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Home My WebLink About11-19-2013 Human Rights Commission�IOWA CITY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION 50 Years of Advancing Equality 7963-2013 AGENDA CITY OF IOWA CITY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION HELLING CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL November 19,2013 6:00 P.M. 1. Call Meeting to Order/ Roll Call 2. Approval of Minutes from the meeting of October 15, 2013 3. Public Comment of Items Not on the Agenda 4. New Business: a. Ecological Human Rights b. 2013 Citizens Survey c. Mirage (University of Iowa Student Health Services) d. Structure of Human Rights Commission: Increase Member Number 5. Old Business: a. Cultural Diversity Day 6. Updates/Reports: a. Proclamations b. Human Rights Breakfast c. Conference on Racial Justice & Disproportionate Minority Incarceration d. Education Subcommittee e. Immigrant Subcommittee f. Building Communities Subconunittee g. University of Iowa Center for Human Rights h. Building Blocks Resume Training i. Commission j, Staff 7. Set Next Regular Meeting for December 17, 2013 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. Minutes PRELINEINARY Human Rights Commission October 15,2013 — 6 P.M. Helling Conference Room Members Present: Harry Olmstead, Orville Townsend Sr., Paul Retish, Kim Hanraban, Jewell Amos, Joe Coulter, Shams Ghoneim, Andrea Cohen. Members Absent: Diane Finnerty. Staff Present: Stefanie Bowers. Recommendations to Council: No. Call to Order: Chair Townsend called the meeting to order at 18:02. Consideration of the Minutes of the September 17,2013: Coulter moved, seconded by Olmstead. 7-0. (Cohen not present) Public Comment of Items Not on the Agenda: No. Meetin2 Business One Community One Book The book selected this year is The Boy Who Harnesses the Wind by William Kamkwamba. Commissioners discussed contributing to the event. Motion by Olmstead to contribute $3 )50, seconded by Ghoneim. 8-0. Human Rights Breakfast Olmstead provided an update on the Breakfast plans to date and last minute items that need to be completed. 'Me library will be providing space to the Commission to display the flyers. The Commission has over 250 pictures of individuals participating in the I Have a Dream Campaign. A. Mori Costantino and Jean Lloyd -Jones will be recognized and given Lifetime Achievement Awards Motion Olmstead, seconded Amos. 8-0. Proclamations The Commission will submit proclamations to the Mayor for National Disability Employment Awareness Month and National Native American Heritage Month. Olmstead and Coulter will accept. Motion Cohen, seconded Coulter. 8-0. Updates & Reports: Cultural Diversity Day This event was located in a new location this year. Commissioners discussed assisting the University in making the event better known to all in the community. Conference on Racial Justice & Disproportionate Minority Incarceration Ghoneirn reported on the status of the Conference scheduled for the 17'�. Commissioners suggested asking Mike Quinlan to present at a future conference, It was also mentioned to have a discussion regarding the high rate of individuals with disabilities in the criminaijustice system. Education Subcommittee Retish discussed the recent role the Office of Civil Rights has in taken in terms of the Iowa City Community School District. Relish agreed to join this subcommittee. Townsend withdrew to avoid having a quorum serving, Motion Coulter, seconded Townsend. 8-0. Immigrant Subcommittee No report. Building Communities Townsend provided an update on a meeting held with Steve Rackis. Townsend also indicated the future direction of the committee will be to focus on housing. University of Iowa Center for Human Rights The Advisory Board meeting will be held at a future date. Building Blocks, Resume Training Retish provided a history of the Building Blocks Job Fair. This fall instead of holding ajob fair a resume writing and onlinejob application training will be held at the library with several local agencies assisting The library is a co-sponsor of the training along with several other area service providers. Commission Amos noted her participation in Cultural Diversity Day and the need to get the word out about the event to those not associated with the University. The steady decrease in attendance at the event was discussed earlier in the meeting and Coulter planned to get demographics ftom the University to help make a plan for increasing attendance. Ghoneim reported on several recent news articles about human rights and related events and programs. Olmstead reported on an upcoming event honoring Burns Weston on 11/07/13 that will be open to the public. Staff Bowers spoke on the status of recent amendments to the ordinance and also that Olmstead will be recognized at The ARC of Southeast Iowa Awards Ceremony. Adjournment: Motion Olmstead, seconded Townsend. 8-0. Adjournment: 19:50 Next Regular Meeting — November 19,2013 Human Rights Commission ATTENDANCE RECORD YEAR 2012/2013 (Meeting Date) NAME TERM EXP. 11/20/ 12 12/18/ 12 11151 13 1/28 113 2/19/ 13 31191 13 4116 113 5/21 /13 6118/ 13 7/16/ 13 8/20/ 13 9/17/ 13 IOY]5/ 13 Diane Fin 1/14/14 X X O/E X X X OIE X X X X X OIE Orville Townsend, Sr. 1/1114 X X X X X x X X X X X X X Paul Retish I/l/14 X Dan Tallon 111/14 OIE X X X X O/E X X X O/E R R R Kim Hanrahan 1/1/15 X X X X X X O/E X —X —X —X X X Shams Ghoneim I/l/15 X X O/E O/E X X X O/E X O/E X X X Jessie Harper I/l/15 O/E X X X X R R R R R R R Jewell Amos 1/1/15 - X X X X Katie Anthony l/l/16 - X X X X X R R R R R Joe D. Coulter —fta —rry 1/1/16 --1 —/I —6 - —X X X X X X X X O/E X X X i Olmstead / 1 X X X —X —X X X X X X X X Andrea Cohen I/l/16 —X X Connie Goeb l/l/13 X X Howard Cowen 1/l/13 O/E O/E I David B. Brown 1/1/14 R R R R R R R R- R R R R R Henri Harper 1/1/14 R R R R R R R R R R R R R KEY: X = Present 0 = Absent O/E= Absent/Excused NM = No meeting — = No longer a member R = Resignation Agenda Item 4a Stefanie Bowers From: Harry Olmstead <harryo3@aol.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 30. 2013 8:46 AM To: Stefanie Bowers Cc: burns-weston@uiowa edu Subject: Universal Covenant affirming a human right to commons- and rights -based governance of Earth's natural wealth and resources*: Journal of Human Rights and the Environment http://www. elga ron line. com/view/oou m als/6 h re/4-2/4 h re.201 3.02.05. xm I Stefanie: I went to the International Foreign Relations Council Luncheon yesterday and heard Burns Weston talk on Ecological Human Rights. He will be at our next meeting of the Iowa City Human Rights Commission to address us during public comments and ask us to consider introducing to the Iowa City Council a city ordinance supporting Ecological Human Rights. I have included a link to his paper on the subject and encourage Commissioners to read it prior to our next meeting, so that we become similar with what Professor Burns is talking to us about. Please forward to all Commissioners, Stefanie. Thanks, Harry Olmstead Journal of Human Rights and the Environment, Vol. 4 No. 2, September 2013, pp. 215-225 Universal Covenant affirming a human right to commons- and rights -based governance of Earth's natural wealth and resources* PREAM13LE The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights assertion that "Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized"' necessarily mandates a clean and healthy environ- ment, without which human beings cannot fully enjoy their rights. The principles set forth in the 1972 Stockholm Declaration of the United Nations Con- ference on the Human Environment' unequivocally stipulate that "Man has the funda- mental right to freedom, equality and adequate conditions of life, in an environment of a quality that permits a life of dignity and well-being:"' and that "[the environment] must be safeguarded for the benefit of present and future generations through careful plan- ning or management, as appropriate.` The scientific validity of global climate change and its underlying human causes is authoritatively substantiated by the United Nations Intergovernmental Partel on Climate Change (YPCC) with ominous environmental predictions for the near- and long-term future (the loss of land, forests, freshwater systems, and biodiversity and the increasing frequency of severe weather patterns, including intensified storms, prolonged draught hurricanes, monsoons, typhoons, and climate shifts) accompanied by hardships to humankind (farnine, displacement, disease, and violence) and to other living beings. prepared for the Commons Law Project by Bums H. Weston and David Bollierwith assistance from Samuel M. Degree, Matthew J. Hulstein, andDinah L. Shelton in the early stages andJonathan C. Carlson, Anne Mackinnon, and Anna Great in the final stage, Copyright 0 2013 by Bums H. Weston and DavidBolfler. However, this Covenant (or"Green Governance Covenant"), as mod- estly revised in this Version 1.1, may becopied and shared undera Creative Commons Attribution- NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 license (https://creativecommons.org/licensesfby-sal-3.0/us). Indeed, it is encouraged that it be so shared and acted upon widely —adjusted to situational circum- stance as needed, of course. To that end. the Covenant is available for downloading, printing, and dissemination on the Commons Law Project welysite (http://www,conimonslawproject.org). I . Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), art, 28, G.A. Res. 217A, at 71, U.N. GAOR, 3d Sess., Istplen. ring., U.N. Doe. A/810 (10 Dec 1948), reprintedin III INTERNArnONAL LAW AND WORLD ORDER: BASIC DocumENTs, at III.A.1 (Bums H. Weston & Jonathan C. Carlson eds., 1994-) (hereinafter "BASIC DocumFNTs" for all five titles), aiailabL-athttp://nijhoffonline.nl/ subject?id=ILW0 (accessed July 3, 2012). 2. Stockholm Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (16 June 1972), U.N. Doe A/CONF.48/14/Rev.1 at 3, available at htip://www.unep.org/ Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?documentid=97&articleid=1503; reprinted in V BASIC DocumENTs, supra note 1, at V_13.3. 3. Id., Principle 1. 4. Id., Principle 2. Journal compilation 0 2013 Fdwud Elgar Publishing Ltd The Lypiats, 15 Lansdown Road. Cheltenfoun, Glos GL50 21A. UK and -Me William Pratt House. 9 Dewey Court, Northampton MA 01060-3815, USA Downloaded from Elgar Online at 10130/2013 01:38:OOPM via free access 216 Journal of Human Rights and the Environment, Vol. 4 No. 2 Other worsening environmental crises with stressful and life -imperiling conse- quences for humans and other beings include the depletion of non-renewable resources, the improper disposal of hazardous wastes, the defilement of precious food and water supplies, and the overall contamination and degradation of delicate ecosystems, State and Market abuse and destruction of nature has accelerated since the advent of an essentially unregulated globalization of capital. Investor and corporate interests, often with the active partnership of governments, unrelentingly exploit and pollute energy resources and increasingly commercialize water and other natural wealth and resources once considered beyond the reach of technology and markets. The lack of international consensus for the principles embodied in the 1997 Kyoto Protocol' to the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change' and the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity,' as well as the failure of these and other environmental instruments to protect the natural environment sufficiently to safeguard life on Earth for present and future generations, is well known. The continuing failure of the world's leaders to acknowledge or address the most fundamental causes of the accelerating ecological and social devastation of our planet, as manifested at the COP 15/MOP 5 2009 United Nations Climate Change Confer- ence in Copenhagen and the 2012 Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, is unacceptable. State and Market leadership has either forgotten or neglects the fact that the author- ity of the State and the power of private business enterprise stem from the people as sovereign, and from the institutions of civil society that they have created to serve col- lective human interests, Also forgotten or neglected, often not even understood, is the reality that die inter- ests of humanity are interdependent with the interests of other creatures that cohabit our planet, and that therefore humanity cannot be adequately protected and sustained with- out recognizing and defending the rights of nature and of all beings within its surround. It thus appears that a new system of ecological governance capable of recognizing nature's worth and of embracing greater civil society participation must be developed if nature is to be adequately protected and nourished. The world community has recognized Antarctica, the deep seabed, and outer space as within "the interest of all mankind" or part of the "common heritage of mankind" in the 1959 Antarctic Treaty,8 the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,' and the 1967 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.'o However, the deep seabed�s "common heritage" status was subsequently denied by powerful State and Market forces whose self -interests were threatened by it; the Outer 5. FCCC/CP/1 99717/Add.1, reprinted in 37 I.L.M. 32 (1998) and BASIC DocumENTs. supra note 1, at V.H.8a. 6. 1771 U.N.T.S. 107, reprinted in 31 LL.M. 849 (1992) and BASIC DoCUMENTS, supra note 1, at V.11.8. 7. 1760 U.N.T.S. 79, reprinted in 31 I.L.M. 818 (1992) and BASIC DocuMENTs, sUpra note 1, at V.N. 14, 8. 402 U.N.T.S. 71, reprinted in 19 LL.M. 860 (1980) and BASIC DocumnrlTs, supra note 1, at V.D. 1. 9, 1833 U.N.T.S. 3, reprinted in 21 I.L.M. 1261 (1982) and BAsic DOCUMENTS, supra note 1, at V.1.22. 10. 610 U.N.T.S. 205, reprinted in 6 I.L.M. 386 (1967) and BASIC DocumENTS, supra note 1, at V.P.l. Journal compilation @ 2013 Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd Downloaded from Elgar Online at 10130/2013 01:38WPM via free access Universal Covenant affirming a human right to commons- and rights -based governance 217 Space Treaty has yet to be put to the real test of competing economic, political, and strategic priorities; and the Antarctic regime is increasingly threatened by the same kinds of forces and priorities. On the other hand, the global proliferation of the Internet and new digital technol- ogies is today enabling imaginative new forms of informal, self -organized, collabora- tive governance on open platforms that provide powerful means for aggregating and distributing ecological information, coordinating collective responses, enlisting the knowledge and innovation of commoners, and improving management systems, all of which are enabling important "eco-digital" commons that can help preserve our planet and other vital ecological interests. For millennia, human communities have successfully and sustainably managed the use of ecological resources through commons -based governance, and these practices have long been sanctioned by national and international law, as has also the right of individuals and groups to establish and maintain commons to protect their vital eco- systems (the right of communing). The historical record and social science research demonstrate the ability of commu- nities of varying sizes and kinds to manage natural wealth and resources equitably, allocate access and use -rights fairly, and preserve resources essentially unimpaired for present and future generations, thus serving as responsible long-term stewards of ecological resources. International law and policy increasingly validate these truths as, for example, in the 1992 People's Earth Declaration' '—adopted by the International NGO forum of 170,000 civil society participants at the Global Forum that met parallel to the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)—which proclaims that "[o]rganizing economic life around decentralized relatively self-reliant local economies that control and manage their own productive resources and have the right to safeguard their own environmental and social standards is essential to sustainability," Especially notable is the 1998 Convention on Access to Information, Public Parti- cipation in Decision -Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters," which codifies the central importance of public participation in setting environmental policy and calls on its State Parties to take every reasonable step to foster such participation. Also validating is the 2005 Paris Declaration on Biodiversity," in which scien- tists participating in the International Conference on Biodiversity Science and Governance —organized by the French Government, sponsored by UNESCO, and attended by over 1,000 participants representing governments, inter -governmental organizations and nori-governmental organizations, as well as academia and the pri- vate sector —urged governments, policy makers. and citizens to take the actions necessary to ensure that "biodiversity [be] integrated without delay. based on existing 11. Adopted June 12, 1992, reprinted in V BASIC DOCUMENTS, SUpra note 1, at V.K.2; also available at http://habitaLigc.org/iTeaties/at-Ol.htm (accessed July 3, 2012), 12. UNECE Convention on Access to ffiformation, Public Participation in Decision -Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters, 25 June 1998, 2161 U.N.T.S. 447, U.N.Doc. ECE/CEP/43, reprinted in 38 I.L.M. 517 (1999) and V BAsic DOCUMENTS, supra note 1, at V.B.20; also available at htip://Iive.uncee.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/pp/documents/cep43e.pdf (accessed July 3, 2012). 13. Adopted Jan. 28, 2005. reprinted in 8 J. INT'L W[L.DLIFE LAW ANu POLICY 263 (2005) and V BASic DOCUMENTS, supra note 1, at V.K.4; also available at hittp://www.unesco.org/new/ fileadmin/MULTlMEDLAJHQ/SC/pdf/Paris-declaration-biodiver.sity.pdf (accessed July 5, 2012). Journal compilation 0 2013 Edward Elgar Publishing Lid Downloaded from Elgar Online at 10/30/2013 01:38:OOPM via free access 218 Journal of Human Rights and the Environment, Vol. 4 No, 2 knowledge, into the criteria considered in all economic and policy decisions as well as environmental management," Noteworthy, too, is a growing recognition of the severity of humankind's abuse of its planetary environment, the unprecedented threat it poses to future generations, and the disastrous harm it has begun already to unleash upon nature and society worldwide. Hence the emergence of a proposed crime of "ecocide," first in a 1972 Proposed International Convention on the Crime of Ecocide bom of the use of Agent Orange during the Vietnam war;" more recently urged as a fifth international crime of peace under the 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court;" and today, in the context of the evolving disasters resulting from the excessive emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and the scant State or Market resolve to Stop it, seriously contemplated as a crime against humanity- 16 Hence also the 2000 Earth Charter P-created by a global consultation process and endorsed by organizations representing millions of people around the world —which calls for "a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace" and to these ends affirms it to be "imperative that we, the peoples of Earth, declare our responsibility to one another, to the greater community of life, and to future generations." And hence, too, the 1997 UNESCO Declaration on the Responsibilities of the Present Generation Towards Future Generations" and the 2010 Draft Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth," the purposes of which are self-evident from their titles. Energizing, then, is the World Social Forum's 2009 Reclaim the Commons Manifesto2o calling upon "all citizens and organizations to commit themselves to recovering the Earth and humanity's shared inheritance and future creations" and in so doing "demonstrate how commons -based management —participatory, collabora- tive and transparent —offers the best hope for building a world that is sustainable, fair and life-giving." 14. Adopted by the Emergency Conference against Environmental Warfare in Indochina, at Stockholm, June 1972. Available at 4 Bull. Peace Proposals 93 (1973). Reprinted in V BAsic DOCUMENTS. supra note 1. at V.V.1 (accessed July 5, 2012). 15. Adopted by the United Nations Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Estab- lishment of an International Criminal Court, July 17, 1998, UN Doc. A/CONF. 183/9 (July 17. 1998); reprinted in 37 I.L.M� 999 (1998) and I BAsic DOCUMENTS I.H. IS, supra note 1. 16. See, e.g., Polly Higgins, Closing the Door to Dangerous Industrial Activity: A Concept Paperfor Governments to Implement Emergency Measures http://www.eradicatingecocide, coin/wp-content/upload.s/2012/02/Ecocide-Concept-Paper.pdf (accessed July 11, 2012). 