HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRC Agenda for 10 26 2021Human Rights Commission
October 26, 2021
Formal Meeting – 5:30PM
Emma J. Harvat Hall, Iowa City City Hall
Agenda:
1. Call the meeting to order and roll call
2. Reading & Discussion of Land Acknowledgment
3. Approval of the September 28, 2021 meeting minutes
4. 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)
5. American Rescue Plan & The Excluded Workers Fund Discussion/Updates
6. Review of Current Commission Subcommittees: Housing, Anti-Racism, Health Equity
7. Transgender Day of Remembrance Proclamation for the City Council formal meeting date of
November 16, 2021
8. National Native American Heritage Month Proclamation for the City Council formal meeting
date of November 16, 2021
9. Human Rights Awards (October 27 at 7:30AM)
10. Social Justice & Racial Equity Grants
a. Informational Sessions (November 9 at 6PM and November 16 at 1PM)
b. Planning meeting for Informational Sessions
c. Additional funding
11. Board Commission Training on Open Meetings and Public Records (December 8 at 6PM)
12. Staff/Commission Announcements. (Commissioners shall not engage in discussion with one
another concerning said announcements).
13. Adjournment
If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate in this meeting please contact Human
Rights Coordinator, 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.
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
OCTOBER 26, 2021 MEETING PACKET CONTENTS
AGENDA ITEM #2
• LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
AGENDA ITEM #3
• DRAFT MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER 28, 2021
AGENDA ITEM #6
• POWERS OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION 2-2-2
AGENDA ITEM #10
• SOCIAL JUSTICE AND RACIAL EQUITY GRANT APPLICATION
FOR FY22
• SOCIAL JUSTICE AND RACIAL EQUITY GRANT RUBRIC FOR
FY22
• SOCIAL JUSTICE AND RACIAL EQUITY POWERPOINT
PRESENTATION FOR FY22
Draft Minutes
Human Rights Commission September 28, 2021
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Commissioners present: Mark Pries, Siri Bruhn, Jessica Andino, Jason Glass, Ashley Lindley, Bijou Maliabo, Roger Lusala, Tony
Sivanthaphanith.
Commissioners not present: Adil Adams.
Staff present: Stefanie Bowers, Daisy Torres.
Recommendation to City Council: No.
Meeting called to order: 5:31 PM.
Land Acknowledgement: Andino read the land acknowledgement.
Approval of the minutes from the August 24, 2021 meeting: Pries moved, the motion was seconded by Glass. Motion passed 7-0.
(Maliabo not present for the vote).
Public comment of items not on the agenda: None.
American Rescue Plan & The Excluded Workers Fund Discussion/Update: Since the Commission last spoke on this topic the City Council has
held a work session on ARP. Iowa City will have a total off 18 million dollars by the spring of 2022. The proposal from the City Manager is for
the City to pay Excluded Workers $2000.00 each. This payment will not be expediated.
United Nations International Day of Older Persons: This annual event will be held on October 1 at 3PM via Zoom. Andino will be a presenter
at this program. Staff will send out the link to participate.
Celebrating Differences: Getting Comfortable through Disability Awareness: In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness
Month the Office will be hosting a training on October 12. The program will be presented by the Center for Disability Inclusion.
HRC Subcommittees: Housing: No update. Anti-Racism: No report. Health Equity: No report. At the next Commission meeting members
will have a discussion and review the current subcommittees to determine whether they need to be modified or expanded on.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Proclamation for the City Council formal meeting of October 5: Bruhn will accept the proclamation on behalf of
the Commission.
Human Rights Awards: The awards will be presented on Wednesday, October 27 at 7:30AM at City Hall. Nominations are being solicited
through September 30. There will be no breakfast this year due to the ongoing pandemic. Pries, Lusala, and Sivanthaphanith will serve on
the selection committee for honorees.
