HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights July PacketHuman Rights Commission
July 27, 2021
Formal Meeting- 5:30 PM
Helling Conference Room
Agenda:
1. Call Meeting to Order and Roll Call
2. Approval of the June 22, 2021 meeting minutes
3. Public Comment of Items not on the Agenda. (Commentators shall address the
Commission for no more than 5 minutes. Commissioners shall not engage in
discussion with the public concerning said items)
4. Conversation with Temple Hiatt with BE SMART
5. Discussion on using a Land Acknowledgement at the start of Human Rights
Commission meetings
6. Report/Update on the Diversity Markets from the South District Neighborhood
Association
7. Discuss American Rescue Plan Act Funds
8. Subcommittees: Housing, Anti-Racism, Health Equity
9. Commission Statement in Support of Black Lives Matter
10. Social Justice Racial Equity Grant Reports
11. National Hispanic American Heritage Month Proclamation
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
the Equity Director, Stefanie Bowers, at 319-356-5022 or at stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org.
Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
JULY 27, 2021 MEETING PACKET CONTENTS
AGENDA ITEM #2
• DRAFT MINUTES FROM JUNE 22, 2021
AG ENDA ITEM #5
• AD HOC TRUTH & RECONCILIATION LAND
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
AGENDA ITEM #6
• SOUTH DISTRICT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION UPDATE ON
DIVERSITY MARKETS
AGENDA ITEM #7
• LETTER AND HANDOUT ON THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT
FUNDS
AGENDA ITEM #9
• HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION STATEMENT ON BLACK LIVES
MATTER
AG ENDA ITEM #10
• SOCIAL JUSTICE RACIAL EQUITY GRANT REPORTS
CORRESPONDENCE
• FIXING THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE
• JULY COMPLAINT UPDATE
Draft Minutes
Human Rights Commission
June 22, 2021
VIA Zoom Platform
Commissioners present: Adil Adams, Jessica Andino, Ashley Lindley, Roger Lusala , Bijou Maliabo, Tony
Sivanthaphanith.
Commissioners not present: Jason Glass, Mark Pries.
(Electronic Meeting Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8)
An electronic meeting was held because a meeting in person was impossible or impractical due to
concerns for the health and safety of commission members, staff and the public presented by COVID-19.
Meeting called to order: 5:34 p.m
Approval of the minutes from the May 25, 2021 meeting: Motion to approve by Lindley; seconded by
Adams. Passed 5-0. (Maliabo not yet present; Glass and Pries absent).
Public comment of items not on the agenda: None.
(Commissioner Maliabo arrived at 5:38 p.m.)
Conversation with Police Department Liaison to the Human Rights Commission, Daisy Torres:
Ms. Torres is a civilian Community Liaison Officer assigned to the Commission. She can coordinate
between the Commission and ICPD if issues arise or collaboration is needed. Her many other duties
include assisting sworn officers, especially with Spanish translation, and providing community outreach
for the ICPD.
Ms. Torres reported on the status of various outreach programs such as “Coffee with a Cop.” COVID has
limited these activities, but officers have participated in bike rides and other socially-distanced activities.
As operations return to normal, she is working on re-activating programs such as the First Responders
Forum. This is a program that helps educate community members on safety devices such as smoke
detectors, as well as the role firefighters play in responding to emergency situations.
She is also working on the BULBS program, which provides vouchers for burnt out vehicle lights in lieu of
ticketing individuals who cannot afford to replace them. BULBS operates when a person is stopped for a
traffic violation, but ICPD is planning an event in late July (the 20th or 23rd) at Riverfront Crossings Park
where people will be able to obtain a vehicle equipment check and vouchers to fix a variety of issues.
Funding Request: Diversity Market:
This is a request from the South District Neighborhood Association for $2000 to support their Diversity
Markets. These Markets showcase BIPOC-owned and women-owned businesses. The Markets are held
on June 12, 19, and 26, and July 3 and 10. Given that the June 12 and 19 markets have already passed,
the Commission could not fund these. The June 26 market falls within the Commission’s fiscal year ’21
budget, while the July markets fall within the fiscal year ’22 budget. The funding request itemized the
$2000 overall request as a cost of $400 per market date. Motion by Lusala to fund the June 26 market at
$400 from FY ’21 funds, and to allocate $400 from FY ’22 funds to a July market. Maliabo seconded.
