HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Packet - 2/19/2024CITY OF
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IOWA
THE CITY COUNCIL OF WATERLOO, IOWA
WORK SESSION TO BE HELD AT
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
Monday, February 19, 2024
3:30 PM
RULES FOR WORK SESSION PUBLIC COMMENT
Iowa Code Chapter 21 gives the public the right to attend council meetings, but it
does not require cities to allow public participation except during public hearings.The
city council shall not receive any public comment during a work session.
Roll Call
Agenda, as proposed or amended
Approval of Minutes of February 5, 2024, as proposed.
3:30 p.m. Discussion of a Wage and Compensation Survey.
Submitted by: Lance Dunn, Human Resources Director
Approx. 3:50 Discussion of the Downtown Parking Study.
p.m. Submitted by: Bridgett Wood, Finance Director
Approx. 4:30 Discussion of the FY2023 Financial Audit.
p.m.
Submitted by: Bridgett Wood, Finance Director
Approx. 4:55 Discussion of a resolution titled, "Resolution supporting a permanent
p.m. ceasefire in Palestine and Israel, the return of all hostages, and the delivery
of humanitarian aid; and affirming opposition to antisemitism,
Islamophobia and anti-arab bigotry with the aim of achieving a just and
lasting political solution."
Submitted by: Abraham L. Funchess Jr., Human Rights Commission Director
ADJOURNMENT
Kelley Felchle
City Clerk
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Resolution No.
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A PERMANENT CEASEFIRE IN PALESTINE AND ISRAEL,
THE RETURN OF ALL HOSTAGES, AND THE DELIVERY OF HUMANITARIAN AID; AND
AFFIRMING OPPOSITION TO ANTISEMITISM, ISLAMOPHOBIA AND ANTI-ARAB BIGOTRY
WITH THE AIM OF ACHIEVING A JUST AND LASTING POLITICAL SOLUTION.
Whereas, all human life is precious, and the targeting of civilians is a violation of international
humanitarian law; and
Whereas, approximately 1,200 Israelis were killed on October 7th, over 22,000 Palestinians
have been killed of which 9,100 were children, with over 57,000 wounded, and people of other
nationalities have been killed between October 7th, 2023 and January 4, 2024, and where
included among those lives lost are 136 United Nations staff, over 300 healthcare workers, and
77 journalists; and
Whereas, continued hostilities have forced 85% of Palestinians in Gaza and 5-10% of Israelis to
flee their homes; and
Whereas, hundreds of thousands of lives are at imminent risk without an immediate permanent
ceasefire, restoration of basic necessities, and delivery of adequate and unconditional
humanitarian aid without delay to Palestinian civilian noncombatants; and
Whereas, more than one hundred Israeli hostages are held by Hamas and more than 7,000
Palestinian hostages are held without due process under Israeli martial law; and
Whereas, the United States government and our elected leaders hold immense diplomatic
power to save Palestinian and Israeli lives, and US law requires that foreign military aid not be
used in the contravention of international law; and
Whereas, the United States provides ongoing military aid to Israel, of which approximately
$26,423,945 came from Iowa taxpayers in 2022; and
Whereas, the majority of nations in the UN have voted in favor of a ceasefire resolution, and
millions of people worldwide, including residents of Waterloo, have joined in peaceful protests
since October 7 to amplify this call; and
Whereas, Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian/anti-Arab bigotry, and antisemitism have risen
significantly across the United States, and around the world, with direct impacts on communities
— from synagogues and mosques to schools, universities, homes, offices, and places where
communities gather, as well as at protests and rallies; and
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Whereas, all of these forms of bigotry, violence, and oppression serve to divide our communities
and weaken our efforts to achieve collective safety, justice, and true multi -ethnic, multi -racial,
multi -religious democracy here and everywhere.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Waterloo that:
1. The City of Waterloo unequivocally condemns the killing of civilians in Gaza and West Bank
by the state of Israel; and
2. The City of Waterloo affirms its commitment to combat anti-Palestinian/anti-Arab bigotry,
antisemitism, and Islamophobia; and
3. The City of Waterloo affirms its support for all people in Palestine and Israel to live in peace,
justice, and security; and
4. The City of Waterloo affirms its support for the rights of all people, including residents of
Waterloo, to live, learn, work, play, worship, and engage in peaceful protest, all without
intimidation, coercion, or the threat of violence; and
5. The City of Waterloo asks our congressional delegation to support all resolutions and
legislation that match the values stated throughout this Waterloo resolution, especially those
that aim to alleviate the urgent humanitarian disaster in Gaza, and the release of Israeli
hostages, such as US House Resolution No. 786; and
6. The City of Waterloo affirms first -amendment rights of citizens to criticize government or
government policy, and affirms that criticism of governments in Israel and Palestine is not
inherently antisemitic or anti -Arab; and
7. The City of Waterloo supports the delivery of immediate, unconditional, and sufficient
humanitarian aid to the noncombatant people of Gaza; and
8. The City of Waterloo resolves that the Waterloo Clerk's Office will provide a copy of this
resolution to the members of the Iowa State legislature, the Iowa State Governor, the United
States Congressional delegations from Iowa, and the President of the United States.
Passed and approved this day of 2024.
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