HomeMy WebLinkAbout9 15 2020 packet
Human Rights Commission
September 15, 2020
Electronic Formal Meeting- 5:30 PM
Zoom Meeting Platform
Electronic Meeting
(Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8)
An electronic meeting is being held because a meeting in person is
impossible or impractical due to concerns for the health and safety of
Commission members, staff and the public presented by COVID-19.
You can participate in the meeting and can comment on an agenda
item by going to
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJctdeuuqTMvHNEzb9kuOorgHqVyg_FlcdwH
via the internet to visit the Zoom meeting’s registration page
and submit the required information.
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the meeting. If you are asked for a meeting ID or webinar ID, enter the
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included in the email. Enter the password when prompted.
If you have no computer or smartphone, or a computer without a
microphone, you may call in by telephone by dialing (312) 626-6799.
When prompted, enter the meeting ID or webinar ID. The ID number for
this meeting is: 930 2267 8565.
Once connected, you may dial *9 to “raise your hand,” letting the
meeting host know you would like to speak. Providing comments in
person is not an option.
Agenda:
1. Call Meeting to Order and Roll Call.
2. Approval of the July 21, 2020, July 28, 2020, and August 18, 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. Reconsideration of Request from the Iowa Freedom Riders (IFR) to
Recommend 2 IFR Seats on the City Council;
b. Correspondence;
c. Consideration of Moving Commission Meeting Date to 4th Tuesday of each
Month;
d. Commission Statement in Support of Black Lives Matter;
e. 30th ADA Virtual Celebration (October 3, 2-4PM);
f. NCJC Request to Modify SJRE Grant of FY 19;
g. United Nations Convention Rights of the Child PhotoVoice;
h. Social Justice Racial Equity Grants;
i. Proclamation for National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15);
j. Proclamation for International Day of Peace (September 21);
k. Proclamation for Stono Rebellion (September 1);
l. Subcommittees: Housing, Anti-Racism, Health Equity;
m. Screening of White Privilege or Cracking the Code;
n. Awards Breakfast.
5. Staff/Commission Announcements. (Commissioners shall not engage in
discussion with one another concerning said announcements).
6. 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.
Correspondence
Social Justice &
Racial Equity
Second Quarter Update
(April–June 2020)
The Communications Division is building photo/video resources to coordinate
with others and help to commemorate the Black Lives Matter Movement in Iowa
City for future years.
The Communications Division created
a Community Connections program
for the Mayor, available on social
media and online for discussions
throughout COVID; inviting diverse
representation to participate in
the show and provide information.
This platform has also been used
to facilitate Black Lives Matters
discussions. Visit www.icgov.org/BLM
for more details.
Iowa City Police Department Captain
(now Interim Chief) Brotherton and
Community Outreach Assistant
Daisy Torres participated in virtual meetings with the Johnson County
Disproportionate Minority Contact Committee and Community Partnership
for Protecting Children/Prevent Child Abuse.
Iowa City Police Department Sergeant Scott Stevens participated in virtual
meetings with The Johnson County Human Trafficking Coalition and the
Domestic Abuse Investigation Team.
The Library conducted a diversity audit of the young adult collection. A
diversity audit assesses Library collections through a diverse lens to assess
gaps in collections and service areas. Once the collection is audited, Library
staff will create a plan to better diversify the collection and address gap areas.
Other collections in the Library will be assessed in the future, using knowledge
gained from auditing the young adult collection.
Staff of Equity and Human Rights participated in “Building Racial Equity:
Foundations,” sponsored by the Government Alliance on Racial Equity.
Equity and Human Rights staff renewed membership in the Government
Alliance on Race and Equity.
Equity and Human Rights staff participated in the League of Human Rights
Agencies of Iowa monthly meetings.
AccountabilityCITY OF IOWA CITY : SOCIAL JUSTICE & RACIAL EQUITY
The Police Department continued to provide extra patrol at residents
requests and foot patrols where criminal activity, safety concerns, or
outreach opportunities have been identified. The pandemic continued to
affect the community interactions during these patrols, but as officers were
able to do so safely and within social distancing, these patrols continued.
The Evening Watch conducted 95 documented foot and extra patrols, the Day
Watch conducted 95 extra patrols, and the Late-Night Watch conducted 121
foot and extra patrols.
The Center presented Making Queer History: LGBTQ Life
in Iowa City, detailing the unique history of LGBTQ people
in Iowa City, and describing resources in the University’s
Main Library that document the LGBTQ community’s
history.
Communications created a COVID resource page (www.
icgov.org/coronavirus) on the City website, which features
materials in multiple languages, and aired related video in
multiple languages.
Communications recorded and shared Speak Up; Speak
Out events for the Mayor and other local leaders.
In recognition of Fair Housing Month and to expand
outreach on how to file a complaint of discrimination, the
Office of Equity and Human Rights included a Know Your
Rights: Fair Housing brochure in May Utility Bills.
