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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-20-2012 Human Rights Commission10IOWA CITY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION 49 Years of Advancing Equality 1963-2012 AGENDA CITY OF IOWA CITY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION HELLING CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL November 20, 2012 6:00 P.M. l . Call Meeting to Order/ Roll Call 2. Approval of Minutes from the following meeting: October 16, 2012 3. Public Comment of Items Not on the Agenda 4. New Business a. Youth Awards (May 15, 2013) 5. Old Business: a. World Human Rights Day Proclamation 6. Updates/Reports: a. Human Rights Breakfast b. Immigration Subcommittee c. Ad Hoc Diversity Committee d. Building Communities e. University of Iowa Center for Human Rights f. Commission g. Staff 7. Set Next Regular Meeting for December 18, 2012 at 6 p.m. 8. Adjourn The Iowa City Human Rights Commission meetings follow the Iowa City Community School District closings for inclement weather except for early dismissals for heat. Page 1 of 13 Minutes PRELIMINARY Human Rights Commission October 16, 2012 — 6 P.M. Helling Conference Room Members Present: Harry Olmstead, Connie Goeb, Orville Townsend Sr., Dan Tallon, Jessie Harper, Kim Hanrahan, Howard Cowen. Members Excused: Diane Finnerty, Shams Ghoneim. Staff Present: Stefanie Bowers. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Human Rights Commission meeting of October 16, 2012. Recommendations to Council: None. Call to Order: Chair Olmstead called the meeting to order at 18:00. Townsend moved to approve minutes, seconded by Goeb. Motion passed. 5-0. (Cowen and Hanrahan not present) Old Business: a. Human Rights Breakfast SB: The breakfast is coming up a week from Tuesday, October 30a'. I had said earlier this morning that I wanted Commissioners there at 6:50, but if everybody can be there at 7:00 that should be okay. If you're walking in the door of the Sheraton at 7:00 a.m. that should work. The breakfast will be downstairs. There are stairs and an elevator to get down there, and it's in the Amos Dean Ballroom. That's actually a large ballroom, but you'll be able to see where we are at and I'll be looking for you. The sub -committee of Orville, Kim and Dan met this morning, and again I want to thank them for their time. As you know the keynote speaker will be Chad Simmons, who is the Executive Director of Diversity Focus. The honorees this year for the Linda Severson Award it will be David Lesch, and for the Rick Graf Award it will be Joan Vanden Berg. The International Award will go to Cliff Missen, and for the Kenneth Cmiel Award it will be Robin E. Armstrong, and for the Isabel Turner Award it will be Tom Widmer. Then for the Community Award it will be the University of Iowa Center for Human Rights. Just to go over some housekeeping matters for the breakfast. I have Orville Townsend down as doing the closing. So I would need somebody to do the introduction of keynote and the welcome, which I would say is maybe about five to seven minutes. Then I would Page 2 of 13 also need somebody to introduce or present the awards. We generally go on seniority based upon length of time on the Commission, which would be Harry, Connie and Howard who is not here. CG: I'd be glad to do it. You said what the introduction of? SB: The welcome to attendees and then of the keynote. CG: Introduction of the keynote okay. Do you write that? SB: Yes I can. CG: I'd be glad to deliver it. SB: Then the introduction of awards, Harry if you don't want to do that I can ask Howard to do that. He's done it before so. HO: I'd rather not. SB: Okay I'll ask Howard and if Howard declines then look for emails from me. I'll write that up. The main thing is for you and Connie and Orville, I'm not sure if you're going to adlib or how you want to do it, which is fine. It's not a lot to say. As time goes on lots of times there are very small changes, but nonetheless changes, and so you'll probably get at least two additional copies from the first initial one. So always just discard the older one and always go with the new one because lots of time there are just little changes that you may not necessarily detect, but may be important to that particular award winner. In the past sometimes for whatever reason people don't always notify me that maybe their last name is not pronounced how it appears. So little things like that may get tweaked towards the end. Just be mindful of that, and then some other things. Just to go over for you two. I changed the arrival time for the Human Rights Breakfast, which is October 30`s, a week from this Tuesday. We're used to having them on Thursday but this year it's a Tuesday, so just remember that. If everybody could be walking in the door at 7:00 a.m. I will need two Commissioners to volunteer to sit at the table and collect tickets and any payments that somebody may be making on that particular day. Would you mind doing the introductions of the award winners? HC: That's fine. SB: And as you're used to from the Youth Awards you know that the first thing I send you will probably not be the final thing that I send you. So we have three Commissioners who will be outside the ballroom collecting tickets. The other Commissioners are just kind of expected to greet people, to be visible to attendees, and to introduce yourself as a Human Rights Commissioner. As part of that please remember to wear your pins. If you will not be at the breakfast please let me know. I'll send out my cellphone number for emergencies should any occur. No rickets are sold on the day of the breakfast because I have to give a count to the Sheraton prior to that. So it just gets too tricky, and we want Page 3 of 13 to make sure that we do have seats for everybody who has already purchased one or at least reserved on ahead of time. Sometimes you'll have particularly with the press, or sometimes community members will want to see the awards breakfast, but don't want the meal. If you have somebody approach you for that just let me know and I'll make those arrangements. Usually what we do is just ask for a chair from the staff at the Sheraton and do it that way, and that way they're not actually taking a seat from a table that somebody technically should be sitting at. For the three people who are at the table, when somebody comes and says I need to pay for a ticket that I received. Make sure that you mark down their name and how they paid. In the past sometimes what happens is I'll end with just cash, and I need to know who gave me that cash, and who paid for their tickets. If they give you a check and it's obvious from the check that they're the person on the check, then that's fine, but as a rule of thumb it's probably best just to write down everybody who gives you any form of payment so that I know. KH: And you'll have the table prepared for us? SB: Correct. There will be a lockbox and there will also be pen and paper to write down that information, and an envelope to stick it in to put in the box. KH: And we'll be taking tickets too, do we need to track the tickets? SB: You don't need to track the tickets meaning that if I was given ticket two you don't need to like look at a list and cross that out no. I mean generally we've never had a problem with anybody trying to sneak in, but make sure that people are giving you tickets if they're walking past you to go into the ballroom. If you should happen to get a coffee, tea or something to eat prior to the breakfast starting, make sure that if you're at that table that you put the leftover dishware