HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-15-2014 Human Rights CommissionAGENDA
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
HELLING CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL
July 15, 2014
6:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order/ Roll Call
2. Approval of Minutes from the June 17, 2014 Meeting
3. Public Comment of Items Not on the Agenda
4. New Business:
a. Annual Report FY14
b. The 2014 Johnson County ADA Celebration (Event- Vendor Request)
c. Human Rights Opportunity Fair (Event- Vendor Request)
d. University of Iowa Center for Human Rights One Community One Book (Event -
Funding Request)
e. Goal Setting Session for FY 14
5. Old Business:
a. Breakfast 2014
i. Location
ii. Keynote Speaker
6. Reports:
a. Iowa City Pride
b. CIVIC Visitors -Human and Civil Rights for All
c. Before You Know It
d. Building Blocks to Employment Job Fair
e. Education (Retish, Olmstead, Coulter)
f. Building Communities (Townsend)
g. University of Iowa Center for Human Rights (Ghoneim, Olmstead)
h. Commission
i. Staff
7. Set Next Regular Meeting Date August 19 at 6 pm
8. Adjourn
The Hunan Rights Commission meetings follow the Iowa City Commmity School District closings for inclement weather except for early
dismissals for heat.
Minutes
Human Rights Commission
June 17, 2014 — 4:30 P.M.
Helling Conference Room
Members Present:
Member Excused:
Staff Present:
Preliminary
Harry Olmstead, Joe Coulter, Shams Ghoneim, Paul Retish, Andrea
Cohen, Orville Townsend, Ali Ahmed, Stella Hart.
Kim Hanrahan.
Stefanie Bowers.
Recommendations to Council: No.
Call to Order:
Olmstead called the meeting to order at 18:02.
_Consideration of the Minutes from the May 20 2014 Meeting:
Motion: Moved by Coulter, seconded by Ghoneim. Motion passed 7-0. (Ahmed not present).
Motion: Moved by Coulter to revise wording of Human Rights Funding Policy, seconded by Retish.
Motion passed 7-0. (Ahmed not present).
Meeting Business:
Woke Up Black
Woke Up Black is a funding/sponsoring request for a film screening on September 24. The University of
Iowa Public Policy Center will be hosting the screening and invites the Commission to co-sponsor the
event. Motion by Coulter to assist in informing any appropriate audiences of the event without
commitment of funds, seconded by Ghoneim. Motion passed 8-0.
Human Rights Breakfast, 2014
Bowers reports that planning should begin in July. The Commission is concerned over the issue with the
personnel matter at the Sheraton. Some Commissioners question whether the Commission should be
involved in personnel matters. Ahmed is on the board for the Center for Worker Justice and will bring an
updated report on the Sheraton personnel situation to the July meeting.' Olmstead suggested Jim Leach
or Willard Boyd as keynote speakers. Bowers requests for any further name suggestions for a keynote be
sent to her thru e-mail by the next meeting date.
Before You Know It
Before You Know is a film screening scheduled for June 17 at 5:45 that the Commission is co -sponsoring.
Olmstead reports the film is free and open to the public.
Iowa City Pride Festival
Pride Festival is scheduled for June 21 from 12 to 5. Coulter and Cohen will serve as representatives for
the Commission.
' Reference Human Rights Commission Meeting Minutes of 12-17-13 for discussion and correspondence in regards
to the Sheraton personnel situation.
Reports:
Juneteenth
Townsend was present at the event and reports it was excellent and the turnout was high. The volunteers
did a great job with the event. He hopes the event will continue yearly for a long time.
Building Blocks to Employment
Retish reports that an organizational meeting is likely to happen at the end of July and plans to send an e-
mail invitation to the Commission to help out and attend the planning meetings.
International Students
No report. This item will be removed from future agendas.
Racial/Ethnic Equity Roundtable
No report. This item will be removed from future agendas.
Education
At the last meeting of the Equity Committee for the Iowa City Community School District, R. Chace
Ramey, Chief Human Resource Officer for the District, discussed concerns about the lack of minority
teachers in the District. Ramsey will bring additional information to the next Equity meeting in
September.
Building Communities (Housing)
Townsend will work with the Black Voices Project to get further community involvement on housing,
education, and law enforcement concerns.
