HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRC Transcript - September 1, 2022[00:00:00] [00:00:10]
[MUSIC] So Stefanie, do you wanna do roll call? Thank you very much.
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It's going on.
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Commissioner Ali?
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[OVERLAPPING] Present.
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Er, Commissioner Dillard?
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Here.
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Um, Commissioner Gathua?
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Yes.
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Commissioner Johnson?
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Here.
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Commissioner Harris?
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Here.
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Uh, Commissioner Nobiss?
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[inaudible 00:00:33].
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Uh, Commissioner Rivera?
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Here.
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And Commissioner Traore.
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Here.
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Thank you.
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Okay. Um, so we'll go with the reading of the land acknowledgment and I'll go ahead and just read it.
Um, it says, "We meet today in the community of Iowa Cit- City, which now occupies the homelands of
Native American nations to whom we owe our commitment and dedication. [00:01:00] The area of
Iowa City was- was within the homelands of Iowa, Meskwaki, and Sioux, and because history is
complex and time goes back, far back beyond memory, we also acknowledge the ancient connections
of many other indigenous peoples here. The history of broken treaties and forced removal that
dispossess 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 toward equity, restoration, and reparations." Okay, so now we'll go, um,
and approve meeting minutes from August 4th.
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Rivera, so moved.
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Do I have a second?
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[inaudible 00:01:40], thank you.
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Seconded.
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Okay.
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Then properly moved and seconded. Any discussion? Commissioner Ali?
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Yes.
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Commissioner Dillard?
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Yes.
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Commissioner Gathua?
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Yes.
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Commissioner Johnson?
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Yes.
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Commissioner Harris?
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Yes.
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Commissioner [00:02:00] Rivera?
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Yes.
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And Commissioner Traore.
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Yes.
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Motion passes seven, zero.
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Thank you. Now, we'll move into item number six and we'll open, er, for public comment first going
online. Does anyone have public comments? Oh, I'm sorry, I skipped number five. Um, public
comment of items not on the agenda. Does anyone have any public comment of items not on the
agenda?
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That would be us.
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Okay. Go ahead.
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Yes. This is Orville Townson. I'm a citizen of Iowa City and I just wanted to share a concern that I have
with the Commission. Can you hear me?
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Yes.
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Yes.
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Thank you.
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Yes. Er, my concern is that- well, first of all, I just want to say that when the city first decided to create
the commission I was very happy, pleased, and [00:03:00] I supported it wholeheartedly and I still do.
But I find myself at this time at a point of concern because I was recently verbally and- publicly
verbally attacked by a- by a person for no reason at all. Ordinarily, I respect a person's right for
freedom of speech. But the concern I have here is I find myself in a situation where this individual has
been appointed by the city to your commission. And I- I don't think that- I think that when an indi-
individual applies for a city appointment if they have it, they're also indicating that they're willing to
do everything they can to improve conditions in the city, to respect all citizens, and abide by all laws
and rules. And anytime anyone just out of the blue begins [00:04:00] to attack other citizens, then I- I
have concerns about that person being a part of- of a commission. You have an individual on your
commission that has, I feel for no reason at all, pointed me out, and wronged me and, er, I don't think
that person should be on the commission or anything-
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Or chairing.
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Or chair- chairing a commission. If the person wan- wants to be a member, that's one thing. But I
don't think that person definitely should be chairing or representing the commission. So I ask you to
give my concerns some consideration and hopefully decide whether or not you as members of a
commission who is representing a commit- the community, wish to have a person chairing your
commission that is [00:05:00] verbally attacking members of the community. So I- I don't know if you
were aware of this, but I want to make sure you are because I want to bring it to your attention at this
time.
[00:05:14]
And Amel also attacked members of the commission, which is also a no no. Um, so you to- need to
take a look at that.
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Thank you very much. Is there anyone else, um, on- on Zoom in the public that'd like to talk about
something that's not on our, um, meeting notes? Okay, we'll move to anyone in person. Okay. Er,
there's a microphone right here.
[00:05:48]
I don't understand the content of any of this. I feel maybe she was frustrated with the lack of concern
for keeping the group moving in a positive [00:06:00] way. I know that the mayor himself was the
only one that tried to vote Amel off the commission. Er, I think Amel has a excellent content of
character. I think if she said something that was off-color, it might have been because she was
frustrated with the group not gaining traction and that's what we need to do as a community is we
need to stand up and look out for each other civil rights. Because if one person loses their civil rights,
everybody does. Thank you.
[00:06:39]
Thank you. Anyone else in the public that'd like to make comments? All right, we'll move on to item
number six and again, open up to public comment before we go into the draft oppose- proposals. So
anyone online? Anyone in public that wants to talk about number six? Now I'll move it onto [00:07:00]
our commission and I, um, I assume we're gonna he- hear from you all first.
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Is there any way we could open public comment after they've presented also? Is that okay?
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Yeah.
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Perfect. Um, I'm trying to get into the meeting to share something.
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The fastest way is probably to go to the City of Iowa City web page because I don't have a direct link
myself and just click the link for the first TRC meeting. Join the Zoom and then I can promote you.
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Okay. I- I think I just clicked on the wrong one. [BACKGROUND] Right, because today is the first day
for the proposal.
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I tried calling you.
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It's right.
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What time?
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2:00 or 1:00.
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It makes you register so then you're gonna have to get that email.
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Got it.
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After we talked?
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Uh-huh.
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I also can't get on but maybe they will do so. [NOISE]
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Okay, thanks.
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I just will, um, share my screen when we get chance.
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Do you- do you want to get near the mic when you're ready to speak?
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Yeah.
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And also maybe change your name.
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Thank you. All right.
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It should work.
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To your legal name [inaudible 00:08:31]
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Yeah. You know. The same phone number that I- I talked to you the other night. It wouldn't be a
meeting without a technical issue [LAUGHTER] arising. Um, um, apologies.
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No, that's exactly beautiful. [NOISE]
[00:09:00] [00:09:01]
Um, change the view.
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There we go. Okay. Great. Yes. Thank you. Um, V Fixmer-Oraiz with, er, Astig Planning, and I'm here
with a group of folks. We will just go through this presentation and then talk through any parts of the
proposal, um, that you would like to talk through. Um, so just to give you a quick overview, I do wanna
go over our team because we did just kinda delineate a little bit further who is actually on our team.
Um, and then we are gonna go through some of the proposal sections and then definitely spend some
time on the modifications and changes that we've made since the last, er, joint session meeting and
then also since we've had meetings with, um, commissioners. Then we do have a timeline that we'll
review and then, of course, a budget, um, which [00:10:00] sho- should have been sent in an Excel
spreadsheet so you should be able to see all the pages, but let- let us know if not. Um, so I'll let, er,
basically everybody just introduce themselves. So I can introduce like healing partners. [LAUGHTER]
Obviously, I'm there, V Fixmer-Oraiz.
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Angie Jordan with Banjo Knits Empowerment.
[00:10:21]
Annie Tucker with Mediation Services of Eastern Iowa.
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Kearns & West, you're on.
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I don't believe that [inaudible 00:10:39].
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They aren't on. Okay. So [OVERLAPPING] I thought I saw Larry as well.
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Yeah.
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Um, [inaudible 00:10:45] right now?
[00:11:00] [00:11:06]
So yeah, Larry, if you wanted to just go through your team because I don't think everybody has met
everybody.
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Okay. Can, er, everybody hear me? Yes.
[00:11:18]
[LAUGHTER] I sound like a frog, so I'll keep it brief. Uh, but this is Larry Schooler from Kearns & West
and Hanna Khalil and Jason Gershowitz are a part of our team. Uh, I'll leave it there. Thanks. Coming
from Thi- Think Peace, was there somebody on? Okay. Well, we have, um, Dave Ragland, Eduardo
Gonzalez, and then they've also added Stephanie Rose Spaulding. Um, I think it's Doctor Stephanie
Rose Spaulding, actually. I'm very excited about their team and I'm sure they'll expound more as we
kind of move along. [LAUGHTER] And then of course we have-
[00:12:00]
We have the native partners thanks to Sikowis introducing us to them. And on the left, we have T
Medina, Terry Medina. He lives out in Nebraska, I believe. I- I- we've just met a couple of times by
Zoom and we're planning a meeting together out in- in September out west, so we'll know more. But
he just retired from adult corrections and is doing a lot- has always done a lot of group work and is
being sought out to do group work, um, on his own outside of that role. And, um, then Manape
Lumiere, he's done a lot of different kinds of healing work and he shared that with us. And, um, he
started our Zoom meeting with a prayer, which was, um, which was powerful. And, um, when he
heard about what [00:13:00] we were wanting to do is provide circles but with right relationship, in
the course of that conversation he said that we should- we should create together circles, Iowa circles,
for all Iowans. So he's the one who said that. On the right is Danielle Wanatee, she's a Meskwaki and I
want to admit at this point that I didn't have my notes to look and see what tribes Manape and T are
from and representing, so that's on me. But anyway, Danielle, in the course of our conversation, said,
"You know my father passed a couple of years ago and he was a school teacher and what was
important to him was people coming together and connecting." And so she felt like this work is
something that he would have been for and she's looking for- [NOISE] excuse me, forward to being
part of [00:14:00] it. So we're looking forward to continue building our work with them and learning
from them.
[00:14:09]
Um, San- Terrence is Santee and- uh, from the Santee Nation, um, so he's, uh, I believe Lakota or
Dakota. Manape is, um, from the [inaudible 00:14:21] Nation and the, um, Winnebago Nation.
[00:14:27]
Thank you, Sikowis.
[00:14:28]
Thank you, Commissioner Nobiss. Thank you so much. Um, yes, just starting to get our relationships,
um, together so I appreciate that and really appreciate Commissioner Nobiss in co- in connecting us.
The proposal sections, as you can kind of see, I'm, uh, just gonna go over in a like kind of high level,
obviously, just gives you a little bit about who our teams are. We added, um, expectations of the city
and commissioners, which we'll go into a little bit more detail in terms of some of the changes. But
that was based on, um, essentially conversations [00:15:00] that, uh, we've had obviously with
commissioners but also with, uh, with city staff and, um, trying to put together some expectations
there. And it's not necessarily expectations of commissioners, it's more of just some description of
role, I think. Um, then we go a bit into our scope, how it's a phased approach, um, and then the
budget there. So the changes and modifications. So a lot of the bare bones are here, but we want to
point out some of those changes and modifications. So one thing that we did really here was the more
equitable percentage distribution amongst the entire group. So at one point, there was concern that
Kearns & West had a very high percentage and so they have worked very hard internally, um, to
change that, to change some of the structure for their, you know, how much they're charging but also
to look at how can they redistribute who is, um, doing what when and for how many hours. And then
we've also [00:16:00] added, um, some more time for community members, um, which is- we'll go
into that for the local groups and facilitators. Um, but we feel like that was a very- it- it was a lot of
feedback that we got not only from Council and from others commissioners, uh, but it was something
that we were sort of struggling with internally as well, so it was actually a great opportunity for our
team to really have frank conversations.
[00:16:26]
Did you wanna say anything else about that?
[00:16:29]
I just- just wanted to take a moment and kind of just highlight that, the fact that, uh, we had to do
some of our own truth-telling and, um, reconciliation within the team before we've even gotten a
chance to get the second proposal to you. Um, I think that's a big deal and that's because the TRC
exists. So I just wanted to just kind of underline that, uh, that the process that you all are- are charged
with, it's already been happening and I know you all know that but I just wanted to add that into this
space. [00:17:00] So the local groups and facilitators, this is something that we've been talking about
since Day 1, since we've come together. And it's something that we heard from Council and so it was
really just more of like where can we pull this out so that it's front and center? And so we did just say,
look, we need a $10,000 community fund for any group, individual, professional in our community
that wants to get a part of this. We just need to have a fund to pay people because we're not the only
people and we know this. We've been talking about this, but we wanted to show that's where the
money is. Is 10,000 enough? We have no idea. We just thought we would start here, um, if it's too
much, it moves on to the next thing but we need to ho- have a placeholder for that and we
understand how, you know, how important that is for budgets and, um, what that means. Think Peace
already had a local facilitator and they've had it the entire time for 4,400, it's always been in there.
That is specifically for their- what they're looking at with the truth-telling. So [00:18:00] we wanted to
honor that and just say in addition to. Yeah. Uh, the city position and city expectations. Actually, I will
turn this over to my colleagues because they worked very closely with the city to- to move this
through.
[00:18:13]
Um, why don't you start?
[00:18:15]
Yeah, it's really exciting to have these conversations with the city because, um, they have a process,
right? In hiring and developing positions and, uh, that process, it- it- it has its own integrity and its
fairness and all the things that- that make it into what is gonna be a legitimate position. So we came
with, hey, this is a job description, hey, these are the things, this is what you should pay them. Hey,
hey, hey. Um, and so having this conversation with the city, being able to sort of restructure that into
instead of saying this is the position you guys should create, breaking it down saying this is the
expectations that we would have of the city if they created a position. They wanna make sure, as I
understand it, take those expectations and run it through their process, [00:19:00] not just, uh,
posting the job but also making sure that all the departments in the city, um, are checked. The
communication department the- the- you know, all the different things are- the resources that are
already there, they go through their process so that they can create something. And just a reminder
about this position, what was important to us is that it is connected to the city so that, uh, again it
kind of helps to legitimize but it also it's- it's a commitment and an investment from the city that's
very, very explicit. Uh, so I wanna just pause there.
[00:19:33]
That's the coordinator position, by the way.
[00:19:35]
Yeah. So, yeah, sorry. Thank you. We took that out of the- the language and put it into city
expectations but it still lives. Um, it's just not a coordinator position that we're thrusting upon the city,
it's more, uh, the expectations that we would have of the city to support this proposal.
[00:19:53]
And just to underscore it, what they told us was this is normal for them with some- some external
[00:20:00] entity that's coming to them with a proposal that it be a set of expectations. So this is just
their normal for dealing with that, so we work within that framework.
