HomeMy WebLinkAboutSJRE_Q3_Report_4Social Justice & Racial Equity
Third Quarter Update (July – September 2018)
The Government Alliance on Race and Equity
Membership was renewed for another year in July.
City staff participated in the August Government
Alliance on Race and Equity’s Human and Civil
Rights Enforcement Working group.
The annual Job and Resource Fair was held at
the Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center
this past September. It offered opportunities for
job seekers to meet with over 35 local employers
including several city departments (Fire, Parks and
Recreation, and Police). A resume building workshop
was held at the Library in preparation for the event to
better assist job seekers. The fair was sponsored by
the City and Iowa Works.
In July, the Police Department sponsored an Implicit
Bias training with University of Iowa Department
of Public Safety and the Iowa City NAACP. There
were over 40 participants that included officers
and community members. The course was held for
two reasons: the first for transparency so that the
community can see the training officers receive,
the second is for community members to learn the
training as well.
The Affordable Housing Action Plan process
kicked-off in late September with a meeting held
in the Senior Center Assembly Room. The meeting
helped the City identify barriers to fair housing choice
in the community and develop strategies to address
those issues. The project is led by Neighborhood and
Development Services.
AccountabilityCITy oF IoWA CITy : SoCIAl JUSTICE & RACIAl EQUITy
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City of Iowa CitySJRE Q3 2018
How to Challenge and
overcome Unconscious
Bias was held in September
at the Library and focused on
fostering respect for people
different then ourselves,
appreciating individuals
with different social and
cultural backgrounds, and
encouraging solidarity.
Board and Commission
members from Parks and
Recreation, Human Rights,
Library, Planning and
Zoning, Community Police
Review Board, Housing and
Community Development,
Civil Service, Board of
Adjustment, Senior Center,
and the Climate Action
Steering Committee attended
this training.
The Mayor, and staff from Neighborhood and
Development Services and Equity and Human
Rights participated in a meeting in July to explore
the possibility of creating a Civil Rights Trail in Iowa
City. The meeting was chaired by Charles Pearson of
Pearson Consulting.
Staff of the office of Equity and Human Rights met
with the Johnson County Diversity and Inclusion
Committee in July to discuss creating diverse and
inclusive work environments.
The August Coffee with a Cop was held at Walmart.
The event provides an opportunity for community
members to ask questions, voice concerns, and get to
know police in a relaxed setting.
The August City Manager’s Roundtable was held at
the City-owned Ned Ashton House. Attendees from
the Black Voices Project, the Refugee and Immigrant
Association, Neighborhood Centers of Johnson
County, and the faith community were present. Topics
included an update from the Fire Department and
Parks and Recreation on summer programming.
In August, the Council held a listening Post at Willow
Creek Park. Listening Posts are opportunities for
community members to meet with Council members
and discuss issues affecting them or of concern to
them.
The Fire Department in August participated in
several of the Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s
Home ownership courses. They presented on fire
prevention and safety.
ConversationsCITy oF IoWA CITy : SoCIAl JUSTICE & RACIAl EQUITy
All Ages Speed
Friendshipping was held
in September at the Senior
Center. The event uses the
speed dating format to find
friends instead of dates. It is an
opportunity for participants to
meet and chat with people of all
ages, have fun, and potentially
take the first step in creating
new and lasting relationships.
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City of Iowa CitySJRE Q3 2018
With the Mayor’s support and in order to further the
Council’s strategic plan to promote social justice and
racial equity and the values expressed in Resolution
No. 17-27 Reaffirming the Public Safety Function of
Local Law Enforcement, the City has participated in
several friend of the court (amicus) briefs filed by cities
and other entities across the country in challenges to
the current Administration’s policies concerning
immigrants. To date, these have included challenges
to the Administration’s travel ban; the Justice
Department’s imposition of conditions to Byrne JAG
grants to local law enforcement designed to restrict
money to those that have adopted “sanctuary city”
policies; the termination of temporary protected status
(TPS) for immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador, Nicaragua
and Sudan; and the termination of DACA (Deferred
Action for Childhood Arrivals).
The City has also participated in amicus briefs filed in a challenge
by Texas cities to Texas Senate Bill 4 which requires local
law enforcement to engage in immigration enforcement. All
of these briefs articulate the harm to cities that will result from
these anti-immigrant policies and are often joined by national
entities supportive of cities, such as the United States Conference
of Mayors, the National League of Cities, and the International
Municipal Lawyers Association.