17. Adopted at The Hague by the Earth Charter Commission, June 29, 2000, availablefirom the Earth CharerCommission at http://www.earthcharLeT.org, reprintedin V BASIcDoCUMENTs, supra note 1, at V.K.3. 19. Adopted Nov. 12, 1997 on the report of UNESCO Commission V at the 27th plenary meeting of the UNESCO General Conference. Available at btT:Hunesdoc.unesco.org/images/ 0011/001 1021110220e. pdf#page=75 (accessed July 5, 2012). 19. Adopted Apr. 22, 2010 by the World People's Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth at Cochabamba, Bolivia. Available at http://celdf.org/downloads/ FINAL%20UNIVERSAL%20DECLARATION%200F%20TRE%20RIGHTS%200F% 20MOTRER%20EARTH%20APRIL%2022%202010.pdf (accessed July 5, 2012). 20. Opened for signature at the World Social Forum in Bel6ra do Pard (Brazil), January 2009. Available at bienscommuns.org. Reprinted in V BASic DOCUMENTS, supra note 1, at V.K.5 (accessed July 5, 2012). Journal compilation 0 2013 Edwan] Elgar Publishing Ltd Downloaded from Elgar Online at 10130/2013 01.38:00PM via free access Universal Covenant affirming a human right to commons- and rights -based governance 219 THEREFORE, keenly aware of the urgency of taking decisive, collective action to transform existing systems and structures of ecological governance so as to reduce climate change, loss of biodiversity, and other severe threats to Earth's life-giving and life-sustairting capacity, WE, CALL UPON all citizens, organizations, and governments of the world to commit themselves to recovering the Earth and humanity's shared inheritance and future crea- tioris, and in furtherance of this pledge AFFIRM a Universal Human Right to Commons- and Rights -based Ecological Governance as a common standard of achievement for all humankind, and to this end ADOPT, PROCLAIM, AND IMPLEMENT this Universal Covenant, mutatis mutandi, by all manner of constitutional, legislative, administrative, judicial, and pri- vate sector initiative to facilitate the prompt and sustained recognition and observance of its ascribed definitions, principles, rights, and duties at all levels of social organiza- tion at home and around the world. ARTICLE 1. COMMONS- AND RIGHTS-13ASED EcoLOGICAL GoVERNANCE AII natural persons have a human right to commons- and fights -based ecological gov- emance (green governance), 1. Commons- and rights -based ecological governance is a system for using and protecting all the creations of nature and related societal institutions that we inherit jointly and freely, hold in trust for future generations, and manage democratically in keeping with human rights principles grounded in respect for nature as well as human beings, including the right of all people to partici- pate in the governance of wealth and resources important to their basic needs and culture. 2. Typically, commons- and rights -based ecological governance consists of non - State management and control of natural wealth and resources by a defined community of natural persons (commoners), directly or by delegation, as a means of inclusively and equitably meeting basic human needs. It generally operates independently of State control and need not be State -sanctioned to be effective or functional. 3. Where appropriate or needed, the State may act as a guardian or trustee for commons- and rights -based ecological governance or formally facilitate its prin- ciples and practices by establishing commons -like State institutions to manage publicly owned natural wealth and resources, ARTICLE 11 PRINCIPLES OF INTERNAL GovFRNANCE I . The natural environment is the common heritage of all humankind, belonging to all natural persons present and future, and shall be respected as such by all commons- and rights -based governance systems, 2. Commons- and fights -based governance systems shall at all times responsibly account for the fragile and complex interdependence of living ecosystems, social and cultural norms, the aesthetic value of the environment. the interests Journal compilation C 2013 Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd Downloaded from Eigar Online at 10/3012013 01:38,OOPM via free access 220 Journal of Human Rights and the Environment. Vol. 4 No. 2 of future generations, and the ultimate dependence of humankind on our Earth for health and survival. 3. Social cooperution, trust, and reciprocity are essential to the success of commons- and rights -based ecological governance. a. To these ends the self -determined constitutive and operational rules of green governance systems must be conducive to ensuring that 1) reliable information is available about the immediate and long-term costs and benefits of actions as measured in both quantitative and qualitative terms; 2) individual commoners understand that their shared resources are irnpor- tant for their own interests and long-term security, and therefore are moti- vated to act as trustworthy, reciprocal, and openly communicative commoners in the shared management of ecological resources; 3) informal as well as formal monitoring of resource use and sanctioning of rules -violators are feasible and considered appropriate; and 4) the culture, leadership, and historical continuity of a commons enable it to adapt and learn in addressing ecological management challenges over time. b. To these ends also the self -determined constitutive and operational rules of green governance systems shall guarantee to all involved individuals and groups: 1) the right to be informed, which includes a) the right to prior notice of proposed decisions and policies that may significantly affect their common assets, govemance covenant, com- munity ethos, and cultural identity; b) the right to clear and complete information on the ecological impact of activities that may significantly affect their common assets, govem- ance covenant, community ethos, and cultural identity; c) the right to effective access to legislative, administrative, judicial, or other proceedings during which decisions that may have significant ecological impact upon the common assets are under discussion; and 2) the right to participation, which includes a) when practical, the right to participate directly in decisions affecting their common assets, governance covenant, community ethos, and cul- tural identity; b) in the absence of a practical opportunity for direct participation, the right to adequate representation of their interests in the stewardship of common assets; c) the right to consistent and meaningful access to any representative eco- logical decision -makers as well as effective mechanisms of communi- cation and accountability, d) the right to timely and accessible public hearings before decisions are made that may significantly affect their common assets, governance covenant, community ethos, and cultural identity; and 3) the right to recourse, for themselves or as surrogates for future genera- tions, from competent internal decision -making institutions or prZcesses for redress of violations of their rights to ecological information and participation. 4. Human rights (applicable to both present and future generations) and nature's rights (applicable to all species present and future) are likewise essential to Journal compilation 0 2013 Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd Downloaded from Elgar Online at 10130/2013 01 38:OOPM via free access Universal Covenant affirming a human right to commons- and rights -based governance 221 the success of commons- and rights -based ecological governance, including the human right to commons- and fights -based ecological governance recognized in this Universal Covenant. a. To this end, commons- and rights -based ecological governance shall embody the values of human dignity as expressed in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights 21 and such human rights treaties evolved from it that have been designated "core international human fights instruments" by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.21 b. To the same end, commons- and rights -based ecological governance shall embody the values expressed in the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth adopted by the World People's Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth in 2008 and submitted by the Plurinational State of Bolivia to the United Nations for consideration in 20 10.23 c. If and when the application of human rights and nature's lights differ or con- flict, such disagreement shall be resolved in a way that best promotes the integrity, balance, and health of Earth for the benefit of present and future generations and other beings. 5. Commons- and rights -based ecological governance shall be based on the prin- ciple of local control and subsidiarity to the maximum extent feasible. Green governance by default should aspire to the lowest level of policy- and decision - making possible, with conscientious and generous support from institutions of greater scale and authority. 6. To protect common assets, commons- and rights -based ecological governance systems shall conscientiously adhere to a precautionary approach when threats of damage to ecological resources are serious or potentially irreversible. Lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as justification for postponing cost- effective measures to prevent environmental degradation. 7. Commoners shall have collective control over the surplus value they create through the collective management of their shared wealth and resources. To this end, commons- and rights -based ecological governance shall not be cash -driven or market -mediated except with the explicit consent of commoners and clear rules for personal use and resource alienability. The freedom of com- moners to limit or ban the monetization of their shared assets shall not be compromised. 8. Property rights granted by commons- and fights -based governance systems for use of natural wealth and resources to individuals or groups (public, private, or commons -based) are not absolute; they must conform to the principles and prac- tices of commons- and tights -based ecological governance as recognized and reaffirmed in this Universal Covenant. 9. Conflicts and disputes within commons- and rights -based ecological govem- ance systems shall be settled through self -organized dispute resolution systems to the maximum extent feasible, using techniques and procedures that favor dialogue, mutual respect, and restorative outcomes among the disagreeing parties. 21. Supra note 1. 22. See Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) at http://www2.ohehr.org/engli8h/law/index.hLm#core (accessed July 5, 2012). 23. Supra note 17. Journal conapilation e 2013 FdWard Elgar Publishing Lid Downloaded from Elgar Online at 10t30/2013 01:38:OOPM via free access 222 Journal of Human Rights and the Environment, Vol. 4 No. 2 ARTICLE IlL PFUNCIPLES AND POLICIES TO GUIDE STATE SUPPORT OF COMMONS - AND RioHTS-BASED EcoLoGICAL GOVERNANCE I . Earth belongs to everyone, and its services and infrastructure are necessary for the well-being and survival of all humans and other species. The State shall therefore facilitate and safeguard commons- and rights -based governance of Earth's wealth and resources as part of its mission to protect, conserve, and restore (where necessary) the integrity, health, and sustainability of the vital ecological balances, cycles, and processes that nourish communities and enhance all life on Earth. In these critical respects, the State shall strive to work as a generous partner, not a selfish overlord, of green governance systems. 2. In furtherance of foregoing Article 111(l), the State and its agents at all levels shall: a, recognize and promote the full implementation and enforcement of the prin- ciples, rights, and obligations proclaimed or reaffirmed in this Universal Covenant, including the human right to commons- and right -based ecologi- cal governance recognized herein; b. without financial burden, assist commoners in fulfilling their rights to cur- rent, timely, and clear ecological information, including but not limited to: 1) the compilation, maintenance, and regular updating by all public authori- ties of environmental information relevant to their functions, 2) the assessment of the ecological impact of any activity that may signifi- cantly impact the environment, especially large-scale common -pool resources and prompt publication thereof on the Internet, with opportu- nities for public dialogue, and 3) the facilitation of crowdsourcing of knowledge, information, and new initia- lives to assist State activities designed to support the Commons Sector. c. further and similarly assist the public by guaranteeing its rights to participa- tion in ecological decision- and policy -making and to justice in environmen- tal matters, ensuring, inter alia, that individuals exercising their fights, including their rights to petition government, are not penalized, persecuted, or otherwise harassed or disadvantaged for raising and expressing their ecological concems; d. fully and actively support the right of all individuals and groups, sanctioned by national and international law and reaffirmed in this Universal Covenant, to protect, conserve, and restore (where necessary) their vital ecosystems via commons governance in national, subriational, and transnational settings; e. in exercise of its partnership with commons- and fights -based ecological gov- ennance, collaborate with established and new green governance systems in the invention, recommendation, and initiation of new policy structures (normative, institutional, and procedural) that could work effectively to manage large-scale national, transboundary and global common -pool resources; and f. cooperate fully with other States, appropriate intergovernmental organiza- tions (including the United Nations and its system of organizations), and civil society in respect of vital ecological matters largely beyond the Emits of the State's territorial jurisdiction, in particular in respect of large-scale tramsboundany and global common -pool resources, and the invention, recom- mendation, and initiation of effective new policy structures for the manage- ment of them. lournal cornpiladon @ 2013 Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd Downloaded from Eiger Online at 10/30/2013 01;38:OOPM via free access Universal Covenant affirming a human right to commons- and rights -based governance 223 3. In keeping with foregoing Articles 1(4) and III(l), when ecological or economic conditions require, the State may: a. serve as a trustee of common -pool resources belonging to commoners if the commoners so authorize or if protection of a given resource so requires it; and b. charter or otherwise authorize responsible parties to manage common -pool resources as ecological commons when such stewardship can be shown to serve the public interest; c. provided, however, that in each of the foregoing instances the State, its agents, and its surrogates shall create transparent and accountable ecological manage- ment systems under State law that are compatible with commons- and rights - based ecological governance principles, rights, and duties, and that beneficiary interests are well served with effective accountability systems. Commoners' rights shall not be alienated or diminished except for the purpose of protecting the commoners' shared resources for future generations. 4. The State has an affirmative duty to prevent enclosures of ecological commons and common -pool resources. To this end, it shall formally recognize such com- mons and resources by State law to the maximum possible. 5. The State has an affirmative duty also to ensure that private property owners — individuals and commercial interests alike —shall exercise maximum caution not to externalize environmental risks, damage, or costs onto the environment in general or ecological commons in particular, or otherwise act in ways that are incompatible with the principles, rights, and duties of commons- and rights -based ecological governance. To this end, the Sta'te shall, among other environmentally protective policies, conscientiously adhere to: a. a precautionary approach to prevent human activities from causing species extinction, the destruction of ecosystems, or the disruption of ecological cycles onto ecological commons in particular and the wider environment in general — the lack of full scientific certainty never to be used as justification for postpon- ing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation, especially when such degradation is serious or potentially irreversible; and b. the principle that the polluter, not the general public or the commoner, remedies any harm that may occur despite best efforts —the remedy, however, shall not be considered the equivalent of the ecological loss if itbein the form of financial compensation exclusively and therefore shall not be considered exhaustive of remedial responsibility, which shall include, but not be limited to, restoration of the integrity and health of the damaged resource to the max imum extent pos- sible; ecosystems and their elements are not fungible. 6. The State has an affinnative duty to eliminate nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, all of which are antithetical to a clean and healthy environment, including common -pool ecological resources (managed or unmanaged). ARTICLE IV. DUTIES OF MARKET ACTORS TOWARDS COMMONS- AND RIGHTS -BASED ECOLOGICAL GOVERNANCE 1. Market actors, comprised of both natural and juridical persons, shall honor and respect the existence and expansion of commons- and rights -based ecological gov- emance and, to the extent possible, support the human right to commons- and Journal compilation C) 2013 Edward Elgu Publishing Ltd Downloaded from Elgar Online at 10/30/2013 01:38:OOPM via free access 224 Journal of Human Rights and the Environment, Vol, 4 No, 2 rights -based ecological governance recognized in this Universal Covenant. To this end, they shall: a. act in accordance with the principles, rights, and duties recognized in this Universal Covenant, including the full realization of the human right to com- mons- and right -based ecological governance recognized in this Universal Covenant; b. recognize and promote the full implementation of the aforementioned pfin- ciples, rights, and duties to the maximum of their capabilities; c. cooperate fully with State officials in their efforts to facilitate commons- and fights -based ecological governance systems, in particular by providing, when requested, clear, current, transparent and timely environmental information to State and Commons officials alike; facilitating active commoner participation in ecological governance; and helping to ensure commoner access to justice in environmental matters, when needed. 2. Market actors shall conscientiously establish and apply effective norms to protect, conserve, and restore (where necessary) the natural resources with which they become involved, including the shared resources of ecological commons. In this regard, they shall assess fully and transparently any proposed activity of their own that might impact adversely the environment in general and common -pool ecological resources in particular. If ecological harmi results nonetheless, the mar- ket actor, not the general public or commoners, shall remedy the harm. The remedy, however, shall not be considered the equivalent of the ecological loss if it be in the form of financial compensation exclusively, and therefore shall not be considered exhaustive of the market actor's responsibility, which shall include, but not be limited to, restoration of the integrity and health of the damaged resource to the maximum extent possible; ecosystems and their elements are not fungible. 3. Market actors shall cooperate fully with ecological commons systems, State offi- cials, intergovernmental organizations, and civil society in the management of vital ecological resources, both within and beyond the limits of their domiciles (in the case of natural persons) or executive and operational headquarters (in the case of juridical persons), in particular in respect of large-scale transboundary and global common -pool resources. Market actors shall be invited to help invent, recommend, and initiate effective new policy structures for Market activity that are consistent with commons- and rights -based ecological management. 4. At no time shall private actors seek to undermine or otherwise compromise commons- and rights -based ecological governance systems. They shall undertake, instead, to partner with green governance systems, not to compete with or under- mine them, in the preservation, conservation, and, where necessary, restoration of vital ecological resources, including vital common -pool ecological resources. 