University of Iowa Center for Human Rights
The next meeting will be in August or September. Olmstead reports that Reyna Grande author of The
Distance Between Us: A Memoir will speak on October 4 at the Pomerantz Center as part of "One Book,
One Community".
Commission
Cohen reports the president of the Amnesty International Chapter at the University of Iowa is organizing
a Human Rights Opportunity Fair, tentatively scheduled for September 17, to showcase a variety of
opportunities for students interested in careers related to human rights in and around Iowa City. The
president has inquired as to whether the Commission would like to sponsor, promote, and/or participate in
the fair. Coulter asks that a formal request be made. Bowers will add the topic to the July agenda.
Cohen also requests that, starting in September, the Commission look at one or two initiatives to focus on.
Townsend requests that revised agendas have the new revised date noted. Bowers reports that the mailed
agendas/packets are exactly the same as what she post on line. The system used by the City refers to any
agenda posted as "new agenda" and that no revisions have been made to the packets or agendas. If any
changes were made Bowers would repost the agenda/packet as revised and send the revised
agenda/packets to each Commissioner.
Hart attended the St. Ambrose Traffic Stop Report work session. The police study shows there is
disproportionate minority contact, but the level of violent crimes in Iowa City has decreased over the
years. The police use a technique called "hotspot policing". Officers are aware their level of contact with
minority populations will be monitored, as the study continues.
Coulter reports that the new policing programs are an outcome of the Ad Hoc Diversity Committee's
activities and efforts are continuing to develop.
Ghoneim reports these programs are helping, and is looking forward to any future projects of the
Commission that can be done in conjunction with the Hawkeye Chapter of American Civil Liberties
Union.
Bowers will resend the St. Ambrose Traffic Stop Report to Commissioners as well as the link for the St.
Ambrose Traffic Stop Report work session video recording.
Olmstead announced that Access 2 Independence is having an Americans with Disabilities Celebration on
July 26 at the Ped Mall. Olmstead would like the Commission to have a table there. This item will be
added to the July agenda.
Coulter reports the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission will be working to revitalize the Latino
Leadership Summit this fall at the University of Iowa and expects the Iowa City Human Rights
Commission to be approached for sponsorship/participation.
Adjournment: 17:35
Next Regular Meeting — July 15, 2014 at 6:00 pm.
Policy for Funding Request to Commission
The Iowa City Human Rights Commission can donate funds to organizations and agencies that
collaborate with the Iowa City Human Rights Commission in providing such things as organizing,
planning and facilitating educational public forums or programs and activities designed to eliminate
racial, religious, cultural and other intergroup tensions including but not limited to sex, color, creed,
disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age and national origin.
rd
Human Rights Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2013/2014
eetin Date
NAME
TERM
EXP.
6/18/
13
7/16/
13
8/20/
13
9/17/
13
10/15/
13
11/19/
13
12/17/
13
1/21/
14
2/18/
14
3/18/
14
4/29/
14
5/201
14
6/17/
14
All Ahmed
1/l/17
-
-
_
_
_
_
_
X
X
O/E
O/E
O/E
X
Orville
Townsend, Sr.
l/l/17
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
Paul Retish
l/l/17
-
-
-
-
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
Kim
Ham ahan
111115
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
O/E
Shams
Ghoneim
111115
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
Stella Hart
111115
-
-
-
-
-
-
_
_
_
_
-
-
X
Jewell Amos
111115
-
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
O/E
R
R
R
Joe D. Coulter
1/1/16
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Harry
Olmstead
1/1/16
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Andrea Cohen
l/l/16
-
-
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
KEY: X
= Present
O
= Absent
O/E
= Absent/Excused
NM
= No meeting
--
= No longer a member
R
= Resignation
Agenda Item 4a
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
The Iowa City Human Rights Commission is represented by nine residents of Iowa City
each of who are appointed by the Council for three year terms. The Commissioners, all
committed to civil rights, reflect a broad cross section of the community, thus ensuring
diversity of ideas and interests. In the appointment process consideration is given to men
and women of various racial, religious, cultural, social and economic groups within the
City.
The Commission has the following powers: Ahk
• Make recommendations to the Council for such fu is lation concerning
discrimination as it may deem necessary and desirabl
• Educate the public on human rights and illegal min n .such as organizing
and facilitating educational public forums that s a or mio're. bf the broad range
of topics included within the rubric of human{?ighls.
