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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-16-2015 Human Rights CommissionAGENDA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION HELLING CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL June 16, 2015 5:30 P.M. 1. Call Meeting to Order/ Roll Call 2. Approval of Minutes from May 19, 2015 meeting 3. Public Comment of Items Not on the Agenda 4. New Business: a. Updating Handicap Signs in Iowa City and Surrounding Areas (Olmstead) b. Request from Council for International Visitors for Tuesday, July 21(Bowers) 5. Old Business: a. Commission Action Plan 2015 i. Education Programming Update (Hart) ii. Education Outreach Update (Ghoneim) iii. Community Outreach (Hanrahan) 1. Listening Posts 6. Upcoming Events/Programs: a. Juneteenth Proclamation (June 16) b. The Johnson County Americans with Disabilities Act Celebration Proclamation (June 16) c. Iowa City Pride (June 20) (Coulter, Hart, Pierce -Thomas) d. Juneteenth Celebration (June 27) (Coulter, Hanrahan) e. Johnson County Americans with Disabilities Act Celebration (July 25) (Olmstead, Ghoneim) f. Human Rights Awards Breakfast (October 28) 7. Reports: a. 2015 Safe Summer Kick OfP. (May 28 & May 29) (Ahmed and Olmstead) b. Making Iowa City a Human Rights Community (Olmstead, Coulter, Hanrahan) c. Juneteenth Subcommittee (June 27) (Hart, Olmstead) d. Construction & Labor Trades Job Fair (May 26) (Retish) e. Education Subcommittee (Retish, Olmstead, Hanrahan) f. Building Communities Subcommittee (Townsend) g. University of Iowa Center for Human Rights Board (Ghoneim, Olmstead) h. Racial Equity & Diversity Initiative (Bowers) i. Commission M, IR 8. Set Next Regular Meeting Date: July 21 at 5:30 pm 9. Adjourn The Human Rights Commission meetings follow the Iowa City Community School District closings for inclement weather except for early dismissals for heat. Minutes Preliminary Human Rights Commission May 19, 2015 — 5:30 PM Healing Conference Room Members Present: Orville Townsend Sr, Kim Hanrahan, Joe D. Coulter, Paul Retish, Harry Olmstead, Ali Ahmed, Shams Ghoneim. Members Not Present: Stella Hart, Edie Pierce -Thomas. Others Present: Len Sandler, Dale Helling, John Kinnaman. Staff Present: Stefanie Bowers. Recommendations to Council: No. Call to Order: Coulter called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Consideration of the Minutes from the Apri121 2015 Meeting Date: Motion Hanrahan, seconded by Townsend. Motion passed 7-0. New Business Names of Awardsfor Breakfast Sandler, Helling and Kinnaman requested for the Human Rights Commission to rename the Lifetime Achievement Award the Heather Shank Lifetime Achievement Award. The reason for the request is because Heather Shank, former Human Rights Coordinator, has and continues to commit her life to Human Rights and has been a pioneer in the field. Townsend suggested that it be renamed the Heather Shank Human Rights Lifetime Achievement Award so that future recipients of the award know her contribution to the community. Heather Shank will also be a recipient of the award at the Breakfast scheduled for October 28. Motion Olmstead, seconded by Ghoneim. Motion passed 7-0. Vendor Request 2015 Safe Summer Kick Offl. (May 28 and May 29) The Commission will participate in this event being held at two locations Wetherby (May 28) and Pheasant Ridge (May 29). There is no fee to participate in these events. The Commission will provide financial support for both events in the amount of $50 each. Motion Hanrahan, seconded by Olmstead. Motion passed 7-0. Vendor Request for Juneteenth Celebration (June 27) The Commission will participate in this event being held at the Robert A. Lee Recreational Center. Motion Olmstead, seconded by Townsend. Motion passed 7-0. Participation Request Coralville 4'kFest Parade (July 4) Commissioners choose not to participate in this event. Vendor Request for Johnson County Americans with Disabilities Act Celebration (July 25) Ghoneim will staff the Commission table for an hour at this event and Olmstead who is participating in several of the activities at the event will assist when time allows. The cost to participate is $25. Motion Townsend, seconded by Hanrahan. Motion passed 7-0. The Commission chose to support and partner with this celebration by helping to spread the word and advertise. Motion Hanrahan, seconded by Retish. Motion passed 7-0. The Commission is waiting to hear back from Access 2 Independence to see whether a collaboration on a Disability Advocate Award which would be given at the event is possible. Proclamations Townsend will accept a Juneteenth Proclamation on behalf of the Commission at the June 16 Council meeting. Olmstead will accept the Americans with Disabilities Celebration Proclamation on behalf of the Commission and the Johnson County Americans with Disabilities Act Celebration at the June 16 meeting date. Funding Request Form The form will go into effect July 1. Retish would like to see the Commission establish a hierarchy of how things are funded. For example, requests by University of Iowa organizations should be reviewed to see if there are funding sources available to that organization through the University of Iowa prior to the Commission providing any funding. Commission Action Plan 2015 See Hart's memo in packet for May 19, 2015 for update on educational programming. See Ghoneim's memo in packet for May 19, 2015 for update on educational programming. Hanrahan is working on reducing the listening post participant form to two pages. Hanrahan will use the Juneteenth event as a listening post to solicit information/feedback from the community. Fair Lending Training (April 30) Bowers reported that this training which is the first outreach done to area banks by the Commission was at capacity and well received by those in attendance. United Action for Youth LGBTQ Summit (May 9) Hanrahan who organized this event said there were over 60 participants. Topics discussed at the event included School Safe Zones and gender neutral restrooms. The plan is to do a follow up summit within the next year. Youth Award (May 13) Commissioners noted the job well done at the event this year. Recipients were down this year and Commissioners will work on doing additional outreach to the community next year. Job & Volunteer Fairs The Construction and Trade Job Fair will be held on Tuesday, May 26 at Mercer Aquatic Center. Education Subcommittee Retish has set up a meeting between the Iowa City Community School District Equity Director and the head of the University of Iowa Education Department to discuss ways the University can assist in recruiting educators for the Iowa City Community School District. Retish left meeting at 6:41 p.m. Making Iowa City a Human Rights Community The subcommittee is working to build community support before taking to the Council. Olmstead is meeting with Council Member Throgmorton about the initiative in the near future. Building Communities Townsend updated