HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-13-2021 Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation CommissionAd Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission
May 13, 2021
Electronic Formal Meeting- 07:00 PM
Zoom Meeting Platform
Electronic Meeting
(Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8)
An electronic meeting is being held because a meeting in person is impossible
or impractical due to concerns for the health and safety of commission
members, staff and the public presented by COVID-19. You can participate in the
meeting and can comment on an agenda item by going to
https://zoom.us/webinar/recister/WN D d8 swhTRewvPzXikccaA
via the internet to visit the Zoom meeting's registration page -and submit the
required information.
Once approved, you will receive an email message with a link to join the
meeting. If you are asked for a meeting ID or webinar ID, enter the ID number
found in the email. A meeting password may also be included in the email. Enter
the password when prompted.
If you have no computer or smartphone, or a computer without a microphone, you
may call in by telephone by dialing (312) 626-6799. When prompted, enter the
meeting ID or webinar ID. The ID number for this meeting is: 950 9642 4365.
Once connected, you may dial *9 to "raise your hand," letting the meeting host
know you would like to speak. Providing comments in person is not an option.
Agenda:
1. Call Meeting to Order and Roll Call
2. Approval of the April 29, 2021 Meeting Minutes
3. Staff Follow-up on TRC Questions (see draft April 29 minutes)
4. Public Comment of Items not on the Agenda. (Commentators shall address the
Commission for no more than 5 minutes. Commissioners shall not engage in
discussion with the public concerning said items)
5. Update on Land &Labor Acknowledgment 5 Minutes*
6. Discuss &Vote on Facilitator Hiring Process 20 Minutes*
7. Presentation: Commissioner Daniel Findings on "Facilitator/Strategic Planner"
Positions
8. Review and Approve By -Laws 15 Minutes*
9. Staff/Commission Announcements. (Commissioners shall not engage in
discussion with one another concerning said announcements).
10. Adjournment.
*The times listed in the agenda are the anticipated duration of that particular agenda item. The
actual discussion may take more or less time than anticipated.
If you will need disability -related accommodations to participate in this meeting please
contact the Equity Director, Stefanie Bowers, at 319-356-5022 or at stefanie-bowers(a iowa-
cit . or . Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access
needs.
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CITY OF l0VVA CITY
410 Fast Wa hin ton Strect
Iowa City{, lowa 52 240- 182 6
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AD HOC TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
MAY 133 2021 MEETING PACKET CONTENTS
AGENDA ITEM #2
• DRAFT APRIL 29,2021 MEETING MINUTES
AGENDA ITEM #7
BY-LAWS/PROCEDURES
Draft Minutes
Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation CommissionApril 29, 2021
(Electronic) Regular Meeting Zoom Platform
To Listen to Archived Audio of this meeting visit https://www8.iowa-
city.org/WebLink/Browse.aspx?dbid=0&startid=1986861&row=1&cr=1
Members Present: Amel Ali, Daphney Daniel, Chastity Dillard, Wangui Gathua, Eric Harris, Clif Johnson, Kevin
Rivera, Mohamed Traore.
Members not Present: Sikowis (Christine Nobiss).
Staff Present: Stefanie Bowers
(Electronic Meeting Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8)
An electronic meeting was held because a meeting in person was impossible or impractical due to concerns
for the health and safety of commission members, staff, and the public presented by COVID-19.
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:06 PM.
Approval of the April 15, 2021 Meeting Minutes: Motion by Ali, seconded by Gathua. Motion passed 8-0.
Introductions: Commissioners introduced themselves by providing their background and why they wanted to
serve on the Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
Review/Discussion of Resolution 20-228, Mission and Values: Traore inquired as to how Commissioners wish
to proceed on the resolution. Ali commented that she would like to hear the voices of those under 18 years of
age. Daniel wants to make sure that the various forums that are used to collect stories are accessible including
ADA compliant. Dillard would like to see a multi -faceted approach that includes video projects, social media,
live events, and more abstract venues, for example, a poetry slam. Traore added listening sessions,
transformative justice, and a video series of positive experiences. Traore would like to see the TRC work with
City Channel 4 and the Englert Theatre on some of these projects.
Ali wants to work on figuring out who the stakeholders are and how to uplift the voices of the marginalized.
Johnson wants to infuse arts/entertainment into the work of the TRC and has some ideas. Traore notes that
when it is ok to have in person meetings, the TRC may consider holding meetings at Dream City. Dillard would
like to see the focus of the TRC include different neighborhoods in Johnson County for example, mobile
home parks. Others agreed and think that the TRC should not just focus solely on the South District. Harris
thinks that there should be an emphasis on the South District due to some of the specific concerns in that
area. Traore and Rivera would like to provide Transit service to any TRC events/meetings and interpreters,
child care, and ASL.