Passed 6-0.
Coralville Pride: Does Commission want to be a Vendor at Event (Sunday, September 5, Noon – 8PM):
Commissioners discussed being a vendor at the Coralville Pride event on September 5th at a cost of $50.
To be a vendor, the Commission would need commitments from Commissioners to staff a table and
distribute information. Support for the event itself was unanimous. However, Commissioners were not
able to commit to a date so far in advance and had questions regarding logistics (would a table be
provided or not, must it be staffed for the entire event or not, etc.). Commissioner Lindley raised the
question of whether the Commission could commit to the $50 cost and, in the event Commissioners
were not available to staff, perhaps donate the table to an appropriate non-profit organization, or share
a table with another organization in order to achieve necessary staffing levels. Motion by Lindley to
reserve a vendor table. Lusala seconded. Passed 6-0.
Request for Transit Facility Letter of Support:
Commissioner Lindley noted clean, sustainable transportation is a human rights issue and spoke in favor
of the letter requesting federal funds to support a new transit facility. Commissioners Lusala and
Maliabo agreed. Motion by Maliabo to approve the letter as written on behalf of the Commission.
Seconded by Lindley. Passed 6-0.
Discussion of including a Land Acknowledgement as a part of HRC meetings:
Commissioner Lindley reported there is not yet a draft acknowledgment, but progress is being made and
it is hoped a draft can be presented soon. Local Indigenous Nations have been consulted and are actively
assisting in crafting the acknowledgment.
HRC Subcommittees:
Housing did not have a commissioner present at this meeting and therefore did not report.
Lusala reported on Anti-racism. The summer series is going well. The first event on White Privilege was
well-attended and well-received. The second event, scheduled for Monday, June 28, is a screening of the
movie, “Stonewall Forever,” followed by a panel discussion. Another event is the Iowa City Bias
Challenge. The committee has been publicizing the Bias Challenge and approaching local leaders to
participate. This is an activity where people take the Harvard Implicit Bias test(s) of their choice, then
discuss results on social media and take a survey regarding the results. More events are planned for
later in the summer. Lindley added her hope that all Commissioners will participate in the Bias
Challenge. The committee will be personally contacting their networks to encourage people to
participate in the Challenge and to in turn publicize it to their networks. Maliabo commented that the
Johnson County United Nations Association greatly appreciated the White Privilege program.
Health Equity was not able to meet this past month.
Commission Statement in Support of Black Lives Matter:
Commissioners discussed the updated statement in support of Black Lives Matter. This will be publicized
and used as a guide for the Commission in its work. Motion by Andino to accept the draft statement as
written. Second by Sivanthaphanith. Passed 6-0.
Convention on the Rights of the Child:
Discussion on this item was tabled for the July meeting, as a meeting will be held later this week with
Johnson County United Nations Association and The Center regarding developing a program.
Social Justice and Racial Equity Grants:
The Center for Worker Justice provided an interim report on its program for young entrepreneurs.
Commissioners appreciated the level of detail included in the report.
Reports of Commissioners:
Lindley reported the UI Center for Human Rights held a Truth and Reconciliation event, which she
attended. It was an informative, well-done, and well-attended event. A recording is available on the
UICHR website, and she encourages Commissioners to view it.
Lusala attended several Juneteenth events, including the Block Party sponsored by the City, which was
well-done and well-attended. He also attended the first Diversity Market, with which he was impressed.
Finally, he encourages everyone to attend the Stonewall Forever screening on Monday, June 28, which is
part of the Bias Challenge.
Maliabo thanked the Commissioners, especially Andino, for their involvement and efforts in the
community. She attended the Women’s Refugee event, which is held monthly. It is a gathering meant to
empower and encourage women within their community. There will be another event either the last
Saturday in July or the first Saturday in August addressing women’s experience during the pandemic.
She will send Commissioners an invitation and encourages everyone to attend, as both men and women
are welcome. She also mentioned that, regardless of how busy Commissioners are, all should make the
effort to volunteer in the community and reach out to leaders, as this allows real connections to form
and real communication to happen. It also builds stronger relationships with the community.
Sivanthaphanith attended Juneteenth events as well. He is also co-hosting an LGBTQ-inclusive training
with OneIowa on Friday, June 25, and will send commissioners the link. The trainer will be OneIowa’s
Max Mowitz, whose trainings he highly recommends.