Commissioners on the Iowa City Community School District's new boundary lines. University of Iowa Center for Human Rights Board A meeting was held on April 30. The Commission will hold its November meeting at the Center due to remodeling at City Hall during that time. The meeting will most likely be held at the University of Iowa Capital Centre. Reports of Commissioners Ghoneim reported that the Americans Civil Liberties Union -Iowa Chapter recently met with the Iowa City Police Chief to discuss body cameras. Olmstead reported that he and Ghoneim are both a part of a new Gazette News Writers Program. The group takes a subject each month and writes about it from a pro/con perspective. He also reports that he and the City's ADA Coordinator have been working on a program to improve curb cuts around the City. Adjournment: 7:24 p.m. Next Regular Meeting — June 16, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. Stefanie Bowers From: Allen, John S <john-allen@uiowa.edu> Sent: Monday, May 18, 2015 4:42 PM To: Stefanie Bowers Cc: Sandler, Leonard Subject: Heather Shank Dear Stefanie, I just ran into Jon Khmamon at the law school a few minutes ago. He said that the Commission is considering whether to name an award for Heather Shank. I think it is a wonderful idea. Heather has been an incredible voice for human rights. I first met Heather when she was a law student in our legal clinic in the early 1990s. I supervised her work on behalf of an inmate at Fort Madison who brought a civil rights law suit against various prison officials. No doubt I have forgotten much from those times, but I remember distinctly Heather's work. I suggested that she do a time line of events so that we could begin to build a narrative of the events that led up to our client's complaint. She thought that was a good idea. Perhaps a week or two later, she showed up with a huge scroll of paper. She had poured over hundreds of pages of records maintained by the prison, statements from witnesses, and memos of discussions with our client. She reconstructed the sequence of events on this scroll. As I unraveled it, I discovered that its length was roughly equivalent to the perimeter of our clinic. I just stepped out into our work space to get a sense of what that is. Our work space is 30 feet by 45 feet, so the scroll was 150 feet long. I had never seen anything like it, nor have I seen anything like it since. She then proceeded to advance a novel legal theory on behalf of the client. I have had involvement in discrimination cases for about three decades, a period we might divide into the pre - Heather era and the post -Heather era. I saw Heather transform how a case was developed by the Commission. She brought the same level of dedication and thoroughness that I had seen in her work in our clinic to the job as coordinator. I do not mean this as a criticism of any of her predecessors, but Heather brought the quality of investigations to a new level that surpasses the work that I have seen done by any human rights agency. She was committed to getting it right. She understood the important rights at stake — the rights of both the complainants and the persons and businesses called before the agency. In her mind, this required carefully planned interviews of witnesses, transcriptions of key interviews, pulling together all the relevant documents, and a careful legal analysis of the claims presented. She viewed the interests involved as too important to just process a file. All of us in Iowa City have been the beneficiaries of Heather's tireless (some might say relentless) work for the agency. I know that you are aware of the work she did in bringing about the addition of gender identity as a protected status under the ordinance. I suppose that some viewed that as controversial at the time, but Heather has the wonderful capacity to speak comfortably and honestly about difficult topics. I have never seen her back down from fear of the other person's reaction. She helped Iowa City be a leader on this issue rather than a follower. Those of us who know Heather know her as kind, compassionate, empathetic, and caring. It turns out that she is also tough as nails when it comes to issues of fairness and justice. She listens to people and helps them find their voice as they seek to vindicate their rights. Heather is an extraordinary person and has done much for this community and beyond. Warm regards, John Allen Stefanie Bowes From: Linda Kopping Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 12:34 PM To: Stefanie Bowers Subject: Renaming the Lifetime Achievement Award Hello Stefanie: Please forward this message to the members of the Human Rights Commission. Thank you, Linda Dear Commission Members: I am writing to encourage you to rename the Lifetime Achievement Award to honor former Human Rights Coordinator, Heather Shank. The new title would be The Heather Shank Lifetime Achievement Award. I have known Heather for thirty years and throughout that time she has been a selfless advocate for human rights on a personal and professional level. I fast met Heather when we worked together as Registered Nurses in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Heather was an advocate for her patients as well as their nurse. On more than one occasion she spoke -up to address questionably ethical behavior of other professionals towards patients. Yes, it was the right thing to do, but go back thirty years and think about a nurse filing a complaint about a physician's conduct. She put her job on the line —and in one case her personal safety —more than once to make sure patients were treated with the respect and dignity they deserved. Eventually Heather left nursing and went back to the University. No one has ever worked harder to get through law school. Not because she was academically challenged, because she was facing new, serious, physical challenges. It would have been so easy for her to give up, but she pushed forward in order to pursue her dream of getting a legal degree and using it to address social injustice. When Heather was hired as the City of Iowa City Human Rights Coordinator she was thrilled. It was truly her dream job. Major aspects of this position, such as pursuing fair treatment and equal rights, mirrored the fundamental values by which she lived. It was a good fit. The record of her accomplishments while working as the Human Rights Coordinator speaks for itself. Besides working on cases and with the Commission, she increased the visibility of the office, enhanced and expanded programming, produced educational videos, reached out to under -represented segments of the community, spoke to anyone who would listen about human rights, organized and sponsored job fairs, and many, many other similar accomplishments. There is an expression used that someone who is so thoughtful or considerate of others will "give you the shirt off their back." It is a figure of speech. Not in Heather's case though. Heather really would give you the shirt off her back if she thought you were cold and homeless. That is the kind of person she is. I hope you will look favorably upon this request. Respectfully Submitted, Linda Kopping 5640 Lower West Branch Rd. SE West Branch, IA 52358 Linda Kopping lCoordinatorl Senior Center) 28 South Linn Stj Iowa City, IA 52240 S 319.356.52251 Q Iinda•kopping@lowa•city.org www.icgoy.org/senior ACDWmdbY r= NOfiO a InMk to or senor centers In Find us on Facebook Stefanie Boxers From: Susan Shullaw <susan@susanshullaw.