5. Market actors shall at all times cooperate with the State in fulfillment of its affir- mative duty to eliminate nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, as well as other toxic substances antithetical to a clean and healthy environment, including common -pool resources whether managed or unmanaged. AR-ncLE V. (DuTiFs OF UNYrED NA-RONS AND OTHER INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS) 1. The United Nations and its system of organizations shall contribute to the extent of their capacities to the creation, support, and proliferation of commons- and loumal compilation 0 2013 Edward Elgar Publishing Lid Downloaded from Elgar Online at 10/30/2013 01:38:OOPM via free access Universal Covenant affirming a human right to commons- and rights -based governance 225 rights -based ecological governance through the mobilization of financial coop- eration, technical assistance, and other methods and means of promoting such governance. a. To this end, the Member States of the United Nations and the intergovernmen- tal organizations that have agreed to achieve eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)' by 2015, including "ensuring environmental sustainability," shall strive both before and, if possible, after 2015, to make the creation, support, and proliferation of commons- and rights -based ecological governance an integral part of the MDG policy frame. b. The United Nations and its system of organizations shall contribute also to the full realization of the human right to commons- and rights -based ecolo- gical governance recognized and defined in this Universal Covenant. In this regard, 1) the General Assembly shall formally recognize this right to green govem- ance, and, in accordance with Article 22 of the Charter of the United Nations, shall establish and actively support a subsidiary organ empow- ered to refer cases to the International Court of Justice for compulsory advisory opinions on all matters pertinent to said right; and 2) the United Nations shall use its good offices to establish a permanent Eco- logical Governance Oversight Panel (or equivalent) charged with respon- sibility to help safeguard the human right to commons- and fights -based ecological governance for present and future generations. The Panel shall have legal standing before the Human Rights Council and all other rele- vant United Nations bodies, both treaty and non -treaty, on all matters per- tinent to this right. 2. All other appropriate intergovernmental organizations —including but not lim- ited to such global institutions as the International Monetary Fund (IM17), the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization (WTO); and such regional sys- tems as the African Union (AU), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the European Union (EU), and the Organization of American States (OAS�—shall a. at all times cooperate with the United Nations and its system of organizations in their efforts to promote and protect both commons- and rights -based eco- logical governance and the full realization of the universal right of all natural persons to it as set forth in this Universal Covenant; and b. to the extent of their financial, technical, and other capacities take initiatives of their own to promote and protect both green governance and the full rea- lization of the universal right of all natural persons to it as set forth in this Universal Covenant. 24. Millennium Development Goals, http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals (accessed July 8, 2012). Journal compilation Q 2013 Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd Downloaded from Elgar Online at 10130/2013 01:38:OOPM via free access Agenda Item 4b Y CITY OF IOWA CIT I I IP6 ,!Aj -A MEMORANDUM Date: November 6, 2013 To: Tom Markus, City Manager From; Simon Andrew, Budget Management Analyst Re: 2013 Citizen Survey Introduction: As part of the strategic planning process, the City conducted a citizen survey in August 2013. The survey tool used was the National Citizen Survey (NCS). administered by the National Research Center, Inc. in partnership with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). This survey instrument is used in ICMA's performance measurement program and is used in strategic planning processes in communities nationwide. Included in this packet are the results sections from the final report. The full reports including appendices, benchmark comparisons, and demographic subgroup comparisons will be posted to the City's website. History/Background; This is the second citizen survey conducted in conjunction with the City's strategic planning process; the first occurred in 2011. The goal is to continue to include surveys in future years' strategic plan update processes. Survey results are particularly useful when trends are analyzed over time. City staff compared six potential vendors to conduct the survey. The criteria by which potential vendors were evaluated included: cost, a proven, statistically valid survey instrument subjected to the appropriate level of scientific rigor, the availability of Spanish language translation, a widely administered survey with comparison results from other jurisdictions; and the option of including custom questions. Survey Design: The survey instrument was largely 'turnkey', with the exception of the custom questions drafted by City staff. Using the survey questions designed by NCS ensured that comparison data with other jurisdictions were available. Survey questions related to both City services and community characteristics/quality of life concerns. The custom questions were reviewed by City staff from a number of departments, vefted by staff in the University of Iowa Social Science Research Center, and approved by NCS staff. Spanish language translation of the survey instrument was available to respondents on request. Survey Administration: Households randomly selected from utility accounts received three mailings, beginning in August 2013. Households first received a postcard describing the process, followed by two mailings that included the survey and postage -paid return envelopes. These mailings were sent at one week intervals. Data were compiled and analyzed by NCS staff. Margin of Error The response rate for the 2013 citizen survey was 43%: typically response rates for citizen surveys range between 25% and 40%. There were 504 completed surveys in total. This November 6, 2013 Page 2 resulted in a margin of error of +I- four percentage points. A 95% confidence interval was used. For example, if 75% of residents rate a service as "excellent" or "good" one would expect the "true" value (if every resident responded) to fall between 71% and 79% in 95 out of every 100 random samples of this many residents. Survey Results: Most services and community characteristics were rated on a scale of Excellent — Poor. Results were statistically weighted to reflect the demographic composition of the entire community. Data presented in the body of the report does not include "Don't Know" responses. In other words, the tables and graphs present responses from residents who had an opinion about a particular item. Residents generally gave favorable ratings to most government services. Of the thirty-five services for which comparisons were available, twenty-two were above the benchmark, nine were similar to the benchmark, and four were below. Financial Impact: The cost of all components of the survey, including use of the survey tool, Spanish translations, mailing, and the reporting/synthesizing of data is approximately $12,650. Recommendation: Survey results are intended to help inform the strategic planning process, as Council outlines the City's priorities for the next planning period. Further, City staff from various departments are reviewing survey data in an effort to improve service delivery based on resident responses. Survey results will be used in the City's ongoing efforts to improve organizational efficiency and customer service. 4=0 Citizen SurveyTM CITY OF IOWA CITY, IA 2013 LNATIONAL RESEARCH C c' h T E 2955 Valmont Road, Suite 300 Boulder, CO 80301 www.n-r-c.com D 303-444-7863 ICMA 777 North Capitol Street NE, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20002 www.icnia.org 9 202-289-ICMA City of Iowa City 1 2013 C E31SITENTS SurveyBackground ........................................................................................................... I About The National Citizen Survey� .......................................................................................... 1 Understandingthe Results .......................................................................................................... 3 ExecutiveSummary .......................................................................................................... 5 CommunityRatings .......................................................................................................... 7 OverallCommunity Quality ....................................................................................................... 7 CommunityDesign .................................................................................................................... 9 Transportation...................................................................................................................... Housing............................................................................................................................. 9 13 LandUse and Zoning ......................................................................................................... 15 EconomicSustainability ......................................... I .................................... ... .......................... 18 PublicSafety ............................................................................................................................ 21 EnvironmentalSustainability .................................................................................................... Recreation Wellness 25 and .......................................................................................................... 28 Parksand Recreation .......................................................................................................... 28 Culture, Arts and Education ................................................................................................ 30 Healthand Wellness .......................................................................................................... 32 CommunityInclusiveness ........................................................................................................ CivicEngagement 34 .................................................................................................................... 36 CivicActivity ...................................................................................................................... 36 Information and Awareness ................................................................................................ 39 SocialEngagement ............................................................................................................. 40 PublicTrust .............................................................................................................................. 41 Cityof Iowa City Employees .............................................................................................. 43 FromData to Action ....................................................................................................... 45 ResidentPriorities .................................................................................................................... Cityof Iowa City Action Chart" 45 ............................................................................................... 46 UsingYour Action Chart" .................................................................................................. 48 CustomQuestions .......................................................................................................... 50 AppendixA: Complete Survey Frequencies ..................................................................... 53 Frequencies Excluding 'Don't Know" Responses ..................................................................... 53 Frequencies Including "Don't Know" Responses ...................................................................... 66 Appendix B; Survey Methodology ................................................................................... 83 AppendixC: Survey Materials .......... ; .......... I ....... I ............................................... ......... - 90 The National Citizen SurveyTM City of Iowa City 12013 I SURVEY aAC KE3 Ro U N D I ABOUT THE NATIONAL CITIZEN SURVEY� The National Citizen Survey" (rhe NCS) is a collaborative effort between National Research Center, Inc. (NRC) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). The NCS was developed by NRC to provide a statistically valid survey of resident opinions about community and services provided by local government. The survey results may be used by staff, elected officials and other stakeholders for community planning and resource allocation, program improvement and policy making. FIGURE 1: THE NATIONAL CITIZEN SURVEY10 METHODS AND GOALS • Identify community strength5 and weaknesses • Identify service strengths and weaknesses Immediate Provide useful information for: • Planning • Resource allocation • Performance measurement • Program and policy evaluation • Multi -contact mailed survey • Representative sample of 1,200 households > 504 surveys returned; 43% response rate 0 4% margin of error 0 Data statistically weighted to reflect population Long-term a Improved services • More civic engagement • Better community quality of life • Stronger public trust The NCS focuses on a series of community characteristics and local government services, as well as issues of public trust. Resident behaviors related to civic engagement in the community also were measured in the survey. The National Citizen Survey� FIGURE 2: THE NATIONAL CITIZEN SURVFYm Focus AREAS COMMUNITY QUALITY Quality of life Quality of neighborhood Place to live COMMUNITY DESIGN Transportation Ease of travel, transit services, street maintenance Housing Housing options, cost, affordability Land Use and Zoning New development, growth, code enforcement Economic Sustainability Employment, shopping and retail, City as a place to work ............................ PUBLIC SAFETY Safety in neighborhood and downtown Crime victim intion Police, fire, EMS services ............. I ............................. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY Cleanliness Air quality Preservation of natural areas Garbage and recycling services ............................... e City of Iowa City 12013 COMMUNITY INCLUSIVENESS Sense of community Racial and cultural acceptance Senior, youth and low-income services Civic ENGAGEMENT Civic Activity Volunteerism Civic attentiveness Voting behavior Social Engagement Neighborliness, social and religious events Information and Awareness Public information, publications, Web site ...... 11 ..... I ............................ ......................................... PUBLic TRUST t Cooperation in community Value of services Direction of community Citizen involvement Emergency preparedness Employees ............................................... e . .............................. ....... The survey and its administration are standardized to assure high quality research methods and directly comparable results across The National Citizen Survey'm jurisdictions. Participating households are selected at random and the household member who responds is selected without bias. Multiple mailings give each household more than one chance to participate with self- addressed and postage -paid envelopes. Results are statistically weighted to reflect the proper demographic composition of the entire community. A total of 504 completed surveys were obtained, providing an overall response rate of 43%. Typically, response rates obtained on citizen surveys range from 25% to 40%. ........................................ RECREATION AND WELLNESS Parks and Recreation Recreation opportunities, use of parks and facilities, programs and classes Culture, Arts and Education Cultural and educational opportunities, libraries, schools Health and Welliwss Availability of food, health services, social services The National Citizen Survey" customized for the City of Iowa City was developed in close cooperation with local jurisdiction staff. Iowa City staff selected items from a menu of questions about services and community issues and provided the appropriate letterhead and signatures for mailings. City of Iowa City staff also augmented The National Citizen Survey' basic service through a variety of options including demographic crosstabulation of results, providing the questionnaire in Spanish and several custom questions. The National Citizen Survey� City of Iowa City 12013 UNDERSTANDING THE RESULTS As shown in Figure 2, this report is based around respondents' opinions about eight larger categories: community quality, community design, public safety, environmental sustainability, recreation and wellness, community inclusiveness, civic engagement and public trust. Each report section begins with residents' ratings of community characteristics and is followed by residents' ratings of service quality. For all evaluative questions, the percent of residents rating the service or community feature as Oexcellent' or 'good" is presented. To see the full set of responses for each question on the survey, please see Appendix A; Complete Survey Frequencies. Margin of Error The margin of error around results for the City of Iowa City Survey (504 completed surveys) is plus or minus four percentage points. This is a measure of the precision of your results; a larger number of completed surveys gives a smaller (more precise) margin of error, while a smaller number of surveys yields a larger margin of error. With your margin of error, you may conclude that when 6G% of survey respondents report that a particular service is "excellent" or 'good,' somewhere between 56-64% of all residents are likely to feel that way. Comparing Survey Results Certain kinds of services tend to be thought better of by residents in many communities across the country. For example, public safety services tend to be received better than transportation services by residents of most American communities. Where possible, the better comparison is not from one service to another in the City of Iowa City, but from City of Iowa City services to services like them provided by other jurisdictions. Benchmark Comparisons NRC's database of comparative resident opinion is comprised of resident perspectives gathered in citizen surveys from approximately 500 jurisdictions whose residents evaluated local government services and gave their opinion about the quality of community life. The comparison evaluations are from the most recent survey completed in each jurisdiction; most communities conduct surveys every year or in alternating years. NRC adds the latest results quickly upon survey completion, keeping the benchmark data fresh and relevant. The City of Iowa City chose to have comparisons made to the entire database. A benchmark comparison (the average rating from all the comparison jurisdictions where a similar question was asked) has been provided when a similar question on the City of Iowa City survey was included in NRC's database and there were at least five jurisdictions in which the question was asked. For most questions compared to the entire clataset, there were more than 100 jurisdictions included in the benchmark comparison. Where comparisons for quality ratings were available, the City of Iowa City results were generally noted as being 0above" the benchmark, Obelow" the benchmark or 'similar' to the benchmark. For some questions — those related to resident behavior, circumstance or to a local problem — the comparison to the benchmark is designated as 'more,' "similarw or 'less' (for example, the percent of crime victims, residents visiting a park or residents identifying code enforcement as a problem.) In instances where ratings are considerably higher or lower than the benchmark, these ratings have been further demarcated by the attribute of Omuch," (for example, "much less" or Omuch above1. These labels come from a statistical comparison of the City of Iowa City's rating to the benchmark. The National Citizen Survey� City of Iowa City 12013 'Don't Know" Responses and Rounding On many of the questions in the survey respondents may answer 0don't know.' The proportion of respondents giving this reply is shown in the full set of responses included in Appendix A. However, these responses have been removed from the analyses presented in the body of the report. In other words, the tables and graphs display the responses from respondents who had an opinion about a specific item. For some questions, respondents were permitted to select more than one answer. When the total exceeds 100% in a table for a multiple response question, it is because some respondents did select more than one response. When a table for a question