MINUTES
IOWA CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING
JULY 23, 1999
AMES, IOWA
The meeting of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission was called to order at 10:00 a.m.
Roll was called Rachel Scherle, David Leshtz, Mohamad Khan, and Robert Smith were present. A quorum is present.
Ames Human Rights Commissioner EleNore Tallman welcomed the Iowa Civil Rights Commissioners to the joint meeting. She reported on projects from the past year, which included, sponsoring a table at the Housing Fair where they had 100 people stop by. Slides, printed information and verbal information were presented. In October they sponsored Ames High students and a Commissioner to attend a conference by a Diversity group. Both projects reached many residents in Ames and they plan to continue them next year.
Elaine Dunn Ames Human Rights Commissioner reported they have established a relationship with Ames PD, opened communication and lent support. They are dedicated to the concept of community policing through 7 programs. They are most interested in the Citizens Police Academy. They nominated the Ames Police Department for the 99 Prism award.
Jan Beran, Ames Human Rights Commissioner gave the activity report, 7 members on commission. They investigate cases of complaints, last year 12 contacts and 7-9 cases. Gave financial aid to Ames Celebration in Recognition of the Declaration of Human Rights. They helped celebrate the Anniversary of the City Library, with youth groups and puppet shows to increase awareness of Human Rights. Future plans include beginning study circles. They will send someone to the Lt. Governor’s conference on Diversity. They want to do a program for the City Council on Human Relations.
Robert Smith thanked them for inviting us for here. He asked for approval of the minutes. David Leshtz move to approve the minutes and Mohamad Khan seconded, the motion passed unanimously.
Report of the Commissioners:
Mohamad Khan attended 2 meetings sponsored by Interfaith Alliance regarding the vigil in October. They want others to help, looking for speakers and co-sponsors. Cosponsors are asked for $100 for expenses. National Vigil in Stop the Hate in the US. Hate crime bill was passed just recently nationally without any debate. This is his second year on the Commission,. He is from Pleasant Hill, works at ISU as a Horticulture specialist, and participates in interfaith activities.
Rachel Scherle is from Henderson and will be senior at ISU. Her major is political science. She is currently a counselor at Catt Center, and has been doing presentations on attracting diversity to state.
David Leshtz is from Iowa City, and is a Disabilities Educator at the University of Iowa. He attended the annual ADA event in Iowa City, and would like the Commission to think ahead as a possible sponsor for the statewide 10th anniversary. He questioned the issue of discrimination in housing for Section 8, as he has had reports that landlords do not like to rent to those with HUD vouchers or women without families, and what’s called DWB, racial profiling. Iowa City’s problem with DWB has grown so that the Chief of Police has agreed to start an investigation.
Robert Smith is from Waterloo, Director of Education Opportunity Center. He is originally from Texas, was an athlete recruited by Hayden Frye. Wants to work toward making this the best society possible.
Directors’ Report was given by Diann Wilder-Tomlinson.
Financial report - Ron Pothast. Business Manager, explained the report and answered questions from the Commissioners.
Compliance Report was given by Tina Hayes. She answered questions on significant parts of the report. The things to look for are the types of closures, and the benefits which are the returns to Iowans.
Alicia Claypool arrives 10:25 a.m.
George Peters, Compliance Manager, handles the local liaison, intake, screening, and housing programs. He explained that several agencies across the country enforce Section 8. In Iowa the ICRC cannot require landlords to accept HUD vouchers. If the landlord doesn’t want to deal with vouchers, they don’t have to. This may be an area to consider for a legislative change.
Diann Wilder-Tomlinson also reported that in their packet was an Education Report and Outreach Efforts. We are in the process of organizing the ICRC to be more pro-active, next month the director of that program will be here to speak to you, discusses the numbers, contacts, callers, etc.
Alicia Claypool is a new member of the Commission. She reported the US approved the Hate Crimes bill with no discussion. She gave an update on Interfaith Alliance Stop the Hate vigil in October. She moved the ICRC become a sponsor. Mohamad Khan seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously. The sponsorship entails lending the Commission’s name to publicity, to disseminate information, help with the Interfaith service, and talk about advocacy and next steps.
Old Business:
A discussion was held on the Commissioners Retreat. The Retreat will be held on October 22 and 23rd in conjunction with the regular meeting. The location and facilitator have not yet been determined. Diann was asked to arrange the details.
New Business:
Iowa City Human Rights asked to speak to the Commission.
Diane Martin, chair ICHR Commission stated that they have had sexual orientation as local ordinance. Evidence detailing discrimination against this group of Iowans is well documented. The majority of Iowa’s citizens assume we have laws to prevent this. They ask ICRC recommend this as a protected class. Violence against this group is on the rise. They have studied the powers and duties of the Commission and recommend a sub committee to investigate the issue. Iowa City, Ames and Cedar Rapids have ordinances, Des Moines, Davenport, Sioux City and Dubuque are currently considering. ICRC has been silent. The issue is about equal treatment, fairness, and protection under the law.
Heather Shank, HR Coordinator, Iowa City, briefly outline the history of the addition of sexual orientation to the law. They have had 21 complaints of sexual orientation discrimination since passage of their ordinance. One concern was that agencies would be overwhelmed with this type of complaint and that is not the case in other states. Ms. Shank explained why the protection is necessary even though there are few complaints. She compared and related the number of complaints as similar to the numbers filed on religion and national origin which are protected. Nationwide 36% of states have some portion of this law in their laws.
David Leshtz moved to begin a subcommittee to study the issue. Alicia Claypool seconded. It was passed unanimously. David Leshtz will chair the subcommittee, other Commissioners on the subcommittee are Alicia Claypool and Rachel Scherle.
Diann Wilder-Tomlinson provided the Commissioners with a policy book. There were previously no written work rules so this will be a comprehensive set of work rules that will take effect on Aug 1, 1999. A discussion was held on which unions represent the staff.
The Executive Director has increased the management team. Pam Patton will be supervising investigators who will be investigating all but housing. She will be working on shortening time for completing investigations.
ICRC is a co-sponsor of IAOHRA conference which starts on August 1. This is an international organization visiting Iowa for the first time. Commissioners' training is scheduled for Sunday afternoon. If you are interested let us know and we will register you for the conference. She recommended that days of interest to the Commissioners would be Civil Rights day and Business and Industry day.
The next meeting will be September 24, 1999 at 9:00 a.m. in Des Moines.
David Leshtz moved to adjourn, Mohamad Khan seconded. It was passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 11:05 a.m.
Approved:
__________________________________ ______________________
Diann Wilder-Tomlinson, Exec. Director Date