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 2:32 PM To: Stefanie Bowers Subject: Heather Shank award proposal Stephanie, I am writing to voice my strong support of the proposal to name the Human Rights Commission's Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of Heather Shank, who served as Iowa City's Human Rights Coordinator from August 1994 to December 2005. Heather has been a personal friend since the early 1990s, when she was completing her education at the UI College of Law and beginning her work in private practice. Even then, it was clear that Heather's primary aim in earning a law degree was to give voice to the powerless, and to fight the human rights abuses she had observed in her own life. From being bullied as child, to witnessing the mistreatment of patients during her tenure as a nurse, Heather's experiences served to deepen her passionate commitment to working on behalf of justice and fairness. When she was offered the job of Human Rights Coordinator, it was one of those fortuitous "right person, right time, right place" moments, and the City could not have hired a more energetic and visionary human rights champion. In my view, it is Heather's far-reaching vision of what human rights could and should be in our community — and her desire that Iowa City become a model for others to follow — that makes the naming of this award in her honor so appropriate. The old phrase, "Think globally, act locally," describes much of Heather's work: She was determined to achieve justice for individual clients here in Iowa City, but she was equally devoted to putting Iowa City on the map as a pace -setting community where human rights are in all ways respected, observed, and celebrated. To achieve the latter purpose, she functioned as a one -woman PR and outreach machine, speaking to schools, community organizations, corporate gatherings, and any other group she could interest in the cause of promoting human rights. She held regular film screenings and other events to which the public was invited, and I can recall many, many instances when, despite her frail health, she could be found distributing posters to local businesses (and affixing them to light posts) to encourage public attendance. She was never content with the status quo and was highly proactive, seeking to expand the impact of the Human Rights Commission to multiple under -served populations, from the LGBT community to recent immigrants from Somalia. Other supporters have no doubt written to you about the film she produced on transgender issues, which was cited by former New York City mayor Ed Koch and shown at major human rights conventions around the nation. Heather has received numerous honors in the past, including the City's own Human Rights Award (2002), the Iowa City Pride Committee Legacy Award (2005), and the annual Friends of Iowa Civil Rights Award in 2005, among others. But to attach Heather's name to the Lifetime Achievement Award means that her remarkable legacy will live on to inspire future generations. The Heather Shank Lifetime Achievement Award will set the highest possible standard, and will encourage future award -winners to emulate Heather's example as a true champion for human rights — to dream bigger, work harder, and accept nothing less than (as we all leamesl to pledge in grade school) "justice for all." n 4(1) ) , a Thank you for your consideration, Susan Shullaw 719 North Johnson Street Iowa City IA 52245 susannususanshullaw.com Human Rights Commission ATTENDANCE RECORD YEAR 2014/2015 TERM 7/15/ 8/19/ 9/16/ 10/2/ 10/21/ 11/18/ 12/15/ 1/20/ 2/17/ 3/17/ 4/1/ 4/21 5/19 NAME EXP. 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 15 15 15 15 15 15 Edie Pierce- 1/1/2016 - _ _ _ X O/E X X X O/E Thomas JoeD.Coulter ]/1/2016 O/E X X X X X X X X X X X X Harry 1/1/2016 X X X X X X X X X O/E X X X Olmstead Paul Relish 1/1/2017 O/E X O/E X O/E O/E X X X X X X X Ali Ahmed 1/1/2017 X X O/E X X X X O X O/E X X X Orville 1/1/2017 X X X X X X X X X X X X X Townsend, Sr. Kim 1/1/2018 X X X X X X X X X X X X X Hanrahan Shams 1/1/2018 X X X X X X X O/E X O/E X X X Chouehn —X Stella Hart 1/1/20 8 X O/E X X X X X X X X X O/E KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused NM = No meeting — = No longer a member R = Resignation June 2015 Packet Information Local disability advocates work to bring updated handicap signs to Augusta Page 1 of 2 Agenda Item 4a Local disability advocates work to bring updated handicap signs to Augusta By: Laura Warren - Email Updated: Tue 2:18 PM, May 12, 2015 [ 0 News 12 at 6 o' clock/ April 30, 2015 AUGUSTA, Ga.--For people living with disabilities, handicapped signs are a daily reminder of their impairment. That's why, Shelia Kitchens is glad the old school sign is getting a face lift. "Just by making a small change, it provokes conversations to make bigger changes," says Kitchens. The traditional handicap sign is getting an upgrade to a new, more active 1. looking symbol. It's part of a nationwide movement called the 'Accessible loon Project.' "Basically the goal with the accessible icon project is to change the perception," says Jordan Chambliss, Special Projects Coordinator with Walton Options L,. It's a perception Kitchens has battled for more than 20 years, trying to change the stigmas attached to her wheelchair. "It's not because people are trying to be offensive. It's more of a lack of knowledge. So, this presents an opportunity to say, okay this is a person moving in motion in a wheelchair, what can they do?" she says. Chambliss is working W with lawmakers to try to get Augusta, and hopefully the state, to adopt the http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/Local-disability-advocates-work-to-bring-updated-... 5/29/2015 Local disability advocates work to bring updated handicap signs to Augusta Page 2 of 2 new icon. "It has only been used up in the Northeast, so my goal for the Accessible �i, Icon Project is to bring it to Augusta, and make Augusta the flagship city," she says. She's hoping the symbol will be a way to help %, all of us look at people with disabilities in a new light. "It says they are active, able, engaged. That their mobility iL device does not define who they are," she says. For Kitchens, "It makes a conversation...'Why did they change it?' Then, I can explain, and say why we changed it. It's about perception." A picture is worth a thousand words, and Shelia is hoping this symbol will be worth even more. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1212 Augusta, GA 30903 Main Telephone: (803) 278-1212 Newsroom: (803) 278-3111 Fax: (803) 442-4561 Copyright® 2002-2015 - Designed by Gray Digital Media - Powered by Clickability 301984181 - wrdw.com/a?a=301984181 /f4? gray http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/Local-disability-advocates-work-to-bring-updated-... 5/29/2015 Agenda Item 4b Stefanie Bowes From: Stefanie Bowers Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2015 2:26 PM To: Stefanie Bowers Subject: Request from CIVIC Commissioners, The Council for International Visitors has a group coming in July ano woultl like to have them meet with Commissioners (4 or under) on Community IN and the educational initiatives the Commission has done for those without legal status or unable to find resources. The group will also be meeting with local attorneys and representatives from the Center for Worker Justice during their visit here as well. The date and time for the visit with the Commission is Tuesday, July 21 from 9-10:15. 1 will arrange for a meeting room once it is determined that we have Commissioners who wish to participate. Please let me know as soon as possible. Thanks, Stefanie Agenda Item 5a CITY OF IOWA CITY HUMIN nears COMMISSION Action Plan January 2015 — December 2015 Adopted January 20, 2015 A goal setting session was held on October 2, 2014, at the Eastside Recycling Environmental Education Center. The following Commissioners were in attendance and participated at this meeting: Harry Olmstead (Chair), Andrea Cohen (Vice -Chair), Shams Ghoneim, Paul Relish, Stella Hart, All Ahmed, Orville Townsend Sr., and lam Hanrahan. Also in attendance was Human Rights Coordinator Stefanie Bowers. Commissioner Joe D. Coulter was unable to attend. What follows is the prioritization of initiatives identified at the goal setting session. The initiatives will be reviewed by the Commission at its monthly meetings on a quarterly basis. N-GOING INITIATIVES Human Rights BmaMst. Youth Awards. Job Fair. Collaboration with community organizations & groups. Participation In community events. Sponsor professional development programs. ORGANIZATIONAL INITIATIVES Continue sub -committees. Initiate more educational programs and outreach programs from trends reported in the Annual Report or the Equity Report. Increase participation of all Commissioners in Commission sponsored events, programs and outreach. Pale;. Outreach to Hold filmNanrahan Ondhe Foster Community Community Ustening Townsend Sr., Commuedy Ports Stem Hart Dlahlgue & Community Engagement Outreach to Presets Jae D. Coultm Paul Kalish Maintain Council Council Proclamations Positive Provide Relationship Notice of with the Upcoming Council Programs Events -Hart Educational Events on Stella Harry m Comunity Community Events for the Affordable, Olmstead Engagement, Community Universal, & Education, & Accessible Outreach Housing Educational Presentations Shams Orvllk Awaronasa idwots, Presentations on Who the Ghoneim Townsend sr., about the Community to the Commission is All Ahmed Commission & Groups, Community and the Role Access to Service clubs, the Resources Faith Commission Communities Plays in the Community Agenda Item 5ai Stefanie Bowers From: Stella Hart <stella.d.hart@gmail.com> Sent: Friday, June 05, 2015 12:39 PM To: Stefanie Bowers Subject: HRC Report Hi Stefanie, I would like to discuss the same report I submitted for the last HRC meeting (that I was unable to attend due to being out of town) at the upcoming meeting. Do you need me to resend the document? Thank you! Stella Stefatie Bowen From: Ste9aHart amAa.d.hart®pmeNmma lard: SatuWW,MaY09.20158:19PM To: Stafwde Bowers Sublsal: Ra: Suboommfte Report Hi Stefanie, Here is my report for the Education Programming Subcommittee The HRC will sponsor a five and open to the public commaaity discussion on the status of affordable housing and homelessness in Iowa City this fall (date TBD). Potential panelists: - A representative from the Housing Authority A representative from Habitat for Humanity A representative from the Housing Fellowship A representative from Shelter House - A representative from the JoCo Affordable Housing Task Forca/Coalitions For the location, my first thought is the downtown public h%rary, but I would like to discuss this with my fellow commissioners in case they have other ideas. As for as the Juneteenth Subcommittee Report, I plan on attending the neat planning session (date TBD, sometime in May). Has the HR office received any contest submissions? Reminder: I will not be able to attend the May HRC meeting, I will be in New York with my family. Best, Stella On Fri, May 8, 2015 at 3:28 PM, Stefanie Bowers 4Stefanie-Bowers(Aiowa-dtv ore> wrote: Another friendly reminder that at the last meeting Commissioners spoke of making better use of meeting time by submitting updates for monthly items on the agenda in the information packet. Please note that I would need any updates by this Tuesday. To date I have only received one update. An email sent to me with a summary of any updates or information you want the Commission to know about would work as well. Here is the list of things that updates can be provided on: Education Programming Update (Hart) Education Outreach Update (Ghoneim) Community Outreach (Hamahan) Making Iowa City a Human Rights Community (Olmstead, Coulter, Hanrahan) —Received Juneteenth (June 27) (Hart, Olmstead) Job/Volunteer Fair (Relish) Education (Relish, Olmstead, Coulter) Building Communities (Townsend) University of Iowa Center for Human Rights Board (Ghoneim, Ohnstead) Thanks! Stefanie From: Stefanie Bowels Sent: Tuesday, May 05, 2015 9:20 AM To: Stefanie Bowers Subject: Subcommittee Reports This is a friendly reminder that any subcommittee reports for the Commission meeting of May 19 will need to be sent to me no later than Tuesday, May 12 by 5. Thanks, Stefanie Agenda Item 5aii Stefwfie Bowels From: Shams Ghoneim <shamsghoneim@mchsi.com> Sent: Monday, June 01, 2015 2:56 PM To: Stefanie Bowers Subject: Re: June Subcommittee Reports Hi Stefanie; As you may recall I address CRC on June 17,2015. Many thanks Have a great week. Best regards Shams On Jun 1, 2015, at 10:48 AM, Stefanie Bowers wrote: This is a friendly reminder that any subcommittee reports for the Commission meeting of June 16 will need to be sent to me no later than Tuesday. June 9 at S.Please recall we are asking for reports ahead of time to be placed in the packet to make more efficient use of Commission meeting time. Reports do not need to be formal and can be a simple email. Here is the list of things that updates can be provided on: Education Programming Update (Hart) Education Outreach Update (Ghoneim) Community Outreach (Hanrahan) Making Iowa City a Human Rights Community (Olmstead, Coulter, Hanrahan) Juneteenth (June 27) (Hart, Olmstead) JobNolunteer Fair (Retish) Education (Retish, Olmstead, Hanrahan) Building Communities (Townsend) University of Iowa Center for Human Rights Board (Ghoneim, Olmstead) Thanks! Stefanie June 2015 Commission Correspondence L Tim I.INwERSI'lYOP Im CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS May 12, 2015 Stefanie Bowers City of Iowa City Human Rights Commission 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Stefanie, We are most grateful to the Human Rights Commission for the check for $250 which arrived a few days ago. This will be very helpful to us as we continue to plan Bryan Stevenson's visit to Iowa City on October 4. We would like to have his talk at 2pm but are waiting to know his travel arrangements. Please watch our website and that of City of Literature for details as the event approaches. We plan to release preliminary information this week as a "save -the -date" notice. We have greatly benefited from partnering on this project and others with the Iowa City Human Rights Commission over the years and hope we can continue to do so as long as possible. If you can think of events or activities that you think would be beneficial with the topics in lust Mercy, please contact me with your suggestions. Thank you, I am Joan Nashelsky, MLS Program Coordinator UI Center for Human Rights College of Law Office: 320 Melrose Avenue Iowa City, Iowa 52242 Central Campus Office: 1120 University Capitol Centre Iowa City, Iowa 52242 Tel 319-335-3900 Fax 319-335-1340 www.ulchr.org Ir CfTY OF IOWA CITY LROSM01YOFUTIMAWRE CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM Date: May 14, 2015 To: Geoff Fruin, Assistant City Manager From: Stefanie Bowers, Equity Director Re: Diversity Implementation Update and Status on Racial Equity and Diversity Initiative. This memo serves as an update for the ongoing staff responsibilities of the Ad Floc Diversity Committee's recommendations that were adopted by way of resolution in June of 2013. It also provides the most recent activity on the 2013 Equity Report Action Plan and the Racial Equity and Diversity Initiatives adopted by resolution in February of 2015. Diversity Implementation Form The recommendations set forth by the Ad Hoc Diversity Committee in the spring of 2013 and implemented by a City Council resolution in June of 2013 have been reported out in what staff tensed the diversity implementation form (DIF). The DIF is a table that provides the Ad Hoc Diversity Committee's recommendations and the status of these recommendations. Although the DIF works well for reporting on the status of the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Diversity Committee, over time it has become less effective in providing updates for ongoing recommendations or for adding new initiatives that the City has adopted since June of 2013. Due to this issue, staff will redesign the existing DIF. A new and improved DIF is a staff priority. Staff plans on working with the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) in creating a "reporting our mechanism/DIF that is user friendly to the community and to City Council. It will also allow for recommendations, actions plans or initiatives to be categorized by area and provide outcomes and any timelines related to the recommendation, action plan or Initiative. Quarterly Update on the Diversity Implementations of the Ad Hoc Diversity Committee The Police Department is participating in community outreach, community policing models, cultural competency training and community partnerships. The Police Department has also extended outreach to educate community members on knowing their rights under the law. A complete list of the Police Department's activities follows this memo (DIF Renortkw for 1CPD tat Quarter 2015). 2013 Equity Report Action Plan and the 2015 Racial Equity and Dhrorsity Initiative The first Council Listening Post was held on May 7 at the Iowa City Public Library Meeting Room A. Mayor Hayek and Mayor Pro-Tem Mims represented the Council. Approximately a dozen community members were in attendance. The City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Police Chief and Equity Director along with representatives from the Black Voices Project, the Coalition for Racial Justice, the Iowa City Commission on Human Rights, and the Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa have met twice for roundtable discussions. The roundtables have been very helpful to staff in terms of providing input on city programs and services. Advice from participants May 14, 2015 Page 2 of the roundtable led to the translation of Resolution 15-57, which approves the 2013 Equity Report Action Plan and the 2015 Racial Equity Diversity Initiative, into Arabic, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. The first roundtable saw many topics discussed—polioe, education, and employment At the most recent roundtable participants developed a list of topics to be discussed in the future. it was decided that the May roundtable topic will be on communication and ways the City can best spread the word to the community on City services, policies, programs, and events. This topic was selected first because communication is essential in terms of all that we do as a community and as a city. The Police have expanded Coffee with a Cop to different areas of the community including most recently at the Broadway Neighborhood Center. In the future, Coffee with a Cop will include a Spanish speaking officer present as schedules permit. The Police Department is still awaiting a response from the United States Department of Justice on their inquiry to participate in the Building Community Trust and Justice Program. • The Police Department offers ride alongs to members of the community who wish to participate in order to encourage relationship building and trust between law enforcement and the community it serves. • The expansion of body -mounted cameras within the Police Department and the development of appropriate rules and regulations for the use of the technology will be presented by the Police Department in a separate memo to the City Council at a future date. Staff will pursue public education about cameras and related policies in the coming months. • The Police Department continues to participate in the study on disproportionate minority contact (DMC) in traffic stops with Dr. Bamum of St. Ambrose University. Dr. Barnum will report on the most recent data (2013 and 2014) at a future City Council work session planned for either late fall or winter, depending on Dr. Barnum's schedule. • Staff is unaware of any conversations or actions related to encouraging the expansion of the Citizens Police Review Board to other jurisdictions within Johnson County. A program has been produced by City Channel 4 staff that explains the history and function of the Citizens Police Review Board. Later in May, the name of the Board will be changed to the Community Police Review Board per the recommendation of the City Charter Review Commission to discontinue the use of the word `citizen" whenever possible. The annual Citizens Police Review Board Community Forum was held at the Iowa City Public