HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-21-2022 Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation CommissionAd Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission Agenda
Thursday, July 21, 2022, 7 PM
Emma J. Harvat Hall
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 ICII811PSRo1uOXPIL-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
4. NOMINATIONS AND VOTE FOR CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR (TERMS SUBJECT TO REEVALUATION IN
SIX MONTHS)
5. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM JUNE 16, 2022
6. PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (TRC MEMBERS SHALL NOT ENGAGE IN
DISCUSSION WITH THE PUBLIC CONCERNING SAID ITEMS)
7. THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS, THE JOHNSON COUNTY DIRECT ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM, AND EXCLUDED WORKERS
8. FOLLOW UP ON A PROCLAMATION LED BY COMMISSIONER NOBISS FOR MISSING AND
MURDERED INDIGENOUS PEOPLES BYTHE CITY ANNUALLY ON MAY 2
9. PROPOSAL SUBMITTED BY THINK PEACE, KEARNS AND WEST, THREE NATIVE PARTNERS, AND
THE HEALING PARTNERS TEAM (BANJO KNITS EMPOWERMENT, ASTIG PLANNING, AND
MEDIATION SERVICES OF EASTERN IOWA)
10. DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES OF CONVERSATIONS FOR TRC COMMISSIONERS
11. TASKS FOR COMMISSIONERS FOR OUTREACH
12. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS/STAFF (TRC MEMBERS SHALL NOT ENGAGE IN
DISCUSSION WITH ONE ANOTHER CONCERNING SAID ANNOUNCEMENTS)
13.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.
Agenda Item 3
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.
Agenda Item 5
June 16, 2022
Draft Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Minutes
Emma J. Harvat Hall, City Hall
Commissioners present: Mohamed Traore, Amel Ali, Chastity Dillard (via Zoom), Clif Johnson, Eric
Harris, Sikowis (Christine Nobiss) (via Zoom), Daphney Daniel (via Zoom), Kevo Rivera.
Commissioners not present: Wangui Gathua.
Staff present: Stefanie Bowers.
Recommendations to City Council: No.
Meeting called to order: 7:03.
Reading of Land Acknowledgement: Ali read the Land Acknowledgement.
Approval of Minutes from June 2, 2022: Ali moved, and Rivera seconded. Motion passed 8-0
Public Comment of Items not on the Agenda: No.
Discussion on a proclamation led by Commissioner Nobiss for Missing & Murdered Indigenous
Women led by Commissioner Nobiss: Nobiss has requested a copy of the proclamation created
by Sioux City. That proclamation and next steps will be presented to the TRC in the near future.
Next steps for the Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission including a visit by Think Peace:
David Ragland and Eduardo Gonzalez from Think Peace will be visiting Iowa City in early July. As a
part of that visit they will hold a work session with the TRC and also attend the Diversity Market
on Saturday, July 9. They will discuss the truth and reconciliation process with Commissioners
based upon their first hand experiences in this line of work.
Staff will send out the original proposal submitted by Kearns and West back in 2021 when the TRC
solicited RFPs. It has still not been decided how the TRC will move forward on selecting a
facilitator. It is possible that those organizations under the most recent Kearns and West proposal
(May 2022) may opt to work alongside Kearns and West and not under them. If this route is
pursued those organizations will submit their own independent proposals.
Commission Announcements: Ali reported that the TRC now has a video camera available for
their use. Ali also reminded everyone of the Diversity Markets being held each Saturday. Harris
also encouraged others to come check out the Markets. Harris noted that Juneteenth and
Father's Day fall on the same date this year and that activities for Juneteenth are being held at
Wetherby Park and at Mercer Park. Johnson mentioned that ICOR Boxing will be holding an
unveiling ceremony of the Muhammad Ali mural on June 25.
Sikowis announced that a Roe V. Wade rally will be held in Des Moines. The rally is being planned
by Great Plains Action Society. Rivera participated in a program sponsored by the University of
Iowa Center for Human Rights on the lynching of Michael Williams in Grinnell, Iowa in 2020. The
program was recorded and Rivera will send the link out to staff to forward to Commissioners.
Traore spoke on the upcoming Juneteenth events being held in the Iowa City area.
Adjourned: 7:47.
City Board and Commission meetings are recorded and can be viewed in their entirety by
visiting this link.
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Agenda Item 7
DRAFT Recommendation to City Council — 7/21/22
Recently, hundreds of eligible applicants to Johnson's County's Direct Assistance Program were denied
long-awaited and much needed pandemic relief payments, while Iowa City received back several
hundred thousand dollars of its committed contribution to the program. Ensuring that marginalized
members of our community receive relief is an issue of socioeconomic and racial equity. The Iowa City
Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommends and urges Iowa City Council to authorize a
redistribution of available American Rescue Plan Act funds back to the Direct Assistance Program, so
that all eligible applicants will receive relief payments.
Agenda Item 9
Proposal Summary
This proposal is actually a set of four proposals from four different groups: Think Peace,
Kearns and West, Three Native Partners, and the Healing Partners Team (Banjo Knits
Empowerment, Astig Planning, and Mediation Services of Eastern Iowa). These are all being
proposed together after several months of our groups collaborating and engaging with the TRC.
We recognize that the skills and expertise of each group are interdependent and are
necessary components to continue the important work of the TRC per Iowa City Council's
Resolution No. 20-228.
This proposal offers a community -led framework for moving at the speed of trust and
building lasting and authentic relationships throughout the Truth and Reconciliation process.
We seek an organic process that nurtures authenticity within the community while building our
local capacity. Our teams prioritize intentional reflection and evaluation, which will provide
the TRC and community partners an opportunity to improve processes/practices and gain clarity
on the next phase or next steps.
Phased Approach
In order to co -create a framework and process that reflects intentionality, it is important to
include more local partners and to have a phased approach from which to evaluate
progress. We recognize that white culture normalizes and expects processes that are neat and
tidy, and although this is a phased approach, we recognize from the outset that there is a lot of
potential for overlap between phases that can occur and changes that will naturally arise.
We propose a Two -Phased approach that occurs at three and four month intervals. We
understand that the TRC Commission is working as an ad hoc commission that is set to
dissolve on June 30th of 2023. Being mindful of this timeline, we propose a two -phased
approach with evaluative breaks that will help determine the next strategic steps. If we
begin working with the Commission in August of 2022, the second phase will end in March/April
of 2023 and provide the TRC Commission with a few months to reflect on the findings and
recommendations of this process. It is our intention that the Commission will then have what
they need to provide a final recommendation(s) to the City Council.
TRC Commission Coordinator Position
We see the need for a locally -based point person that will coordinate the workings of the TRC
Commission. We suggest that this person be a part-time employee of the city in the Department
of Equity and Human Rights in order to ensure that the purview and practices of this position are
tied directly to the TRC and the city. This person will work closely with the Equity Director and
the TRC, they will facilitate commission discussions and actions informing, confirming, and
assessing truth -telling, fact finding and reconciliation processes; facilitate local partner
onboarding and engagement; coordinate local activities and events; work with city staff and
leadership to further the work of the TRC as the process unfolds.
