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Home My WebLink About08-05-2021 Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation CommissionAd Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission Agenda Thursday, August 5, 2021, 7PM Emma J. Harvat Hall Iowa City City Hall 410 E. Washington Street In order to encourage input from the public, the Commission intends to offer the opportunity to participate in the meeting remotely. HOWEVER, THIS MEETING IS IN -PERSON, AND THOSE WISHING TO ENSURE THEIR ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE SHOULD ATTEND THE MEETING IN -PERSON. If you instead wish to participate remotely, you may attempt to do so by joining the meeting via Zoom by going to: https://usQ6web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN Z1lKoUxcSB2o-XLnk7tQIA. If you are asked for a meeting ID, enter Meeting ID: 923 5355 5433 to enter a 'Waiting Room' for the meeting. If you have no computer or smartphone, or a computer without a microphone, you can call in by phone by dialing (312) 626-6799 and entering the meeting ID when prompted. Meeting Agenda: 1. CALLTOORDER 2. ROLL CALL 3. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE JULY 22, 2021 MEETING DATE 5. PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Commentators shall address the TRC for no more than 5 minutes. Commissioners shall not engage in discussion with the public concerning said items). 6. JOINT RECOMMENDATION WITH HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION TO CITY COUNCIL ON THE USE OF LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT *10 MINUTES 7. DISCUSSION ON SUBMISSON FOR THE TRC FACILITATOR *20 MINUTES 8. BUDGET PROPOSAL UPDATES *10-15 MINUTES 9. UPDATE FROM THE EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE: RESPONDING TO THE STATE OF IOWA BAN ON CRITICAL RACE THEORY *10-15 MINUTES 10. STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION: THE FRAMEWORK(S) WE USE TO COMPLETE OUR WORK *45 MINUTES 11. DISCUSSION OF COMMUNITY TOPICS: A. EXCLUDED WORKERS FUND UPDATES B. INCREASING PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT 12, DATE SELECTION FOR WORK SESSION WITH CITY COUNCIL (Currently scheduled for August 17, 4PM) 13. DISCUSSION AND VOTE ON CHANGING THE MEETING SCHEDULE FROM EVERY OTHER THURSDAY TO THE FIRSTAND THIRD THURSDAYS OF EACH MONTH OR SWITCHING TO A ONCE A MONTH MEETING DATE 14. COMMISSIONER ANNOUCEMENTS 15. STAFF ANNOUCEMENTS *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 a disability -related accommodation to participate in this meeting please contact the Equity Director, Stefanie Bowers, at 319-356-5022 or at stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your accessibility needs. Native American land Acknowledgement Prepared for the City of Iowa City's Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Human Rights Commission PURPOSE Iowa City owes its existence to the many Indigenous Peoples who were the original stewards of this land and who were subjected to manipulation and violence by non-native settlers, invaders, and governments in order to make this moment possible. Acknowledgement of this truth is central to our work toward reconciliation across all barriers of difference and injustice. Starting with a Native American Land Acknowledgement, this Commission will bear witness to the legacies of violent displacement, migration, and settlement that have marginalized those who were the first inhabitants of this land. We must also address the mistreatment and exclusion that Native Americans continue to face today. The Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Human Rights Commission encourage the community and City of Iowa City to join us in these efforts through the use of a Native American Land Acknowledgement. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT To be read at all public meetings and events: "We meet today in the community of Iowa City, which now occupies the homelands of Native American Nations to whom we owe our commitment and dedication. The area of Iowa City was within the homelands of the Iowa, Meskwaki, and Sauk, and because history is complex and time goes 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 dispossessed Indigenous Peoples of their homelands was and is an act of colonization and genocide that we can not erase. We implore the Iowa City community to commit to understanding and addressing these injustices as we work toward equity, restoration, and reparations." LEARN MORE Native Governance Center Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgement US Department of Arts and Culture: Honor Native Land Virtual Resources and Guide Meskwaki Nation - History Special thanks to the University of Iowa Native American Council for their work and guidance, as well as members of the public, for their input. July 22, 2021 Draft Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission Minutes (Electronic) Zoom Platform Regular Meeting Commissioners present: Amel Ali, Daphney Daniel, Chastity Dillard, Wangui Gathua, Eric Harris, Clifton Johnson, Kevin Rivera, Mohamed Traore. Commissioners not present: Sikowiss. 