In recognition of Fair Housing Month and to expand outreach on how to file a
complaint of discrimination, the Office of Equity and Human Rights ran a Know
Your Rights: Fair Housing Ad in the Village Voice.
Equity and Human Rights staff renewed ad in print and online versions of the
Daily Iowan for the summer on Know Your Rights: How to File a Complaint of
Discrimination.
Equity and Human Rights staff issued “Guidance on Fair Housing and
COVID-19” to area landlords and property managers.
The Office of Equity and Human Rights ran an Outreach and Education ad in
the Go Guide from April through June 2020, and created a BLM staff resource
web page on the internal website for education information and training
opportunities regarding the Black Lives Matter movement and equity.
OutreachCITY OF IOWA CITY : SOCIAL JUSTICE & RACIAL EQUITY
This photo of the
Gay Liberation
Front entry in the
1970 Homecoming
parade was featured
in the 1971 Hawkeye
yearbook. Image
courtesy of the
University of Iowa
Yearbooks Collection,
Department of Special
Collections and
University Archives, UI
Libraries.
OutreachCITY OF IOWA CITY : SOCIAL JUSTICE & RACIAL EQUITY
Neighborhood Response Officer Adam Schmerbach of Iowa City Police
Department participated in the West High Senior Parade to congratulate the
graduation class of 2020.
Three of the Iowa City Police Department Evening Watch officers participated
in a birthday wave for Oliver, who had been a patient at the University of Iowa
Children’s Hospital.
Library Children’s Room staff recorded a set of online Storytime videos to
promote African American culture and celebrate diversity.
Library Children’s Department staff recorded a series of online Storytime
videos with LGBTQIA+ characters and themes. Drag Storytime was also
posted on social media to allow viewers to watch drag kings and queens tell
tales of love and acceptance.
The Library Children’s Department created “crafts-to-go,” allowing families
to register for crafts to be sent to their homes or picked up. One craft involved
making Merpeople, inspired by Jessica Love’s LGBTQIA+ picture book, Julian is
a Mermaid.
Library staff created several “Staff Picks” displays related to social justice.
These included:
• Pride Month of LGBTQIA+ inclusive children’s books
• Black Lives Matter (middle grade list, picture book list, YA list)
• Black Lives Matter for adults
• Pride Month for adults
• Jewish Heritage Month for adults
In celebration of the 50th Iowa City Pride anniversary and Pride month, The
City of Iowa City displayed Pride banners along Washington Street, Wade
Street, and Williams Street in the month of June. A Pride Flag was hung on the
flagpole in front of City Hall for the month of June. The national tradition of
celebrating Pride in June is a tribute to the Stonewall Riots of June 1969, when
New York City police raided a gay bar, sparking six days of protests which are
remembered as the launch of the modern LGBTQ+ civil rights movement. The
following year, the University of Iowa’s Gay Liberation Front participated in the
University of Iowa’s Homecoming parade, making it one of the first student led
organizations to champion for the rights of LGBTQ persons. This historic event
makes Iowa City one of just a few cities across the country to have had a LGBTQ
civil rights movement for 50 years.
OutreachCITY OF IOWA CITY : SOCIAL JUSTICE & RACIAL EQUITY
The Library presented several online programs featuring
cultural outreach, including:
• June 3: Make a Cubano. Spanish teacher, Megan
Cleveland, taught children how to make a Cuban
sandwich.
• June 10: Irish Dancing. The Champagne Irish Dance
Academy demonstrated Irish dancing and kids learned
how to do a few moves from Tréa in her studio.
• June 17: Russian Culture Show and Tell. Katya
Boltanova and her family shared Russian stories, art,
and songs.
• June 24: Chinese Dragon Boat Festival. Children’s
librarian, Fang Wang, shared traditions and origami
about the Dragon Boat festival.
• June 25: Drum Safari. Kids listened to and discovered
beats from around the world, including the Caribbean
Islands, Cuba, and Brazil
The Library created several Staff Lists featuring positive
equality messages, including:
• children’s books with LGBTQIA+ characters with a
message of acceptance and positivity
• novels educating tweens about racism and privilege
• LGBTQIA+ titles to teach young readers about family
make-up and gender identity
• heartwarming tales to expose young readers to
African-American culture
Library Staff Picks and Book Lists were shared on ICPL’s website and social
media to support LGBTQIA+ and African American culture, and to shed light
on racism and privilege.
Library staff presented “Introduction to Canva.com: create a graphic for
Pride month.”
Katya Boltanova
Chinese Dragon
Boat Festival
A Black Lives Matter quilt was created by Parks and
Recreation staff and hangs in the lobby of Robert A Lee
Recreation Center.
Library staff shared 144 items related to LGBTQ rights,
Racial/Cultural Equity, and Income Inequality on social
media.