that only permitted a single response does not total to exactly 100%, it is due to the customary practice of percentages being rounded to the nearest whole number. For more information on understanding The NCS report, please see Appendix B: Survey Methodology. The National Citizen Survey� 4 City of Iowa City 12013 F- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report of the City of Iowa City survey provides the opinions of utility customers about community quality of life, service delivery, civic participation and unique issues of local interest. A periodic sounding of resident opinion offers staff, elected officials and other stakeholders an opportunity to identify challenges and to plan for and evaluate improvements and to sustain services and amenities for long-term success. Most utility customers experienced a good quality of life in the City of Iowa City and believed the City was a good place to live. The overall quality of life in the City of Iowa City was rated as "excellent' or "goodw by 90% of respondents. Almost all reported they plan on staying in the City of Iowa City for the next five years. A variety of characteristics of the community were evaluated by those participating in the study. The three characteristics receiving the most favorable ratings were educational opportunities, opportunities to volunteer and opportunities to participate in religious or spiritual events and activities. The three characteristics receiving the least positive ratings were traffic flow on major streets, the amount of public parking and availability of affordable qual ity housing. Ratings of community characteristics were compared to the benchmark database. of the 27 characteristics for which comparisons were available, 18 were above the national benchmark comparison, seven were similar to the national benchmark comparison and two were below. Utility customers in the City of Iowa City were very civically engaged. While only 36% had attended a meeting of local elected public officials or other local public meeting in the previous 12 months, 69% had volunteered their time to some group or activity in the City of Iowa City. In general, survey respondents demonstrated trust in local government. A majority rated the overall image or reputation of Iowa City as �good" or "excellent.0 This was higher than the benchmark. Those residents who had interacted with an employee of the City of Iowa City in the previous 12 months gave high marks to those employees. Most rated their overall impression of employees as .excellenr or mgood.0 On average, residents gave favorable ratings to most local government services. City services rated were able to be compared to the benchmark database. Of the 35 services for which comparisons were available, 22 were above the benchmark comparison, nine were similar to the benchmark comparison and four were below. Respondents were asked to rate how frequently they participated in various activities in Iowa City. The most popular activities included recycling used paper, cans or bottles and visiting a neighborhood or City park; while the least popular activities were attending a local public meeting and riding a local bus within Iowa City. Generally, participation rates in the various activities in the community were higher than other communities. The National Citizen Survey� City of Iowa City 12013 A Key Driver Analysis was conducted for the City of Iowa City which examined the relationships between ratings of each service and ratings of the City of Iowa City's services overall. Those key driver services that correlated most strongly with residents' perceptions about overall City service quality have been identified. By targeting improvements in key services, the City of Iowa City can focus on the services that have the greatest likelihood of influencing residents' opinions about overall service quality. Services found to be influential in ratings of overall service quality from the Key Driver Analysis were: Garbage collection Land use, planning and zoning Police services Public schools Of these services, those deserving the most attention may be that which was below the benchmark comparisons: land use, planning and zoning. The National Citizen Survey� City of Iowa City 12013 CE3MMUNITY RATINGS OVERALL COMMUNITY QUALITY Overall quality of community life may be the single best indicator of success in providing the natural ambience, services and amenities that make for an attractive community. The National Citizen SurveyT" contained many questions related to quality of community life in the City of Iowa City — not only direct questions about quality of life overall and in neighborhoods, but questions to measure residents' commitment to the City of Iowa City. Residents were asked whether they planned to move soon or if they would recommend the City of Iowa City to others. Intentions to stay and willingness to make recommendations provide evidence that the City of Iowa City offers services and amenities that work. Most respondents gave high ratings to their neighborhoods and the community as a place to live. Further, most reported they would recommend the community to others and plan to stay for the next five years. FIGURE 3: RATINGS OF CIVEPALLCOMMUNITY QUALITY The overall quality of life in Iowa City Your neighborhood as a place to I ive Iowa City as a place to live E Excellent Good 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Percent of respondents FIGURE 4� LIKELIHOOD OF REMAINING IN COMMUNITY ANn RFromMENDINGCOMMUNITY Recommend living in Iowa City to someone who asks Remain in Iowa City for the next five years Voy likely Somewhat likely 57% 33% Somewhat likely 22% G% 25% 50% 75% 1 00% Percent "likely" The National Citizen Survey� City of Iowa City 12013 F�CLJRF 5! OVER ALI. COMMUNI I � QUALITY13LNO-WARKS I National benchmark comparison Overal I quality of I ife in Iowa City Much above Your neighborhood as place to live Above Iowa City as a Recommend I Remain in Iowa to I ive in Iowa City to someone who asks i for the next five years The National Citizen Survey' 8 Much above Above City of Iowa City 12013 COMMUNITY DESIGN Transportation The ability to move easily throughout a community can greatly affect the quality of life of residents by diminishing time wasted in traffic congestion and by providing opportunities to travel quickly and safely by modes other than the automobile. High quality options for resident mobility not only require local government to remove barriers to flow but they require government programs and policies that create quality opportunities for all modes of travel. Residents responding to the survey were given a list of six aspects of mobility to rate on a scale of .excellent,0 "good,' "fair' and 'poor." Ease of walking in Iowa City was given the most positive rating, followed by availability of paths and walking trails. Ease of car travel in Iowa city Ease of bus travel in Iowa City Ease of bicycle travel in Iowa City Ease of walking in Iowa city Availability of paths and walking trails Traffic flow on major streets FICUREb: RATINGS OF TRANSPORTATION IN COMMUNITY a Excellent Good 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Percent of respondents [I GIL RE7, COMML IN IT) N,�NSPORL�i I (jN 131 IL I Io National benchmark Ease of car travel in Iowa City Above Ease of bus travel in Iowa City Ease of bicycle travel in Iowa City Much above Much above Ease of walking in Iowa City Much above Availability of paths and walking trails Traffic flow on major streets Much above Similar The National Citizen Survey� City of Iowa City 12013 Eight transportation services were rated in Iowa City. As compared to most communities across America, ratings tended to be a MiX Of Positive and negative. One was above the benchmark, two below the benchmark and five were similar to the benchmark. F I( r-� 1"[ 8: RATINUSOF TRANSPORTATION AND PARKINC SERVICES 0 Excellent Good Street repair Street cleaning Street lighting Snow removal Sidewalk maintenance Traffic signal timing Bus or transit services Amount of public parking 0% Street repair Street cleaning Street lighting Snow removal S-idewalk maintenance Traffic signal timing Bus or transit services Aniount of 48% 53% 50% 45% 53% 39% 25% 50% 75% Percent of respondents National benchmark coniip� Much below Similar Similar Below Similar Similar Much above The National Citizen Survey� 10 Similar Sol] 100 141 City of Iowa City 12013 By measuring choice of travel mode overtime, communities can monitor their success in providing attractive alternatives to the traditional mode of travel, the single -occupied automobile. When asked how they typically traveled to work, single -occupancy (SO\� travel was the overwhelming mode of use. However, 8% of work commute trips were made by transit, 7% by bicycle and 5% by foot. FIGURE 10: FREQUENCY OF BUS USE IN LAST 12 MONTHS Once or twice 3 to 12 fimes 13% Never 54% 13 to 26 times 6% —4W4 1Z �W \—More than 26 times 12% FIGURE 11: FREQUENCY OF Bus USE BENCHMARKS National benchmark com Ridden a local bus within Iowa City I I Much more The National Citizen Survey� 11 FICURE 12: MODE OF TRAVEL U5ED FOR WORK COMMUTF Motorized vehicle (e.g., car, truck, van, motorcycle, etc-) by myself Motorized vehicle (e.g., car, truck, van, motorcycle, etc.) with other children or adults Bus, rail, subway or other public transportation Walk Bicycle Work at home Other City of Iowa City 12013 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Percent of days per week mode used FiCuRL 13 L)Rwi ALUNIL [31�1_ � I , �� - I National benchmark comparison Average percent of work commute trips made by driving alone Much less The National Citizen Survey� 12 City of Iowa City 12013 Housing Housing variety and affordability are not luxuries for any community. When there are too few options for housing style and affordability, the characteristics of a community tilt toward a single group, often of well-off residents. While this may seem attractive to a community, the absence of affordable townhomes, condominiums, mobile homes, single family detached homes and apartments means that in addition to losing the vibrancy of diverse thoughts and lifestyles, the community loses the service workers that sustain all communities — police officers, school teachers, house painters and electricians. These workers must live elsewhere and commute in at great personal cost and to the detriment of traffic flow and air quality. Furthermore lower income residents pay so much of their income to rent or mortgage that little remains to bolster their own quality of life or local business. The survey of the City of Iowa City residents asked respondents to reflect on the availability of affordable housing as well as the variety of housing options. The availability of affordable housing was rated as "excellent" or 'good" by 36% of respondents, while the variety of housing options was rated as "excellent" or "good" by 53% of respondents. The rating of perceived affordable housing availability was worse in the City of Iowa City than the ratings, on average, in comparison jurisdictions. FIGURE 14. RATINGS or HousING IN COMMUNI" III Excellent Good 410010" Availability of affordable 25% quality housing Variety of housing options 40% 0% 25% 50% 7;% 1 00% Percent of respondents Of Variety or I (JJ'R�, I Ll� IT I I I�� :�' I National benchmark comDarison housing The National Citizen Survey"' 13 Similar City of Iowa City 12013 To augment the perceptions of affordable housing in Iowa City, the cost of housing as reported in the survey was compared to residents' reported monthly income to create a rough estimate of the proportion of utility customers of the City of Iowa City experiencing housing cost stress. About 19% of survey participants were found to pay housing costs of more than 30% of their monthly household income. FIGURE 16: PROPORTION OF RF5PoNDENTS WHOSE HOUSING COSTS ARE "AFFORDABLE" Housing costs LESS than 30% of income 81% Housing costs 30% or MORE of income 19% National benchmark Experiencing housing costs stress (housing costs 30% or MORE of income) Much less The National Citizen Survey' 14 City of Iowa City 12013 Land Use and Zoning Community development contributes to a feeling among residents and even visitors of the attention given to the speed of growth, the location of residences and businesses, the kind of housing that is appropriate for the community and the ease of access to commerce, green space and residences. Even the community's overall appearance often is attributed to the planning and enforcement functions of the local jurisdiction. Residents will appreciate an attractive, well -planned community. The NCS questionnaire asked residents to evaluate the quality of new development, the appearance of the City of Iowa City and the speed of population growth. Problems with the appearance of property were rated, and the quality of land use planning, zoning and code enforcement services were evaluated. The overall quality of new development in the City of Iowa City was rated as "excellent- by 14% of respondents and as "good' by an additional 41 %. The overall appearance of Iowa City was rated as .excellent' or 0good" by 74% of respondents and was similar to the benchmark. When rating to what extent run down buildings, weed lots or junk vehicles were a problem in the City of Iowa City, 3% thought they were a "major" problem. The service of animal control was rated above the benchmark, the service of land use, planning and zoning was rated below the benchmark and the service of code enforcement was similar to the benchmark. FIGURE l a: RATiNGs OF THE COMMUNITY'S "BUILT ENVIRONMENT" Overall quality of new development in Iowa City Overall appearance of Iowa City 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Percent of respondents I National benchmark comparison I Quality of new development in Iowa City Below Overall appearance of Iowa City Similar The National Citizen Survey' 15 Right amount 63% City of Iowa City � 2013 FIGURF 20: RAT[NGSOF POPULATION GROWTH Somewhat too fast 'qw- Much too fast 6% Much too slow 0% ,what too slow 5% I (!� ri � I. lltw'q \I lo\ GRU\' I � I B1 m [I %I National benchmark comDarison Population growth seen as too fast I Less Minor problem 56% FIGuRE 22: RAiiNcs OF NuISANCE PROBLEMS loderate problem 25% Major problem 3% problem 16% 1 1-( KL ' i N� 1', A� � I � " 01 -A 11%, .�K', National benchmark Run down buildings, weed lots and junk vehicles seen as a "major" problem I Much less The National Citizen Survey7" 16 City of Iowa City 12013 r1GURF 24: RATINGS OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY CODE ENFORCEMENT SERVICES Land use, planning and zoning Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) Animal control 42% 57% 9 Excellent Good 0% 25% 50% 75% Percent of respondents National Land use, planning and zoning Below Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) Similar Animal control much above The National Citizen Survey' 17 100% City of Iowa City 12013 ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY The United States has been in recession since late 2007 with an accelerated downturn occurring in the fourth quarter of 2008. Officially we emerged from recession in the third quarter of 2oog, but high unemployment lingers, keeping a lid on a strong recovery. Many readers worry that the ill health of the economy will color how residents perceive their environment and the services that local government delivers. NRC researchers have found that the economic downturn has chastened Americans'view of their own economic futures but has not colored their perspectives about community services or quality of life. Survey respondents were asked to rate a number of community features related to economic opportunity and growth. The most positively rated features were Iowa City as a place to work and the overall quality of business and service establishments in Iowa City. Receiving the lowest rating was shopping opportunities. FIGURE 26: RATINGS OF ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY AND CIPPORTUN1111f, Employment opportunities Shopping opportunities Iowa City as a place to work Overall quality of business and service establishments in Iowa City a Excellent Good 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Percent of respondents FiGURL 27: EcoNoml( St KTAINABILIT� %No Shopping opportunities Iowa City as a place to work overall quality of business and service establishments in Iowa Cit The National Citizen Survey� 18 National benchmark c( Much above Similar Much above Above City of Iowa City 12013 Respondents were asked to evaluate the speed of jobs growth and retail growth on a scale from .much too slow" to "much too fast." When asked about the rate of jobs growth in Iowa City, 61 % responded that it was "too slow," while 48% reported retail growth as Otoo, slow.� More respondents in Iowa City compared to other jurisdictions believed that retail growth was too slow and fewer believed that jobs growth was too slow. Right Somewhat too SIM 36% FIGURE 28: RATINGS OF RETAIL AND JOBS GROWTH Retail Growth jobs Growth Right Somewhat too fffit 6% Much too fwt 1% Much too SIM 12% som. too'Ita\\\\\: 51% F IG LIRE 29: RETAIL AND JOBS GROVVTH BENCHMARKS 38% Somewhat too fffit 1 % Much too fast MEN 0% low 1111111I Much too stow 10% 1 National benchmark comparison Retail growth seen as too slow Much more jobs growth seen as too slow Much less FIGURE 30: RATINGS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Fair Good 46% Poor 16% cellent 8% I GURL 31. LcoNomic L)E\,LLOP',;[ INationai benchmark compa Economic development Similar The National Citizen Survey� 19 City of Iowa City 12013 Residents were asked to reflect on their economic prospects in the near term. Twenty-five percent of the respondents expected that the coming six months would have a 0somewhar or overy" positive impact on their family, while 18% felt that the economic future would be "somewhat- or "very" negative. The percent of residents with an optimistic outlook on their household income was much more than comparison jurisdictions. FIGURE 32� RATINGS OF PERSONAL ECONOMIC FUTURE Neutral 56% What im pact, if any, do you think the economy will have on your family income in the next 6 months? Somewhat negative 16% Very negative 2% Very positive 3% Somewhat positive 22% National Positive impact of economy on household income I Much above The National Citizen Survey� 20 City of Iowa City 12013 PUBLIC SAFETY Safety from violent or property crimes creates the cornerstone of an attractive community. No one wants to live in fear of crime, fire or natural hazards, and communities in which residents feel protected or unthreatened are communities that are more likely to show growth in population, commerce and property value. Respondents were asked to rate their feelings of safety from violent crimes, property crimes, fire and environmental dangers and to evaluate the local agencies whose main charge is to provide protection from these dangers. Many gave positive ratings of safety in the City of Iowa City. About 76% of those completingthe questionnaire said they felt "very" or "somewhat" safe from violent crimes and 80% felt overy" or osomewhat" safe from environmental hazards. Daytime sense of safety was better than nighttime safety and neighborhoods felt safer than downtown. I GuRE 34: RATINGS OF COMMUNITY AND PERSONAL PU13UC S U IF) In your neighborhood during the day In your neighborhood after dark In Iowa City's downtown area during the day In Iowa City's downtown area after dark Violent crime (e.g., rape, assault, robbery) Property crimes (e.g., burglary, theft) Environmental hazards, including toxic waste 0 Very safe Somewhat safe 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Percent of respondents The National Citizen Survey� 21 City of Iowa City 12013 [ IGURF 35 COMMUNITY AND PERSONA� PUBLIC SAFETY BENCHMARKS FNational benchmark In your neighborhood during the day Above In your neighborhood after dark Above In Iowa City's downtown area during the day Below In Iowa City's downtown area after dark much below Violent crime (e.&, rape, assault, robbery) Similar Property crimes (e.g., burglary, theft) Similar Environmental hazards, including toxic waste Above The National Citizen Survey� 22 City of Iowa City 12013 As assessed by the survey, 10% of respondents reported that someone in the household had been the victim of one or more crimes in the past year. Of those who had been the victim of a crime, 77% had reported it to police. Compared to other jurisdictions about the same percent of had been victims of crime in the 12 months preceding the survey and fewer had reported their most recent crime victimization to the police. Fic,uRF 36: CRIME VIC]IMIZATION AND REPORIIN� During the past 12 months, were YOU or anyone in your household the victim of any crime? No 90% No 23% Yes 10% 7; If yes, was [his ct inie (these crimes) reported to the police? 