HomeMy WebLinkAbout2 18 00AGENDA
Human Rights Commission (HRC)
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
5:30 P.M.
City Hall, Helling Conference Room
410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City
1.Call Meeting to Order and Roll Call.
2.Approval of the January 21, 2020 meeting minutes.
3.Public Comment of Items not on the Agenda. (Commentators shall address the
Commission for no more than 5 minutes. Commissioners shall not engage in
discussion with the public concerning said items).
4.Items to be discussed:
a.Correspondence;
b.Funding Request: Night of 1000 Dinners;
c.Funding Request: DVIP 40th Conference;
d.Funding Request: Health Equity Advancement Lab UI College of Public
Health;
e.Women’s History Month Proclamation (March 2020);
f.International Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31, 2020);
g.Volunteers for Youth Job Fair (March 5);
h.March meeting date;
i.Anti LGBTQ Bills;
j.Committees & Strategic Planning.
5.Reports:
a.Black History Month Proclamation.
6.Save the dates:
a.Youth Awards (May 13, 2020);
b.Awards Breakfast (October 21, 2020).
7.Staff/Commission Announcements. (Commissioners shall not engage in
discussion with one another concerning said announcements).
8.Comments of Staff.
9.Adjournment.
If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate in this meeting please contact
the Equity Director, Stefanie Bowers, at 319-356-5022 or at stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org.
Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
Page 1 of 4
Draft Minutes
Human Rights Commission
City Hall, Helling Conference Room
January 21, 2020
Members Present: Zachary Rochester, Bijou Maliabo, Mark Pries, Jessica
Andino, Jason Glass, Adil Adams, Cathy McGinnis,
Noemi Ford.
Not Present: Ashley Lindley.
.
Staff Present: Stefanie Bowers.
Recommendation to Council: Yes, by a vote of 8-0 the Commission recommends to
City Council funding the below organizations for the Social Justice and Racial Equity
Grant as shown below for FY20.
Successful Living $18,000.00
Sudanese Community Center $13, 520.00
Little Creations Academy $7,360.00
Center for Worker Justice $8,975.98
Antelope Lending Library $6,644.00
Inside Out Reentry Community $5,000.00
Labor Center $15,500.00
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 5:31 PM.
Approval of the January 7, 2020 meeting minutes: Rochester moved, and the motion
was seconded by Glass. Motion carried 7-0. (Ford not present for vote).
Black History Month Proclamation: Commissioner Glass will accept the proclamation
at the February 4, City Council meeting on behalf of the Commission. Staff also gave an
update on City programming for Black History Month.
Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Recommendation: Commissioner Glass
ranked the top six scoring applications which totaled $61,000 out of $75,000 allocated for
the grant. The top six include Successful Living, Little Creations Academy, Center for
Worker Justice, Antelope Lending Library, Inside Out Reentry, and the Labor Center.
Adding the seventh top ranked applicant (Sudanese Community Center) to the
recommendation puts the amount at $1480.00 over the allocated amount.
Commissioners reviewed the application for the Sudanese Community Center and noted
it stated they would accept less funding. The eighth highest applicant (Gathering and
Helping Hands) requested amount was $25,000 and it was an all or nothing proposal.
Page 2 of 4
Because the Sudanese Community Center noted in the application that it would accept
less funding to complete the project by doing less programming, the Commission decided
to allocate $13,520.00 instead of the $15,000.00 to it.
The Commission conditioned this on the Sudanese Community Center submitting an
amended budget reflecting the $13,520.00.
The Commission reviewed the top seven applications to determine whether the
populations served adequately represented diverse groups and different populations.
Commissioners gave brief remarks on why some applications did not score as high.
Gathering and Helping Community: The amount was to purchase a vehicle. Some
struggled with the large amount requested for a single purchase that may help a lot of
people but was necessary for the project. Others had concerns with the cost of
maintenance for the vehicle over time.
Domestic Violence Intervention Program: The timeline did not fit with fiscal year 2020.
The application should have been submitted in fiscal year 2019.
Summer of the Arts: The event would occur after the grant cycle ended.
African American Network of Iowa: The requested amount ($25,000) is to start the
organization. Not a lot of programming mentioned in application.
Healthcare Trends: The organization was not physically located in Iowa City and its
mission statement was inconsistent with the proposal.
ICC Fusion: The hotels should be investing the funding to provide cultural competency to
its staff.
Iowa City Pride: The scholarship that was mentioned in the proposal did not state how it
would help LGBTQ people in Iowa City.
Commissioner Glass moved to recommend the top six proposals for full funding and
conditionally approve the seventh, pending resubmittal of its budget to $13,500 or less
Priest seconded the motion. The motion passed 8-0.
Youth Job Fair: March 6, the City along with Iowa Works and Vocational Rehabilitation
will be hosting a youth job fair at the Robert A. Lee Recreational Center.
Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service: Commissioners Rochester, Pries and Maliabo
provided updates on the Day of Service and the program held at Bethel AME Church in
celebration of the day.
Page 3 of 4
Youth Awards: Save the date May 13, 2020.
Human Rights Breakfast: Save the date October 21, 2020.
Commission Announcements: Rochester visited the African American Museum of
Iowa for the first time on MLK Day. Rochester also mentioned the upcoming Fair-Trade
National Conference and how its principals align closely with the City’s Climate Action
Plan.
Maliabo is part of Project Management Plus through the College of Public Health she
assists mental health professional who are working with persons who have mental illness
by offering translation services. The Project is charged by the University of Iowa’s College
of Law.
Andino will be attending a conference in North Carolina in mid-February on Partnerships
for Environmental Public Health. The University of Iowa has its annual Diversity,
Inclusion, and Equity meeting from 5-6 PM at the IMU on January 22.
On the 6th of February, Priest will be working with Agudas Achim Congregation to hold a
CPR training for Congregation Coordinators. The hope is to get Iowa City & Coralville to
be a Heart Safe Communities and get as many people as possible trained in CPR.
McGinnis is looking forward to hearing from Dr. Anita Hill this coming Thursday as part of
the University of Iowa’s Lecture Series.
Ford mentioned a play, The Agitators, that would be performed at the Riverside Theatre
on January 24, 25, and 26..
Adjournment: Motion to adjourn at 6:31 PM.
Rankings for Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Submissions FY 20
Organization Requested Amount Prior Recipient Average Rank Adil Jessica Noemi Jason Bijou Cathy Mark Zachary
#60 Successful Living $18,000 No 6.75 6 1 8 10 5 8 5 11 6
#61 Sudanese Community Center $15,000 No 7.125 7 3 10 13 3 5 4 9 10
#62 Gathering and Helping Community $25,000.00 No 7.5 8 4 11 1 7 10 6 8 13
#63 Little Creations Academy $7,360.00 No 5.625 4 5 $2 2 2 14 3 6 11
#64 Multicultural Development Center of Iowa $7,500.00 No 8.375 9 6 6 12 8 11 8 7 9
#66 Food Pantry at Iowa $10,000.00 No 10.875 11 7 7 15 12 12 10 12 12
#67 Center for Worker Justice $8,975.98 Yes 5.875 5 8 3 9 10 2 9 2 4
#68 Iowa City Pride $5,000.00 No 11.625 14 9 13 11 9 9 14 14 14
#69 Antelope Lending Library $6,644.00 No 4.875 2 10 4 4 1 13 1 1 5
#70 Inside Out Reentry Community $5,000.00 Yes 5.25 3 11 5 5 13 1 2 4 1
#71 Domestic Violence Intervention Program $5,700.00 No 11.125 12 12 16 6 14 3 15 16 7
#72 ICC Fusion $13,000.00 No 13.5 16 13 14 14 11 16 11 13 16
#73 Summer of the Arts $10,000.00 No 11.375 13 14 12 7 15 6 12 10 15
#74 Healthcare Trends $8,855.66 No 9.5 10 15 9 8 6 15 16 5 2
#75 African Communities Network of Iowa $25,000.00 No 13.25 15 16 15 16 16 7 13 15 8
#76 Labor Center $15,500.00 Yes 3.375 1 2 1 3 4 4 7 3 3
Total $186,536
Funds available $75,000.00
Page 4 of 4
Member Attendance Sheet
Member Term
Exp.
1/7 1/21 2/18 3/17 4/21 5/19 6/16 7/21 8/18 9/15 10/20
Maliabo 1/2021 Present Present
McGinnis 1/2021 Present Present
Rochester 1/2021 Present Present
Adams 1/2022 Excused Present
Andino 1/2022 Present Present
Ford 1/2022 Present Present
Lindley 1/2023 Present Excused
Glass 1/2023 Present Present
Pries 1/2023 Present Present
Human Rights Funding Request
Cover Letter (required reading)
Thank you for your interest in seeking sponsorship from the Iowa City Human Rights Commission. The Commission
provides funding to organizations and agencies to offset the costs of organizing, planning, and facilitating educational
public forums or programs and activities that are 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.
To process your request for sponsorship, we need you to take a few minutes to fill out this application form. Please note
sponsorship requests are due by 5 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. The Iowa City Human Rights Commission will
review the request at their monthly meeting and staff will contact you to let you know whether the request has been
approved. If you are awarded funding, you will be required to submit a full (one page) summary of funding impact,
including but not limited to, number of persons involved in your project, anecdotal stories to share with the team about
the event, frequency of the event, and other essential information.
If you have any questions about the application process, please do not hesitate to contact Equity Director Stefanie Bowers
at 319-356-5022 or Stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org.
Please sign here to verify you have read the cover letter to this form.*
#4b
Application
Date*
Group/Organizaton Name *
Contact person*
Phone number*
Email*
Date of activity/event/program*
If your event occurs on multiple dates, list here
Event location and address*
Is the event wheelchair accessible?*
Is the event accessible to individuals with visual impairments?*
Describe the activity/event/program and how it contributes to Human Rights.*
Amount of funds requested. Attach an itemized budget (field below).*
Attach itemized budget.*
List other funders below:
Has this organization applied for any other City of Iowa City funding for this activity/event/program?
If yes, what department were the funds requested through?
1/15/2020
Johnson County Chapter, United Nations Association -USA
Jim Olson
3195120007
jimolson921@gmail.com
3/11/2020
R.A. Lee Recreation Center, 220 S. Gilbert St, Iowa City
Yes
No
Yes
No
Night of 1000 Dinners is a community celebration of International Women's Day (March 8).