Library staff displayed Black Lives Matter book covers in
windows overlooking Linn street and the Pedestrian Mall.
JusticeCITY OF IOWA CITY : SOCIAL JUSTICE & RACIAL EQUITY
ConversationsCITY OF IOWA CITY : SOCIAL JUSTICE & RACIAL EQUITY
The Center and staff members of the African American Museum of Iowa
presented a program on the history of Juneteenth. On June 19, 1865, Union
Soldiers arrived in Texas and spread the word that slaves were officially free. This
information had moved so slowly through the south that slaves in Texas did not
receive this information until over two years after President Lincoln issued the
Emancipation Proclamation. Many communities now celebrate through parades,
festivals, and large community celebrations that highlight this momentous
event while also sharing African American culture and heritage.
Police Department Community Outreach Assistant Daisy Torres participated in a
Zoom Q & A with the Sudanese Community Center.
Police Department Community Relations Officer Travis Neeld joined Community
Outreach Assistant Torres at Mercer Park for a K9 presentation to a group of 15
youngsters.
City staff from City Clerk’s Office, City Manager’s Office, Communications,
Equity and Human Rights, and the Police Department all attended LGBTQ 101
Awareness Training sponsored by One Iowa.
All members of the Police Department completed a three-part online legal
update on Substance Use and Behavior.
Library staff viewed webinars on the following topics:
•Serving older populations
•Unhoused people
•Outreach services in public health crises
•Addressing microaggressions in the workplace
•One staff person was recertified for -University of Iowa’s Safe Zones
(serving LGBTQ+ community)
•Beanstack’s Fireside Chat with Cicely Lewis, creator of the Read Woke
program
•Understanding White Privilege, put on by the UI Center for Human Rights
Equity and Human Rights staff
presented Fair Housing training
to staff of a local real estate
management company.
Equity and Human Rights staff
presented Fair Housing training
to the Iowa City Area Association of
Realtors
Equity and Human Rights staff
attended “Municipal Support for
LGBTQ Older Adults and COVID-19,”
sponsored by the Human Rights
Campaign.
Equity and Human Rights staff
presented on using a racial equity
lens, to the Climate Action Equity
Working Group at the City of Iowa City.
Equity and Human Rights staff participated in “Leadership on LGBTQ Equity,”
sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign.
Equity & Human Rights Staff, City Manager’s Office and Human Resources
launched an Equity and Human Rights Diversity staff committee.
TrainingCITY OF IOWA CITY : SOCIAL JUSTICE & RACIAL EQUITY
Racial Bias or Ignorance
My family has suffered an emotionally traumatic experience from a source we have trusted for
years, the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC). My son’s routine eczema exam
morphed into a terrifying experience due to racial bias or ignorance.
Our 9-year-old son is extremely introverted and sensitive to noises, strangers and unfamiliar
routines. Because of this, I was relieved that my calm, patient husband offered to take him to
the appointment.
Little did we realize that this appointment would end with a doctor separating our son from his
father and filing a report of physical abuse of our son to the Department of Human Services
(DHS). She did this in response to an offhand comment our son made about his father in her
presence. No clarifying questions were asked of my husband before she removed him from the
room. No therapist, social worker, or patient advocate was included in the conversation to
ensure that my son could express himself clearly to a doctor he perceived as an authority figure.
More unprofessional decisions followed.
For more than three hours this father sat alone in a room after having his son taken from him.
As a man of color, my husband knew that he had to modulate his demeanor, tone, and
emotions so as not to be perceived as threatening - even as his son was physically separated
from him. The last thing he wanted to add to this situation was security or police even though
he knew any physical abuse charges to be unfounded and untrue.
After being called, I raced to the clinic only to be left in the waiting room filled with shock, fear
and embarrassment. There was no patient representative or social worker there to inform me of
my family’s rights. When summoned, I was allowed only a brief moment to see my young son
before he was again taken away. Then, we were all separated from each other.
Although employed by UIHC as a pediatric dermatologist, the doctor assumed the role of
therapist and social worker as she spoke to me, isolated in an exam room. It quickly became
clear that this doctor did not understand mandatory reporting procedure or consider the effects
that report would have on our family.
Her own personal biases became apparent when she stated that she was worried about the
physical safety of me and my children. She lectured me on “cultural differences” she assumed
exist in my family that made it necessary for her to instruct us on how to be “careful” while
raising our son. Since she “too” was a parent, she proceeded to offer unsolicited “parenting
tips”.
Not wanting to come off as an “angry, black woman” I was careful to maintain eye contact and a
level voice. All the while, inside I wanted to scream and search for my family.
Instead, I brought up the disproportionately negative effects of a DHS call on families of color.