Our Scope
We have followed the three charges that the TRC were given in Resolution No. 20-228: Truth -
telling, Fact -Finding, and Reconciliation. We have allocated our collaborative efforts to create
teams that correspond to each of these charges. Think Peace will lead the Truth -Telling
Team, Kearns & West will lead the Fact -Finding Team, and the Healing/Reconciliation
Partners will lead the Reconciliation Team. We also see teams as groups that can be added
to/modified, and encourage TRC Commission members, city staff, local partners, and
community members to see themselves as part of those teams.
Here is a general outline:
• Phase One (3 Months)
o Education (Truth -Telling Team)
o Iowa Healing/Reconciliation Training & Strategic Planning/ Doing Session
(Reconciliation Team)
o Begin Data Collection (Fact -Finding Team)
o Recommendations for moving forward (TRC + All Teams)
-----Presentation to City Council and Progress Evaluation
• Phase Two (4 months)
0 Continuation of Fact-finding (Fact-finding Team)
o Public Truth -telling/ hearings/ private interviews (Truth -Telling Team)
o Hosting Iowa Circles & Strategic Planning/Doing Follow-up
(Reconciliation Team)
o Recommendations for moving forward (TRC + All Teams)
-----Presentation to City Council and Progress Evaluation
2
First Phase (3 months)
This first phase spans 3 months and focuses on education of different truth and reconciliation
processes, defining fact-finding categories from which to collect data locally, and provides a
strategic doing session to focus the work for the second phase. All teams will collaborate with
the TRC and the TRC Coordinator to co -create recommendations for the second phase.
• Think Peace:
o Public Educational Training: introduce key elements regarding truth and
reconciliation processes and trauma -informed perspectives. Comparison of truth
commission experiences in the US and abroad.
o Facilitated conversation post -training focused on options for next steps: based on
the analysis of the mandate of the Iowa City TRC.
o Offer guidance on how to structure TRC meetings, fact-finding events and
process, truth -telling events, and reconciliation events
• Kearns & West:
o First phase Fact Finding engagement during this phase will focus on facilitating
the commission's design of the fact finding process. The specific process is likely
to evolve throughout the assessment phase with discussion topics that could
include defining fact finding areas and specific hypotheses, identifying a
framework for data acceptability, and identifying data sources.
o Strategic Advisor: Co -advising the commission and local consultant team on
process design. Assuming includes participation in commission calls and
standing consultant team coordinating calls.
o Fact Finding Lead Commission Facilitator: In partnership with the Commission
Coordinator, design agendas and facilitate commissions discussions informing,
confirming, and assessing the fact finding process.
o Fact Finding Data Liaison: Inform and track data requirements and any
preliminary data collection. Develop a fact finding database. Support commission
in developing materials and documentation as requested.
• Native Partners
o Iowa Healing/Reconciliation Circle Co-creation/Training with
Healing/Reconciliation Partners
o Assist in creating recommendations
Healing/Reconciliation Partners
o Iowa Healing/Reconciliation Circle Co-creation/Training with Native Partners
o Strategic Doing Session to facilitate coordinated action steps for the TRC
Commission Members
o Assist in creating recommendations
----Presentation to Council & Progress Evaluation—
Second Phase (4 Months)
This second phase spans four months and builds off of the first phase. Truth -telling and fact-
finding will be a significant focus in this phase. All teams will collaborate with the TRC and the
TRC Coordinator to co -create final recommendations that will be sent to the City Council.
• Think Peace
o Focus on truth -telling events, including meetings on
■ Types of public hearings: focused on cases, on types of situation or on
institutions involved
■ Assessment of different models of public hearings according to their
focus: investigative or symbolic
■ Identification of criteria to select and invite participants to the public
hearings
■ Preparation of a protocol for public hearings including roles for the
commissioners, public, press and participants.
• Kearns & West
o Second phase Fact Finding activities will focus in two areas:
■ 1) Advancing data collection, aggregation, and directed -analysis as
defined by the commission; and,
■ 2) facilitating commission discussions to analyze collected information
and develop their findings.
o Strategic Advisor: Engage across the consultant team and with the commission
as appropriate on process iteration. Assumes participation in commission calls
and standing consultant team coordinating calls.
o Fact Finding Lead Facilitator: In partnership with the Commission Coordinator,
design agendas and facilitate commissions discussions providing fact finding
updates, exploring preliminary and iterative findings, and advancing the
commission's development of findings and recommendations.
o Fact Finding Data Liaison: Manage fact finding database. Support commission in
developing fact finding reports. Specific role to be determined in assessment
phase, and may include drafting the commission's report commission review and
approval along with briefing presentations as requested.
• Native Partners
o Iowa Healing/Reconciliation Circle Co-creation/Training with
Healing/Reconciliation Partners
o Assist in creating final recommendations
• Healing/Reconciliation Partners
o Strategic Doing Follow up - Reaching pathfinder projects that build trust and
community capacity.
o Iowa Healing/Reconciliation Circle Co-creation/Training with Native Partners
o Assist in creating final recommendations
---Presentation to Council & Progress Evaluation & Final Recommendations--
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Agenda Item 10
MISSION STATEMENT
WHO ARE WE? Our Commission represents a collection of citizen activists from
diverse backgrounds calling on the Iowa City community to account for their
history of racialize oppression. We are individuals who are committed to structural
change, truth telling, healing trauma and repair. We share in common a vision for
an equitable and sustainable community free of violence and systemic racism. We
believe the time has come to foster change.
OUR MISSION The Iowa City Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission is
committed to implementing and sustaining grassroots, community -centered truth -
telling processes to address past and present instances of both direct and indirect
actions of violence, discrimination, and racism in Iowa City. We will collect
testimony from a variety of institutions including but not limited to schools, housing
providers, government officials, health care, banking institutions, and law
enforcement.
Late Handouts for Agenda Item #7
7120/22, 10:14 AM
Excluded workers say JoCo dirmt payment lottery waznl fair I KGAN
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ADVERTISEMENT
Excluded workers say JoCo direct payment lottery wasn't fair
by Valeree Dunn
Monday,july 18th 2022
Search Site
(1)
tO WA'S NEWS NOW PHOTO: Agroup of excluded worke rs come to a quarterly meeting of Johnson County affi<iols on Monday, oskrng for their foir
shore of pondemir relief money.
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T20/22,10:14 AM
Excluded workers say JoCo dim( payment lottery wasn't fair I KGAN
73` 92` 91
JOHNSON COUNTY, IA— A group of excluded workers came to a quarterly meeting of Johnson
County officials on Monday, asking for their fair share of pandemic relief money.
They're hoping to get some of the leftover money from the county's direct payment program.
6 G "We cannot let the progress that's been done be over shadowed by missed opportunities to help
the 319 people who have been left behind, " Sophie Banegas said. "The good news it that we can
close this gap. It is fitting that we are here at the joint entities meeting today because this can, and
should be, a joint effort."
Iowa's News Now has been tracking this program since last year.