All members agreed that an extension of time will be needed to fulfil their mission. June 30, 2022 is the
current date for the TRC to end. Traore suggested the extension should be through October 2022.
Follow up questions for staff:
1. Who can be called to testify?
2. Can minors testify?
3. Whether the archives and/or repositories of community stories must be saved on City
servers?
4. Ability for the TRC to have AmeriCorps staff or interns?
5. The ability of the TRC to request an extension past June 2022?
6. Ability for the TRC to be paid for their time and service?
7. Assistance from Transit to get community members to forums/events?
8. TRC ability to have their own Social Media page?
9. Childcare provided for when holding a public forum/event?
Discussion of Governance and Organizational Issues: Ali suggested that the by-laws be reviewed and
discussed at subcommittee meetings and then thoughts on them reported to the entire group at a future
meeting date. The goal is to have them approved by Memorial Day. If needed a special meeting could be held
to discuss. Rivera suggested moving forward with subcommittees reviewing the by-laws and sending any
changes to the Vice Chair, Ali.
Subcommittees: Gathua invited community members to also serve on the subcommittees. Subcommittees
include: Budget, Healthcare, Policing, Sustainability, and Education/Youth. Daniel moved, and Dillard
seconded to reinstate the Housing subcommittee. Motion passed 8-0. Traore will send staff an email to send
to all TRC members when the email is received TRC members are asked to send in their preferences for what
subcommittees they wish to serve on within 48 hours.
Land Acknowledgement Discussion/Update on Land Acknowledgment: This agenda item will be added to
the meeting of May 13, 2021 for further discussion and development.
Commission Announcements: Traore, Johnson, and Harris will be attending the Peoples' Truth and
Reconciliation Meeting being held on May 6 at Whetherby Park. Dillard acknowledged the life of George Floyd.
Daniel mentioned and acknowledged the life of Adam Toledo. Gathua thanked each of her fellow
Commissioners.
Adjourned: 9:43 PM.
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By -Laws & Procedure
1 . The TRC shall have nine members who are representative of the city's BIPCC communities and
organizations, including those who have direct lived experience with systemic racism, as well as
experts who support those communities. To the extent possible as determined by the City
Council, the TRC shall include representation from groups such as the Iowa Freedom Riders, the
South District Neighborhood Association, the Iowa City Human Rights Commission, and the
Community Police Review Board. Iowa City residency is preferred but not required if an applicant
offers expertise or representation not available from applicants who reside in Iowa City. Members
of other City boards and commissions are eligible to serve on the TRC.
2. Applications for membership on the TRC shall be announced, advertised, and available in the
same manner as those for all City boards and commissions.
3. The TRC shall select the Chair and Vice Chair who will work together to preside over meetings
and make sure subcommittees are completing duties in a timely manner among other things.
4. Within the charges of the TRC set forth herein, the TRC is not required to seek approval from the
City Council, mayor, or city manager to set its own agenda and prioritize its activities.
5. To conform with the requirements of laws pertaining to open meetings and public records and to
facilitate transparency and public education and participation, administrative/clerical assistance
and media/event assistance shall be provided by City staff as determined by the City manager
and Clty Clerk. Media assistance may be supplemented by outside expertise on a case -by -case
basis if the commission believes it will substantially expand outreach.
6. The TRC shall serve from the date of appointment of all members to June 30, 2022. The TRC
shall have an organizational meeting no later than 30 days after the appointment of all members.
7. Within 90 days of the organizational meeting the TRC shall recommend to the city Council a
preliminary budget for funds needed to carry out the charges of the TRC beyond what existing
City staff, programs, and services can provide.
Absences (I forgot what we initially decided on attendance so this section is open to amendments) The
Commission may recommend to the City Council that the City Council discharge any member who: (1) is
absent from three consecutive regular or special meetings without excuse as determined by the
Commission on a case by case basis; or (2) is absent from six consecutive regular or special meetings,
whether excused or unexcused; or (3) is absent from at least four out of six consecutive regular or special
meetings, whether excused or unexcused.
l . Meetings
The TRC shall determine the frequency and conduct of its meetings. The meetings will be open to the
public and conducted in accordance with Chapter 21 of the Iowa Code. Records, documentation, and
communications of the TRC will be public records under Chapter 22 of the Iowa Code.
2. Special meetings
Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson and shall be called by the Chairperson or Vice
Chairperson at the request of three or more Members of the Commission. At least one (1) full day's
written notice of meeting place, time and agenda shall be given to each Member and the media.