11GURF317 CRI ME VICTIMIZA] ION' AND REPORTiNcBEN01MARKS I National benchmark comparison Victim of crime Similar Reported crimes Less The National Citizen SurveyT" 23 City of Iowa City 12013 Respondents rated six City public safety services; of these, four were rated above the benchmark comparison and two were rated similar to the benchmark comparison. Fire Services and fire prevention and education received the highest ratings, while traffic enforcement and crime prevention received the lowest ratings. Police services Fire services Crime prevention Fire prevention and education Traffic enforcement Emergency preparedness FIGURE 38: RATINGS OF PUBLIC SAFM SERVICES M Excellent Cond 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Percent of respondents I IGURL 39 PURLIC SAI FF� SERVICLS Police services Fire services Crime prevention Fire prevention and education Traffic enforcement Emergency preparedness (services that prepare the community for natura�� disasters or other emergency situations) I The National Citizen Survey� 24 National benchmark comparison Above Much above Similar Much above Similar &A-L -L-- City of Iowa City 12013 ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY Residents value the aesthetic qualities of their hometowns and appreciate features such as overall cleanliness and landscaping. In addition, the appearance and smell or taste of the air and water do not go unnoticed. These days, increasing attention is paid to proper treatment of the environment. At the same time that they are attending to community appearance and cleanliness, cities, counties, states and the nation are going "Green". These strengthening environmental concerns extend to trash haul, recycling, sewer services, the delivery of power and water and preservation of open spaces. Treatment of the environment affects air and water quality and, generally, how habitable and inviting a place appears. Survey respondents were asked to evaluate their local environment and the services provided to ensure its quality. The overall quality of the natural environment was rated as 0excellent' or "good" by 76% of survey respondents and received the highest rating. FiGuRE40: RATINGS OF THE Comm uNiTY's NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 0 Excellent Good Cleanliness of Iowa City N Gm=__q_ Quality of overall natural 59% environment in iowa City = Preservation of natural areas such as open space, 48% famlands and greenbelts 0 0% 25% 50% 75% 00% Percent of respondents I RON MEN i Bim j I �1, [�K, National benchmark Cleanliness of Iowa City —Similar Quality of overall natural environment in Iowa City Similar Preservation of natural areas such as open space, farmlands and greenbelts Similar The National Citizen Survey� 25 City of Iowa City 12013 Respondents' recycling was much greater than recycling reported in comparison communities. FICI IRE 42. FREQUENCY or RECYCLING IN I - i 12 MONTHS More than 26 times 74% Never nce or twice 3% 3 to 12 times 8% i times National benchmark Recycled used paper, cans or bottles from your home I Much more The National Citizen Survey� 26 City of Iowa City 12013 Of the six utility services rated by those completing the questionnaire, all were much highei than the benchmark comparison. FIGuRF 44: RATINGS OF UTILITY SERVICES Sewer services Drinking water Storm drainage Yard waste pick-up Recycling Garbage collection a Excellent Good 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Percent of respondents 11GURE 45 UDLIIY SERVICES 1317NCHMARK, National benchniark compariso Sewer Servi . ce5 Much above Drinking water much above Storm drainage Much above Yard waste pick-up Much above Recyding Much above Garbage collection Much above The National Citizen Survey� 27 City of Iowa City 12013 RECREATION AND WELLNESS Parks and Recreation Quality parks and recreation opportunities help to define a community as more than the grind of its business, traffic and hard work. Leisure activities vastly can improve the quality of life of residents, serving both to entertain and mobilize good health. The survey contained questions seeking residents' perspectives about opportunities and services related to the community's parks and recreation services. Recreation opportunities in the City of Iowa City were rated positively as were services related to parks and recreation. Recreation centers or facilities received the lowest rating but were higher than the national benchmark. Resident use of Iowa City parks and recreation facilities tells its own story about the attractiveness and accessibility of those services. The percent of respondents that used Iowa City recreation centers was greater than the percent of users in comparison jurisdictions. Similarly, recreation program use in Iowa City was higher than use in comparison jurisdictions. FIGURE 46! RATINGS OF COMMUNITY RECREA11ONAL OPPORTUNITIES Good 53% Fair 16% 29% I - - I National benchmark comparison Recreation opportunities I Much above The National Citizen Survey� 28 City of Iowa City 12013 FIGURE 48' PARTICIPATION IN PARKS AND RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES Used Iowa City recreation centers Participated in a recreation program or activity Visited a neighborhood park or City park 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Percent of respondents who did each at least once in last 12 months FIGURE 49: PARTICIPANON IN PARKS AND RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES BENCHMARKS FNational benchmark comparison Used Iowa City recreation centers Much more Participated in a recreation program or activity More visited a neighborhood park or City Park Much more FIGURE SO: RATINGS or PARKSAND RECREATION SERVICES 0 Excellent Good City parks 49% Recreation programs or 54% classes Recreation centers or 50016 facilities 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Percent of respondents I GORE 51 PAW, �,,L) RFc R[ I ON �LR\ (Al BLN" I im National benchmark cornpar�15011� City parks Much above Recreation programs or classes Much above Recreation centers or facilities Above The National Citizen Survey� 29 City of Iowa City 12013 Culture, Arts and Education A full service community does not address only the life and safety of its residents. Like individuals who simply go to the office and return home, a community that pays attention only to the life sustaining basics becomes insular, dreary and uninspiring. In the case of communities without thriving culture, arts and education opportunities, the magnet that attracts those who might consider relocating there is vastly weakened. Cultural, artistic, social and educational services elevate the opportunities for personal growth among residents. in the survey, residents were asked about the quality of opportunities to participate in cultural and educational activities. Opportunities to attend cultural activities were rated as 0excellent" or "good" by 88% of respondents, Educational opportunities were rated as -excellent" or -good- by 96% of respondents. Compared to the benchmark data, educational opportunities were much above the average of comparison jurisdictions, as were cultural activity opportunities. About 81 % of respondents used a City library at least once in the 12 months preceding the Survey. This participation rate for library use was much above comparison jurisdictions. FIGURE 52� RATINGS OF CULTURAL AND (OUCATIONALOPPORT1 IN I I I[ S Opportunities to attend cultural activities Educational opportunities 0 Excellent Good 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Percent of respondents National benchmark Opportunities to attend cultural activities Much above Educational opportunities Much above The National Citizen Survey� 30 City of Iowa City 12013 FIGURE 54: PARTICIPATION IN CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAI OPPORTUNITIES Used Iowa City public libraries or their services Participated in religious or spiritual activities in Iowa City 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Percent of respondentswho did each at least once in last 12 months 11GURE 55. PARTICIPATION IN CLILI LIRAL 1,NL) LDLICA] IONAL (-)P-'(,Kl [- NJ i 11 � 11',.NC: FI National bench�� Used Iowa City public libraries or their services Much more ParticiDated in relieious or sDiritual activities in Iowa Citv Much more Public schools Public library services I-IGURE 56: PERCEPTION OF CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES 0 Excellent Good 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Percent of respondents FicuRL 57: CULTURAL AND FIDUCA1 ION �L �IRVICL5 BENCHM-%RK� FNational benchmark comparison Public schools Much above Public library services Much above The National Citizen Survey' 31 City of Iowa City 12013 Health and Wellness Healthy residents have the wherewithal to contribute to the economy as volunteers or employees and they do not present a burden in cost and time to others. Although residents bear the primary responsibility for their good health, local government provides services that can foster that well being and that provide care when residents are ill. Respondents were asked to rate the community's health services as well as the availability of health care. The availability of affordable quality health care was rated 0excellent" or �goodff by 74% of respondents and was much above the benchmark comparison. Ftc;uRE 58: RAT(NGS OF Comm uNiTy HEALTH AND WELINEssAcCFSS AND OPPORFUNMES Availability of affordable qualfty health care 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Percent of respondents r� HEAL I H \NU WELLNL�� AcLL�� Id\L)OPHORIUNIf I ES BENCH MARKS National Availability of affordable quality health care I Much above The National Citizen Survey� 32 City of Iowa City 1 2013 Health services in Iowa City were rated 'excellent" or "good by 90% of respondents and were much above the benchmark. FIGURE 60: RATINGS oF HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERVICES Good 2% Excellent Fair 9% L 1, 48% —1W) ",,_Poor 1 % FIGLIRE 61- HL�LIH AND WLI-I-NESSSERVIcEs BENCHMARK-� National benchmark comparison Health services Much above The National Citizen SurveyT� 33 City of Iowa City 12013 COMMUNITY INCLUSIVENESS Diverse communities that include among their residents a mix of races, ages, wealth, ideas and beliefs have the raw material for the most vibrant and creative society. However, the presence of these features alone does not ensure a high quality or desirable space. Surveyed residents were asked about the success of the mix: the sense of community, the openness of residents to people of diverse backgrounds and the attractiveness of the City of Iowa City as a place to raise children or to retire. They were also questioned about the quality of services delivered to various population subgroups, including older adults, youth and residents with few resources. A community that succeeds in creating an inclusive environment for a variety of residents is a community that offers more to many. A high percentage of respondents rated the City of Iowa City as an 'excellent" or 'good' place to raise kids and a high percentage rated it as an excellent or good place to retire. Many respondents felt that the local sense of community was 0excellent" or "good' and a similar percentage of respondents felt the City of Iowa City was open and accepting towards people of diverse backgrounds. Sense of community was rated the lowest by residents but was higher than the benchmark. I IGURE 62: RATINGS OF COMMUNITY QUALITY AND INCLUSIVENESS Sense of community openness and acceptance of the community toward people of diverse backgrounds Iowa City as a place to raise children Iowa City as a place to retire 0% f-R.AIR163 CQk1%WN-Ih �ND 0 Excellent Good 5010 39% 41% 25% 50% 75% 100% Percent of respondents National benchmark Sense of community Above Openness and acceptance of the community toward people of diverse backgrounds Much above Iowa City as a place to raise kids Much above Iowa City as a place to retire Much above The National Citizen Survey� 14 City of Iowa City 12013 Services to more vulnerable populations (e.g., seniors, youth or low-income residents) ranged from 65% to 90% with ratings of 0excellent- or -goodo and each received a rating that was much above the benchmark comparison. FIGURE 64- RATINGS OF QUALITY OF SERVICE5 PROVIDED FOR POPULATION SUBGROUPS a Excellent Good Services to seniors Services to youth Services to low-incorne people 57% 48% 0% 25% 50% 75% Percent of respondents FIGI R1 65 ',IrR�tcr� PROVIDID COR POPULMION SUBGROUPS BENCFIMARt,� I I National benchmark comparison Services to seniors Much above Services to youth Much above Services to low income Deoole Much above The National Citizen Survey� 35 100% City of Iowa City 12013 Civic ENGAGEMENT Community leaders cannot run a jurisdiction alone and a jurisdiction cannot run effectively if residents remain strangers with little to connect them. Elected officials and staff require the assistance of local residents whether that assistance comes in tacit approval or eager help; and commonality of purpose among the electorate facilitates policies and programs that appeal to most and causes discord among few. Furthermore, when neighbors help neighbors, the cost to the community to provide services to residents in need declines. When residents are civically engaged, they have taken the opportunity to participate in making the community more livable for all. The extent to which local government provides opportunities to become informed and engaged and the extent to which residents take those opportunities is an indicator of the connection between government and populace. By understanding your residents' level of connection to, knowledge of and participation in local government, the City can find better opportunities to communicate and educate citizens about its mission, services, accomplishments and plans. Communities with strong civic engagement may be more likely to see the benefits of programs intended to improve the quality of life of all residents and therefore would be more likely to support those new policies or programs. Civic Activity Respondents were asked about the perceived community volunteering opportunities and their participation as citizens of the City of Iowa City. Survey participants rated the volunteer opportunities in the City of Iowa City favorably. Opportunities to attend or participate in community matters were rated less favorably. Ratings of civic engagement opportunities were much above ratings from comparison jurisdictions where these questions were asked. FIGURE 66: RATINGS of CIVIC ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES Opportunities to participate in community matters Opportunities to volunteer N Excellent Good 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Percent of respondents National benchmark Opportunities to participate in community matters Much above Opportunities to volunteer Much above The National Citizen Survey� 36 City of Iowa City 12013 Most of the participants in this survey had not attended a public meeting, but a majority had volunteered time to a group and participated in a club in the 12 months prior to the survey. The participation rates of these civic behaviors were compared to the rates in other jurisdictions and all showed higher rates of participation. FIGURE 6& PARTICIPATION IN Civic ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES Attended a meeting of local elected officials or other local public meeting Watched a meeting of local elected officials or other City -sponsored public meeting on cable television, the Internet or other media Volunteered your time to some group or activity in Iowa City Participated in a club or civic group in Iowa City 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Percent of respondents who did each at least once in last 12 months I I GURE 69 PARTICIPA I ]ON IN CIVIC LNG AGEMIN I OPPOR I LIN I -I IF - BI NCHMARkN National benchmark I comparison Attended a meeting of local elected officials or other local public meeting Much more Watched a meeting of local elected officials or other public meeting on cable televisi on, the Internet or other media --�olunteered your time to some group or activity in Iowa City Much more Much more Participated in a club or civic group in Iowa City Much more The National Citizen Survey� 37 City of Iowa City 12013 Survey participants showed the largest amount of civic engagement in the area of electoral participation. Ninety-four percent reported they were registered to vote and 90% indicated they had voted in the last general election, This rate Of 5elf-reported voting was much higher than comparison communities. FIGURE 70: REPORTED VOTING BEHAVIOR Are you registered to vote in your jurisdiction? Yes 94% igibfe vote No 4% Yes 90% Do you remeniber voting in the last general election? F I ULIRE 71 V01ING BE ii�� ioR Bf N( I i %I �RK� National benchmark cot Registered to vote Much more Voted in last general election Much more The National Citizen Survey� 38 ligible vote 2% 1) No 9% City of Iowa City 12013 Information and Awareness Those completing the survey were asked about their use and perceptions of various information sources and local government media services. When asked whether they had visited the City of Iowa City Web site in the previous 12 months, 75% reported they had done so at least once. Public information services were rated favorably compared to benchmark data. FIGURE 72: USE OF INFORMATION SOURCES Visited die City of Iowa City Web site (at icgov.org) 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Percent of respondents who did each at least once in last 12 months I National benchmark comparison Visited the City of Iowa City Web site Much more FiGt IRE 74. RATINGS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT MEDIA SERVICES AND I NFORMAYION DISSEMINATION 0 Excellent - Good Cable television 31% -40MENENEBF- Public information services = 54% 0% 25% 50% 75% Percent of respondents 11GURE 75. Lj, %L GOVERNMENT MEDIA SERVICES AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION BENCH m4NRK� FNational benchmark comparison Cable televisi on Much below Public information services Much above The National Citizen Survey' 39 100% City of Iowa City 12013 Social Engagement Opportunities to participate in social events and activities were rated as 'excellenr or "good" by 86% of respondents, while even more rated opportunities to participate in religious or spiritual events and activities as �excellenr or "good." FIGURE 76: RATINGS OF SOCIAL FNGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES Opportunities to participate in social events and activities Opportunities to participate in religious or spiritual events and activities 0 Excellent Good 49% W; 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Percent of respondents National benchmark Opportunities to participate in social events and activities I Much above Opportunities to participate in religious or spiritual events and activities I Much above Residents in Iowa City reported a strong amount of neighborliness. About 53% indicated talking or visiting with their neighbors at least several times a week. This amount of contact with neighbors was more than the amount of contact reported in other communities. FIGURE 78: CONTACT WITH IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORS Less than several times a month In.1 About how often, if at al I. c you talk to or visit wth ?ot immediate neighbors? Several times a In onth 26% just about everyday 20% a] times a Neek 33% I G-L RE 1-9 (,-L).N I V. i �, 1111 WMEDIA11 NEIGI IBORS 13ENCI ',1-Rk,, National benchm Has contact with neighbors at least several times per week More The National Citizen Survey� 40 City of Iowa City 12013 PUBLic TRUST When local government leaders are trusted, an environment of cooperation is more likely to surround all decisions they make. Cooperation leads to easier communication between leaders and residents and increases the likelihood that high value policies and programs will be implemented to improve the quality of life of the entire community. Trust can be measured in residents' opinions about the overall direction the City of Iowa City is taking, their perspectives about the service value their taxes purchase and the openness of government to citizen participation. In addition, resident opinion about services provided by the City of Iowa City could be compared to their opinion about services provided by the state and federal governments. If residents find nothing to admire in the services delivered by any level of government, their opinions about the City of Iowa City may be colored by their dislike of what all levels of government provide. A majority of respondents felt that the value of services for taxes paid was �excellent" or "good." When asked to rate the job the City of Iowa City does at welcoming citizen involvement, 55% rated it as -excellent" or "good." Of these four ratings, one was above the benchmark, two were similar to the benchmark and one was below the benchmark. FIGURE 80: PuBuc TRusT R,%TINGS The value of services for the taxes paid to Iowa City The overall direction that Iowa City is taking 39% The job Iowa City government does at welcoming citizen involvement Overall image or reputation of lowa City 0% 25% FK,URE 8 1. 