• Provide the enforcement necessary.tdF%4tr tF;e goals of the 14unan Rights
Ordinance.
• Cooperate, within the limits of any approfa s made for its operation, with
other agencies or organizations �both public adMi6vate, whose purposes are not
inconsistent with those of the HuraS' Rights LdiCoordinate programs designed to elimiacial, l;gious, cultural and other
intergroup tensions.
The Commission arm • y s a Chairperson and a Vice -Chairperson and holds
monthly meetings i e Hellin "onferenoe Room at City Hall on the third Tuesday of
each month at 6:0 u. t•
Harry.Olmstead, Chair
Andrea Cohen, Viu hair
Ali Ahmed
Joe Coultte,,r�
Shams Gh 1 im
Kim Han
Stella Hart
Paul Retish
Orville Townsend, Sr.
There are two full-time staff of the Commission, a Human Rights Coordinator and a
Human Rights Investigator.
FY 14 Recommendations by the Commission to Council
September 2013
The Commission supports Council member Jim Throgmorton's recommendations and the
amendments to the Storage of Property in the Downtown City Code §8-5-14. The
Commission also recommends for the City to partner with the Johnson County Local
Homeless Coordinating Council to develop a more comprehensive, better coordination,
and better staffed approach to the problem of homelessness and associated challenges in
our City.
November 2013
The Commission finds the City oflowa City Citizen's
validity and in need of inclusion of all communi
recommends the Council not use it all. If used, it sb�
guiding strategic planning. The Commission en
types of documents that members of the coNJC
Hoc Diversity Recommendations, the Raci
Report of the Iowa City Coalition for RaVoices Project.
December 2013
Su 13 to be of questionable
n ts. The Commission
� t be the sole input for
i ie Counc,• to rely upon other
have brought forth wich as the Ad
n`howa City and Jo ifison County
ed -m- aterials of The Immigrant
The Commission requests the Council to.provide in : iiting a description of when and at
what cost and the pro to come into full cor irolance with the American with
Disabilities Act (R nven �, The reslhinse should include the findings, its intended
actions, and how dings be prioritized in the FY15 budget, with target dates for
implementation and co • letion.
January
The,Oftnission requltoe CdUTWil to reconsider its decision to discontinue the %half -
fares forTS riders a end of FY14 and to continue to offer half- fares in light of
the fact tharding to SLOATS Director Tom Brase:
1) More than'qVq o EATS riders are eligible for half -fares;
2) Over 91% o „- rides SEATS provides are made by half -fare riders.
The elimination of the half -fares impacts businesses and has a very tangible effect on the
human rights of persons who reside in this community.
March 2014
The Commission requests the City to support the adoption and implementation of the
Municipal Identification Card (referred to as the Community Identification Card) by
2
Johnson County and upon adoption of the Community Identification Card for the City to
formally recognize the validity of the card.
FY 14 Mayor's Proclamations Submitted by the Commission
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January)
African American History Month (February)
Fair Housing Month (April)
Juneteenth National Freedom Day (June)
National Native American Heritage Month (November)
FY 14 Programs & Activities of the Commission
1. July 23, 2013 Participant, Creating Self -Aware &Aming Communities
Workshop sponsored by Diversity Focus, Iowa City Area Development Group &
Culture Friendly Consulting, LLC.
2. July 23, 2013 Attendee, Coalition for Racial ustice P Conference/Report
Release.
3. August 2, 2013 Participant, Coalition for Racial Justice Plannin - eting.
4. August 2, 2013 Participant, Continuing`f ` al Edi+c?tion on Hum a cking.
5. August 6, 2013 Sponsor, The Americai D abilities Act: Amendments Act
Training on Title 1.
6. August 15, 2013 Participant,o,,q Practices with tnt Treters at Hearings.
7. August 20, 2013 Participant, lowa'Civil Rights lt,t & The Irresistible Dental
Assistant. �y
8. August 20, 2013 Participant, ive C r . sponedred by Diversity Focus.
9. August 21, 2013 ''pant, C0 'd ° g Aer i,�Jerences: Customer Service
for Diverse Co me'
nsored b he Iowa tty Chamber of Commerce.
