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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-20-2015 Human Rights CommissionAGENDA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION HELLING CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL January 20, 2015 6:00 P.M. 1. Call Meeting to Order/ Roll Call 2. Approval of Minutes December 15, 2014 3. Public Comment of Items Not on the Agenda 4. New Business: a. Introduction of Commissioner Edie Pierce -Thomas b. Election of Chair (Bowers) c. Election of Vice Char (Bowers) d. Affordable Housing & Inclusionary Zoning (Olmstead) e. Juncteenth Celebration 150 Year Anniversary (Bowers) f. Black History Month Proclamation (Coulter) g. Invitation to Co -Sponsor Injustice on our Plates: How Conditions of Food Workers Affect Us All (Olmstead) It. Sponsorship Request for 2015 Choice Event (Bowers) i. Funding Request Soul Food Dinner (Bowers) 5. Old Business: a. Center for Worker Justice Just Employment Initiative (Coulter) b. Volunteer Fair for Retired Persons (Retish) c. Commission Action Plan 2015 (Bowers) i. Education Programming Update (Hart) ii. Education Outreach Update (Ghoneim) iii. Community Outreach (Hanrahan) 6. Upcoming Events/Programs: a. Save the Date: Youth Awards (May 13) 7. Reports: a. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Proclamation (Bowers) b. Human Rights Breakfast (Bowers) i. Survey results ii. Location C. Education Subcommittee (Relish, Olmstead, Coulter) d. Building Communities Subcommittee (Townsend) e. University of Iowa Center for Human Rights Board (Ghoneim, Olmstead) f. Equity Report (Bowers) g. Commission h. Staff 8. Set Next Regular Meeting Date: February 17 at 6:00 pm 9. Adjourn The Human Rights Commission meetings follow the Iowa City Community School District closings for inclement weather except for early dismissals for heat. Minutes Human Rights Commission December 15, 2014 — 6 PM Emma J. Harvat Hall Preliminary Members Present: Hang Olmstead, Shams Ghoneim, Orville Townsend Sr., Ali Ahmed, Kim Hanrahan, Joe D. Coulter, Stella Hart, Paul Retish, Andrea Cohen. Others Present: Misty Rebik. Staff Present: Stefanie Bowers. Recommendations to Council: No. Call to Order: Olmstead called the meeting to order at 18:03. Consideration of the Minutes from the November 18, 2014 Meeting Date: Motion Coulter, seconded by Hanrahan. Motion passed 9-0. Center for Worker Justice Just Employment Initiative Misty Rebik reported on the status of several allegations against Rock Tenn, CTA Staffing and Sedona Staffing based on discriminatory treatment and hour/wage violations. The allegations are made by 15 individuals many of whom are still current employees at the two staffing agencies. Rebik mentions that it is the belief of the Center for Worker Justice (CWJ) that Rock Tenn is a joint employer to the staffing agencies. In addition, Rebik informed that complaints have been filed with the Department of Labor and the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. Rebik wants the community to know about the allegations because 1) it is a human rights issue, and 2) it is necessary to make sure things change for the better. Rebik commented that Rock Tenn has refused to speak or correspond with the CWJ. Townsend points out that Rock Tenn is not the only employer in town violating workers' rights. Coulter encouraged Rebik to reach out to the University of Iowa Center for Human Rights and the University of Iowa College of Law Legal Clinic. Rebik believes a letter from the Commission would give more leverage to the CWJ in this initiative. Rebik will supply the Commission with a redacted version of the complaint filed with the Department of Labor to avoid exposing the names of the employees who have filed the complaints. Motion Coulter, seconded by Ghoneim for the Center for Worker Justice Just Employment Initiative to be placed on the January agenda. Motion passed 9-0. Cohen would like to see the Commission take a more neutral stance until it has allowed both sides in the dispute an opportunity to present information. Motion Relish, seconded by Coulter to draft a letter to Rock Tenn, CTA Staffing and Sedona Staffing letting each employer know that the Commission has been made aware of the allegations and to be fair would like to provide them with the opportunity to provide any information they would like concerning the allegations. Motion passed 8-1. (Townsend in the negative). Equity Report Coulter thinks that future reports could be created in a more readable format for the general population. And would like to see the equity report as a standing agenda item. Goal Setting Session Commissioners designated leads for each of the four initiatives established by the Commission at its Goal Setting Session. Hanrahan will lead the outreach to the community with assistance from Hart and Townsend, Coulter will lead the outreach to Council with Retish assisting, Hart will lead the educational programs for the community with assistance from Olmstead, and Ghoneim will lead the educational presentations to the community with assistance from Ahmed and Townsend. Educational programs focus on civil and human rights whereas educational presentations focus on the role and work of the Commission in the community. Each group will provide monthly written reports on the status of each initiative to be placed in the meeting packets. Motion to accept the designated appointments by Coulter, seconded by Ghoneim. Motion passed. 9-0. Job Fair Marketed for Retired Persons Relish would like the Commission to sponsor a volunteer fair for retired persons who are looking to volunteer with a local non-profit organization. A list of volunteer opportunities or resources will need to be prepared and then those agencies/organizations should be invited to participate in the fair. United Way and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program were mentioned as possible resources for the fair. Making Johnson County a Human Rights County Olmstead deferred this item. Professor Burns Weston who sent the correspondence is currently out of the country, when he returns Olmstead will get more information from him concerning this topic. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Proclamation Either Townsend or Olmstead will accept the proclamation on behalf of the Commission. Bowers will follow up closer in time to the January 6 Council meeting date. Certificate of Appreciation Presentation Olmstead presented Cohen with a Certificate of Appreciation signed by the Mayor recognizing her service to the Commission and wishing her well in her future aspirations. Reports: Human Rights Breakfast Bowers handed out results from the survey on the Breaktast for 2014. Attendees reported being very satisfied with the Iowa Memorial Union (IMU). The survey close date runs to December 31. Bowers will provide final survey results at the January meeting. If the event is held at the IMU in the future Bowers will inquire about whether free or reduced parking is an option. Education Subcommittee Retish reported that he, Olmstead and Hanrahan are on the Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD) Equity Committee and that many of the requests in the draft letter (see Commission packet of 12-15-14) have been passed on to the Director of Equity and Staffing for the ICCSD for follow up. Townsend made the suggestion that requests are better made in writing. Coulter believes that the drafted letter should still be sent out to the Superintendent of the ICCSD. Motion Coulter, seconded by Hanrahan to send letter as drafted to the ICCSD Superintendent. Motion passed 9-0. Building Communities Townsend discussed the need for affordable housing here in Iowa City and thought this subcommittee may be a good venue to pursue talking about the issue. University of Iowa Center for Human Rights Ghoneim and Olmstead attended the Board meeting held on December 3, the next meeting will be in April. The Annual Report was recently released and will be sent out to Commissioners in the near future. The Center also held a Teach -In to commemorate International Human Rights Day. Commission Ghoneim reported that the American Civil Liberties Union Iowa Chapter has completed interviews and hopes to make a job offer for a new Executive Director very soon. Retish offered holiday wishes to all. Hanrahan recently attended a program at the Dream Center where youth of color spoke on a variety of topics including their media perceptions, interactions with law enforcement and relationships with peers. The Dream Center will be holding a Youth Summit on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Coulter wished all happy holidays. Cohen thanked Commissioners and staff. She has enjoyed her time on the Commission and hopes to reapply in the near future. She wishes everyone a happy and healthy new year. Townsend thanked Bowers for another year of her leadership to the