45% 58% 50% Percent of respondents E Excellent 75% Good 700% I � National benchmark comparison Value of services for the taxes paid to Iowa City Similar The overall direction -that Iowa City is taking much below Job Iowa City government does at welcoming citizen involvement Similar Overal I image or reputation of Iowa City Above The National Citizen Survey� 41 City of Iowa City 12013 On average, survey participants gave the highest evaluations to their own local government and the lowest average rating to the State Government. The overall quality of services delivered by the City of Iowa City was rated as "excellent' or "good" by 85% of survey participants. The City of Iowa City's rating was above the benchmark when compared to other communities. f IGURE82, RALLNcs OF SERVICES PROVIDED By LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERN MEN iS 0 Excellent Good Services provided by City of Iowa City Services provided by the Federal Government Services provided by the 44%. State Government Services provid by Johnson C=n� Government 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Percent of respondents FICLIRf 83. SMICP� PRO', DFD BV 10CA1, STATE ANO FEDER 14 GOWRNNI I NTI BfN( HIM ARW, FT-�' National benchmark comparison Services provided by the City of Iowa City Above Services provided by the Federal Government Much above Services provided by the State Government Above Services Drovided bv lohnson Countv Government Much above The National Citizen Survey"' 42 City of Iowa City 12013 City of Iowa City Employees The employees of the City of Iowa City who interact with the public create the first impression that most residents have of the City of Iowa City. Front line staff who provide information, assist with bill paying, collect trash, create service schedules, fight fires and crime and even give traffic tickets are the collecfive face of the City of Iowa City. As such, it is important to know about residents' experience talking with that Oface." When employees appear to be knowledgeable, responsive and courteous, residents are more likely to feel that any needs or problems may be solved through positive and productive interactions with the City of Iowa City staff. Those completing the survey were asked if they had been in contact with a City employee either in - person, over the phone or via email in the last 12 months; the 64% who reported that they had been in contact (a percent that is much above the benchmark comparison) were then asked to indicate overall how satisfied they were with the employee in their most recent contact. City employees were rated highly; 87% of respondents rated their overall impression as �excellent" or good.- rlGukFB4: PROPORTION OF RESPONDENTSWI-Io HAD CONTACT WITH CJT-Y EMPLONKS IN PREVIOUS 12 MONRIS Have you had any in -person, phone or email contact with an employee of Iowa City within the la5112 monthsl Yes 64% No 36% National benchmark Had contact with Citv employee(s) in last 12 months I Much more The National Citizen Survey� 43 City of Iowa City 12013 FIGLJRE86: RATINGS OF QTY Empwyus (AMONG THOSEWHo HAD CONTACT' Knowledge Responsiveness Courtesy Overall impression Responsiveness Courteousness Overal I I mpression V Excellent Good 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Percent of respondents who had contact with an employee in previous 12 months National Much above Much above Much above Much above The National Citizen Survey� 44 BENCHMARKS City of Iowa City 12013 FR0m DATA To ACT10N RESIDENT PRIORITIES Knowing where to focus limited resources to improve residents' opinions of local government requires information that targets the services that are most important to residents. However, when residents are asked what services are most important, they rarely stray beyond core services — those directed to save lives and improve safety. In market research, identifying the most important characteristics of a transaction or product is called Key Driver Analysis (KDA). The key drivers that are identified from that analysis do not come from asking customers to self -report which service or product characteristic most influenced their decision to buy or return, but rather from statistical analyses of the predictors of their behavior. When customers are asked to name the most important characteristics of a good or service, responses often are expected or misleading — just as they can be in the context of a citizen survey. For example, air travelers often claim that safety is the primary consideration in their choice of an airline, yet key driver analysis reveals that frequent flier perks or in-flight entertainment predicts their buying decisions. In local government core services — like fire protection — invariably land at the top of the list created when residents are asked about the most important local government services, And core services are important. But by using KDA, our approach digs deeper to identify the less obvious, but more influential services that are most related to residents' ratings of overall quality of local government services. Because services focused directly on life and safety remain essential to quality government, it is suggested that core services should remain the focus of continuous monitoring and improvement where necessary — but monitoring core services or asking residents to identify important services is not enough. A KDA was conducted for the City of Iowa City by examining the relationships between ratings of each service and ratings of the City of Iowa City's overall services. Those Key Driver services that correlated most highly with residents' perceptions about overall City service quality have been identified. By targeting improvements in key services, the City of Iowa City can focus on the services that have the greatest likelihood of influencing residents' opinions about overall service quality. Because a strong correlation is not the same as a cause, there is no guarantee that improving ratings on key drivers necessarily wil I improve ratings. What is certain from these analyses is that key drivers are good predictors of overal I resident opinion and that the key drivers presented may be useful focus areas to consider for enhancement of overal I service ratings. Services found to be most strongly correlated with ratings of overall service quality from the Iowa City Key Driver Analysis were: Garbage collection Land use, planning and zoning Police services Public schools The National Citizen Survey' 45 City of Iowa City 12013 CITY OF IOWA CITY ACTION CHARTTm The 2013 City of Iowa City Action Chart'm on the following page combines two dimensions of performance: Comparison to resident evaluations from other communities. When a comparison is available, the background color of each service box indicates whether the service is above the national benchmark (green), similar to the benchmark (yellow) or below the benchmark (red). Identification of key services, A black key icon (0�) next to a service box indicates it as a key driver for the City. Twenty-six services were included in the KDA for the City of Iowa City. Of these, 15 were above the benchmark, 4 were below the benchmark and 7 were similar to the benchmark. Considering all performance data included in the Action Chart, a jurisdiction typically will want to consider improvements to any key driver services that are not at least similar to the benchmark. in Iowa City, land use, planning and zoning was below the benchmark. More detail about interpreting results can be found in the next section. Services with a high percent of respondents answering 4don't know" were excluded from the analysis and were considered services that would be less influential. See Appendix A: Complete Survey Frequencies, Frequencies Excluding "Don't Know" Responses for the percent ffdon't know" for each service. The National Citizen Survey' 46 City of Iowa City 1 2013 I C(lRt 88- CITY OF IOWA CiTyAcTiON CHART Overall Quality of City of Iowa City Services Community Design Street cleaning TSidewalk Maintenance Animal control Trafficil"99nal t,m n Snow removal Economic development Planning and zoning Street repair Street lighting Environmental Sustainability Drinking water Garbage collection Prese�ation of natural areas Recreation and Wellness Public schools Library Health services Civic Engagement televi able sion Public mformatio�n ----------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Public Safety Recycling Sewer Traffic services enforcement Police Storm drainage IrmMirvices &,iices ----- - ---------------- --------------- --- ----------------------- Legend Atum, I. M'�r: Re�Cj,,dlk I : 41--" Key D,,w., I -------------- The National Citizen Survey� 47 City of Iowa City 12013 Using Your Action Chart" The key drivers derived for the City of Iowa City provide a list of those services that are uniquely related to overall service quality. Those key drivers are marked with the symbol of a key in the action chart. Because key driver results are based on a relatively small number of responses, the relationships or correlations that define the key drivers are subject to more variability than is seen when key drivers are derived from a large national dataset of resident responses. To benefit the City of Iowa City, NRC lists the key drivers derived from tens of thousands of resident responses from across the country. This national list is updated periodically so that you can compare your key drivers to the key drivers from the entire NRC dataset. Where your locally derived key drivers overlap national key drivers, it makes sense to focus even more strongly on your keys. Similarly, when your local key drivers overlap your core services, there is stronger argument to make for attending to your key drivers that overlap with core services. As staff review key drivers, not all drivers may resonate as likely links to residents' perspectives about overall service quality. For example, in Iowa City, planning and zoning and police services may be obvious links to overall service delivery (and each is a key driver from our national database), since it could be easy for staff to see how residents' view of overall service delivery could be colored by how well they perceive police and land use planning to be delivered. But animal control could be a surprise. Before rejecting a key driver that does not pass the first test of conventional wisdom, consider whether residents' opinions about overall service quality could reasonably be influenced by this unexpected driver. For example, in the case of animal control, was there a visible case of violation prior to the survey data collection? Do Iowa City residents have different expectations for animal control than what current policy provides? Are the rare instances of violation serious enough to cause a word of mouth campaign about service delivery? if, after deeper review, the 'suspect' driver still does not square with your understanding of the services that could influence residents' perspectives about overall service quality (and if that driver is not a core service or a key driver from NRC's national research), put action in that area on hold and wait to see if it appears as a key driver the next time the survey is conducted. In the following table, we have listed your key drivers, core services and the national key drivers and we have indicated (in bold typeface and with the symbol "-"), the City of Iowa City key drivers that overlap core services or the nationally derived keys. In general, key drivers below the benchmark may be targeted for improvement. Additionally, we have indicated (with the symbol "I") those services that neither are local nor national key drivers nor are they core services. it is these services that could be considered first for resource reductions. The National Citizen Survey� 48 City of Iowa City 12013 FIGURE 89 KEY DRIVERS COMPARED Service City of Iowa City Key National Key Driver Driver Core Service Police services Fire services Traffic enforcement Street repair 0 Street cleaning Street lighting Snow removal • Sidewalk maintenance • Traffic signal timing • Garbage collection I/ • Recycling Storm drainage Drinking water V� Sewer servi - ces • City parks • Recreation centers or facilities • Land use planning and zoning • Animal control Economic development Health services 0 Public library Public information services * Public schools * Cable television V I/ * Emergency preparedness * Preservation of natural areas * Key driver overlaps with national and or core services * Service may be targeted for reductions it is not a key driver or core service The National Citizen Survey"' 49 City of Iowa City 12013 I CUSTC3M OUESTIE]INS I "Don't know' responses have been removed from the following questions, when applicable. Custorn Question I In light of recent property tax reform at the State level, Iowa City expects a significant reduction in city revenues over the next decade. To what extent do you support the following additional budget- Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Sirongly balancing efforts for the City? agree agree Neutral disagree disagree Total Find ways to become more efficient at service/program delivery 49% 32% 17% 1 % 0% 100% Consolidate municipal facilities and or operations 27% 38% 29% 5% 1 % 100% Expand use of economic development incentives to broaden 23% 36% 28% 7% 5% 100% the tax base Reinstate the 1 % Local Option Sales Tax to support city operations 25% 29% 18% 11% 17% 100% Increase citation fees for infractions or violations 18% 34% 24% 15% 10% 100% Increase user fees for current user fee based services or programs 10% 31% 28% 19% 12% 100% Implement new fees to cover user based services or programs 8% 27% 32% 19% 1 14% 100% Reduce City services and program offerings 6% 12% 25% 31% 27% 100% Increase property taxes 4% 1 11% 1 18% 28% 39% 100% Reduce investments in public assets like roads, parks, and tra 2% I 8% 17% 33% 40% 100% The National Citizen Survey� 50 City of Iowa City 12013 Custom Question 2 With regard to diversity and equity in Iowa City, please rate your agreement with each of the following statements: For purposes of this survey, diversity shall mean the inclusion of all types of people without regard to their age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation (see Title 2, 'Human Rights', City Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly Code) agree agree Neutral disagree disagree Total When needed, I would not hesitate to contact the Police Department 74% 19% 4% 3% 1 % 100% I feel that Iowa City is a diverse and inclusive community 40% 44% 8% 6% 2% 100% I feel that the City is sensitive to issues related to diversity 40% 42% 10% 6% 2% 100% When needed, I would not hesitate to contact Iowa City Transit 59% 20% 17% 1 % 2% 100% The Police Department will treat me with respect and fairness 45% 32% 14% 6% 3% 100% Iowa City Transit will treat me with respect and fairness 44% 31% 20% 2% 3% 100% My opinions can be expressed without fear of reprisal from the City 38% 36% 18% 6% 3% 100% I seek out information about diversity related issues with the City 8% 19% 40% 19% 15% 100% I am well informed about the Police Citizens Review Board 10% 16% 34% 19% 21% 100% The National Citizen Survey� 51 City of Iowa City 1 2013 Custom Question 3 The City of Iowa City is interested in knowing what priorities you think are important for your municipal government. Please rate how important you think each of the following priorities should be to the Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly City over the next 3 years: agree agree Neutral disagree disagree Total Make annual investments in facilities, infrastructure, and 39% 44% 14% 2% 1 % 100% equipment Focus on stabilizing, protecting, and enhancing neighborhoods 41% 42% 15% 2% 0% 100% Preserve natural areas (including open spaces, wetlands & woodlands) 47% 34% 15% 3% 1 % 100% Maintain the City's strong financial position (AAA Bond Rating/reserves) 46% 35% 18% 1% 0% 100% Make annual investments in parks and recreatiort/cultural facilities 37% 41% 17% 4% 1% 100% Work cooperatively with neighboring communities/other 36% 42% 19% 2% 1 % 100% public entities Focus on enhancing communication between the City and its ci . tizens 31% 40% 26% 2% 0% 100% Expand economic development investments to broaden the tax base 32% 38% 21% 6% 4% 100% Adjust new and existing services to address the changing demographics 27% 43% 22% 5% 2% 100% Promote services and programs for seniors 24% 41% 30% 4% 1 % 100% Expand investments in economi . c development areas (Downtown, etc.) 24% 37% 27% 9% 3% 100% Expand and enhance recreational and cultural programs 19% 38% 33% 8% 2% 100% Improve customer service emphasis for City employees 1 16% 1 36% 1 42% 4% 1 2% 1 100% Custom Question 4 Are you a student at The University of Iowa? Percent of respondents No 95% Yes 5% Total 100% The National Citizen Survey� 52 Agenda Item 4c HumanRights From: Loupakos, Stephanie L <stephanie-loupakos@uiowa-edu> Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2013 7:41 PM To: HumanRights Subject: University of Iowa Student Health Presents Mirage! Attachments: Mirage Event.docx Hello! My name is Stephanie Loupakos and I am a student co-chair for the University of Iowa's Sexual Health Event, Mirage. We would love to have the Iowa City Human Rights Division be apart of this event, and attached is information all about the event. If you have any questions feel free to contact me! Thank you for your time, -Stephanie Stephanie Loupakos University of Iowa Health and Human Physiology 630-346-5824 stephanie-loupakos(&uiowa.edu Saturday, December 7 th y 2013 9:00 pm — 1:00 am: 2 nd floor ballroom of the IMU GET EXCITED BECAUSE IT 15 COMING! The University of Iowa is hosting its' second annual Drag King, Queen, and Burlesque Show: THE MIRAGE. This event is free to students, faculty, staff, and the community. The goal of THE MIRAGE is to establish a long standing Drag Show that promotes diversity and inclusion at the U Of 1, raises awareness for World AIDS DAY, and educates students and community members about sexual health. The Mirage is not only a BLAST, it is educational and informational as well. We want to provide attendees with a wide variety of information on diversity and/or sexual health. We want to extend this invitation to YOU and your organization to participate in the Condom Casino (pre -activities) portion of the Mirage. During the condom casino participants can play traditional casino games as well as visit various sexual health/diversity related informational tables, sponsored by various groups and organizations. Below is the list of fun activities that will be at Mirage: 9:00-10:15: Pre -Activities -Free H IV Testing - open until end of event -Condom Casino 10:15-11:00: Amateur Show 11:00-11:30: Prizes 11:30-1:00 am: Professional Show -Drag Queens (from Studio 13) -Drag Kings (Iowa City Drag Kings) -Burlesque This is where you come in! We would love for your organization to sponsor a table from 9-10:30 pm. If this is something your organization would want to participate in, please fill out the form on the next page and return it by November 15", 2013 back to me or Stephanie Beecher: stephanie-loupakos@uiowa.edu stephanie-beecher@uiowa.edu Thank you! CONDOM CASINO FORM Send to stephanie-loupakos@uiowa.edu by November 15'h Organization Name: Organization Contact: Contact email: Contact phone: Who will be staffing Do you need electricity? your table? How many chairs would Are there any other you like? supplies you will need? We will do our best to accommodate. How will your table be interactive? We would really like each table to be interactive. For example, bring a question wheel students can spin and then answer a trivia question. Another example: One of our tables will have students depict, 'What does Safer Sex mean to you?". How will your table be interactive? If you need ideas, please let us know! What is your scavenger hunt item? Students will be completing a scavenger huntforprizes. On the scavenger they will be asked to answer a question or complete a taskfor each of the tables. Please provide your scavenger hunt item. For example, at the Student Health table, students will be asked to "Ask one of the Doctors a Sexual Health related question". Your item can be a trivia question as well, something they can answer by visiting your table. Please attach your organization's logo to this document or your email. Correspondence Conference spurs racial justice discussion BY GABRIELLA DUNN I OCTOBER 18, 2013 5:00 AM X SHARE/EMAIL THIS ARTICLE Despite upholding what many call a reputation as a progressive leader in social, political, and national movements, several local and state officials are pointing to Iowa's high percentage of minority inmates as a major blot on that reputation. During a daylong forum, keynote speakers, legislators, panelists, and