COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING

SEPTEMBER 24, 1999

Iowa Civil Rights Commission
At
Executive Director’s Office
Iowa Civil Rights Commission
211 East Maple, 2nd Floor
Des Moines, Iowa



MINUTES
September 24, 1999


The meeting of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission was called to order at 9:06 a.m. by Chair, Robert Smith.

Roll call was taken:
Robert Smith = present
Mohamad Khan = present
Flora Lee = absent
Jack Morlan = present
Alicia Claypool = present
David Leshtz = present
Rachel Scherle = present

The approval of minutes: Changes were made by David Leshtz on page 2. Mohamad Khan moved to approve the minutes as amended. Jack Morlan seconded. The motion was passed with all six members present voting aye and none voting nay.

The report of the Commissioners:
Smith, Khan, Morlan, Claypool, and Scherle gave no reports. David Leshtz brought an article on Driving While Black concerning alleged attitudes of the Iowa City Police Force. The Iowa City Human Rights Commission is having an awards breakfast. Everyone would be welcome.

The Executive Director’s Report:

The financial report was given by Ron Pothast. It included both fiscal 99 and requested budget for fiscal 2000. He explained the extra funds that are being requested in the upcoming budget request. Robert Smith and Mohamad Khan recommended that the funding request for the position of computer analyst should be increased.

He also explained the changes recommended to the Administrative Rules. A motion to accept the changes was made by Alicia Claypool and seconded by David Leshtz. The motion passed with all members present voting aye and no members voting nay.

The Case Compliance Report:

The report was given by Tina Hayes who explained the variance in the numbers of closures between last month and this month.

The Education Report:

Dawn Peterson gave the report. She stated that the Educational Unit had five areas which they were currently involved.
  1. Presentations
  2. Publications
  3. Lending Library
  4. Study Circles
  5. Diversity Teams

Dawn Peterson described the mediation program. The program, started in 1993, was formed to help alleviate a two year backlog of cases.

Executive Director’s Status Report:

The Executive Director, Diann Wilder-Tomlinson reported on the Commission’s co-sponsorship of the successful IAOHRA conference in July. She has been visiting the local commission meetings to meet them and hear their concerns and the projects they are working on. The staff attended a training called Gator U in September. The grievances from staff in regard to the policies and standards set in August will be heard next week. There will be a Stop the Hate unity walk and interfaith service. She encourages everyone to attend. The Commission is co-sponsoring the Lt. Governor’s Iowa Diversity Conference on October 5 & 6. She invited the Commissioners’ to attend. She announced that she has accepted a position as Warden of the Iowa Correctional Facility for Women. She does not have an exit date as yet but will keep them informed. The budget was also highlighted and the Commissioners were assured that it would be done and submitted on time. Ms. Wilder-Tomlinson also announced that she has been appointed by the Governor to co-chair the Governor’s Task Force on Minorities in Iowa State Prisons with Representative Wayne Ford.

Old Business:

A discussion was held and it was agreed that the proposed Commissioners’ Retreat be postponed until the new Executive Director is appointed.

The preliminary report of the Subcommittee on Adding Sexual Orientation as a Protected Category was given by David Leshtz, Chair. He provided a packet of information to the Commissioners with materials on the issue. The Subcommittee made five recommendations.

  1. ICRC staff will track and report to the Commission the intakes and complaints that are not covered under the Commission’s jurisdiction.
  2. Staff will provide information to the Commission about existing policies and legislation relevant to sexual orientation.
  3. A discussion of sexual orientation and related issues will be on the agenda for the October retreat.
  4. Staff will clarify the legal role of the Commission and its rights and responsibilities in making recommendations to the state legislature.
  5. Begin to address these issues by sharing with all Commissioners a sample of the materials on file.

Mr. Leshtz gave a brief overview of the materials included in the packet. A discussion was held. It was decided that the issue should be discussed in length at future meetings. They discussed the idea of a public forum. The Subcommittee was asked to continue to gather information as well as lay some ground rules for public hearing or forum. They are to report at the next meeting of the Commissioners. Alicia Claypool moved to accept the recommendations made by the Subcommittee with the exception of #3. David Leshtz seconded. The motion passed. David Leshtz, Alicia Claypool, Rachel Scherle, Robert Smith, voted aye. No nay votes and Mohamad Khan and Jack Morlan abstained.

The date and time of the Next Commissioners’ meeting was set for October 22, 1999 beginning at 9:30 a.m. The November meeting will be held on November 19, 1999 beginning at 9:30 a.m. Both meetings will be held at the Iowa Civil Rights Commission conference room. It was decided that there would be no December meeting.

There was no press present for the meeting. The public visitors were given an opportunity to speak to the Commissioners.

Margaret Seals, private citizen of Des Moines, Iowa spoke of her interpretation of the laws regarding discrimination determining that homosexuals were already covered within existing law. She further stated her personal belief that this is an effort to impose a belief system on the rest of the citizens.

John Schmacker, President of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa, gave his interpretation of the law determining that gays and lesbians are not included in the coverage of discrimination law. He related personal experience in employment discrimination based upon perceived sexual orientation.

Randy Palmer, Attorney for Mid-American and Chair of the Gay and Lesbian Democratic Caucus in Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa also gave his interpretation of the current laws. He related personal experience in employment discrimination based upon his sexual orientation. He stated that such discrimination greatly affected his level of income.

A motion to adjourn was made by Mohamad Khan. The meeting was adjourned.



__________________________   _________________
Diann Wilder-Tomlinson               Date
Executive Director