Approved Minutes-Meeting of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission
September 23, 2022
I. Roll Call
Meeting called to order by Vice-Chair Lipski at 1:06 pm. Commissioner Mandager appeared in person and Commissioners Kooiker, Ordaz and Lipski appeared virtually.
II. Recognition of Staff, Public, and Press
Marie Agey from DAS and Anne Heiser, new clerk specialist for ICRC were present along with Joe Austin from ICRC appeared virtually. No members of the press were present.
III. Approval of Minutes from August 19, 2022, meeting.
Minutes from the August 19, 2002 were presented. Upon motion by Commissioner Mandsager and second by Commissioner Kooiker, the minutes were unanimously approved.
New Business
IV. Public Comment-None
V. FY24 Budget Discussion
Marie Agey, the CFO for ICRC from DAS presented the preliminary budget for FY2024. It was noted that a 6% increase was budgeted but that is subject to future negotiations.
Standing Business
VI. Director’s Report
a. Annual Report Charts-presented six charts that will be in the annual report reflecting increased of 223 complaints compared to last year and decrease in case processing times by 40 days on average compared to last year. Director noted that while decease in case processing was a positive that due to current volume of housing and non-housing investigations the average processing time for FY23 will likely return to prior levels. Interest expressed by Commissioners to see closed files and screening decisions.
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b. Finances--Nearly one quarter of FY23 is complete and ICRC is on budget.
c. U.S. Commission on Civil Rights-report that next meeting is Tuesday September 27th and outlined that any recommendation to have mandatory mediation would likely require a statutory change while a change to allow for sharing of information between parties would likely only require rule change. Discussion regarding Connecticut’s practice and that state’s use of default mechanism for non-cooperating respondent during mandatory mediation. Also discussion regrading time frame for any potential changes to statute or rules.
VII. Litigation Update – Assistant Attorney General Katie-comment on process to amend rules.
VIII. Commissioners’ Reports
a. Commissioner Sam Kooiker-no report
b. Commissioner Patricia Lipskino--report
c. Commissioner Dennis Mandsager-thanks for service provided
d. Commissioner Marcelena Ordaz-no report
e. Commissioner Holly White not present.
IX. Set Next Meeting for October 21, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.
X. Adjournment - Upon motion by Commissioner Kooiker and second by Commissioner Mandsager, unanimously approval to adjourn meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 2:18 p.m.