We will honor 3 local organizations founded by, led by, and/or serving women that
advance the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. The event promotes the advancement
of women and links local human rights effort with the global goals established by the UN.
300.00$
N1KD Budget 2020.docx 11.83KB
Applications to 23 businesses and organizations now in
process. So far confirmed funding from Green State Credit
Union, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, UI Aging and Longevity
Studies Program, Refugee and Immigrant Association, Iowa
Women's Foundation.
Yes
No
How much funding was requested?
Was this request granted?
Has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City in the last year?*
If yes, what department were the funds requested through?
How much funding was requested?
How will this activity/event/program be marketed?
Will sponsors be mentioned and/or logos be used in the marketing of the activity/event/program?
Is the activity/event/program a fundraiser?*
If yes, explain:*
$
Yes
No
Yes
No
$
Media advisory, posters, UI all-campus email, sponsors' networks, guest editorial or letter
to the editor in print media, FaceBook
Yes
No
Yes
No
Net proceeds are donated to one or more local projects
advancing the status of women, UN agencies that benefit
children and women, and the educational work of UNA
Night of 1000 Dinners
March 11, 2020
Budget
Income
Sponsorships $3,000
Ticket Sales/Donations 2,500
Total: $5,500
Expenses
Food $ 900
Venue Rental 224
Sound 200
Equipment Rental 220
Total: $1,544
Net Proceeds available for grants to local groups advancing the status of women and the UN Sustainable
Development Goals and UN agencies: $3,956
Human Rights Funding Request
Cover Letter (required reading)
Thank you for your interest in seeking sponsorship from the Iowa City Human Rights Commission. The Commission
provides funding to organizations and agencies to offset the costs of organizing, planning, and facilitating educational
public forums or programs and activities that are 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.
To process your request for sponsorship, we need you to take a few minutes to fill out this application form. Please note
sponsorship requests are due by 5 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. The Iowa City Human Rights Commission will
review the request at their monthly meeting and staff will contact you to let you know whether the request has been
approved. If you are awarded funding, you will be required to submit a full (one page) summary of funding impact,
including but not limited to, number of persons involved in your project, anecdotal stories to share with the team about
the event, frequency of the event, and other essential information.
If you have any questions about the application process, please do not hesitate to contact Equity Director Stefanie Bowers
at 319-356-5022 or Stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org.
Please sign here to verify you have read the cover letter to this form.*
#4c
Application
Date*
Group/Organizaton Name *
Contact person*
Phone number*
Email*
Date of activity/event/program*
If your event occurs on multiple dates, list here
Event location and address*
Is the event wheelchair accessible?*
Is the event accessible to individuals with visual impairments?*
Describe the activity/event/program and how it contributes to Human Rights.*
Amount of funds requested. Attach an itemized budget (field below).*
Attach itemized budget.*
List other funders below:
Has this organization applied for any other City of Iowa City funding for this activity/event/program?
2/5/2020
The Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP)
Ashlee Hopkins
319-359-9353
ashlee@dvipiowa.org
4/28/2020
4/29/2020
Coralville Marriott 300 E 9th St, Coralville, IA 52241
Yes
No
Yes
No
DVIP will be hosting a conference that is open to community members and professionals to
celebrate 40 years of serving victims of domestic violence. Through various approaches,
each participant can find ways to support victims of gendered violence, recognize the
signs of abuse and coercive control, and understand how they can individually create
change to prevent abuse thus promoting the human rights of victims in our community. We
are requesting funds for speaker travel expenses.
390.00$
40th Conference Budget for Speaker - Sheet1.pdf 43.08KB
Iowa City AM Rotary - $10,000
Iowa City Downtown Rotary - $5,000 (pledge)
Iowa City Noon Rotary - $500
Johnson County Human Trafficking Coalition - $4000
(pledge)
University of Iowa Public Policy Department - $2000 (pledge)
Think Iowa City - $300 (in-kind donation)
If yes, what department were the funds requested through?
How much funding was requested?
Was this request granted?
Has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City in the last year?*
If yes, what department were the funds requested through?
How much funding was requested?
How will this activity/event/program be marketed?
Will sponsors be mentioned and/or logos be used in the marketing of the activity/event/program?
Is the activity/event/program a fundraiser?*
Yes
No
Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant
5,700.00$
Yes
No
Yes
No
General City of Iowa City for our shelter
170,000.00$
DVIP will be marketing this event via radio, print, social media, our website and it will be
widely shared in the tri-state region to other non-profits, police stations, social workers,
and the public.
Yes
No
Yes
No
Domestic Violence Intervention Program
40th Conference
Line Item Budget Needs Details Amount
Travel Expenses
Victim Coordinators who will be facilitating
discussion from the Fedral Human Trafficking
Agency (.58 a mile=$130 x 3 Coordinators)$390.00
Total $390.00
Human Rights Funding Request
Cover Letter (required reading)
Thank you for your interest in seeking sponsorship from the Iowa City Human Rights Commission. The Commission
provides funding to organizations and agencies to offset the costs of organizing, planning, and facilitating educational
public forums or programs and activities that are 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.
