truth Telling
Organization
/Community
Sponsor
Reconciliation
Strategic Doing & Healing Circles Project(s)
Topic A
Results and
Review
Fact Finding
Developing Our Story
North Star Question
Public Forum
Fact Finding
Organization Stories
Community Stories
Possible Solution’s
How You Can Help
Phase Four: Execute Truth Telling Model
September 2024 - December 2024
Final Report
Film Documentary
Final TRC Public Meeting
Revised April 14, 2024
Truth & Reconciliation Commission
Questions & Answers
Chastity Dillard - Chair
Wangui Gathua
Clifton Johnson
Amos Kiche
Lauren Merritt - Vice Chair
Chad Simmons
Louis Tassinary
Late Handout