Although the doctor admitted that she does not share certain experiences with people of color,
she assured me that she knew “friends of color” also experiencing the unfairness of our nation’s
racial divide. Whether by choice or ignorance, this doctor failed to see how her actions were
reinforcing systemic injustices. Would she have followed these same steps for a family not of
color?
My husband and I are shocked, angry, frustrated and concerned over the assumptions this
doctor made that led to the DHS call. How is this doctor and her staff trained and held
accountable for their actions? Is this an accepted procedure at UIHC?
We are making our story public in hopes that this doctor and all UIHC staff receive effective,
relevant training and support when making these types of calls in the future.
Our family believes that we can be the change we seek. And, by sharing this traumatic
experience we will begin our own healing.
An additional note: Our DHS file is in the process of being closed, and we filed a formal
grievance through the Patient Experience Department at UIHC. We have also switched follow
up care for our son to Mercy Hospital.
Angie & Jason Jordan
South District Neighborhood
Iowa City
Date: August 24, 2020
To: Iowa City Landlords and Rental Property Managers
From: Kristin Watson, Human Rights Investigator
Re: Iowa Supreme Court Decision Regarding Emotional Support Animals
Recently, the Iowa Supreme Court issued a decision concerning Emotional Support Animals (ESAs).
The case is Iowa Supreme Court No. 18-2173, Cohen v. Clark and 2800-1 LLC.1 This
memorandum is meant to provide general guidance regarding this subject. If you have
questions regarding topics addressed in this memorandum or your rights and responsibilities in
general, please call the office at 319-356-5015.
What led the parties to filing suit?
A person with severe animal allergies moved into a no-pets building specifically because it was an
animal-free environment. The person has such severe allergies to cats that she has to carry an
EpiPen; she is slightly less allergic to dogs. The lease did say that the landlord would make
reasonable accommodations for assistance animals. After she moved in, another tenant asked for
an ESA as a reasonable accommodation and the landlord asked the Iowa Civil Rights Commission
(ICRC) for advice. The ICRC informally advised the landlord that moving the tenant who had
requested the ESA to another building would not be a reasonable accommodation and the landlord
needed to try to accommodate both the tenant with allergies and the tenant who needed an ESA.
The landlord attempted to do so by sending a survey to all tenants of the building, asking if anyone
had allergies. The original tenant responded affirmatively. The landlord attempted to reasonably
accommodate both tenants by asking them to use different stairwells. The landlord also bought an
air purifier for the tenant with allergies. In addition, the landlord obtained estimates for installing air-
lock doors on each floor of the building to limit air transfer, but the cost of doing so was prohibitive—
over $80,000.
What happened in the lower courts?
After a year, the tenant with allergies filed a small claims action for breach of the lease and implied
warranty of quiet enjoyment of the property, alleging she had increased allergic reactions, was
forced to greatly increase her medications, and had to limit her time at her own home due to the
presence of the ESA. She filed the breach of lease action against the landlord, and the quiet
enjoyment action against both the landlord and the tenant with the ESA. The landlord responded that
Iowa law mandated it had to accommodate the tenant with the ESA and cross-claimed against the
tenant with the ESA for indemnification if any damages were awarded to the filing tenant. The Small
Claims Court dismissed the action and the tenant with allergies appealed. The District Court also
dismissed the case, saying that the law was unclear, but that after a year of trying to work with the
situation, the landlord should have denied the ESA. The tenant appealed to the Supreme Court,
which issued a decision on June 30, 2020.
What does the Court’s decision say?
The decision’s major points are as follows: The Iowa Civil Rights Act’s housing law is nearly identical
to the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA). Both laws distinguish between service animals, which have
training to do specific tasks, and ESAs, which provide therapeutic support but are not trained to do
1 Formal publication data is not yet available.
August 24, 2020
Page 2
specific tasks. Iowa law prohibits discrimination against a person with a disability in the terms,
conditions, and privileges of a rental property because of that person’s disability, and requires
landlords to make reasonable accommodations if necessary to allow the person with a disability
equal opportunity to use and enjoy the dwelling. Iowa law also allows a landlord to refuse a request
for accommodation if the request is legally unreasonable; one of several definitions of
“unreasonable” contained in the law is that the accommodation would constitute a direct threat to the
health or safety of other persons.
A landlord must generally allow a request for an ESA if the person requesting the ESA has a
disability and a disability-related need for the ESA. However, a landlord may generally refuse a
request for an ESA if the specific animal poses a direct threat that cannot be eliminated or mitigated
to an acceptable level. The well-being of one person, whether physical or mental, does not trump the
well-being of any other person, so existing tenants are properly considered in balancing needs in the
reasonable accommodation analysis. Therefore, the proper test is “first in time, first in right.”