To process your request for sponsorship, we need you to take a few minutes to fill out this application form. Please note
sponsorship requests are due by 5 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. The Iowa City Human Rights Commission will
review the request at their monthly meeting and staff will contact you to let you know whether the request has been
approved. If you are awarded funding, you will be required to submit a full (one page) summary of funding impact,
including but not limited to, number of persons involved in your project, anecdotal stories to share with the team about
the event, frequency of the event, and other essential information.
If you have any questions about the application process, please do not hesitate to contact Equity Director Stefanie Bowers
at 319-356-5022 or Stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org.
Please sign here to verify you have read the cover letter to this form.*
#4d
Application
Date*
Group/Organizaton Name *
Contact person*
Phone number*
Email*
Date of activity/event/program*
If your event occurs on multiple dates, list here
Event location and address*
Is the event wheelchair accessible?*
Is the event accessible to individuals with visual impairments?*
Describe the activity/event/program and how it contributes to Human Rights.*
Amount of funds requested. Attach an itemized budget (field below).*
Attach itemized budget.*
List other funders below:
Has this organization applied for any other City of Iowa City funding for this activity/event/program?
If yes, what department were the funds requested through?
2/10/2020
Health Equity Advancement Lab (HEAL) at the University of Iowa College of Public Health
Dr. Paul Gilbert
319-384-1478
paul-gilbert@uiowa.edu
4/6/2020
College of Public Health, 145 N. Riverside Drive, Iowa City,
IA 52242
Yes
No
Yes
No
HEAL’s Science of Health Equity Summit will focus on health inequities related to the
criminal justice system via a community focused event, created to bring Iowa City
community members to the University of Iowa and provide a platform for local projects to
be highlighted on a larger stage. Health disparities within the criminal justice system will be
discussed by a professional panel and film. Our mission is to promote health equity
through community engaged public health research and practice.
800.00$
Summit 2020 Budget for HRC.xlsx 13.35KB
College of Public Health
Yes
No
N/A
How much funding was requested?
Was this request granted?
Has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City in the last year?*
If yes, what department were the funds requested through?
How much funding was requested?
How will this activity/event/program be marketed?
Will sponsors be mentioned and/or logos be used in the marketing of the activity/event/program?
Is the activity/event/program a fundraiser?*
$
Yes
No
Yes
No
$
Printed flyers will be posted in Iowa City public locations and through The Lens.
Individualized email invites will be sent to community organizations. Targeted digital
campaigns for the event will be promoted through the College of Public Health and HEAL
social media and university buildings.
Yes
No
Yes
No
Science of Health Equity Summit
April 6, 2020
Item Cost Vendor/Store Notes
Auditorium $0.00 College of Public Health In-kind
Tables & chairs $0.00 College of Public Health In-kind
A/V equipment $0.00 College of Public Health In-kind
Lunch at panel $450.00 TBD (Panera, Café
Cortado, or comparable)
Lunch & drinks for 60 attendees
Evening reception $250.00 TBD (Panera, Café
Cortado, or comparable)
Light refreshments for 30
attendees
Campus video monitors $0.00 University of Iowa
Emails $0.00 University of Iowa
Flyer & program $150.00 University of Iowa
Newspaper advertising $600.00 Daily Iowan; Little Village;
Cedar Rapids Gazette
Honoraria $0.00 College of Public Health In-kind
Total 1,450.00
Equipment
Catering
Marketing
#4g
Correspondence
Social Justice Racial Equity
Project Budget June 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021
Sudanese Community Center Proposal
Project Budget 01-Nov-2020 01-Apr-2021 31-Jul-2021
Revenue:
Fees
Grants $13,520.00
Other Revenue
Total $13,520.00 $6,000.00 $3,900.00 $3,620.00
Expensises:Amount
Computer lab - 10 Computers and rack $3,500.00
Youth Winter and Summer Sports- 25 kids $2,000.00
Arabic Classes - 40 students $3,000.00
Citizenship Classes - 10 students $920.00
Communication Sessions - 20 students $1,500.00
Graduation Ceremony - 30 students $2,000.00
Building Relationships $600.00
PeeWee Games - 20 kids
Eids Celebrations - 60 kids
ESL Classes
Job Search Classes - 20 students
Gym Equipments for Women and Men
Total $13,520.00
Youth Winter and Summer Sports - 25 kids
Items Project Budget 01-Nov-2020 01-Apr-2021 31-Jul-2021
Soccer team uniforms kits $400.00 $400.00
Indoor reservation in Winter $300.00 $300.00
Pop-up Goals $150.00 $150.00
Pinnies soccer $150.00 $150.00
Cones $200.00 $200.00
Snack for kids $200.00 $100.00 $100.00
Incentive for coach $600.00 $300.00 $300.00
Total $2,000.00 $1,600.00 $400.00
Arabic Classes - 40 students
Items Project Budget 01-Nov-2020 01-Apr-2021 31-Jul-2021
Stationaries $1,000.00 $500.00 $500.00
Books and notebooks x 40 students $1,200.00 $600.00 $600.00
Incentive for teacher $800.00 $400.00 $400.00
Total $3,000.00 $1,500.00 $1,500.00
Citizenship Classes - 20 students
Items Project Budget 01-Nov-2020 01-Apr-2021 31-Jul-2021
School Supplies $400.00 $400.00
Snaks $300.00 $300.00
Incentive for teacher $220.00 $220.00
Total $920.00 $920.00
Graduation Ceremony - 50 students
Items Project Budget 01-Nov-2020