Commission. Ahmed discussed Human Rights Day in the Sudan and its historical significance. Olmstead thanked Cohen for her service to the Commission. He also encouraged Commission members to attend the upcoming community discussion on amending the City's Charter. Staff Bowers mentioned an upcoming meeting being held with the Police Department, Diversity Focus and The Dream Center to help plan the upcoming Youth Police Academy. Adjournment: 20:15 Next Regular Meeting — January 20, 2015 at 6:00 pm. Human Rights Commission ATTENDANCE RECORD YEAR 2013/2014 eetin Date NAME TERM EXP. 1/21/ 14 2/18/ 14 3/18/ 14 4/29/ 14 5/20/ 14 6/17/ 14 7/15/ 14 8/19/ 14 9/16/ 14 10/2/ 14 10/21/ 14 11/18 14 12/15 14 All Ahmed 1/1/17 X X O/E O/E O/E X X X O/E X X X X Orville Townsend, Sr. 1/1/17 X X X O/E X X X X X X X X X Paul Relish 1/1/17 X X O/E X X X O/E X O/E X O/E O/E X Kim Hanrahan 1/1/15 X X X X O/E O/E X X X X X X X Shams Ghoneim 1/1/15 O/E X X X X X X X X X X X X Stella Hart 1/1/15 - - - _ _ X X X O/E X X X X Jewell Amos 1/1/15 X X O/E R R R R R R R R R R Joe D. Coulter 1/1/16 X X X X X X O/E X X X X X X Harry Olmstead 1/1/16 X X X X X X X X X X X X X Andrea Cohen 1/1/16 X X O/E X X X X X O/E X O/E X X I I I I --t— — KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused NM = No meeting — = No longer a member R = Resignation 12 Agenda Item 4a City of Iowa City 1 1_ , Advisory Board/Commission/Committee 3 = +moi' ia1� • rr••- ',pplication Form -•-11111- CITY OF IOWA CITY THIS APPLICATION IS A PUBLIC DOCUMENT AND AS SUCH CAN BE REPRODUCED AND DISTRIBUTED FOR THE PUBLIC, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE LAST PAGE MARKED "CONFIDENTIAL." THIS APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THREE MONTHS ONLY AND AUTOMATICALLY CONSIDERED FOR ANY VACANCY DURING THAT TIME. Advisory Board/CommissionlCommittee Name IC Human Rights Commission Tenn ends 1/1/2016 NAME Edie Pierce -Thomas HOME ADDRESS 631 Stuart Court Is your home address (listed above) within the corporate limits of Iowa City? © Yes ❑ No How long have you been a resident of Iowa City? 3 yrs + 3 yrs (&fW Gender: Male ❑ Female ❑� OCCUPATION Administrative Services Coordinator EMPLOYER UI PHONE NUMBER: HOME 765414-4407 BUSINESS 319-3352112 EXPERIENCE AND/OR ACTIVITIES WHICH YOU FEEL QUALIFY YOU FOR THIS POSITION: Ace Chair and member, Tippecanoe County Human Relations Commission - including hearing complaints Sender Spectrum Forum, Volunteer and representative of Human Relations Commission .oval Emergency Food and Shelter Program Chair Member of the community Diversity Round Table - volunteer at OutoberFest - a LGBTQI festival. 'epresentative to the community Homeless Prevention and Intervention Network xecutive Director of Lafayette Housing Authority have a passion for human rights and embracing diversity. My work has always included further human rights ssues and the list of some of my work above shows how I have worked for human rights in the past. WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT KNOWLEDGE OF THIS ADVISORY BOARD? I understand the mission of the commission is to disseminate information and educate the public on civil and human rights and make recommendations to the city council. This is basically the same as when I served on the Tippecanoe County HR Commission. have served as a hearing officer for both the HR Commission and for the housing authority in Lafayette, IN. I have xperience putting together public forums and working collaboratively with government officials. n� N --1 h --' r IF YOU ARE NOT SELECTED, DO YOU WANT TO BE NOTIFIED? [Z]Yes E`Ez] Q — DO YOU CURRENTLY SERVE ON ANOTHER IOWA CITY BOARD OR COMMISSION? Yes QNo at has been Council policy not to permit an individual to serve on two Boards or Commissions at two same time.) Misrepresentations on this application will constitute just cause for removal of an appointee. If you fail I to answer all the questions, Council may not consider your application. Human Rights Commission Application January 2014 Page 2 of 8 ..nommum�m ! Agenda Item 4d � •� CITY OF IOWA CI Imo" c �Iowu MEMORANDUM Date: December 15, 2014 To: Tom Markus, City Manager From: Douglas Boothroy, Director Neighborhood and Development Services Re: Riverfront Crossings and Inclusionary Housing At the time it adopted the Riverfront Crossings Form -Based Code, the City Council requested that staff meet with stakeholders (i.e. developers, affordable housing advocates, etc.) to determine whether or not the Riverfront Crossings Code should be amended to require affordable housing as an integral part of any new residential development. The current Riverfront Crossings Form -Based Code does not require the inclusion of affordable housing. It does, however, provide development incentives (e.g. density bonuses) for affordable housing. Background The fundamental purpose of an inclusionary housing upzoning requirement is to provide a minimum percentage of affordable housing units as an integral part of new residential development. To achieve this goal, incentives are commonly provided to the developer for the inclusion of affordable housing. Inclusionary housing policy is one tool cities have used to: 1) increase production of affordable housing; 2) establish a relatively permanent stock of affordable housing units; and, 3) promote mixed income neighborhoods. As a 'stand-alone' strategy, inclusionary housing policy is not a panacea for attaining a community's housing aspirations or solving a community's housing challenges. It does not guarantee the production of affordable housing units or the location of affordable housing units in a given school attendance area. Because inclusionary housing promotes affordable housing in new residential development, affordable housing units are produced only to the extent that overall development proceeds. However, such policy can be useful when employed as one component of a broader and more comprehensive strategic approach. For example, one such policy that requires 'scattered site' housing is the 2011 Affordable Housing Location Model, which requires publically-funded affordable housing to be located in neighborhoods and elementary school attendance areas which do not have a concentration of affordable housing. A description of the Affordable Housing Location Model, in addition to other existing Policies, Codes and Programs which in combination form a comprehensive approach to encourage development and preservation of affordable housing, is attached. Inclusionary housing policies have been found to be most effective when they are: • Mandatory; • combined with meaningful developer incentives; and required in areas of the community that have the potential for substantial new residential growth (such as Riverfront Crossings). Developer incentives/benefits have been found to be most effective when they: are meaningful; are achievable; • offset the profits lost on below -market -rate affordable units; and do not impact the price and supply of market -rate units. December 18, 2014 Page 2 Inclusionary housing works only when the policy provisions make sense financially and otherwise — to the development community. Developer involvement is essential to the process of creating a practical, workable inclusionary housing policy. Absent this involvement, barriers to implementation and enforcement are more likely to occur. Benefits The City's recent adoption of the Riverfront Crossings Plan and Form -Based Code has created a "Neighborhood of Opportunity" in Riverfront Crossings. All parties (private and public) will benefit from these City actions, even without inclusionary affordable housing. However, because Riverfront Crossings upzonings provide a significant increase in the development capacity of this area, a favorable inclusionary housing environment, unique to this time and place, has been created. The potential now exists for the public benefit of mixed income housing to become a reality in this area. Landowners and developers in Riverfront Crossings will benefit from density increases, building and site design flexibility, mixed uses, and options for financial support (such as Tax Increment Financing - TIF). Furthermore, they will benefit from significant public infrastructure investment, including the creation of a major riverfront park amenity for the area. The community will benefit from Riverfront Crossings through the creation of an economically vital, mixed income, mixed use, pedestrian friendly, sustainable neighborhood located near downtown. A case can be made that affordable housing will further enhance the public benefit and that by requiring inclusionary housing, the City is engaging in a mutualiv beneficial reciprocal exchange with landowners/developers. The Riverfront Crossings land use changes and upzonings, as well as other public initiatives, will increase land value and redevelopment opportunities. Because this increase in land value and