10. August 26Fair sing Adv +sement placed in the University of Iowa
Daily Iowan wmersity ition for in g students.
11. August 27, 2013' 1l . Intern from the University of Iowa
College of Law for fail -semester.
12. August 29, 2013. Adverb2bLin Key Ad Clubs &Organizations Press Citizen for
Outreach and Education.
13. Sohember 13, 2013 ,Presen , Iowa's Civil Rights Legacy: Justice Under the Law
forommunity Leadership Program sponsored by the Iowa City Chamber of
14. September.l L,,.2013 Presenter, My Professional Identity: A Dialogue with Alumni,
at the Unive% Y�of Iowa College of Law.
15. September 272013 Co -Sponsor, Iowa Women's Music Festival.
16.October 1, 2013 Co -Sponsor, The Henrietta Lacks Story: A Discussion on
Gender, Race & Medical Ethics.
17. October 2, 2013, Participant, Fire Department Diversity: How to Create an
Inclusive Culture.
18. October 8, 2013 Updated Human Rights Commission information located in
United Way 2-1-1 Database.
19. October 17, 2013 Sponsor, Conference on Racial Justice & Disproportionate
Minority Incarceration.
20. October 18, 2013 Participant, Iowa Department of Human Rights: What it Does to
Help Underrepresented Iowans.
21. October 18, 2013 Attendee, Annual Awards Ceremony of The ARC of Southeast
Iowa. Commissioner Olmstead Received Recognition at the event.
22. October 24, 2013 Sponsor, 30th Annual Human Rights Awards Breakfast.
23. October 24, 2013 Attendee, United Nations Day Luncheon, Presenter Former U.S.
Representative Jim Leach.
24. November 1, 2013 Co -Sponsor, Resume & Job Application Workshop: Building
Blocks to Employment Job Fair.
25. November 4, 2013 (Week Of) Participant, International Visitor Leadership
Program on Disability Rights in America: Municipal Chdahges and Responses.
26. November 5, 2013 Participant, Post 2015 Develo^ffle
mP Aen a sponsored by the
United Nations Association (Iowa Chapter).
27. December 10, 2013 Participant, Public Readin iversal Declaration of
Human Rights sponsored by United Nations A-!soc.wrion (iowa Chapter).
28. December 20, 2013 Attendee, University of lo,w a Public Policy Center Housing &
Land Use Program Presentation on Increasing. i /fordable Housing in Iowa City.
29. January 13, 2014 Hosted Two Student Legal 1„ternv, from the University of Iowa
College of Law for the spring of 2014.
30. January 22, 2014 Participant,5th Annual Univa?xrn of Iowa Off Campus Housing
Fair.
31. January 24, 2014 Participant, Overview of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission.
32. January 28, 2014 Fair Housing Advertisctuent placed iri Daily Iowan's University
of Iowa Rental Guide.
33. January 28, 2014 Presenter, Iowa's Civil Rights Legacy to University of Iowa
Introduction to Human Rights Class.
34. March 4, 2014 Participant,- Racial Equitv in Our Cities: A Webinar on Strategies
& Opportunities fot Sustainable Institutional Change.
35. March 17, 2014 (Week Of) Commmissioner Andrea Cohen met with New York
City Hurr Rights Commissioner Patricia Gatling.
36. March 26, 2014 Presentee; J 'versity of Iowa College of Law Legal Exploration:
Laving, Learning, Comm class.
37. March 27, 2014 Advertisentot placed in Iowa City 24/7 as Outreach & Education
on the Human Rights Commission.
38. April 1, 2014 Participant, Civil Rights Conference in Lincoln, Nebraska.
39. April 7, 2014`13rochures, Flyers and Outreach materials explaining the work of
the Human Rights Commission sent out to area social service agencies/providers
in both Spanish and English.
40. April 11, 2014 News Release to Iowa City Landlords to Stream or Download Fair
Housing Training Session via Cable Channel 4 in recognition of Fair Housing
Month.
41. April 18, 2014 Participant, Open Meetings & Public Records Update From A-Z.
42. April 23, 2014 Attendee, Building an Inclusive Community, One Neighborhood at
a Time sponsored by the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission. Commissioner
Joe D. Coulter was a Presenter at the event.