Venue reservation $500.00 $500.00
Certificates x 30 $500.00 $500.00
Food and music $1,000.00 $1,000.00
Total $2,000.00 $2,000.00
Communication Sessions - 20 students
Items Project Budget 01-Nov-2020 01-Apr-2021 31-Jul-2021
Session meterials $300.00 $150.00 $150.00
Snaks $800.00 $400.00 $400.00
Incentive for teacher $400.00 $200.00 $200.00
Total $1,500.00 $750.00 $750.00
Building Relationships
Items Project Budget 01-Nov-2020 01-Apr-2021 31-Jul-2021
Guest speakers $300.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00
Dinner $300.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00
Total $600.00 $200.00 $200.00 $200.00
Computer lab - 10 Computers and rack
Items Project Budget 01-Nov-2020 01-Apr-2021 31-Jul-2021
Computer x 10 $3,000.00 $3,000.00
Rack $500.00 $500.00
Total $3,500.00 $3,500.00
We defered the projects below due to the lack of the budgets
Job Search Classes - 20 students
Items Project Budget
School Supplies
Books x 20
Incentive for teacher
Total
Gym Equipments for Women and Men
Items Project Budget 1 - Jun - 19
Treadmills x 3
Weight Bench x 3
Exercise Cycling Bike x 2
Power Systems Ultra Kettlebell x 10
Total
PeeWee Games - 20 kids
Items Project Budget 07-01-2019 to 10-15-2019 11-01-2019 to 02-15-2020 03-01-2019 to 06-30-2019
Baseball training equipments
Indoor reservation in Winter
Basketball training equipments
Football training equipments
Soccer training equipments
Snack for kids
Incentive for coach
Total
Free Clinics
Items Project Budget 1 - Jun - 19 1 - Sep - 19 1 - Dec - 19
Snaks and water
Total
Eids Celebrations - 60 kids
Items Project Budget 19 - Jun - 19 August - 19
Rent for bounce house x 2
Gifts for kids
Pizza
Snaks
Total
ESL Classes
Items Project Budget
School Supplies
Books
Smart Board
Desktop Computers x 5
Incentive for teacher
Total
Social Justice &
Racial Equity
Fourth Quarter Update
(October–December 2019)
Neighborhood and Development Services was honored by the Iowa Chapter
of the American Planning Association (APA) in October for its Affordable
Housing Action Plan. The City won in the award category of Implementation,
which recognizes “an effort that demonstrates a significant achievement
for an area...in accomplishing positive changes as a result of planning,”
and emphasizes long-term, measurable results. The APA acknowledged the
work done to date in completing 14 of the 15 identified action steps since its
adoption in 2016.
The Library hosted a screening of The True Cost in recognition of America
Recycles Day.
The City in December started accepting applications for a grant program
designed to advance social justice and racial equity in the community. The
grant opportunity is available to Iowa City-based organizations, both non and
for profit, with the purpose of encouraging, empowering, and engaging social
justice and racial equity initiatives through programs, activities, or services
that help eliminate inequities in the Iowa City community.
The City has agreed to provide $25,000 to Kirkwood Community College for
the next five years to expand its English Language Learning (ELL) instruction
for Iowa City Community School District families. If more people were to
complete ELL classes, the labor pool for local employees would increase, and
individuals completing the ELL courses would be improving their employment
prospects and thus, the economic health of their families.
The Mayor recognized December 10, 2019 as Human Rights Day in Iowa City.
The Mayor proclaimed it Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 14, 2019.
The Mayor observed Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019 as Transgender Day of
Remembrance in Iowa City. Transgender Day of Remembrance began in 1999
as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was
killed in 1998, and to raise awareness of hate crimes against persons who are
transgender or gender non-conforming.
Accountabilitycity of iowa city : Social JuStice & Racial equity
The City joined Inclusive ICR in
December. Inclusive ICR is a coalition
of local employers and organizations
working together to support and
grow diversity and inclusion in our
workforce.
The City of Iowa City started working
with the University of Iowa Stead
Family Children’s Hospital and
College of Public Health to improve
the health of Iowa City’s youngest
residents. A new collaboration,
called Community Prescriptions, was
formed to develop ways to increase
activity in young children ages 2 to
12, while also getting kids outdoors
and using their neighborhood parks
and trails.
The City is one of three Iowa communities to earn a perfect score of 100 on
the eighth annual Municipal Equality Index (MEI), the only nationwide rating
system of LGBTQ inclusion in municipal law, policy and services. This is the
sixth consecutive year that Iowa City has earned this score from the Human
Rights Campaign (HRC), the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization. The
2019 Municipal Equality Index Scorecard Launched in Iowa City in November to
recognize this milestone.
In October the City joined amicus
briefs supporting challenges
to: 1) the public charge rule that
would allow the federal government
to deny permanent residency to
noncitizens who have used public
benefits; and, 2) the asylum rule that
requires immigrants who cross at the
southern border to apply for and be
denied asylum in any country they
pass through before applying for
protection in the United States; and
3) the City joined the amicus brief
supporting the challenge to the
termination of DACA which was filed
with the United States Supreme Court
in October.
