Restorative Justice Commission

Approved: 11172022 Restorative Justice Commission City of College Park Thursday, October 27, 2022 7:00 p.m. Virtual Meeting Members Present Absent Isabella Alcaniz X Zabrina Anzyl X Karin Brown X Robert Catlin X Jill Clements X Andrew Fellows X Maxine Gross X Violetta Sharps Jones X A. Rashard McCreary X James McShay X Nikki Pancho X Petrella Robinson X Ian Rowe X Courtnie Thurston X Robert Thurston X Marques Washington1 X Jody Wildy2 X Patrick Wojahn, City Mayor X Reverend Latisha Thomas Cokely X Staff and Others Kayla Carter, Racial Equity Officer, Staff X Liaison Teresa Way-Pezzuti, HR Director, Staff X Liaison Kenny Young, City Manager X Claudia Barragan, Consultant X Barbara Schreiber, Consultant X Leah Williams, Consultant X Carleveva Thompson, Contract Secretary X 1 Joined at 7:26 p.m. 2 Joined at 7:26 p.m. I. Call to Order Ms. Gross called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. 1 II. Approval of the Agenda The Commission reviewed the agenda for the meeting. Ms. Gross noted to add a discussion of the meeting arrangements in Lakeland to the agenda. III. Review of September Meeting Minutes The Commission reviewed the meeting minutes of the September 22, 2022, meeting. Mr. Thurston motioned to approve the minutes as presented. Second by Mr. Fellows. All members in favor; no opposed. Motion carries, 15-0-0. IV. Commission Votes a. Volunteers A proposal was made as part of the Restorative Justice Steering Committee’s final report to bring committee volunteers that are non-Commission Lakelanders that were directly impacted by urban renewal, ancestors, descendants, and diaspora to support the committees. Clarifying Questions: 1. Will the volunteers vote on the committee? Yes, volunteers will vote on the committee, but not as part of the Commission. 2. Will there be a process to bring volunteers up to speed with the committees? Yes. 3. Are volunteers the same as committee members? Are volunteer votes equal to the committee member votes? The volunteers are Lakelanders committed to supporting the committees and will have equal votes as committee members. 4. Would the volunteers be supporting the Commission similar to College Park Day or would they be volunteers to support the committees? Volunteers would be closer aligned to committee members. 5. Would we look at the question of including non-Lakelanders as volunteers as well? That is a decision for the Commission to make. The Commission voted to add Lakelander volunteers to the committees. Motion carries, 17-0-0. b. November and December Commission Meeting Dates 2  Due to Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, the Commission was asked to vote to move the November and December meeting dates. i. November Meeting – Move to November 17, 2022 The Commission voted to move the November meeting to November 17, 2022. Motion carries, 16-1-0. ii. December Meeting –Move to December 15 or have December Recess The Commission voted and majority voted to recess for the December meeting. Motion carries, 14-3-0. V. Committee Reports a. Truth and Reconciliation – The committee met on October 12th and started to work on their work plan wthe three goals: 1. Establish an accurate historical record of what took place in Lakeland including the City’s reactions to urban renewal. 2. Provide opportunities for formal and informal testimonies to take place. 3. Support a strong identity for the Lakeland community. b. Community Engagement – The committee will meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. Committee members met this month and discussed welcoming volunteers from Lakeland to be a part of this committee. c. Transformative Justice – The committee has had two meetings and discussed the Lakeland community visits. Ms. Alcaniz and Mr. Thurston are the co-chairs for the committee. The committee established three goals: 1. Develop an action plan focusing on the restorative justice processes and what has brought the harm to Lakeland. 2. Ensure historical records provide the basis for government policy restorative measures. 3. Implement the community center vision for Lakeland for redevelopment and revitalization. VI. Event Report a. Lakeland Civic Association – The Collective joined the October 13th meeting and Senator Rosapepe was in attendance. b. University of Maryland MAPP Mid-term Presentation – Students in a master’s program from the University presented on the demographic data from the Lakeland community. 3  The Commission discussed the restorative justice class and project that is being held at the University of Maryland and was informed that the final plan from the studio will be presented to the Planning Department with the City. The Commission makes a statement to the City that prior to enacting any plans that come from the studio, the City provides the Commission an opportunity to review and provide feedback. Motion carries, 17-0-0. c. College Park Day – Commissioners attended College Park Day and was able to engage with City residents. A QR code was created that allowed the community to stay in connection with the Commission. Maps of Lakeland were also on display at the table. VII. Additional Business • A calendar poll for the Lakeland community visits will be sent to the Commission. • The Lakeland Christmas tree lighting will be on December 3, 2022. VIII. Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled on November 17, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. IX. Adjournment Ms. Robinson motioned to adjourn the meeting. Second by Ms. Wildy. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. 4