development capacity is directly attributable to the City's actions, consideration should be given to recapturing a portion of the increased value/development capacity to benefit the public. When a landowner/developer benefits from public action (such as upzoning, infrastructure upgrades, density bonuses, etc.), it is reasonable to expect that public benefits (such as affordable housing) are extended to the community, as well. Affordable housing is identified as a goal in several of the City's guiding documents: Riverfront Crossings Plan, Form -Based Code, City's Strategic Plan, City STEPS, and other policies and programs noted in the attachments. Requiring inclusionary affordable housing to be tied to upzonings and/or TIF financial assistance should be considered a quid pro quo for recapturing some of the public benefits/value assigned to the land in Riverfront Crossings. Initial Stakeholder Input Staff has held meetings with various stakeholders to discuss the possibility of requiring affordable housing in Riverfront Crossings in exchange for upzoning and/or use of TIF financing. The stakeholders included the Chamber's Local Government Committee and representatives of for-profit developers, the Homebuilders Association, non-profit developers, and affordable housing advocates. Stakeholder discussions were positive and productive. Participants agreed on two general principles. First, that any time the City participates financially in a residential development project, a minimum of at least 10% of the units must be affordabletworkforce housing. Second, that if inclusionary housing were to be required in Iowa City, it should be limited to Riverfront Crossings because of the significant land use changes and development capacity provided by the City. The for-profit developers were not convinced that the upzonings and other beneficial incentives would offset the cost of providing below -market -rate housing. In their view, any inclusionary housing program must be designed so that the inoentives/benefits offset the costs associated with both construction and subsequent rental or sale income of the affordable units. They December 18, 2014 Page 3 indicated they may be able to support inclusionary housing requirements if the amount of housing leveraged and the incentives provided result in no net cost to the developer. Stakeholders generally agreed that if inclusionary housing can work in Iowa City, Riverfront Crossings is the "neighborhood of opportunity" for its success. All participants expressed interest in maintaining stakeholder involvement in future discussions. The following participants volunteered to work with staff as members of an ad-hoc work committee. Tracy Achenbach, Housing Trust Maryann Dennis, Housing Fellowship Chad Keune, Homebuilder Association President, 2014 Brad Langguth, Hills Bank & Trust Scott McDonough, Iowa Valley Habitat Chair, 2015 Sally Scott, Affordable Housing Coalition Glenn Siders, Siders Development Recommendations Recommendation #1: (effective immediately) Any time the City participates financially in a residential development project, a minimum of 10% of the units must be designated for affordable housing. In the case of an all -student -housing project, the City may consider a fee in lieu of the provision of affordable housing. Recommendation #2: Staff should convene an ad-hoc work committee to study and develop, for City Council consideration, a proposed inclusionary housing upzoning requirement for the Riverfront Crossings area. This committee will include individuals who have a broad range of housing expertise and experience, including the volunteers listed above. The committee would be expected to complete its work in 3-4 months. Caveat: The design and ultimate adoption of an inclusionary housing requirement for Riverfront Crossings will be a challenge for all involved. As you know, over the past twenty years, inclusionary housing has been discussed and recommended, but it has failed to see any political traction. Further study of this issue will be worth the investment of committee and City Council time only if there is genuine interest in pursuing an inclusionary housing requirement. Out of respect for potential committee members' time and goodwill, it is critical that a majority of Council be willing to give serious consideration to the recommendations of an ad-hoc committee. 1. Existing Policies, Codes and Programs that encourage affordable housing 2. Table I: Housing Choice and Veterans' Supportive Services Voucher Utilization 3. Table II: Inventory of Subsidized Housing, Johnson County, IA 4. 2011 resolution approving the Affordable Housing Location Model December 18, 2014 Page 4 EXISTING POLICIES, CODES AND PROGRAMS THAT ENCOURAGE AFFORDABLE HOUSING Iowa City has addressed affordable housing with a myriad of policies, codes and programs which have combined to encourage affordable housing and a diversity of housing in our neighborhoods. Policies that have been adopted in documents such as the Comprehensive Plan provide the basis for Zoning Code and other code provisions, and the basis for a variety of programs which help support affordable housing, both renter and owner -occupied. POLICIES 2013 Comprehensive Plan The Comprehensive Plan supports housing diversity in neighborhoods, and encourages the development of smaller lots that conserve land and allow for more affordable housing options. The Comprehensive Plan also explicitly supports programs and funding for housing maintenance and rehabilitation. These goals are carried over from the 1997 Comprehensive Plan, and similar goals are identified in the City's District Plans (which are subsets of the Comprehensive Plan). As far back as the 1989 Comprehensive Plan, support for density bonuses to encourage provision of affordable housing was identified as a goal. 2014 Strateaic Plan The Strategic Plan states that the City should define and address affordable housing options in the community, should avoid proliferation of low income housing concentrations, and should pursue strategies to facilitate mixed income neighborhoods. As a Healthy Neighborhoods strategy, the Strategic Plan emphasizes evaluating programs and methods to promote affordable housing. 2004-05 Scattered Site Housina Taskforce This City -sponsored taskforce made several recommendations including a scattered -site policy to ensure distribution of assisted housing, and to avoid the concentration of assisted housing. The Taskforce was formed after the City Council received a letter from the School Board "requesting that the Council in its policy considerations carefully review locations of future affordable housing." This scattered -site policy eventually resulted in the creation of the Geographic Information System (GIS) map -based strategy (2011 Affordable Housing Location Model) which uses geographic criteria to help determine appropriate locations of City -funded affordable housing. 2007 and 2014 Affordable Housing Market Analysis The 2007 Affordable Housing Market Analysis was a consultant -led study of demographics, housing costs, and cost burden information for the metropolitan area. It included recommendations for increasing the supply of affordable housing. In 2014, the MPO of Johnson County updated much of the information with available data. 2008-09 MPO Affordable Housing Taskforce In 2008-09 the MPO of Johnson County (MPOJC) sponsored a taskforce including representatives from Iowa City and other MPOJC-member entities. This taskforce made recommendations to the MPO Board, which were copied to each of the MPOJC-member entities. December 18, 2014 Page 5 CODES Codes, or regulations, are requirements adopted through a legislative process through which Iowa City is provided with the tools to encourage (through the use of incentives) or require (through regulations) affordable and/or diverse housing in new development. 2005 Zonina Code The Zoning Code has been amended over the years several times, most significantly in 2005, to encourage more affordable housing, and diversity of housing in neighborhoods. These amendments have included allowing mixed-use (residential) development in more commercial zones, to allow duplexes on comer lots in single family zones, to allow smaller lot sizes in single family zones, to allow mixed-use and mixed housing types in planned developments, to allow accessory apartments, and to exempt up to 30% of dwelling units in the CB -10 and CB -5 zones from parking requirements provided those units are part of an affordable housing program. In combination, these zoning code provisions have resulted in a more significant mix of housing types, sizes, and locations than was previously possible. The recent Riverfront Crossings Form Based Code allows a building height increase If 15% of units are for affordable or workforce housing, tying an increase in density to provision of affordable housing. 