Justicecity of iowa city : Social JuStice & Racial equity
The Office of Equity and Human Rights is committed to continuing to improve
accessibility for persons to report discriminatory or negative experiences
they have had or witnessed in Iowa City. For the last several years, an online
complaint form has allowed persons to file complaints of discrimination
24/7. This is in addition to the option of filling out a paper complaint form. In
October, the Office added a new option. If a person believes that they have
experienced or witnessed a discriminatory incident but do not want to pursue
the traditional legal remedies by filing a complaint of discrimination, they
may report their concerns online 24/7 with this option. The Office encourages
residents to report whatever discriminatory or disrespectful behavior they
have experienced or witnessed because patterns in these reports can help the
Office determine where they should focus their prevention and enforcement
efforts in the community.
Outreachcity of iowa city : Social JuStice & Racial equity
Conversationscity of iowa city : Social JuStice & Racial equity
The Library is working on a new strategic plan and spent October and November
seeking feedback from the community on how the Library can serve the
community in the future. “Strategic planning is a significant part of overall
service design and aligning with the community’s aspirations is an important
piece of the process,” Library Director Elsworth Carman says. “Our next five-
year plan needs to balance changing community needs and position us to nimbly
respond to new challenges. A prerequisite for crafting this plan is engaging the
community around some broad questions. What does our community aspire to
be? How can your Library support growth toward these goals?”
Whether you are an everyday transit rider, an occasional rider, or have never
been on a bus, The Transit Department has been seeking feedback from the
public since this fall. Several open houses have been held so the community
could learn more about the Iowa City Area Transit Study and provide input. The
transit study will examine new possibilities for different routes, stops, hours or
operation including Sunday.
The Police co-sponsored Connecting Iowans to Sudan with speakers Dr. Bakri
Ali, Aerospace Business & Engineering Leader and Dr. Mohamed Magi Al-
Assam, Spokesperson for the Sudanese Professionals Association in October.
The City Manger’s Roundtable
was held in November. The group
was introduced to Daisy Torres, the
recently hired Communications
Aide in the Police Department.
The meeting also discussed the
Transit study and opportunities for
persons to apply for City boards and
commissions.
The League of Iowa Human Rights Agencies held its annual fall meeting and
symposium in October in Dubuque. The City’s Human Rights Coordinator
presented on Public Assistance Source of Income under Iowa City’s fair
housing law.
The City’s Office of Equity and Human Rights participated in the Iowa Regents
Institutions Disability Awareness Summit: Bridging the Gap between
Disability and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Topics discussed included
emotional support and service animals, reasonable accommodations in the
workplace, and accessible course technology.
Neighborhood and Development Services staff sponsored and attended a
training on Creating Powerful Messages. The training focused on equity and
affordable housing. It was geared towards housing professionals, advocates,
and elected officials across the county.
The City’s Equity Director presented on using racial equity toolkits with co-
presenter Manisha Patel, Equity Coordinator for the City of Des Moines, at the
Iowa Chapter of the American Planning Association’s annual conference held
in Iowa City.
The City’s Equity Directed participated in the Government Alliance on Racial
Equity Midwest Member Update in November and its webinar on Community
Engagement & Ownership in December.
The City’s Human Rights Investigator conducted fair housing trainings for a
local real estate management company and for members of the City’s Housing
and Community Development Commission (HCDC) in December.
Trainingcity of iowa city : Social JuStice & Racial equity
One Iowa held its 2019
LGBTQ Workplace Culture
Summit in October at the
Kirkwood Regional Center
in Coralville. City staff from
Communications, Parks &
Recreation, Human Rights,
Neighborhood & Development
Services, City Manager’s
Office and City Clerk’s Office
attended. The summit featured
presentations on LGBTQ
workplace culture, nonbinary
identities in the workplace, and
a panel discussion on how to be
an ally to the LGBTQ community.
Attendees learned more about
the LGBTQ community, how to
make more inclusive policies,
and retain LGBTQ talent.
The City of Iowa City was an
Advocate Sponsor of the event.
DIF Reporting for ICPD – 4th Quarter 2019
TO: Stefanie Bowers
FROM: Captain Denise Brotherton
RE: DIF Reporting for ICPD – 4th QUARTER 2019
DATE: January 8, 2020
The Iowa City Police Department’s DIF reporting for the fourth quarter of 2019 is below.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH: Documentation of participation in any event, attended or presented, by a
Department member to a community member or organization.
34 officers attended 131 events in the fourth quarter of 2019 for a total of approximately 82
hours of involvement. Events included school visits, teaming with the Iowa City Fire Department
to teach elementary students about safety, and pizza lunches with Officer Neeld and K9 Luke.
Many of the community events were highlighted on the Iowa City Police Department Facebook
page and Twitter. And the most exciting news, we have a new Community Outreach Assistant,
Daisy Torres!
Officer Hayes sharing hugs during a learning break.
DIF Reporting for ICPD – 4th Quarter 2019 2
Officer Neeld and K9 Luke enjoy sharing Luke’s adventures and eating pizza with the
students at Grant Wood Elementary.
Officer Farrell helping direct a trick or treater at Trunk or Treat.
DIF Reporting for ICPD – 4th Quarter 2019 3
Officer Schmidt recruited a future police officer at the Halloween celebration in the South
District Neighborhood.
Officers Schmerbach and Kuntz served up some tasty Thanksgiving deserts.