they have trays to place those on and they're not left on the table. It doesn't present very well when things are left on the table like that. The keynote will have fifteen minutes, and everybody else just has five minutes. So I'm a real stickler for that so that we can literally send people home at 8:30. Howard you will be the gatekeeper of time because if the keynote goes sixteen minutes you need to be right behind him so he understands that he needs to wrap it up. Also with the honorees if it's like four and a half minutes it's probably not a bad idea to get up and go stand behind them and that can kind of be a reminder without being obvious that they're getting close to their time. That's only a problem sometimes so. Another thing is if you are somebody who is speaking at the breakfast make sure like the Youth Awards that if you've moved the microphone, that you leave it in a place that somebody else may find it more comfortable than if you're short or tall. Sometimes in the past somebody who is tall will bring the microphone up and then the next person comes and they don't move it down. So they don't realize that the sound is not filtering as well as it could be if the microphone was right in front of them. So whether you're speaking or you're going up after somebody who spoke, make sure the microphone is adjusted for your proper height level. If you have like a monologue or something that has been printed out make sure that you either return those to me or that they get thrown away and they are not left at the podium or on a table somewhere. This is just helpful for me. If something doesn't seem right come and let me know. Don't wait till after the breakfast to let me know. If the Page 4 of 13 food doesn't taste right, one time somebody said the French toast was hard as a brick. nobody told me during the breakfast. So if you get hard bacon, sausage, French toast, if the yogurt doesn't taste right, please let me know because that's not how we want the breakfast. We want people to enjoy the food. HO: Somebody should test the mic before we get started because last year we had a problem. SB: Jerry had actually tested that mic a few times, and I think we even had a backup one, but it was just not a good morning for microphones last year. So I'm going to remind them of that fact and hopefully there's not a repeat of last year. HO: That was one of the criticisms that came back on the survey as I recall. SB: Yes. I don't think the sound was quite right and then it failed twice. If you're in the buffet line, which is how the breakfast is served and you see that one of the items is getting low please let me know because again we don't want people going to the buffet and there's only one cinnamon roll left. Just learn from experience and let me know. KH: Do the doors open at 7:00 too or what time do they open? SB: The food will be ready at 7:00 and really it's not when the doors open, but are there people that will arrive at 7:00. Usually it's a slow crowd so that its manageable if I'm the only one there, but by 7:15, which is when people are told to arrive so that we can start right at 7:30. There is kind of like a mad group of people who do arrive at 7:15. KH: So those of us at the table should potentially get there a little early to grab our food? SB: No actually when the breakfast starts at 7:30 the Commissioners sit just like an attendee. So you would get your food just like you were just attending to watch it. In the past sometimes people get a coffee or tea, and then they get up and leave to go and sit down at the table to eat and things get left at the table. So that's what I was referencing. I think that's it and I sent everybody... HO: One more thing. We've got to stick around afterwards for pictures. SB: That's right, pictures are very important. JH: What about the dress code? SB: I would say it's probably business attire. I think that's fair to say. It's certainly not formal. Everybody should have a ticket in an envelope that was sent to you as part of the packet. Again those tickets are complimentary to Commissioners. Please do stick around for pictures because we have a banner which all the honorees sign, and then there are group photos taken of the Commission with the honorees. Those are sent out as press releases, and also included as part of the letterhead when we send thank you notes and survey cards to attendees. So yes, don't run out at 8:30, but it shouldn't take more than Page 5of13 five or ten minutes. I would say you would probably be out by 8:45. Howard since you are kind of the MC, always kind of be looking for me and I'll be the only one standing. If something is not right or wrong, then I'll be trying to look at you to get that fixed. HO: When will the honorees be notified and how? SB: They've been notified via email today. Three have responded and three have not yet. Then next week a more formal email goes out. We used to do letters but with the email it's easier to get all the information out, especially with not a long time between the turnaround. They've been notified. ' KH: Has the Commission been told who? SB: Yes. CG: Was there a pretty good amount of people or? KH: There was a fair number I would say. CG: So you did have choices. KH: Yes. b. World Human Rights Day Proclamation SB: And this is really just on there again, and I know it's been on the agenda and in your packet for the last several months. This is the closest thing we have to a final draft and I believe the Commission was satisfied at the last meeting. It's just another opportunity to look through it. You don't necessarily have to read it word for word this evening, but if you happen to read it later on and you see something that is just considered like a typo or something, please let me know and that can be corrected. The city council meets December 4s', so that would be the only meeting that would be prior to the December 1 Os' date at which the proclamation may be read once I submit it. So I can submit it or I can wait until after the November meeting date to submit it to the city council. I should say to the mayor, or I could submit it sooner. So it's just kind of what the Commission wants me to do on this. When it is submitted its placed upon more of a card stock and given fancier presentation than what you see here in the packet. It doesn't get presented as you see it now. HO: So we need a motion to approve the proclamation as it stands or any corrections? SB: I think it's more corrections. You approved it at the last meeting, so it's been approved. If anybody saw anything with the content it wasn't too late at this point to get it changed at the meeting and/or submit just typos, errors or grammatical changes. Page 6 of 13 KH: Eight has, needs a closed parenthesis. SB: Okay. HO: Okay any other discussion? Moving right along, Immigration Subcommittee Kim? Uudates/Reoorts: a. Immigration Subcommittee KH: We actually did another tour. There were four or five of us. SB: Seems like more than four. KH: Actually it went really well. It's a lively tour and a lot of discussion. Similar suggestions again one of my thoughts I was kind of taken that some of just the computer generated signs. It hadn't been translated into even just Spanish. So Stefanie again took notes and took pictures. The next step according to Stefanie is to put together a memorandum to share with the Commission members, and we're hoping November or December to have that done with recommendations. Is that how it would go? SB: Yes. KH: I think we're moving right along. HO: And your next meeting is? KH: We have not scheduled a next meeting, hopefully in November. HO: Any questions, discussion? SB: Just Kim follow up with me after October 30"'. I have notes that would probably be helpful and I can assist with getting that. HO: Okay Ad Hoc Diversity Committee, Orville. b. Ad Hoc Diversity Committee OT: We had a meeting Monday. We met with the transportation department, and it was a very good meeting. We had asked questions and I thought the director Chris did an excellent job of giving us written feedback to work from. Our transportation system in Iowa City seems to be number one, we have an excellent transportation system. We talked about the issues with the diversity issues with the bus riding for school kids. We had a problem a while ago, and they have made some changes to the rules to deal with Page 7of13 that. We're really hoping that in the future that, well let's put it this way. When we deal with issues the city deals with issues or any system. The first thing they think about is money. You know what is the cost going to be and usually the cost will either dictate or greatly influence the outcome in terms of decisions. So you know just kind of pointed out that in the future you know when we have issues that we're dealing with that we not only put the costs up front, but we also consider diversity to see if there are issues with diversity that need to be considered. For example if we had taken that approach a while back then we wouldn't have had the issue that we had because we would have known that we really didn't want to have a group of kids downtown right after they got out of school and they were real hyper. But it just seems that that's a situation where nobody is wrong. It's just that we're dealing with differences and it can create problems. So we need to consider diversity in making our decisions right up there with costs. What it comes down to is if it gets to be bad enough you're going to make the changes and spend the money anyway. So you might as well just put it up front. That was one of the things that you know I encouraged them to do. Another thing that came up for transportation is transportation bus services on Sundays. I guess that comes up every two years, and basically again you're talking about costs. This is not a diversity issue, but a citywide issue. It basically becomes an economic issue because if you can't afford to have an automobile you rely on other forms of transportation. That's why that keeps reoccurring, and they are looking at that, but again you know that's a cost item and that's why they probably haven't done it. They mentioned that they are going to send out surveys concerning transportation services. I asked if they were going to deal with the Sunday services to ask people if they would be willing to pay more in terms of a higher fare on Sunday. The director responded that no, he hasn't done that, and they are just handling that with a general question. Would you be willing to pay more for better quality transportation. I had some concerns about that because surveys are kind of weird. I feel that when you're trying to deal with specific issues you have to ask specific questions. I personally feel that if you phrase the question that way concerning transportation on Sunday. If I didn't have a car I'd still say no because we have excellent transportation. So if I have excellent transportation why would I pay more. So I'm hoping that they will rethink that and they will basically and specifically ask if we want something along the lines if we were to initiate bus services on Sunday, would you be willing to pay a higher cost for you to take it on that particular day. I think that way we would get a specific group, and you know they will tell us. Their responses will let us know what we're dealing with in terms of numbers. I thought it was a great meeting, and we are very fortunate in my opinion in terms of the quality of transportation that we have in our city. The buses are really modern and they're kept well, and basically the schedule is very precise. I ride the bus once in a while and my stop I can count on it 25 after. You look up and it will be coming around the corner. So I think we're in good shape with our transportation. I think we really need to look at it in terms of diversity, though in the case of things coming in the future, down the pass that maybe we'll handle differently or be a little more proactive. JH: So has the committee identified if they're going to have a working agenda? When I say working agenda you mentioned that, talking about the transportation, but they were also you know when they were gathering people where they were saying they were going to Page 8of13 address issues of the homes, as far as like referrals for homes and other issues that were, the people were complaining about. Will those things be coming on the agenda or for right now are they just going to be going or working under transportation? OT: No, what we did was our committee's charge was specifically to take a look at law enforcement and transportation, and that's what we're doing. We met with law enforcement first and then yesterday was our first meeting with transportation. Some of the committee members had questions, so we're going to meet with them again. But we're also going to have a public forum, and that's where we begin to get a little more broader. After that public forum then we'll probably have a lot of other things that we as a committee will need to look at, and then determine how we can address it and make recommendations to the city council. Keep in mind that our two charges are basically transportation and law enforcement, but I'm almost sure that when we have the public forum that's going to become more general. CG: Orville when they do the surveys from the transportation department, how do they conduct the surveys just with people who ride the bus or do they send them out a sample? OT: I don't know. I would imagine that they'll probably have information on the bus that riders can take and fill out. They'll do something by email and probably you know I would say maybe an article in the newspaper indicating that it's happening and giving information as to how you can access the surveys. Nobody asked that, but next time I'll try to remember to ask that question. CG: I don't know how, what the transportation is right here in terns of whether it's very routine. I mean whether the same people are taking the bus all the time, or whether it changes off and on. It would seem to me that surveying the people who regularly ride the bus would be the ones that would matter. You could ask me do I have an excellent bus service and I take it once a year, and it probably wouldn't matter to me one way or the other. OT: I think basically that's going to be tricky because individuals that ride the bus on a daily basis I'm sure that they're very pleased with the services. The only thing I can think that they may be displeased with is you know the fare went from .75 to $1.00, which you know still with what we're getting quality service and quality wise, that's okay. I guess the only thing that I could see that would be a negative is lack of transportation on Sunday, and that's something that basically, that's an economic thing. Everybody can't have a car or you know even everybody can't have a job that fits within the timeframe that the buses run. So you know that's going to be an ongoing thing, but I think if we begin to address the Sunday thing and we stay at it, we might be able to do something with that. I mean there are a lot of options. They can contract with the cab companies or something like that if they're got enough people. I don't know what