Last week, we learned the lottery was getting $1,400 payments to more than 1,900 people in
the county dealing with tough times in the pandemic.
A group of Hispanic and Congolese workers showed up during Monday's meeting to highlight
their claims that more than 300 workers that didn't win that lottery, never actually had a
Search Site q
Organizers of that group allege that people in mobile home parks and living outside of the Iowa
City/Coralville area were the only ones who could lose the lottery, making the whole program
inequitable.
GG "But I'm very sad for the 300 people who did not receive the checks because they just like me,
they are mothers of families that they need to take care of," Nancy Colindres said.
Some of the people at Monday night's meeting got a chance to talk face-to-face with Iowa City
Mayor Bruce Teague.
https://cbs2towa.mnVnewsllocallexcluded-workers-sey-joco-direct-payment-lottery-warm.fairttbclid=lwAK3bn0u(:Ao 11:81GwU2sgCFAENQM.KCs66JAbly29uyb... 2l3
7/2W22. 10:12 AM Some Johnson County residents c:press frustration over not receiving payments from direct assistance program I Iowa City I kwwl.com
KWWL NEWS 71 Download Our/pps
CRIMESTOPPERS SendaTip
https://www.kww l.com/news/iowacity/some-joh nson-county-residents-express-fru stration-over-not-receiving-payments4rom-direct-as sl stance-
program/article_bt d772e0-0499-11 ed.9f9e-bfa85a64e4f8.himl
Some Johnson County residents express frustration over not receiving payments from
direct assistance program
Daniel Perreau0
Jul 15, 2022
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KWWL)- Initially, they were told they were eligible for the Johnson
County Direct Assistance Program. But this week, more than 300 Johnson County
residents found out they won't be receiving any financial help.
Of the 2,411 people who applied for the Johnson County Direct Assistance Program,
2,238 were eligible. 1,919 residents received relief payments,
"I am disappointed because 1 was not eligible for that check," Maria Figueroa said.
Figueroa is one of 319 people who initially received an email saying they were eligible
but did not get picked in the lottery to get a payment. Speaking through a translator,
she expressed her frustration to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors on Thursday
night. Figueroa said she needed the money to fix her air conditioner, repair her roof
and pay her bills.
Most who did not get payments live in unincorporated Johnson County but have an
Iowa City mailing address.
"These are communities that fall through the cracks of resource allocation time and
again, being rural on the outskirts of Iowa City," Escucha Mi Voz Community
Organizer Sophie Banegas said.
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7120122, 10:12 AM Some Johnson County residents express frustration over not receiving payments from direct assistance program I Iowa City I kwwl.com
The program was created in late February. The program used $2 million in funds from
the American Rescue Plan Act to provide economic relief to low or moderate -income
Johnson County residents who suffered a negative economic impact from the
pandemic.
Eligible recipients received a one-time payment of $1,400.
Since April 2021, the Fund Excluded Workers Coalition has been asking local officials
to use millions of federal relief dollars to provide make-up stimulus checks to
thousands of people who never received federal COVID relief, The group maintains
that undocumented immigrants worked through the pandemic --keeping normal
society going-- while missing the stimulus checks American citizens received.
Johnson County officials and staff maintain they never called this an "excluded
workers fund;' despite abbreviating the program as "payments to workers who were
ineligible for previous relief payments" in their American Rescue Plan budget outline
In November 2021.
The City of Coralville provided $27,000, and Iowa City provided $1.35 million to the
Direct Assistance Program to fund additional applicants after the $2 million from
Johnson County was expended.
Banegas said some eligible people did not get funds because, under the agreement,
Johnson County had to spend all of its funds before dipping into the Iowa City funds.
"It was almost like a loophole because they were not able to be funded by Iowa city
money and they had not been picked by the lottery system by the Johnson County
fund;' Banegas said.
After those eligible receive their funds, $700,000 goes back to Iowa City.
"It doesn't feel like the city, and the county wants to help us," Banegas said. "We just
want what we were promised, and that promise has been broken because they area t
giving out all of the money they had allocated for this fund."
During Tuesday night's city council meeting, Iowa City City Manager Jeff Fruin said he
believes anyone deemed eligible but did not get any money was not an Iowa City
resident. He said he would follow up with county officials based on public comments
earlier in the meeting.
"There should be no Iowa City residents that did not receive the direct assistance," he
said.
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Daniel Perreault
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1770
Oc:1a, Raplrys, IA
e Video News Vloathor Sports KCRG9.2
319 Johnson County residents aren't receiving COVID-19
ARPA money
By Bran Tab ck
Published Jul. 14, 2022 at 11:25 PM CDT
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JOHNSON COUNTY Iowa (KCRG) -Over a dozen people pleaded their case after hundreds of Johnson County residents didn't receive federal ARPA
money.
Johnson County, Iowa City, and Coralvlile agreed to use just over $3 million to give to people in need and those who didn't qualify for a COVID-19
stimulus check. They then held a lottery first to see who from the county would receive money, then use the Iowa City money on Iowa City residents,
followed by Coralville money to Coralville residents.
700-thousand dollars was given back to Iowa City after they issued money to all residents who qualified.
"I feel frustrated because I wanted to use this money to support my family," said Maria Figueroa, who was one of the people who wasn't picked for
the lottery.
ADVERTISEMENT
I ff,
Figueroa said she needed to use the money to make repairs to the A/C, roofing, and pay bills. She and 319 others who didn't receive money
originally received an email saying they qualified. but they received another email saying they weren't picked in the lottery.
Figueroa has an Iowa City address but technically lives in Johnson County.
"They met all the requirements, they just didn't get picked in the lottery," said Maureen Vasile of the Iowa Catholic Worker House.
Johnson County received 2.411 applications: of those, 2,238 people qualified. Had all the money that was set aside been used, everyone who
applied could have received a Check.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Johnson County Board of Supervisors didn't take any actions Thursday, but those who didn't receive money said they wanted them to hear and
see their pleas for help.
"I want them to know that we need the stimulus check to support our families," said Figueroa.
Copyright 2022 KCRG. Alf rights reserved.
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Johnson County Direct Assistance Program awards $1,400 to 1,919 people 7120122, 10:33 AM
Home Elections News Crime a Courts Educatlon National Politics Careers USA TODAY
1,919 Johnson County residents receive $1,400 stimulus
payments, but 319 are left out. Here's why.
GEORGE SHILLCOCK I Iowa City Press -Citizen
Johnson County's Direct Assistance a grit will give 1,919 people S1,400
checks, but hundreds of eligible residents were passed over because of the
way the program was set up.
The program was funded with S2 million from Johnson County, S1.35
million from Iowa City and $27,000 from Coralville. But it ended up using
only $2.68 million of that total, leaving about $700,000 of Iowa City's
money unused. The Iowa City Council on Tuesday took no action to try to
rectify that.
The Direct Assistance Program application otlened lutril 25 an los
Mav 27, offering the chance for eligible low-income Johnson County
residents to receive a S1,400 direct payment as relief from the impact of
the COVID-ig pandemic. All applicants were notified if they were eligible
and given the chance to appeal between ,June 13-23.