area residents, spoke out about the number of incarcerations for minorities — specifically African Americans — in the U.S. criminal -justice system. However the main topic saw little discussion in the face of heated debates over the implementation of area programs to reintroduce former inmates back into society. Adrien Wing, the University of Iowa Bessie Dutton Murray law professor, said the disparity between the African American and white communities are still prevalent in today's society. The evidence of that, she said, is shown by the fact that Iowa incarcerates African Americans at the most disproportionate rate in the nation. "We're the place that went for Barack Obama [for president], so you wouldn't think that we would have this disproportion," said Wing, who also serves as the executive director of the UI Center for Human Rights. Nonetheless, these disproportions tend to appear in predominantly white states, like Iowa. "Black men are an endangered species," she said. "If what was happening to them including this incarceration, was happening to white men, it would be our top priority as a nation." African Americans account for only 13 percent of the U.S., population, Wing said, but in terms of prison and jail capacities, that numberjunips to 40 percent. The ratio of incarceration rates for African American's versus whites are 5.6 to i, she said. However, in Iowa, these rates more than double to 13.6 to i. Calling out Iowa City's reputation as a liberal community, Rep. Wayne Ford, D-Des Moines, said there is still a clear lack of progress made on the issue of minority disproportionate incarceration. "Your equity has always been there ... [the Ul] was letting blacks go to school here before you and me were born," Ford said. "You've always been ahead of the curve when it comes to certain issues. This one you've been real behind on, and you're paying the price." Acknowledgment is the first step to dealing with the problem, Ford said, so holding the conference was important for addressing the issue on a larger scale. North Liberty police officer Juan Santiago of the city's high -risk unit said the criminal -justice field lacks a sense of circumstantial understanding for many African American individuals. "I don't think that Iowa or Johnson County has a problem with racial profiling or even racial discrimination," Santiago said. "I think the problem in Johnson County is that a lot of us in our field have what I have coined as'eultural disability' because we don't truly understand the different cultures that we are trying to help." But Whitney Weston, a conference panelist, said she encounters this cultural disability regularly when assumptions are based on her skin color. She said members of the African American community often commit crimes as a survival tactic. In Iowa, Westin said she has come across many stigmas because of skin color, such as the assumption of hailing from the South Side of Chicago. "That's a bias right there — in case people didn't know, black people do come from other places than Chicago," she said. Weston said there is an overall lack of empathy in the corrections system. Other panel members shared personal experiences in the criminal -justice system. Phillip Coleman, outreach coordinator of Urban Dreams, a human service program in Des Moines, said the primary issue starts with crime charges against minorities. "You have to train the police to deal with minorities," Coleman said. Because Iowa's correctional system has a relatively low number of inmates relative to other states, Wing said the disproportionate incarcerations in Iowa can realistically be decreased. "We can do it if we have the will to do it," she said. "It will take the private -public partnership, it will take the town and the gown, it will take all of us out of our busy schedules deciding that I want to make a little difference in this." www.press-citizen.com I Printer-fHendly article page Page] o172 r pr'j:�, :_4r: I; -a .0 � . , V Jft J 4%0ZZW@MZ= October 18, 2013 Past criminal charges hurt minorities' future Dozens talk disproportionate minority incarceration in Johnson County By Adam B Sullivan I Iowa City Press -Citizen Not only are local minorities facing higher incarceration rates, but they're also having difficulty finding jobs, education and homes once they've left the criminal justice system. Dozens of locals gathered Thursday on the University of Iowa campus for a conference about racial justice and disproportionate minority incarceration. Ul law professor Adrien Wing said that because people of color, particularly black men, are more likely to face criminal charges, they can become second-class citizens for life as they lose things such as job opportunities and even voting rights. "Black men are an endangered species," Wing said. "if what was happening to them, including this incarceration, were happening to white men, it would be our top priority as a nation." Just shy of a quarter of those booked at the Johnson County Jail in 2012 were black, even though black residents make up just 5 percent of the county's population. And because black inmates often face longer stays, they make up 42 percent of the county jail population, A report earlier this year from the American Civil Liberties Union showed Iowa has the country's biggest racial disparity in marijuana arrests. Although the ACLU estimates black and white Americans use marijuana at about the same rate, black residents in Iowa are about eight times as likely to be arrested for marijuana possession. The same holds true in state prisons. Black residents make up about 3 percent of the state population but 26 percent of the offenders in Iowa's prisons. Nationally, about 3,000 of every 100,000 black men is in jail, compared with just shy of 500 of every 100,000 white men, according to the nonprofit Sentencing Project. Thursday's conference — which was organized by a handful of local organizations — featured a panel with a few locals who have served time in jail or prison. Each said they've faced grave challenges after being locked up. "I've had interviews where it goes well and the employer says, 'You got the job, I just need to do a background check and I'll give you a call.' " said Joc Robinson, who was convicted of felonies as a teenager. "I'm still waiting," Whitley Weston said she was first involved in the criminal justice system as a teen. More than a decade later, she's out of trouble and back in school, but says she still struggles to find work and housing for her and her kids. "My background is not squeaky clean. I made my decisions as a young woman and now I've turned into this mature woman but because of my past, they don't believe a person can change," said Weston, 25. "The things I did then I definitely don't do now because I have more to lose." http:llwww.press-eitizen.comlprintlarticlel20l31018NEWS0113101800IOlPast-criminal-... 10/18/2013 www.press-citizen.com I Printer -friendly article page Page 2 of 2 Additional Facts Event sponsors • Iowa City Human Rights Commission. • University of Iowa Center for Human Rights. • Johnson County Disproportionate Minority Contact Committee. • Consultation of Religious Communities. • Ul Teacher Leader Center. • Coalition for Racial Justice. • American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa. http:llwww.press-citizen.comlprintlarticlel20l31018NEWS0113101800IOlPast-criminal-... 10/18/2013 Group honors community activists I Iowa City Press Citizen I press-citizen.com Page I of 2 Group honors community activists Written by Adam B Sullivan Iowa City Press -Citizen Oct 24, 2013 8:43 PM I press-citizen.com 2013 Iowa City Human Rights Commission awards - Kafi Dixon: Linda Severson Award.- Working Group Theater: Rick Graf Award.- Misty Rebik: Kenneth Cmiel Award.- Yashar Vasef: International Award.- Bob Welsh: Isabel Turner Award.- Center for Worker Justice: Bill Reagan Community Award.- A. Mori Costantino: Lifetime Achievement Award.- Jean Lloyd -Jones: Lifetime Achievement Award. A slew of community activists earned recognition from the Iowa City Human Rights Commission on Thursday. The commission hosted its 30th annual awards ceremony, giving awards to six individuals and two organizations from the community. The Center for Worker Justice earned double recognition, getting the Bill Reagan Community Award as a group and director Misty Rebik winning the Kenneth Cmiel award. Officially forming just a year ago, Rebik said the organization has a "great list of victories," including dozens of workshops to educate immigrants about workplace rights, meetings with local officials and partnering with other local groups. The organization's aim is to organize low -wage workers for "social and economic justice." One of the group's focuses has been recovering unpaid wages for workers. In addition to hurting workers and their families, Rebik said it harms the local economy. "This impacts everyone in this room," Rebik said. Community activist Bob Welsh earned the Isabel Turner Award. Human Rights Commission member Andrea Cohen said Welsh's decades of work on quality of life issues made him a great pick for the award. "Very few individuals have touched as many lives," Cohen said. "If you live in Johnson County, your life is better thanks to the efforts of Rev. Welsh." Welsh, a retired church pastor, has been active in particular on issues affecting the elderly and affordable housing since coming to the area in the 1960s. "While we've made a heck of a lot of progress in 48 years, we sure have a heck of a long ways to go," Welsh said. Although the Human Rights Commission awards have been around 30 years, the group has only given two Lifetime Achievement Awards, one in 2001 and another in 2002. http://www.press-citizen.cotydapps/pbes,dll/ai-ticle?AID=2013310250025 10/25/2013 Group honors community activists I Iowa City Press Citizen I press-citizen.com Page 2 of 2 This year, the commission added two more Lifetime Achievement Award winners, A. Mori Costantino and Jean Lloyd -Jones. The women are friends and fellow Democrat activists. Although they're in their 80s, Lloyd - Jones, a former state lawmaker, said that doesn't mean they'll stop being active. "As far as the fight for human rights is concerned, we are not done yet," Lloyd -Jones said. Reach Adam B Sullivan at asuilivan@press-citizen.com or 887-5412. htip://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013') 10250025 10/25/2013 www.press-citizen.com I Prinler-friendly article page Pagel of2 r =4tl: C,*!Ws.j October 24, 2013 Our View: City hunian rights commission still has big job ahead Press -Citizen Editorial Board Our View Too often we only hear of the Iowa City Human Rights Commission's work when a violation occurs. When accusations of discrimination are made. When community members feel forced to respond to stereotypes and myths, But we're glad this Iowa City watchdog commission makes a point each year of celebrating those individuals, agencies and businesses that have made outstanding contributions to human rights. And during today's 30th annual Human Rights Award Breakfast, the commission is honoring Kafi Dixon (Linda Severson Award), The Working Group Theater (Rick Graf Award), Misty Rebilk (Kenneth Cmiel Award). Yashar Vasef (International Award), Bob Welsh (Isabel Turner Award), The Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa (Bill Reagan Community Award) as well as A. Mori Costantino and Jean Lloyd -Jones (Lifetime Achievement Awards). 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 and agencies in which they work — who provide award -quality service on the local, national and international level. The success of the award ceremony year after year also demonstrates that the commission's members recognize how human rights cannot be strengthened by governmental bodies alone. Instead, it takes a partnership between government, businesses and individuals to ensure the community successfully confronts accusations and evidence of any type of discrimination. It's not possible to crow enough about these good works. We applaud all the winners — past and present — for demonstrating how individuals can effect change. And on the occasion of the commission's golden anniversary, we continue to celebrate the good work done by commissioners over the past 50 years — including the Editorial Board's own community member, Shams Ghonern. While cities such as Des Moines and Mason City have taken steps toward decreasing the funding of investigative authority of their local commissions and are debating whether simply to pass on the lion's share of complaints to the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, we think Iowa City's commission and human rights coordinator still have important work to do. For decades, for example, the city's human rights ordinance included protections for sexual orientation and gender identity that were not included in the state code. And even though those particular protections have been added to the state code, there are still specific aspects of Iowa City's human rights ordinance that go into more detail than the protections offered by the state. More importantly, maintaining an active, engaged, local Human Rights Commission continues to be needed to ensure that Iowa City is living up to both the letter and the spirit of the five government principles outlined at the beginning of the City Charter: 1. "That the government of Iowa City belongs to all its citizens and all share the responsibility for it." http:llwww,press-eitizen.comlprintlarticlel20l3lO2410PINION03131024001210ur-View-... 10/25/2013 www.press-citizen.com I Printer -friendly article page Page 2 of 2 - 2. "That the government of Iowa City is a service institution. responsive and accountable to its citizens." - 3. "That city officials should be accessible to the people and have an affirmative obligation to secure for each person equality of opportunity as well as due process and equal protection of law." - 4. "That each citizen has a right to obtain fair, equal, and courteous treatment from each city official and employee." - 5. "That the city should perform all acts and take all measures necessary and desirable to promote the general health, safety and welfare of its residents, to encourage the participation of its citizens in policy formation and to secure the full benefits of 'home rule.' " Additional Facts Election letters deadline - Endorsement letters for the Nov. 5 election must be received by 5 p.m. Oct. 31. All letters (up to 250 words) should include the writer's name, address and daytime phone number. - Send letters to opinion@press-eitizen.com. The editor reserves the right to edit for length, clarity, style and content. http:llwww.press-citizen.comlprintlarticlel20l3lO2410PINION03131024001210ur-View-... 10/25/2013 www.press-citizen.com I Printer -friendly article page Page I of 6 October 24, 2013 On the Same Page — 50 years of Iowa City's Human Rights Commission Press -Citizen Opinion Staff On the Same Page The Press -Citizen posed the following question to several local activists: "Some Iowa cities are considering largely defunding the investigative role of their local human rights commissions1coordinators and forwarding the lion's share of the complaints to be investigated by the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, With the Iowa City Human Rights Commission celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, what makes our commission an essential part of the Iowa City community?" Here are their responses. Keep human rights local, viable, fresh and accessible Ettp://www,press-citizen.com/graphics/otsp/1024/kubby.jpg" align="left" hspace="10" vspace="10">By Karen Kubby Having a local and well functioning Human Rights Ordinance and Commission is vital for a diverse, fair, secure and well functioning community- This is especially true when the commission places a focus on education and prevention of discrimination as well as enforcement, as our local body does Some Iowa cities are moving towards the decommissioning of their local human rights practices and shifting duties to the state. This strategy will save money for local government. It is a big mistake. Being able to provide these services locally retains our well working system whereby people can find out about their rights and obligations under our broad human rights ordinance, can attend educational workshops for the general public or a specific organization. learn about the complaint process and move forward through that process if appropriate - You will not get this kind of thorough or timely service from the State of Iowa, Local government is the most accessible place for these services, and we should not mess with a good thing. As our Human Rights Commission embarks upon its 50th year, we should stand proud and watchful to ensure our human rights practices remain local, viable, fresh and accessible, Karen Kubby is a former member of the Iowa City Council. Commission embodies what Iowa City holds dear zhttp://www.press-citizen.com/graphics/otsp/1024/leshtz,jpg" align="Jeft" hspace="10" hftp:llwww.press-citizen.comlprintlarticlel20l3lO2410PINION081310240009IOn-Same-.., 10/25/2013 www.press-eitizen.com I Printer -friendly article page Page 2 of 6 vspace="10">By David Leshtz The Iowa City Human Rights Commission is a perfect example of some of our city's strongest values: fairness, education and efficient government - In 1977 Iowa City added sexual orientation to its human rights ordinance. Gender identity was added in 1995. It wasn't until 2007 that the state of Iowa caught up, giving protection to both classes in the Iowa Civil Rights Code. Thanks in great part to the efforts of the ICHRC, we were 30 years ahead of the curve in extending fairness and justice to vulnerable members of our community, The Iowa Civil Rights Commission does a good job of education, but its efforts are spread thinly across the state. Our local commission is closely in touch with the needs of our community and has been able to provide proactive workshops on fair housing, the Americans with Disabilities Act, sexual harassment, employment discrimination and racial disparities, Programs addressing high incarceration rates of black males and the high suspension rate at our schools were, again, well ahead of the state curve. Serving on the Iowa Civil Rights Commission for eight years, I saw hard-working staff members struggle to keep up with hundreds of discrimination complaints filed annually. More than 2,000 complaints were received at the state level in the past year, The backlog has decreased but many cases take months, even years, to fully resolve. Our Iowa City Human Rights Commission, with two paid staff, processes approximately 60 complaints a year. These complaints are handled quickly and competently without having to work their way through a large office in Des Moines. Compliance and follow-up are also better monitored locally. Following the tone set by Mori Costantino and the other original members 50 years ago. the ICHRC embodies what Iowa City holds most dear. May it continue to be an essential part of our community for another 50 years ... or until the day it is no longer needed. David Leshtz was chairman of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission from 2001-2005. Plenty more work, education to be done Ehttp://www.press-citizen.com/graphics/otsp/1024/rettig.jpg" align="lefr' hspace="10" vspace="I 0"> By Janelle Rettig It was just over 24 years ago that Robin Butler and I moved to Iowa City, Like many residents, we came here for graduate school and never left. Several universities were on the short list for a graduate program for Robin in American Studies, but we choose to move here. The reason was simple: Iowa City and the University of Iowa were so welcoming to people like us that they had adopted human rights policies that included sexual orientation. It was, and remains, important for us to live in a community where diversity and the basic human rights of people is not only embraced, but also enforced. Through the years, we have become a more diverse and accepting society. Iowa City's human rights ordinance has been amended to include gender identity. Johnson County and the state have also adopted regulations. With all this progress, it might be tempting to ask if there is a need for a local http://www.press-citizen.com/pr,int/article/20l3lO24/0PINION08/310240009/On-Same-.,. 