HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 2023 Agenda HRC
Human Rights Commission
May 23, 2023
Regular Meeting – 5:30 PM
Emma J. Harvat Hall
410 E. Washington Street
AGENDA:
1. Call to Order
2. Reading of Native American Land Acknowledgment
3. Approval of April 25, 2023, meeting minutes
4. 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 or one another
concerning said items.
5. Outreach and Engagement Updated from the Police Department
6. Request to change the Native American Land Acknowledgment to the First
Nations Land Acknowledgement
7. Commission Committees
a. Building Bridges
b. Reciprocal Relationships
c. Breaking Bread
8. Availably to staff vendor table at Iowa City Pride (June 17, 1-6 PM)
9. Correspondence
10. Staff Announcements
11. Commissioner Announcements
This item includes an opportunity for brief updates from Commissioners.
Commissioners shall not engage in discussion on announcements.
12. Adjournment
If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate in this meeting, please call 319-356-
5022 or email humanrights@iowa-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient
time to meet your access needs.
Agenda Item # 2
1
Draft Minutes
Human Rights Commission
April 25, 2023
Helling Conference Room
Commissioners present: Bijou Maliabo, Jahnavi Pandya (via Zoom), Roger Lusala, Ahmed Ismail, Doug
Kollasch (via Zoom), Kelsey Paul Shantz (via Zoom), Sylvia Jons, Suyun Channon.
Commissioners absent: Badri Kuku.
Staff present: Stefanie Bowers.
Recommendation to City Council: No.
Meeting called to order: 5:35 PM.
Native American Land Acknowledgement: Ismail read the Land Acknowledgement.
Public comment of items not on the agenda: Mark Pries asked that the land acknowledgement be called
the First Nations Acknowledgement.
Approval of meeting minutes of March 28, 2023: Kollasch moved, and Ismail seconded. Motion passed 8-
0.
City Council Strategic Plan presented by Councilmember Shawn Harmsen: Harmsen summarized the
process of creating the Council’s Strategic Plan. Harmsen noted the legislative, socio-economic, and
climate change challenges facing Iowa City while also noting the continued impact of Covid-19. Harmsen
listed racial equity, social justice, human rights, climate action, and partnerships and engagement as the
values of the City Council when crafting the plan. Harmsen next spoke on the Impact Areas portion of the
presentation. Harmsen presented the council’s goal of creating more walkable neighborhoods and
affordable housing by updating the City Comp Plan and Zoning Code. Harmsen presented the economic
goals of the council, emphasizing the council’s desire to support local businesses while creating
opportunities for marginalized populations. Harmsen described the council’s goal of supporting the safety
and well-being of Iowa City’s community members. Harmsen noted that the council will consider the plan
to restructure the City’s Police department as proposed in December 2020. Harmsen listed the resources
available to the council, noting the facilities, technology, dedicated staff, and funds available. Harmsen
expressed the council’s desire to diversify large businesses as revenue sources in the community.
Better Together 2030 and Inclusive Economic Development Presentation by Cady Gerlach and Kate
Moreland: Gerlach and Moreland introduced themselves. Gerlach described the creation of Better
Together. Gerlach described collaborating with Astig Planning to create an Inclusive Development Plan and
All-In Vision Plan. Gerlach described Better Together’s team, and then introduced a video describing the
initiative. The video endorsed the plan as one geared toward sustainability and community building.
Moreland and Gerlach listed their partners before describing the structure of the group. The pair described
Better Together’s goals and accomplishments which include working toward the creation of 3D Printed
Affordable Housing, the staff’s involvement in the Childcare Wage Enhancement project, and the
development of the Youth Community Leadership Program. Gerlach and Moreland presented the
proposed implementation of the plan. Gerlach and Moreland asked the commission to review and support
Agenda Item #3
2
the All-In Vision and Inclusive Economic Development plans. Lusala praised Better Together 2030.
Racial Equity and Social Justice Grant: The commission reviewed the updated budget presented by
Natural Talent Music. Jons moved to approve, and Channon seconded. Motion passed 5-0. Maliabo,
Pandya, Ismail, abstained due to conflicts of interest.
Committee Updates:
Breaking Bread –Kollasch recounted meeting with Ismail and discussing the visibility of the commission.
Kollasch briefly discussed the goals of Breaking Bread. Kollasch mentioned the group considering the
possibility of virtual education sessions as well as community park gatherings. Kollasch suggested creating
a promotional video for Breaking Bread.
Reciprocal Relationships –Channon announced the committee will cohost the AAPI Awareness Festival
alongside the local Chinese community with support from the Parks and Rec department. The event will
take place May 20th from 2-4 at the Robert E. Lee Rec Center. Channon asked for help with marketing and
Jons offered to step in. Channon asked staff to work on a news release for the event.
Jons recounted discussing the Racial Equity and Social Justice Grant and briefly described the process of
working with recipients. Jons will be responsible for Great Plains Action Society, and the Neighborhood
Centers of Johnson County. Channon will be responsible for the Natural Music Talent, Houses to Homes,
and the Al-Iman Center of Iowa. Lusala will be responsible for Wright House of Fashion, the Center for
Worker Justice, and the CommUnity Crisis Services. Lusala expressed the committee’s desire to work
directly with grant recipients. Lusala inquired about the possibility of a ceremony to offer the recipients
the chance to accept the money and meet their liaisons. Jons further described the need to build
reciprocal relationships with grant recipients.
Building Bridges – Paul Shantz described the committee’s first meeting. Paul Shantz recounted Building
Bridges reviewing the committee template as well as working to identify shared goals and interests. Paul
Shantz described the committee’s goal of uplifting communal leaders and fostering community.
Announcements of commissioners: Maliabo recounted her recent visit to the state capitol. Lusala
recounted presenting a plaque at a local Kenyan event. Maliabo invited the commission to an African
Community Network event on youth incarceration. Channon announced the affinity graduation for
international University of Iowa students. Kollasch announced the Rainbow Graduation for LGBTQ+
graduates of the University of Iowa. Pandya recounted working with the Catherine McCauley Center in
Cedar Rapids.
Announcements of staff: None.
Adjourned: 7:59 PM.
The meeting can be viewed at https://citychannel4.com/video.html?series=Local%20Government.
Human Rights Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2023
(Meeting Date)
NAME
TERM
EXP.
1/24 2/28 3/28 4/25 5/23 6/27 7/25 8/22 9/26 10/24 11/28
Roger Lusala 2023 P P P P
Bijou Maliabo 2023 P P P P
Kelsey Paul Shantz 2023 P P A P
Jahnavi Pandya 2024 P P A P
Sylvia Jons 2024 P A P P
Doug Kollasch 2024 P P P P
Suyun Channon 2025 P P P P
Ahmed Ismail 2025 P P P P
Badri Kuku 2025 P A A A
KEY: P = Present
A = Absent
R = Resigned
Agenda Item #6
Agenda Item #8