[00:20:12]
I'll just add onto that that, um, this coordinator position, we feel is incredibly important. Uh, it would
be the glue of- for- for all of the groups and also for the commission members. This would be the
person like hosting all the meetings and helping with facilitation. We recognize- our healing partners'
team recognizes that there's gonna be a lag in time and so we have actually put in here that we
would be happy to help step in in the interim on a volunteer basis, basically. [LAUGHTER] So that is
also in the proposal but, um, it's not spelled out here, so I just thought I would say that we un- that we
understand there's a lag in time that would probably happen. We don't want that to happen, so. Um,
adding a third phase. So this was something that we felt from the beginning that it was not- not going
to be enough time but we were really [00:21:00] trying to honor that June 30th deadline. And so we
had those two phases and we still will honor those two phases. We just want to have a placeholder for
a third phase that says, hey, June 30th, you know, as we're, you know, coming up on April, May, like,
we'll have a sense of where things are at and we actually have it in here for a pause and for re-
evaluation. We'll be able to say, what- what work do we have left to do? Are we ready to give final
recommendations or do we need 3, 4, 5, 6 months? Um, so we have that in there as a placeholder. We
don't know what it will be, so we did not include that in our budget. That would be just something that
we would, you know, have to look at when that time came. But we do wanna recognize that there are
a lot of unknowns, um, and that June 30th was fast approaching.
[00:21:48]
And I would also add that it was something that, um, you know, internally, we had but also city
council pointed that out pretty explicitly as well that, hey, you know, you all did too at different times.
[00:22:00] So wanting to make sure that was in there. Um, the other thing that gets me excited about
the third phase is that it- it, you know, again, depending on how it evolves but it could be an
opportunity to onboard even more community partners, uh, that have seen the first and second phase
and maybe just aren't yet seeing what their role is but as it shapes out, uh, creating spaces to
continue to invite more community partnerships, more entities, more individuals. And again, like V
was saying, being explicit that it's a placeholder, um, depending on how the first two phases go.
[00:22:32]
And what I'd like to just underscore again is that the evaluations that happen at the end of the phases
are all of us, all of us who are involved. You all, of course, any of the partners, like looking at what
have we accomplished? What remains? And so same with that third phase.
[00:22:54]
The, uh-
[00:22:55]
Um, the next bullet point clarity regarding TRC member roles. This was something [00:23:00] that we
heard, um, a few times that maybe there just needed to be a little bit more clarity as to like what are
some of those expectations? Would you see that and, sort of, the city expectation and- and TRC, um,
member section. And really we just tried to call out a little bit more description and use some
examples there, but essentially what it really comes down to, and we spent a quite a bit of time
internally talking about this. That it's not necessarily, you know, this is, um, you know, 1-10 of what
you should be doing. This is an invitation for you to be as engaged as possible, knowing that what
we're- you're being tasked with is- is an incredible task. And so there may be times where you have to
step up, there may be times when you have to step back. There's going to be aspects of things that
come up that you may be- you may gravitate towards because you have a knowledge base or you
have relationships. So it's really just an invitation and an acknowledgment of the incredible work that
is ahead and ways in which you can or- or need to [00:24:00] take care of yourself. We do talk
explicitly about how modeling self-care and radical love is something that we really would love to see
happen on the TRC, um, as it is a model for how- how we move forward. And I would add, I don't know
if he said it, but I'm just going to say it again if- if they did, um, that the TRC- again, you guys all know
this, the TRC is unlike any other city commission, so we need to highlight that, you all brought that up,
um, and in the proposal, we made sure to do that. Uh, so that that's part of our values moving
forward that we like using- continue to honor and normalize, that we need to value the self-care and
that this is- this is a very different commission than all the others.
[00:24:47]
That's good.
[00:24:47]
Um, and just wanna note just to highlight the fact that it isn't entirely BIPOC Commission, and the- the
issues that are gonna be raised, obviously, may be harmful to commissioners, [00:25:00] and so
that's, again, why we- it is an invitation for people to engage if and when and how you can. The next
aspect is clear description of the strategic doing process, we tried to write in there, you know, what
that could look like. Um, it is a very, uh, I wanna say simple framework, but the work is actually a
really rolling up of sleeves, so we did try and identify, you know, what that means is, you know, we're
getting everybody together, we invite the community members, we invite commissioners, we invite
community [LAUGHTER] leaders, and we talk about who's in the room, what assets everybody has,
and what are some of the things that we want to be doing? What are those Pathfinder projects? And
then, um, you follow up every- every 30 days. So that's that aspect of it. Um, and then, of course, the
timeline and community involvement. So we were asked to put a timeline together, it's a little tricky
because, um, a lot of this is unknown, but we do have [00:26:00] some benchmarks in terms of what
that, um, could look like. And especially when you look at what is Phase 1, and what is Phase 2, and
what is potentially in Phase 3. So as you can see with that timeline, you know, we- the Think Peace
had started with, you know, wanting to incorporate a community-wide healing session as like a
kickoff, um, and obviously, their educational series begins. There's a lot of aspects and I really
encourage if you haven't already to read the Think Peace, uh, proposal that was separate because
they give a lot of detail in terms of what and how they conduct the truth-telling, um, or the
educational things and then also the truth-telling aspects. Uh, so you can see also like fact-finding,
strategic doing, Pathfinder, so we've tried to encapsulate into Phase 1 everything that we think that
will happen in there, but that's a broad stroke. Um, I think that there's a lot of smaller things that are
not really necessarily showing up, and then- then Phase 2 is really digging into the truth-telling, so
that's going to be, you know, all [00:27:00] of the, um-
[00:27:01]
Public hearings.
[00:27:02]
Yeah, public hearings and things like that. The fact-finding is really going to get into more advanced
data collection. We'll start doing the healing circles, um, public hearings, yeah, reconciliation
gathering. So there is at every break, I meant to say there's also an evaluation and presentation, um,
to city council. And then Phase 3, we just extended it six months. Um, again, a big question mark is to
like, what necessarily will be done? But I- I have a feeling that it will be a lot of the things that you see
in Phase 2, and potentially some of the things you see in Phase 1. So, um, again, uh- uh a lot there.
The budget, um, so things that we really wanted to pull apart for you was, um, thing one, that the-
that Kearns and West pulled out a fact-finding liaison. We ended up calling it a community researcher,
but they do need a- a- boots-on-the-ground person that will go and get the data that they can't, isn't
[00:28:00] necessarily widely available on the- on the interwebs. So they pulled that out and said, this
is a very smart community, I think we have a lot of passionate people that can do this type of
research. So that would be a position out- that- that they pulled out of their own scope, and we have
that listed here. Um, and then the- that's that. Um, and then we have the 10,000 for the local groups,
the 2,200, that's, um, Think Peace, um, that's that the person that they had listed. So as you can see,
the percentages are a little bit more even across the board, um, and yeah, we've- we've tried to just
show a little bit more clarity. You should have detailed pages for each entity, um, so that you can see
the rates, the amount of time, the different types of, um, projects and- and aspects. [00:29:00] And
with that, I- I turn it over to my colleagues or over for questions.
[00:29:05]
Yeah. Or Larry, or [OVERLAPPING] Eduardo [NOISE]
[00:29:09]
would wanna add in or chime in?
[00:29:11]
[NOISE] I'm here ready to answer to any question that the colleagues will have.
[00:29:18]
[inaudible 00:29:18].
[00:29:29]
Yes. With that, we conclude our presentation. [LAUGHTER] [NOISE]
[00:29:39]
Okay. Well, thank you all for taking another stab at this and, um, coming back with an even better
proposal in my opinion. Um, I- I- I love what you-all put together one of the questions, I- I think I
talked to one of you outside of this was, um, did you mention marketing at all? Um, where that would
be if, [00:30:00] um, we wanted to, um, once we get on the ground running, do t-shirts, or, um, just
have swag or things like that, [LAUGHTER] get people on that, well, you know, pick people's interests,
um, at that time. And, um, if you- it- also social media that would be really helpful to have one of your
teammates do that.
[00:30:22]
Absolutely. I think something, um, I'm glad you bring that up. I also think too the expectations on the
city and in their city departments, what they already have going on, making sure that we really
squeeze those resources, um, and- and build off of what the gaps are, but really, uh, prioritizing and
holding the city accountable to be using their- their departments, um, for- for all those things. [NOISE]
[00:30:48]
Um, been jotting down some ideas in terms of the outreach and visibility component. Um, it's been
repeated a lot that this is, again, a first of its kind commission and also, uh, looking [00:31:00] to
make this some type of template for potentially other communities to use. So I think a really helpful
thing and that would be to have a sort of public dashboard or webpage associated with it. Um, I do
have a platform in mind specifically in terms of, uh, how this can all be architected, be publicly
viewable, and also allow for input, um, from others. So it's called a notion, and essentially, you could
create a webpage out of it and have, uh, dashboards, flowcharts, things of that nature that people
could see actual updates on what the Pathfinder projects are, uh, how far along, uh, we are on
Pathfind- Pathfinder projects. Could even add, uh, task lists on there so they see the tasks that are
being done, uh, at certain times. Um, provide access to the actual data that we are analyzing and
looking at if anyone wants to do any independent analysis or even, um, uh, pitching ideas for other
data points to look into. Um, [00:32:00] can also use a platform called Typeform for including
community input forms. So if anyone sees anything that piques their interests within this dashboard
or webpage that they can, uh, reach out and say so. Um, could have pages such as calendars that, uh,
highlight all the meetings, and events, and agendas so that those are centralized and, uh, contact info
and point people for specific- uh, for specific tasks and projects. Um, also like reading and resource
lists can be put there as well so that the whole thing is documented throughout, um, and reproducible
process, but also as things change or, uh, as phases go on people actually understand the complete
flow of- of how, uh, everything came about. So whether you were to jump in now and start paying
attention, started paying attention from the beginning or pay attention closer to the end, there's a full
accounting for everything that was done, which I think would [00:33:00] make the compilation of all of
the, uh, resources that we use, the tasks that we'll be working on, and, uh, all the testimony be a lot
easier to compile if we have a better recording of this. And if it's a publicly viewable website, uh, that
also allow it to be, you know, hosted pretty much for good, for anyone to look at and use. It wouldn't
even have to be, uh, direct city website. I don't believe, uh, if we apply for it in the correct way,
essentially, when we just have to put in a form designating, uh, what we would wanna create, who
would have access, uh, to actually update records within it, and then also, um, information on how to,
uh, how to access the platform in itself. Stefanie.
[00:33:49]
Um, I will reach out to the City Attorney's office tomorrow to get an opinion from them, I think they're
probably the best people to answer that question.
[00:33:57]
Okay. Yeah. Sorry that was a lot at once, [00:34:00] but, yeah, I can jot that down on, and actually,
just like form or piece of paper and hand that to you so it's a little less, uh, just a jumble of words, but
that's what I have. Thanks.
[00:34:13]
Um, and kind of piggy backing off of, uh, um, what Commissioner Traore said. I think all of those ideas
are really great, um, but I also want to think about accessibility and the different demographics that
we have. Uh, like for example, my mom would have no idea how to navigate a webpage like that. Um,
in this kind of goes to the outreach portion. Um, like if we could work with, um, like for example, how
does our district has that board, that community board that says like all of these things going on and
all of that information. But like if we had a hub at, let's say, like the Neighborhood Center and
Pheasant Ridge, that is a huge Sudanese population, uh, stuff [00:35:00] like that in Arabic and
maybe like, I don't know, like I think of like a drop a locked drop box where people could write in
testimony or even say like, hey, there is something I wanna talk about, can- you know, this is my
information and, um, that. So I wanna think about like accessibility and people who may or may not
have smartphones or access to computers, um, or the Internet as well.
[00:35:30]
I did wanna add on that, I did jot a note for that, I forgot to add. Um, so there's a newsletter platform,
Substack, that we could use for free. Um, and with that could have, uh, monthly, you know, updates
on what's going on. Also, uh, phase updates as phase is complete and, uh, each newsletter could be
written in English and also have people translate to other languages such as Spanish, French,
Portuguese, uh, Arabic, Swahili. Um, and, [00:36:00] uh, that would also allow for that all to be
publicly viewable by anyone at anytime. And then when it comes to helping people navigate the
websites and webpages, I think we could just make, uh, resource videos that just explain how to use,
uh, the actual website itself, how to use the materials, and then add in, uh, subtitles in different
languages or even have people, um, walk through how the website works in different languages, uh,
for screen recordings and have those on a YouTube channel, uh, can have those embedded within
webpages as well. And I do like the idea of having the community hubs, uh, I think that would be
helpful as could use that for each phase or just, uh, monthly updates, have specific time set of
community hubs that, uh, going over what the commission has been doing, if anyone's interested in
attending so that there's multiple ways for anyone to be informed, whether it's showing up in-person,
uh, watching a recorded Zoom of the community hub events, [00:37:00] uh, looking at a newsletter,
looking at, uh, the actual dashboard with all the information, and just keeps everything reproducible
and, uh, available for anyone.
[00:37:12]
Just to put my facilitator hat on for just a second. The- um, I guess what we would like from y'all,
these are awesome ideas, and what we would like to know from y'all is, for this proposal, what you
would like us to change or modify. I think these are fantastic ideas and we certainly need these ideas,
but I think from y'all that's what we're looking for is direction, um, for- for moving just this proposal
forward, so that then we can get to all [LAUGHTER] of these awesome things. Just wanna put that out
there, please.
[00:37:41]
Um, so before we get away from this, um, what Amel said is true, um, we need to make sure that
everybody can access, you know, the information and things like that. And even in the past six
months or so when I had things that I was working on, um, someone told me about a guy [00:38:00]
who made flyers, uh, actual flyers, like we can go to community hub centers, maybe a food pantry,
maybe where people would go at and you can't just, you know- because everybody who might not be
able to access Internet, they may not have smart- smart smartphones like Amel said. And so what-
when, you know, for instance, when I worked with Dream City, um, I had actual flyers that I went
around to different businesses and posted them up at different business and it was really effective.
