Restorative Justice Commission

Restorative Justice Commission City of College Park Thursday, January 26, 2023 7:00 p.m. Virtual Meeting Members Present Absent Isabella Alcaniz X Zabrina Anzyl1 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 Washington X Jody Wildy X Patrick Wojahn, City Mayor2 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 1Joined at 7:17 p.m. 2Left at 7:35p.m. 1  I. Call to Order Ms. Gross called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. II. Approval of the Agenda The Commission reviewed the agenda for the meeting. III. Review of November Meeting Minutes The Commission reviewed the meeting minutes of the November 17, 2022, meeting. Mr. Rowe motioned to approve the minutes as presented. Second by Mr. Thurston. All members in favor; no opposed. Motion carries, 14-0-0. IV. Committee Reports a. Community Engagement – Ms. Williams provided an update that the committee held two meetings in December and worked on developing the work plan. The Collective hosted a community meeting to review the committee’s goals. The committee met twice in January and focused on reframing the goals to support the community. The new reimagined goals are:  Focusing on recruitment for Lakelanders – Identify and engage those directly impacted Lakeland residents and the diaspora in the restorative justice process.  Increase community awareness and participation to help maintain a strong historical recognition of Lakeland.  Pursue steps to support a stronger legacy or identity for the Lakeland community for future generations.  To develop an inclusionary resource to support a legacy community for families to return and remain in the Lakeland community. b. Restorative and Transformative Justice – Ms. Alcaniz provided an update that the committee met in December and January. The meetings focused on the committee’s workplan, identified key stakeholders, and putting together a calendar of events to be prepared to engage with stakeholders and connect with the Lakeland community. The committee also discussed focusing on historic designations and ways to engage with the community by coordinating with the community engagement committee. The committee attended the final report meeting held by the University of Maryland studio class. The goals of the committee are:  To develop an action plan as the restorative and transformative justice committee.  To provide a historical record of harm analysis.  Implementation of a community-centered vision for Lakeland. 2  c. Truth and Reconciliation – Ms. Schreiber provided an update that the committee met in December and continued to work on the work plan. An RFP for the research consultant position was drafted and shared with the Commission to edit and provide feedback. V. Annual Report Recap Ms. Carter and Ms. Way-Pezzuti will present the annual report to the City Council in February. VI. Evaluation Process on the Annual Budget Cycle Ms. Carter provided an update on the Commission’s annual budget. VII. Roles, Responsibilities, and Expectations Ms. Williams presented the City’s policy and procedures pertaining to Council-appointed boards to the Commission. Ms. Williams reviewed the conflict-of-interest rule, meeting attendance, and code of conduct. VIII. Additional Business Ms. Gross explained to the Commission that Mr. Fellows has another commitment and is not able to join the Commission’s monthly meeting. Ms. Gross proposed to the Commission for Mr. fellows to remain a Commission member, but not attend the monthly meetings. The Commission used the holacracy process to ask clarifying questions and decide next steps. Clarifying Questions 1. Have there been other meetings where a member doesn’t participate in monthly meetings? 2. If Mr. Fellows cannot be present for the Commission meeting, can he be required to watch the recording to remain up to date? 3. Is it possible to consider changing the Commission’s monthly meeting day so Mr. Fellows can participate. 4. Is Mr. Fellows unavailable throughout the whole year or is it just a period of time such as over the next few months? 5. Is this just for Mr. Fellows or are we making a decision for all commissioners? 6. Will this be voted on tonight? 7. Are there other opportunities for Mr. Fellows to serve without missing meetings? 8. What does this do in setting a precedence for attendance at Commission meetings? 9. Will Mr. Fellows be spreading himself too thin? 10. Is Mr. Fellows able to attend committee meetings? 11. How long would Mr. Fellows miss the Commission meetings? 12. Is there an alternative way for Mr. Fellows to receive missed information? 3  Amended proposal: Ms. Gross will consult with Mr. Fellows to see if he can meet the minimum requirement of attending every 3rd meeting to continue with the Commission or to continue on one of the committees and resign as a commissioner. The Commission voted on the amended proposal. The motion carries 13-0-0. IX. Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled on February 23, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. X. Adjournment Ms. Anzyl motioned to adjourn the meeting. Second by Ms. Clements. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. 4