43. April 25, 2014 Participant, Ethics, You and the Iowa Civil Rights Commission.
4
44. May 2014 Information on the Role and Function of the Human Rights
Commission sent to Marcia Bollinger, Neighborhood Services Coordinator, to
place in Neighborhood Newsletters.
45. May 2014 Joined National Fair Housing Alliance.
46. May 2014 Started Online Advertising on Discrimination and Your Rights in Iowa
City Press Citizen.
47. May 7, 2014 Participant, Advanced Title VIIIssues: Current Trends in Disparate
Impact Claims.
48. May 8, 2014 Submitted Fair Housing Ordinance to Housing & Urban
Development (HUD) to become substantially equivalent to the Federal Fair
Housing Act.
49. May 13, 2014 Attendee, Citizens Police Review &einl Annual Community
Forum.
50. May 14, 2014 Sponsor, 11th Annual Youth Hu mi Rigiits,�!�wards.
51. May 15, 2014 Participant, My Brother's K- • ,ponsoM.T. by the International
City/County Management Association an e ational League of Cities.
52. May 20, 2014 Participant, Self-EmploentlBusiness Startups for Low Income
Persons.
53. May 29, 2014 Attendee, Resolving Racia Johnson County's Youth -
Serving Systems Community FFo�rum.
54. May 29, 2014 Advertisement' »f_'Human Rights ot�unission as part of Education
and Outreach in Iowa City Press C ; _/m Clubs & Organizations.
55. June 2014 Outreach and Education on Haman Rights'Commission placed as a
water bill insert to Iowa City residents.
56. June 2, 2014 Fair Housing Advertisement that runs on City Channel 4 translated
into Arabic & Mandarin,
57. June 2014 Know Your Rights Brochures translated into Arabic and Mandarin
available online as well as it print.
58. June.6, 2014 Participant, Latino Professional Development Institute Planning
CommitUx:
59. June 12, 2014• Sponsor`;. Diversity & Inclusion Training by Culture Friendly
Consulting, LL
60. June :14, 2014 Co=Sponsor, Johnson County Juneteenth Celebration.
61. June''16; 2014 Hosted Student Legal Intern from the University of Iowa College
of Law for the summer of 2014.
62. June 17, 20I4 Fair Housing Advertisement placed in the Daily Iowan's University
Edition for incoming students.
63. June 17, 2014 Co -Sponsor, Before You Know It screened at FihnScene.
64. June 21, 2014 Co -Sponsor & Participant, Iowa City Pride.
65. June 23, 2014, Participant, Civic Council for International Visitors to Iowa Cities -
Human & Civil Rights for All: A Sub -Regional Project for the Western
Hemisphere.
5
Overview of the Complaint Process
Title Two of the City Code (Human Rights Ordinance) prohibits discrimination in the
areas of education, housing, employment, public accommodation and credit. The
characteristics covered are: age, color, creed, disability, familial status*, gender identity,
marital status, national origin, presence/absence of dependents*, public assistance source
of income*, race, religion, retaliation, sex, and sexual orientation.
*Housing only. A person claiming to be aggrieved by a discriminatory practice or act
must file a complaint within three -hundred days of the alleged discrimination.
Staff of the Human Rights Commission investigate complaints alleging discrimination.
Staff serve as neutral fact finders and do not represent eith ty in the complaint
process.
1. Filing: The complainant (the person whXlleg— the d,'s:ximination) fills out,
signs and dates a complaint form.
2. Jurisdictional Review: A dated and sig-ned eom laint is reviewed by staff to
determine whether it meets the legal ents. r
a. If the complaint does not mee dictional requirements, the
complainant is notified aM the ccompl ' Idininistratively closed.
3. Notice: Within twenty days of the he date a copy
f the complaint is sent
certified mail to the respondent `.(individual/busine.ss/organization accused of
discrimination) alori , a questionnaire and document request.
4. Answer: THe respon�fen s required ptovide an answer to the allegation of
discrimination and ;obt i am, requested records or relevant documents within
5. ght to sue: +fter the faint has been on file for sixty days, the complainant
the option of 0arsing the matter in a state district court. If this option is taken,
alI requirements`have Been fulfilled staff close the complaint and issue a right
to sue. to the complainant. No further action is taken on the complaint by staff.
The issuanceof a right to sue has no bearing on the merits of the allegations
contained in the complaint. It simply is an option the law grants to complainants.