And it was like more effective than I thought it was because it wasn't anything that was in same day
like go to this website, go login into this, go do this, go to that. It was simple, simple like, hey, contact
this and it may had email in it or it may, you know- but it wasn't, you know. And- and then that would
help people, you know, get into the more- you know, get into the dashboard, things- things like that.
But you have to be able to put information in places that people are going to go, you know, they're
gonna be. You know, they- you know, some people might have to go to the food pantry, some people
might go all the way down [00:39:00] so a laundromat, they might go to Hy-Vee, they might go to
KCs, you need to have those things, you know, everywhere. And so, um, I would say that Dream City,
they gave me a resource where I had a guy who would print things and print color photos and we
print information and let people know. So I think that's a good thing that Amel said, we have to make
sure that everybody can access information. And they won't have difficulties because at times people
will say, hey, Will, this so difficult to get on this website, you know, it's too difficult to contact this, so
just forget about it. They have something simple like a drop box or something, they could contact
people and say, hey, I saw this flyer at the store when I was getting groceries, I wanna know about
this.
[00:39:46]
I really appreciate all the work and that, I don't know you in the room, but all of the other folks
elsewhere have put into, I'm really buffing up and adjusting, modifying. [00:40:00] There's a, you
know, I could see a lot of the revisions and also just the intentionality in terms of I'm creating
something that was very specific to the process as it's already begun with this commission, as well as,
um, kind of really localizing it well. While maintaining a broad perspective of what truth-telling could
be. Specific to changes to the proposal, I have none and I really appreciate all of the background info
on the key players from the different umbrellas and how they'll be organizing among themselves. I
really appreciate the visuals. So I think all of this, would be very great for me to recommend to the
city. Um, one thing that I just had a question about in terms of budgeting, this budget is primarily for,
you know, the labor of the- of the facilitation have. [NOISE] But I wonder if it's been, [00:41:00] um,
like. Do you guys have a guess as to how much like truth-telling processes in the community will cost?
I don't know if that's a fair question. [LAUGHTER]
[00:41:14]
Eduardo might be able to help.
[00:41:16]
Yes. Hi. So the truth-telling processes, according to your mandate, entail the creation of safe spaces
for people to share stories. So that is typically what you will call a public hearing. That means, um,
meeting with members of the commission who are there to receive, um, the experiences or people in
the public, their communities are having more harm. And that can be of course, surrounded by a
number of different activities, rituals, spaces to ensure that, um,- that this is our respectful space and
it's a trauma informed space. [00:42:00] Um, each of those events can have, um, will have costs of
course. I do think that given the infrastructure that the city has, there are some costs that will not be
included there and that what is going to be intensive is the time that people are going to have to
dedicate, to receive people, to work with people, and very importantly, to work with people before
they come to the actual events. Um, we will have to budget for that, of course, but I- I do think that
it's- those already feasible and- and that basically the- the costs are the- are the costs of ensuring
that we're going to have people dedicated to that and- and giving time to that. Which is also why, ah,
in our budget, we included, um, a small budget for a- a position within the city, um, a part-time
position within the city.
[00:43:00] [00:43:05]
I was gonna ask about a more detailed part of something, but actually it's really well detailed in here,
the media training. Um, and also, and this might be like kind of a weird question to ask, but how- let's
imagine in a perfect world that this has been approved by Council and all of that. What happens right
after that? Like in a perfect world, what would happen as soon as it gets approved?
[00:43:45]
I'm assuming it would go into writing up the contracts. Yeah.
[00:43:50]
So you're just asking like from the Commission perspective, like what's the first thing we would do?
[00:43:55]
Yeah. Like so I'm imagining it's just because I'm so excited [00:44:00] about this stuff. Like I'm
imagining like something I would do, texts Angie and you and, you know, Annie right away and be
like, what can we do? How can you get this started? Let's get this going. But, like, obviously I know
that we can't just do that right away. So what would be the steps and let's say the contract is figured
out, in out of the- what are the next steps let's say within that first 10 days after you guys, um, have
been given the proposal or approve of the proposal.
[00:44:30]
Well, I think that the- the education component is one thing that really needs to get started right
away. I'm also excited and intrigued, um, Think Peace, Eduardo and Dave have talked about a
community-wide healing event just to begin. And obviously that would take a bit of time to put
together, but that's one thing that I know I personally would really look forward to co-creating and
collaborating on. Um, but I believe that the real, um, [00:45:00] lift for this first phase is the education
component and I think that there are a lot of, um, of ideas and- and opportunities there that I know
Think Peace's outlined. So I think that that would probably be, like, a good place to start. There's also
a lot of things that can happen concurrently, you know. I know people are really interested in like,
what about the healing? What about, you know, there's lots of things that are going on and I think that
we can kind of work through some of those. What are the priorities? I do want to say that, like, while
we will have ideas and we will come to you like you would be those decision makers.
[00:45:35]
Yes.
[00:45:35]
You know, so I don't want it to be like, and then we take over. So I saw lots of hands, I know.
[00:45:40]
I have a really quick follow up just before you begin.
[00:45:42]
Is there a follow up or something says.
[00:45:44]
So, the local team, so this education stuff happens, and obviously we're all really busy people. Some
of us have kids, all of that stuff. Um, how is the scheduling of that gonna go and [00:46:00] how- have
you guys thought about, um, like, the situations where like there can't be more than four of us on a
Zoom meeting or things like that as far as education goes in, like let's say someone does show up to
something or things like that. Like how do you plan to, for lack of a better term to use Counselor
Burgess' words, hold our feet to the fire. [LAUGHTER]
[00:46:23]
Yeah. Well, we'll get you some shoes and [LAUGHTER] um, no I think that, you know, a lot of the
education component is going to come from Think Peace and I think that they have a lot of tools for
how to engage. I would- I would let Eduardo speak to that.
[00:46:36]
Okay.
[00:46:38]
I agree with B. I think that the first phase has to be heavy on education and preparation. It's a- it's a
phasing which for starters, we need to ensure that the community understands what this TRC is
about. Because with all the, um, controversies [00:47:00] that have surrounded the- the whole
process, I- I really believe that many people in the community are still not sure of what- what the TRC
supposed to be or supposed to do. So communicating and educating the community about what the
TRC is, what is supposed to be is- is a big part of this. Um, I think there is a lot of work to do within the
Commission too in order to clarify their mandate. Makes sure that everybody has a clear vision of
what- what we want to do and what they want to do as an institution. Um, and so the- the initial
moments I think are going to be very much that preparatory. Um, I- as Dave proposed, we want to
organize a public event, but also we want to make sure that whatever event we organize is well
prepared in advance so that it's not an improvised event. It cannot- we cannot be organizing events
without knowing what's going [00:48:00] to happen there. Um, that is, we need to make sure that our
objectives are very clearly set. Um, responsibilities are very clearly set, so that those events, I don't
think they're going to happen in the first week after the budget is approved. I think that we are still
going to need a few weeks or a couple of months perhaps, to organize something that is a space
where we are all feeling safe, respected, and heard.
[00:48:31]
Making a recommendation to City Council to move this facilitation process along, I think is probably
one of the most important tasks for the Commission to decide on right now, and also recognize that
recent history has not yet [LAUGHTER] been erased and hasn't really been resolved yet. We haven't
had any reconciliatory processes among the Commission and I think that to make any other steps
forward, that really needs to be highlighted. I really appreciate the fact that you've like, a-
accommodated that in the proposal with the line item of [00:49:00] internal restorative and
reconciliation process for our leadership. Um, I wonder if you might- and there's a TBD next to it,
[LAUGHTER] so I wonder what that TBD is placeholder for? Um, and if you- uh, if anyone could paint a
picture of what that process might look like for us.
[00:49:16]
Yeah, we actually talked about- about this, uh, today amongst the local group and, uh, just haven't
had a chance to talk with the larger team. Um, we understand that, you know, typically, I think that
one of the things that we were looking at was sort of, healing circles and there's a couple of things
that I think we want to honor, which is, uh, you know, working with our NATO partners. And so one
thing that we had thought through was, we are organizing and have, uh, an opportunity to go out
there, uh, to start working on what this looks like for Iowa and really just get to know one another. And
then we would like to invite them to come here and- and do work with us to work with you. It may not
happen like in the first 10 days, [00:50:00] but it is something that we understand is critical, uh, to
moving forward. And so we're trying to get ahead of that. So this contract doesn't mean- [LAUGHTER]
this proposal is even, but- brought to council and we're already trying to organize ourselves to get out
there, um, so that we can have hopefully if they would, you know, if we can get things kind of moving,
then it would be led by and with our native partners. So I mean, logistically speaking, obviously, there
are constraints with, you know, legal Sunshine Laws like, well, we'll have to split up, we'll have to
reconfigure, uh, but that is our- one of our intentions. And if you like, we can- we can write that into
the proposal so that it's clear, uh, what- what we were anticipating, um. But yeah, hopefully that
answers your question.
[00:50:47]
Um, I'm just wanna go real quick because I don't wanna forget about something that I wanted to say.
Amel said, you know, we need to have advertisements in different languages and things like that. So
do we need to have [00:51:00] like somewhere in our budget somewhere for like translators as well? I
just, you know-.
[00:51:05]
I think- I think the purposes of the proposal- I'm- we're gonna [NOISE].
[00:51:10]
I'm just saying, to add there right now for later to think about, you know, something later. I just didn't
wanna forget that because there was a good point that she made and as far as you know, how we-
you know, what's gonna happen, you know, if we go to the city and they say yes, hopefully. And they
say yes and what's gonna be the next steps? That's kinda what I think that agenda item number 7 is
going to be about because we need to start, you know, figuring out the ways that we wanna, you
know. Even though it's not nothing that's confirmed that we're gonna get this approved, we need to
start. So I think that's what agenda item number 7 is gonna be talking about because we need to
start. We can't just say, Hey, we have this approved, now what we're gonna do, we're gonna start at
this plan and how we wanna outreach and- to the community. That was a thing that I wanna add it to
this agenda. So I think this will be a touch on them.
[00:51:57]
I- I will quickly respond about the translation [00:52:00] services. Iowa City does actually have
translation services and it's- uh, I was just actually giving them prompts today because I think in the
county they actually have one of the more extensive translation services and we have so many
people in our community that we also want to obviously compensate for. Maybe that comes out of
our, you know, $10,000 community fund, you know. So again, trying to honor the- the professions
within the community, but also, as Angie had pointed out, the city has resources that they're already
doing. So we should be able- you should be able to have access to those.
[00:52:35]
Yeah. I mean, this should work up.
[00:52:37]
Yeah.
[00:52:37]
Okay. I just have one last question. It's, uh, you know, the abstract. I'm just curious because we are
saying that we are happy with what you have written, but I'm curious what- what challenges do you
anticipate? What are you concerned about or worried about? And that doesn't necessarily have to be
a bad thing. Just curious, what are you anticipating as we move forward in this?
[00:53:00]
I think some had to be really important especially because there are so many proposals that are
interwoven, is that communication piece? Which we've talked about, the coordinator piece we pulled
out and kind of redefined the city expectation. But that communication amongst all the different
entities is going to be absolutely key, like Via talked about and Eduardo. Some of the stuff can happen
at the same time, but really continuing to stay on the same page, which I would just want to pause
again and rewind us back. It was so important that our team, Kearns & West, Think Peace, the native
partners ourselves, have had so much time to pause and regroup and share truth so that we can stay
on those same pages. But continuing to onboard new entities, being able to communicate with them,
being able to get all your guy's feedback and work it into next steps, I think that's another piece
[00:54:00] that- because of the meeting laws, we have to make sure we communicate and schedule
those two or three meetings and that you all are hearing the same things before we move into action.
And that's something that, uh, I just get excited to have time with you guys. But I do think that is- it's
a- it's something we have to really put a lot of forethought into scheduling. So that would be my
piece.
[00:54:23]
Can I answer or did you wanna?
[00:54:28]
Um, what am I concerned about? [LAUGHTER] Um, I think what we're about to embark on is
something our community has never seen before. Uh, I worry about the white culture that permeates
every single one of us and our everyday experiences. I don't- we don't have any control over how this-
our community is going to respond to this. I- I think what sort of, grounds me is the people in the
room and the commitment [00:55:00] to doing this together. Um, so there are things that we cannot
control and there are systems in place that have been in place for a really long time that are going to
rear their ugly heads. And I think that that's probably one thing that keeps me up at night, is not sure
how this is gonna unfold. But knowing that it isn't so incredibly important that it does. So it's a little
abstract, but I think that- that's- that's what concerns me.
[00:55:35]
Um, for me, on that concern that you gave, I think one thing that may help alleviate it is, uh-
[OVERLAPPING]
[00:55:41]
Mohamed, I think Heather was waiting before you.
[00:55:43]
Oh, sorry.
[00:55:44]
And I don't know if you want Annie to add her concern. [OVERLAPPING] Okay. Sorry.
[00:55:48]
Oh. Um, so one concern I had has already been kind of alleviated tonight because you guys are
already percolating on how do we wanna do this? [00:56:00] You've had to spend so much time
getting to this point that I haven't heard you talk about, what are we gonna do with the media? Who
are- how are we gonna reach out? And so I see that. And so then, now, that I'm see- seeing that, I'm
wanting to be sure that, like, my mind is going a lot of differe- different directions. Where will that be
on an agenda for all of you? Where will there be groups of you that are working together? Where will
there be people in the community and in the city staff that are helping making that happen? Like, all
of that will organically happen. And just seeing that it's already starting, the percolation is starting, is
really heartening. The other piece about, uh, the broader community reminds me of something that
Carrie Norton, who's here tonight, has been talking about fro- since the get-go, which I just wanna
offer out, which is, what about having the- a- and I'm just tossing it out as an idea. [00:57:00] What
about having people in the different areas of this community, in the schools, in the housing, in the real
estate, in- in- in the legal area, all the areas in our community, having them create their own team or
looking at their own history of how they've been part of the systemic inequity? That's my shorthand
for what she said. And encourage them to make their own, um, proposals, and their own assessment,
and how they've actually made some progress, and maybe begin to talk about some of their goals.