According to a news release from the county, 2,411 applications were
received, and 2,238 were deemed eligible. Through the respective
investments, Iowa City funded 472 residents, Johnson County 1,428
and Coralville 1y, using up all of that city's funds.
https:llwww.press-eltlzen.comlstorylnews120221071141johnson-county-...rogram-awards-1400-1919-people-319-left-out-iowa-Clty1100419860021 Pape 1 of 5
Johnson County Direct Assistance Program awards $1,400 to 1.919 people
7120122, 10:33 AM
If all $3.38 million had been used, the county would have been able to
fund 2,412 direct payments.
More: Iowa Cih TRC Chair _Mobarned Traore stews dg Am as commission
seeks to rework its mission
So why were 319 people who were eligible left out?
How it happened: Iowa City's money couldn't be
spent on non-residents
The Direct Assistance Program was negotiated so that Johnson County's
$2 million would be spent first, then Iowa City's $1.35 million would be
used to help only the remaining Iowa City residents who applied and
weren't chosen randomly to receive the county's money.
That means all of Iowa City's eligible residents received assistance. The
319 people who were left out lived outside of Iowa City limits and were not
chosen randomly when the county was dispensing its money first.
The remainder of Iowa City's funds, roughly $69o,000, will revert to the
city and go back into its pool of American Rescue Plan Act money.
Johnson County's Direct Assistance Program was created after months of
public negotiations within the county Board of Supervisors and its staff to
craft a program that would give direct payments to residents.
What started as an idea proposed by Supervisor Rod Sullivan to target
people left out of previous pandemic stimulus efforts was unanimously
passed as a program targeted at any low-income residents of Johnson
County who could prove they were disproportionately impacted by
the pandemic.
Iowa City later added $1.5 million to pay for administrative costs of the
program and add to the pool of money. Corahille also opted to add to the
pool of money much later.
'throughout the negotiations and haggling within county and city
https:llwww.press-citizen.comistorylnewsj20221071141iohnson-county-...rogrem-awards-1400-1919-people-319-left-out-Iowa-city/100419860021 Page 2 of 5
Johnson County Dlrecl Assistance program awards $1,400 to 1,919 people
7120122, 10:33 AM
governments over the program's details, a,grm1p of "excluded workers"
who did not receive any federal stimulus pZM=ZS put p=&jlir0 on elected
officials to Dass a pm&mm that would give them aid, including direct
payments.
The fallout: Those excluded are upset, asking Iowa
City for relief
Themalitionafg=p§,including Escucha Mi Voz, which formed out of
this movement, and the Iowa City Catholic Worker I louse showed up
Tuesday to the Iowa City Council meeting to voice their displeasure at the
results of the Direct Assistance Program.
Ninoska Campos, who helped found Escucha Mi Voz, told the City Council
through an interpreter that she applied and was one of the n,gt9
applicants who were approved for the $1,400. Campos said it isn't fair
that 319 people are still being left out.
'"this isn't right and this doesn't make sense because Iowa City still has
more than half of a million dollars that were supposed to be allocated to
these individuals," Campos said.
Campos said she would like to see Iowa ON fund the 319 people. Some of
the speakers who followed Campos said they were among those 319,
Iowa City Manager Geoff Fruin later told the council that the
agreement authorizing the city's contribution to the Direct Assistance
Program cannot be amended unless the council votes to do so.
Fruin said the data shown by the county tells him that any applicant who
https://www.press-cltizen.comfstory/newsl2o22/o7/la/johnson•county...rogrom-awards-1a00-1919-people-319-ten-out-iowa-city/1o0ai99eo02/ page 3 of 6
Johnson County Direct Assistance Program awards $1,400 to 1,919 people
7120122, 10:33 AM
was deemed eligible but did not receive money from the county would not
be an Iowa City resident. He said he would follow up with the county to
confirm that based on the public comments heard earlier in the meeting.
"There should be no Iowa City residents who did not receive direct
assistance," Fruin said.
David Goodner with the Iowa City Catholic Worker House said the Direct
Assistance Program's lottery format and the agreements that ended up
leaving out 319 eligible residents show the program was bad public polity.
"rhat goes beyond public policy to a broken promise," he said.
Goodner said something should be done by Iowa City to ensure the 319
people left out get the payments they were eligible to receive.
Delcy Gonzalez, who lives in unincorporated Johnson County just outside
of city limits but has an Iowa City mailing address, said she received the
message Tuesday that she would not receive a $1,4O0 check from the
Direct Assistance Program, despite being deemed eligible earlier.
Gonzalez said she didn't receive any federal CAV1D-19 stimulus payments
and said it would he "priceless" to get this money to use for basic living
expenses.
"I really hope you guys will listen to us," she said.
More: 'as prices in Iowa are failing. Here's a look at some of the
dmpest fuel in the state as of July rg,
George Shillcock is the Press -Citizen's local government and development
reporter covering fours City und,Iahnson County. He can he reached at
(515)35O-53n7, •4 ' Cpress-citizerr.comand on Twitter
+-ShillcockGenrgg
https:ltwww-press-citizen.tomistorylnewsl20221071141johnson-county-..,rogrom-awards-1400-1919-people-319-left-out-lows-city1100419880021 Page 4 of 5
7120122. 10: 19 AM Gmail -Fund the 319 digiblc applicants lel out of sti 11 available ARPA money!
MGmail Iowa City Catholic Worker<lowacitycatholicworker@gma!I.com>
Fund the 319 eligible applicants left out of still available ARPA money!
1 message
Craig/Jane Davis <cjtmkd@gmail.com>
To: tjohnson@coralville.org
Cc: council@iowa-city.org, sups@johnsoncountyiowa.gov
Sun, Jul 17, 2022 at 8:46 PM
I am writing to encourage each member of the Joint Entities of Johnson County to give the remaining 319 eligible Direct
Payment Program applicants their $1400 ARPA checks as promised.
Funds are still available and you each have the power to finish what you promised. Please honor your commitment!
Johnson County and the cities involved must work TOGETHER to fund every eligible applicant with still available ARPA
money and leave no one behind.
I expect my elected officials to do the right thing by ALWAYS putting people before whatever might hold you back from
making the right decision for those you represent.
Sincerely,
jane noble davis
Iowa City resident
Sent from my iPhone
hi(ps:llmail.gwgle.wnWmail/W 117ik=c7c56fgc5g&vices=pl&search=all&permlhid=thread-f%3A 173865.1074094r96480&si,npl=msg-f%3A 17.186.'3074094496480 1/1
7120/22, 10:35 AM
Gmail - Hclp ror Escludcd Workers
M Gmail
Help for Excluded Workers
Linda Myers <cherryamesm@icioud.com>
To: council@iowa-city.org
Cc: iowacitycatholicworker@gmail.com
To whom it may concern,
Iowa City Catholic Worker<iowacilycetholicworker@gmail.com>
Fri, Jul 15, 2022 at 10:11 AM
i am infuriated that 319 excluded workers will not receive COVID relief funds even though there is still money available for
them to receive funds with money left over! This fight for relief has been dragging on for more than a year with multiple
public meetings and feedback given- I alone have sent multiple emails and completed multiple surveys asking how this
money should be spent. You have been stringing these people along for long enough! Disperse this money to the other
319 people you have denied immediately! Enough is enough! It is the right thing to do and you know it is the right thing to
do. so do it!