Andino attended the first Diversity Market as well; she was impressed and hopes everyone can attend a
future Market. She also has been volunteering with the Center for Worker Justice, where she learned
through a meeting with Iowa Legal Aid and the Affordable Housing Coalition that help is available to
avoid eviction for unpaid rent now that the eviction moratorium is ending. Iowa Legal Aid will have
representatives at the courthouse, or they can be contacted directly, to assist people in filling out Iowa
Finance Authority paperwork to access assistance funds. She has also accepted an additional graduate
research assistantship where she will assist legislators in enhancing protections for individuals who
reside in mobile home parks in Iowa. She will provide more information to anyone interested in getting
involved.
Staff reported the City released a memo on eviction, which generated considerable publicity. Anyone
facing eviction may call the office if they feel the motive may be discriminatory, and Commissioners are
encouraged to refer individuals to the office for assistance if needed.
Adjourned: 6:59 p.m. Motion by Lusala; seconded by Adams.
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
Jessica Andino 2021 X X X X X X
Noemi Ford 2021 E X E E E --
Jason Glass 2022 X X X X X O/E
Ashley Lindley 2021 X X X X X X
Roger Lusala 2023 X X E X X X
Bijou Maliabo 2023 X X X X X X
Mark Pries 2022 X X X X X O/E
Tony Sivanthaphanith 2023 - - - X X X
KEY: X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No meeting
--- = Not a Member
The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds provide a
substantial infusion of resources to help turn the tide on the
pandemic, address its economic fallout, and lay the foundation for
a strong and equitable recovery.
The American Rescue Plan will deliver $350 billion for state, local, territorial, and
Tribal governments to respond to the COVID-19 emergency and bring back jobs.
Eligible Jurisdictions & Allocations
Direct Recipients
•States and District of Columbia
($195.3 billion)
•Counties ($65.1 billion)
•Metropolitan cities ($45.6 billion)
•Tribal governments ($20.0 billion)
•Territories ($4.5 billion)
Indirect Recipients
•Non-entitlement units ($19.5 billion)
Funding Objectives
•Support urgent COVID-19 response efforts to continue to
decrease spread of the virus and bring the pandemic under control
•Replace lost public sector revenue to strengthen support for vital
public services and help retain jobs
•Support immediate economic stabilization for households and
businesses
•Address systemic public health and economic challenges that
have contributed to the inequal impact of the pandemic
Address Negative Economic Impacts
Respond to economic harms to workers, families,
small businesses, impacted industries, and the
public sector
Premium Pay for Essential Workers
Offer additional support to those who have and
will bear the greatest health risks because of their
service in critical infrastructure sectors
Replace Public Sector Revenue Loss
Use funds to provide government services to
the extent of the reduction in revenue
experienced due to the pandemic
Support Public Health Response
Fund COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical
expenses, behavioral healthcare, and certain
public health and safety staff
Broadband Infrastructure
Make necessary investments to provide unserved
or underserved locations with new or expanded
broadband access
Water and Sewer Infrastructure
Make necessary investments to improve access
to clean drinking water and invest in
wastewater and stormwater infrastructure
Example Uses of Funds
7/19/2021 Human Rights Commission's statement on continued support of Black Lives Matter | City of Iowa City
https://www.icgov.org/news/human-rights-commission%27s-statement-continued-support-black-lives-matter 1/4
The Iowa City Human Rights Commission stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
We are part of a society where the lives of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color continue to be
affected by structural racism, lack of opportunity, health disparities, and direct violence by the police
and others. American cities, including Iowa City, have for too long been complacent or complicit.
The Iowa City Human Rights Commission hereby reaffirms its longstanding commitment, and pledges
to more fully act in solidarity with all who are targets of this violence and inequity.
The Commission recognizes the ongoing oppression occurring not just in police departments, but
also eviction courts, legislatures, banks, academia, and hospitals. Additionally, this includes any space
where Iowa City has been complacent about and complicit in the eradication of intellectual and
cultural contributions by Black, Indigenous and People of Color, as well as women, and ignores the
racism present in the contributions of white people and the sexism present in the works of males.
We pledge the following actions to embody our affirmation that Black Lives Matter.
We will continue to uplift the contributions of nonwhite, non-male, and non-Eurocentric people
in our recommendations to the Iowa City City Council and support events dedicated to their
recognition.