And it's comes to mind because we're talking about the broader community and the resistance. If in
those areas of community members, and professionals, and non-profits, people began grappling with
their own areas, that might make them [00:58:00] feel part of what's happening and part of the
change rather than resisting or something else. I don't know. So that just comes to mind. Check.
[00:58:09]
I do wanna honor, yeah.
[00:58:11]
Yeah. Thank you. I was gonna, um, see if either Larry or Eduardo would like to answer the question.
[00:58:20]
Go ahead, Eduardo
[00:58:23]
Sorry, I didn't catch it. I'm, um, I- I have to tell you that it's 01:00 AM here, where I am, and
[LAUGHTER] I'm kind- I'm kind of fading. [LAUGHTER] If- if you could, uh, just put it, uh, briefly, Annie.
Thank you. Um, s- well, um, my question was, um, what challenges do you anticipate or concerns do
you have as we embark on this journey?
[00:58:46]
Right. So, um, look, it's- we all know that the, um, the community is quite divided. And so one risk that
I see [00:59:00] is that, um, people continue to see the commission just as a projection of their fears
and a projection of the polarizing, uh, situation that they have lived and the polarizing- the situation in
which the city and the communities already live. And, uh, the challenge is going to be to relaunch the
commission and to, uh, create and gain a new image of what the commission is and can be, where the
commission is not, um, at the center of the discussion because of some, um, controversy, but it's at
the center of the discussion because it helps, um, create spaces of dialogue, and spaces of mediation,
spaces of, um, of- of construct- construction of something new. But my fear is that indeed the, um,
that- that, there is a lot of damage in the psyche of the community and that people are still, um, uh,
[01:00:00] polarized, uh, or angry, or depressed, or traumatized, and they bring that- those feelings to
the commission. That is what needs to be avoided. And that is why we need to be very intentional and
very careful in each of the steps we take from now on.
[01:00:20]
I'll just very briefly say that- that I think my- my only anxiety at this moment is just trying to find a
way to sort of, uh, limit the way that we undertake fact finding so that it can, you know, be both
productive, and meaningful, and also not overtax the- the whole process. Because I think, you know,
clearly, there are always going to be more facts that will need to be found, there are people that-
who- there are people who may challenge the veracity of facts that are found. And so I just, you know,
have a little bit of anxiety around [01:01:00] just sort of creating boundaries around what that process
will be, and- and what we're gonna to look to find, and those sorts of things.
[01:01:09]
Thank you all. So-
[01:01:13]
You wanted-
[01:01:14]
Oh, Mohamed wanted to go.
[01:01:15]
[NOISE] Um, in terms of the concerns that were brought up, um, just want to say again, uh, one thing I
think that will alleviate it is just more of a public dashboard, and website materials, and also these
videos. So again, um, if we have that information out there, it's more of us defining, uh, not just what
the commission is but also maybe good to include things on what the commission is not so that others
don't really have, you know, that room to say that, hey, this commission is also for this or for that. So
if there is no room where we have defined what the commission is not, then that allows people to kind
of let their imaginations really run wild. Uh, the other thing is, um, when it comes to the actual,
[01:02:00] like, community partnerships and then doing more on the data collection pieces, I think,
uh, one thing that'd be really beneficial there is really leaning on the university community a little
more. I mean, we have how many thousands of kids at the university studying computer science, or
data science, or whatever it is, uh, that are going to want to do some kind of project to be able to put
on a resume, or put on a job application, etc. So, um, um, I think that would be really helpful, uh,
again for, uh, making sure that this stuff is repeatable within the community even after we've- we're
done, and it also spreads to more people around here, as that group of people is going to be, uh,
better at talking to the people that they work with or that they are also in classes with. As we see that
the university community doesn't really mix in with the Iowa City community as a whole as much as
we'd probably like to. And, uh, with who is really involved [01:03:00] in most of the protests sounds
like that'd be a really great place to, uh, try to make a bridge.
[01:03:10]
As I thank you all for sharing kind of where your thoughts and anxieties lie. I think it was a really good
question. It was important for us to hear. One of the things that I took away from, what all of you said
is, you know, um, the big question mark here is how the community responds and reacts to us. We've
gotten to see a little bit about what the- what the community thinks about us as a commission, and
it's mixed. We have a lot of support and we have a lot of people who are casting doubts on us and I
agree with Mohamed, one of the best things that we can do is just provide education, education,
education, in terms of establishing who we are and what our process is going to be moving forward.
Um, but I also feel like really protective over you all. Like, you know, I think that we've all experienced
in- on the brunt of, um, receiving the contr- controversy and like the- the heaviness of all of that, um,
and [01:04:00] just like, it's on my mind for us to think about as a commission, how we protect our
facilitator, um, from controversy and just so that they can do their job. And I don't know if that means
that we just- how- how weak to do to draw attention so that they can just keep working, right? Um, so
that's something that I want us to think about as we move into this. In terms of what you've heard
tonight, um, in the notes that you've been taking, the feedback that we've been giving, do you need
any more time with this or is this ready for prime time?
[01:04:32]
I think that if it is acceptable to you, if- I- to me and I'll let my other colleagues speak as well, um, it
sounds like this is acceptable with what we have. Obviously we don't have like very minute details.
I've heard a lot of like, can we add more for marketing? Can we- If you would like us to do that, we
can certainly do that. But I feel like, and I've heard this from others, is like we could just get the
budget [LAUGHTER] then we can figure out the details. So I- [01:05:00] I think if you all are good with
this we are good with the blood that's on the paper and moment [LAUGHTER] So yeah. We can
definitely put this forward.
[01:05:13]
Before you, Eric, when do we [inaudible 01:05:15]
[01:05:15]
Yeah. Thank you, everyone. And, uh, for the proposal, again, right from the get-go we've been part of
you as we worked on this to get to this point. Uh, yeah. Like most of us here I'm nervous about the
total figure. I know we already- the almost 300 had- had passed, so we're over that. I'm anxious about
educating on why they almost- the- why they jump from that. The other thing I'm piggybacking on is,
[01:06:00] uh, with the counsel we are having two- two, uh, projects going on for, let me use the word
project, presenting our recommendation to them and at the same time, our leadership concern
because it is there. So and as a p- thank you very much Stity for providing a copy of this book on
restorative justice, eh, bringing me back to the center of the work of this commission. And we- we did
propose with our leadership issue, and um, it's a concern as we move forward we then facilitate our
proposal because even if we don't discuss it, it is there. It's a white elephant in the hall. [01:07:00] So
that's a concern for me that, uh, we really can't afford to push it aside or have it under the carpet of
the hall and- and move on. We have to deal with it, and- and it's a fore taste of what's coming ahead
of us of this work. Uh, nobody said it's easy. Nobody said it's not painful. Nobody said it's neat.
Nobody said it's linear. We leave that. God gave me a lot of words. So I'll stop there and I hope with
those many words that I've put in my two points that I started out intending to put there, the my
anxiety on the total figure as we present it to council, and that as leadership, the facilitator said their
peace on restorative [01:08:00] justice as far as our leadership concern- is concerned even now when
they are not yet. We haven't- they haven't yet been hired. But they've got that piece on there. They-
they verbalize that. So our sales are the commission. Let us not sweep it under the rug and move it
together with the facilitator project. I'll stop there because I'll keep going round in circles.
[01:08:28]
This is Commissioner Johnson. I [NOISE] I personally, I- I appreciate it and I agree with you as well. Uh,
I hope that we can think, uh, through hopefully item number 7 with our outreach to the community,
we can hopefully mend some, uh, issues that we've had. But I definitely agree with, uh, we need to
address the issues that we have and get them squared away and then put them away and then leave
them permanently done. But just trying to act like they don't exist, [01:09:00] that's- that's a problem
that's waiting to happen later. That's all. So I hope we can get that squared away. With that being
said, uh, that's it.
[01:09:12]
Yeah. I don't- I just got the same message that those two just had. So I'm going to leave it at that.
[01:09:22]
For me, uh, for the piece on how you're comfortable with moving things forward as threatened thus
far, but, uh, I would just like until the next meeting to just review the entire proposal again and then
vote on it hopefully at the next meeting, if that sounds good. But with that being said, the things I
brought up about kind of having more of like a dashboard newsletter and things of that nature, I
would like to schedule a time where I can meet with some of the facilitator group, some of you or all
of you prior to the September 15th meeting, and I can just kind of show you just the sketches and
[01:10:00] ideas I have around those topics. That way it's not completely on you to just make it up,
but at least having a framework that we can look at and bring to a city council in itself.
[01:10:12]
This is Commissioner Rivera. I'm going to make a motion to pass this tonight.
[01:10:15]
Anyone to second that motion?
[01:10:22]
Is there any discussion?
[01:10:25]
My discussion piece is that, uh, for raising the concern on, um, taking care of the whole like leadership
questions but also the restorative justice piece, we did just talk about how the TBD is written there in
terms of how that's going to go. So I don't feel comfortable voting on it tonight if that's going to be
passed with it being written as TBD.
[01:10:45]
I don't feel comfortable voting on it too tonight because I'm agree with both of my fellow counselors
we can't sweep stuff under the rug and expect to take the budget to the council. It's not going to- It's
just my personal opinion and just common sense. We can't take a budget to the council at this point
right [01:11:00] now until the healing happens.
[01:11:04]
This is Commissioner Johnson. Uh, seems like common sense seems to be common today. So, uh,
agreed, absolutely.
[01:11:12]
Can I make one comment. So I'm not sure procedurally what would be helpful, um, because I- I don't
think anybody wants to sweep any elephant under any rug. Um, but we did try and answer the
question as to how we thought that that could happen. If it would be helpful and be more comfortable,
we can certainly detail out what we said verbally. So it's not TBD but it is an itemized like this is the
process; we are going out east and then we're coming back and then the process will happen if that's
more comfortable and I don't know process wise. Obviously, you don't have that in front of you. Um,
but I understand the urgency, so I'm- I'm not sure. I'm just trying to be helpful and address the
concern because I- I think we all agree [01:12:00] that that is a concern.
[01:12:04]
Annie wants - [inaudible 01:12:04] go ahead.
[01:12:06]
If- if I may ask Stephanie to talk, we asked her how soon if you guys accepted the proposal tonight,
how soon which council meeting would it go to? And it was a surprise to us that it would be so far out,
because of the developing of five contracts. So do you want to mentioned that timing because it may
be that that's [OVERLAPPING] so far out that you could still do work at the next meeting before that.
[01:12:31]
I don't know what the timing would be, but I- I think it would be short of a miracle for it- for five
agreements to be completed and in front of the City Council for their meeting on the 13th. Um, so
that's just my opinion. Um, but how long after that point? you know, I just the- that's all handled
through a different department so. And it matters also, you know, the agreements are sent out
between the parties and you know [01:13:00] depends on how many edits, changes that you- you
may have to to the agreement's too so-
[01:13:06]
I agree um, with the proposed facilitators that they have addressed my concerns at least about the
fact that there's a lot still up in the air in terms of how we as a commission, cooperate and exist- co-
exist with one another. Right? That's part of phase one, that's not swept under the rug, it's- it's
operationalized in this proposal. My concern with pushing it back is that that actually pushes back our
reconciliation process by making- the passing this proposal, another item on the next agenda then
we're still pushing back our opportunity to move forward, um, with all- all of the other things, good
things we can do as a commission.
[01:13:46]
If I could [OVERLAPPING]
[01:13:46]
I have a question. Are we able to possibly have in other work session?
[01:13:50]
Um, yes but, uh-
[01:13:54]
To just expedite things after we get the things squared away.
[01:13:59]
What is [01:14:00] your- so exactly what are you wanting to- what are you- what's your reasoning to
do the work session versus regular?
[01:14:05]
Well, if we don't take the vote now and we take care of and deal with whatever issues that we have
and then instead of letting it go, get the ball kicked down a road a little bit more, we just have a work
session and try to get us squared away for him.
[01:14:23]
For those who are not comfortable with proposing this, what are the specific recommendations that
you can make to- to them um-
[01:14:30]
Before we do that, I just- I would like to say one thing if that's okay. I wanted to say that I understand
both sides of my fellow commissioners and I hear you- you feel like things are being swept under the
rug. That was never the intention. Um, we are trying to move forward in a restored just this process.
And I personally believe that we don't have to move in haste, and also two things can exist at the
same time. It's equally impor- important to have reconciliation amongst ourselves [01:15:00] and
move this proposal forward. And as, um, we're hearing, we can do both at the same time. If we
choose, in my opinion, to push back our proposal, we're setting ourselves back, so why can't we do it
at the same time? Becau- I'm saying that I- I am very much in favor of- of us agreeing to move
forward on the proposal with the plans to move forward with how we can heal our commission
because there has been hurt done and we need to address it and we need to talk to the community
about it. It is the elephant in the room, but it doesn't have to be for much longer. It's not like we are
going- it's not like everyone doesn't know what's been happening, but a very important thing is this
proposal. We cannot do our jobs without the proposal. So it is part of our mission, we have to do both
at the same time in my opinion so-
[01:15:54]
In my opinion, I- I just- I feel like if we're going to step forward, step [01:16:00] forward your best suit
on. So go on there, square it our way, have everything kind of broken down and, uh, with our best
foot forward. So that's just my opinion as well. So, I agree to disagree.
[01:16:16]
And that's my opinion too because half of the- half of this- half the people in the room know that
rejection that we've got from the city time and time again. And that's what makes me nervous.
[01:16:26]
That's for sure.
[01:16:27]
That's what makes me nervous, about the rejection. And now with this latest controversy or whatever,
just doesn't make me confident. Just doesn't make me confident at all at this point right now. Because
there has been no personal reconciliation, which should have happened weeks ago. And that's what
scares me and I'm tired of the rejection. We've had rejection because we didn't want certain members
because of behaviors. Some- some of the commissioners wasn't here for the audit rejection. I watch
somewhere of my fellow council members stay [01:17:00] up and spend hours making budgets all just
for it to get rejected, all just would get thrown out, and at this point, we've never had a controversy
like this. I- I've told people personally, I want this to pass but I fear rejection. And it needs to be
something addressed. Even if it's something public, even so- I haven't even heard- heard of a policy
about the controversy and the personal things affected my life, I haven't even heard that.