Respectfully,
Linda Myers, RN, MSN
2865 Spring Rose Circle #201
Coralville, Iowa 52241
Sent from my Phone
Sent from my Phone
https:Ifmai1.gaog1emmlmai1tW I r7ik=e7e5618e5g&view=pt&search=all&permmsgid=msg-F%3A 1738431952892047105&dsgt= I &simp1=msg-1%3A 17384.3 1952892... 111
7f2of22. 10:31 AM Gmail - Mi Declamcift Progroma do Askicncia Dircew
Gmail Cristian Alejandro Pinto Garcia <cristianalejandropintogarcia@gmaii.cem>
Mi Declaracibn: Programa de Asistencia Directa
Crlstlan Alejandro Pinto Garcia <cristianalejandropintogarcia@gmaii.com> Fri, Jul 15, 2022 at 10:58 AM
To: tjohnson@coralville.org, council@iowa-city.org, sups@johnsoncountyiowa.gov
8cc: iowacitycatholicworker@gmail com
Mi nombre es Cristian Alejandro pinto soy miembro de Escucha mi voz resido en el condado de Jhonson no fui elegible ni
mi persona ni 300 personas mas para esta ayuda directs to cual no es Justo ya que la ciudad tiene mas de medio mill8n
de dolares en su poder deberia implementar ese dinero para ayudar a todas las personas que estan dejando excluidas
de esta ronda de cheques de estimulo as( que pido que se me tome en cuenta a mi persona y a las demas personas que
estan dejando per fuera de este beneficio para que tanto el condado y la ciudad efectlie el pago directo a todos sin
excluir a nadie gracias
Cristian Alejandro Pinto Garcia
18 Summary Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
(Parque de trailers o casas moviles Modern Manor propiedad de Havenpark Capital)
httpsJ/mW1 google.coin/mail/ul3Rjk4333b4td38c&ricw-pt&scarch=all&permmsgid=msg-a%3Ar-ggg1229203079773593&simpl=mxg-a%lAr-888122920.5079773... 1/1
7120/22, 10:23 AM
Gmail • Direct Assistance Pmgmm-Fund All Applications
MGmail Iowa City Catholic Worker<lowacityoatholicworker@gmail.com>
Direct Assistance Program -Fund All Applications
Hadley Galbraith <hadleyeg c@gmail.com> Fri, Jul 15, 2022 at 1:07 PM
To: council®iowa-city.org
Bcc: iowacitycatholicworkero@gmaii.com
Hello,
I am writing out of concern for the allocation of funds from the Direct Assistance Program. Only a portion of the people
who were slated to receive relief money through the Program actually received funds. Many of those who were left out of
the program are incredibly vulnerable, and the relief funds are a crucial aid that our community can afford. I urge you to
fund all applicants to the program now. This is an easy problem to fix, and it is up to you to do so.
Sincerely,
Hadley Galbraith
785-969-6165
2021 1 Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
hltps:Nmail.gwgle.comlmaiihdlRik=e7c56t8c58&view�pt&search=nll&.permmsgid=msg-f%3A 1738443034..5.WO..3.5244&simpl=msg.f%3A 1739443034550035241 111
7120122, 10:24 AM
Gmail - stimulus checks for the remaining 319
MGmail Iowa City Catholic Worker<iowacitycatholicworker@gmail.com>
stimulus checks for the remaining 319
Nathan Platte <nplatte@gmail.com> Fri, Jul 15, 2022 at 1:36 PM
To: tjohnson@coralville.org, council@iowa-cityorg, sups@johnsoncountyiowa.gov
Cc: iowacitycatholicworker@gmail.com
Hello,
I'm disappointed and concerned that funds allocated to help our community's most vulnerable are going unused while
over three hundred people have been told they "lost" the stimulus check lottery.
Surely this mismatch of surplus and need can be resolved? I can think of no better use for these funds than to put money
into the hands of those who need it most and will use it within cur community to support their families.
I hope a resolution is reached that will help those who were turned away but may yet still receive much -needed hope from
the remaining funds. Thank you for your consideration
Sincerely,
Nathan Platte
Iowa City
ht(ps:i)mail.googlccnmimailltd l/?ik=e7e%f8e58&view=pl&starch=alt&permmsgid=msg-fq:3A 1738444867445673829&,,mpl—msg-(%3A 1738444867645673829 I' I
7/20J22,10-31AM Gmail Abiodelapandemic
Gmail Eduardo Marquez Marquez <marquezmarqueze682@gmail.com>
Alivio de la pandernia
Eduardo Marquez Marquez <m8rquezmarqueze682@gmail.cwm> Sun, Jul 17, 2022 at 7:52 PM
To. tjohnson@coralville.org, council@iowa-city.org, sups@johnsoncountyiowa gov
Bcc: iowacitycatholicworker@gmaii.com
Hola, mi nombre es Eduardo Marquez y yo vivo en Coralville.
Yo recibi un correo electronico la semana pasada diciendo que perdi la loteria a
pesar de que era elegible.
Yo fui excluido de los cheques de estimulo federal y ahora estoy siendo excluido
nuevamente de este alivio, supongo que por el lugar donde vivo.
No me parece justo que 319 personas como yo sean nuevamente excluidas.
6Ustedes pueden hacer algo para ayudarnos?
Gracias,
Eduardo Marquez
946 Boston Way
Coralville, IA 52241
hitps:/lmail google.eom/mail/u+5/?ikx9918a296.5dcriew=pt&search�il&pc"msgid=msg-a'k3Ar-N90i5329.S4913993029&simpl=msga%.IAr-8903532951913993029 1/1
7i2e22, 10:29 Aft
Omni] - Joint Fnrifies
Gmail David Goodner <david.a.goodnera@gmail.com>
Joint Entities
Evalee Mickey <evalee@southslope.ni Sun, Jul 17, 2022 at 6:02 PM
To. sups@johnsoncountyiowa.gov, tjohnson@coralville-org, council@iowa-city.org
Dear Council members and Supervisors,
It has come to my attention that 319 people who were expecting to receive at least $1,400 have been told they will not
receive this expected money_
This really disturbs me to think of the sad disappointment that people who have been out of work for awhile, have
medical bills to pay, have mobile home bills that have gone up, who live pay check to pay check, especially now with the
price of food and gas up so high and many unexpected bills that come with family life to find out they are not included in
the disbursement of the funds that came from the federal government because of the decision made by the various city
councils.
I urge you to do the right thing and make sure the 319 people receive their checks- For many, we make do but for those
who struggle to keep food on the table and the rent paid, it is imperative they receive the money. I thank you for your kind
consideration in this matter and I expect to hear that they have received their checks.
