Commissioner Knox called the regular meeting to order at 4:30 PM. Commissioner Red Wing called roll.

Civil & Human Rights Commission APPROVED Minutes of the Des Moines Civil & Human Rights Commission Meeting April 13, 2017, 4:30 PM at Richard A. Clark Municipal Services Center, 1551 E M.L.K. Jr Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50309. Commissioner Knox called the regular meeting to order at 4:30 PM. Commissioner Red Wing called roll. Commissioners present: Izaah Knox, Donna Red Wing, Michael Bowser, Daniel Garza, Michelle Book, Emily Shields Commissioners absent: Kameron Middlebrooks QUORUM PRESENT Staff present: Joshua V. Barr, Monserrat Iniguez and Doug Philiph Visitors present: Heather Jones, Kevin Marken, Erica Johnson, Colleen Kinney, Maddie Cano Approval of Minutes 03/09/2017 Minutes Regular Meeting Book moved to accept. Red Wing seconded. Pass. Knox presented motion to move Old Business to top of the Agenda in order to vote prior to early departure. OLD BUSINESS- LGBT Subcommittee: Red Wing reports that the LGBT subcommittee would be meeting the following week. All members will be present to discuss vision of subcommittee and events for spring, summer, and fall. Red Wing will be out of the country, but subcommittee has their tasks. Symposium: Barr stated that the Symposium took place on March 15, 2017. Approximately 500 people attended, the largest crowd hosted by DMU. This was the first symposium coordinated under Barr s leadership. The Commission received a lot of positive feedback from the evaluations, but there were two specific complaints: there was not enough time for questions, and there were too many interesting topics on the agenda. Barr will float a potential two-day event to the symposium subcommittee and will also discuss the theme for next year s symposium, nothing that Commission staff has already begun to work on it. Red Wing added that it was an extraordinary event and offered kudos to the staff and committee for a job well done, and noted that it was a good thing to leave the attendees wanting more. Shields added that Iowa Public Radio announced they would be making efforts to cover the topic of Poverty more, as a result of the media panel at the symposium. Garza shared comments from the former director of the Commission, who stated it was a very successful event. Garza also added that he found so many of the topics at the symposium interesting but could not attend both at the same time. Book also added that it was a great event and that a lot of attendees seemed to get it. Book also posed the question on how to

get to the audience of people who don t get it and engage with those who don t understand poverty. Knox asked if the event was recorded. Barr replied that it was recorded via the livestream coordinated by the City s website, Facebook, Youtube, and public television. ACLU Request Regarding DMPD Policing: Red Wing gave an update on the second meeting that took place two weeks ago. She explained that they were going through the recommendations and comparing the 21 st Century Policing with what is actually going on with DMPD. She described it as an exhaustive comparison and anticipates a couple more. Red Wing hopes to set up a series of community meetings to get input from the community, but wants to get the comparison done before those community meetings in order to be able to have a productive meeting in order for community to be able to cite what is or is not being done by DMPD. There are one or two more meetings with the police department before that can be done though, as the process is much longer than they d initially hoped, but are getting a lot of good information out of the process. Knox added that they are going line by line to say what the police are doing, not doing, and what they need to do. Knox stressed that it is a very thorough job and they are making sure they are understanding. Red Wing continued that this is the information they want to have before they go to the public for a conversation. Shields asked if there was any thought about when a community forum would take place. Red Wing replied it would possibly be summer. Welcoming City/Sanctuary City: Red Wing moved to present the Welcoming City Recommendations to City Council. Garza seconded. Book pointed to the statement that read, Whereas the anti-immigrant rhetoric and legislation at the federal and state levels do not reflect our values as Iowans. Book stated that she does not believe the Des Moines City Council or City of Des Moines can speak on the values of Iowans. She would like that Whereas to be struck from the resolution. Red Wing recommended that it read, instead of Iowans, residents of Des Moines. Book maintained that she was not sure about speaking on the values of an entire population of people. Bowser chimed in that a quick review of the decisions coming out of the Supreme Court of Iowa have historically shown a clear value of welcoming immigrants. Book responded that Iowa recently elected a president and administration that does not reflect those values and suggests that perhaps historical values have changed. Bowser said he strongly opposed changing the document, and suggested leaving it to City Council to strip it if they wanted to. Bowser stressed the importance of being a leader and strong example in the city. Red Wing recommended changing it to do not reflect our historic values as Iowans or do not reflect our values. Book said she would prefer either change than the one currently stated. Bowser asked Red Wing to read the whole statement with the proposed change. Red Wing read, Whereas the anti-immigrant rhetoric and legislation at the federal and state levels do not reflect our values. Book and Bowser said that was fine and compromised. Red Wing stated she had some issues with the funding statement, but does not believe it is up to the Commission to discuss. She asked if the Commissioners are comfortable with the intent of the resolution and vote to pass it on to City Council to consider, with the recommended change. Book expressed her gratitude to the people who drafted the resolution and acknowledged the work, heart, and soul that was invested in the resolution. Barr added that as a non-vote, he has a question to the drafter of the resolution: Section 3, The City Council supports the establishment of a public fund to provide legal representation to indigent immigrants and removal proceedings who are residents of Des Moines. What does support mean? Knox added that the Commission had the

