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–
CommissionerJackson: She attended I’m Making Me A World In Iowa gala, which was well attended.
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.
CommissionerOelschlaeger: He attended seminar at Drake regarding restoration of felon’s voting rights.
CommissionerOrdaz: Nothing toreport.
CommissionerKooiker: He asked whether the NAACP was seeking rule changes regarding the process of screening and investigation. He requested update at the next meeting.
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.
Commissioner Hunt: Nothing to report.
IV. Interim Director’sReport
Appointed as Interim Director on January 3, 2019.
Provided Annual Report FY2018
Summary of events with the Governor and Legislature
Budget hearing: December 10, 2018
Governor’s Budget Preview: January 14, 2019
Condition of the State Address: January 15, 2019
Governor’s Inauguration: January 18, 2019
Justice System Appropriations Subcommittee: January 29, 2019
Hiring
Front Desk-Clerk Specialist: Trena Rogers starting on 3/22/19
Civil Rights Specialists: In process of filling two vacancies
Appellate court decisions:
Update to Fraternal Order of Eagles Case – Iowa Court of Appeals
Good/Beal v. Iowa DHS – Iowa Supreme Court case
Legislative session update: SueAnn Johnson
Proposed bills regarding employment discrimination
SF341 regarding assistance animals.
Outreach Committee: Kathryn Austin
Will not be at the State Fair this year.
Going to smaller venues in order to reach diverse audiences around the state.
Now scheduled: I’ll Make Me A World, CelebrAsian (May), Juneteenth, Governor’s Conference for LGBTQ Youth, Latino Heritage Festival
Symposium – April 5, 2019: Kathryn Austin
V. Nextmeeting was not scheduled. Date and locationtobeannounced.
VI. Motion toadjourn madebyCommissioner Kooiker,secondedbyCommissioner Ordaz. Motioncarried.
Meetingadjourned.