Human Rights Commission

Meetings

  • Meets on an as-needed basis, in the council chambers, located in the Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library.

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

View most recent agendas and minutes

Members

The City of Ankeny Human Rights Commission consists of five members who serve three-year staggered terms. Members must be Ankeny residents. Appointments shall take into consideration the various racial, religious, cultural, and social groups and geographical areas within the City insofar as may be practicable and promote goodwill to minimize or eliminate discriminatory practices.

  • Aubrey Alvarez
    Appointed: Jan. 18, 2022
    Term Expires: Dec. 31, 2024
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  • Dustin Graber
    Appointed: Dec. 19, 2022
    Term Expires: Dec. 31, 2024
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  • Lindsay Norland
    Appointed: Jan. 18, 2022
    Term Expires: Dec. 31, 2024
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  • Tim Olson - Chair
    Appointed: Jan. 18, 2022
    Term Expires: Dec. 31, 2024
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  • Laura Parkinson
    Appointed: Jan. 18, 2022
    Term Expires: Dec. 31, 2025
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Purpose Statement

The Ankeny Human Rights Commission promotes a public policy of nondiscrimination and strives to protect individual dignity through its three main guiding principles:

  • Inform the community about ways to sponsor a culture of respect for others and highlight important issues in human rights in our community
  • Advocate and develop strategies to raise awareness for human rights issues within our community
  • Connect individuals and organizations to each other in order to promote collaboration on relevant human rights issues in our community

Vision Statement

The Ankeny Human Rights Commission will champion a culture of dignity by promoting values built on principles of democracy, belonging, and mutual respect for all.

About

Former Mayor Gary Lorenz signed a proclamation on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020 declaring Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, Human Rights Day. We celebrate the ideals of our founders and reaffirm the belief that freedom is the right of all mankind. View the proclamation (PDF).

The City has established a nonjudicial Human Rights Commission consistent with the Iowa Civil Rights Act:

  • To recognize the authority of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission and foster the use of its procedures and programs
  • To proclaim a public policy of nondiscrimination by securing freedom from discriminatory practices, protecting individual dignity, ensuring their full productive capacities, preserving the public safety, health, and general welfare, and promoting the interests, rights, and privileges of individual citizens within the City.

View Ordinance 2025 (PDF), which added Chapter 31: Human Rights Commission to the city code.