6. Screening: All information is reviewed to determine whether further investigation
is warranted. If staff finds that there is a reasonable possibility of a probable cause
determination or the legal issues present in the complaint need further
development, staff promptly resume the investigation of the complaint. A
complaint determined by staff not to warrant further processing is
administratively closed. The complainant and respondent are promptly notified of
the administrative closure via certified mail. A complainant may object to the
administrative closure within ten (10) days of service by filing a written request
for review that states the basis for the objection. If, after review it is determined
0
that the complaint does not warrant further processing, staff will close the file and
notify the complainant and respondent via certified mail. No further action is
taken on the complaint.
Further Investigation: If the complaint is found to warrant further investigation
both the complainant and respondent may be interviewed and additional
documents/records requested. Witnesses and other persons with knowledge
concerning the allegations in the complaint may also be contacted and
interviewed. When the investigation is complete, staff analyze all the collected
information and write a Data Analysis & Complaint Determination with a
recommendation as to whether probable cause exists on�&mplaint.
8. Finding: The Human Rights Coordinator
probable cause exists on each complaint.
a. If probable cause is found, the
b. If probable cause is not four
respondent of the decision. 4
9. Conciliation: The Human
complaint.
10. Public Hearing: When conciliMon is 111nsuecess
reviewed by the City AttomeyVho shall font
complaint is litigation worthy and make
decision on whether
movemiaMnation.
is both the9Mplainarit and
to conciliate or resolve the
complaint file will be
an opinion as to whether the
a recommendation to two
Commissioners' If both members of the Commission wish to proceed contrary to
the recommendation of the City Attorney, ;the Commissioners may authorize the
Human Rights Coordinator to proceed to a public hearing. A complaint found not
to be litigation worthy.is closed.
FY 14. + �ticjN.
Please- note., some con is filed in'fiscal year 2013 were closed in fiscal year 2014.
Some complaints which write filed"in fiscal year 2014 had not been closed by the end of
fiscal year 2014; creating tfte difference in numbers between those opened and closed.
Most complaints filed cite more than one basis for discrimination and some more than
one area for the discrimitiatory conduct so totals will equal more than 38.
Complaint Activity
COMPLAINTS FILED BY PROTECTED CHARACTERISTIC
FY 2013 FY2014
Age
12 8
Color
11 5
Creed
1 3
Disability
15 18'
' 9 cited mental disability, 2 physical disability, and 7 cited disability only
7
Familial Status
2
Gender Identity
2
Marital Status
6
National Origin
6
Presence/Absence of Dependents
5
Public Assistance Source of Income
5
Race
21
Religion
4
Retaliation
20
Sex
14
Sexual Orientation
5
COMPLAINTS FILED BY AREA
Credit
Education
Employment
Housing
Public Accommodation
Total Cases
RESOLUTIONS
Mediated
No Probable Cause
Administrative Cld
Right To Sue
Lack of Jurisdiatior
Total
5
7
3
6
1
1
17
4
11
2'
16
5
16
372
2
5
11
1
0
0
1
1
21
z 37 complaints were filed in FY14. However, some complaints cite more than one area as the reason for
the discriminatory action. 41 reflects the number of all areas cited in each complaint.
3 `Lack of Jurisdiction' refers to complaints that allege discrimination on a basis or in an area not covered
by local law. Lack of jurisdiction could also include complaints that allege conduct/activity that even if true
would not violate local anti -discrimination law. When applicable such complaints are referred to
appropriate agencies. Examples would include Wage & Hour violations or Family Medical Leave Act
violations.
0
Summary
Employment and public accommodation are the areas in which the most complaints were
filed (16 each), followed by housing (5) and credit & education (2 each ). Disability (18)
is the most common characteristic cited for the alleged discriminatory conduct. Race and
sex follow with (17) and (12) respectively.
In FY13 (27) complaints were filed in the area of employment, (4) in housing and (20) in
public accommodation. The characteristic cited the most for the reason for discrimination
in FYI was race (21), followed by disability (15), and then sex (14).
FY 15 Activities. Trainings & Initiatives
Outreach to community groups and organizations t
concern as it relates to discrimination.
Hold goal setting session for Commission.