DIF Reporting for ICPD – 4th Quarter 2019 4
It did not take long to get this puppy adopted that Officer Mitchell showed off during a
social media event with the Iowa City Animal Adoption and Care Center to encourage
local pet adoptions.
Officer Puente found a reindeer during the annual Holiday with a Hero event. Several
local children were treated to a shopping spree and their own personal police shopper.
DIF Reporting for ICPD – 4th Quarter 2019 5
Officers Bunch, Farrell, Puente, and Cheney played some mean dodgeball at the Iowa City
West Dodgeball tournament.
LGBTQ+ Liaison Team members, Detective Stevens, Downtown Liaison Officer Fowler
and Community Outreach Assistant Daisy Torres partied at The Mirage Event. They hung
out and interacted with lots of folks who were interested in hearing the team. Each
organization at the event were part of the “infrostravaganza” where attendees could ask
questions and engage in meaningful conversations.
DIF Reporting for ICPD – 4th Quarter 2019 6
COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS: Documentation of any participation in a community presentation by a
Department member.
13 officers participated in 45 community presentations in the fourth quarter of 2019, totaling
approximately 83 hours of involvement. Presentations included the following topics/groups:
•De-escalation
•Crisis Intervention
•Self Defense
•Internet Crimes against Children
•ALICE – various locations
•Family Violence
•K-9 Presentations
•Social Media Safety
•Crime Scene
•Distracted Driving
•Neighborhood Issues
•Bike Safety
•Special Response Team
•Fake Identifications
•E-Cigarettes
•Engaging LGBTQ+ Communities
•Engaging refugee and immigrant community members
•Project Lifesaver
DIF Reporting for ICPD – 4th Quarter 2019 7
Crime Scene Technician Officer Hartman taught local elementary students about crime scene
processing.
CULTURAL COMPETENCY TRAINING: Documentation of any training received by a Department member
involving cultural competency. Cultural competency training refers to training directed at the ability to
interact effectively with people of different cultures, ethnicity and socio-economic backgrounds.
•All members of the ICPD completed the second part segment of an online training on
trauma informed response to domestic abuse victims.
PUBLIC EDUCATION EFFORTS ON RIGHTS: Documentation of any participation at an event, attended or
presented by a Department member, to a community member or organization where the focus is
education on an individual’s rights.
*There were no Public Education on Rights presentations this quarter.
DIF Reporting for ICPD – 4th Quarter 2019 8
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS: Documentation of any partnership between the Department and another
community organization.
The Department worked with community partners that led to attendance at 36 events by 16
officers who spent 68 hours engaging with community members. Below are some highlights
and noteworthy outcomes from those partnerships.
•Community Outreach Assistant Torres partnered with the Friendship Community Project is a
501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 2015, dedicated to teaching English language and life skills to Iowa
City area adult immigrants and refugees. They strive to promote a sense of community belonging
and practical assistance in accessing local resources and learning about our community and to serve
as an anchor for those new to the community and culture who have not yet formed local ties.
•Downtown Liaison Officer Fowler attended three meetings with the Johnson County Local
Homeless Coordinating Board to continue to help the area homeless. The WET Shelter Sub-
committee successfully implemented the annual temporary shelter to provide an alternate
housing option for the winter months. This alternate housing provides shelter for
individuals who are intoxicated or otherwise ineligible to receive house at Shelter House.
•Officer Hayes partnered with the Iowa City Fire Department to teach safety to elementary
students.
•The ICPD continues to collaborate with the Iowa City Bike Library to repurpose abandoned
bicycles impounded by the Department. Instead of being auctioned or recycled as scrap
metal, the Iowa City Bike Library refurbishes some of the bicycles which are then lent out
through their organization. The remaining bicycles are collected by Working Bikes. Working
Bikes is a non-profit that rescues discarded bicycles and gives them new life by
redistributing them in global communities. The Downtown Liaison worked with staff and
the City Manager to amend City Code and worked towards repurposing unclaimed bicycles
by turning them over with disadvantaged youth and adults. During the 4th quarter, a total of
3 abandoned bicycles were turned over to the homeless and 80 to the Bike Library and
Working Bikes.
•Neighborhood Response Officer Schmerbach has been attending the Landlord Association
Meetings to provide law enforcement insight to the discussions.
•Officer Ryan Schnackel sits on the advisory committee for the Department of Corrections
Southern Advisory Committee.
DIF Reporting for ICPD – 4th Quarter 2019 9
•Additional activities, meetings and events took place within the following community
partnerships: NAACP, FBI, US Attorney’s Office, Johnson County Attorney’s Office, Johnson
County Disproportionate Minority Contact Committee, City Manager’s Diversity Roundtable,
Iowa City Downtown District, Iowa City Community School District, University of Iowa Off
Campus Advisory Board, Special Olympics of Iowa, Safety Village, Elder Abuse Task Force,
Johnson County Human Trafficking Coalition, United Way Social Services Work Group, 4
Oakes Youth Shelter, Johnson County Drug Task Force, Sexual Assault Investigation Team,
The Dream Center, Broadway Neighborhood Center, Domestic Violence Intervention
Program, Johnson County Suicide Prevention, United Way Social Services Work Group,
Prevent Child Abuse-Johnson County and Emergency Services Camp for youth.