I Agenda
At regular and special meetings only matters included on the agenda may be discussed and formal votes
taken. Care shall be taken to avoid discussion of non -agenda items. A commissioner must notify staff
and chair/Vice chair when submitting a request for an item to be on the agenda. All commissioners will
be given reasoning in writing if a request to submit an item to the agenda is denied.
. Notice of Meetin.
Notice of meetings shall be required; meetings may be called upon notice not less than twenty-four 4
hours before the meetings unless such notice is impossible or impracticable, in which case notice shall
be provided as outlined in the Iowa Code. The news media shall be notified by staff. Commission
meetings shall be public except where provided in the Iowa Code.
. Public Discussion
Time shall be made available during all meetings for open public discussion. The TRC values public
input and wants everyone to have a chance to spear their thoughts, but there needs to be specific times
allocated for when someone can make a comment, whether it be on the agenda or not, or before or after
the commission has discussed the item.
The times for public discussion during meetings going forward are as follows:
-5 minutes mac per public comment pertaining to items not on the agenda.
-5 minutes max per public comment pertaining to items on the agenda. Public comments will be made
before the commission discusses said agenda item.
-2 minutes maximum for final thoughts for public comment on things or questions that may have come up
while the Commission was discussing various agenda items (This section of public comment would work
best on the agenda before we go over correspondence or staff/commission announcements).
. Motions
Motions may be made or seconded by any member of the Board, including the chairperson but all
commission discussion must be completed before the commission may vote or pass a motion.
{staff may keep track of said motion and remind the commission to vote in the case we try to move on to
the next agenda item without voting on the motion.
. conflict of Interest
Members who believe they have a conflict of interest on a matter about to come before the Board shall
state the reason for the conflict of interest, leave the room before the discussion begins, and return after
the vote.
. Votin
majority vote is required for adoption of any motion. Upon request, voting will be by roll call. Every
member of the commission, including the Chairperson, is required to cast a vote upon each motion.
member who abstains shall state the reason for abstention.
Quorum
of the members of the member) Commission shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.
Committees
Section One: Appointment & Authority
Already pre -decided as commission members have volunteered for the committees they
were interested in.
If a committee has less than 2 members, commissioners may volunteer to serve on the
mitt.
0 If more than one commissioner wants to volunteer they may both join if the committee
has only I member. If there are already 2 members in the committee the commission
will make ar vote on who is going to be in that committee.
It shall be the function of committees to make investigations, conduct studies and
hearings, inform the rest of the commission and public on findings, and help the
commission make informed recommendations to the city council.
Section Two: Testimony
Once committee action has been approved by council, it shall be incumbent upon the
committee chair or in their absence the individuals they designate as being familiar
enough with the issue to give testimony or give a presentation before civic and/or
government agencies.
-Commission may createsubcommittees needed, like development, data collection, etc.
-Committee members may vote to decide if they want a person to lead the commission.
Resignations
Resignations shall be submitted in writing to the Staff (Stefanie Bowers) with a copy to the City
Council and the Commission at least 14 days prior to the date of intended departure.
Amendments to By-laws
These bylaws may be amended when necessary by majority vote (at least 5). Proposed
amendments must be sent to staff to forward to all members of the commission and/or add to
the following meeting agenda.
The following documents were handed
out during the meeting.
DON'T FORGET THIS HAS TO BE SENT TO COUNCIL AND APPROVED BY THEM
1) Notice of Meetings
Notice of meetings shall be required; meetings may be called upon notice not less than twenty-four (24)
hours before the meetings unless such notice is impossible or impracticable, in which case notice shall be
provided as outlined in the Iowa Code. The news media shall be notified by staff. Commission meetings
shall be public except where provided in the Iowa Code.
2) Meetings
The TRC shall determine the frequency and conduct of its meetings. The meetings will be open to the
public and conducted in accordance with Chapter 21 of the Iowa Code. Records, documentation, and
communications of the TRC will be public records under CHapter 22 of the Iowa Code.
3) SSoecial Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson at the request of three or more
members of the commission. At least one (1) full day's written notice of the meeting place, time and
agenda shall be given to each member and the media.
4) Agenda
At regular and special meetings only matters included on the agenda may be discussed and formal votes
taken. Care shall be taken to avoid discussion of non -agenda items. A commissioner must notify staff and
Chair/Vice Chair when submitting a request for an item to be on the agenda. All commissioners will be
given reason in writing if a request to submit an item to the agenda is denied.
