HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-21-2021 Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation CommissionAd Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission Agenda
Thursday, October 21, 20217PM
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 below link. Please note that the meeting link and ID
for the first Thursday of each month is different than the link and ID for the third Thursday of each
month.
First Thursday Meetings httl)s://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN cMlaaV6cTxGwO1Wu2-hFHg
I D: 867 2424 8095
Third Thursday Meetings https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN ICII811PSRo1u0XPIL-1Ew
ID: 895 3695 0485
If you have no computer or smartphone, or a computer without a microphone, you can call in by phone
by dialing (312) 626-6799 and entering the meeting ID when prompted.
Meeting Agenda:
1. CALLTOORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. READING OF LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & DISCUSSION
4. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM OCTOBER 7, 2021
5. PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (COMMENTATORS SHALL ADDRESS THE TRC
FOR NO MORE THAN 5 MINUTES. TRC MEMBERS SHALL NOT ENGAGE IN DISCUSSION WITH THE
PUBLIC CONCERNING SAID ITEMS).
6. COMMUNITY COMMENT ON THE TRC'S CHARGES INCLUDING FACT-FINDING AND TRUTH -
TELLING
7. UPDATES ON THE PROGRESS OF THE FUND EXCLUDED WORKERS COALITION AND THE
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN
8. TRC FRAMEWORK
9. DISCUSSION AND VOTE ON WHETHER TO RECOMMEND THAT CITY COUNCIL EXTEND THE
TIMELINE FOR THE TRC TO FULFILL ITS CHARGE
10. DISCUSSION AND VOTE ON WHETHER TO DO A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR A FACILITATOR
FOR THE TRC
11. ANNOUCEMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS/STAFF (TRC MEMBERS SHALL NOT ENGAGE IN
DISCUSSION WITH ONE ANOTHER CONCERNING SAID ANNOUCEMENTS).
12. ADJOURNMENT
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.
I r i
CITY OF IOWA CITY
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826
(319) 356-5000
(319) 356-5009 FAX
www.icgov.org
AD HOC TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
OCTOBER 21, 2021 MEETING PACKET CONTENTS
AGENDA ITEM #3
• LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
AGENDA ITEM #4
• DRAFT MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 7, 2021
AGENDA ITEM #8
• RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AD HOC TRUTH AND
RECONCILIATION COMMISSION, NO. 20-228
AGENDA ITEM #10
• PROCEDURES FOR RE -BIDDING
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.
October 7, 2021
Draft Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Minutes
Emma J. Harvat Hall
City Hall
Commissioners present: Amel Ali, Chastity Dillard, Wangui Gathua, Eric Harris, Sikowiss (Christine
Nobiss via Zoom) Mohamed Traore.
Commissioners not present: Daphney Daniel, Kevin Rivera, Clifton Johnson.
Staff present: Stefanie Bowers, Redmond Jones, Geoff Fruin.
Recommendations to City Council: No.
Meeting Called to Order: 7:06.
Reading of Land Acknowledgement: Gathua read the Land Acknowledgement.
Vote to Approve the Meeting Minutes from September 30, 2021: Motion by Ali, seconded by Traore.
Motion passed 6-0.
Public Comment of Items not on the Agenda: None.
Community Comment on the TRC's Charges Including Fact -Finding and Truth -Telling: The TRC plans on
releasing a survey. The survey will be translated in other languages and will be available online. The TRC is
also planning to hold a truth -telling event.
Consider a motion to recommend that City Council A) Clarify the Intent, Purpose, and Expectations of
the TRC and B) Extend the Timeline for the TRC to Fulfill its Charge: The TRC decided to not make any
recommendations to the City Council until the new year when it is possible the make up of the City
Council may change due to the November elections. The current concern is that any recommendation
made by the TRC to the City Council may lead to the TRC being abolished. The TRC plans to do as much as
they can on the resolution now even though it is without the support of the entire City Council. Motion by
Traore, seconded by Ali to delay any recommendation to the City Council on expectations for the TRC.
Motion passed 5-1 (Nobiss in the negative). Motion by Traore, seconded by Harris to request an
extension of time for the TRC to complete its charge from the City Council. Motion fails 3-3 (Ali, Gathua,
Dillard in the negative).