[OVERLAPPING]
[01:17:35]
Are we still talking about the proposal, can we talk about [OVERLAPPING]
[01:17:37]
Don't cut me off. We had these problems before and you shouldn't be here cutting nobody off.
[01:17:41]
Not at all.
[01:17:42]
I'll let you talk to when you want to talk, please don't get cut me off.
[01:17:44]
Okay. I'm going to ask everyone, to wanted to take a breath [OVERLAPPING].
[01:17:46]
Don't start that.
[01:17:46]
Please, take a breath. I understand that this is a hot topic, breathe.
[01:17:52]
I just text [OVERLAPPING]
[01:17:52]
And let's- let's just go back and [OVERLAPPING].
[01:17:53]
Okay, let me finish what I was saying.
[01:17:54]
I'm going to let you finish. Could you just give me a second?
[01:17:56]
Yes.
[01:17:56]
I'm going to go straight to you, I promise, [LAUGHTER].
[01:17:58]
I got you.
[01:17:58]
Okay? I [01:18:00] know that this is a hot topic, and I do believe it's related to people's concerns, so
yes, ML isn't related to the proposal. So I'm going to allow Eric to talk, please.
[01:18:09]
Yeah.
[01:18:09]
And could you please keep it to your concern? Let's not [OVERLAPPING]
[01:18:13]
That's- that's my concern. I don't want to put forward a budget right now without a public apology,
apology to commission, apology all the other people that was offended first before we do that sum.
We can have these books talking about restorative justice. You can restore justice if the person does-
needs to go to the restored of justice, can't even apologize to people.
[01:18:31]
Okay, I hear you.
[01:18:32]
But they even saying it and that's it. That concerns the budget. That's why I'm worried about the
budget.
[01:18:36]
Thank you so much for sharing. If I can go to Cabo and then we're going to go to Cliff.
[01:18:42]
Commissioner Nobiss had had her [OVERLAPPING].
[01:18:44]
Okay.
[01:18:44]
Yeah.
[01:18:44]
It was it up first? Go ahead [OVERLAPPING] Ms. Sikowis. So sorry I missed you.
[01:18:49]
That's okay. Um, I'm just going to be honest. I feel like sometimes like people just want this drama to
be discussed more and more and I'm just [01:19:00] tired of talking about it. The true- the
reconciliation process is moving forward with Amel and this other person worsen and that's going to
take some time. And um, so I absolutely agree with uh, our chair when um, she says that two things
can exist at the same time. There's no need for us to continue talking about this at the moment
because there is stuff happening and we will be getting reports from what I've been told and things
are going to move forward in that capacity. Um, so I'd really like to focus on this budget. I'd really like
to focus on getting it, uh, passed, uh, through council. I don't think it's going to affect us. Um, I think
that we're doing what we're supposed to be doing, and that council is going to appreciate that. Um, I
also don't think we're broken down or whatever it is that somebody said. I think that's rude and I think
that's, um, a cruel thing to say about this commission that's actually still here together doing good
work. [01:20:00] So um, I'm proud of this commission and how we've handled things, and I just really
want to move forward.
[01:20:06]
Thank you.
[01:20:08]
Yeah Kevo, thank you.
[01:20:11]
I desperately agree that we need or a reconciliatory process as soon as possible. What this
commission is showing I think with all the respect and love in the world is that we shouldn't be
reconciling ourselves. I think that we need media- mediation. I think that we need someone in the role
of facilitation so that we can have someone do that work, set that work-up before us because that's- I
think one of the reasons that we haven't been able to move forward with the reconciliation-
reconciliatory processes, is because there's no outside party who can organize us to- to start that
process. So I think we- we get there by passing this budget.
[01:20:49]
Angie [inaudible 01:20:50] Cliff.
[01:20:55]
When it comes down to it. This is one to- I- I had a few things that I wanted to discuss [01:21:00]
tonight that I tried to get put on an agenda. And apparently, I must have missed the phone call or
something while I was working and it didn't get put on an agenda and it's exactly for this reason.
[01:21:10]
Just sure that this is being specifically on the proposal or would this be better as a commissioner
announcement?
[01:21:17]
No, I'm not going towards the commissioner announcement. Not yet. But this is still addressing
exactly what we're talking about right now, uh.
[01:21:25]
This is addressing your concerns about not- about the proposal?
[01:21:29]
Yes- yes, because I am worried about us failing with this proposal due to the fact that we have
unresolved issues clearly amongst us. And, ah, they're unnecessary issues that need to be squared
away. And these issues should have never existed in the first place, but they do, so therefore, we
have to deal with them. In order to deal with them, it will show strength in us to not only push forward
with this proposal and everything else that we wanna get done. [01:22:00] But it also keeps us
organized and not amongst each other at each other in any way, shape, or form. Uh, I feel like, uh,
right now, it's- there is an uncomfortability in the air that is easily able to be seen, period. And with
that being said, ah, we're not gonna [LAUGHTER] be able to move forward because we're gonna be
looked at as all over the place and don't have things together. It's clear as day. And to ignore things
or to put things off so that we can have, ah, another facilitator. And it is once again, the same
nightmare that I had before about kicking a ball down the road. If we would have just dealt with this a
certain way at certain points and times, then we wouldn't even be having this conversation and it
would be a lot easier for us forward to move on. But if we constantly keep trying to cover things up
for whatever reasons or move it along the line for whatever reasons, we're never ever gonna get
things done and we're gonna look unorganized. That's my nightmare because all this time we've
[01:23:00] been working towards a goal, we did not ask for whatever issues that came about to come
about, but now we have to deal with them. That's the- to me a professional way of handling it. To skip
past it to just whatever it is or make noises while we're in meetings and throw whatever we wanna do
out there is irritating at very bare minimum. And that is not helping the situation in any way, shape, or
form, especially when it's people who caused it in the first place. I- I can't deal with this level of
unprofessionalism and I've been trying my best to deal with it for a long time. So I do have
announcements at the end that I would like to go further into, but as of right now, I'm gonna leave it
to you right there.
[01:23:52]
Go ahead, Amel.
[01:23:53]
Um, Angie, can you just like speak to the conversations that you and I have had this week? It seems to
me [01:24:00] that everyone thinks that, ah, I have just been like what F this, F the restorative justice
process. Like I haven't been talking to counselors every single day of the week.
[01:24:09]
Made a podcast.
[01:24:09]
Like I haven't- Clifton, hey, can you zip your lips? Thanks, that would be super helpful.
[BACKGROUND]
[01:24:14]
Okay- okay.
[01:24:16]
I'm gonna talk to- can you speak to what I've been saying to you? Can I speak to- what I've been
saying? Can I-
[01:24:23]
All right. Everyone, do we need to take a break?
[01:24:25]
Yeah.
[01:24:25]
Do we need to take a break? I don't know if that's a thing that we can do. [OVERLAPPING] We need to
take a five-minute break and please let's reconvene.
[01:24:33]
Yeah.
[01:24:34]
Thank you. Thank you, everyone.
[01:24:44]
Are we back on? I wanna thank everyone, um, especially in the public, um, for just giving us a few
moments to- to talk through some things. Um, I would like us all to come back, and actually would like
to first share how I feel [01:25:00] about things and then invite Angie, um, to talk a little bit about the
discussion we had the other day and how, um, I- I really just, um, was thinking about both sides. I just
said outside that I am a person that likes to see, um, and try to feel what people are thinking on both
sides because I do believe that multiple truths can exist. Everyone is entitled to their feelings.
Everyone's feelings are valid. Um, sometimes you have to dig deep and understand why you're feeling
certain things and why you're being triggered in certain ways. I truly believe, as Commissioner Rivera
said, that we need a reconciliatory process that is mediated. Uh, we have a lot of raw emotions, on all
sides. We have a lot of feelings. I say myself included. I truly believe that if we're gonna do what is
best for this community, we should be the example. We should [01:26:00] be able to showcase what
we have committed to do, um, to the community by showing what true restorative justice is. Now, I
am still learning about restorative justice. Um, I am still getting into it. I am still a beginner, but I know
that there's a better way than the way we've been handling it. And I think that everyone's voice
deserves to be heard. So with that, I would love if Angie and Vee might be able to just share what that
could look like so that we could move forward, um, and do what this community has asked for and
what this community deserves. Sorry to put you on the spot.
[01:26:40]
Thank- thank you. I'm just-, um, I am still very honored to be here with you all doing this work and just
again Sikowis being on there, um, as well. Um, so the reconciliation, peace, some conversations that
have been had but not with everyone. So that's part of why it's not on the agenda. It's not something
that we've- but some of that just bringing [01:27:00] that to light here is having a circle. And because
of the, ah-
[01:27:07]
Open records.
[01:27:08]
Open records. Thank you. The open records, it would need to be multiple circles. So creating a safe
space, I think somebody in the public had talked about earlier, needing to create safe spaces, ah, so
that it's not in the public and that there's opportunity. Now, the majority of the folks here tonight, the
commissioners, have been in circle. Um, as I understood it, there was something that they all got out
of it. So wanting to offer, um, an out of public keeping with the laws circles so that there can be a
pathway sooner rather than waiting for the proposal later. I said it before that coordinating
everybody's schedule, it can be done. We did it in two weeks. It happened. We can do it again. And
that would allow for some [01:28:00] of those concerns that different commissioners are bringing up
to at least be explored sooner rather than later. Um, so I don't know that I'd fully put it all out there,
but it would be something that in one week- three days, I think Chastity asked us to coordinate. In
three days, we coordinated two sessions. I think we can do that again. And the proposal, if- it's a
proposal, is that it would be a series of circles specifically for TRC- current TRC members to come
around the leadership, um, that topic and that challenge. Not knowing where a circle will go, but
allowing for that space so it's not, like so many have said, that elephant in the room is being
addressed as soon as we can get those two circles created. So I was just putting that out there, and I
don't know if there's anything else that, ah, you all wanted to add to that. I do wanna add something
that I wanna be sensitive to. I remember Sikowis earlier on, um, sharing [01:29:00] their discomfort in
that they would not be, uh, comfortable having circles led. Uh, Sikowis if I'm getting, or Commissioner
Nobiss, if I'm getting this incorrect, please- please help me, by somebody white in circle. So I wanna
make sure that that's also elevated back into the space that if this is a direction you wanna go,
making sure that it's in right relationship with all commissioners and not just the ones that wanna
engage this process, ah, tomorrow. So with that, I'm just gonna[OVERLAPPING]
[01:29:29]
It's not- Just to clarify, it's not just about somebody white, it's just somebody not indigenous carrying
out indigenous practices.
[01:29:38]
And I wanna respond to what Angie was saying. Unbeknownst to a lot of people, and I don't know who
have- who else. But yesterday, I agreed to do a circle to restore this justice to get this stuff together.
But after this behavior today, I've got to rethink that. I agreed yesterday without even knowing what
was gonna happen today. But I agreed already [01:30:00] because I felt like we needed to have the
healing part that's been begged for and yearned for so long. And I agreed to it without knowing what's
gonna today. Imma have to reconsider that agreement.
[01:30:16]
Anything else from any other commissioners? Does anyone else have any thoughts?
[01:30:23]
Just wanna note that like, um, so we have a line item in the proposal for addressing this. And, um, I
think maybe on a technicality, we can change that TBD to be more descriptive and be able to vote on
it tonight because it's already in the proposal, but I would ask Stephanie to verify that. I don't wanna
hold things up. I recognize that there's a lot of tension. It feels like the crux of this is elevating that.
And I think that maybe one thing that we can do to help, this is a small thing, but when we present to
counsel, we can highlight that change. And highlight that is [01:31:00] like one of the first things that
we will be doing. And we can outline the process with which we see that happening, um, so that it's
not, uh, an unknown or, you know, something that people are talking around. It's something that
we're addressing very directly. Knowing that, as many people have talked about, many things can
happen and be held at the same time. This pain and trauma has been happening, you know, for- for
some time now, even with not just the most recent iteration, but throughout the length and- of- of the
commission itself, like, there's been, you know, harm that has happened. So I think that- I just wanted
to say that into this space cause I- I don't wanna split hairs here, but I think that it may just be a
technicality and we can really dig in and address that, um, and still allow you to vote on it. But I would
ask Stephanie to clarify if- if it's already a line item on the- in the proposal and we just need to change
some of the language to be more clear. Can they still vote on it tonight?
[01:31:57]
Yeah. I think that the motion is, uh, reworded to [01:32:00] acknowledge with the- with the additions
to the TBD on the final version.
[01:32:05]
And my, um, motion and to approve, um, this proposal and budget, um, with a little bit of extra detail
as you guys have laid it out for us in the TBD section for the internal restorative and reconciliation
process.
[01:32:21]
I'm gonna second that motion.
[01:32:24]
Okay. Any further discussion? If not, I'm gonna take a roll call. Okay. Commissioner Ali?
[01:32:29]
Yes.
[01:32:31]
Commissioner Dillard?
[01:32:32]
Yes.
[01:32:34]
Commissioner Gathua.
[01:32:39]
No, because, uh, there still needs to be some more simmering.
[01:32:54]
Okay. Commissioner Johnson?
[01:32:56]
No.
[01:32:57]
Commissioner Harris?
[01:32:59]
No.
[01:33:00]
Uh, commissioner, uh, Nobiss?
[01:33:03]
Yes.
[01:33:04]
Commissioner Rivera?
[01:33:06]
Yes.
[01:33:07]
And Commissioner Traore?
[01:33:10]
Stephanie, before I go, what's the current count? Four, three.
[01:33:15]
Four is yes?
[01:33:16]
Correct.