This test can only be used when there is no way to grant the reasonable accommodation of the ESA
and the tenant with allergies has medical documentation regarding the allergy. In this case, the
landlord could have moved the tenant requesting the ESA to a different building, unless the tenant
somehow demonstrated that the particular apartment in which the tenant was currently living
somehow alleviated the symptoms of the tenant’s disability. The court noted that the ICRC’s informal
advice was not binding and the court did not agree with it—in this case, the proper solution would
have been for the landlord to move the tenant with the ESA to another building.
Since the landlord granting the ESA in the same building was not a reasonable accommodation, the
landlord did breach the “no pets” clause in the lease and the tenant did not have quiet enjoyment of
her apartment. The court noted that breach of contract is absolute; the landlord’s good faith effort to
accommodate both tenants still resulted in a breach of the lease, regardless of intent. The court also
noted the landlord might have raised Section 562A.212 of the Iowa Code as a defense, but since it
did not, the court did not have that to work with.
What are takeaways for landlords regarding the decision?
First, this decision applies only to ESAs, not Americans with Disabilities Act Service Animals.
Second, the decision puts landlords in a difficult place. If a landlord allows an ESA, the landlord may
be faced with legal action from existing tenants, as the landlord was in this case. If the landlord
refuses to allow the ESA, the landlord may be faced with enforcement action from HUD. However, a
landlord in Iowa faced with HUD action might use this case as a defense and ask for a declaratory
judgment regarding what should be done. Third, the decision leaves unclear how severe an existing
tenant’s allergy must be in order to evoke the “first in time” rule; while the decision says there must
be medical documentation, it says nothing at all about the level of severity required before an allergy
trumps an ESA. Fourth, the FHA was written when use of the word “handicap” was still acceptable.
Therefore, court decisions discussing the law will still use the word. Remember that people with
disabilities consider the word “handicap” offensive and it should not be used in any context except
quoting the law.
The Office of Equity and Human Rights provides educational memos to landlords on areas of
discrimination to assist in providing good outcomes for both landlords and tenants. Please send
fair housing topics you would like to receive guidance on to humanrights@iowa-city.org.
2 This section provides a “safe harbor” for landlords who have attempted to comply with terms of the lease but were
legitimately not able to do so. It states, in part, “Except as provided in this chapter, the tenant may recover damages
and obtain injunctive relief for any noncompliance by the landlord with the rental agreement or section 562A.15
unless the landlord demonstrates affirmatively that the landlord has exercised due diligence and effort to remedy any
noncompliance, and that any failure by the landlord to remedy any noncompliance was due to circumstances
reasonably beyond the control of the landlord.”
6:00 PM DATE April 12, 2017 TIME
WHERE
Electronic Zoom Meeting
The forum is being held via Zoom due to concerns presented by COVID-19
COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW BOARD
COMMUNITY FORUM
The Community Police Review Board will be holding a Community
Forum for the purpose of hearing views on the policies, practices
and procedures of the Iowa City Police Department.
The Board will attempt to address all correspondence received.
The forum will be taped for rebroadcast.
QUESTIONS & COMMENTS:
Send your questions or comments you’d like addressed at the
forum to the following by Thursday, September 10, 2020:
Please include full name and address. (All correspondence is public)
CPRB Or e-mail to:
City of Iowa City CPRB@iowa-city.org
410 E Washington St, 52240
SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 5:30 p.m.
You can participate and comment during the forum by
going to the Zoom meeting registration link:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vuuRaN5KRr2XyhMGs9EUvw
Meeting ID: 952 8410 9770
Status of Complaints
September 8, 2020
Employment
Complainant alleges they were terminated due to sexual orientation and sex
discrimination. They further allege unlawful retaliation.
Probable cause determination on retaliation claim.
Complainant alleges they were terminated due to religious discrimination.
Under investigation.
Complainant alleges they were treated adversely due to age, color, race, creed, religion,
marital status, sex, unlawful retaliation by current employer.
Appeal of the no probable cause decision.
Complainant alleges she was retaliated against by former employer.
Under investigation.
Agenda Packet
Draft Minutes
Human Rights Commission
July 21, 2020
Electronic Formal Regular Meeting Zoom Meeting Platform
Members Present: Ashley Lindley, Jessica Andino, Cathy McGinnis, Mark Pries, Noemi Ford, Jason
Glass, Bijou Maliabo.
Members Not Present: Zachary Rochester, Adil Adams.
Others Present: David De La Torre, Marlèn Mendoza, Daphney Daniel.
Staff Present: Stefanie Bowers.
Electronic Meeting (Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8)
An electronic meeting was held because a meeting in person was impossible or impractical due to
concerns for the health and safety of council members, staff and the public presented by COVID-19.
Recommendation to Council: No.
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 5:36 PM.
Approval of the July 14, 2020 meeting minutes: A motion to approve was made by Lindley and
seconded by Andino. Staff will correct the misspelling of Lindley’s name in the minutes prior to sending
to the City Clerk. Motion passed 7-0.