Reports of Commissioners: Pries attended a discussion on the 1619 Project. Pries also recently spoke to a member of the Helen Keller
Foundation on protected classes. Andino reminded Commission members of the upcoming International Day of Older Persons. Lindley has
begun her graduate studies in the School of Social Work that has given Lindley a few ideas for the Anti-racism subcommittee.
Sivanthaphanith is working hard on Pride 50 which will be celebrated October 1-3 here. The date was selected to coincide with LGBTQ
History Month. Glass noted that September 28 is National Register to Vote Day.
Staff Reports: Torres reported that the Police Department has hired 3 new officers who are currently at the Academy. They will be
presented to the Commission at a future meeting when they are officially on-duty. Bowers offered seats to the African American Museum
of Iowa’s History Gala for 2021.
Meeting Adjourned: 6:12PM
Human Rights Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD YEAR 2021
(Meeting Date)
NAME
TERM
EXP. 1/26 2/23 3/23 4/27 5/25 6/22 7/27 8/24 9/28 10/26 11/23 12/28
Adil Adams 2021 X X E X X X E E E
Jessica Andino 2021 X X X X X X X X X
Siri Bruhn 2021 - - - - - - - X X
Jason Glass 2022 X X X X X O/E X X X
Ashley Lindley 2021 X X X X X X X E X
Roger Lusala 2023 X X E X X X X X X
Bijou Maliabo 2023 X X X X X X X X X
Mark Pries 2022 X X X X X O/E X X X
Tony Sivanthaphanith 2023 - - - X X X X X X
KEY: E = Excused
X = Present
2-2-2: POWERS:
The commission created by this chapter shall have the following powers: (Ord. 03-4105, 12-16-2003; amd. Ord. 15-4650,
12-15-2015)
A. Receive complaints alleging unfair or discriminatory practices.
B. Investigate and study the existence, character, causes and extent of discrimination in the areas covered by this title,
and to eliminate discrimination by education, conciliation and enforcement where necessary.
C. Issue publications and reports of the research and investigations of the commission subject to the limitations of
confidentiality.
D. Prepare and transmit to the city council from time to time, but not less often than once each year, reports describing
the proceedings, investigations, hearings, decisions and other work performed by the commission.
E. Make recommendations to the city council for such further legislation concerning discrimination as it may deem
necessary and desirable.
F. Cooperate, within the limits of any appropriations made for its operation, with other agencies or organizations, both
public and private, whose purposes are not inconsistent with those of this title, and in the planning and conducting of
programs designed to eliminate racial, religious, cultural and other intergroup tensions.
G. Educate the public on human rights and illegal discrimination, such as organizing and facilitating educational public
forums that address one or more of the broad range of topics included within the rubric of human rights.
H. Seek injunctive relief as may be appropriate to preserve the rights of the complainant and the public interest when it
appears that a complainant may be irreparably injured before a public hearing can be called to determine the merits of the
complaint.
I. Issue subpoenas and order discovery as provided by this section to aid in investigations of allegations of discrimination.