5) Public Discussions
Time shall be made available during all meetings for open public discussion. The TRC values public input
and wants everybody to have a chance to speak their thoughts, but there needs to be specific times
allocated for when someone can make a comment. Times for public discussion during meetings going
forward are as follows:
-5 mins max per public comment pertaining to items not on the agenda.
-5 mins max per public comment pertaining to items on the agenda. Public comments will be
made before the commission discusses said agenda item. (Vice Chair will keep track of time and
notify Chair when someone is close to the allotted time provided to give comment)
6) Motions
Motions may be made or seconded by any member of the commission, including the Chairperson but all
commission discussion must be completed before the commission may vote or pass a motion. Staff will
keep track of motion and will roll call and tally votes.
7) Voting
A majority vote is required for adoption of any motion. Voting will be by roll call. Every member of the
commission, including the Chair, is required to cast a vote upon each motion. A member who abstains
shall state the reason for abstention.
8) Absences
The Commission may recommend to the City Council that they [Council] discharge any member who: (1)
is absent from three consecutive regular or special meetings without excuse as determined by the
Commission on a case by case basis; or (2) is absent from six consecutive regular or special meetings
whether excused or unexcused.
9) Quorum
5 members of the (9 member) commission shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.
10) Resignations
Resignations shall be submitted in writing to the staff (Stefanie Bowers) with a copy sent to the City
Council and the Commission at least 14 days prior to the date of the intended departure.
11) Subcommittees
Subcommittees of the TRC are decided and voted on by commission members. The function of the
committees shall be to make investigations, conduct studies and hearings, inform the commission of
public findings and help make recommendations to the City Council. Subcommittee members must
decide on how often they will meet and what roles each member will play (these roles should be sent to
the Staff, Chair & Vice Chair). Subcommittees will select a member to have the role of briefing the entire
TRC of subcommittee activities and discussion during public meetings.
Once committee action has been approved by council, it shall be incumbent upon the committee "chair" or
the individual they designate as being familiar enough with the issue to give testimony or give a
presentation before civic and/or government agencies.
The TRC may create or dissolve subcommittees as needed.
12) Amendments
These bylaws may be amended when necessary by majority vote (at least 5). Proposed amendments
must be sent to staff to forward to all members of the commission and/or add to the following meeting
agenda.
May 4, 2021
Dear Johnson County Board of Supervisors Chair Pat Heiden, Iowa City Mayor Bruce
Teague and all Johnson County, Iowa City, and county municipal elected officials:
Our organizations write to update our April 19, 2021 letter and to reiterate our full
support for funding excluded, low -wage, and public -sector workers through the
American Rescue Act. A $54 Million Excluded Workers Fund will provide parity with
what all other workers are able to access in federal stimulus and unemployment
benefits.
Together, we can begin the long process of transforming our housing, transportation,
land -use, and farming systems to put frontline workers and BIPOC people first.
Excluded workers are defined as undocumented immigrants, previously incarcerated
people, cash economy workers, the permanently unemployed, and all those who have
been left behind by society before and during the pandemic.
In addition to the $54 million coming to local Johnson County municipalities for direct
relief, the American Rescue Plan Act will also provide millions more in funding for
emergency rental and homeowner relief, educational support, nutrition programs,
unemployment assistance, homelessness, vaccines, aid to restaurants and businesses,
and assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Local officials can match our communities needs with these funding streams and
maximize federal dollars beyond just what we have outlined here. There will be a
number of additional funding sources flowing into the community through a variety of
different pathways. Excluded workers must be prioritized now or they will continue to be
left behind while everyone else gets duplicate forms of relief.
The federal guidelines are clear and there is no need for an immigration test
The U.S. Treasury Department has already issued guidance stating the American
Rescue Plan funds are to be used to support families and nonprofits, provide premium
pay to essential workers, and rebuild critical infrastructure.
According to an attached April 26, 2021 memo by the Center on Budget and Policy
Priorities, pandemic relief is not a "recurring or long-term public benefit" and does not
require an immigration test:
There are several reasons why an immigration test does not apply to funding streams
from the American Rescue Plan. Congress is providing the funds to assist the states
and localities in addressing the pandemic — its purpose is to benefit the community as a
whole. States have the authority to use the funds for many different purposes.
Applicable exemptions to an immigration test include short-term, emergency disaster
relief, community -level assistance required to protect life and safety, and assistance
administered by non -profits.
An attached April 21, 2021 report by the same budget and policy center titled 3
Principles for an Antiracist, Equitable State Response to COVID-19 - and a Stronger
Recovery calls for targeted aid to those most in need and transformative investments in
Black, brown, Indigenous, immigrant, and low-income communities.