they'll end up doing, but I think that they really get to the point that they want to consider addressing that and making it happen. Then they can start looking at the options as to whether they'll do it and not use a heavy bus since they probably could use a smaller bus that's more economical. If you've got people, not a lot of people can you contract with the cab Page 9 of 13 company. Those are things that you've got to do. Another thing that we talked about is the silos. You've got all the various bus systems around. You've got Iowa City, Coralville, and University, so basically are they working together, and if they do work better together will that give me more maximum benefits and things like that. That's something that they are also looking at. KH: Which is really a good thing because most of our subsidized housing now is in North Liberty, and there are only two buses at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., and so folks are stuck in North Liberty. OT: It's like a lot of individuals basically the type of work that they can get they get off at 11:00 or they get off at weird times, and they work on Sundays and stuff. So it would be nice in an ideal world, it would be nice to have transportation on Sunday, but reality wise it's going to come down to whether or not its cost efficient. I think if you look at the budget and stuff like that, and we're going to get a chance and the city manager is going to give us some insights into the budget and the cost effectiveness of what's going on. I think that's going to be interesting too, and that will help us to understand more why we're not doing it, but also maybe about a little bit about some things we can do better to address the situation. KH: I know that would be their only... OT: I thought the _ mentioned something you know. There are some they can do involving the public, which hoops would you rather do. I mean right now we've got the ideal situation. The bus goes from one place and you catch it and it takes you where you're going. You could probably if you altered the route so that it went down and went around instead of catching it in front of your house. You gotta walk three blocks over so that they can expand it. Would you be willing to do that? A lot of things can be done, it's just basically are we going to be able to get a system that's going to be workable. KH: Some bigger cities have more than one hub, like we have our downtown hub and that's it. OT: We're kind of spoiled here in Iowa City because I know in the larger cities I mean you may have to walk four or five blocks. But other than that I thought it was a good meeting. HO: Okay any other discussion? CG: I just was wondering are there more with the police than two or are you finished with the police, just the public forum? OT: We've had two meetings with law enforcement now, and this was our first meeting with transportation. CG: But so no more with police individually or as ...? Page 10 of 13 OT: We can if we need to, but we're on a timeframe. So right now we're just trying to you know get it together so we touch all the bases. So if we need to come back and then communicate with someone I'm sure we'll have that option. CG: Is that going to be a public forum with the police or it is just transportation? OT: No, the public forum is basically just the police, two meetings with law enforcement, which we've done. Now the committee has had the first meeting, and we'll have a second meeting with transportation. The next phase will be an open forum, and basically that's ... CG: With both subjects? OT: That will just be open to the public and whatever they want to talk about, but basically we'll probably be addressing those two areas. We'll be addressing those two areas, but a lot of other stuff. HO: Do you know when the public forum is going to be? OT: I was trying to look at that. It's on Thursday November 8a' I think it is, but don't put that in ink because I had some other dates. HO: Your Ad Hoc Committee goes till what January? OT: It's April I think. We have a good committee, it's a good mix. KH: Do you know where the forum will be held? OT: The public library. KH: Will it be taped by public television? OT: I don't know, probably so. SB: The only problem with taping it is sometimes I don't think you get full disclosure because people know they're on television. So they may not be as willing, but it's a public meeting so it is what it is. HO: Any further discussion? Next is Building Communities. c. Building Communities OT: We had a meeting scheduled and there were not enough responses. We're got a meeting coming up here next week, and hopefully we'll get a lot of people to show up so we can deal with it. Every time we meet we come up with a new direction. I think basically I got a good group, just got to get the right timing for everybody so that we can start Page 11 of 13 working. Hopefully the next one I'll have something that is more concrete for you, but right now we're just hoping that we can get enough people to attend the next meeting. HO: Any questions, discussion? d. University of Iowa Center for Human Rights SB: I put that on the agenda because I put a copy of the letter that was sent and to date I haven't received any correspondence back. I believe there is a meeting in November. There is a board meeting in November, and other than being recognized for the community award at the breakfast I think that's really all I would have to put under that. e. Commission HO: Kim do you have anything? KH: I do not. HO: Dan? DT: No. HO: Jessie? JH: No. HO: Orville? OT: No. HO: Howard? HC: No. E Staff SB: I just have a few things. One thing I didn't mention is make sure when you're at the breakfast if you happen to be sitting with a Commissioner that there's not five of you at a table. Just be mindful. So if there's a fifth person just politely ask them to go sit at another table. Each of you will be introduced so it's up to, so she will be introducing all the Commissioners. The status of complaints should be in the back of the packet. We've received two more since the date that's filed, so now we're up to seven so things are picking back up after an opportunity to catch up on some. There are three vacancies on the Human Rights Commission. Those applications are due November 7a by 5 p.m. in the City Clerk's office. The next meeting for the Commission is November 201h, which is the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. I'll certainly be around. It's not a problem on staff Page 12of13 side, but I do know sometimes for the holidays if Thanksgiving is something that you celebrate sometimes people are not always around. So just trying to get an idea of whether or not we would have a quorum on that particular day just because it is that week of Thanksgiving. If you think you're not going to be in town if you could send me a note. Then just to add to Kim's comment about taping the program. I do think that's beneficial for those who can't attend, and if it is being taped maybe one way that I think the Commission has done in the past that was helpful, not only just controlling the time allocated to each speaker who would want to speak. I imagine you could have people lined up around the corner for the hearing, is that to have notecards and then to just have somebody read. I realize there are complications with that and that's not always ideal, but that way if you have notecards where people can write out generally speaking what their frustration is or what they see as a problem, sometimes that's a great way for people to be more forthcoming than they would be standing in front of a microphone with the cameras looking at them. That gets complicated too because I'm not necessarily somebody which you all probably know, who can write everything down on a notecard either, but it is an option. It may be an option for those who don't want to appear on camera, so kind of an either or. Other than that I don't think I have anything else. OT: I just have a correction. I just found it. The public meeting is Thursday November 15`°, six to eight p.m. at the public library. SB: Will there be flyers too? OT: Yes. I'm kind of excited that we really need to choose to get the information out so that the groups in the community let people know so that they can get it on their calendar and get prepared. Next Regular Meeting — November 20th at 18:00. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn at 18:41 Page 13 of 13 Human Rights Commission ATTENDANCE RECORD 2012 (Meeting Date) TERM 10/1 11/2 12/1 NAME EXP. 1/17 2/21 3/20 4/17 5115 6119 7117 8121 9/18 6 0 8 Dr. Howard 1/1/13 X X O/E X O/E X O/E X O/E X Cowen Constance 1/1113 X O/E X X O/E O/E X X X X Goeb Harry 1/1/13 X X X X X X X X X X Olmstead (8-1-2010) David B. 1/1/14 X O/E O/E O/E R R R R R R R R Brown Diane 1/1/14 O/E X X X X X O/E X O/E O/E Finnerty Orville 1/1/14 X X X X X X X X X X Townsend, Sr. Henri Harper 1/1/15 O/E X O/E R R R R R R R R R Kim 1/1/15 X X X X X X X O/E X X Hanrahan Shams 1/1/15 O/E X X X X X X X X O/E Ghoneim Jessie 1/1/15 O/E X X O/E X Harper (Appointed 6-5-12 ) Dan Tallon 1/1/14 X X X (Appointed 7-31-12) KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused NM = No meeting/No Quorum R = Resigned - = Not a Member Correspondence Stefanie Bowers From: Tracy Hightshoe Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 4:46 PM To: Tom Markus; Geoff Fruin; Mike Moran; Chad Dyson; Ron Knoche; Brian Boelk; Chris O'Brien; John Yapp; Jeff Davidson; Marcia Bollinger; Stan Laverman; Tim Hennes; Darian Nagle- Gamm; Steven Rackis; Stefanie Bowers; Jorey Bailey; *Community Development Subject: 2012 CITY STEPS Annual Review Hello. Each year Community Development staff solicit input from the community regarding community development needs for low -moderate income persons and neighborhoods. This process is part of our Citizen Participation Plan that is required by HUD to receive Community Development Block Grant and HOME funds. This year input was solicited from the Johnson County Local Homeless Coordinating Board and at the Mercer Neighborhood Association meeting. We share these comments with city departments. Please contact me with any questions. Comments Received - Annu... Tracy MIONSAOa City of Iowa City 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 319.356.5244 Fax 319.356.5217 www.icaov.org 2012 CITY STEPS ANNUAL REVIEW MERCER NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING SCANLON GYM OCTOBER 15, 2012 — 6:30 PM Approximately 10 persons in attendance City Staff: Tracy Hightshoe, Marcia Bollinger Comments Received: Traffic concerns: Traffic safety on Muscatine is a huge concern. It is an arterial street, but a pedestrian crossing light or crosswalk such as the one that exists on First Ave. is needed to get to Lucas at ALL times of the day. Possible signage to alert drivers what intersection to turn to get to Lucas. Parking up to the intersection on Dover St. is making it unsafe as have to inch out as not able to see around the cars. Request City to look at parking issues and install no parking from here to corner to improve safety at the Dover and Wayne intersection. Housing: Rehabilitation of duplexes and older rental homes to improve appearance of neighborhoods on eastside. Parks & Recreation: Mercer Park needs new and improved playground equipment. Request an outdoor basketball court. Support Lucas Elementary with Outdoor Playscape project to increase recreational opportunities available to the neighborhoods surrounding Lucas. Misc. Review storm water retention in the neighborhood, especially on Dover St. when a significant rain event occurs. Storm water floods Dover St. up to the baseball fields. Notification to dog owners to remind them to be respective dog owners — cleaning up after their dogs and keeping them from persistent barking, especially at night. Remind neighbors to be courteous and supervise young children at Mercer Park and in the neighborhood. Written comment received from Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity 10/12/2012 Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity strives to provide affordable home ownership for lower income area residents. Our work contributes in significant and positive ways (more than $90,000 in property taxes in 2012 alone!) to both the city and to the neighborhoods. However, City Steps ranks ownership by low income families as a low priority after having stated goals in the following passages in CITY STEPS which would lead one to believe that home ownership by low income families should rank as a high priority (see following passages from current CITY STEPS): Page 23: The three major objectives include: a) Creating or Enhancing Suitable Living Environments; b) Providing Decent Housing; c) Creating Economic Development Opportunities. We believe the construction of Habitat homes meet all three objectives. Page 23: The three specific outcomes: a) Availability/accessibility; b) Affordability; c) Sustainability. New Habitat homes are fully accessible cost 30-50%% less per month to purchase vs. affordable rents, build equity, and are 25%-35% more energy efficient compared to other new homes which only meet the minimum code. Page 54: Public Housing Strategy. In this past year we have worked with the PHA to shift a long-time Section 8 family from renting to full home ownership while rehabbing and increasing the value of an existing home. We have asked that this relationship continue and that other qualified families be channeled to us to qualify for home ownership. Page 57: Public Policy Impacts on Affordable Housing. Habitat has been encouraged to do more scattered site housing (see attached list of where Habitat homes are located) However, two major barriers exist: 1) Nearly any residential property within two miles of the UI campus is not affordable to anyone but the over -priced student rental market (no mention is made of any affordable family housing in the downtown high-rise proposals and it is uncertain that the new area development south of downtown will create affordable home ownership options for lower income workers) . There have been few, if any, incentives put into place to entice new developments to increase density or create any set asides for affordable housing units (mention is made of Inclusionary Zoning but Habitat is unaware of any movement by the City Council to implement such a policy). Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity has hired an outside consultant to document property values, property taxes, and crime rates in the neighborhoods where Habitat homes are built. This report will be completed by January and will be shared with the public at that time. "Identify potential redevelopment areas City initiatives typically include utility and infrastructure installation": Iowa Valley Habitat took out an option on a site on Miller Ave. to build up to 10 single family homes along with a for -profit builder who would build 25-35 apartment units. We approached the City for assistance with infrastructure (there is no storm water system in the street) and we found the City was not willing to assist in the costs of the public improvements. This site was near public transportation, the University (jobs) and shopping. This feels like a lost opportunity to create a collaborative public/private affordable housing site. This Miller Ave. site also would have honored the "Treat non-profit organizations that specialize in affordable housing as a special class of developer" section on page 61 where it recommends the City participate in the cost of financing infrastructure. In addition, we would ask the committee to recommend to the City Council the implementation of the "waive local fees for non-profit organizations that develop affordable housing" (see page 61) Page 90: "Commitment to affordable housing activities". Under the recommendation section, we urge the City to renew its commitment to the home ownership and new construction via Habitat or other non-profit developers. Page 91: "Housing Needs". Non -student renter households up to 50% of AMI is a high priority; elderly and small family owners of occupied housing are a high priority. Request for a Change in Priority: We believe that when the priority rankings were established originally, no one thought that it would be less expensive and less burdensome for a low income individual or family to own a home vs. renting. In Habitat's case, our monthly mortgage for a brand new, highly energy efficient home is $650-$675. This is about 50% less than what the same person(s) would pay for a subsidized rental. We request a chance of priority from low to high for the CDBG/HOME scorning used by HCDC and the City Council to rank proposals Iowa valley Habitat is penalized with a low priority scoring on CDBG/HOME funding even though we meet 2 out of of the major objectives and all three of the specific outcomes. While it is true that most low income families cannot afford home ownership, Habitat's track record of only two foreclosures out of +75 homes is about twice as good as the national average of all home owners. Habitat's model of charging no interest on the mortgage makes the home affordable; resale restrictions keep it affordable for many years to come. Habitat's model of home ownership: -- leverages private funds 4:1, --puts all properties on the tax rolls, --trains families in fiscal management, --and helps lower income families build equity so that they can have a chance at being able to raise a family and retire someday without the worries of a landlord, rent payments or displacement. Are these not qualities which CITY STEPS should value and give a high priority? �1 THE 1W1 UNIVEFSTIY OF IOWA October 19, 2012 Iowa City Human Rights Commission 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 To whom it may concern, COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS & SCIENCES School of Social Work 308 North Hall Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1223 319-335-1250 Fax 319-335-1711 On behalf of the 2012 Strengthening and Valuing Latino/a Communities in Iowa Conference Planning Committee. I am writing to thank you for your generous sponsorship. Your sponsorship made it possible for us to host two hundred Latino youth from around Iowa at no cost to the students, provide support for two nationally known scholars to keynote our events, and support the travel costs of workshop presenters. Sponsors make it possible for us to put on a great conference and offer scholarships to those wanting to attend the conference that otherwise would not be able to afford it. Thank you once again for your support of this wonderful statewide event! Please contact me with any questions at 319-335-1254 or via email at: kate- kemp@uiowa.edu Sincerely, Kate Kei�1R Statewidelanning Committee Submitted by staff 10-30-2012 'I Y/Wv/) Awards recognize those who do not sit on sidelines I Iowa City Press Citizen I press-citize... Pagel of 4 Submitted by Staff on 10/31/12 JOBS CARS HOMES APARTMENTS CLASSIREOSIPLACEANAO DEALS LOGIN SUBSCRIBE ACTIVATE ENEWBPAPER HELP News I Hawk Central I Prep Sports I Obituaries I Opinion I Data I Life FEATURED: Local Nimes Movie times Group photos Coupon Mania Find what you are looking for ._. Awards recognize those who do not sit on sidelines 9:31 PM, Cot 30.2012 1 Comments This portion of the Teeuested page the bees blocked http://www.press-citiizen.com/article/20121031/NEWSOl/310310027/ 10/31/2012 Awards recognize those who do not sit on sidelines I Iowa City Press Citizen I press-citize... Page 2 of 4 AA by Lee Heen by ion Lee 9o, Chad Simmons said it was easy In his native Chicago, to sit back y 1. city Pmcitlenn and let others be a positive influence and bring about change in the community. FILED UNDER News "It's easy because there are so many people," he said. Local News But, Simmons told a crowd of about 100 people Tuesday morning at the Sheraton Iowa City Hotel, if you want to be part of change here in Johnson County, you can't sit on the sidelines. ADVERMEMENT "Spectators are not allowed," he said. "If I want to go and talk to the MOM POPWM Mm C,Mm. ] Mora HNd6 city manager, I can go talk to the city manager." Error on line 2 position 13?5: a eption rOmwn eM not c< Simmons, executive director of Diversity Focus, a nonprofit organization that promotes diversity, cultural awareness and inclusion in the Iowa City -Cedar Rapids corridor, was the keynote Most Viewed speaker for the 29th annual City of Iowa City Human Rights Awards breakfast. Simmons moved to Iowa in 1988 to work at Quaker Oats in Cedar Rapids. After earning his MBA at the University of Iowa, Simmons left the state to work for a variety of corporations and large companies. A desire to "feel something" brought him to Diversity Focus, he AWE.SEMENT said. "I wanted to build something," he said. "I wanted to build and be a part of something." Looking out at the crowd, Simmons said this year's awards recipients were not the type of people to sit on the sidelines. "The people you're honoring today are people you're honoring because they chose not to be a spectator," he said. This years recipients include: • David Leshtz, recipient of the Linda Severson Service Award, for his advocacy work, particularly as a member of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. Leshtz, according to Iowa City Human Rights commissioner Dr. Howard Cowen, was instrumental in creating a gay, lesbian, bi, transgender in -schools task force and getting sexual orientation recognized as a protected class. • Joan Vanden Berg, recipient of the Rick Graf Award, for her work as the youth and family development coordinator for the Iowa City Community School District. Vanden Berg deals with wide-ranging issues, including poverty, homelessness, truancy and juvenile crime. "If it affects one child in the Iowa City Community School District, http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20121031/NEWS01/310310027/ 10/31/2012 Awards recognize those who do not sit on sidelines I Iowa City Press Citizen I press-citize... Page 3 of 4 Joan is involved," Cowen said • Clifford Missen, recipient of the International Award for his work with the WiderNet project, a University of Iowa endeavor that aims to improve digital communications in developing countries and provide them with greater access to information. Missen is in Nigeria, but a letter he wrote was read for the audience. "Through thick and thin, we are inspired by the opportunity to serve underserved people," he wrote. • Robin E. Armstrong, recipient of the Kenneth Cmiel Award, for helping people from other countries who were new to the community tell their stories through art projects. Armstrong was an intern at the UI Center for Human Rights. "Storytelling is essential to understanding and understanding is essential to progress," she said. • Tom Widmer, recipient of the Isabel Turner Award, for his 30 years of work with the Iowa City Police Department and outreach work during his retirement. Widmer also is a volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County. Widmer explained his service to the community through the story of the Good Samaritan. "I am driven to love others, as that story portrays," he said. "I truly thank you all for this award, as it motivates me to love God more." • The UI Center for Human Rights, recipient of the Community/Business Award, for its educational efforts, scholarships and service to the community for 13 years. The center will close at the end of this fiscal year. "Its something thafs going to be truly missed," said professor Greg Hamot, who accepted the award of behalf of the center. Reach Lee Hermiston at 887-5413 or Ihermiston@press- citizen.com. View Comments I Share your thoughts a http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20121031/NEWSOl/310310027/ 10/31/2012 Awards recognize those who do not sit on sidelines I Iowa City Press Citizen I press-citize... 