The subpoenas and discovery may be ordered to the same extent and are subject to the same limitations as subpoenas
and discovery in a civil action in district court. (Ord. 03-4105, 12-16-2003)
10/15/2021 New Submission
https://www.iowa-city.org/Forms/SJRE_Grant 1/6
FY22 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by January 8, 2022.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org (mailto:stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org) or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Address*
Phone Number *
Email*
Website Address
Contact Person
Organizational Information
City State / Province / Region
Postal / Zip Code Country
Street Address
Address Line 2
10/15/2021 New Submission
https://www.iowa-city.org/Forms/SJRE_Grant 2/6
Add
Organization's Mission Statement*
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
Provide an example of a project initiated by the organization in the last three years that had a wide community
reach and impact. If a newly established organization, provide an experience with a prior project that inspired
this proposal.*
Provide a narrative on how the program, service or activity came to be. The narrative can be descriptive or
based on city or statewide statistics.*
Name *
Title*
Phone Number *
Email*
Proposal
10/15/2021 New Submission
https://www.iowa-city.org/Forms/SJRE_Grant 3/6
What is the program, service, or activity?*
How does the program, service or activity advance social justice and racial equity? Be specific.*
How does the program, service or activity address one or more of the six priority areas?*
What community need does this program, service or activity fulfill? Response should include information or
data that demonstrates the need.*
Does the program, service or activity include partnerships or collaborations with other organization(s)? If so,
what organization(s)? Provide a detailed description of the partnership/collaboration.*
Provide the projected demographics of community members that will be served by the program, service or
activity (response should include age, race, gender and income).*
How many community members are estimated to be served by this program, service or activity and over what
period of time?*
Is there a charge to participate in the program, service or activity? If so, what is the cost per person? Why is
the charge needed?*
10/15/2021 New Submission
https://www.iowa-city.org/Forms/SJRE_Grant 4/6
What are the outcomes and performance measures for the program, service or activity?*
What indicators or metrics have been identified to measure outcomes and performance? **
What processes or tools will be created as a part of the program, service or activity that can be shared with
others in the community to eliminate racial and social inequities?*
How will the good or service produced as a result of a project be shared and/or communicated with the
targeted community and the larger community?
Will the program, service or activity be continued or expanded after the SJRE Grant funding ends? If so, how?
The sustainability plan should be specific on future funding and not simply state the agency will continue to
look for support.*
If the proposal includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service
or activity and its goals.*
Amount of Funding Requested*
How will the funding be utilized*
Funding Amount Request
$
10/15/2021 New Submission
https://www.iowa-city.org/Forms/SJRE_Grant 5/6
What is the organizations annual budget?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov-22 1-Apr-23 31-Jul-23
Add
Expenses
Type *1-Nov-22 1-Apr-23 31-Jul-23
Add
Provide a timeline for the program,service, or activity.*
Provide a timeline for how grant money would be spent over the next year.*
Within the last five years, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for what
purpose and how much?*
2022 and 2023 Proposed Budget
$$$
$$$
10/15/2021 New Submission
https://www.iowa-city.org/Forms/SJRE_Grant 6/6
Within the last five years, has the organization received funding for this program, service or activity from a
non-City of Iowa City source? If so, how much was received and what is the duration of the funding?*
Does the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, service or activity?*
If so, how much is needed? Is the program, service, or activity dependent on receiving both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Can the project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization *
Signature*
Date *
Submit Save as Draft
Yes No
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
Sign
Date will be captured on form submission
1
SJRE Application #______________________
The rubric has three sections: part 1, Organizational Information, worth 10 points: part
two, Proposal, worth 60 points; part three, Funding Amount, worth 30 points. The
highest score achievable on an application is 100 points.
1.First, please rate the organizational information (Up to 10 points).
Organizational Points
A. Goals of the organization for 2021 align with social justice or racial equity:
B.Mission statement of the organization aligns with social justice or racial equity:
C. Does the organization have a history of accomplishment:
D. Evaluator’s Own Criteria:
E. Evaluator’s Own Criteria:
F. Evaluator’s Own Criteria:
Comments regarding the organizational information:
Total Points this section: ________
2
2.Second, please rate the proposal (Up to 60 points).
Proposal Points
A. Program, service, or activity advances social justice or racial equity:
B. There is a need in the community for this program, service, or activity:
C. Program, service or activity will have a significant impact on community
members:
D. Program, service or activity has tools that will be shared with others and are
beneficial to community:
E. Program, service or activity has specific outcomes and performance
measures:
F. Program, service or activity is sustainable in the community after SJRC grant
funding would end (Applicant includes a plan for continuing the program,
service or activity beyond the grant period):
G. Timeline for service, project or activity provides for specific time frame for
actions:
H. Evaluator’s Own Criteria:
I. Evaluator’s Own Criteria:
3
J. Evaluator’s Own Criteria:
Comments regarding the proposal:
Total Points this section: _______
4
3.Third, please rate the funding amount requested (Up to 30 points).