same question, but decided to let City Council address it. Red Wing stated that City Council would have the conversation about it, and clarified that the Commission s job is to pass on to City Council, and vote to show that they favor the resolution. Bowser added that it would be helpful to include studies that show Iowans do not support Trump s legislation, and would submit to City Council with the resolution to see the data to back it up. Philiph commented from a legal perspective there is a lot of detail on what DMPD can and can t do, and City Council may not want to micromanage the police department. He referenced Section 6.B. Philiph stated that the Chief has been clear on his position, and feels a lot in the resolution is not necessary and may be problematic for the Chief. Philiph referenced 6.F, agencies of the city shall not make information available to anyone and stated that that may be illegal under federal law because they have to follow public records rules. He added that some sharing of information may be necessary to protect public safety and the Chief would not appreciate hindering of his abilities to protect public safety. Philiph referenced 6.E, which outlined use of agency and department monies, and stated that the Chief would follow federal law. He stated that he believes the resolution goes beyond what is necessary and appears to be micromanaging policy that City Council should set. Red Wing agreed that City Council will set the policy, and that City Council would review the resolution, but asked that the Commission pass the resolution to City Council with their recommendation and the understanding that it would change. Philiph added that there is uncertainty regarding which direction legislation will go with sanctuary cities and federal funding. He states there is potential for the resolution to be seen as a sanctuary city policy and the city may potentially lose federal funds as a result. Shield added they could also potentially lose state funds, but does not see that that is a reason to not support and pass on the resolution. Garza recommended to pass it on to City Council, knowing there would be further legal review and it would be subject to changes, but a discussion would be important and necessary. Book asked the drafters of the document to consider softening the language of the resolution as it goes to City Council, because it would be the difference between painting them into a corner or a win of support. Red Wing stated that the Commission would pass on their recommendation based on the spirit of the resolution, allowing for future edits and changes. It would not serve to waste another month waiting for edits and changes to be made. People are impacted daily, and it would serve to send a message that Des Moines wants to be a Welcoming City. Book asked if the recommendation need to be submitted with a letter of recommendation. Philiph replied that it could be transmitted whichever way the Commission deemed appropriate. Barr suggested writing a letter of support and submitting it through a council person. Red Wing asked if he could present it to City Council as the Director. Barr said No, unless he was called to speak on it. Bowser stated it could be submitted to the City Clerk. Red Wing asked for a draft of a cover letter. Knox asked the Commission to vote. Red Wing asked that it be a voice vote for the record. Garza, Ay. Shields, Ay. Bowser, Ay. Book, Ay. Knox, Ay. Red Wing, Ay. Motion Passed. Knox asked if the commission or a commissioner could draft a letter. Red Wing asked for it to be done quickly. Bowser said he would send examples to Knox. Book said she was willing to look at the draft. Red Wing called on Bowser, Shields, and Knox to draft it. Barr asked the Commission to get the letter in by Tuesday.