10/25/2013 www.press-citizen.com I Printer -friendly article page Page 3 of 6 human rights staff and commission With a changing population. which is becoming more diverse by the day, I think the need for the Iowa City Human Rights Commission and city staff has perhaps never been more important- Local programming to increase education. and enforcement of laws, show that human rights are important to us and we value diversity. Congratulations to the Iowa City Human Rights Commission on 50 great years. Roll up your sleeves, because there is plenty more education and work to be done. Janelle Rettig is a member of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors. People still are being discriminated against in Iowa city Ehttp://www.press-citizen.com/graphics/otsp/l 024/tucker.jpg" align="lefr' hspace="11 0" vspace="l 0">By Annie Tucker We are fortunate to have a Human Rights Division in our city government and a Human Rights Commission in Iowa City. Both are essential. The fact that we have them says a lot about our community and what we value. You may not have been discriminated against in Iowa City. but there are people here who have been. I have had people come to me with concerns about the way they have been treated by staff in our local public institutions. I always refer them to Stefanie Bowers, Iowa City's human rights coordinator, and her staff in the Human Rights Division. If a case is filed with the Human Rights Commission, the division conducts a thorough and impartial investigation of the allegations in the complaint. They do a great job — they process between 50-60 complaints a year with two paid staff members. Why are local human rights resources essential? A person should have local resources available to address harassment and discrimination. People need to know their options. Local services are more accessible and more likely to be used. A local human rights office knows what is going on in the community. It can watch trends and be proactive about recurring concerns or issues. It can keep the community and local officials informed. Our local Human Rights Division and the Human Rights Commission provide a resource to local government on diversity and equality. They work closely with city manager and the city council, They do public outreach to educate and inform. They offer free trainings and courses to the public on harassment and discrimination— including fair housing. ADA, employment discrimination. etc. The Human Rights Commission was the first, or one of the first, to do local programming that publicized the disparities for persons of color residing here in Iowa City (2007), including stats on the disproportionately high incarceration rate of black males and high suspension rate from area schools. We expect Iowa City to be a community that does not tolerate discrimination or retaliation for speaking up about discriminatory practices. The Human Rights Division and the Human Rights Commission provide a process for dealing with local individual and systemic inequities and they keep us informed about these issues. http://www.press-eitizen.com/print/article/20131024/OPINION08/310240009/0n- Same-_ 10/25/2013 www.press-citizen.com I Printer -friendly article page Page 4 of 6 Annie Tucker is director of Mediation Services of Eastern Iowa. State and local commissions must keep working together Ehttp://www.press-eitizen.com/graphics/otsp/1024/miller.jpg" align="Iefir' hspace="10" vspace=" 1 O">BY Karla S. Miller Currently, when an individual files a complaint with the Iowa City Human Rights Commission, it is cross -filed with the state -level Iowa Department of Human Rights and vice -versa. This arrangement was devised very intentionally: to provide communities. and especially victims of discrimination, a system with checks and balances that allows for the investigation of workplace abuses while avoiding potential conflicts of interest and undue political influences. Some may argue that the local human rights commission is unnecessary and duplicative. However, a cogent, countering argument holds that one of the reasons this community is as caring and compassionate as it is can be attributed to local entities whose mission it is to monitor and respond to unfairness and injustice; agencies that give victims of harassment, bullying, abuse and discriminatory practices voices and options for redress. People who have been discriminated against and the community itself have benefited from the 50 years of work done by the Iowa City Human Rights Commission in investigating abuses of the law by employers and others- Conversely, those breaking the law have not benefited. Cutting funding to local commissions might seem a tempting target for decision -makers when viewed on a purely economic basis: a quick measure (when added to others) in reducing the budget in these times of hardship. But like similar critical decisions made only the basis of economics and perceived efficiency (such as. a reduction of child abuse investigators), it will surely have negative unintended consequences. When any action involves a reduction on any level of protection regarding human rights, we must be especially and vigilantly cautious. The Iowa City Human Rights Commission's mission guards the values of equality and justice. How many times do we hear someone speak of the misery, fear and feelings of powerlessness they experience in the workplace? Is the Iowa City Human Rights Commission the panacea for responding to injustice and policing illegal discrimination; of course not. But the checks and balances local and state commissions provide help insure fairness and equality by addressing abusive practices and those who engage in them. The Iowa City Human Rights Commission works to help us stay true to our collective moral compass and consistent with our stated values They show that pro -social personal conduct by leaders in the workplace can result in the kind of community in which people want to live, work, find friends, and raise families. What's good for one person in these cases is essential for business. For all of these reasons, the Iowa City Human Rights Commission should be valued and retained. Karla S. Miller the executive director of the Rape Victim Advocacy Program. Commission deserves ongoing support http:llwww.press-eitizen.comlprintlarticlel20l3lO2410PINION081310240009IOn-Same-... 10/25/2013 www.press-eitizen.com I Printer -friendly article page Page 5 of 6 Ehftp://www.press-citizen.com/graphics/otsp/1024/weismann.jpg" align="Ieft" hspace="10" vspace="l 0">By Amy Weismann Human and Civil Rights commissions around Iowa, including right here in Iowa City, help our communities live out core values of our state: equality for all, a voice for all. Operating at the municipal level and made up of diverse members of the community, these commissions provide unique opportunities to address discrimination based upon race, creed, color, religion. national origin, age, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. The Iowa City Human Rights coordinator also specifically investigates discrimination in housing based upon race, color, creed, religion. national origin, age. sex, marital status, sexual orientation. familial status, presence or absence of dependents, disability, gender identity or public source. The commissions also undertake the important work of raising awareness and providing public education about the incidence of unlawful discrimination in our communities and of developing solutions to these community concerns in partnership with those directly impacted. The Iowa City Human Rights Commission has provided residents with a means of being heard and of redressing violations to their human dignity and legal rights. It has helped countless members of our community learn strategies for productively resolving conflicts in their workplaces. It has educated the broad community about unjust practices taking place in our midst, and supported solution driven dialogues to end them. It has empowered community members of diverse backgrounds to take action to better the lives of all in our city. It is an invaluable resource, providing a critical process, that deserves ongoing support. Amy Weismann is the assistant director of the University of Iowa Center for Human Rights - Don't put genie back in the bottle Ehttp://www.press-citizen.com/graphics/otsp/1024/hani.jpg" align="Ieft" hspace="10" vspace=1 0">By Haw Elkadi Anyone striving to undercut the local protection of human rights is desperate to strangle the voting process and to lock up the genie back in the bottle. In our increasingly diverse community, we need to further our local human rights achievements and translate our commitments from rhetoric to reality. Whether they march under the banner of human rights, human relations or community relations — with differing grants of authority and viable strategies — human rights commissions share the basic mission of eradicating discrimination. While most state commissions are limited to federally protected classes, local commissions offer protection to groups on additional grounds — such as familial status and sexual orientation, Besides supporting political and civil rights, they encompass economic, social and cultural rights. They recognize that access to adequate work, housing, education and health care are as much a part of human fabric as the political right to vote and participate in civil society. Iowa City's successful Human Rights Commission should be enabled to continue its mission by providing it with the appropriate resources to expanding its enforcement of human rights in the criminal justice system, reducing hate crimes. responding to excessive use of force by police, http:llwww.press-citizen.comlprintlarticlel20l3lO2410PINION081310240009IOn-Same-... 10/25/2013 www.press-eitizen.com I Printer -friendly article page Page 6 of 6 monitoring inmate conditions and helping ex -offenders overcome discrimination in the job market. To let the Iowa Civil Rights Commission — or any other state agency — alone handle local disputes and claims is to discourage the victims from pursing their grievances. Their rights would be cut off within the labyrinth of centralized bureaucracy, back laws and potential litigation. Hani Elkadi has retired from teaching at Iowa City Tate High School and now teaches art at Kirkwood Community College. http:llwww.press-eitizen.comlprintlarticlel2Ol3lO2410PINION081310240009IOn-Same-... 10/25/2013 T'he Human Rights Commission celebrated their 50 year anniversary on Thursday - The D... Page I of 3 Lily Tomlin CLICK 10 ENTIER �,_.T PLAY THE 4,15 OnTheLine W "0 COT W hl� Contest A6 r "I GAM HERE I IM *A(M&, - &,I&, k D - 6i�pl TnE )NDEPENOINT )A,Y NEWSPAPER TOR THE UNIVE,15'TY Of IOWA COMMIJNITY SINC- 1558 The Daffy lbwan NEWSPAPER - ONLINE T E L E V 1 5 1 0 N MIDAY, OCTOBER 25. 2013 1 HOME MEMO SPORTS OPINIONS so HOURS PHOID VIDEO Search The Human Rights Commission celebrated their 50 year anniversary on Thursday BY GRETA MEYLE I OCTOBER 25, W13 5-00 AM The Iowa City Human Rights Commission celebrated So years of serving the community and marked it by reviewing a campaign focusing on Iowa City reanients'vision for the next 50 years. Johnson County officials met over bacon and Scrambled eggs to reflect on the achievements of the organization, verbalize future goals, present notable human -rights activists with a%ai rds, and voice the foadleaek from their campaign. The eampaign"I H ave a Dreann... for Iowa City"vas implemented as a tool to gauge people's desim for change. ul n honor of the Soth anniversary of the founding; of the commission, we wanted to offer a bit different program — a program that looks back over our major accomplishments over the past So years as Well as engages; local residents in a process of envisioning the next 50 [years]'" Commission Vim Chairman Harry Olmstead said. Participants in the mutpaign were given an "I Have a Dream" poster in which they inscri bed their dreams for the advancement of public &end in Iowa City. All dreams from the campaign were put on display in the Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St., and they will be put up in the Senior Center, 28 S. Linn St., in upcoming weeks. Considering Iowa Citys direction in moving forward, Commissioner Diane Finnerty said her dream involves a future of racial equity. "Your race shouldn't be a predictor that you're going to do bad [in rega rds to racial proffling]," Finnerty said. "Accordi ng to recent police statistics, an African American adult is six times more likely to get arrested for marijuana possession, but the me rate is si milar across all race and ethnially. These kinds of things have got to stop." In the past So years of improving the racial, religious, cultural, and other societal disparities in the community, the commission has sparked a number of progressive movements in the Iowa City public realm. "I think elevating consciousness throughout the city [is the goal of the commission]," mid Ed Flaherty, the demector of Veteran's for Peace, to" Chapter. 'I think Iowa City is looked to by other parts of the state of Iowa in leading the way when it core" to women's rights, transgender tights, racial rights leml." Established on Sept. 3, 1963, the commission has dealt with a wide range of issues in its 50 years Beginning by addressing the discrimination of African Americans by landlords, the commission continued to make advancements in various areas of human rights, includingproposingalawto protect homosexuals in 1977 and registry for domestic partners in 1994. The future goals of the commission include continuing to educate the public on illegal discrimination and civil rights as well as advising the Iowa City City Council. Past Commission Chairwoman Dianne Day said she believes the new campaign will continue the legacy of the commission in future societal undertakings. "It's going to be a continuing effort,"she said. "I think it's our obligation to encourage conversations — and I think saying conversation is better than tolerance. It's more equal. If we [as a community] became mom open to individual differencess — if we can change that fear often Associated with differences into an adventure, then It will be an adventure." In today's issue: http://www.dayiowan.com/2013/10/25/Metro/35367.litml 10/25/2013 T�E LINwEm oF lom CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS October 28, 2013 Stefanie Bowers, Harry Olmstead Iowa City Human Rights Commission 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Stefanie and Harry, We are so grateful for the donation of $200 from the Iowa City Human Rights Commission for the 2013 One Community, One Book project. This has helped us with costs of our capstone event, showing the film, "William and the Windmill", with filmmaker Ben Nabors leading discussions. We held two showings last week and the film was well received. It is the story of what happens in William's life after the book ends and how he handles the many changes the attention brings. He continues to help his country with more windmills, solar panels and has built several schools. Alternative energy for Malawi remains William's focus as he finishes his studies at Dartmouth. We have greatly appreciated the Commission's steady and continued support of our community reading program over the years. We simply could not do all we do on this project without you. Best, Joan Joan Nashelsky Program Coordinator Ul Center for Human Rights 1120 University Capitol Centre Iowa City, IA 52242 College oft aw Office: 216 Boyd Law Building Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1113 Central Compus Office: 1120 University Capitol Centre Iowa City, Iowa 52242-5500 Tei 319-33S-3900 Fax 319-335-1340 www.uIch(.ore HurnanRights From: HumanRights Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2013 9:07 AM To: Marian Karr Subject: Thank You for the Support. Tracking: Recipient Delivery Madan Kam Delivered: 11/612013 9:07 AM Dear Mayor Hayek and City Council Members, We held the 301h Annual Human Rights Breakfast on Thursday, October 24 1h . At the Breakfast we recognized 8 outstanding members of this community while also celebrating the 501h anniversary of the establishment of the Iowa City Human Rights Commission. A slicleshow was presented that showcased most of the pictures from the I Have a Dream Campaign. The Awards Breakfast was very well received in this community; we had over 140 attendees at the Breakfast this year. Your support of the Human Rights Commission is very much appreciated. Sincerely, Iowa City Human Rights Commission Left to right: Misty Rebik (Kenneth Cmiel Award), Jean Lloyd -Jones (Lifetime Achievement Award), Yashar Vasef (international Award), Kafi Dixon (Linda Severson Award), Jennifer Fawcett & Jeff Lewis — Working Group Theater (Rick Graf Award), Mazahir Salih, Marcela Hurtado & Sergio Irund A -wan — Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa (Bill Reagan Business/Community Award) and Reverend Bob Welsh (Isabel Turner Award). Stefanie Bowers From: City of Iowa City <web@iowa-city.org> Sent: Friday, November 08, 2013 4:39 PM To: Stefanie Bowers Subject: National Native American Heritage Month Title : National Native American Heritage Month Release Date & Time : Friday, November 08, 2013 4:38:36 PM Issued By: Human Rights Mailing List(s) : Classes, Programs & Events Contact Person Stefanie Bowers Contact Number: (319) 356-5022 Contact Email : stefanie-bowers(a)iowa-city.org Please join the Iowa City Human Rights Commission in formally recognizing November as National Native American Heritage Month in Iowa City. Commissioner, Joe D. Coulter will accept the proclamation on Tuesday November 12th at the City Council meeting being held in Emma J. Harvat Hall starting at 7 pm. View this article on the ICGov Web Site: htto://www.icqov.or�g/apps/news/?newslD=9212 To unsubscribe or edit your subscription details use this link: http://www.iowa- city. o rq/i cqov/a pps/subscri be/ed it/?sub I D= 1 0728&confCode=CRZKVPKZAL9620129925 To learn about current employment opportunities with the City of Iowa City use this link: http://www.icqov.or,q/default/apps/GEN/ * obs.asp To view more news from the City of Iowa City use this link: hftp://www.icgov.orq/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: http://www.icqov.org/default/apps/serviceCenter/feedback.asp. For technical questions regarding the website, please contact us by using the form at: hftp://www.icqov.org/default/apps/serviceCenter/webmaster.as . To register go to: www.Calendar.icpl.org or call 319-356-5200 Registration for the two day workshop is encouraged but not necessary. Participants should bring information about their work history to both workshops, Part 1: Creating A Resume Thursday, November 14 Iowa City Public Library, Computer Lab 4-6 PM Creating a resume -participants will bring work history to the workshop in order to create a resume that can be used to apply for a job. Volunteers will be on hand to provide assistance. A librarian will give a short 30 minutes tutorial about using Microsoft Word templates and tips for creating a resume. Part ll: Applying for Jobs Online Friday, November 15 Shelter House, 8 AM-12 PM Volunteers will provide one-on-one help to individuals as they find and apply for jobs online. Iowa City Public library, Shelter House, Human Rights Commission, Broadway Neighborhood Center, Successful Living and other area partners present this two part workshop for entry level job seekers. C17199flam, 'A A Shelter TTouse _[a%_0 CITY OF IOWA CITY HUMAN RIGHTS 11COMMISSION IOWA CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY *�AEOME%Miii AV A200' I st Anniversary Celebration 2,41 t 40 t & Open House Saturday November 16 2pm-6pm With the support of hundreds of volunteers, the Center for Worker Justice has taken root and thrived. Help celebrate our first amazing year of education, W.....prganizing, and social change in our new office: 940 S. Gilbert Ct. Now Iowa City --' 11 "L-1-N - � ' 6-A& 319-594-7593 F. CN c\j OD ' 0 < 0 CU U -Y 0 � (a) r- 0 WO -0, ,de 13, S Dubuque St S Clinton St 3 Uj JS ai co W c 0 M :3 - 08 A (—D 9 Hvvy I Keakuk St 3.. E n Carl -oil St 0 W > WVe3 -0 < .20 A CL Boy'rum st Highland Ct 0 %"m % W -- > U Z 0 M .2, S Gilbert St 41 CL z < KIT 40 -P Mr 4% C2 il** B Hwy I pZ S Hive(side Dr (L c A What does THE AMERICAN PROMISEE7 Mean to Vou # AMErICANPrOMISE AN EXCULSIVE MOVIE PREMIERE & PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT FORUM MOUDLY FRESINIED BY: -ftw-k ima,10N um� Teacher Leader Cente Big 61 r of Johnson CounTy M 6 U R 0 A U R D Q) P A note from AMERICAN PROMISE filmmakers and parents Mich&le Stephenson and Joe Brewster Even with prominent role models like President Obama, many people still clutch their bags tighter when they see a black man approaching Since the start of first grade, all the way up to high school graduation, we have turned our cameras on our son, his best friend and our families to take a firsthand look a ... t the complexities that black boys face growing up today. AMERICAN PROMISE holds a magnifying glass to our family's personal journey. It shows how each of us — as parents, teachers and mem- bers of a larger community — plays a role in shaping the identities of our nation's black boys and why acknowledging this dynamic is an im- portant step toward addressing achievement and their opportunities for success. Individuals with disabilities are encouraued to attend all University of Iowa sponsored events. If Von area person with a disability that requires an accommodation in order to participate, please contact Dr. Malik S. Henlield at 319-335-5942