[01:33:17]
Um, with that being said, um, I'll preface my vote with, uh, I'm voting this way as I don't want to put a
proposal forward with the commission being split in this way and without having more details on what
exactly we can do to alleviate that split. So even though this may push things back, what is it? Ten
days, two weeks, whichever one it is, uh, I'd rather have us all be on the same page or closer to that.
So I will vote no.
[01:33:47]
Okay. The motion is 4, 4, which means the motion fails.
[01:33:51]
Okay. Um, it's very clear that we're split and I do agree that we should be on a united front when we
submit the proposal. [01:34:00] Um, I do find it unfortunate, but I do hear y'all- everyone's reasons
and I respect your decisions on both sides. I, um, hope that we can move forward in discussions on re-
reconciliatory process as been discussed by our proposal team if possible. I don't know if that's still
possible in the next couple of weeks, um, like you just said, Angie. Okay. So with that being said, I will
go ahead and, uh, text everyone and maybe have Stephanie email and see when we can get people
together cause this is important, um, but we- we can still move forward. Um, is there anything else
we wanna do- we wanna talk about on this line item?
[01:34:48]
The only thing I would say that I'll add that at the almost two years of trying to go to this and try to
get a budget to proposed, for me to vote no on that is really important.
[01:35:00]
Okay. Thank you. Anyone else wanna say anything else on this line item?
[01:35:03]
Can I just add one more thing? Sorry, it's a very technical thing, but I just wanted to mention it, um,
cause I know Commissioner Gathua was mentioning that one of her concerns is the budget. So, um,
originally when we had proposed our budget, it was 388,875, and then, um, right now it's 402,130,
which is a difference of 13,000 roughly. And I just wanted us to note that 10,000 of that was
something new that we had added, which was that community fund for organizations and groups. So I
just wanted to let the commissioners know that in terms of the actual budget, um, that there was
some technical like small things I just wanted to po- point out for next time for consideration.
[01:35:44]
Okay.
[01:35:44]
Chair, let me just make a response to that to- to [inaudible 01:35:48]
[01:35:48]
Yeah.
[01:35:50]
Uh, when I put it out as, uh, probably I use the word concern on that on the budget. It's more of an
anxiety [01:36:00] and being more of a devil's advocate because- and really that piece of education
you've just put out there, that we - we need to be ready because the budget, uh, seems to be
[inaudible 01:36:16] just that piece of education because, I get it, I've been part of this as we go to
that point. So going in, I was just saying I'll be anxious because I'm- I'm not here and the facilitator
there. No, we've been moving together.
[01:36:33]
Yeah.
[01:36:33]
So that we have to be ready for that clarification.
[01:36:37]
Yeah. Absolutely. Thank you. Did you have something?
[01:36:40]
Yeah, I would just add again- say- say it again, um, Commissioner, uh, Nobiss also, I'd put out there
just whatever reconciliation piece that you're doing, making sure that it's in right relationship, uh,
with what, uh, Commissioner Nobiss had stated.
[01:36:56]
What did I state, sorry. Can you say that again?
[01:36:58]
The- the piece that [01:37:00] you had shared about, um, and I- I might have gotten the wrong word
with the not wanting to be encircled with- with a being led by a non-native partner, uh, or a non-
native- and again, my words are all over the place right now, but just wanting to make sure that that
is integrated into whatever it is the rest of the commission [inaudible 01:37:17]
[01:37:17]
[OVERLAPPING] Oh, yeah, I can clarify that. That, um, any, uh, indigenous, uh, um, tradition- cultural
tradition, uh, be carried out by a tradit- by a- by an indigenous practitioner.
[01:37:34]
Thank you.
[01:37:37]
My only question is [inaudible 01:37:38] commissioners, um, besides are, um, the reasons stated for,
um, not passing the proposal. Are we, um, we are all happy with what it is now, so we can ask them to
bring it back the following week in the same state is what we are saying. I'm just making sure I'm
understanding that we're not asking the [01:38:00] proposal team to come back with any changes,
just in the same way.
[01:38:03]
I would have voted yes.
[01:38:05]
Okay.
[01:38:05]
Just-
[01:38:05]
But I'm not- yeah.
[01:38:10]
Not yet. We're going to get to that.
[01:38:13]
Even for me, it is not the facilitator proposal because they use the about simmering. It's more on our
restorative justice process and our leadership.
[01:38:24]
Okay- okay.
[01:38:24]
I- I've been part of the facilitator proposal. We've been working on it. And yeah. So it's more just
simmering on our own restorative justice.
[01:38:35]
Okay.
[01:38:36]
Yeah. And I explained how they, uh, intertwined and how I'm seeing it in my mind timed. Yeah.
[01:38:43]
And- and I just want to add one more thing and be quiet. Please don't forget, you know, this has been
a tough process, but please don't forget that I don't know, you know, I know that this member she had
other, you know, issues going on in life, but we lost a commissioner member behind some of this
stuff. Assuming- that that's what I'm assuming, [01:39:00] but that was partly because I know she had
other things going on, health things and her health.
[01:39:04]
I think, um, I- I think Commissioner, uh, that's not related to this. And she did state the reason.
[OVERLAPPING] It's not related. She stated the reason why she was stepping down last time. I hear
why you are thinking that, but let's- let's make sure we stick with the facts that Commissioner Daniels
gave us and not put out anything false out there. I appreciate that.
[01:39:26]
I don't think that's false. You had to have a conversation behind me, so-
[01:39:29]
Okay. Does anyone else have anything else to say about this line item? I- if- with that, I wanna thank
our proposal teams so much. We did have- we did say we're going to open it back up for public
comment afterwards. So I'm gonna go ahead and do that online. And if there's no one up there, then,
um, in-person, go ahead. Thank you.
[01:39:55]
Hi. My name is Joseph Prudy. And I've been experiencing [01:40:00] a lot of violence at the farmers
market recently. Um, as a result of me not giving up my stall because I didn't wanna get moved to the
back where I might have been a tech. We know this is a sensitive matter- this is a sensitive matter.
I'm just saying it right now.
[01:40:17]
Yeah. [OVERLAPPING] I choose to stop you before saying anything I just wanna make sure-
[01:40:18]
Saturday morning if I choose to- to use my First Amendment rights on Saturday morning at the
farmer's.
[01:40:24]
Excuse me sir, we are talking about the proposal. Is this about the proposal?
[01:40:27]
I expect not to be violated with violence. Thank you.
[01:40:32]
Just- I just wanna preface with when it comes to specific agenda items. If you have something on that,
please state so and do so. But if it's just a general comments, we do have an agenda item at the very
beginning of every meeting that allows you to comment on items not on the agenda. If you needed us
to reopen that portion, just please let us know that ahead of time, but we just don't want to be
confused.
[01:40:57]
Yes, sir. I humbly- I humbly do apologize, [01:41:00] sir. I am unfamiliar with the way this group needs
to be presented.
[01:41:07]
Thank you.
[01:41:07]
But I'm just saying I'm tired of the violence and I'm tired of the hate.
[01:41:13]
Thank you. Okay. Um, if there's no one else in the public, we're gonna move on to item number 7.
[01:41:19]
There's Noah.
[01:41:19]
Oh, go ahead, Noah.
[01:41:22]
Hello. Can you hear me?
[01:41:24]
Yes.
[01:41:25]
All right. I just wanna address that [inaudible 01:41:26] just so you could know. These are ugly ass out
in there and no one wants your voice. No one gives a crap about you.
[01:41:31]
[OVERLAPPING] Mute him please.
[01:41:32]
[LAUGHTER] I just wanted to let that Nazi know.
[01:41:38]
We do actually have to mute that as we do have specifically in our bylaws, that people that are, um,
in public comment are not to be addressing people directly that are also making public comment,
which is actually this word.
[01:41:51]
We disagree but we don't do insults. But we disagree, but we don't do that.
[01:41:55]
The man's a Nazi.
[01:41:56]
Okay. Can we take him off, please? Thank You, Noah,.
[01:42:00] [01:42:01]
Like that is certifiable fact. I'm just gonna -
[01:42:04]
Okay. If there's no one else, we're gonna move on to item number 7. And to preface this, the reason
why I put this on there is several commissioners asked about what we could do before we get the
proposal passed. There's concerns about how can- we can be more visible in the community. So that's
really what this item was about. And why is on there. We're gonna open up for public comments
online first. There's anyone that liked to talk about that? And if not, we'll move in to our, uh, public
audience. Okay, Commissioners, go ahead.
[01:42:49]
Taking a cue from my fellow commissioners who, um, kind of are just naming, uh, so the difficulties
we're still facing. I- I don't think that we can have a productive conversation about branding
[01:43:00] or- or reach out to the community until we do reconcile.
[01:43:05]
I agree with that as well.
[01:43:06]
Okay.
[01:43:07]
[inaudible 01:43:07].
[01:43:11]
Okay. So, um, I will move unless there's other opinions or thoughts that we table this until after this is
all [OVERLAPPING]
[01:43:19]
I don't understand what branding means. Like can somebody explain that to me?
[01:43:26]
Branding marketing. So essentially, branding, uh, your- your message in terms of your mission and
value statements, who you are, what you are, what you believe in, uh, what your group, uh, prioritizes,
what your group does not prioritize. Uh, what your group would like to focus on, what your group
would not like to focus on, things of that nature. Uh, for me, uh, I do think there's some things that
could be defined around it today, but at the same time, uh, with what we're looking to do for more of
the reconciliation amongst commissioners themselves. And also when it comes to, [01:44:00] you
know, whether we can do our own website, how that stuff really looks. I'd like to get an answer on
that first and foremost, because that would really inform more of what I could say on this. And I'd also
like to work with the facilitator group on that piece as well as we move towards actually getting this
whole thing voted on and passed. Uh, branding, marketing, very important. But again, I just don't
know that we're in a complete position now to define that before we even look at specific groups we
might be looking at to partner with.
[01:44:33]
So why like- so the- the- if we do branding and all this stuff, like we're- we're going to be leaving that
up to the people we hire. Is that correct? Or like-
[01:44:46]
So, um, the way [OVERLAPPING] sorry, Commissioner Nobiss. What was the last thing you said?
[01:44:52]
Oh, like that'd be something Kearns in Westwood take care of.
[01:44:55]
So that is, um definitely something that's been talked about. Uh, the way I understood this, [01:45:00]
uh, line item is how can we maybe have our own logo or, um, have t-shirts, or, um, when we're going
out in the community, have our own presence. Um, just as we are- because as we know, um, as soon
as we're able to, uh, get this proposal passed, hopefully by city council could be a month or more from
now. So we're- it was really just how- what can we do in the meantime? Then hopefully, um, this is my
own opinion. Uh, Crowns and West or our proposal team would be able to help us out with that in a
more professional way.
[01:45:37]
Oh, well, I- I mean I have a great idea. I think we should hire Andre, right? To make us a logo and get
us some t-shirts made up. And, uh, we should start looking for, um, a web- a web developer who can,
you know, make us a website. I don't see why that has to be put on hold. I don't understand that.
[01:45:55]
So as far as I know, just to, um, I have talked to, uh, Geoff [01:46:00] Fruin and we're not allowed to
create our own social media. So I- I assume that we're not also allowed to create our own websites.
Um, Stephanie, if you can correct me on this.
[01:46:12]
And, uh, I was wondering to people that agree with what, uh, Jessie said, that we need to start
thinking about it. You know, that was kind of my thing we're thinking about it. Maybe if you talk to
somebody or you hear a story or experience, start preparing. You know, that was my opinion. That's
when she said to me and that was my opinion. We should start thinking about people that we come to
shoot selling and things like that and just trying to, you know. I tell people all the time. But, you know
we'd been through so much that they say, Hey, I'm ready to conceal my truth, but, you know, you
really don't have anything to facilitate that yet. But since we've been close to it soon, maybe, you
know, somebody or talked to somebody or your organization or group or whatever it is, you know, just
start. That's what I'm saying. Like that's what I meant by my part of the branding and the website.
That's going to be, [01:47:00] you know, just what you mentioned, that, you know, we had to make
our own and there's some different rules and things like that. I was saying fan and individual people
and start preparing them and say, hey, how did you feel about sharing your truth and just how those
stars gathered. You know, that's what I brought it up because there was a question that was asked
here today, like so once you get the budget, what's going to happen after that? Well, we're preparing.
You can, you know, have teams already- ready. So-
[01:47:30]
Sorry, I didn't understand any of that, but, um, so can you please- Chastity, can you please let me
know what you mean by not being able to make our own website?
[01:47:40]
So, um, as far as I understand, um, Geoff Fruin, the city manager said that is just not,uh, policy that
they are comfortable. They don't let any other commission do this. It would be best for us to use the
Iowa City website that we have webpage for that instead. And also, uh, they [01:48:00] have specific
rules and guidelines and people are very specifically trained to, uh, maintain social media pages and-
and things like that, um, because it is governmental. So if we wanted to utilize our website, uh, that is
currently through the Iowa City.gov, we could move forward with that, um, and-
[01:48:19]
Oh, that's cool. So we actually have people like ready to do that work for us at the City?
[01:48:25]
Yes. We could have done that and- what I would like to propose not to cut you off is that maybe
someone could champion this. This could be committee led outside of this. Uh, and what- whoever
decides they want to champion, I'm willing to help. Uh, we can bring it back to us as we're preparing
to the future so we can do something in the meantime. Uh, I love the idea of reaching out to Andre
Wright. He is awesome at that. Uh, and maybe talking to Stephanie about what we can do about shirts
or whatever in that. Well, but I think [01:49:00] that would be best in a committee since we- since
everyone has great ideas. So is there anyone here right now that like to champion that? Go ahead.
[01:49:11]
Mohammed? [inaudible 01:49:11].
[01:49:14]
Uh, I am a developer and I've made and manage multiple websites, social media, et cetera, so, uh, I'm
more than happy to do so. Ah, my question though, however, on the, uh, not being able to have our
own website or social media, as I understand it, it's more of something around who is accessing it,
who has, uh, edit functions and capabilities, who can access certain databases. So, um, that question
sheet I pass to you was just to get clarity around that. So I think there may be ways to still work with
them where it's- it's own stand-alone website, but maybe you just have a link on our Ad Hoc page.