2002 Aging in Place and Universal Design Reauirement In 2002, Iowa City Amended the International Residential Code to require Universal design in residential construction using public funds. All dwellings funded with public funds are required to be constructed using Universal Design techniques, which allows for 'Aging in Place' and for these dwellings to serve a greater cross-section of the population. 2011 Affordable Housing Location Model In 2011, Iowa City adopted use of the Affordable Housing Location Model, a map -based model used to encourage 'scattered -site' affordable housing. The model is used for affordable rental housing projects funded with CDBG, HOME and City funds to not allow additional publically- funded affordable housing in neighborhoods which are considered 'over -burdened;' and to encourage affordable housing in other neighborhoods. Two of the three stated goals for this model are that °the City does not want to further burden neighborhoods and elementary schools that already have issues related to a concentration of poverty;" and the "City desires to have diverse neighborhoods in terms of a range of income levels." In developing the criteria for the model, the City asked ICCSD what datalfactors were important. The District stated that three factors were important including Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) rates, mobility, and test scores. The City took the District's input and made it part of the model. Many cities have contacted Iowa City about use of the model, and the Kirwan Institute for the study of Race and Ethnicity at The Ohio State University has told staff the City's Model could be used as a national model on de -concentration. To our knowledge, Iowa City is the only City in Iowa which uses such a model. The resolution approving use of the Affordable Housing Location Model is attached. December 18, 2014 Page 6 HOUSING PROGRAMS Iowa City participates in a multitude of housing programs which collectively have a significant impact on affordable and workforce housing. These programs range from federally -funded programs which Iowa City participates in through the Iowa City Housing Authority (ICHA) to state and locally -funded programs. 81 Public Housing Units Iowa City currently owns 81 public housing units, which are managed by the Iowa City Housing Authority (ICHA). The Public Housing Program started in 1982, and Iowa City has owned and managed public housing units since that time. 1.272 Vouchers ICHA administers 1,215 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and 57 Veterans Affairs Services Housing (VASH) Vouchers. As of December 16, 2014, 1,260 of these vouchers are being utilized in the ICHA jurisdiction (see Table I for voucher locations, by City). In 2014, ICHA paid out $6.1 million in payments (federal funds) through the voucher programs. It is worth noting that the voucher programs are clearly 'scattered -site' in that the household is able to seek housing from any landlord, in any City/neighborhood. ICHA has administered some form of rental assistance program since 1969. 1.462 Subsidized Housina Units There is an inventory of 1,462 subsidized affordable housing units in Johnson County (see Table II for locations, by City). The majority of subsidized units are in Iowa City. Of the subsidized units, 779 are designated for seniors and/or persons with disabilities. These projects are subsidized by a variety of funding sources. GRIP Housino Rehabilitation Program The General Rehabilitation and Improvement Program (GRIP) is a low-interest loan program targeted to low and moderate income households using local funds. Loans are provided to homeowners who need to make repairs to their homes, which allows for preservation of owner - occupied housing stock. In FY14, Iowa City utilized $206,473 through the GRIP' Program. Other CDBG/HOME projects In the last completed year (FY14), Iowa City utilized $650,299 on 21 HOME housing projects. Projects included: • Tenant -based rental assistance • Owner -occupied housing rehabilitation` • Rental rehabilitation (HACAP and Housing Fellowship) • Acquisition of rental units for frail seniors and persons with disabilities • Operating expenses for the Housing Fellowship to maintain and manage their affordable rental housing In FY14, Iowa City utilized $273,712 on CDBG• housing rehabilitation projects for income - qualifying owner -occupied homes, and $10,000 for rehabilitation of two Habitat for Humanity homes. • In total, the GRIP/CDBG/HOME housing rehabilitation programs have assisted 115 homeowners in the past three years. December 18, 2014 Page 7 38 UniverCity Neighborhood Partnershio Homes The UniverCity Neighborhood Partnership is a program to acquire rental homes, renovate them, and sell them as owner -occupied housing. To date, 38 homes have been renovated and sold. 141 Single Family New Construction Homes The State's Single Family New Construction Program resulted in 141 homes being constructed and sold in Iowa City to income -qualifying households. Homeownership Programs The homeownership programs administered by the ICHA include the Housing Choice Voucher Ownership Program, the Tenant -to -Ownership Program, and the Affordable Dream Homeownership Program. Eighty-nine (89) families moved into homeownership through these programs. In addition sixty-three (63) 63 graduates of the Family Self -Sufficiency program (FSS) moved on to home ownership, forty-seven 47 of them independent of any other Housing Authority Program December 18, 2014 Page 8 Table I: Housing Choice (HCV) & Veterans' Supportive Services (VASH) Voucher Utilization Iowa City Housing Authority Jurisdiction (as of 12116114) Households Households Number % Iowa City, IA 864 69% 325 38% Coralville, IA 207 17% 95 46% North Liberty, IA 134 10% 68 51% Solon, IA 16 1% 1 6% Oxford, IA 11 1% 4 36% Tiffin, IA 7 1% 4 57% Lone Tree, IA 5 0% 2 40% Hills, IA 5 0% 3 60% Riverside, IA 4 0% 2 50% Wellman, IA 3 0% 0 0% Amana, IA 1 0% 0 0% North English, IA 1 0% 0 0% West Liberty, IA 1 0% 0 0% Williamsburg, IA 1 0% 0 0% TOTAL 1260 100% 504 December 18, 2014 Page 9 Table II: Inventory of Subsidized Affordable Housing, Johnson County, IA Effective November 5. 2014 Aniston Village Iowa City 22 Berry Court Iowa City 14 Builders of Hope Iowa City 7 Cften Building Iowa City 18 Concord Terrace Iowa City 30 Corridor Woods Iowa City 8 Emmerson Point Iowa City 54 Hawkeye Community Action Program Scattered Sites (Iowa City) 51 ISIS Scattered Sites (Iowa City) 10 Lexington Place Iowa City 30 MECCA Iowa City 12 Melrose Ridge Iowa City 15 Peninsula Iowa City 10 Pheasant Ridge Market Rate Iowa City 17 Regency Heights (1010) Iowa City 36 Regency Heights (1060) Iowa City 38 Successful Living Scattered Sites (Iowa City) 18 System Unlimited Group Homes Iowa City 18 The Housing Fellowship Scattered Sites (Iowa City) 93 Whispering Garden Iowa City 12 Autumn Park Apartments Iowa City 64 Capitol House Iowa City 81 City of Iowa City Public Housing Scattered Sites (Iowa City) 81 Ecumenical Towers Iowa City 81 Pheasant Ridge Apartments Project Based Iowa City 231 North Ube Savannah Village North Liberty 28 Corridor Woods North Liberty 14 Country Living Apartments North Liberty 16 Farkus Apartments North Liberty 4 Jefferson Point North Liberty 60 North Front North Liberty 24 North Liberty Living Center North Liberty 80 North Liberty Park North Liberty 24 TOTAL JOHNSON COUNTY 1462 Agenda Item 4e Stefanie Bowers From: LaTasha Massey <Imassey@coJohnson.ia.us> Sent: Monday, December 22, 2014 11:24 AM To: LaTasha Massey Cc: Matt Falduto (msfalduto@msn.com); hmpthatisme@yahoo.com Subject: The Real Juneteenth Casting and Play Production Volunteer Call (Please Share with others! I) Good Morning! As we end this year and begin plans for the next year, the Johnson County Juneteenth committee and Dreamwell Theatre Productions in effort to celebrate JUNETEETH, the 150th year celebration about the end of the enslavement of Africans in the United States. At this time our country is reeling from historical ripples from this very day. Many people are looking for a something to do that's productive. We offer this production as a way for you to be active in the community and connect with others as we prepare for the Juneteenth Celebration on June 27, 2015 at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center. Please save the date for the best Juneteenth coming this summer. Production company: Dreamwell Theatre Co. and Johnson County Juneteenth Community Committee "The Real Juneteenth" Casting notice expires: Feb 13, 2015 Casting for the independent short play "The Real Juneteenth" Project description: After the Emancipation Proclamation was signed it took two and a half years for the message of freedom to reach plantations in Galveston, TX. Juneteenth was more than a day of celebrations of the end of slavery but it meant so much more and echoes into today. Rehearsal and Production Dates and Locations: TBA Play Opening Date: June 27, 2015 Seeking Talent: 12 African Americans(Supporting): Males, Females Toddlers to Elders General (Supporting): Male, Caucasian 18+ 4 Soldiers (Supporting): Male, Caucasian 18+ Narrator: Male or Female 18+ PLAY PRODUCTION POSTIONS 1 Choreographer Costumer Light board operator Music director Public relations Scenic assistant Stage manager Assistant to stage manager Set carpenter Please spread the word! I Thank you, LaTasha DeLoach, LMSW Juneteenth Committee Chair Community Projects Specialist Johnson County Social Services 855 S. Dubuque St. Ste 202B Iowa City, IA 52240 Office, 319.356.6090 Direct, 319.688.5708 Fax, 319.688.5711 2 Memo: City of Iowa City- Human Rights Commission iso« Juneteenth Celebration —Johnson County (Iowa City) January 6, 2015 Proposal: Please consider 3 levels of community collaboration to honor the historical significance of 150th years since the emancipation proclamation finally arrived at the last location that slavery was still being enforced with the arrival of General Granger and 2,000 troops, slaves were declared free on June 19, 1865. First consider developing/hosting an educational program/presentation about The History of Juneteenth and the progress African Americans in Iowa sense of conclusion. Due to scheduling and the need for a large location for Juneteenth we are unable to have an event on the weekend of Juneteenth this year, however we would love to see our local commissioners bring light to this important event on or around the actual date of the anniversary. This year the Johnson County Juneteenth Committee will be having the Annual Freedom Day/Juneteenth Festival on June 27, 2015- This year we will campaign for Freedom Day which will include, education, dialogue, responsibility, and acknowledgement - and celebrate African American progress since 1865. • We invite and encourage 2 members of Human Rights Commission to join with us in the planning, development and celebration of this historic campaign committee. • Become a co-sponsor of the event by pledging an amount to support the program for the community wide celebration on June 27th which will include entertainment, art, health fair, blood drive and new this year will be a Juneteenth Play present by Dreamwell Theatre and a historical exhibit of the years through the U.S. slave trade. People of all races, creeds and ethnicities have contributed to the price of freedom, and with the greatest honor, this campaign acknowledges these contributions. Suggestions: Educational Presentations: History of Juneteenth, African Americans in Iowa, Contributions of African Americans in Johnson County LaTasha DeLoach Juneteenth Celebration - Chair lmassevna cnJobnson.ia.us Agenda Item 4g Stefanie Bowers From: Clark -Bennett, Robin <robin-clark-bennett@uiowa.edu> Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2014 1:58 PM To: Harry Olmstead Cc: Stefanie Bowers Subject: RE: Invitation to co-sponsor upcoming conference Hi Harry, Sorry to have missed the December meeting. If you are interested in raising the idea of co-sponsorship (with our without a funding contribution) at the January 20 meeting, we would still welcome the opportunity to partner with the Human Rights Commission on this project. It would be too late to list the Commission on printed flyers, but not too late to include it in other conference publicity. I don't know whether I mentioned this in the previous email, but the UI Center for Human Rights is one of the co-sponsors for the event, in case that is useful for commissioners to know. Don't hesitate to let me know if you have any other questions or recommendations for the event. In the meantime, I wish you a peaceful and joyful holiday and New Year! Best regards, Robin Clark -Bennett Labor Educator University of Iowa Labor Center 100 BioVentures Center, Rm W 130 Iowa City, Iowa 52242-5000 M§29II:�f 331 From: Harry Ohnstead [mailto:Harry03@aol.com] Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2014 1:30 PM To: Clark -Bennett, Robin Cc: Stefanie Bowers Subject: Re: Invitation to co-sponsor upcoming conference Robin: I'm delighted you should ask us to be mcluded as co-sponsors of your conference. The only problem is that the Human Rights Commission must meet and vote on our involvement and expenditure of any funds. We just met this past Monday and will not meet again until January 20, 2015. I suspect that may be too late according to your schedule. Let us know what you think. Sincerely, Harry Olmstead, Chairperson Iowa City Human Rights Commission On December 17, 2014, at 12:40 PM, "Clark -Bennett, Robin" <robin-clark-bennett(a),uiowa.edu> wrote: Dear Harry, I hope this email finds you well! I'm writing because 1 recall that at the last public conference the Labor Center hosted, with keynote speaker Saket Soni, you expressed an interest in the Iowa City Human Rights Commission co -sponsoring future public conferences. We will be holding our next public conference entitled `Injustice on our Plates: How Conditions of Food Workers Affect Us All" from 9am-3pm on Saturday, February 28 in 2520-D University Capitol Centre. This will be a free, public conference designed to bring together local civil rights, labor, faith, and sustainable food activists with members of the university community to examine the food industry from the perspective of food workers — those who harvest, process, cook, and serve our food — and their relationship to consumers. The keynote speaker will be Fakkak Mamdouh, co-founder and co-director of a dynamic restaurant workers' organization called Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC), and co-author with Rinku Sen of The Accidental American: Immigration and Citizenship in the Age of Globalization. ROC brings together restaurant workers, consumers, and high -road employers to confront race -based barriers to advancement, sexual harassment, low pay, and unsafe conditions that workers commonly face in this industry. Mr. Mamdouh is a Moroccan -American immigrant who, prior to co-founding ROC, served as headwaiter at Windows on the World restaurant in the World Trade Towers until September 11, 2001. As he and his co-workers were forced to find new restaurant employment in the wake of the attack, they formed ROC -New York to confront the discrimination and poor conditions they found in the restaurant industry. Since then, ROC has grown to include more than 13,000 restaurant workers in 26 states. The organization has recovered over $10 million in unpaid wages for restaurant workers, produced dozens of reports about conditions in the industry, runs advanced restaurant workers training and placement programs, and has assisted restaurant workers in opening several co- operatively owned restaurants (http://rocunited.ore/ ). Other conference sessions will include: an overview of the 2 Vt century food industry; reports on current national projects to raise standards in restaurant, fast food, meatpacking, and agricultural work; and a panel discussion featuring local food workers. We are currently in the process of preparing the publicity materials and finalizing our list of co-sponsors. We would be thrilled to partner with the Human Rights Commission on this conference. In general, co-sponsors are being asked to assist with publicity, list their name on the outreach materials, and if possible, contribute $100 to help offset the cost of the keynote speaker's honorarium and travel, simultaneous interpretation of the conference in Spanish, and a light lunch for participants. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Best regards, Robin Clark -Bennett Labor Educator University of Iowa Labor Center 100 BioVentures Center, Rm W130 Iowa City, Iowa 52242-5000 319-335-4891 Agenda Item 4h Stefanie Bowers From: Jessica Morton <jmorton216@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2015 3:40 PM To: Stefanie Bowers Subject: Re: Emma Goldman Clinic Event Sponsorship Certainly. The event is the 23rd. Obviously we like to say we need our sponsorship stuff asap, but realistically, we do the programs and event video display the day before or day of the event. Here is a link to our sponsor info. http://www.emmagoldman.com/news/docurnents/EGCWonsor form2014.ndf Thanks for your interest! On Tue, Jan 6, 2015 at 3:33 PM, Stefanie Bowers <Stefanie-Bowers(&jowa-city.org> wrote: Jessica, Thank you for the inquiry. The Commission meets Tuesday, January 20. What is the day and time of the Choice Event and do you have any materials you could provide to me? Thanks, Stefanie From: Jessica Morton [mailto:jmorton216AIUnail.