Reparations Subcommittee Friday, August 28, 2020 9:15 AM Minutes

Call To Order/Declaration Of A Quorum The meeting was called to order at 9:18 a.m. by Alderman Robin Rue Simmons. Committee member Alderman Ann Rainey was present. Alderman Peter Braithwaite was absent. Staff members Nicholas Cummings and Tasheik Kerr were also present.

Approval of Minutes It was moved by Alderman Rainey, seconded by Alderman Simmons, to approve the minutes of the July 24, 2020 meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Communication Tasheik announced that as of August, the Reparations Fund received $12,163 in donations. It was moved by Alderman Rainey, seconded by Alderman Simmons, to accept the donations report. Motion carried unanimously.

Alderman Rainey announced that the Finance Director, Hitesh Desai, received news from the Illinois Department of Revenue that the 3% Cannabis Tax would be remitted to Evanston similar to the Municipal Sales Tax. Evanston would see the receipt of the 3% Cannabis Tax revenue starting in October 2020. Alderman Rainey also noted that MedMen is in the process of increasing its building size.

Alderman Rainey shared the State would soon release the social equity cannabis licenses. Several applicants in Evanston might receive some of those licenses. Alderman Rainey shared that for July the City would receive $35,000 and for August it’s estimated the City would receive $40,000. It was moved by Alderman Rainey, seconded by Alderman Simmons, to accept the cannabis revenue report. Motion carried unanimously.

Discussion Approval of Housing Policy Remedy Framework Tasheik reviewed the Housing Policy Remedy Framework. Tasheik noted that the program is budgeted at $400,000. Individuals could qualify for home purchase, home improvement, and mortgage assistance.

Alderman Simmons shared that the policy was updated to include multi-family properties. Regarding the reparations eligibility, Alderman Simmons noted that a list of housing discrimination actions would be submitted to the City Council. Residents would be able to apply for the housing benefit if they could prove discrimination under these policies.

Alderman Simmons noted that the Committee is looking to partner with a financial institution. The goal is to have the financial institution offer a preferred mortgage product, financial literacy, and other financial products to support homeownership. Alderman Simmons noted the disparity in the approval rate of mortgages in Evanston. Alderman Rainey added that the Committee is looking for an institution that would create a product specifically for the housing program.

It was moved by Alderman Rainey, seconded by Alderman Simmons, to advance the Housing Policy Remedy Framework to the City Council. Motion carried unanimously.

Approval of Guiding Principles and Application of the Evanston Reparations Ordinance

Tasheik noted that the Guiding Principles and Application of the Evanston Reparations Ordinance was submitted by Judge Lionel Jean Baptiste and Dino Robinson.

Dino Robinson, of Shorefront Legacy Center, shared that the document was prepared primarily by Judge Lionel Jean Baptiste with the aid of community members including himself, Reverend Nabors, Pastor Dillard, Alderman Simmons, and Alderman Braithwaite. Dino noted that the intent of the “Guiding Principles and Application of the Evanston Reparations Ordinance” is to provide a structure for how the community can engage in guiding the programs related to reparations.

Alderman Simmons added that the “Guiding Principles and Application of the Evanston Reparations Ordinance” is a way for the reparations process to be continually led by the Community as well as to institutionalize the process.

It was moved by Alderman Simmons, seconded by Alderman Rainey, to advance the Housing Policy Remedy Framework to the City Council.

Next Steps Alderman Simmons noted that the Committee hopes to finalize a partnership with a financial institution by the next meeting. The Committee would also provide an updated report on the social equity cannabis licenses.

Alderman Simmons noted that the housing initiative is one of many to come. She encouraged all city institutions as well as the community to support the reparations initiative. Alderman Rainey noted that this program will be a good opportunity for many.

New Business No new business

Public Comment Jennifer O'Neil submitted the public comment via email. “Such an impressive and informative presentation! Are you connecting reparations initiatives to current policy and enforcement? For example, fair housing enforcement. If we do not enforce fair housing laws, reparations will be short term or one-time and not as successful as we all want to see”

Ndona Nyomo noted the recent article circulating online that described the discrimination black homeowners face when trying to sell their property. Ndona inquired what can be put in place so black homeowners are not discriminated against by appraisers.

Barbara Jones inquired how black residents can prove they were discriminated against. Barbara Jones noted the decision made by the Library Board to close the Chicago Ave. /Main St. Branch and the North Branch. Barbara inquired whether the Subcommittee would meet with the Library Board to discuss placing a branch in the Fifth Ward. Barbara Jones shared that there are a lot of white people in the community that do not know about the Reparations process. She suggested including a link in the City’s Newsletter.

Tina Paden shared that there are a lot of citizens and seniors that are not buying a home, don't have a home, and don't have the income to buy a home. Tina shared that she is concerned that the program is in favor of new homebuyers in Evanston. She noted that there are residents that have been in Evanston for a number of years.

Ndona Nyomo noted that she had spoken with the family of Jacob Blake. There will be transportation from Jacob Blake Manor to Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Adjournment Alderman Simmons announced the next meeting would be held on September 25, 2020. The meeting adjourned at 10:18 a.m.