Begin a Conversation on How to Heal the Divide within the African American Community in Johnson
County: Some TRC members have spoken with Angie Jordan who has offered to plan an opportunity for
folks to begin to have conversations. The focus would be on what everyone has in common versus what
they may differ on. Jordan also mentioned that Annie Tucker may be able to hold restorative justice
circles to heal the wounds. The TRC will continue to have conversations with the community to come to
an understanding.
Updates on the Progress of the Fund Excluded Workers Coalition: The Coalition has had over 700 people
sign the petition in Johnson County. Commissioner Harris will send staff the petition. The group has been
using their own survey to collect stories from those whose livelihood has been affected due to the
pandemic.
This meeting can be viewed at https://citychannel4.com/cai-bin/vdb/vtp.pl?id=F21734.
Think Peace: Dozens of TRCs are being established around the county due to the social movements of a
few years ago. Think Peace can assist the TRC in connecting with other TRCs and also with its mission.
Eduardo Gonzalez has been working with TRCs for the last 21 years. Gonzalez started the work in Peru
where over 69,000 people were killed. Gonzalei s work here in the US includes working with the TRC in
Greensboro and the one established in the state of Maine. Dave Ragland is the co-founder of the Truth -
Telling of Ferguson, Missouri. Unlike, the City of Iowa City, the one in Ferguson was not created by the city.
The Truth -Tellers focused a lot on police violence. Ragland continues to educate and organize around
police violence while still trying to create a national process. Antti Pentikainen has worked with the TRCs in
South Africa.
Announcements of Commissioners: Traore mentioned Project Better 2023. Ali commented on an event
being held at Tippie that featured Casey Gerald. Nobiss spoke on the upcoming Indigenous Peoples' Day
and invited fellow Commissioners and the community to come out to an event being held in recognition of
the day at a Native owned business here in Iowa City. Gathua reminded Commissioners that October is
domestic violence awareness month and shared that the 2021 Pat Meyer Vision Award is later this month.
Adjourn: 8:45 PM
This meeting can be viewed at https://citychannel4.com/cai-bin/vdb/vtp.pl?id=F21784.
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Prepared by: Council members Janice Weiner and Laura Bergus I
Resolution No. 20-228
Resolution establishing Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Whereas, in Resolution No. 20-159 (Initial Commitments addressing the Black Lives Matter
Movement and Systemic Racism in the wake of the murder of George Floyd by the Minneapolis
Police and calls for action from protesters and residents), the Iowa City City Council resolved as
follows:
By October 1, 2020, create an ad hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission to bear
witness to the truth of racial injustice in Iowa City and to carry out restorative justice,
through the collection of testimony and public hearings, with such work to include a
recommendation to the Council of a plan for dedicating and/or renaming public spaces
and/or rights of way in honor of the Black Lives Matter movement; and,
Whereas, the City Council committed to allocate City funds of $1,000,000 during the present
Fiscal Year to support Resolution 20-159, which includes a variety of initiatives, among them the
Truth and Reconciliation Commission; and,
Whereas, truth and reconciliation underscores the imperative that confronting and reckoning
with the past is necessary for successful transitions from conflict, injustice, resentment and
tension to peace, equality and connectedness; and,
Whereas, while we acknowledge that other forms of injustice and challenges have occurred
over the course of the history of the city of Iowa City, the focus of this Commission is on race;
and,
Whereas, the City Council acknowledges the existence of painful, systemic, persistent, and
varied forms of racial injustice in Iowa City, and acknowledges that such injustice persists
despite past efforts to address it, consistent with observations that systemic racism and white
privilege are deeply resistant to change; and,
Whereas, the Iowa City community must look comprehensively into its past and bear witness to
the truth of racial injustice in order to provide the best possible foundation for moving into a
future of equity based on healing and hope; and,
Whereas, the City Council recognizes that, for a Truth and Reconciliation process to be
meaningful, it must include bold action to confront privilege, stimulate difficult conversations,
and reach and engage a full cross-section of the community, including those in the community
not inclined to engage or resistant to engagement; and,
Whereas, a comprehensive process will require that City of Iowa City departments and the City
Council itself participate, including individual councilors, in good faith, in the process and to
actively encourage broad participation throughout the community, and the City Council hereby
commits to such participation and encouragement; and,
Whereas, creation of an Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission is in the best interests of
the City and its residents.