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. Meeting called to order: 7:08. Discussion of Land Acknowledgement: Rivera read the Land Acknowledgement, Approval of Minutes from the July 8, 2021: Traore moved, and Rivera seconded. Motion passed 8-0. Public Comment of Items not on the Agenda: None. Request for Proposals Update and Next Steps: Staff updated the Commission on the one submission received for the role of a facilitator. The Commission requested that all evaluations be sent to the Purchasing Department no later than Monday, August 2, 2021 versus the original due date of Friday, August 6, 2021. The Commission discussed and agreed that if they decided not to move forward on this proposal, they will move forward with a referral process from Commission members and bypass using the RFP process again. Budget Updates — Action Plan for City Council Meetings: Chair Traore will present to the Council, Commissioner Harris will assist as well as other Commission members. Commissioners Johnson, Harris, Gathua, Dillard, and Traore will be present at the Council meeting being held on July 27, 2021. Commissioner Rivera and Commissioner Gathua will attend the Human Rights Commission meeting on July 27, 2021 to discuss the Land Acknowledgement. Revisit the TRC's Mission & The Framework Used to Complete Work: The Commission discussed the possibility of having an official letter that speaks of who they are as a Commission and mentions their authority. They also spoke on the Commission holding their own truth -telling session. By Commission members speaking their truths it may assist members of the public to feel more comfortable to come forward to tell their stories. Update on Future Meetings and Discussion: A few Commissioners do not feel comfortable meeting in person, due to the new Delta variant of COVID-19. Staff will work with the Communications Department to set up a hybrid meeting. Under Iowa law it will still require that a majority of Commissioners are present to meet in -person. Community Topics for Discussion: Excluded Workers: Members of the public spoke on the concern that the timeline established by the City is too delayed to appropriately distribute American Rescue Plan funds. It was also mentioned that the Excluded Worker Coalition will meet with the Iowa City City Manger's Office on Friday, July 30, 2021 at Saint Patrick's Church. Increasing Public Engagement: The Commission discussed ways they could better engage with the community when doing outreach and/or holding sessions. Critical Race Theory: The Commission plans on making a statement against the ban on critical race theory here in Iowa. The Commission would also like to hold a community event where persons who support this new law and persons who do not support this new law can engage in a conversation on the topic. The Commission wants to hear from members of the public to learn why Critical Race Theory should be taught The Education Subcommittee will discuss this at the next meeting. Commission Announcements: Rivera, spoke on a series of conversations sponsored by the Carver College of Medicine and Psychiatry Department on the intersectionality of health on marginalized communities. These sessions are recorded and can be viewed at a later date. Gathua, spoke on a presentation from Iowa Legal Aid on Fair Housing and is looking forward to more collaborations with them. Gathua also spoke on a conference on Human Trafficking that focused on African women being targeted for trafficking in the state of Iowa. Traore, spoke on National Night Out being held on Tuesday, August 3, 2021 and reminded all Commissioner of the importance of preserving their mental health and taking care of themselves. Daniel, commented on the CDC moratorium on evictions that ends July 31, 2021 and the effect these evictions will have on persons of color and that there are emergency funds available to persons that were unable to pay their rent due to the pandemic. Staff Announcements: None Adjourn: 9:00 PM 0 0 M P ti N OC N � X X X �C 5C pe DC SC SC M N 7 N L (rl N N N N N N N N 64 lj F' W C. C R Z i e3 y C ti O From David Goodner (of Iowa Catholic Worker House): "Join us Wed, Aug 11 at 3:30pm at the Catholic Worker House for a rally and march to the city's public ARP hearing Dear Fund Excluded Workers Coalition members, March for an Excluded Workers Fund! March for Covid relief and the rights of essential workers! As the Delta variant spreads more than one year after the pandemic began, immigrant workers have been left behind from aid and disproportionately impacted by Covid-19. We march to demand relief and rights for essential immigrant workers! Wednesday, August 11, 3:30pm Catholic Worker House 1414 Sycamore Street Iowa City, IA 52240 The 1.2 mile march will begin at the Catholic Worker House at 3:30pm and end at Mercer Park before a public hearing on the American Rescue Plan at 5pm. pray you can join us, David" MIERCOLES 11 DE A40ST0 MARCHA DEL PUEBLO Is INMI TaliTS TY MaTl[iRarmim iaaA Got LL MVP it VM MUM INICTO WN I MA HALIND UNIDO S LO Popimos LOCRARI. PAIRchrows Q AFOYA LONTESTAMDO EL wua [oI TIA rraaauaalRi