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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.02.2008• • COUNCIL WORK SESSIONS September 2, 2008 4:45 p.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Hurley, Getty, Hart, Greenwood, Steve Schmitt, Welper, Reggie Schmitt. Members absent: Cole. Moved by Reggie Schmitt, seconded by Welper that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six. Absent: Cole. Motion carried. David Meeks, Executive Director of Waterloo Human Rights Commission, updated the council. Mr. Meeks explained that the commission focuses on three items: compliance, outreach/education and partnership. Mr. Meeks explained the chart for EEOC & Non -Housing Cases from 2005 through the current year. The goal is have closure on complaints within six months. Currently there are 150 open cases, with 56 through the process and waiting for closure. The EEOC pays the commission $100 per closed case. Mr. Meeks noted that to reach the six month goal, the commission has one intern working on compliance, one intern and a VISTA person helping with outreach. The administrative secretary position will be changed to an intake specialist to help with processing the complaints. Mr. Meeks explained that as of June 2008, there are two housing cases in inventory. HUD requires housing cases to be completed within 100 days of filing. Therefore, housing case loads require more immediate expedition than non -housing cases. Mr. Meeks stated that money received from the EEOC is a revenue stream for the commission. The money received from HUD for housing complaints processed is used to support fair -housing activities, which is HUDs expectation. Mr. Meeks noted that part of the commission's goal for the outreach/education program is to focus on three major events throughout the year. In February, the commission holds its annual award banquet, June is the Summer Harmony Day and the Cedar Valley Conference on Human Rights is held in the Fall. Mr. Meeks noted that the commission has formed a partnership with many organizations over the years. Mr. Meeks noted that the commission has acted like social democrats and fiscal republicans, only asking for what they need, what they feel is essential. Mr. Meeks explained that the commission's largest event is the Summer Harmony Day, and no general fund dollars are used for that event. Councilperson Getty asked how the commission notifies the Bosnian and Latino communities when there are conferences and workshops. Mr. Meeks explained that they work with El Centro Latino Americano and the state's Latino Affairs. As far as communicating with the Bosnian community, the commission works with Neighborhood Services. Mr. Meeks noted that the commission also reaches out to the youth in the community. Mr. Meeks explained the commission's partnership with Iowa Workforce Development. Mr. Meeks noted that a 2006 report showed that African Americans had a higher unemployment rate than other races. After the report came out, the commission worked with Iowa Workforce Development to address the African American unemployment issue. Mr. Meeks stated that the letter the commission sent to Iowa Workforce Development expressed concerns that in two years the statistics stayed the same with no meaningful results. Mr. Meeks noted that the commission works closely and has a good, strong partnership with Iowa Workforce Development. The new emphasis is to get measurements and see if they can get results on the African American unemployment. Mr. Meeks stated the commission is trying to show this city can do better and be a model for the state. Mr. Meeks noted the Iowa Workforce Development and the Waterloo Commission on Human Rights are holding a Town Hall Forum on September 11, 2008 with many panel discussions. Mr. Meeks noted that from the 2006 report through June 2007, the commission held two job fairs. Councilperson Reggie Schmitt noted that within the past 48 hours, there have been articles that Black Hawk County has almost full employment and that small business owners are worried about where they will find employees. Mr. Meeks stated that 3.2 percent unemployment is great, Council Work Session September 2, 2008 Page 2 but the African American unemployment is four times that of whites. Mr. Meeks stated the commissions feels that in Black Hawk County we can do better, and come together to address the African American unemployment. Mr. Meeks stated that if the commission is out there on an issues, one of the things the mayor and council can always expect is a constructive plan of action and he asked the council and mayor to give the commission time to bring that plan on action forward. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Reggie Schmitt that the meeting be adjourned at 5:20 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Cole. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk. • •