Committee Reports Officers Report: Red Wing stated she discussed the meeting with the police department. Financial Committee Report: Barr informed the Commission that Manbeck was the chair, and she is gone now, and they need to recreate the committee. Book asked if the members of the committee needed to be Commissioners or not. Barr stated it must be a commissioner. Shield said she would do what was needed. Education, Employment, Public Relations Committee: discussion covered in Symposium report. Director s Report: Barr reports 7 complaints filed in March, 1 Housing case was formalized into an investigation. Since then, 2 more have been formalized in April but won t be in the report until next month. 5 cases were dismissed, including cases filed in February but processed in March, 2 were waived to ICRC, 1 to State Ombudsman s office, 1 lack of jurisdiction, and 1 failure to cooperate. 4 cases were closed in March. Outreach: On March 1, Barr was on La Ley radio speaking in Spanish about citizen rights. March 3 was a panel at Drake University, and a volunteer training on March 4 th and 8 th. March 15 was the Symposium, which involved staff and Commissioners Garza, Red Wing, Book, and Shields. March 27 was the Iowa Food Bank event. There were 2 staff Fair Housing Trainings, and 4 Fair Housing trainings conducted with businesses in Des Moines. Upcoming events include an April 20 ASL Conference on Social Equity, on how to make parks accessible to all. April 29 is the Fair Housing Summit at Evelyn K Davis featuring speakers from the housing track from the Symposium, and is continuing the conversation. On May 1, Barr will speak at the Iowa Home Visitors Conference, speaking on Color and the Legal System, and how that affects people who need assistance. On May 5, Barr will be a judge for the Movement 515 Poetry Slam Finals at Drake University. May 7, Barr will be presenting on what the Department does at the Progress Iowa Community Conversations at Creative Visions. Barr will also be conducting 3 Employment Discrimination Trainings. Barr spoke on the Department s efforts to bring back the history and culture of the Civil Rights History of Des Moines. Edna Griffin sat in at Katz Drugstore in 1948, and the Department is working on Edna Griffin Week with Urban Dreams for next year s 70 th anniversary of the sit in. They vision includes a social around Center Street, and dedicating the site of the sit-in to Edna Griffin and Center Street. There may also be a Block Party, but it s in early planning stages. This plan is slated for July 2018. Another hate crime session is being prepared with the DOJ regarding specifically African- Americans, Latinos, and LGBT community. It is slated for June 27, and Barr will have more information at the May meeting. Barr is involved to make it more active and engaging and make sure allies know how to engage in real life when events or situations arise. Red Wing asked who was in charge of the conversation. Barr stated it was a joint effort with the City, Des Moines

University. Red Wing was concerned there were things that needed to be brought to the table that were not allowed at the last event. Barr said it was not allowed but this time they have time to better prepare. The DOJ has its own mission to prevent hate crime. Red Wing asked if Derryck would be in town to prepare prior to the conversation. Barr said there would be time. Shield asked what date it would take place. Barr clarified it would be June 27, 5:30-8pm. Barr spoke about the Breaking Bread: Building Bridges project to bring different people to the dinner table to get to know each other, but they cannot discuss politics. It will launch this summer, and so far 70 people have signed up. Knox asked if there was open access to sign up or if it was invite only. Barr stated it was open, and that people needed to fill out the survey online. Barr has meetings with various groups in Des Moines to get different people involved. NEW BUSINESS Commissioner Retreat: Barr described the retreat as an annual meet up for Commissioners to decide focus of Commission. It is slated for May 15, 2-6 pm. Every one so far has been cleared to attend. It will tentatively be held at the Boy Scouts of America. Red Wing asked if the Executive Committee will be putting together the agenda. Barr said he would send it out and those who wanted to add to it, could. Activities: Bowser said he has been working for Knox for the past two months. Garza has been spending time with his grandson and is working with LULAC. Red Wing will be in Cabo San Lucas for 3 weeks. June 2 is the Matthew Shepard Awards Dinner, and May 8, at DMU, there will be a Civil Dialogue series, kick-off facilitated by Red Wing and Bob Vander Plaats. Knox shared that on April 15, Urban Dreams and Grubb YMCA would be holding their Easter Egg Hunt at 11 am with food and festivities. April 21, is the Clean Up 6 th Ave Corridor. He will send out flyers. Book stated that the Food Bank is undergoing renovations. Working to ensure food delivery is not disrupted. Book asked that any concerns be referred to her office. Shields has an award banquet on May 3, and in Fall there will be a civic action academy at Grand View University. Public Comment: None Announcements: None Adjourn: Knox presented motion to adjourn. Garza moved. Meeting adjourned at 5:25pm