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2015 2:28 PM To: HumanRights Subject: Emma Goldman Clinic Event Sponsorship Hi IC Human Rights Commission, My name is Jessica Morton, and I'm on the Board of Directors for the Emma Goldman Clinic. Pm writing regarding our 2015 Choice Event. We would like to ask that you consider being one of our organization sponsors this year. By participating as a sponsor, your organization's name will be listed on the Choice Event program, as well as emails, an event video display, and other Emma advertising. Sponsorship is $250 and includes 2 tickets to the event. Do let me know if you're interested! Best, Jessica SPONSORSHIP of EMMA CHOICE EVENT 2015 The Emma Goldman Clinic is currently preparing for our 2015 Choice Event. We are excited to celebrate the anniversary of Roe v. Wade during these challengingpolitical times. This event will be held at the Hotel Vetro on January 23, 2015 at 5: 00 p.m, and we will be discussing the current political environment. The past success of this annual event is credited largely to you- our sponsors - who lend their names, attendance and financial support to the event. Your sponsorship supports this event and allows us to apply 100% of the event ticket prices to the deProsse Access Fund and keeps the event tax-deductible for attendees. The money raised for the deProsse Access Fund goes directly to subsidize services for under insured women and men accessing health care services at the clinic. By participating as a sponsor, your business or organization's name will be listed in the Choice Event program, Choice List email, Choice Event video display, and Emma's advertising. This advertising reaches approximately 2000 community members. The sponsorship amount is $250 and includes 2 tickets for the Choice Event ($100 value), and you'll be able to enjoy excellent exposure to a large, diverse and supportive audience. We're counting on your support, and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. In the next few weeks a clinic representative will be contacting you to see ifyou received this correspondence and if you are interested in being a sponsor of the Emma Goldman Clinic's 2015 Choice Event. Thank you in advance for your willingness to support the efforts of the Emma Goldman Clinic and make a difference in our community. Sincerely, Jennifer Price and Francine Thompson Emma Goldman Clinic Co -Directors PS. If you already know you are interested in sponsorship, please complete the sponsorship form and return with payment by January 10, 2015. SAVE THE DATE Emma Goldman Clinic Choice Event Friday, January 23, 2015 EMMA GOLDMAN CLINIC CHOICE EVENT 2015 SPONSORSHIP *Please return this form with your payment by January 10th, 2015* Name (as you would like it to appear in media) Contact Name Phone Number Address (City, State, Zip) Amount of sponsorship $250 (includes TWO event tickets, entire amount is tax-deductible) Please make checks to the Emma Goldman Clinic Charge to Visa/MC/Discover Name on card: L Card # Expires: SVC# Signature: Logos can be emailed to Jennifer at jenniferprice@emmagoldman.com Agenda Item 4i Stefanie Bowers From: Raquishia Harrington <raquishia-harrington@ncjc.org> Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2015 12:03 PM To: Stefanie Bowers Subject: Request for funds To whom it may concern: I am writing you to request funds to assist with the purchase of food and activities for a community collaboration Soul Food Dinner during Black History Month. The event will be held at either City High or Grant Wood Elementary on Friday February 20a'. As mentioned the focus of this event is to provide an evening event in which families and people of all ethnicities can come share a meal and participate in planned activities in honor of Black History Month. There will be trivia games, youth and adult activities and opportunities to share the experiences of black history in Iowa and across the world. During the week leading up to the soul food dinner several agencies will provide additional opportunities where families can come together and enjoy a variation of programs and activities for all ages. I am are requesting an amount of $350 dollars to purchase food items and serving utensils and any additional supplies that may be needed during this event. Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County along with Black Voices Project, Iowa City. Community School District and several other community agencies will provide additional supports. We welcome all committee members to come and join us as we celebrate the many accomplishes of African American men and women. I am available to provide any additional information you may have regarding this request and can be contacted anytime via email or phone. Best Regards RaQuishia Harrington - Broadway Site Director 2105 Broadway Street, Iowa City, IA 52240 319-354-7989 / Muishia-harrin on(a�,ncic.org Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County P.O.Box 2491, Iowa City, IA 52244 Dodging Accountability, Eroding Workers' Rights RockTenn, a national corporation boasting nearly $10 billion in sales in 2014, operates a facility in SE Iowa City that assembles displays for Proctor & Gamble and other companies. Very few of Its hundreds of supervisors and production workers are hired directly by the company — they work for one of two temporary agencies with offices that operate out of RockTenn's cafeteria. The names of the temporary agencies change periodically, but there are currently two agencies providing supervisors and production workers to RockTenn in Iowa Cky: CFA Staffing and Sedona Staffing. Agenda Item 5a Off, RockTenn CFA Staffing SEDONy' A STAFFING CwtwwFW Akvpl Q -"-Ow v The temporary workers who run most of RockTenn's packaging lines work under conditions of extreme Insecurity, even compared with other temporaryjobs. According to repots by dozens of current and former workers: • Most workers are required to arrive and sign -in at work 30 minutes before their shift, and wait for their shift to begin without pay, or they are not allowed to work that day. • Several workers have reported serious individual cases of wage theft in the past year. • Workers receive their wages on a debit card. Several workers have reported they were denied paystubs when they wanted to track their hours of work and rate of pay. • Workers' schedules are completely insecure, varying from hour -to -hour and day-to-day. Each morning, team leaders arbitrarily decide which workers will be chosen to work that day. • Workers are paid poverty wages of $g/hour with no benefits for fast -raced production work. Workers report crude and disrespectful treatment from managers, and some say they have been discouraged from leaving the line for water in the summer. Some of these allegations are violations of federal and state law. Others are simply unjust. We should expect more from production jobs at a multi -billion dollar corporation. Members of the Center for Worker Justice are calling on RockTenn and its contractors to live up to fundamental principles of just employment: pay living wages, provide paystubs for all workers; establish secure schedules for employees; protect workers' right -to organize; and provide workplaces free of racism and discrimination. Stefanie Bowers From: Sent: To: Subject: Attachments: 1=111615,1111047 M_ Stacey Moulton <SMOULTON@rocktenn.com> Wednesday, January 14, 2015 12:32 PM Stefanie Bowers RockTenn response Iowa City commission response Jan 13 2015.pdf Please see attached communication, on behalf of RockTenn. Please confirm your receipt of my e-mail. Thank you. Stacey Moulton Sr. Employment Counsel RockTenn 678-291-7998 (direct) ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE THIS E-MAIL CONTAINS PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY NAMED ABOVE. IF YOU RECEIVED IT IN ERROR, PLEASE DISCARD IT IMMEDIATELY. From: Stefanie Bowers [mailto:Stefanie-Bowers@iowa-city.org] Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2015 9:31 AM To: Kory Costello; 'mcruz@cfastaffing.com; 'paltier@cfastaffing.com; 'ebanguid@sedonastaffing.com' Subject: City of Iowa City Human Rights Commission To Whom It May Concern: I am contacting you as staff to the City of Iowa City Human Rights Commission (HRC). The HRC is a municipal governmental board made up of Iowa City residents who meet monthly to raise awareness about human and civil rights. In November of 2014, the HRC received correspondence from the Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa (see attached) alleging violations of human rights by RockTenn, CFA Staffing and Sedona Staffing. The HRC discussed the allegations as part of its monthly meeting on December 15, 2014 (I have attached the relevant portion of the draft minutes). Misty Rebik, Executive Director for the Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa was present at the meeting and provided information on the allegations to the HRC. For transparency and fairness, the HRC is informing RockTenn, CFA Staffing and Sedona Staffing of the allegations made by the Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa. This correspondence is the notice. If RockTenn, CFA Staffing or Sedona Staffing would like to respond or provide any information