Approved Minutes –March 8, 2019, Meetingofthe Iowa Civil Rights Commission

 

 

 

I.        Roll Call: Jackson(Chair) (by phone),Patricia Lipski (Vice-Chair)(byphone), Oeschlaeger,  Kooiker, Ordaz, Johnston, Hunt.

 

          Staff: Interim Director Grathwohl

 

          Guests:ICRC Staff Kathryn Austin, SueAnn Johnson, Kaitlin Smith

 

 

 

II.          Minutesfrom 11/9/18presented.Motion toapprove asamendedmadebyCommissioner

 

            Kooiker,secondedbyCommissioner Ordaz.Motion carried.

 

 

 

III.        Introduction of new members: Justin Johnston and Ashley Hunt.

 

 

 

IV.         Commissioners’ Reports–

 

1. CommissionerJackson: She attended I’m Making Me A World In Iowa gala, which was well attended.

2. CommissionerLipski: She noted Eagles case was affirmed by the Iowa Court of Appeals this week. She asked Interim Director Grathwohl to send out the case to Commissioners. She participated in webinar from Drake Law School regarding racial disparity in jury pools.

3. CommissionerOelschlaeger: He attended seminar at Drake regarding restoration of felon’s voting rights. 

4. CommissionerOrdaz: Nothing toreport.

5. CommissionerKooiker: He asked whether the NAACP was seeking rule changes regarding the process of screening and investigation. He requested update at the next meeting.

6. Commissioner Johnston: He is on Advisory Council for Brain Injury. They are discussing redesign of the brain injury waiver. Many people have lost assistance in transportation and home services. He is also working on issues regarding public transportation for people with disabilities in Sioux City.

7. Commissioner Hunt: Nothing to report.

 

 

 

IV.       Interim Director’sReport

 

1. Appointed as Interim Director on January 3, 2019.

2. Provided Annual Report FY2018

3. Summary of events with the Governor and Legislature

   1. Budget hearing: December 10, 2018

   2. Governor’s Budget Preview: January 14, 2019

   3. Condition of the State Address: January 15, 2019

   4. Governor’s Inauguration: January 18, 2019

   5. Justice System Appropriations Subcommittee: January 29, 2019

4. Hiring

   1. Front Desk-Clerk Specialist:  Trena Rogers starting on 3/22/19

   2. Civil Rights Specialists:  In process of filling two vacancies

5. Appellate court decisions:

   1. Update to Fraternal Order of Eagles Case – Iowa Court of Appeals

   2. Good/Beal v. Iowa DHS – Iowa Supreme Court case

6. Legislative session update: SueAnn Johnson

   1. Proposed bills regarding employment discrimination

   2. SF341 regarding assistance animals.

7. Outreach Committee: Kathryn Austin

   1. Will not be at the State Fair this year.

   2. Going to smaller venues in order to reach diverse audiences around the state.

   3. Now scheduled: I’ll Make Me A World, CelebrAsian (May), Juneteenth, Governor’s Conference for LGBTQ Youth, Latino Heritage Festival

8. Symposium – April 5, 2019: Kathryn Austin

 

 

 

V.        Nextmeeting was not scheduled. Date and locationtobeannounced.

 

 

 

VI.       Motion toadjourn madebyCommissioner Kooiker,secondedbyCommissioner Ordaz. Motioncarried.

 

 

Meetingadjourned.