Increase public awareness of the discrimination complaint process.
need and areas of
Hold fair housing training for applicable City Board.V6immissions.
Sponsor training on discrimination in places of public accommodation.
Sponsor fair housing training in recognition of fair housing month.
Participate in program6 Lo educate the public on fair housing and illegal
discrimination.
Outreach to area landlords and in:uiagement companies on fair housing and illegal
discrimination.
Collaborate with Community De velopment to identify impediments to fair housing.
Sponsor training on discriminatory lending for area banks.
Respectfully Submitted DATE
Gl
Agenda Item 4b
June 5, 2014
Dear Potential Display Vendor:
The 2014 Johnson County Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Celebration is scheduled
to take place on Saturday, July 26th in the Pedestrian Mall, downtown Iowa City. Last
summer, over 200 individuals with disabilities, their families and the community participated
in this event. This year, we are looking to make our 24th year of celebration bigger and
better than ever! We are currently taking reservations for vendor display space at this
year's event. This is your chance to share information about your products and services
with many current and potential customers. Rates for vendor display space will be $25 /
table or $10 if you provide your own table. This event is for display only; there will be no
product sales allowed on site.
As a vendor, your donation helps to support the ADA Celebration. If you are interested in
having a display table at the event, please complete and return the enclosed Vendor
Display Reservation Form, along with your check by Monday, July 7, 2014.
We hope you will strongly consider supporting the 2014 Johnson County ADA Celebration!
Sincerely,
/;1UGi*-a.-F ter
Kara Foster
2014 ADA Celebration Display Coordinator
VENDOR DISPLAY RESERVATION FORM
Name of Business/Organization:
Name of Contact Person:
❑ I will supply my own table for $10 ❑ 1 would like to rent a table for $25
Street Address:
City, State & Zip Code:
Phone Numbers: []Work ❑ Cell
❑ Work ❑ Cell
Email Address:
Please make your check payable to: The Extend the Dream Foundation
Mail this completed form and your check to:
REM Iowa Developmental Services
c/o Kara Foster
2761 Oakdale Blvd, Suite 4
Coralville, IA 52241
Your Reservation Form needs to be received no later than June 30, 2014 in order to
guarantee your space.
Additional information will follow the receipt of your Vendor Display Reservation Form. If you
have any questions, please contact Kara Foster at (319) 665-2440 or at
kara.foster &thementornetwork.com.
Stefanie Bowers Agenda Item 4c
From: Andrea Cohen <andreacoh@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2014 4:21 PM
To: Stefanie Bowers
Subject: Fwd: FW: Human Rights Opportunity
Hi Stefanie,
Below is the official request from the Human Rights Student Collective at UIowa. Could you please pass it on
to the other Commissioners and place it on the agenda for our next meeting in July?
Many thanks.
kind regards,
Andrea
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Cohen, Andrea M <andrea-m-cohenAuiowa.edu>
Date:2014-06-18 16:18 GMT-05:00
Subject: FW: Human Rights Opportunity
To: "andreacoh(&%anail.com" <andreacohCa,¢mail.com>
From: bmkim (dgmail.com [bm(imz@)cimail.com]
kimzgy@)uiowa.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2014 3:04 PM
To: Cohen, Andrea M
Subject: Human Rights Opportunity
Hello,
on behalf of Brittany Kimzey brittan -
The Human Rights Student Collective (a collection of human rights related student organizations on the UI
campus) is planning a Human Rights Opportunity Fair showcasing a variety of opportunities for students
interested in careers related to human rights.
The fair is tentatively planned for September 17th from 11-3. It will be comprised of student
organizations, volunteer opportunities, informational tables and more. The purpose of the fair is to put
all the opportunities these students may be interested in, in one place.
We were hoping that the Iowa City Human Rights Commission would be interested in having an information
table at this event. If you are interested or would like more information please contact me.
Sincerely,
Brittany Kimzey
Brittany Kimzey
University of Iowa
Amnesty International President
Students for Human Rights Vice President of Operations
Center for Human Rights Intern
brittany kimzey&uiowa.edu
1 THE UIdNmrrf OF bwA
CENTER FOR
HUMAN RIGHTS
June 30, 2014
Stefanie Bowers
Iowa City Human Rights Commission
410 E. Washington
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Stefanie,
Agenda Item 4d
As we move into our 1511 year and end our first year in our new administrative home, the University of Iowa
College of Law, the UI Center for Human Rights (UICHR) 2014 One Community, One Book program will feature The
Distance Between Us: a Memoir by Reyna Grande, a National Book Critics Circle Award finalist.