concerning the allegations made by the Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa please send the information to Stefanie Bowers, Human Rights Coordinator, at stefanie-bowers(a,iowa-city.org by Wednesday, January 14, 2015. If you prefer the information can also be sent via mail or FAX at the below address/FAX number. Please note that this email is not notice of a formal verified, written complaint being filed with the HRC Office pursuant to City Code §2-4-1. If you have any questions concerning this email please feel free to give me a call at 319-356-5022. Sincerely, Stefanie Bowers Human Rights Coordinator City of Iowa City City Hall 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240-1826 319-356-5022 FAX 319-887-6213 RockTenn welcomes the opportunity to address the comments made by Misty Rebik and the CWJ. Normally we would not engage in this type of conversation. However, the information you've been provided contains numerous inaccuracies and false allegations of such an egregious nature that we must provide the fads. I trust you'll review all of the facts and won't rush to judgment based on false information provided to you by Ms. Rebik. First, I'd like to tell you a little bit about RockTenn. We're a large paper-based packaging company that is headquartered in Norcross, Ga., just outside of Atlanta. We've been in business since 1936 and all of our goals, behaviors and principles are built around making RockTenn the most respected company in our business. The foundation of our culture is Do the Right Thing—Always. Our co-workers work hard to make sure they're doing the right thing. As a result, we have a strong, positive reputation. In fact, RockTenn was named on the FORTUNE® Most Admired Companies List in 2014. We believe that Ms. Rebik and the CWJ are conducting a misinformation campaign because they misguidedly think attacking a reputable, national company will garner media attention. From our perspective, it seems they have a hidden agenda and their top priority is promoting themselves. Recently, they've made false allegations about the hiring practices at a RockTenn facility. We operate a display facility in Iowa City that is heavily reliant upon customer demand. In other words, the amount of work available is almost entirely contingent upon the customer orders we receive. As a result, there is a large degree of fluctuation in the number of orders and therefore the number of workers we need from day-to-day. That means we rely on the use of a temporary workforce to help us meet the constantly changing demand. For example, we have had days when we did not have enough customer orders to support the use of any temporary workers; therefore, none were used. In stark contrast, there have been other days that several hundred temporary workers were offered work in our facility. After reading the Agenda provided to the Iowa City Commission by Ms. Rebik, and the preliminary minutes, I thought it would be helpful to separate fact from fiction. Facts: • The temporary workers at our Iowa City facility are employed by the temporary agencies, Sedona and CFA— not by RockTenn • RockTenn employs approximately forty (40) regular, full-time, hourly workers who are RockTenn employees. When the business outlook indicates a sustained long-term need, RockTenn also offers full-time RockTenn jobs to some temporary workers. • The temporary agencies provide paystubs upon request and RockTenn is unaware of any incident involving a temporary worker being improperly denied a paystub for work at RockTenn. • Temporary workers are being paid in compliance with both Iowa and Federal law, and they are all paid at a rate which is above minimum wage. In fact, the temporary workers are paid at least $8.00/hour and some are paid as much as $10.50/hour, which is well above the minimum wage. • Temporary workers are offered benefits by the staffing agencies. • There is NO requirement that any temporary worker arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of a shift. Since the staffing for each shift is done on a first-come, first-served basis, many workers voluntarily choose to arrive early to get their names on the list. RockTenn responded to Ms. Rebik on November 13th. However, neither Ms. Rebik nor the CW. responded to RockTenn. RockTenn is unaware of any claims of "wage theft" and neither Ms. Rebik, or anyone from the CWJ has provided any name, details or supporting information to support this salacious allegation. • Any investigation of RockTenn that is currently being conducted by a governmental agency is due to the baseless complaints recently filed by Ms. Rebik and the CWJ. There are no pending investigations (to our knowledge) relating to employment discrimination. Again, we believe that during the last several months, Ms. Rebik and the CWJ have been orchestrating a campaign to make false allegations against our company in an attempt to tarnish our good name in your community. We suspect they have an ulterior motive and we are simply a scapegoat for their hidden agenda. Regardless, we will continue to defend against these claims, which you can see from the facts above, are baseless. Thank you for your attention and consideration. Rock -Tenn Company Agenda item 5c CITY OF IOWA CITY HUMIN RIGHTS COMMISSION Action Plan January 2015 — December 2015 Adopted DATE A goal setting session was held on October 2, 2014, at the Eastside Recycling Environmental Education Center. The following Commissioners were in attendance and participated at this meeting: Harry Olmstead (Chair), Andrea Cohen (Vice -Chair), Shams Ghoneim, Paul Retish, Stella Hart, All Ahmed, Orville Townsend Sr., and Kim Hanrahan. Also in attendance was Human Rights Coordinator Stefanie Bowers. Commissioner Joe D. Coulter was unable to attend. What follows is the prioritization of initiatives identified at the goal setting session. The initiatives will be reviewed by the Commission at its monthly meetings on a quarterly basis. Human Rights Breakfast. Youth Awards. Job Fair. Collaboration with community organizations & groups. Participation in community events. Sponsor professional development programs. ORGANIZATIONAL INITIATIVES Continue sub -committees. Initiate more educational programs and outreach programs from trends reported in the Annual Report or the Equity Report. Increase participation of all Commissioners in Commission sponsored events, programs and outreach. Objective OtherD. Members Imolved Outreach to Hold Kim Hanrahan Orvile Foster Community Community Listening Townsend Sr., Community Posts Stella Hart Dialogue & Community Engagement Outreach to Present Joe D. Coulter Paul Retish Maintain Council Council Proclamations Positive , Provide Relationship Notice of with the Upcoming Council Programs & Events Educational Events on Stella Hart Harry Community Community Events for the Affordable, Olmstead Engagement, Community Universal, & Education, & Accessible Outreach Housing Educational Presentations Shams Orville Awareness Schools, Presentations on Who the Ghoneim Townsend Sr., aboutthe Community to the Commission is Ali Ahmed Commission & Groups, Community and the Role Access to Service Clubs, the Resources Faith Commission Communities Plays in the Community Agenda Item 5ci Human Rights Commission Education Initiative - 2015 Iowa City Human Rights Ordinance "It is unlawful to discriminate in employment, credit, public accommodation and education on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. In addition, discrimination in housing based upon race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, familial status, presence or absence of dependents, disability, gender identity or public source of income is prohibited. It is also unlawful to retaliate against a person because such person has lawfully opposed any discriminatory practice." The Human Rights Commission community education objective is to inform the public of their rights and obligations under the Iowa City Human Rights Ordinance. The Human Rights Commission will emphasize educating individuals on contacting the Human Rights Office and filing complaints with the Office if they think discrimination has occurred within 300 days of the incident. In response to the affordable rental housing crisis in Johnson County, the HRC community education initiative will focus especially on housing issues in 2015. The HRC will educate at -risk populations, the general community, and housing providers on what constitutes prohibited discriminatory housing practices and how such practices can be addressed and avoided effectively. To accomplish these goals, the HRC will spearhead and support programming related to equal opportunity, affordability, accessibility, and other associated issues. Additionally, commissioners will continue to represent the HRC at events related to housing in Iowa City. The HRC office will continue to disseminate the "Know Your