Library Meeting Room A on April 28. The forum had approximately 20 attendees. The purpose of the forum is to hear community members' views on the policies, practices and procedures of the Police Department. In the summer of 2015, the City Manager will review his role in the Citizens Police Review Board complaint process. Specifically, as it relates to his participation in the Interviews of officers accused of misconduct. The original recommendation requires for the City Manager to conduct this review to ensure It is producing the intended results. • Staff of Transit, Parks and Recreation and Human Rights participated in a training on Intercultural Communications. Moving from Conflicts to Collaborations in January. May 14, 2015 Page 3 Approximately 60 City staff participated in training on Diversity in the Workplace in February. Staff of Human Rights, Human Resources, Police, and Transit participated in a While Privilege training conducted by Dr. Eddie Moore Jr, in February. Currently, the Human Rights and Human Resources Departments are working with Dr. Eddie Moore Jr. in scheduling implicit bias training to all City staff by the end of 2015. Staff of the Communications, Police, and Human Rights Departments participated in Building Our Global Community with the University of Iowa International Center in April. On May 4, the Police Chief, Neighborhood Services Coordinator and Equity Director traveled to Dane County, Wisconsin to most with Dane County officials on jail diversion programs, disproportionate minority contact, and a restorative justice program that Dane County officials will be. launching soon and focuses primarily on lower income neighborhoods. The trip was planned by the Johnson County Board of Supervisors. • Staff has supported, attended or participated in community activities and programs that support City goals of engaging with members of historically underrepresented groups. On January 19 City Council members and staff of the Human Rights and Police Departments attended the Martin Luther King Jr. Stride Toward Progress event at Grant Wood Elementary. In February, the Police Department participated in the Adopt a Cop initiative with the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity's Youth Leadership League. Representatives of the Racial Coalition for Justice, The Dream Center and staff of the Police and Human Rights Deparbments viewed a webinar on Race, Community and Policing: Working within Police Departments to Achieve Racial Equity. More recently, representatives from the City Council, City Manager's Office, Fire and Police Departments attended a luncheon hosted by The Kingdom Center upon the Invitation of Pastor V. Sterling Allen. Some upcoming acilvfies and events include City staff attending and also serving as vendors at the 5th Annual Iowa City Juneteenth Celebration. City staff including the Fire and Police Chiefs will also attend a fellowship at New Creations International Church by Invitation of Pastor Anthony Smith. In April, Johnson County passed a resolution for the creation of Community Identification Cards (CID). The City will partner in the further refinement of the procedures and application of use for the CID and will participate financially. City staff has been in communications with Julie Nelson of GARE and are working out the details of a Memorandum of Agreement. GARE's Racial Equity Scorecard requires the assistance, data and resources of other municipalities and entities in the Johnson County area. City staff will reach out to those municipalities asking them to join GARE. • The City Clerk has been including the meeting minutes of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee of Johnson County in City Council Information Packets. The City has been collecting data on the race and ethnicity of individuals who apply for employment with the City through the new MUNIS Enterprise Resource Planning May 14, 2015 Page 4 System. The data is voluntarily submitted by the applicant. The data started being collected January 1 and will be collected through umber 31 of this year and reported on in 2016. On February 24, the City sponsored a seasonal employment fair at Mercer Park Aquatic Center (Mercer). Over 50 individuals attended this event. Brochures were available to attendees that explained collective bargaining and civil service. The City used its recently created diversity email list -serve to send out notice and mailings of this job fair to a larger segment of the Iowa City population. Complimentary bus passes were available to those who needed transportation to attend. Parks and Recreation held a job fair on March 25 at Mercer for those looking for summer or year round part time positions with the Department. The fair ran from 6-8 p.m. that evening. It was advertised at many locations in Iowa City including City High, West High, Tate High, Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, Mayor's Youth Empowerment Program, the City's website and social media. Nine applications were received from participants. Parks and Recreation will host additional seasonal employment fairs with interviews conducted onsite in the future. The City has been collecting data on the race and ethnicity of individuals who apply for appointments on City boards/commissions through a voluntary survey that is a part of the application. The data started being collected January 1 and will be collected through December 31 of this year and reported on in 2016. The Equity Director has been conducting training with current City board/commission members on how to increase the racial and ethnic applicant pool of those who apply for their respective boards/oommissions. To date trainings have been completed with the Library Board of Trustees, Citizens Police Review Board, Parks and Recreation Commission and the Public Art Advisory Committee. City staff plan on working with GARE In the creation of a racial equity impact review tool for City budgets, programs, policies and services. Staff has collected preliminary information from other jurisdictions working on racial equity and using a racial equity impact review tool. The Police and Fire Departments have collaborated with Diversity Focus this year in sponsoring the Youth Explorer program. The program, which commenced in March has two primary goals: 1) establish and create meaningful relationships between youth in this community and law enforoement/fire fighters; and 2) expose youth to careers in both departments with the hope of encouraging them to explore careers in either field. For further information on the Youth Explorer Program. see D1F Report/no for 1CPC fat Quarter 2015. • To increase awareness of the options available to file complaints of discrimination against the Police Department or other City services, programs or operations, the Police have participated in educational programs to increase community knowledge of one's rights and options under the law. see DIF Rewding for ICPC 1st Quarter 2015. The Human Rights Office