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Ptivacy Noficen(wr California Privacy Rights, and Ad Choices http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20121031/NEWSOl/310310027/ 10/31/2012 Stefanie Bowers From: City of Iowa City <web@iowa-city.org> Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2012 8:33 AM To: Stefanie Bowers Subject: Diversity Committee Public Information Gathering Session Title: Diversity Committee Public Information Gathering Session Release Date & Time: Wednesday, October 31, 2012 8:32:52 AM Issued By: City Clerk Mailing List(s) : General City News Contact Person : Marian Karr Contact Number: (319) 356-5041 Contact Email : marian-karr(&iowa-citv.org The City of Iowa City Ad Hoc Diversity Committee will be holding a Public Information Gathering Session on the: operation of the City's transit system, including but not limited to the downtown interchange; and operation of the City law enforcement, including but not limited to the Police Citizens Review Board (PCRB) as it relates to minority populations with a view toward promoting just and harmonious interaction between City government and minority segments of the community. WHEN: Thursday, November 15, 2012 TIME: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM WHERE: Iowa City Public Library, Room A, 123 S. Linn St. Persons are encouraged to attend the information gathering session and share comments and concerns. Individuals needing special accommodations or having translation questions should contact City Clerk Marian Karr at 356-5041 at least 48 hours prior to the date and time. If you are unable to attend comments may be sent to: Ad Hoc Diversity Committee % City Clerk City of Iowa City 410 E Washington St Iowa City, IA 52240 Or e-mail to staff: marian-karr(aJowa-citv.org Comments must include full name and address. (Anonymous correspondence will not be accepted.) All correspondence is public. View this article on the ICGov Web Site: http://www.icgov.org/apps/news/?newslD=8319 To unsubscribe or edit your subscription details use this link: hftp://www.iowa- city. org/icqov/apps/subscribe/ed it/?sub) D= 1 0728&confCode=C RZKVP KZAL9620129925 To learn about current employment opportunities with the City of Iowa City use this link: http://Www.icqov-org/defauIt/apps/GEN/iobs.asp To view more news from the City of Iowa City use this link: http://www.icqov.or,q/default/apps/GEN/news.asp Do not reply directly to this e-mail. It is produced from an automated system, and is not monitored for replies. If you have a question or comment about this information, please contact the originating department of this message, or by using the form at: hftp://www.icqov.orq/defauIt/apps/serviceCenter/f`eedback.asp. For technical questions regarding the website, please contact us by using the form at: http://www.icqov.org/defauIt/apps/serviceCenter/webmaster.asp. Stefanie Bowers From: Marian Karr Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2012 7:57 AM To: Bob Hardy; Bob Miklo; Janet Dvorsky; Karen Jennings; Kellie Tuttle; Linda Kopping; Marcia Bollinger; Marian Karr; Michael Tharp; Mike Moran; Sarah Walz; Stefanie Bowers; Susan Craig; Tim Hennes; Tracy Hightshoe Subject: Diversity Committee Information Gathering Session Attachments: Notice2 - 8x11.pdf The City Council Ad Hoc Diversity Committee is holding an information gathering session (see attached). Please pass this information along to those interested. I have hard copies of the flier if anyone would like to pick them in the Clerk's office, or I can put in internal mail. e4Ravu" X Xfaan, .M.N1M .e City Clerk City of Iowa City 319-356-5041(Phone) 319-356-5497(FAX) Population 67,862 TIME: The City of Iowa City AD HOC DIVERSITY COMMITTEE PUBLIC INFORMATION GATHERING SESSION V: Thursday, November 15, 2012 6:00-8:00 PM WHERE: Iowa City Public Library, Room A 123 South Linn Street, IC TOPICS: ➢ operation of the City's transit system, downtown interchange; and including but not limited to the operation of the City law enforcement, including but not limited to the Police Citizens Review Board (PCRB) as it relates to minority populations with a view toward promoting just and harmonious interaction between City government and minority segments of the community. Persons are encouraged to attend the information gathering session and share comments and concerns. Individuals needing special accommodations or having translation questions should contact City Clerk Marian Karr at 356-5041 at least 48 hours prior to the date and time. If you are unable to attend, comments may be sent to: Ad Hoc Diversity Committee % City Clerk City of Iowa City 410 E Washington St Iowa City, IA 52240 Or e-mail to staff: marian-karr@iowa-city.org Comments must include full name and address. All correspondence is public. (Anonymous correspondence will not be accepted.) The session will be broadcast live on the Library Channel 10 and rebroadcast on the City Channel 4 and interactive Channel 5. Submitted by Bill Reagan, Executive Director of The Arc of Southeast Iowa 11/1/12 4) OCT 2012 �2�5 I�✓�� o,J COPY i i - C� 'i h W wl 10 I 3 J It Cl) O LO N mm�o-> n V O N Our View: Continue legacy of WiderNet and UICHR I Iowa City Press Citizen I press-citi... Page 1 of 5 Submitted by Staff on 11/02/12 JOBS CARS HOMES APARTMENTS CIASSIFIEDSIPLACEANAD DEALS LOGIN SUBSCRIBE ACTIVATE &NEWSPAPER HELP News I Hawk Central I Prep Sports I Obftuaries I Opinion I Data I Life FEATURED: Local N Times Movie times Group photos Coupon Mania Find what you are looking for ... l wail. R<_.. ADVERTISEMENT Our View: Continue legacy of WiderNet and UICHR 4,44 PM. Nov 1, 2012 1 co,menls This portion of We requested page has beev blocked http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20121102/0PINIONO3/311020008/ 11/2/2012 Our View: Continue legacy of WiderNet and UICHR I Iowa City Press Citizen I press-citi... Page 2 of 5 AA wider SupDon the W raNat Poi adh Doodler Onlea wgeMet Bashi Twenh who We Are Mal We Do Get Moved Nowsmom p. comas us Welcome to the WiderNet Project nevee.wlwet.n The WiderNet Project is a University of Iowa service organization M' ue'`e v'" 1MI.a.,wrk,--lveIc'" dedicated to improving digital communications to all communities and sawS0,.e , individuals around the world in need of educational resources. knowledge. and training Ta We provide resources, coaching, training, computers and educatonal •ta)s)ms-zahoe materials to schools, clinics, hbranes and homes with poor digital communication resources We also develop and distribute the eGranary Digital Library, a plug -and -play server