Funding Requested Points
A. Amount requested would cover the service, project or activity:
B. Proposal includes a budget that clearly outlines how the funding would be spent:
C. Evaluator’s Own Criteria:
D. Evaluator’s Own Criteria:
E. Evaluator’s Own Criteria:
Comments regarding the proposal’s funding request (please include as much information as
you can to facilitate the funding decision process):
Total Points this section: _______
OVERALL SCORE: _________ out of 100
Evaluator's rationale for the score or general thoughts on the grant application:
Informational Session on the
Social Justice & Racial Equity Grant 2021
1
November 2021
Agenda
Welcome.
Who & What is the Human Rights
Commission?
History,Purpose,Process for the
grant.
Tips on writing a successful grant
application.
Q &A
2
Human Rights Commission
Nine residents of Iowa City who are appointed
by the City Council to serve 3-year terms.
Commissioners, all committed to civil rights,
reflect a broad cross section of the community,
thus insuring diversity of ideas and interests.
Outreach &
Education
on Human
Rights
4
Youth Awards 2019Human Rights Awards 2019
Annual Programs & Events
Programs & Events
Background and History of
the Social Justice and
Racial Equity Grant
In 2017, the City Council created the
Social Justice and Racial Equity
(SJRE) Grant to assist community-
based organizations in building
capacity to address social justice and
racial equity needs. Seventy-five
thousand dollars has been allocated
yearly for the SJRE Grant since fiscal
year 2019.
FY17 & FY18 Grantees
FY19,
FY20,
FY21
Grantees
Organization FY20
Successful Living $18,000.00
Sudanese Community Center $13,520.00
Labor Center $15,500.00
Little Creations Academy $7,360.00
Center for Worker Justice $8,975.98
Antelope Lending Library $6,644.00
Inside Out Reentry $5,000.00
Organization FY21
Johnson County Affordable Housing $15,000.00
Open Heartland $14,749.00
Labor Center $20,000.00
Sankofa Outreach Connection $15,000.00
U of I Food Pantry $6,075.00
Bike Library $4,000.00
Purpose & Definitions
•PURPOSE: Encourage, Empower, and
Engage Social Justice and Racial Equity
Initiatives to Eliminate Inequities
•DEFINITION: The goal is full and equal
participation of all groups and individuals in
a society that is mutually shaped to meet
their needs,allow them to reach their full
potential, and limit/decrease barriers. This
definition includes a vision of society that
is equitable, and where all members are
physically and psychologically safe and
secure. Teaching for Diversity and Social
Justice by Adams,Bell and Griffin (2007).
4
Priority Service Areas
PROPOSAL SHOULD
ADDRESS ONE OR MORE
OF THESE AREAS.
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
Requirement of the SJRE Grants
1. physically located in Iowa City.
2. Proposal should seek to eliminate an inequity in
the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
3.New project,that assists individuals or groups that
have been marginalized.
Restrictions of the SJRE Grant
1.Not considered a permanent funding source but if awarded
funding, an organization can reapply a second year for that
project to be funded.
2.Governments, public schools, and colleges/universities cannot be
primary applicants.
3.Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
***There are no restrictions on whether applicants are for profit or not for profit.
Important Information 12
The intent and purpose
of the SJRE grant is to serve and benefit
persons in Iowa City as
much as reasonably
possible.
The Commission will consider whether there is a sustainability plan for
after the grant funding
has ended.
The Commissioners may submit questions to applicants via staff
during the review
process if necessary.
Recipients of the SJRE
grant must present to the Commission and the
community on their
project after completion
of the grant cycle.
Start early. Late
applications are not reviewed.
Cut and paste the
application into a Word or similar document and then cut and paste back
when ready to submit.
Suggestions
Please be sure you are communicating the background and goals
of your project clearly.
Keep in mind the reader may not be as familiar with the
important needs of the population that you are focusing on.
Provide a good comprehensive background for your proposal
with as much data as possible so the reader has all the facts and
information.
