Commissioners’
Meeting Minutes
October 10,
2002
10:00 Am –
12:00 PM
ICRC Office
Call
to Order
David Leshtz, Chair called the meeting to order.
Roll
Call
Present were Commissioners David Leshtz, Alicia
Claypool, Connie Gronstal, Maria Waterman, Tim Tutt and Dinh VanLo. Also
present were Corlis Moody, Executive Director, Ron Pothast, Business Manager,
Rick Autry, Assistant Attorney General and Araceli Goode, Executive Secretary.
The Chair, announced the governor had appointed Rick Morain from Jefferson,
Iowa to complete resigned Commissioner Gilberto Solivan’s term. Commissioner
Leshtz stated he had invited Rick to attend the meeting and was looking forward
to meeting him.
Recognition
of Public and Press
No Press was present.
Guest speaker Professor Herbert Strentz, teaches undergraduate courses in
news reporting and communication law and ethics and graduate seminars in social
responsibility, information policy and research and writing at Drake
University. He regularly contributes essays and opinion pieces to newspapers
and magazines and writes a column on First Amendment issues for the Iowa
Newspaper Association. He was executive Secretary of the Iowa Freedom of
Information.
Dr.
Strenz’s presentation was on the problems journalists face when writing or
reporting on events versus the issues of privacy, constitutional rights and
civil rights. In regards to promoting the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, he
stated the public needed to be educated about what the Commission is and what
it was doing. His suggestions were to invite newspaper reporters to the
meetings, send out press releases and contact the Iowa Newspaper Association
and possibly attending its annual meeting. He recommended that the Commission
continue to hold meetings outside of Des Moines.
Approval
of Minutes
Motion was made by Commissioner Claypool and
seconded by Commissioner Waterman to approve the August 8, 2002 Commissioners’
Meeting Minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners’
Report and Sub-Committee Reports
Commissioner Claypool – attended the Friends of
Civil Rights Award Luncheon. October 3, 2002. The people honored were
impressive. Stated had met Eddie Moore and suggested he be asked to speak at a
future Commissioners’ Meeting.
Commissioner
Leshtz – Invited everyone to the White Privilege Conference.
Commissioner Gronstal – No report. Voiced
appreciation for all the e-mails to keep her informed on what was occurring.
Commissioner Tutt – Will be speaking at Central
College in Pella on October 28 and 29 regarding sexual orientation.
Commissioner
VanLo – Stated was proud to be an Iowan and an American. Pleased would be
working on the Iowa Civil Rights Commission as civil rights has paved the way
for ethnic people.
Commissioner
Waterman – Attended a candlelight
dinner for the AIDS Project.
Commissioner
Leshtz encouraged the rest of the commissioners to post their e-mail addresses
on the ICRC website. Passed copies of newspaper articles regarding the Iowa
City Human Rights Award Banquet on September 26 and the award received by
Heather Shank, Director.
Executive
Director’s Report
Corlis Moody, accompanied by Molly Culbertson,
attended the first NABRE Steering Committee meeting October 4, 2002. She will
be assessing the availability of facilities to possibly have the next NABRE
Regional conference here in Des Moines sometime in May or October of 2003.
At the EEOC conference in April 30 –May 2,
mediation was being encouraged as a means for faster case resolution. ICRC
submitted a proposal to EEOC for a contract mediating EEOC cases. These would
be paid for separately from the investigation contract. ICRC is the only FEPA
agency in this region that has an in-house mediation unit. This may help next
year’s agency budget.
Action: Commissioner Claypool updated the
Commissioners on the GLBT Taskforce Committee work so far. She attended the
Local Human Rights Commissions Association and gave them a summary of the work
being done by the taskforce. Extended them the invitation to participate in
upcoming events and to be partners in the advocacy regarding Sexual
orientation.
The taskforce submitted a grant request from the
Humanities to cover the costs of the forum. The costs of the packets so far
have been absorbed by Rich Eychaner, Task force member. Meeting of the
Taskforce is scheduled for this afternoon at which time requests for
sponsorship from a prospective bank will be discussed.
New Business
Following a discussion,
Commissioner Leshtz made a motion and Commissioner Claypool seconded to write a
letter of support to the Iowa Utilities Board to pursue a statutory amendment
to allow expansion of the
Iowa Utilities Board’s equipment distribution program to people who have physical and cognitive
disabilities.
Old
Business
Commissioner Leshtz stated that he had sent a
letter to the Burlington Human Rights Commission and the Burlington City
Council on September 16 in support of the addition of sexual orientation to the
Burlington civil rights ordinance. The Burlington City Council has since
rejected the recommendation.
Next
Meeting Date
Next meeting date is November 18, 2002, 10:00
AM-12:00 PM. Will check with West Des Moines Human Rights Commission on their
availability to host the meeting. Otherwise, the meeting will be at the ICRC
office.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11:55 AM
Minutes
submitted by Araceli Goode, Executive Secretary