Rights" brochures. Collaborative efforts with existing community agencies related to housing Potential partners/relevant community organizations: o IC Housing Authority o Housing Fellowship o Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County o Johnson County Affordable Homes Coalition o Johnson County Homeless Coordinating Board o Community Foundation of Johnson County o HACAP (Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, Inc.) o HUD - Housing & Urban Development o The Crisis Center of Johnson County o STAR Program (Supported Training and Access to Resources) o Shelter House o DVIP o Successful Living o MECCA Transitional Housing o Systems Unlimited, Inc. Agenda Item 5cii Stefanie Bowers From: Shams Ghoneim <shamsghoneim@mchsi.com> Sent: Monday, December 29, 2014 2:15 PM To: Stefanie Bowers Subject: Re: Subcommittee Reports for Commission Meeting Dear Stefanie; I contacted CRC President about joining them in a meeting to share information about HRC and I was told that he will do so and give us few choices of times and dates after consultation with their Executive committee. I will keep you posted. Many thanks. Shams On Dec 29, 2014, at 9:15 AM, Stefanie Bowers wrote: Commissioners, Just a friendly reminder that if you are planning to submit a report to the Commission for the January 20th meeting as part of a subcommittee update or for the action plan I will need the report no later than Monday, January 12`h. Thanks! Stefanie Agenda Item 5ciii Stefanie Bowers From: kim hanrahan <kimhanrahanl @gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2015 2:20 PM To: Stefanie Bowers Subject: Re: Voicemail Hey Stef after I left the message I started to think that maybe we should add the following information to the HRC packet for our next meeting. I hope to is not too late. The objective of the HRC listening posts will be to visit locations throughout the Iowa City community to gauge and discuss issues related to the Human Rights Ordinance, providing relevant information on the Human Rights Office when applicable. We will be generating a list of potential sites but will also be asking for input from the Commissioners, thanks Stef On Mon, Jan 12, 2015 at 7:52 PM, Stefanie Bowers <Stefanie-Bowers(CDiowa-city.org> wrote: Kim, I got your voicemail. Thank you for the information. See you soon! Stefanie COPY CITY of IOWA Cm 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826 (319)356-5022 (319) 887-6213 (FAX) www.icgov.org/human6ghts December 30, 2014 Agenda Item 6a IOWA CITY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Mayor Matthew J. Hayek City of Iowa City 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240-1826 Dear Mr. Mayor: HUMANRIGHTS - A HUMAN ISSUE The Human Rights Commission is holding its 12th Annual Youth Human Rights Awards Program on Wednesday, May 13th at the Englert Civic Theatre. The Commission would like you to serve as the keynote for the event as well as assist in presenting youth with their Certificates of Appreciation. The Youth Human Rights Program will be held from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm with light refreshments following. We hope you will be able to accept our invitation to participate in this great event. Please let us know either way by March 9th by sending an email to Human Rights Coordinator Stefanie Bowers or by calling 356-5022. Thank you in advance for your consideration. Sincerely, W., 6444 -- Harry Olmstead Chair, Human Rights Commission 2014 Human Rights Breakfast survey Please rate the following: Answered: 30 Skipped:0 Convenience of location for... Convenience of parking at t... Quality of the food Quantity of the food Sound quality in the room Pace of the Award Breakf... Overall the Award Breakf... Agenda Item 7bi 0 1 2 3 4 5 Below average Fair Excellent Total Weighted Average Convenience of location for the breakfast 0.00% 43.33% 56.67% 0 13 17 30 Convenience of parking at the location 26.67% 40.00% 33.33% 8 12 10 30 2.07 Quality of the food 0.00% 26.67% 73.33% 0 8 22 30 Quantity of the food 0.00% 10.34% 89.66% 0 3 26 29 2.90 Sound quality in the room 0.00% 43.33% 56.67% 0 13 17 30 2.57 Pace of the Award Breakfast program 0.00% 30.00% 70.00% 0 9 21 30 2.70 Overall the Award Breakfast program was 0.00% 16.67% 83.33% 0 5 25 30 2.83 1/3 2014 Human Rights Breakfast survey Yes No Q2 Would you attend another Award Breakfast program? Answered: 30 Skipped:0 SurveyMonkey 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Answer Choices Responses Yes 100.00% No 0.00% Total /3 30 0 30 2014 Human Rights Breakfast survey Q3 Any suggestions for future Award Breakfast programs or general comments? Answered: 11 Skipped: 19 x Responses 1 The venue was great but only one door should be open to the meeting room and more signage available for guests. 2 Good stuff. 3 Its always an inspirational event! 4 1 liked the new location at the union. Nicer room, parking was easy at that early hour. Program is always uplifting. I even thought Mr. Leach was more compelling than usual. Guess he's a morning person) I don't remember that all the recipients got to speak. That might be curtailed. 5 The breakfast is always an inspiring event. The honorees are just wonderful. I liked the union this year. 6 1 always enjoy hearing about the accomplishments of the award winners -very interesting. 7 Turn up the volume on the mic, other than that, all good! 6 More dynamic speakers 9 1 would prefer the Sheraton or Hotel Vetro 10 1 applaud the committe for moving this from the Sheraton to address past award winner concerns. Parking at the Union however is always dismal at best. 11 Very enjoyable experience. Thanks for all that you dol 3/3 SurveyMonkey Date 12/7/2014 12:51 PM 12/6/2014 11:05 PM 12/5/2014 3:12 PM 12/5/2014 1:53 PM 12/5/2014 1:29 PM 12/5/2014 12:36 PM 12/5/2014 11:32 AM 12/5/2014 11:30 AM 12/5/2014 11:27 AM 12/5/2014 10:59 AM 12/5/2014 10:57 AM January Correspondence COPY ®IOWA CITY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION 410 E. Washington Street • kava City, Iowa 52240.1826 (319) 356-022 • (319) 887-6213 (FAX) www.icgov.orWhuniandghts Decemberl7,2014 Stephen F. Marley Superintended Iowa City Community School District 1725 North Dodge Street Iowa City, 1A 52245 Dear superintendent Murlay, I am writing you today to request a meeting between you and the Education subcommittee of the Iowa City Human Rights Commission. Commissioner& on the Education Subcommittee are Paul Rdish, Joe D.Coulter and Myself. The Iowa City Human Right Commission as Put of Our mission is charged with disseminating Viand educating the public on illegal digestion and human rights. We work in collaboration with organizations in an effort to bona the community. Currently we have been very interested in the Iowa City Community School District's diversity initiatives. it is our desire to offer asst tm to the Iowa City Community School District which is why we would ]dire to mast. The topics of note at the meeting would be the following: 1. What are the current processes and practices being used by the Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD) to recruit, hive, and retain in= diverse teachers, administrators, and swm 2. What is the status and fW= goals regarding placement and specific education services for minwity and second language learners in special edwatim classes? 3. What education programs and services are provided for minority and second language learns who have been removed ftm special edu attition classes and placed in mainstream classes? 4. What is the status ofthe saltlement Agreement between the ICCSD and the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights? This correspondence does not come as a critique of you or the ICCSD but simply our desire to assist in a maaingfnl way to the education of all children in this community. Please contact me to arrange a meeting day and time. MY phone number is 339-2931or my email address is hanyo3®ad.com. We can met either at the ICCSD Administrative O$icxs of at Chy Hall. s]ncerdy, Harry Olmstead Chair, Iowa City Human Rights Commission Submitted by Staff Martin Luther KingDay STRIDE TOWARD PROGRESS �- Monday, January 19, 2015 11:00-3:00 p.m. Grant Wood Elementary Gymnasium Free Family Event AWARD CEREMONY SERVICE ACTIVITES Aft FOOD ENTERTAINMENT Come join us in celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy! Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult.Alf Sponsored by AmeriCorps Each One Reach One, e AmeriCorps VISTA, Community Partnerships for Protecting Children, Coalition for Racial Justice Submitted by Staff benevole voluntario Wanted: Multi-lingual volunteers The Crisis Center of Johnson County needs volunteers with Spanish, French, or Arabic language skills to help serve a growing number of local residents in need. Winter application deadline: February 2 #Ww% the Crisis Center your first all in johnson murrey Learn more at www.jccrisiscenter.org `hI 1 i }y r