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City of Iowa CitySJRE Q3 2018
In July, the office of Equity and Human Rights issued
a memorandum on Parking as a Reasonable
Accommodation to explain how mobility
impairments can make parking a major issue for
rental tenants. The document is geared towards
educational outreach to landlords and property
managers.
The 28th ADA Celebration held in July welcomed
oregon Senator Jeff Merkley as its keynote speaker.
This City-sponsored event was held on the Ped
Mall in front of the Library. The Mayor read a
proclamation recognizing the anniversary of this
historic law at the event.
Transit Services participated in two Party in the Park
events where they provided tours of the new buses,
and handed out transit schedules, lanyards and bus
passes, as well as general Transit information.
The Police Department added an outreach
position in July in concert with Neighborhood and
Development Services, and the Iowa City Downtown
District. In this new position, the officer will split their
time between addressing neighborhood quality
of life concerns and added communication in the
Downtown area.
In July, the Fire Department hosted the Emergency
Services youth Summer Camp. The camp hosted
100 youth participants, including 21 from The
Dream Center.
Local junior and senior high school students
challenged the Police Department in July to a
friendly game of basketball at the Robert A.
Lee Community Recreation Center as part of the
Do You See Me Now? competition. The event
was coordinated by Parks and Recreation’s Teen
Dynamic Program. The Teen Dynamic Program
is designed to provide teens with opportunities
for positive interaction, education, relationship
building, and activities during summer break.
OutreachCITy oF IoWA CITy : SoCIAl JUSTICE & RACIAl EQUITy
The office of Equity and Human
Rights hosted the Iowa league
of Human Rights Agencies
Fall Symposium. Attendees
included Dubuque, Waterloo,
Des Moines, Davenport,
Sioux City, Johnson County,
State of Iowa, and West Des
Moines. Discussion points
included emotional support
animals, the benefits to joining
the Government Alliance
on Race and Equity, and
case investigation tips and
techniques.
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City of Iowa CitySJRE Q3 2018
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City of Iowa CitySJRE Q3 2018
National Night out celebrated its 35th year in August.
Many Iowa City neighborhoods hosted special events
like block parties, cookouts, contests, youth activities
and anti-crime rallies. Appearances at these events
included City Police, Firefighters, and Herky the
Hawkeye.
Iowa City Pride and the Senior Center partnered on the
Get to Know your Community! event. At the event,
attendees were able to meet people from many of the
LGBT+ positive organizations, clubs and businesses in
the Iowa City area. Appetizers and light refreshments
were served.
Staff in the office of Equity and Human Rights spoke
on Iowa’s Civil Rights legacy to the Chamber’s
Community Leadership program, and to the
Language, Justice, and the Law class at the University
of Iowa in September.
Transit Services provided community-based
education and training for special education
students ages 18-21. It was attended by 16 students
and four staff. At the training, the group rides the bus
from Eastdale Plaza to the Iowa City Transit station,
making one transfer downtown in the process. The
goal of the presentation was to help students increase
their confidence and independence while riding the
bus. Many will utilize transit services independently,
once they have graduated from Transitions.
The Senior Center made tours available for
community members during the latino Festival in
Downtown Iowa City. The Center also had posters on
display celebrating Hispanic and Latino Month.
A new City Channel 4 ad
reminds community members
that everyone has a role. The
ad encourages people to get
involved in City government
by following the City on social
media, applying for a job, or
applying to serve on a board or
commission.
Staff in the office of Equity and Human Rights
participated in the Disability Access in
Government-Assisted Housing Under Title II of the
Americans with Disabilities Act Webinar.
In July, staff of Neighborhood and Development
Services and the office of Equity and Human Rights
attended the Johnson County Aging in Place Forum
on technology and aging. It was held at the Coralville
Public Library.
In August, staff of the office of Equity and Human
Rights attended Working Across Cultural
Difference, Knowing yourself So you Can learn
About others. The day-long course was sponsored
by the Johnson County Extension office.
The City Manager’s office, Parks and Recreation, the
Library and the office of Equity and Human Rights
participated in a Navigating Differences workshop in
September. It was facilitated by Iowa State University
Extension and outreach. The training was an
overview to highlight potential sessions that could be
conducted with City staff. The workshop is intended
to assist persons in expanding their skills in working
with diverse populations.
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In September, staff of the office
of Equity and Human Rights
attended a 2-day Racial Equity
Workshop. It was hosted by the
University of Iowa College of
Public Health. The trainers were
from the Racial Equity Institute
in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The training taught the history
of racism in the US, systems
of privilege and oppression
(especially through a power
analysis), and our place in the
current system.
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City of Iowa CitySJRE Q3 2018