To target aid to those most in need, the report's authors recommend governments
provide:
• premium pay to essential workers making less than $15 an hour,
• unrestricted cash payments to individuals and families with limited incomes,
including immigrants,
• paid family and medical leave, and
• compensation for workers who fell through the gaps in unemployment insurance
coverage, including immigrants.
Background on the crisis
Thousands of Johnson County residents have gone without a single penny in
government income relief for over a year. This is a humanitarian crisis, with many
people continuing to live from food pantry distribution to food pantry distribution to put
any food on their families' tables.
Many excluded workers worked in essential jobs serving and protecting the rest of us
during the peaks of the pandemic. Yet if they became too ill to continue working, or lost
their jobs or hours as businesses shuttered, they still were blocked from accessing the
basic unemployment relief that the rest of us depend on to survive during the darkest
times.
The economic case for fairness
In addition to the clear moral imperative to fund excluded workers, the economic case
for fairness is also clear. Undocumented workers pay millions annually in state and local
taxes, including contributions into the unemployment system they are not eligible to
collect. While they pay so much into the system, excluded workers have received no
unemployment benefits, or any other government income relief, since the start of the
pandemic.
It is economically disastrous for our county and cities to leave thousands of our
neighbors without the ability to buy basic necessities —low income workers spend nearly
every penny at local businesses on food, clothing, diapers, and basic supplies. This
fund makes economic sense for all — getting survival cash to these families will serve
as a badly -needed stimulus to small businesses and local economies desperate for
relief.
Businesses have already received direct aid through multiple relief bills and provisions
such as the Paycheck Protection Program and many others.
Public -sector and low -wage workers are also excluded in many ways
A $54 million Excluded Workers Fund paid for by the American Rescue Plan should
also address long-standing inequities in wages for low -wage and public sector workers.
Front-line workers took on the most risk during the pandemic to make sure that people
got food, healthcare, transportation, education, and shelter - all the things we need to
live. They deserve hazard pay and a livable wage for their essential work.
No more subsidies for big landlords, update public transit
A new model of affordable housing infrastructure is also desperately needed to address
the local housing crisis. Paying giant corporations to reserve a tiny subset of their units
for low-income or Section 8 housing doesn't work. We need social housing,
publicly -owned housing, worker -owned housing cooperatives, and community land
trusts.
Public transit infrastructure also needs improvement, including expanding to late -night
and Sunday service for workers to travel to work, buy groceries, and shop at local
businesses.
We demand a $54 Million Excluded Workers Fund that includes:
1) $20 million in direct cash assistance of $3,200 each for up to 6,000 excluded
workers, undocumented immigrants, previously incarcerated people, cash economy
workers, and their families.
2) $20 million in hazard pay bonuses of $1,000 each for up to 20,000 low -wage,
public -sector, and essential workers in Johnson County who make less than $15 an
hour.
3) $5 million into a community land trust, to purchase 54 new units of affordable and
cooperative housing for immigrants, refugees, and previously incarcerated people.
4) $3 million to expand public transit to late -nights and Sundays.
5) $3 million for agrarian reform, to return stolen land back to Black, Indigenous, and
People Of Color. To begin to address historic injustices against these communities, and
to put the land back to regenerative and productive uses in an environmentally
sustainable way.
6) $3 million to grassroots, BIPOC-led nonprofits and faith institutions, with annual
budgets less than $250,000 and demonstrable bases of community support, who do not
primarily rely on government funding.
7) A "no cost" city and county Paid Sick Leave ordinance guaranteeing workers up to 14
days paid time off if they or their family get sick.
We can't miss this opportunity to seize the moment and create real social change right
here at home.
It's time to put people first - communities before corporations and people before profits,
politics, and polluters,
Signed,
Fund Excluded Workers Coalition
Iowa Freedom Riders
Great Plains Action Society
LULAC 308
LULAC Statewide Council
Iowa City Catholic Worker
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (Iowa CCI)
SEIU Local 199
AFSCME 12
Iowa Student Action
Ex -Incarcerated People Organizing (EXPO) Iowa
Corridor Community Action Network
Iowa City Mutual Aid Collective
Iowa City Democratic Socialists of America
Enclosures
Memo: Administering relief programs without an immigration test, April 26, 2021, Center
on Budget and Policy Priorities
3 Principles for an Antiracist. Equitable State Response to COVID-19 - and a Stronger
Recovery. April 21, 2021, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Relief. Recovery, and Reparations for 18,000 Essential and Excluded Workers: How
Johnson County and Iowa City Should Spend $47 Million in American Rescue Plan
money. April 19, 2021 letter to county and local governments by Fund Excluded
Workers Coalition