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved by the City Council of the City of Iowa City, that:
1. The Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is hereby established
Resolution No. 20-228
Page 2
2. The TRC shall have nine members who are representative of the City's BIPOC
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 Black Voices Project, the South District
Neighborhood Association, the Iowa City Human Rights Commission, and the
Community Police Review Board. Johnson County residency is required. 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.
3. Applications for membership on the TRC shall be announced, advertised, and available in
the same manner as those for all City boards and commissions.
4. The TRC shall select the Chair, who when present will preside over all meetings, and the
Vice -Chair, who will serve as chair in the absence of the Chair.
5. 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.
6. The TRC shall be facilitated by an independent consultant, funded by the City, with
expertise in group facilitation and human rights, and to the extent possible, experience
with diversity, implicit bias, mediation and conflict resolution, until such time as the TRC
concludes by the favorable vote of at least three -fourths of all the members of the TRC
(7/9) that facilitation is no longer needed.
7. 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 City Clerk. Media assistance may be supplemented by outside
expertise on a case -by -case basis if the Commission believes it will substantially expand
outreach.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Within 90 days of its organizational meeting, the TRC shall recommend to 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.
11. The charges of the TRC are as follows:
A. Fact -Finding The TRC shall collect evidence, including first-hand testimony, of
discrimination and racial injustice in multiple settings and compile a complete
record of racial injustices that will inform and support the fundamental institutional
and policy reforms necessary to address systemic racism.
Resolution No. 20-228
Page 3
B. Truth -Telling The TRC shall: 1) Provide multiple fora and creative opportunities
for persons impacted and traumatized by racial injustice to share their stories of
racial injustice and experience to be heard by: (a) fellow communities of color; (b) a
broad cross section of the entire Iowa City community; and (c) key decision -
makers in city government, the business community and the University; 2) Explore
ways to provide such opportunities through art, music, theater, workshops, rallies
and other forms of congregation, multimedia and listening designed to reveal truths
that cannot be fully expressed in traditional fora; and, 3) Create a repository for
community stories expressed in multiple media (written, video, audio, art) that can
be catalogued and used to educate and inform members of the community.
C. Reconciliation The TRC shall: 1) Provide opportunity for and facilitate direct
conversation among and between community members of color, white community
members and representatives of various sectors in which people of color
experience discrimination and injustice (e.g. police and protesters, landlords and
tenants, students and teachers, patients and health care providers, business
owners and staff); 2) Create a replicable model that provides a structure for
enabling these conversations throughout the city; 3) Make available opportunities
for a broad cross section of the community to learn about discrimination and racial
injustice in our community; and, 4) Identify and recommend to the City Council
institutional and policy reforms, new social practices, expectations, protocols,
habits, rituals, conversations and celebrations that will move Iowa City toward a
shared experience of race and difference, justice and equity and community and
harmony.
12. The TRC shall strive to provide a safe and supportive space for its work, premised on
mutual respect, and shall conduct its work so as to promote healing and justice. The TRC
shall consider the possibility of adverse actions against those who participate in its work.
The TRC shall carefully consider mechanisms to protect participants, and shall work to
support those who allege harm due to their participation in the TRC process.
13. The TRC shall submit periodic updates to City Council to include, but not be limited to: its
plans for community education; recommendations for Council action; requests for
resources the TRC needs to carry out its work; and recommendations to dedicate and/or
rename public spaces and/or rights of way in honor of the Black Lives Matter movement.
14. By May 1, 2022 the TRC shall submit to City Council:
A. A report summarizing the work of the TRC.
B. A repository of community stories expressed in multiple media (written, video,
audio, art).
C. Recommendations to the City Council for: 1) Institutional and policy reforms to end
systemic racism; 2) Opportunities to create new social practices, expectations,
protocols, habits, rituals and celebrations that will move Iowa City toward a shared
experience of race and difference, justice and equity and community and
harmony; 3) Measures to enhance the autonomy/security/sovereignty of
communities of color and mitigate disparities in social and economic power; and 4)
A recommendation on whether and in what form the work of the Commission
should continue.
15. At any time in its work, and no later than June 30, 2022, the TRC shall strive to submit to
City Council a replicable model and structure for conversations between people of color
Resolution No. 20-228
Page 4
and white community members and representatives of various sectors in which people of
color experience discrimination and injustice.
16. Absent further action by the City Council, the TRC will dissolve on June 30, 2022.
Passed and approved this 15 day of September, 2020.
ted by
,nW
City Attorney's Office — 09/10/2020
Procedures for re -bidding.