that provides instant access to millions of digital t g rQ n Q r y documents without the need of a connection to the Internet. This screenshot shows the website for The WiderNet Project, www.widernetorg. I Special to the Press -Citizen Written by Press -Citizen Too often we only hear about a human rights commission's work Y 9 Editorial Board Our View when a violation occurs. When accusations of discrimination are made. When community members feel forced to respond to FILED UNDER stereotypes and myths. Opinion But we're glad the Iowa City Human Rights Commission makes a Staff Editorials point each year of celebrating those individuals, agencies and businesses that have made outstanding contributions to human rights. During Tuesday's 29th annual Human Rights Award Breakfast, the commission honored: • David Leshtz (Linda Severson Service Award), for his advocacy work as a member of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. To contact us- The deadline for election letters to be considered for print has passed. -All letters (up to 250 words) should include the writer's name, address and daytime phone number. • The editor reserves the right to edit for length, content, style and clarity. • Send letters to opinion@presscitizen.com. • Joan VandenBerg (Rick Graf Award), for her work as the youth and family development coordinator for the Iowa City Community School District. • Robin E. Armstrong (Kenneth Cmiel Award), for helping people from other countries who are new to the community. ADVERTISEMENT Moet Popular Moet Commented More Harrahea Men jump out of moving van after driver refuses to stop 2 Police to check for more peepholes 3 Howard Weinberg, 64 4 Judge denies Plummer's request for felony charge to be deferred 5 Ed Shebek, 78 Most Viewed Kirk Ferentz video Oct. an. 2012 C5 PHOTO GALLERIES Editorial Cartoons- Iowa City Zombie Oct March http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20121102/OPINIONO3/311020008/ 11/2/2012 Our View: Continue legacy of WiderNet and UICHR I Iowa City Press Citizen I press-citi... Page 3 of 5 -Tom Widmer (Isabel Turner Award), for his 30 years of work with This porion of the requested page hasbeen blocked. the Iowa City Police Department. Click here for details • Clifford Missen (International Award), for his work with the WiderNet project — a University of Iowa project that aims to improve digital communications in developing nations, especially in noveaTisEMEST Africa. • And the UI Center for Human Rights (Community/Business Award), for its educational efforts, scholarships and service to the community for 13 years. Unfortunately, it must have been a bittersweet ceremony for those last two recipients as neither WiderNet nor the UI Center for Human Rights is going to be an active part of the university community for much longer. Over the past 12 years, WiderNet has been housed administratively in the UI Graduate College, UI International Programs and the UI Library Sciences Program. In that time, Missen and his staff/volunteers have trained thousands to set up and operate hundreds of eGmnary Digital Libraries ("The Internet in a Box') — an off-line information source that provides instant access to more than 30 million World Wide Web resources to institutions lacking adequate Internet access. Unfortunately for the Iowa City area, Missen said the WiderNet Project is heading to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. The Library Sciences program at that university is currently ranked No. 1 by U.S. News and World Reports. And the administration in North Carolina would view the project as more of a fundraising priority. The UI Center for Human Rights also will cease to exist as a separate UI entity at the end of the fiscal year. The 13-year-old center has been having funding issues for the past five years and is in the process if severing ties with its longstanding institutional home in UI International Programs. Some of the centers most popular and effective programs are being picked up by the College of Law and the College of Education. But everything else is in limbo as the center ceases to be an independent academic entity. A student group is circulating a petition and leading campus protests in an attempt to stop the center's closure. But success seems unlikely. http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20121102/OPINIONO3/311020008/ 11/2/2012 Our View: Continue legacy of WiderNet and UICHR I Iowa City Press Citizen I press-citi... Page 4 of 5 Instead we hope the legacy of WiderNet and the UICHR continues to inspire local residents to keep performing award -quality work (whether recognized or unsung) for advancing human/civil rights. You might think, because the Iowa City area has such a small population, that giving away so many awards each year would quickly exhaust the available pool of strong applicants. But as shown by this year's winners, the Iowa City area seems to have an endless supply of concerned citizens — and the businesses, agencies and institutions in which they work —who work hard and effectively to make the world a better place. View Comments I Share your thoughts » TOP VIDEO PICKS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN SPONSORED LINKS :r e�,ea e. Ta000ia More purchases by Auditor Detroit Issues a Challenge to Slockett questioned (Iowa city Press Save the City (The Atlantic) Citizen) Canadian-U.S. border has too State auditor reports $272k many holes in Quebec worth of fraud by former UIHC (Sympatico.ca) James Ferentz employee (Iowa City Press Citizen) oc, 20, 2012 The New Livestock: Rodents of Police make arrests in armed Unusual Size (Helfer.ory) robbery at South Dodge Street tg Ways Laziness is Costing (Iowa City Press Citizen) You Money (MoneyNing) Co-founder of Little Free Libraries coming to Iowa City Cyberwar or not, are we ready \ (Iowa City Press Citizen) for extreme scenarios? (content Vault) Kirk Ferentz video Events not to miss this week O tae. 2012 (Iowa City Press Cmom) Romney's Humiliation Grows As Facts Emerge In Libya Episode Jane O'Brien, 67 0owa city Press (National Memo) Citizen) ['1 This portion, of the requested page has base blocked. 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Privacy Notice your California Privacy Rights, and Ad Choices http://www.press-citizen-eom/article/20121102/OPINIONO3/311020008/ 11/2/2012 Status of Complaints Status of Complaints (As of November 14, 2012) EMPLOYMENT Complainant believes past employer treats him differently due to race, national origin, disability, creed, sex, color, religion and unlawful retaliation. No probable cause. Complainant alleges that he was fired due to race. No probable cause. Complainant believes he was discriminated against based on race and color. In mediation. Complainant believes he was fired because of disability and religious discrimination. Investigation ongoing. Complainant believes he was not hired due to race, sexual orientation and color. Investigation ongoing. PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION Complainant alleges he was discriminated against based on disability when he was issued a no trespass at a store. Complainant believes the ban was in retaliation for conduct he reported earlier. Complainant objected. Complainant alleges that because he is a person with a disability he was banned from entering an establishment. Investigation ongoing. Complainant alleges that he was discriminated due to disability. Investigation ongoing. HOUSING Complainant feels that property owner mislead her on availability of condominium unit based on race, age, color and marital status. Investigative summary completed.