We will actively confront racism, sexism, or other forms of bias within the work of the
Commission or City of Iowa City by pursuing training to increase our awareness of our racism,
IOWA CITY
A U N E S C O C I T Y O F L I T E R A T U R E
Home /News
Human Rights Commission's statement on continued support
of Black Lives Matter
City of
Search this site Search
COVID-19 & VACCINATIONS CITY GOVERNMENT SERVICES PAYMENT NEWS & MEDIA
CALENDAR REPORT A CONCERN CLIMATE ACTION
Select Language ▼
7/19/2021 Human Rights Commission's statement on continued support of Black Lives Matter | City of Iowa City
https://www.icgov.org/news/human-rights-commission%27s-statement-continued-support-black-lives-matter 2/4
sexism and bias.
We will support City departments’ efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion.
We will plan and promote additional programming opportunities focused on understanding
oppression and recognizing the contributions of people from underrepresented groups, as well
as promoting widespread discussion of related issues and concerns.
The differential valuing of life, achievement, opportunity, and intellectual and cultural contributions
based on which racialized group one is thought to be a member of is manifestly unjust. It compels us
to repeat, internalize, and act on the affirmation that Black lives matter. Black lives do matter, and
our collective practices, discourses, policies, and laws must reflect this. Black lives matter for the
same reason that everyone’s life matters; yet we are compelled to affirm that Black lives matter
precisely because institutions, practices, and behaviors have so long denied it.
We are committed to continuously engaging the people of our community in dialogue and action to
realize a world in which “Black lives matter” is a simple description of how we all live.
Until that world is achieved, we stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Date of publication
Thursday, July 01, 2021
Department
Equity and Human Rights
Quick links
City Code
City Council
Commodities, services, consulting bids
Construction project bids
Fire
Select Language ▼
Final Report Iowa City Social Justice Grant
Name of Organization: Little Creations Academy
Program: PATHS to Success, Parent Engagement Nights
The evening of June 7, 2021 was the fourth and final parent engagement event at Little
Creations Academy. This event, held at the daycare center from 4:30-6:30, focused on the
playful theme of Sun’s Out, Fun’s Out!, and like the previous three events, included a literacy
component.
Attendance at this event was approximately the same as at our other events. There were
estimated to be close to 40 people, including 25 children.Numerous outdoor activities were set
up in areas designed for babies and toddlers, younger children, and school aged kids. Each
activity was overseen by volunteers from First Presbyterian Church allowing the teachers to
interact with parents and their children. Pastor Tony Smith of New Creations International
Church, where LCA is housed, grilled delicious hotdogs and hamburgers for everyone to enjoy
as part of their supper. Totes containing books and outdoor activity items were provided to
every child that attended.
Overall, the PATHS Program has been an extremely successful endeavor at LCA to support
more active engagement from families and the teachers.By the fourth event, parents were
comfortable interacting with staff, asking questions,and learning about the lessons and activities
taking place at the daycare center. Children of all ages knew that each event brought with it
books for them to take home as their very own, and were excited to receive their totes. Children
that attended all four events obtained 6-12 books for their home libraries. Teachers also
benefited from hosting each gathering. They became more confident in planning and organizing
the activities as well as stepping in during the events themselves when something required
attention. This grant also further strengthened the friendship/partnership between LCA and First
Presbyterian Church. Volunteers often asked when the next event was coming up so they could
mark it on their calendars.
So what’s next? Staff and parents agree that these parent engagement events should continue.
Many items purchased by the grant can certainly be used for future events. It is also hoped that
additional grants will become available to enable other creative ways for engaging parents in
their child’s early education experiences.
The employees, volunteers, and families at Little Creations Academy are grateful indeed for the
funding received to host these popular and meaningful events to promote literacy and parent
engagement.
(See photos below from the last family event!)
Father and son get ready “Stepping out” a tune
to eat
This little guy is excited to see Enjoying the ball pit
the books he received.
Pastor Smith kept everyone A volunteer assists in assembling
well fed!one of the prizes from a game.
Status of Complaints July 19, 2021
Housing
Complainant alleges discrimination on the bases of age, color, disability, race and sex. Retaliation is
also alleged. Complaint was served 7-20-21.
Complainant alleges discrimination on the basis of color and disability. Retaliation is also alleged.
Complaint was served 7/20/21.