This book is a powerful testimony to the power of the individual human spirit to overcome abuse and neglect. It
simultaneously and sensitively reveals the impact of immigration policy on the lives of real people. As summarized
by Rigoberto Gonzalez, member of the National Book Critics Circle Board of Directors:
"Grande's unique perspective doesn't attempt to resolve an already muddled conversation [about undocumented
immigration]. Instead, she simply allows experience, not politics, to guide her writing. This compelling memoir
charts a young girl's path from the town of Iguala to the bustling metropolis of L.A. to reunite with the parents who
essentially abandoned her [to seek work in the U.S.). Living in secrecy only fuels her despair as she's unable to seek
solace from her abusive father, who has his own demons to contend with. But unlike the generation before her,
Grande, wise beyond her years, finds a way out of the shadows with the help of a beloved mentor, who sees in
Grande the imagination and potential that society did not see in Grande's parents.... Her ability to achieve
forgiveness and understanding after suffering such neglect ... is admirable, but the feat worthy of mention is
Grande's insistence on expanding a narrative that is usually reduced to a single transgression: a border -crossing.
Indeed that is but a single stroke in a portrait of a family who like countless other immigrant families endure
cultural dislocation, isolation and the emotional distancing that comes from separation.
With honesty and grace, Grande drowns out the unflattering sound bytes that have plagued the undocumented
community's stories and writes a poignant memoir about finding safety and salvation in the artistic path. Hers is an
insider's tale of the hard-won American dream, sympathetic to the uninformed and sometimes detrimental
choices that people make as they pursue that dream."
Rigoberto Gonzalez, Critical Mass: The Blog of the National Book Critics Circle Board of Directors, Feb. 4, 2013,
htti3://bookcritics.org/blog/archive/rgobero-gonzalez-on-reyna-grandes-the-distance-between-us accessed June
2, 2014.
Reyna Grande's memoir reflects the experiences of many families in eastern Iowa —families who are split apart by
migration in search of work and opportunity, and by deportation and other immigration policies.
Ms. Grande will be in Iowa City on Saturday, October 4 to speak as part of the Iowa City Book Festival at 7:30pm in
C20 Pomerantz Center. The UICHR is partnering with the UNESCO City of Literature to make possible Reyna's visit.
We hope you will join us for this exciting lecture event. UICHR will also be organizing a series of activities in
support of her visit. Planned activities include:
College of Law Office: 216 Boyd Law Building Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1113
Central Campus Office: 1120 University Capitol Centre Iowa City, Iowa 52242-5500
Tel 319-335-3900 Fax 319-335-1340 www.uichr.org
• discussion forums throughout the community (including production of a discussion guide for use by
community organizations, book clubs, libraries, etc.);
• a workshop for educators on all levels, including the Iowa City Community School District, to provide
resources for teaching about the human rights issues highlighted in Reyna's story,
• and a film series featuring important (new) films on immigration.
But these activities cannot happen without you. Please consider a donation to the UICHR to make this year's
program possible. Your contribution will be appropriately recognized in our extensive publicity for the project and
on the UICHR website.
Donations will:
increase student and public participation by helping to pay for publicity in the form of posters, ads on the
radio and in newspapers, and to support community forums;
help purchase many more copies of this book in Spanish so that as many people as possible in the
community can read it and be part of the discussions about the book;
assist with the expenses for the author's visit which includes travel, meals and a modest honorarium.
Checks should be made payable to UICHR and sent to the UI Center for Human Rights, 1120 University Capitol
Center, Iowa City, IA 52242, c/o Joan Nashelsky. "One Community, One Book - Fall 2014"should be noted on the
memo line.
Information about Ms. Grande, and The Distance Between Us, discussion forum dates, times and locations, and
other activities in the ongoing program will be regularly updated and can be found at www.ulchr.org.
Thank you,
dan Nashelsky, MLS
Program Coordinator
UI Center for Human Rights
1120 University Capitol Centre
Iowa City, IA 52242
319-384-2209
Moan-nashelskvCd uiowa.edu