• Enter the bid into Ion Wave (Our new digital bidding software). (1 to 3 days)
• Bids will be out for three weeks; we could reduce this to 2 in a crunch. Given the complaints last
time I wouldn't recommend it. (3 — Weeks)
• Distribute scoring instructions and get signed documents back. (1 week)
• Evaluation (2 weeks)
• Tabulate scores. (1 day)
• Schedule interviews and interview. (1 to 2 weeks)
• Tabulate 2 round scores. (1 day)
• Make award recommendation and vote on award. (1 to 2 weeks)
• Prepare council packet materials. (1 to 5 days)
• Take to council for approval and Issue Purchase Order. (1 to 2 days)
The following documents were handed
out during the meeting.
COMMISSION VERITE, JUSTICE
ET RECONCILIATION
.....................................
REPUBLIQUE DU MALI
Un Peuple - Un But - Une Fol
N°....!. 3.. �............ ..... IP-CVJR
Bamako, le. ... 2.1.n.2ou............
.fe President
0
M. Mohamed TRAORE,
President
Commission Verite et Reconciliation
Iowa City, Iowa, Etats-Unis d'Amerique
Cher Monsieur Traore,
Je suis honore de vous adresser cette lettre, en Cant que president de la Commission
Write, Justice et Reconciliation du Mali (CVJR), pour vous exprimer mon sentiment
fraternel et souhaiter que ie succes couronne les travaux de la Commission Verite et
Reconciliation de Iowa City, que vous presidez.
La CVJR de Mali a ete mise en place en 2015 pour enqueter sur les faits et les causes
profondes des crises violentes qui ont touche le Mali depuis le debut de sa vie
independante.
Notre travail a consiste a recevoir plus de 22 000 temoignages dans toutes les regions de
notre pays. Nous avons travaille avec la societe civile pour produire une politique de
reparation efficace, et nous avons tenu des audiences publiques pour ecouter la voix des
victimes. En 2022, noun publierons notre rapport final, avec nos principales conclusions
et recommandations, et vous terminerons potre travail.
ilJ'ai pu me renseigner sur la creation de votre TRC grace a notre relation professionnelle
avec 1'expert Eduardo Gonzalez, que nous connaissons depuis le debut de nos travaux, et
qui fait partie d'une communaute naissante d'experts en justice transitionnelle aux
r Etats-Unis.
Grace aux me'dias d'information, nous recevons des informations douloureuses sur la
discrimination raciale dans votre pays. De notre pays, le Mali, nous avons des liens
fraternels avec la diaspora africaine, viotemment deracinee de notre continent is
CVJR - Tel.: (223) 20 23 27 25 120 22 17 20 / 20 22 17 23 / 20 70 20 50 - Koulouba
1'epoque de Pesclavage, et qui perdure aujourd'hui, dans le drame des refugies et Bans
1'experience des migrants.
Soyez assure que, tout au long de votre tftche, si importante pour votre villa et votre
pays, vous compterez toujours sur nos experiences et notre soutien fraternel.
Cordialement
Dear Mr. Traore,
I am honored to address this letter to you, as president of the Commission Verite, Justice et
Reconciliation du Mali (CVJR), to express to you my brotherly feeling and wish that success
crown the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Iowa City, that you preside over.
The Mali CVJR was set up in 2015 to investigate the facts and root causes of the violent crises
that have affected Mali since the beginning of its independent life.
Our job has consisted of receiving more than 22,000 testimonies in all regions of our country.
We have worked with civil society to produce an effective redress policy, and we have held
public hearings to listen to the voices of victims. In 2022, we will publish our final report, with our
main findings and recommendations, and we'll finish our job.
I was able to learn about the creation of your TRC thanks to our professional relationship with
the expert Eduardo Gonzalez, whom we have known since the beginning of our work, and who
is part of a nascent community of legal experts transitional from the United States.
Through the news media, we receive painful information about racial discrimination in your
country. From our country, Mali, we have fraternal links with the African diaspora, violently
uprooted from our continent, the era of slavery, and which continues today, in the drama of
refugees and in the experience of migrants.
Be assured that, throughout your task, so important for your city and your country, you will
always count on our experiences and our fraternal support.
Regards,
Ousmane Ouramou Sidibe
Commandeur de POrdre National (Commander of the National Order)