LULAC Council 308: Guests Marlèn and David, President and Vice President of LULAC 308 respectively,
introduced themselves Commission members. LULAC is the largest and oldest civil rights Hispanic
organization in the United States. Council 308 was established in Iowa City in 2013. Council 308 partners with
community organizations each month to serve the community and provide community and civic engagement
opportunities. Recently they collected hygiene bags for area migrant farmworkers. They look forward to
partnering with the Commission on future endeavors.
Human Rights Commission Annual Report: Lindley noted that the proclamation on Marriage Equality Day that
was done in April needs to be added to the annual report. Glass moved, and Pries seconded. The motion
passed 7-0.
Social Justice and Racial Equity Grants for FY19: Commissioners reviewed the final accounting report from
Inside Out Reentry.
Fair Trade Town: The Mayor and City Council will proclaim the City of Iowa City as a Fair Trade Town at their
meeting on August 4, 2020. Former Commission member Zachary Rochester will accept it.
Subcommittees: The Housing subcommittee is seeking volunteers familiar with affordable housing to assist
them in their work. The subcommittees Health Equity and Racism/Anti-Racism have not had the opportunity
to meet.
Reports of Commission: Andino requested the Commission hold a special meeting to discuss a request from
the Iowa Freedom Riders (IFR) that is asking for the Commission to make a recommendation to the City
Council to add two seats to the Council for IFR members . Staff will send out a Doodle to see what time and
day work best for the majority of Commission members.
Meeting adjourned: 6:44PM.
Member Attendance Sheet
Member Term 1/7 1/21 2/18 4/21 5/19 6/16 6/19 7/07 07/14 7/21 7/28
Maliabo 1/2021 Present Present Present Present Excused Present Present Present Present Present
McGinnis 1/2021 Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present
Rochester 1/2021 Present Present Excused Present Present Present Present Present Present Excused
Adams 1/2022 Excused Present Excused Present Present Present Excused Excused Excused Excused
Andino 1/2022 Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present
Ford 1/2022 Present Present Excused Present Excused Present Present Present Present Present
Lindley 1/2023 Present Excused Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present
Glass 1/2023 Present Present Present Present Excused Present Present Present Present Present
Pries 1/2023 Present Present Excused Present Present Present Present Present Present Present
Page 2
Draft Minutes
Human Rights Commission
July 28, 2020
Electronic Special Meeting Zoom Meeting Platform
Members Present: Zachary Rochester, Ashley Lindley, Jessica Andino, Cathy McGinnis, Jason Glass, Bijou
Maliabo.
Members Not Present: Adil Adams, Mark Pries, Noemi Ford.
Others Present: Raneem Hamad.
Staff Present: Stefanie Bowers.
Electronic Meeting (Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8)
An electronic meeting was held because a meeting in person was impossible or impractical due to
concerns for the health and safety of council members, staff and the public presented by COVID-19.
Recommendation to Council: No.
Request to consider recommendation to the City Council to support the Iowa Freedom Rider’s (IFR)
request to have two representatives present and at the table with the City Council when items
involving the IFR are on the City Council meeting agenda:
Discussion: The representatives would serve in a capacity similar to the University of Iowa student
government liaison. The representatives would not have voting power. The IFR would select the
representatives and also select an alternate. The representatives would not always have to be present
at the City Council meetings.
Having IFR representatives will assist the City Council in staying on course to what they should be doing
per the Council’s Black Lives Matter resolution. The representatives would be present during any
discussions within the realm of the 17 items on the resolution. The intent is for the IFR to be heard and
inform in real time. Currently, IFR members are not being heard. Items in the resolution are being stalled
due to the formal proceedings of the City Council which requires follow up with the IFR after each
meeting, having liaisons that are present at City Council meetings will speed up items getting completed.
Liaisons will make it easier to have all the information. Having representation will increase the
completion of the IFR demands and make sure things get done. The IFR are currently working on
becoming a 501C3.
At this time, a majority of Commissioners do not support this request although this does not reflect their
support for the IFR.
Some reasons noted to not support the recommendation at this time are: that people who serve on the
City Council are elected, members of IFR should consider running for a public office if they want a seat at
the table, lack of expertise to serve on the City Council, not clear on what the IFA is trying to solve, the
IFR does not represent all BIPOCS, the IFR has been heard, slippery slope—other organizations will want
representatives too, there are other BIPOC organizations that are more established, they have support
from City Council already, not sure it is the right time to add representatives to City Council.
Adjourned: 6:43 PM.
