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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.07.2003 (2)• • COUNCIL WORK SESSION April 7, 2003 4:15 p.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Rooff, Kincaid, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty. Also present: Human Rights Commission members and staff. Moved by Hurley, seconded by Kincaid that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. The Waterloo Commission on Human Rights Mission Statement was reviewed. The Waterloo Commission on Human Rights is an administrative agency within the city. It was created in compliance with the Code of Iowa Chapter 216.19 which mandates cities with populations over 29,000 or greater shall maintain, structure and adequately fund a local civil rights agency or commission. The commission derives its authority from federal civil rights law, the Code of Iowa Chapter 216 and City of Waterloo Code of Ordinances. Under the ordinance, the commission is charged with 1) receiving and processing discrimination complaints, 2) providing education and outreach services to the community, and 3) serving as a liaison with other local, state and federal agencies. In addition, the city's Millennium Plan charged the commission with expanding Study Circles; creating an educational program to educate residents on all aspects of community, especially addressing racial, age, gender and ethnic understanding and appreciation; insure that housing is available to all persons throughout the community without discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, family status or disability; and actively promoting the principles of fair housing through public and private educational activities and insure enforcement of fair housing laws. The commission is comprised of ten Waterloo citizens appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council. They are responsible for policy oversight and development. The commission has an Executive Director and four staff members. They are responsible for all administrative responsibilities. The commission is responsible for enforcement by receiving and processing discrimination complaints. The areas of discrimination include: education, employment, housing, credit and public accommodations. The basis of discrimination includes: race, color, creed, religion and age. In 2002, the commission had 170 active cases, 104 new cases and 16 closed cases. The commission is responsible for providing education and outreach services to the community. The commission receives about 700 calls per year. The commission provides information to the community through printed material, billboards, the Internet, KBBG and Waterloo Public Access Channel 15. The commission provides in-service and community forums through Human Rights Day, the Cedar Valley Conference on Race, the Cedar Valley Diversity Appreciation Team (CVDAT), and the Study Circles Program. The commission responds to Hate Crimes and its mission is to respond to hate crimes and acts of hate, to address the trauma of victimization, facilitate the healing of individuals, and the restoration of our community and to promote the welfare and dignity of all our citizens. Roundtables address Public Policies, which perpetuate or create disparate treatment of people in the Cedar Valley based on race and Ethnic Diversity. Harmony festivals are offered to neighborhoods with the intention to help them improve communication, solve neighborhood problems and celebrate their ethnic diversity. The commissions has had five ethnic bus excursions, which tour various ethnic sites in the Waterloo area. The commission serves as a liaison with other local, state and federal agencies. The Waterloo Commission works in cooperation with the State Civil Rights Commission. The agreement with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission requires the commission to cross -file cases with ICRC and provide quarterly updates. In 2000 the commission obtained substantial equivalency status and began receiving capacity building funds to provide fair housing education and enforcement. The agreement requires the commission to cross -file cases with HUD, attend National and Regional training and provide quarterly updates. Council Work Session April 7, 2003 Page 2 The commission received the 1999 Iowa Civil Rights Award, All Star Community Award of Excellence in 2000, First Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Award in 2001 and Iowa State Education Association Multicultural Leaders and Involvement Award in 2001. The commission receives financial support from John Deere Community Credit Union, Humanities Iowa, Study Circles Topsfield Foundation, Presbyterian Church, and the Yates Family for a total of $47,000.00. In -kind sponsors include: Waterloo -Cedar Falls Courier, University of Northern Iowa: Public Policy, Covenant Medical Center and Afro American Broadcasting KBBG. Walter Reed, Executive Director of Human Rights Commission, reported they are trying to work out an agreement with Cedar Falls. The commission is trying to get all material translated into seven languages as the city has about 15 ethnic groups in our community. Mr. Reed reported that the city contributes $265,000 of the Human Rights Commission budget through the General Fund and the commission receives grant funds in the amount of $47,000. The commission received a HUD Fair Housing grant in the amount of $115,000 per year for three years. After three years, the commission will have to go to contribution type of funding. Mr. Reed asked that the Education Outreach Coordinator position be approved. A portion of Community Development Block grant funds could be used to fund the position, which could save General Fund money. Mr. Reed stated the commission is concerned that HUD Fair Housing grant items are listed under the General Fund, and they would like to separate the grant funding from the General Fund. Mayor Rooff stated that three council members and three members of the Human Rights Commission will meet to review all of the concerns and the budget. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Clark that the meeting be adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk • •