HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.17.2008• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
March 17, 2008
5:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Hurley, Getty, Hart, Steve Schmitt, Welper, Reggie Schmitt.
Members absent: Cole, Greenwood.
Moved by Reggie Schmitt, seconded by Welper that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved.
Ayes: Five. Absent: Cole, Greenwood. Motion carried.
David Meeks, Executive Director of Waterloo Human Rights Commission, updated the council
on the Human Rights Commissions progress during calendar years 2006 and 2007. Reviewing
case processing for employment, Mr. Meeks explained that the commission lowered case
processing time from over 3 years average process time to 18 months turnaround time. The
commission continues to work on lowering the time as 12 months is the goal standard. For
housing case processing, the commission reduced housing case back log completely and are
currently within 100 day processing on all cases. Two years ago, there were 20 cases out of
compliance over 200 days. Mr. Meeks noted that the commission receives $100.00 for every
non -housing case closed and $2,400.00 for every fair housing case closed.
Mr. Meeks noted that the commission recently completed the most active two-year period of
outreach and education despite a lesser staff ratio than in previous years. Mr. Meeks feels this
reflects the commitment of staff, commissioners and volunteers to fulfill the commission's
outreach awareness mission. In response to a question from Councilperson Steve Schmitt, Mr.
Meeks explained that volunteers help networking in the community, help with case processing
and conference committees. Mr. Meeks noted that the commission's mission is: compliance,
education and outreach, and partnership.
Mr. Meeks reported on the commission's role in quality of life. In response to the U.S.
Department of Labor's November 2006 report showing Iowa as the worst in the nation at hiring
African -Americans in the area of employment, the commission held three public job fairs. As a
result of the job fairs, 348 people were placed in front of 45 employers and 38 were hired.
Planning for a diverse workforce session was an integrated and required part of the fairs for
participating employers. Mr. Meeks reported that the National ADA Road to Freedom Bus Tour
excursion and event in Waterloo/Cedar Falls was a joint collaboration between the Waterloo and
Cedar Falls Human Rights Commissions to bring awareness to the 17th annual celebration of the
Americans With Disabilities Act and progress in the area of disabilities.
Mr. Meeks explained the following major hurdles: The commission encouraged and the city
council passed the sexual orientation and gender identification ordinance in 2007. The
commission responded to community acts of hate, which 4 incidents occurred locally in 18
months. An updated community coalition was established. Working on partnership with the
Waterloo Police Department in bridging gaps between public perceptions and actual police
practices such as use of force and racial profiling. Mr. Meeks noted that out of 62,000 calls for
service, less than 2 percent used force.
Mr. Meeks commented that the commission continues to make some gains in acquiring private
corporate funds for their outreach efforts and have received contributions from Housing & Urban
Development, Veridian Credit Union, Tyson Fresh Meats, Hawkeye Community College, Dollar
General Store, Hy-Vee Foods, Friends of Iowa Civil Rights, Inc., Midwest One Bank, Cedar
Falls Human Rights Commission and YWCA of Black Hawk County.
Mr. Meeks noted that the commission holds the following annual events: Human Rights
Awards Luncheon, National Fair Housing Month, Summer Harmony Day, and Cedar Valley
Conference on Human Rights.
Mr. Meeks reviewed the Fair Housing activities from 2003 to present. Mr. Meeks noted that two
years ago, there were 20 cases over 200 days and today they have zero. Mr. Meeks explained
that the commission receives funding from HUD, and that funding dropped to $48,000.00 in
Council Work Session
March 17, 2008
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2007, leaving them $15,000.00 short for operating expenses and a full time housing coordinator.
Mr. Meeks noted the commission will resolve cases within 120 days, which will help them get
money from HUD.
In answer to a question, Mr. Meeks explained that even if zero cases were opened, the
commission would still receive funding from HUD to use for training and outreach education.
Mayor Hurley noted that the hours for the part time housing coordinator was increased in the
FYE09 budget.
Councilperson Hart noted that the HUD has reduced the funding allocated for conferences. Mr.
Meeks explained that normally the commission receives $10,000 for training and this year they
have received $3,800, but HUD has not finalized the budget for training.
With no further business before the committee, it was moved by Reggie Schmitt, seconded by
Steve Schmitt that the meeting be adjourned at 5:25 p.m. Ayes: Five. Absent: Cole,
Greenwood. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk
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