And as my thing with the structure of the city website pages is it's, in terms of user experience, not
very pleasant, pretty poor, and also very hard to find, [01:50:00] um, a specific page for a group. Like
you look- really have to google at hoc truth and reconciliation with Iowa City to quickly- [LAUGHTER]
It's- it's faster to get to the page that way than it is navigating on the city page. And as a developer
and someone that's made websites, that's just a horrible experience. [BACKGROUND] [LAUGHTER].
So, uh, if the processes are so set in stone that we can't go around that I think we really need to
update the processes. Because, hey, you're not- as a city, it isn't conducive to say we want people to
participate, we want people to know what's going on when it's so difficult to find the information in the
first place that it's easier for someone to Facebook message me, when is your meeting and where's
your agenda than it is for them to find it themselves, which happens to me monthly to this day.
[01:50:46]
I just add, uh, piggyback onto that. So um, I think 100 percent you're on the right track with like in- in
like, sort of, investigating what does the city have to offer you because they also do production. So
like you could be making videos. [01:51:00] You could- I mean, you should ask about Facebook live
events. You should, I mean, there's- there as, um, Commissioner Nobiss has pointed out, like you have
people ready to do this, you just need to like i- investigate like who is that? At what extent? Um-
because they do- you know they have PA TV, and they have like all of these other platforms, um, that
may be available to you. So I'm just going to say maybe cliff and Eric, you guys are nodding your
heads, like you want to do this.
[01:51:26]
[OVERLAPPING] I said that a long time ago. I said that if we- we go back and watch the YouTube
videos from way back when we first started, that's exactly what I was saying right then. So I mean,
same thing [OVERLAPPING].
[01:51:37]
And that I've heard- and I've heard people I think we had- I think that it went in our last meeting there
was a person that "I'm having trouble either seeing what's going on there. I don't even know what's
going on, so [inaudible 01:51:46] [OVERLAPPING]"
[01:51:46]
It's the transcripts. That's- that's what she was looking for.
[01:51:49]
So it sounds like, um, Mohamed has volunteered to lead this commission and I'll help him. Is there
anyone else right now that wants to join on- in on this?
[01:51:58]
Sikowis is in.
[01:51:59]
Yeah.
[01:51:59]
I'd [01:52:00] like to help [OVERLAPPING] I'm- I'm a really great graphic designer, so I'd love to help.
[01:52:04]
Yeah, he's good.
[01:52:07]
Yeah. That's great. Uh, so yes, Annie.
[01:52:11]
What I'd like to suggest is, as you guys are meeting and you notice what the city services are going to
provide and what you don't have to purchase. But if you notice things like T-shirts or other things that
you would want, it's possible for you to propose. I believe you can check with Stephanie like a
modification and amendment to the proposal at the next meetings with something that- very general,
like a $10,000 for local folks.
[01:52:39]
Okay.
[01:52:39]
Something for media.
[01:52:41]
Good to know.
[01:52:43]
Yeah, you just let us know-.
[01:52:44]
Yeah.
[01:52:45]
For marketing if you want us to add that in, if you need to.
[01:52:49]
Awesome. Well, um, I- go ahead, I'm sorry.
[01:52:52]
Yeah. That committee, uh, on Eve, I- I was laughing, not be- it's funny, [01:53:00] but at the same
time, it's sad. Accessing even our meetings to a lot of people. A lot of people want to access and
follow us, but it's so complex. And I'm like we're in 2020 and technology and also access the council
because I mean, we're a commission of the city, but it's accessing it. Even for me who is a little, uh,
yeah. So the other people, they're like we can never find you, we can never find the meetings, we can
never. And I'm not a conspiracist, but I'm like, is it a setup that it's supposed to be inaccessible? It's
supposed to ju- you're supposed to jump so many hoops. Today, when other things, my two-year-old
grand baby is able to access even my work if I'm not careful. So yeah. So that committee I'll- I'll stop
with my words. I think I've passed with the point there that they look into [01:54:00] that and
accessibility and maybe this also going to Stephanie because- thank you for bringing it here. It's- it's
sad even if we laughed. Yeah, the other thing on outreach. Now that we're talking about things that
we can do. Are we allowed, for example, if you're invited by an organization to- to talk about our
work, about the commission as part of Outreach, are we allowed to do that?
[01:54:29]
That's not my decision. That's our decision. So I mean.
[01:54:33]
Yeah.
[01:54:33]
I don't see why not.
[01:54:35]
Because right now for next month, the refugee Alliance has always wanted- oh Johnson County and
Lynn County, they've always wanted to know or to- to invite us and to talk about what we're doing
and what we're about. So that's one of the organizations I can hit.
[01:54:58]
For me that goes into the branding piece [01:55:00] however, though, um, as there's that question of
what you can't say or what you should be saying when representing the group in situations like that.
So uh, getting that basis of- of what we're, you know, going to agree on, hey, this is what the
commission is, this is what the commission is not. And also having the caveat of when you're speaking
to those groups, if there's things that you're saying that are more personal opinion rather than full you
know commissioner opinion, be sure to say, "I'm saying this as a member of the commission," when
it's you know something we've all agreed on and if it's something we haven't making sure you're also
saying, "Um, saying this uh, as a matter of my own opinion, not something that the commission itself
has agreed upon as a whole," so that people aren't getting all of that misconstrued. Yeah
[01:55:45]
And I'll add to that a little bit because he right. Um, just like when I went and spoke to the school
workers, it was basically the text that we passed in a resolution that I went to speak to them about
and we all pass that as a whole. And that's what- so what he's saying is exactly right. So you can't
really say, [01:56:00] "I'm speaking for the TRC," but we didn't- the whole- as a whole didn't pass it.
So when I went to speak at the Catholic Workhouse it was something that we passed as a whole.
[01:56:07]
And I would add that I think that's something that, um, I don't- I don't wanna discourage people from
talking about the TRC because we cannot get- we need as much as possible, but, um, I'm hoping that
something that proposal team can help us workshop, um, so that we do have that correct brand as
we're moving forward, that we're all on the same page. This is something that's very important to me
in my own job. Um, it's like everyone's going to tell their own personal story, but it all needs to line up
so that's my own two sense with that. So I don't know if that answers your questions, but please if-
[01:56:39]
Yes, it has, I'm hearing a script, uh, a script developing that we can speak from.
[01:56:46]
Yeah.
[01:56:48]
The only other thing I want to say is, um, while we, ah, just created the commission with me,
Mohamed, and Commissioner, um, Nobiss, and I see your hands up, um, Commissioner Iva, I did not
see that now- until now, [01:57:00] um, please everyone else if you have any ideas for this commiss-
uh, this committee to please send it to us. Don't think that just because you're in committee that you
have no say in this. This is our whole team efforts. We're just going to try to put something together
to bring back to us. I think that is very important. Um, Sikowis, if you'd like to speak again.
[01:57:20]
Yeah. I'm- I just- I'm a little confused. So, um, people right now are taking on speaking engagements
and talking about the commission. Is that correct?
[01:57:31]
I don't know if we necessarily just agree to that. It was a question of what can we do next. I don't
know that.
[01:57:37]
Or- or people just- okay. I'm just saying it seems problematic if, um, you know the commission doesn't
want to move forward with passing, um, a resolution to, uh, you know, just say yes to this, um,
current, um, iteration of the budget for fear of whatever, then why would anybody be [01:58:00]
publicly speaking on behalf of the commission either? So I guess I'm just bringing up that issue, um.
[01:58:07]
I mean, I don't think it's a problem myself. You know, I'm just wondering, you know, where is our gray
area there, are people speaking on behalf of the Commission, talking about Commission stuff right
now? Like if so, we should probably talk about that.
[01:58:22]
Yeah. So that's been happening already. Um, like Commissioner Harris mentioned with the excluded
workers fund, we, uh, as a commission we haven't necessarily, um, made very many
recommendations or statements, but for those that we have, I think that people have, um, felt
comfortable and I felt comfortable with them going ahead and kind of being the mouthpiece for those
recommendations. Um, but I'm willing to hear if other people think that's inappropriate.
[01:58:45]
I- I don t think it's inappropriate, I just think it's hypocritical to vote no, um, to move forward on this
budget and yet also be out in the public doing- representing the commission that use- that is in
shambles apparently.
[01:58:59]
Can I [01:59:00] ask a clarifying question then? Um, do you think that we shouldn't be, um,
representing like any of our past recommendations?
[01:59:08]
No, we should be. Um, absolutely I just think that it's hypocritical to say that we're not like, ah, put
together enough then to also- like if we're going to be outward facing and talking to the public about
stuff we're doing, then why are we also just, you know, moving forward with everything else? That's
what I'm saying. So it's just, you know, it's kind of strange to me. It seems like, um, you know, we're
either all in for something or not for something. And I'm all for passing this budget and for, you know,
speaking to the public. Because through this- this reconciliation process that's going to be take-
happening is gonna take awhile, and in the meantime I'm not willing to, um, let the commission just
kind of sit and stagnate.
[01:59:51]
I hear what you're saying, um, Commissioners Sikowis. Um, as far as I- I- as far as I understood the
suggested presentation is [02:00:00] a little bit out, it's not, um, we have some time to resolve some
of the issues, uh, before it was possibly proposed that we would go represent ourselves, ah, but I do
hear what you're saying.
[02:00:13]
Um, I want to respond to that just briefly. Um, when- if I go out in public, I speak about the TRC, um, is
not on my own, um, we pass a resolution and I just wanted to educate them what their resolution
works, um, that's- that's nor or neither connected to a budget at all. And we pass that- we've already
passed that agenda items, so, um, we voted on it and if you were here I think it was a unanimous
vote. And that's the only thing I will speak on. I would never go out and say, hey, you know, this
person- I've avoided media for the past two weeks because I don't want to go out and speak on my
own. So I just want to make sure that- that you know that we pass a resolution, um, I needed to go
get what we pass translated and [02:01:00] that's why I went to speak to the exclusive workers.
[02:01:05]
Thank you for clarifying.
[02:01:07]
Does anyone else have anything else to say on this agenda item?
[02:01:11]
I'm just responding to Sikowis. My question was-
[02:01:16]
You might want to put the microphone closer to you.
[02:01:17]
Yeah. Ah, it was a question on- on- because it's an invite from an organization in the community. And
so my question was, is this something that we are allowed to do? Yeah.
[02:01:41]
Okay. Well, thank you for everyone's discussion on this. If everyone agrees, I'd like to move on to the
next agenda item. Okay. Um so the next agenda item is next meeting September 15th at 07:00 PM
and I actually asked to have this put on there because I will not be there, [02:02:00] and so I would
need to, ah, nominate someone else to run the meeting. I'm not sure if I have to do public comment
on this.
[02:02:09]
I- I think if you're not going to allow public comment on something that the public should know as part
of the agenda. But I mean, I do- don't, I mean-
[02:02:23]
I mean, I can. I just-
[02:02:25]
Yeah. I mean.
[02:02:25]
Sorry. I just don't understand what the protocol is, but I can open it up to public comment
[LAUGHTER] about this agenda item is- there's anyone online that wants to comment on this? Please
go ahead. And I also open up to people in the public here right now. All right.
[02:02:43]
I think it's depressing to see democracy locked up their standstill.
[02:02:47]
Thank you. Um, so I will, ah, if, does anyone have an opinion on this? Otherwise, I'm going to
nominate someone.
[02:02:56]
I think that is your choice, I don't think this, you know, [02:03:00] for the 15th, I'm just going to say I
can't be nominated because I'm going to have to do a reload. I have other engagements.
[02:03:07]
Okay. Then I'm going to nominate- oh, sorry.
[02:03:10]
No. I'll just volunteer myself out.
[02:03:12]
Okay.
[02:03:13]
Yeah.
[02:03:13]
Go ahead.
[02:03:15]
Yeah. I volunteer myself out of chairing the meeting [OVERLAPPING].
[02:03:18]
Out off.
[02:03:19]
Yes. Out.
[02:03:20]
Okay.
[02:03:22]
I can do it. I- I- I should say about it soon. I was-
[02:03:25]
I was going to nominate Kevo-
[02:03:28]
That's- that's- that's [OVERLAPPING]
[02:03:29]
-if they would like to do so. Okay, um, if anyone has any issues with this, speak now or forever hold
your peace.
[02:03:38]
Talk to me about it. [LAUGHTER]
[02:03:40]
I second your nomination if there's something like that.
[02:03:43]
Do we need to do a vote on that?
[02:03:45]
There's a vote on the floor now, so Commissioner Ali?
[02:03:48]
Yes.
[02:03:49]
Commissioner Dillard?
[02:03:50]
Yes.
[02:03:51]
Commissioner Gathua?
[02:03:52]
Yes.
[02:03:54]
She said.
[02:03:55]
Yes oh, no.
[02:03:56]
I didn't hear it fine.
[02:03:56]
Yes- yes.
[02:03:57]
Commissioner Johnson?
[02:03:58]
Yes.
[02:03:59]
Commissioner Harris?
[02:04:00]
Yes.
[02:04:01]
Commissioner Nobiss?
[02:04:03]
Yes.
[02:04:04]
Um, Commissioner Rivera?
[02:04:06]
Yep.
[02:04:06]
And Commissioner Traore?
[02:04:08]
Yes.
[02:04:09]
It's in past 8 to 1.
[02:04:10]
Awesome, I don t think we have to have any other discussion on this unless anyone? I think so.
[02:04:14]
No, just let it be known that Ms. Rachel [OVERLAPPING].
[02:04:16]
I'm sorry sir, but we- we're not- we- we actually have no more public comments right now. So, uh,
thank you so much for being here.
[02:04:25]
Racial slurs don't bother me.
[02:04:27]
Okay.
[02:04:28]
I've heard some names.
[02:04:29]
Okay. Anyway-
[02:04:32]
I seconded that. I'm sorry, I missed the vote.