The Department continues to provide extra patrol at citizen’s requests and foot patrols where
criminal activity or safety concerns have been identified. The Evening Watch conducted 122
documented foot and extra patrols, the Day Watch conducted 131 foot and extra patrols, and the Late
Night Watch conducted 287 foot and extra patrols, including making multiple bar checks resulting in
contact with hundreds of people in the Downtown district. The Daytime Downtown Liaison Officer
was on bike/foot patrol during 49 days of this quarter, totaling 250 hours and conducting 190 business
checks. The Nighttime Downtown Liaison Officer conducted 43 foot patrols and 2 extra patrols and 32
business checks to further establish a positive relationship with the staff, managers, and owners of
the businesses open late at night in the Downtown.
1
Social Justice and Racial Equity Report – January, 2020
Children’s Services Department
1.Storytimes:
a.October 27: Drag Storytime and Costume Ball. Drag queens and kings from Iowa City
presented a Halloween themed Drag storytime.
b.November 2: National Federation of the blind of Iowa: Old Capital Chapter. Members from
the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa: Old Capital Chapter read braille stories to
children for storytime. Afterward, chapter members were available to show children how to
write their own name in braille.
c.November 19: Spanish Language Storytime. Presented by an ICPL children’s librarian and
fluent Spanish speaker, attendees at this storytime sang songs and heard stories in both
English and Spanish, allowing young children to be exposed to multiple languages.
d.November 21: Preschool Stories and More with the 100 Grannies. The 100 Grannies, a local
environmental activist group, presented an interactive storytime focused on gratitude
toward the Earth’s resources. Attendees learned ways to practice conservation at home
and enjoyed songs and stories which focused on celebrating and protecting natural
environments.
e.December 18: Hanukkah Storytime with Rabbi Esther. Rabbi Esther Hugenholtz from the
Agudas Achim Synagogue was a special guest at storytime. Attendees learned about the
background, symbols, traditions and customs surrounding Hanukkah.
2.Book Displays:
a.In the 4th quarter, the children’s department featured a display for Service and Therapy
Dogs, a display for Native American Heritage Month, and a display for holidays around the
world. The materials displayed included titles in all formats and for all ages that aligned
with the theme, raising awareness about particular groups/cultures and celebrating the
accomplishments of particular individuals within these groups. An average of fifty books
are circulated rom these displays during the two-week period in which they rotate through
the display space.
3.Sunday Funday Craft Program:
a.October 20: Sunday Fun Day: Dia de los Muertos Sugar Skull Masks. In recognition of the
Latin American holiday, Dia del los Muertos, children created sugar skull masks.
4.Special Access Events:
a.October 26: Special Access Browsing: Spooktacular: the library opened one hour early for
individuals with autism and their families to enjoy the library together in a neutral
environment. Spooky themed party, including storytime, crafts, dancing and a movie.
b.December 27: Special Access Winter Break Legos. This event was a repeat event, held
immediately after the general public event. It is a time for young people with autism and
their families to participate in events in an environment that is less stimulating.
2
5.Outreach Storytimes:
a.During the month of October, ICPL children’s libraries visited seven Head Start preschool
sites and two preschool sites in public elementary schools with a high percentage of
students that qualify for free/reduced lunch, presenting storytime to a total of 170
children.
b.During the month of November, ICPL children’s libraries visited six Head Start preschool
sites, 1 neighborhood center site, and one preschool site in public elementary schools with
a high percentage of students that qualify for free/reduced lunch, presenting storytime to
a total of 122 children.
c.During the month of December, ICPL children’s libraries seven Head Start preschool sites
one preschool site in a public elementary school with a high percentage of students that
qualify for free/reduced lunch, presenting storytime to a total of 140 children.
6.Author Talk:
a.November 20: Raising Anti-Racist White Kids: A Conversation for All of Us. Dr. Jennifer
Harvey gave an author talk about the conundrums that exist when raising white children.
Dr. Harvey spoke of ways that race can be discussed openly and honestly while raising
children.
7.Other Programs:
a.December 23: The Poinsettia Project: Grades K-2. This program was geared toward
children in grades K-2. Children were invited to learn about the significance of the
poinsettia in many Latin American cultures through stories and the creation of a unique
handmade poinsettia print.
Collection Services:
In October, ten members of our staff attended training from the Cedar Rapids Public
Library on conducting diversity audits on library collections. Diversity audits provide data
on who is represented within a library collection, identifying gaps in representations of
gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, ability, economic status, as well as other
traditionally marginalized populations. The goal is to build a more inclusive collection that
contains many voices by understanding the weaknesses in the current collection. Their
training explained why audits are important, goals to establish, and then how to conduct
an audit. Three staff members furthered their training by attending Library Journal’s
Evaluating, Auditing, and Diversifying Your Collections in November. We have started
preliminary planning for a diversity audit in the spring of the Young Adult Fiction
collection.
Community & Access Services
October: The Library hosted a display from the Domestic Violence Intervention Project that
highlighted the work of a community organization that advocates for victims of domestic
violence. Included handouts of history and information about DVIP and a reading list
compiled with library staff and DVIP intern collaboration.
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Discussion follows featuring Johnson County
Board of Supervisor Royceann Porter
This video captures the
10th anniversary of the Civil Rights Tour
and the final tour with founder Henri Harper.