Sincerely,
Evalee Mickey
90 Tartan Drive
North Liberty, la 52317
3100311185
littps,7mn 600ile conJmailfu/017ik=2cO4d50856&view_pt&search-all&pcnnmsgid=msg-r%3A 1738642775A 17051MI&simp1=msg.fk3A 173864277541705W91 1;1
7nne22, 1026 AM
cmait - Excluded worker Fund
M Gmail
Excluded Worker Fund
David Goodner <david.a.goodner@gmail.com>
Mike Stein <4mikesteinr@gmail.00m>
To: tjohnson@coralville.org, council@iowa-city.org, sups@johnsoncountyiowa.gov
Bcc david a-goodner@gmail,com
Dear Council/Board of Supervisors and other members of the Joint Entities,
Sun, Jul 17, 2022 at 6:05 PM
I am writing to you as a long-term resident of Iowa City and local business owner I wish to express my concern over the
recent developments regarding the use of ARP money allocated for area excluded workers.
Johnson County and Iowa City collectively committed 3.5 million dollars to provide $1400 to 2500local residents. These
checks were to be provided to local workers who were negatively impacted by the pandemic and who previously received
no financial assistance. These residents had to apply for the $1400 check and were to be awarded via a lottery system.
presume a lottery system was used in order to make sure enough money was available to provide this relief. However, al
this point, it has been stated that only 1919 people would receive these checks There are 319 eligible applicants
who were notified that they would not be receiving assistance. How or why could this be? It makes no sense to allocate
and budget money for a program and then to change the rules in mid -stream.
You have asked for public feedback and that is the purpose of this email. I strongly urge you to provide the checks to the
additional 319 eligible applicants as promised. It is not right to budget and promise funds that have been appropriated
and then change the rules once it is time to distribute the funds. I am not asking you to do something controversial. I am
only asking you to follow through with what was promised I am only asking you to do the right thing
I thank you for your time and consideration and hope that you will reconsider and pay the additional $1400 checks to the
319 local residents who qualified and followed the rules to obtain the assistance.
Cordially,
Michael F Stein
809 Barrington Rd.
Iowa City, IA 52245
4mikestein@gmail com
(319)936-6076
Mike Stein
hups1lmail.google.comrmaillWOrlik=2cO4d50856&vicw=pl&srarch=all&permmsgid=msg-(%3A]738642858977761394&simpl=msg-(%3A1778642858877761394 UI
7r2012. 10:27 AM
amail -copy or email sent to Joint Entities
M Gmaii
Copy of email sent to Joint Entities
Tom Carsner <carsner@mchsi.com>
To: iowacitycatholicworker@gmail com
Iowa City Catholic Worker <iowacitycatholicworker@gmail.com>
To the Joint Entities, Iowa City City Council, and Johnson County Supervisors.
Fri, Jul 15, 2022 at 11:04 AM
Along with many others, over a year ago I advocated that our local governments release ARPA funds to those excluded
from previous government COVID support programs and enhanced unemployment. Compared to the $3,200 plus
enhanced unemployment benefits most residents received, this group of Excluded Workers received $0.00, The proposed
$1.400 payments is a year late and a pittance, but it is something. The money could have been released a year ago had
governments agreed to a simple self -certifying application for the program. Instead a complicated application program
with bureaucratic strings and a lottery which turned this into a labyrinth of means -tested complication What started as a
joyful program to include more residents in need, turned into a nightmare of double exclusion. It did not have to happen
this way-
ARPA money is money for ALL Johnson County residents to help recover from COVID The fact that distribution of this
money has descended into different governments claiming their own silo of funds (resulting in 319 residents being
EXCLUDED --the irony is not lost) is not understandable to wide swath of county residents They want this sorry chapter to
end with the last 319 residents receiving $1,400 checks.
I urge all government entities to employ creativity and a generous spirit to overcome the bureaucracy that is bogging them
down. Create a 28E agreement or some other tool to allocate this money from a joint pool of funds HARP money does
not belong to one entity --it belongs to all of us in Johnson County Let's work together to find a way to ride above this
mess and issue the last 319 checks to the (now doubly) Excluded Workers residing in Johnson County. Let's try one final
time to get this right, as it easily could have been at the beginning.
Thank you for your consideration of my perspective_
Tom Carsner
1627 College Court Place
carsner@mchsi.com
319-336-9335
Iowa City,lowa 52245
carsner@mchsi.com
319-338-9335
Iowa City,lowa 52245
httpsalmaiI googlecom/mail)ul117ik= 7e86t8e5N&view=pi&scamh�il&permmsgid=msg4%3AM8435302858598.380&ximpl=msg-f%3A17384.3530285859R380 Ir1
712m22. 10.20 AM
Growl - Cheque de $1400
MGmail Iowa City Catholic Worker<iowacitycathollcworker@gmail.com>
Cheque de $1400
1 message
Dunia Poses <posasdunia45@gmad.com> Sun, Jul 17, 2022 at 6:11 PM
To. council@iowa-city.org, sups@johnsoncountyiowa gov, Ijohnson@coralville.org
Bcciowacitycatholicworker@gmail com
Hola,
Mi nombre as Gissela, vivo an los trailers de lakeridge. Yo no Bane la loteria y no recibiri un cheque de estimulo Apenas
perdi mi trab6jo de 15 a5os. Yc necesito este dinero El condadc y la ciudad prometieron 3 5 million as pero solo gastaron
27milliones.
Este no as justo El major manera de ayudar gente as dar dinero directo. As[ podemos usar para la rents, comida, carros,
las cosas qua necesitamos para vivir Todos somos miembros de esta comunidad y todos nuestras hijos van a la misma
escuela,
Por favor no discrimine solo porque vivimos an trailers
Gracias,
Gissela
hups7hnw I.google com.'maillu! I l7i k=c7c56Bc58&vices=pt&search=al I&Pcrmlhid=Onead-P&3A I738643347188200.598&simpl=msg-f'b3A 1738643347188200538 1 / 1
7r2W22. 10:26 AM
Gmail - Fwd: 3191
MGmai{ Iowa City Catholic Worker<iowacilycatholicworkera@gmail.com>
Fwd: 319!
M41ureen Vasile <maureenvasile@gmail.com> Fri, Jul 15, 2022 at 11:18 AM
To: Iowa City Catholic Worker <iowacitycatholicworker@gmail_com>
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From, Maureen Vasile <maureenvasile@gmaitcom>
Date: Fri, Jul 15, 2022 at 11:17 AM
Subject 3191
To: <tjohnson@coralville org>
Dear Johnson County Joint Entities,
My name is Maureen Vasile, Johnson County resident and Catholic Worker As a Catholic Worker continuously serving
the needy of our communities, I find it difficult to understand how and why 319 in need human beings were left out of
receiving funds allotted for those in need.
Basically they were told they weren't the lucky lotto winners but they were the losers. The losers in the ability to feed your
family, pay increased rent, fix a leaky roof, no matter how many jobs you work. You just weren't the luck of the draw.