[02:04:33]
Who second it?
[02:04:34]
Yeah.
[02:04:34]
Was it [OVERLAPPING]
[02:04:35]
I did.
[02:04:35]
It was Wangui.
[02:04:36]
I did.
[02:04:37]
Okay, thank you.
[02:04:38]
Um so, um, agenda an- agenda Item Number 9. I will- who wants to go first? If that's announcements
and I guess actually I'm going to go to the staff. No announcements from staff. Anyone wants to go
first?
[02:04:55]
I don't want to go first, but I do [OVERLAPPING]
[02:04:58]
I'll make an announcement. [02:05:00] Um, uh, we, um, are in the midst of putting together a- a
truthsgiving event, um, which will be held on November 11th at the Englert and, um, I would
encourage everybody to go to truthsgiving.org, so you can, um, understand what that means. Uh it's
an alternative celebration to Thanksgiving, uh, which, um, perpetuates harmful stereotypes, and a
whitewashed mythology of true history. And so, um, Great Plains has been doing a truthsgiving event
for years like seven years now, and this is our first really big event, we've partnered with the Englert
and we're bringing in, um, a really great band called the Audio Pharmacy, I would also encourage
folks to check out, um, Audio Pharmacy and their songs Solidarity on YouTube. And, um, there'll be
speakers, um, from [02:06:00] the community, myself included, ah, and Andre Wright, um, Demeter
Brown, and other indigenous speakers, drummers, um, and, um, singers and, ah, possibly jingle dress
dancers. So it's going to be a really nice evening and, um, I just- just want people to keep an eye out
for that, ah, upcoming event. Can you say the date one more time please?
[02:06:28]
November 11th.
[02:06:29]
Okay.
[02:06:30]
I'm telling everybody kind of soon, but I mean, it's like it's finally happening, so I'm just going to start
talking about it. [LAUGHTER]
[02:06:39]
Oh, did you see at time. Sikowis.
[02:06:42]
No, there's no time specified yet. It'll be in the evening, I'm sure.
[02:06:46]
Okay. Um, if everyone's okay I'll go ahead with some announcements. Um, first I- um, I sent- I've been
sending this out to everyone, but my organization is doing a future-ready survey and I really just
would [02:07:00] love everyone's help in getting this information. I work for the neighborhood centers
at Johnson County, as you all know. And we work with a huge um, amount of immigrant and refugee
families as well as new islands. People are not around here, not from here. And um, if you didn't know,
we got a new executive director and a new associate director and they together are a dynamic duo of
the first in what we believe ever to be uh, organization led by African-American women, um, for a
legacy organization here. And that's very exciting. And the first thing that they want to do is get
information about how we can make this community better. Um, so if you could help me out in our
organization out, in our community, out by forwarding to whoever you know that lives in Johnson
County, that'd be wonderful. We're trying to get to 2,000 people. There's even an incentive. You can
get $100 possibly [LAUGHTER] if you uh, fill it out with your name. Um, it's just very important. We
want to do what's best for the community. And I- I truly believe in that. [02:08:00] Um, and these are
also families that I'm hoping one day we will be able to- to talk to with their truths in the future. Um,
another thing is I announced this before, but um, I'm going to be gone next time because it'll be the
rehearsal before my musical Little Shop of Horrors. Uh, I want to invite anyone and everyone to come
out. I will be excited to see you and also nervous. Um, but it's going to be very fun and exciting. And if
you'd like theater, um, it'll be a good time. It's at the core of little Performing Arts um, Theater,
um,16th, 17th, 18th, and then the weekend after the 24th, uh, the 23rd, 24th, and 25th, uh, tickets
are on sale. And um, let me know if you have any questions. So that's all I have. Anyone else wants to
go?
[02:08:50]
I'll go. Uh, a couple of quick announcements uh, before I go on to other things as well. [02:09:00] Uh, I
personally won't be here next meeting only because we are going to uh, at my gym we are going to
be helping out, uh, rock-study. We have a rock-study program that helps fight against Parkinson's
disease. And we're going to go out there and actually train people out there, uh, throughout the
United States that were representing Iowa out there uh, over in Denver. So with that being said, uh,
moving on to the next one. Next one is, uh, we have uh, our- our, uh Level 1 and level 2 official
certification clinic, uh, USA boxing. So if you are a fan of the sport at all and you don't actually want to
actually participate in a sport, you have multiple means of uh, being apart and one is being official, a
judge, a timekeeper, a referee of any sort like that. So if uh, anybody's interested, we will have that at
10:00 AM to [02:10:00] 5:00 PM Saturday, September 10th, uh, and that's- that's open to everyone in
a city. Uh we are trying to get as many people in as possible uh, which leads on to the next
announcement is because we are going to have the first uh, state tournament in years uh, here in
Iowa City, which is a big deal because uh, we haven't had one for 20 years and just uh, Iowa city
needs more good activities, fun activities that are family friendly. All those events that we've thrown
so far have been phenomenal. Everybody who's volunteered word board, I would like to thank them
right here, right now and uh, had a lot of positive- pos- positivity coming from, so ah, our hope that it
can branch off a little bit more for everybody else. That leads also into the next one. We are also uh,
with that state tournament that we're bringing in. We have fought vigorously to try to get the Golden
Gloves. [02:11:00] I don't know if everybody's familiar with the Golden Gloves uh, in amateur boxing,
but we have been fighting to get the Golden Gloves to save it. We almost lost it as a franchise here in
the state of Iowa, and uh, we saved it. And now that we've saved it, what we're trying to do is bring it
right here to Iowa City. It has never been done before. It's only been into Moyne uh, and Cedar
Rapids, I believe. But that was like, I think way back in 80s or something like that where Roy Jones
was on there, uh, from what I remember- if I remember correctly. So we are fighting to bring out the
Golden Gloves here to Iowa, uh, for the spring. Things keep going in this direction uh, we will be
bringing it right here to the heart of the city and that will be a major event, a great franchise to bring
to the city and hopefully, it can be permanent. So, uh, that being said, I'm going to step that off to the
side and go back to a few more important issues. I think that we need to have a code of conduct.
[02:12:00] Uh, I believe a code of conduct would help us out tremendously, uh, with moving forward
because a level of professionalism and what we're doing is extremely important. Uh, a code of
conduct, meaning we have a certain level of respect for each other, that we're not- not only not
talking over each other, cutting each other off or getting into our feelings I'll say uh, a code of
conduct meaning, even outside of being in this commission here. As a professional, my personal
opinion and what I've read and learned about more uh, a professional is representing a company, let's
say. You got to make sure that you're carrying yourself one way everywhere. If you're not carrying
yourself one way you can harm the company. I came up with analogy earlier about it. If I was a lawyer
and I did something that was wrong [02:13:00] towards my uh, that uh, if I did something wrong and,
uh, it affected my company, I would be fired. It just- is what it is because we have a bigger picture.
We have things that we need to square away and take care of, a code of conduct for us to kind of
agree on I feel like wouldn't hurt us and it would only help us, uh. So I would hope that- that was one
thing that I wanted to put on an agenda earlier. There's a couple of other things, but uh, right now
that's only one that's coming to my mind. I hope that we can figure that out and maybe possibly put
that on the next agenda so it- we can kind of set a precedent, so we don't have these issues, not just
with us, but with other groups as well too. We do this, if we make sure we kind of hold each other
accountable, I feel like that makes things a little bit easier and the whole goal is to get jobs done and
not uh, create blockages. So with that being said, uh, I yield. [02:14:00]
[02:14:02]
Any other commissioners that want to share announcements?
[02:14:09]
So an update on the restorative justice process, um, that I talked to counsel about. Um, Mayor Tege's
giving me, um, the Board of Supervisors, September schedule. I can't move forward, um, with any
mediation process until I know what the available dates are. Um, I have a Zoom meeting with Jodie
Geddes tomorrow who, uh, works with Oakland Youth and as a mediator and participates in circles
and Oakland to all of the time and is becoming a dear friend. Uh, but, ah, Jodie has connections to
specifically black women, um, who are mediators. I think that's really important for that process. Uh,
and Annie, I loved all of your advice that you gave me regarding it. But I think to do it the right way, it
[02:15:00] needs to be done, um, by a completely neutral third party, um, and a black woman as well.
Um, so that's that process. It's September 1st. They'll probably get her schedule, um, anytime within
the next week. Um, so with that being said, I know that, um, you guys are frustrated, confused, angry,
upset. Um, I can't go back and change the last- or the last TRC meeting, um, but if I could, I would
have been here. Um, I didn't think mentally I could handle it at the time, but obviously like now,
reflecting on things, I think that, um, it probably just would have been better to show up, um, and like
sit in the discomfort because I think that that's the only way that we can grow. Um, I don't know how
many of you guys saw all of the council meetings, um, regarding the situation. Ah, there were three
separate apologies and accountabilities, um, that [02:16:00] I took. I also may not have- from hearing
reflections from you guys, maybe I- I didn't emphasize or I wasn't cognizant of the fact that I needed
to be more vocal about, um, the harm that I may have caused the TRC. Um, so I want to apologize for
that, um, and the lack of communication regarding everything, um, because this is really messy for
lack of a better term. There's a lot of people that I'm having to communicate and try to figure things
out with and try to get information from to try to figure out how to do this the right way like it's not
just me texting Mayor Tege, who is texting, you know, Roy San. It's a much larger process, um, that I
really think needs to be taken very delicately and seriously because I think that it is bigger than both
of us. Um, so with that situation, there's like a lot [02:17:00] to unpack. Um, obviously, we saw how
tonight went, um, and I know obvi- like I'm coming from the place that I understand that I'm not
taking anything like that you said in ways to hurt me. Like I understand that I've hurt you and I've
probably, um, taken some trust from you. So I'm not going to take anything personally as far as what
was said tonight, um, and I'm willing to sit in that discomfort inset and let you guys tell me how you
feel. I- I welcome that, but I- I can't welcome that in this space. I can't welcome that type of- it's not
fair to any of us. Um, it's not fair to, um, the community as a whole and I just think one big thing was
having a safe space. I feel like that was reiterated a lot in the last meeting. Um, [02:18:00] so I want
that example, um, I wanna struggle with you guys for the sake of something that's larger than
ourselves. Um, and I really believe that if we're honest and direct with each other while holding
compassion for one another, uh, I think it's when we all take responsibility for our feelings and actions
and try to find deeper understanding before we respond. Um, and deeper understanding might look
like asking questions, reading the reference materials. Um, but would we consider like a given
organization formation or space, may or not- may or may not be, uh, this space to hold that we need
to bring. Um, and that side conversation within our space should be for the sake of better
understanding rather than like checking out of the work. Um, when we aren't mindful about principles
struggle, [02:19:00] um, we can end up caught in this reductionist group thinking and it proliferates
online and here and in the media and it's rooted in, and it heightens, um, our offline discomfort in
cases of like disagreement, indifference and community accountability and restorative justice in cases
of harms and in the big long term cases of harm and abuse. Um, so I'm totally willing, open, ready for
that conversation to happen. I just think that like there really needs to be thought on like whatever
sort of justice circle really looks like in this space. And, um, I'm going to invite you all to reach out to
Angie because I have a deep conversation with her about what that would look like last night. Um, but
I do want to end my statement with, um, a quote, um, and I think that this is really important for us
[02:20:00] to remember in the big picture. Um, it's Audre Lorde. "You do not have to be me in order
for us to fight alongside each other. I do not have to be you to recognize that our wars are the same.
What we must do is commit to ourselves to some future that can include each other and to work
towards that future with our particular strengths of our individual identities. And in order to do this,
we must allow each other our differences at the same time as we recognize our sameness." And with
that, I yield to the floor.
[02:20:38]
Thank you. Is there anyone else who would like to share?
[02:20:42]
Uh, just two things. We all got, uh, the little book of restorative justice today and also practical guide
to planning collaborative initiatives advance racial equity from the divided community projects out of
the Ohio State University. Um, my announcement is just I would like each commissioner to actually
take the [02:21:00] time to review these materials on their own time, uh, as you're available. Not
saying a specific date, you need to have it done by, but, uh, I think it'd be great to by the first, uh,
meeting in October, if everyone could at least get through at minimum half of the restorative justice
book and looks at by the end of October, at least finish it. Um, I would say sooner, but again, you
know, I don't know what everyone has on their plate time-wise. But if we're going to keep talking
about restorative justice and really getting into this process, it's important to actually read some of
these materials and these other perspectives. And same thing with the guide from the divided
community project. Uh, it's very extensive. It's about 50- 253 pages in total. So it's something that,
uh, over a span of 30 days, uh, say if you took 25 of the days, um, it took at about two pages at a
time, could get through it without really, you know, bringing a lot of extra effort on yourself. So I'm
just saying it that way, you know, we can do in dunks or whatever it is. But these next, [02:22:00] you
know, 4-8 weeks, let's look to review some of these materials in our own time. So we have a little bit
more of that background, more things to bring into discussions, and then just more of our own
personal expertise.
[02:22:12]
Thank you, everyone, is there anyone else?
[02:22:16]
Quick. Um, September is National Suicide Awareness month. Um, as you might know, uh, people of
color, indigenous folks are at increased risk of mental health crises and struggles and deaths by
suicide. So, um, as leaders within the BIPOC community here in Iowa, I hope that, um, uh, you just
kinda keep in mind, uh, how you can destigmatize, um, seeking mental health help, uh, in the spheres
of influence that you have, live on your people. Thanks.
[02:22:47]
Is there anyone else? Okay. I just wanna say thank you all for being here tonight, for giving your time
and- and breathing with us. I know it's been a little bit difficult, [02:23:00] but, um, we are all here
and dedicated to this important process. So I really appreciate everyone. And to also reit- reiterate,
um, I'm listening to the book and I would love to sit down and discuss with people as we're all learning
together on this journey. So I'll be in touch with everyone, but let's all be in touch with each other as
we're at different levels and learning. So with that motion to adjourn.
[02:23:24]
Second.
[02:23:26]
All right.