Have someone proofread the application for you to make sure it’s
grammatically clear and that you have met all the guidelines.
Think of your proposal as offering a solution to the issues you are
presenting.
Be clear and specific about the outcomes you’re hoping for.
13
Budget
Maximum reward is $25,000 per grantee.
Try not to ask for more than you really need.
Everything in the budget should be reflected in the narrative,and vice versa.
No more than 25% of total funding requested should be for operational costs.i.e.payroll,rent,office supplies,utilities, insurance,and taxes
Partial funding may be allocated, if the applicant has clearly stated on the application form that the project can be completed with less funding.
The Commission will factor into its recommendationwhetheranorganizationhasorwillreceivefundingfromtheCity,if so the amount and duration.
14
15
Timeline
December 1
through January 7
The Human Rights Commission will
send a recommendation to the City
Council for review and approval no
later than March 31, 2022.
Funding allocated by June 1, 2022.
17
•Mission Statement
•Year of Operation
•Annual Budget
•Past Projects
•Proposal
•People Served
•Cost to Participate
•Collaborative Effort
•Timeline
•Outcomes with Indicators
The Application
https://www.iowa-city.org/Forms/SJRE_Grant
Scoring 18
3 Sections
Organizational
Information, 10
points
Proposal,60
points
Funding
Amount,30
points.
The highest
score =100
points.
Section 1: Organizational
Information
1.Goals of the organization align
with Social Justice or Racial
Equity.
2.Mission statement of the
organization align with Social
Justice or Racial Equity?
Section 2: The Proposal
1.Does it advance social justice or racial equity?
2.Is there a community need?
3.Will it have a significant impacton community members?
4.Is it sustainable?
5.Are there specific outcomesand performance measures?
Section 3: Amount Requested
1.Amount requested covers the
service, project, or activity?
2.Would it need to be
supplemented to cover the
service,project or activity?
3.Timeline for project?
Rankings 22
What to do between now and
December 1?
1.Look at the past applications whether funded or not?Duplication?
2.Priorities of your organization?Indicators,needs,gaps in service or
problems?That your organization can address.
3.Think of ways you can provide proof or evidence of the inequity.
Community trends?Data?What does it show or demonstrate.
4.Develop an action plan:
1.How can you address the inequity?
2.What supports are needed?
3.What funding is needed?
4.Can you do it without full funding?
5.How will success be measured?
23
Expectations if awarded
1.Required to submit 2 program reports on
progress towards the stated goals (November 1,
2022 and April 1, 2023).
2.An annual accounting report describing,at
minimum,the uses of funds received during the
prior year (July 31,2023).
24
Conditional Status
The Equity Director,with the approval of the City Manager,may place the Recipient on conditional status when one or more serious problems are identified that puts the Recipient’s agreement with the City of Iowa City in jeopardy.Problems may be in service delivery,board activity,agency administration,fiscal management, cooperation with other agencies,compliance with this agreement,or any other failure to further the stated goals of the grant request.
Following the placement of the Recipient on conditional status,the Equity Director will meet with the Recipient’s director and board members to discuss the concerns/problems as identified by the Equity Director.The Equity Director will provide the Recipient with a written memo outlining the concerns/problems,specific corrective action steps,and time frames for completion.The Recipient will provide periodic reports and meet with the Equity Director during this period to ensure that satisfactory progress is being made.
If the Recipient fails to meet the requirements of this agreement and/or the action step memo within the appropriate time frame as specified,the Equity Director may recommend to the City Manager that recipient be barred from receiving any future funding from the Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant for a minimum of 2 years.
25
Sources Used &Cited
Grant Writing 101,Eric Christianson
The Only Grant Writing Book You Will Ever Need,Anthony Hollis.
Race and Social Justice Initiative Racial Equity Fund;2016 Info Session
27
Follow the
Office of Equity
& Human Rights
on Instagram!!!
Follow Up
Questions? Email
humanrights@iowa-
city.org or Call 319-
356-5022
29Questions?