Now is the time to respect and acknowledge these 319 HUMANS with the available dollars and commitment previously
promised. There's an easy solution, the need is there and so is the money.
Thank you,
Maureen Vasile
https/Imail.googlc comlmail/W 1/7ikx7e56tXe58&vicw=pt&scorch=all &permmsgid=msg-f%3A 1739436146944311595&sfmpl=insg-f%3A 1738436 1468443 11595 1/1
7l20'22. 10:25 AM
Gmail Fwd Slimulm cheeks
M Gmail
Fwd: Stimulus checks
Iowa City Catholic Worker <iowacitycatholicworker@gmail.com>
Ed Fitzpatrick <ed6tz64@gmail com>
To Iowa City Catholic Worker <iowacitycatholicworker@gmail.aom>
---------- Forwarded message ------
From: Ed Fitzpatrick <edfitz64@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Jul 15, 2022 at 12:16 PM
Subject: Stimulus checks
To: <council@iowa-city org>, <sups@johnsoncountyiowa gov>, <tjohnson@coralville.org>
Fri, Jul 15, 2022 at 12:181-M
I want you to allot stimulus checks to the 319 that applied but were not chosen in the lottery. There is more than enough
monies already allotted. I consider it the right thing to do. plus I feel it is a matter of justice
I consult the daily Scripture readings for inspiration and direction I am writing this on Friday, July 15th. In consulting
tomorrow's readings, it quotes the Prophet Isaiah 1 shall place my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the
Gentiles'. This moved me to send this email, may it also encourage you to consider this request to allot these stimulus
checks to those who applied and could use this assistance.
Thank you,
Ed Fitzpatrick
Former Director of the Newman Catholic Student Center, Iowa City,
hops ilmailgoogle.comlmailiW ll?ik=e7c56f8c--5H&view-pt&search=all&permmsgid=msg-f963A 173H439951707747929&simpl=nug-f'h3A 173H439951707747H29 10
720R2, 10:25 AM Cmail - Fwd: Fully Fund All Dirca Assist®sa Applications
MGmail Iowa City Catholic Worker ciowacitycatholicworker@gmall.com>
Fwd: Fully Fund All Direct Assistance Applications
1 message
Helene Ireland <heleneiraland3002@gmail.com> w Sat, Jul 16, 2022 at 1:10 AM
To: Iowa City Catholic Worker<iowacitycatholicworker@gmail.com>
---------- Forwarded message ------
From: Helene Ireland <heleneireland3002@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Jul 16, 2022 at 1:09 AM
Subject: Fully Fund All Direct Assistance Applications
To: <council@iowa-city.org>
Dear Mayor Teague and Members of the Iowa City Council, I read in the Press -Citizen that 319 eligible people have
"lost" the Direct Assistance Lottery and won't be receiving the $1400 stimulus checks that they deserve. Yet, the money is
there! Iowa City and Johnson County have the money and can distribute it to these deserving people who have worked
hard during the Pandemic at very low -paying jobs. Please, please honor your commitment and grant these 319 eligible,
marginalized members of our community the $1400 stimulus checks they deserve! Thank you. Respectfully,
Helene Hembreiker 3002 ParkviewAve., Iowa City, Iowa 52240 heleneireland30G2@gmaii.com
hllps:limail.googlccomlmaillurll?ikx7e56McSB&view-pt&search=all&permlhid=lhrcad-f%3A I73MB53705M2165&simpl=msgd%3AI 736488537056982165 111
71200. 10:20 AM Gmail .20220717 - Federal ARPA Money Not Distributed
MGmail Iowa City Catholic Worker<iowackycatholicworker@gmail.com>
20220717 - Federal ARPA Money Not Distributed
1 message
sunlightmcgeel@gmall.com <sunlightmcgeelogmail.com> Sun, Jul 17, 2022 at 7:52 PM
To: tjohnson@coralville.org, council@iowa-city.org, sups@johnsoncountyiowa.gov
To Whom It May Concern:
I am a resident of Johnson County and Iowa City. I write to you about the people that WEREN'T chosen in the Federal
ARPA Money distribution lottery.
I don't get it........, they were eligible to receive a spot in the lottery and when others chosen in the lottery became
ineligible to receive those funds, the slots were not automatically filled by the people who had been in the lottery and were
eligible but not selected.
WHY would these 319 people now become ineligible to fill those vacated slots of the lottery and receive checks? Were
they not REALLY eligible in the first place?
The people who applied for this lottery money aren't well off people and likely not considered to be middle income or even
many low income residents. They are likely living in poverty in the JOHNSON COUNTY Area. You all know how your
family budgets have been affected by the pandemic and resulting inflation. These aren't people who have extra money
at their disposal. They probably WORK in Iowa City and the surrounding area. The jobs they have are most likely the
lowest paying jobs. I am sure there were additional needy people in the county who weren't able to apply or didn't know
about the lottery so it's not likely the applicants for this lottery were the ONLY poor people that live in our community.
Think about how poor people dealt with the pandemic economy that people more fortunate than them are able to cope
with?
With the amount of money left over, I don't understand why the previously eligible lottery applicants aren't written the
checks they deserve and a second round of lottery applications aren't collected so money committed to this cause can be
USED as it was intended. Yes budgets for cities are tight so returned money has a place for use but how tight are the
budgets of the poorest members of our community?
I urge you to reconsider distribution of these funds.
Sincerely,
Gene C. Light
htlps:ilmail.google.comlmaillti Oik=e7e56 808&view=pt&scareh=all&permrhid=thread-f%,.9A 1738637688329535584&simpl=msg-nb3A l 7386496g%.92953.5.584 I/1
7/2022, 10:34 AM Gmeil - Excluded Workers and Rcmaining ARPA funds
MGmail Iowa City Catholic Worker<iowacitycatholicworkercagmail.com>
Excluded Workers and Remaining ARPA funds
Laura Crossett <newrambler@gmail.com> Mon, Jul 18. 2022 at 12.53 PM
To tjohnson@coralville.org, council@iowa-city.org, sups@johnsoncountyiowa.gov
Cc: iowacitycatholicworker@gmail corn
Dear Coralville Clerk Johnson, Iowa City City Council Members, and Johnson County Supervisors
I know this message is late in coming, but I did want to express my disappointment with the lack of funding for 319
excluded workers in the recent Direct Assistance Program that the joint entities recently ran. I have heard from several of
you in past correspondence about the various administrative and bureaucratic hurdles to fully funding all excluded
workers who applied (not an easy process —I took a gander at it out of curiosity) through the program.
I spent fifteen years of my life working for district, county, and city governments in three different states, so I am well
aware of the difficulties of organizing money and people while meeting regulations and requirements. But I have also seen
times when people were able to work through those complications and make sure that money got spent in a way that
benefitted the people who needed it most —in this case, the workers in our community (for in many ways we are all one
big community, regardless of our separate city governments) who performed essential and valuable work during the
pandemic but received none of the benefits many of the rest of us got, often for doing far less.