recently completed its biannual mailing to area agencies which included brochures and pamphlets in English, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese and Arabic called Know Your Right& Mailings also included the brochure for the Citizens Police Review Board (English and Spanish). May 14, 2015 Page 5 A voice-over advertisement for the Human Rights Department in Spanish was recently produced by City Cable Channel 4. The advertisement provides contact information to persons who believe they have been discriminated against here in Iowa City. COPY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MCI Pat Harney, Chairperson Janelle Rettig Mike Carberry Rod Sullivan Terrence Neuzil o May 29, 2015 s c Iowa City Mayor Matt Hayek =tr> iJ 410 East Washington Street 141-1., s rn Iowa City, IA 52240 css`? r Dear Mayor Hayek, cn I'm writing this update as a follow-up to earlier discussions regarding Johnson County's goal of implementing a Community Identification Card program. The aim of the plan is to assist residents to access the many services and amenities in our community and to be a welcoming community for all our residents. Johnson County has now passed its resolution of support and work is beginning on the program details. The program will be overseen by Johnson County officials and staff. The initial rollout will be timed to coincide with the July 4th Independence Day holiday. The physical cards themselves will have layered security. The Johnson County seal will be impressed into the card material itself, and a color overlay of the Johnson County logo will be added, along with citizen photo, date of birth, and address. Cards will be produced by Armstrong Systems & Consulting Co., vendors for the University of Iowa's MUM -Purpose student ID cards. They have experience in creating cards that are secure from easy copying for misuse. The basic plan for the card is that it will be good for 4 years for adults; 2 years for children (so they can have pictures that more adequately reflect their faces as they grow and change). Cost will be $8.00 for adults; $4.00 for children. If a card holler moves, they will be able to get a replacement card to reflect their accurate address at a cost of $2.00— and will be directed to do so within 30 days. documentation to receive a card must be produced all over again. Renewals of the cards will cost the same: $8.00/adults and $4.00/children. If a card is lost, the Residents will present proof of identity and proof of address to obtain the cards. The list of required documents as proof of identity to receive the card include but may not be limited to either: One of the following: a U.S. or foreign passport; a U.S. driver's license; a U.S. state non -driver's identification card; a U.S. Permanent Resident card (commonly known as a 'green card'); birth certificate or a consular identification card ("CID"); or Two of the following documents, provided that an applicant presents at least one form of ID displaying their photograph and date of birth: a national identification card with photo, name, address, date of birth, and expiration date; a current foreign driver's license; a U.S. or foreign military identification card; a current visa issued by a government agency; a U.S. Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) authorization letter; an identification card issued by an Iowa educational institution, including elementary, 913 SOUTH DUBUQUE STREET ♦ IOWA CITY, IA 52240 ♦ 319.356.6000 PHONE ♦ 319.356.6036 FAX www.JOHNSON-COUNTY.com • johnsoncountyia.igm2.com COPY middle, secondary, and post -secondary schools; a certified copy of a U.S. or foreign birth certificate; a Social Security card. Applicants aged thirteen or under may alternatively present an official medical record and/or official school record to establish identity under this program, provided that at least one of the two forms of identification presented shall display the applicant's date of birth. The items required to prove residency in order to obtain the card will include one of the following, provided the item includes both the applicant's name and a residential address located within Johnson County, Iowa: a utility bill dated within the last 30 days; written verification issued by a hospital health clinic or social services agency that receives County funding confirming at least fifteen days residency With the last 30 days; a local property tax statement for the present year; mortgage payment receipt dated within the last 30 days; current rental agreement; current receipt for paying lot rent for a mobile home; a bank account statement dated within the last 30 days; proof of a minor currently enrolled in a school within Johnson County; an employment pay stub dated within the last 30 days; a federal or state income tax or refund statement dated within the last 30 days; an insurance bill (homeowner's, renter's, health, life, or automobile) dated within the last 30 days. Residency of minors may be validated by parents, provided that the parent or guardian himself or herself would be eligible for a Community ID Card. This is just a basic description of the requirements. The Community ID working committee will finalize all requirements for proving identity and residency in the coming weeks. Training of county staff and officials will be carried out by the card vendor and others with knowledge on identifying documents, with oversight from the County Attorney. Given that the card is being produced at the request of leaders in our faith, law enforcement, business, and immigrant communities, we hope you will support the effort by passing your own resolution of support as a city government located within Johnson County. We encourage you to accept this Community ID for city services and contact with law enforcement. Your support will make the card more meaningful. It will be an important part of this process of strengthening our communities, our security, and the dignity of our citizens. Financial support for the equipment and materials necessary is also appreciated. Efforts will begin to secure local financial institutions and other businesses as Community ID Card supporters — window stickers of support will be made available to all supporting business entities to display. We ask that you encourage local businesses in your city to participate in the program. The Community ID may not be used in Johnson County for proof of age for purchasing alcohol or tobacco, or entering establishments with age restrictions. Nor may the Community ID be used for services that state or federal law restricts, such as voting. Please call me if you have further questions. We anticipate an initial rollout production and distribution of over 2,000 cards with our July 4th event. Ilook forward to your support, and thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Pat Harney, C� airh person Johnson County Board of Supervisors s �7K r cz 0 07 COPY CITY OF SWISHER RESOLUTION NO. 2015- Do RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY IDENTIFICATION CARD FOR CITY OF SWISHER AND JOHNSON COUNTY WHEREAS City of Swisher desires to be a welcoming community to all people, and WHEREAS having a valid form of identification is crucial for accessing some basic public and private sector services including securing employment, opening a bank account, cashing a check, renting a home or apartment, identifying yourself to law enforcement, accessing medical care, and gaining access to certain public services; and WHEREAS not all members of our community are able to obtain a State issued Driver's License or Non -Operator's Identification Card because of lack of specified documents due to natural disaster, immigration or otherwise, and WHEREAS a Community Identification Card will enable residents of our county to have proof of the identity and address; and WHEREAS a Johnson County Community Identification Card could be more easily recognized and accepted by local governments and businesses; WHEREAS a Community Identification Card will enhance public safety by encouraging card holders to report crimes to law enforcement in an efficient manner and without concern of not being able to identify themselves or being investigated themselves for not having an ID; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Swisher supports establishment of the Johnson County Community Identification Card. Johnson County will provide staff, training and materials to produce the Community ID. Other entities may also provide staff and other support to the program. The Community ID will be purchased through Johnson County. The card will be recognized as valid identification for City and County services for residents of Johnson County for which card holders may be entitled. Absent a specified reason not to accept the identification, City and Johnson County departments and officials will accept the Community Identification Card as valid identification. However, the card may not be used as proof of age to obtain alcohol or cigarettes or enter establishment with age restrictions. COPY Holders of the Community Identification Card may be entitled to benefits and discounts at area businesses as identified in promotional materials. On the 111h day of May 2015, at a regular meeting of the Swisher City Council, Swisher, Iowa, Councilperson S Ue introduced RESOLUTION NO. 2015- 10, and made a motion for approval. The motion was seconded by Councilperson H �n c t c t� . Roll Call Vote Absent Aye Nay Abstain Sandra Fults v Mary Oudenkauf Angie Hinrichs v Mike Stagg Larry Svec Motion Cci r tied WHEREUPON, the Mayor declared that RESOLUTION 2015- ),0 , be adopted and signified his approval of the same by affixing his signature thereto. PASSED, by the Council on the I lih day of May 2015, and approved by the Mayor on the 11 `h day of May 2015. ATTEST: Tawnia Kakacek, City Clerk Clrristophei ayloi, ayoi CullureVislon 1.01rraining 2 Tuesday, June 2, 11am-12pm W433 GH RSVPto lanet-niebuhr@uiowa.ed The Safe Zone Project: Phase I Thursday, June 4,1-3pm 2520D University Capitol Centre 200 South Capitol St. lows City, W Culturally Responsive Health Care in Iowa Conference Friday, June 5, 2014 Sheraton Hotel, Iowa City www. medlcine.uiowa.edu/cme Invisible Faces The lived experience of Latins in E. low through artwork explarin9 themes of identity and migration. Friday, June Ah, 5:00-8:00pm Public Space One, 120 N. Dubuque St. www. ublics aceane.c m Contact 1-331-889 lows Arts Festival June 5-7, Downtown Iowa City hnp,//www.summer.ftheam.org/ AAMC Disability Weidner Series 10 Separating Fact from Fiction: Debunking Disability Myths and Addressing Legitimate Concerns Wednesday, June 101h, 2:00.3:00pm, MERF 1185 Contact lane[-niebuhr@uiowa edu to team how to register r irhstituoi [ionT slhip. Sweet Salsa Saturday, June 13, 6:00pm Ped Mall, Iowa City MUSICK June 17-20 Downtown Iowa City www.summerofthearts.o LGIJTQ Pride Senior prom Theme: Over the Rainbow Friday, June 19t%7:00pm, The Senior Center 28 S. Linn St., Iowa City Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival L9 June 19—July 4 www.freedomfestval corn luneteenth Celebration Day— Cedar Rapids June 20, 5:30-7:30pm Adult Education Day, Glovick Center, 12245 h Street SE June 22, 20:00am-2:00pm Student activities, registration encouraged www.blackiowa ore Iowa City Pride Saturday, June 200 12:00pm - Pride Parade in Downtown Iowa City 12:00-6:00pm Pride Festival, Ped Mall htto://iowacitypride.com luneteenth Celebration —Iowa City Saturday, June 27, 12:00-6:00pm Robert A. Lee Recreation Center, 220 S. Gilbert St, Iowa CRY Iowa Irish Fest July 31-August 2, Downtown Waterloo www.lowairishfestcom Save the date Summer of the Arts Festivals Downtown Iowa City Iowa Cltylazz Festival —July 3-5 Iowa Soul Festival —September 19-21 www.summerofthezrts.ore National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity Webinars Writing Sclertce July 14, 21, 28, and August 4, 2pm Email medicine-diversity@uiowa edu for enrollment details. Now In Repme Your Tamme Fge Wednesday, July 290, Ipm Email medicine-diversity@uiowa edu for enrollment details. AAMC DWbl lry Webiner Series Clinical Acconhmodations: Upholding Standards While Creating Equal Access Thursday, July 91h, 2:00-3:00pm, MERF 1185 Contact' aa�ie?bhr[atu'owa edu to learn how to regimb forinst tot i m e�rshno. Ongoing LGBTQ Patient & Family Education & Support Groups Thursdays, 5:30pm 2520B University Capitol Centre 2015 Clinton Street, Iowa City htt//d'ersity. uiowa.edu/ts/igbtq-oafent-famik education-support-erouns Summer English Conversation Classes Tuesdays, 12:30-1:30pm, Melrose Conference Center Room 6 (Elevator L to 50 Floor) Wednesdays,12-Ipm, Med Labs 2114 Contact: rinne-stanlev@uiowa.edu Friday Night Concert Series Fridays, 6:3D-9:30pm Pedestrian Plaza, Iowa City www.summerafthearts ore Free Movie Series Saturday, 8:30pm UI Pentacrest outside of Macbride Hall www.summerofthearmore Cmalville Farmers Market Mondayys: May 4—October 5, 2015, 5.7pm Corelvllle Community Aquatic Center Parking Lot 1513 r St, Doraville Iowa City Farmers Market May 2—October 31, 2015 Wednesdays 5:00.7:00pm Saturdays 7:30am-12:00pm Ground level of Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp 410 E. Washington Street www.iowacitycoralville.orelndez asoz7n'd=$91 Cedar Rappide Downtown Farmers' Market 1^and3 Saturday ofesch month June -September Greene Square Park htto://www.cedarrapids.oni/ Contact the CCOM Office of Cultural Affairs and Diversity Initiatives for more details on any of the listed events. •• "FlCfiVni IfJLL 384-2952 or medicine-diversity@uiowa.edu. Please visit our welso for additional events: www.medicina.i.owaedu/diversity a CAMTKI UlKli IndMduals with disabilities areanwura ed mattend all Unwrsi OFAODI M g tyof lowaspomoraceof s.Ifyouarcapard DWma ditiadwywhadvanoes Ina an aaommodatlon in oNerto DeMslpata in rhea programs, plaaseamactthe Office of LLXural Affairs and Dharsiry lnitixives in advann oidDia e, at 384-M52. an4pawAp• ue. wayd.. a.r sire