Member Term 1/7 1/21 2/18 4/21 5/19 6/16 6/19 7/07 07/14 7/21 7/28
Maliabo 1/2021 Present Present Present Present Excused Present Present Present Present Present Present
McGinnis 1/2021 Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present
Rochester 1/2021 Present Present Excused Present Present Present Present Present Present Excused Present
Adams 1/2022 Excused Present Excused Present Present Present Excused Excused Excused Excused Excused
Andino 1/2022 Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present
Ford 1/2022 Present Present Excused Present Excused Present Present Present Present Present Excused
Lindley 1/2023 Present Excused Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present
Glass 1/2023 Present Present Present Present Excused Present Present Present Present Present Present
Pries 1/2023 Present Present Excused Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Excused
Draft Minutes
Human Rights Commission
August 18, 2020
Electronic Formal Regular Meeting Zoom Meeting Platform
Members Present: Ashley Lindley, Jessica Andino, Cathy McGinnis, Mark Pries, Jason Glass, Bijou
Maliabo.
Members Not Present: Adil Adams, Noemi Ford.
Staff Present: Stefanie Bowers.
Electronic Meeting (Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8)
An electronic meeting was held because a meeting in person was impossible or impractical due to
concerns for the health and safety of council members, staff and the public presented by COVID-19.
Recommendation to Council: No.
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 5:31 PM.
Approval of the July 21 & July 28, 2020 meeting minutes: Minutes will be approved at the September
15, 2020 Commission meeting.
Moving the Commission Meeting to the 4th Tuesday of each Month: The Commission will revisit this item at
its September meeting date when more Commissioners are present.
Commission Statement in Support of Black Lives Matter: Commissioners will revisit this statement at each
regularly scheduled to meeting to document their process on the items contained within it.
30th ADA Virtual Celebration: Staff requested Commissioners save the date for the event which runs from 2-
4PM on Saturday, October 3rd.
Fair Trade Town: The Mayor and City Council proclaimed the City of Iowa City as a Fair-Trade Town at their
meeting on August 4, 2020.
Screening of White Privilege or Cracking the Codes: The Center has a copy of Cracking the Codes that can be
used by other Departments for a community screening. Staff will check to see if the Office has a copy of White
Privilege and if so, what the requirements are to hold a public screening. Due to COVID-19, any screenings
would be via Zoom or at an outdoor setting that allows for social distancing.
Subcommittees: Staff will assist the Housing subcommittee in arranging meetings with City staff who work in
affordable housing. The Health Equity and Anti-Racism subcommittees have not met.
Meeting was adjourned at 6:42 PM due to lack of quorum. (Two Commissioners left the meeting due to prior
commitments).
Member Attendance Sheet
Member Term 1/7 1/21 2/18 4/21 5/19 6/16 6/19 7/07 07/14 7/21 7/28 8/15
Maliabo 1/2021 Present Present Present Present Excused Present Present Present Present Present Present Present
McGinnis 1/2021 Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present
Rochester 1/2021 Present Present Excused Present Present Present Present Present Present Excused Present Resigned
Adams 1/2022 Excused Present Excused Present Present Present Excused Excused Excused Excused Excused Excused
Andino 1/2022 Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present
Ford 1/2022 Present Present Excused Present Excused Present Present Present Present Present Excused Excused Lindley 1/2023 Present Excused Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present
Glass 1/2023 Present Present Present Present Excused Present Present Present Present Present Present Present
Pries 1/2023 Present Present Excused Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present
Page 2
From: Drustrup, David <david-drustrup@uiowa.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2020 4:00 PM
To: Stefanie Bowers <Stefanie-Bowers@iowa-city.org>
Cc: iowafreedomriders@gmail.com
Subject: Re: [External] HRC Meeting Zoom Link 9/15
Hello Stefanie,
I hope you're doing well and staying healthy. I'm attaching the link to our public Google Doc
that shows our most recent set of goals for City Council. The primary systemic-focused issue is
Goal #1. After inputting feedback from your group, we attempted to be more explicit about
how we are already working with community agencies and organizations that are already doing
this work. We believe that we are very fortunate to be in Iowa City where so much wonderful
work is already happening within the abolitionist lens, and we have no intention or desire to
reinvent the wheel. We're currently in discussions with several of these groups to learn more
about how they imagine they might want to expand to reach more people and/or collaborate
with IFR's goals in a number of ways. I'd like to avoid speaking on behalf of any particular
organization until I have their explicit permission, but we currently feel very optimistic about
our present and future collaboration with several of these groups. Once we have completed
more meetings and collaborative efforts with each of these groups, then we can add specifics
to our plan about how we would like to increase their funding and 1) expand resource
provision, and 2) implement/expand response teams to calls previously handled by police.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1u64pc2IfMhl32m0Xtp_nZPOD3dAQaDDQI0sSRxWlNq8/
edit
Please let us know if you have any questions and I look forward to your meeting next week.
Best,
Dave
Agenda Item 4a
Goal 1: Construction of the Community Wellness & Accountability architecture
●City Manager must immediately prioritize the City Council agenda to begin the
construction of the Community Wellness & Accountability architecture to address public
safety, security, accountability, and self-governance. This architecture for Community
Wellness & Accountability will be based on empirical evidence and theory offered by
experts such as Angela Davis, Ruth Wilson Gilmore, Mariame Kaba, and others who
have successfully fought for the well-being of the most marginalized populations.