As 1 noted in my last email to you all on this subject, although I have not worked full-time outside the home since June
2020, and although I still have income, my house, my retirement funds intact, and no wolf at the door, I have been the
beneficiary of enormous government help, including
• Unemployment payments for almost a full year
• Previous direct payments totaling more than $3000
• Child tax credit payments of $250/month during the months those were made
• Grants and scholarships from Kirkwood Community College totally more than a year's tuition
• A total of $1500 in payments from Kirkwood as part of their dispersal of ARP funds
• Innumerable government programs and perks, including Medicaid, mental health services for my child, "healthy
rewards" points redeemable for everything from Burger King gift cards to Uber cash, and some I haven't yet even
taken advantage of, such as childcare assistance, transportation assistance, family planning assistance, and a free
toothbrush
While I am grateful for the assistance I have received, I am not among those who need all these benefits. The 319 people
in our community who received nothing are. I believe that, working together, you have the means, the intelligence, and the
willpower to change that, and I hope you do.
Sincerely,
Laura Crossett
1420 Yewell St,
Iowa City, IA 52240
Laura Crossett]she/her]
n ewram ble r. n et
hltprNmail.gmgle com/maiUurl/?ikx7c56f8c58&view=pl&seerch=all&pernunsgid=msg.f%3A1738713925448696651&simpl=msg•f%3A1738713925448696651 1' I
7/2&22. 10:40 AM
Email - Fwd: Dirmt Assistance Pmgr+m
M Gmail
Fwd: Direct Assistance Program
Iowa City Catholic Worker<iowacitycathollcworker@gmail.com>
Sean McRoberts <pastcmncroberts@gmail.com>
To Iowa City Catholic Worker <iowacitycatholicworker@gmail oom>
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From Sean McRoberts <paslormcroberts@gmail ,com>
DateSat, Jul 16, 2022 at 3:40 PM
Subject. Direct Assistance Program
To. <tjohnson@coralville_org>, <councl@iowa-c ty.org>, <sups@johnsoncountyiowa gov>
Dear County Supervisors and City Councils,
Sat, Jul 16, 2022 at 3:41 PM
Thank you for the work you have done to provide relief to members of our community who were excluded from previous
state and federal pandemic assistance programs. It is encouraging to see the way that our local governments moved
responsively to citizen feedback and integrated the input of the Excluded Workers Fund coalition. I am grateful to see that
together you have provided needed relief to 1,919 applicants in our community
I urge you to complete the work that you committed to, and provide funding to the remaining 319 eligible applicants.
According to your press release, Johnson County and the cities of Coralville and Iowa City collectively allocated $3.377
million - enough to provide $1,400 each to 2,412 applicants- Your release also said that there were 2,238 eligible
applications, All told, there is enough in the fund for everyone who qualified to receive this needed relief payment.
I understand that certain restrictions were put in place in the design of the fund because of the anticipation that more
people would qualify than the fund would be able to accomodate. This included a random selection process and a
limitation on the use of Iowa City's contribution to the fund. While I appreciate the Iowa City council's commitment to the
people of Iowa City, that clause is now preventing members of our community from accessing funds Targeting the use of
funds for their greatest benefit is laudable, but allowing a legalistic interpretation to cut people off from needed assistance
would be a scandal.
I implore the leadership of our cities and county, and the Iowa City council in particular, to take action to release payments
to the 319 qualifying applicants who have not yet received payments. The funds were designated for this purpose, and
are still available for their intended use, No qualifying applicant will be denied by this just and reasonable action, and
hundreds of our neighbors will benefit.
Thank you again for your efforts on behalf of our community
Peace,
Sean McRoberts
Rev. Sean McRoberts (theylthem)
515-290-6030 - cell
Rev. Sean McRoberts (theylthem)
515-290-6030 - cell
https:f/mail.gwglc.com1mr&u1ll7ik=e7c56f8e58&view=pt&search=al I&permmsgid=mcg-f%3A 1738-`d3290951240332&simpl=msg-f%3A 1718543290951240332 111
710,22, 1041 AM
Gmail - Joint Gov'ts want to hear YOUR voice
H Gmail
Joint Gov'ts want to hear YOUR voice
Iowa City Catholic Worker <iowacitycatholicworker@gmail.com>
Jean Hogan <scoulbelieve@gmail com>
To: Iowa City Catholic Worker <iowacitycatholicworker@gmail.com>
David
Here is the email I sent to the 3 groups
Jean
Dear Thor Johnson, Iowa City Council members and Johnson County supervisors,
Sun, Jul 17, 2022 at 6:17 PM
I have learned through the Catholic Worker House staff that 319 folks who applied for COVID 19 relief funds were left out
due to a lottery system set up for dispersing these funds- I am writing in support of providing the last 319 folks a share in
the funds set aside for that purpose
I understand Iowa City still has $690,000 of their committed money left over This is more than enough to fund 319 more
people at a cost of only $446,600- I also understand that Coralville, North Liberty, and other municipalities collectively
have millions of unspent American Rescue Plan dollars they could also allocate to alleviate this unnecessary suffering.
The stories Catholic Worker staff have been hearing from people who lost the lottery are heartbreaking. Many folks
reported feeling crushed by the bad news Some started crying. Mobile home residents say their rent is going up with no
other relief in sight. Others told stories about their mounting medical bills and the rising cost of inflation and say they don't
know how they are going to make it.
It appears there is committed money available for these last 319 folks struggling There are folks in need. I urge you to
include them and use this money as it was allocated for: i e. bringing relief to those suffering due to the Pandemic
Sincerely,
Jean Hogan
200 Ferson Ave
Iowa City IA
[Quoted text hidden)
[Oudled text hidden]
[Quoted text hidden]
htyn:llmail.google.comlmaillW I/?ik-7e56nk58&vices=pl&search=all&permmsgid-msg-f%3A I738G43715609707714&simpl-msg f%3A 1738613715609707714 I' I
7/20/22, 10:41 AM Gmail -F%v& Excluded Workers Direct Relief Payments
MGmail Iowa City Catholic Worker<iowacitycatholicworker@gmail.com>
Fwd: Excluded Workers Direct Relief Payments
Craig Davis <cdcycle@gmail.com> Mon, Jul 10, 2022 at 5:41 AM
To:"iowscitycatholicworker@gmail.com"<iowacityeatholieworker@gmail.com>
------ Forwarded message ----
From: Craig Davis <cdcycle@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Jul 17, 2022 at 9:43 PM
Subject: Excluded Workers Direct Relief Payments
To: <council@iowa-cily.org>, csups@johnsoncountyiowa.Qov>, <tjohnson@coralville.org>
I'm writing to urge reconsideration for the 319 individuals who did not receive direct relief payments through the lottery
system.
The COVID 19 pandemic directly impacted human beings not municipal infrastructure. For that reason I urge you to
open your hearts and reconsider your approach.
Respectfully, Craig Davis, Iowa City.
hitps:/lmail.gouglacomlmaiVW II7ik- 7e5618e5B&vicw=pt&semch=all" mmsgid=msg-f%,3A 17386867278278717W&Simpl=msg-f%,3A 1738686727827871760 III