○The Community Wellness & Accountability architecture will initially consist of 5
response teams: Mental Health, Road Safety, Drug & Alcohol,
Anti-Homelessness, and Interpersonal Conflict. These teams will be staffed with
mental health professionals, social workers, EMTs, nurses, and other Peer
Professionals who are community members and trained to respond to community
concerns in non-punitive ways. Once implemented, they will respond to
emergency and non-emergency calls for help within their fields of expertise to
resolve disputes and ensure the safety of citizens requiring assistance.
■The response teams will partner with and utilize all existing community
and government agencies who are already in operation and doing good
work for our community. IFR is currently reaching out to several existing
agencies and organizations who are already doing some of this work, to
learn more about partnership. We do not know everyone yet, and are
interested in learning about all agencies providing these services.
○The Community Wellness & Accountability architecture will also include 4
departments to address long-term community needs: Affordable Housing, Income
Support & Job Preparation, Immigrant & Refugee Support, and Community
Wellness Programs.
■These departments will partner with and utilize the many existing
community agencies who are already in operation and doing good work
for our community. IFR is currently reaching out to several existing
agencies and organizations who are already doing some of this work, to
learn more about partnership. We do not know everyone yet, and are
interested in learning about all agencies providing these services.
■By September 30, 2020, there will be 3 paid positions within City
government to organize and/or construct these aspects of the Community
Wellness & Accountability architecture.
■By January 1, 2021 we expect to see The Community Wellness &
Accountability architecture to be funded $5 million annually. This money
will come from the city policing budget for calls that they are no longer
required to handle, as well as through the removal of unnecessary
military-grade weaponry, armor, uniforms, and other material contributing
to the oversized budget.
Goal 2: A detailed report of the events of violence against protesters on June 3 in Iowa City.
●City Manager must immediately engage in a more earnest attempt to understand more
details about the violence against protesters that was committed by police on June 3,
2020. The mixed reports and drawn-out investigation are not aligned with the “deep
introspections” that he promised Iowa City in his letter on June 10. City Manager must
immediately use his relationships within the police department to get a clear answer
about who was responsible for the violence that night, why no one has come forward yet,
and what the repercussions will be.
○This report from City Manager must be completed and made public by 09/01/20.
Goal 3: A publicly searchable database of complaints made against officers
●City Manager must immediately prioritize a new agenda item for City Council: creating a
public database for complaints against police officers. This should be easily accessible,
browsable, and searchable by officer name. While we understand the construction of a
publicly accessible website may take some time, we expect a list, publishable as a PDF
on the City government’s website.
○The public list must be made viewable by 09/01/20.
○The searchable database must be operational on the City government website by
01/01/21.
●City Manager and City Council should immediately begin discussions with IFR and other
interested community stakeholders around repercussions for officers who have caused
harm in the community.
○By 09/01/20, City Councilors and City Manager will have completed their first
meeting with IFR and other interested community stakeholders. They will have
jointly constructed a blueprint for regular meetings and a timeline for action and
decision-making.
From: Andrew Coghill <andrew-coghill@ncjc.org>
Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2020 3:15 PM
To: Stefanie Bowers <Stefanie-Bowers@iowa-city.org>
Cc: Diane Dingbaum <diane-dingbaum@ncjc.org>; Chastity Dillard <chastity-dillard@ncjc.org>
Subject: NCJC's SJRE Grant
Hi, Stefanie.
I hope this email finds you safe, healthy, and well.
I am writing in regards to the Neighborhood Centers’ and South District Neighborhood Association’s
joint Social Justice and Racial Equity grant and the plan for expenditure. We had initially proposed in
May that we could transition to a virtual Taste of Broadway event over the summer and fall, featuring
South District residents and their unique talents. As we are reassessing our progress on this project, it
appears that we significantly underestimated the amount of time and resources that such an
undertaking would involve and overestimated our technology in terms of infrastructure and ability to
acquire quality video footage in a safe manner.
NCJC would like to further amend our amended proposal to use the SJRE funds to address food
insecurity in the South District, which is a direct result of the COVID pandemic. We would use the funds
to support local, minority-owned grocery stores in the District by purchasing gift cards, gift certificates,
and/or culturally-specific food items. Those purchases would then be distributed directly to South
District residents
I understand that this change would require approval of the Human Rights Commission at their meeting
later this month. Please let me know what else you might require from me to facilitate this process.
Andrew Coghill-Behrends (he, him, his),
Family Support Director, Broadway Site Director
Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County
PO Box 2491, Iowa City, IA 52244-2491
Office: 2105 Broadway St., Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 354-7989
Agenda Item 4f