Draft Minutes

Linn County Democratic Central Committee

September 27, 2017 – 7:00 pm

Officers Present: Bret Nilles, Valerie Smith, Sam Gray. Sarah Stutler, Laura Geary Bell, Michael McGree, Diane Peterson

Actions taken at the September 27, 2017, meeting:

  1. A motion for Linn County Democrats to donate $100 to DREAM Iowa was moved, seconded, and passed on a voice vote
  2. Motion to approve the Draft Minutes of the August 23 2017, meeting of the Linn County Democratic Central Committee as amended was moved, seconded, and carried on a voice vote.
  3. Resignations of Anthony Brown, Andrew Leonard, Brent Oleson, James Pierce, and Stacey Walker were approved by the Central Committee
  4. Stephanie Mustermann-Scribben (CR43), Ashley Vanorny (Alternate, CR38), Brent Oleson (Alternate, MR05) were elected to the Central Committee.
  5. Neil Anderson and Lindsey Elickson were elected as Representative to Iowa 1st Congressional District Central Committee.
  6. Motion to approve the August 2017 Treasurer’s Report was moved, seconded, and carried on a voice vote.
  7. A motion to write a letter to President Donald Trump and Congressman Rod Blum urging the immediate lifting of the Jones Act and proving assistance to Puerto Rice was moved, seconded, and passed on a voice vote.
  1. Call to Order
  2. A regular monthly meeting of the Linn County Democratic Central Committee was held on September 27, 2017, at the Hiawatha Community Center in Hiawatha, Iowa. Chair Bret Nilles called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM, and Michael McGree, Recording Secretary, was present. A quorum was present.
  3. Pledge of Allegiance
  4. Chair Bret Nilles led the Central Committee in a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
  5. Recognition of Guests, Elected Officials, and Candidates
  6. Chair Bret Nilles welcomed guests and first-time visitors to the meeting.
  7. Mr. Nilles welcomed elected officials to the meeting
  8. Linn County Supervisors Jim Houser, Ben Rogers, and Stacey Walker
  9. Iowa State Senator Rob Hogg
  10. Mr. Nlles welcomed candidates for elective office to the meeting.
  11. Governor
  12. Cathy Glasson, Fred Hubbell
  13. Statehouse
  14. Eric Gjede, Molly Donahue, Scott Foens
  15. Cedar Rapids City Council
  16. Damian Epps, Dale Todd, Ashley Vanorny
  17. Gubernatorial candidates Cathy Glasson and Fred Hubbel spoke about their campaigns and vision for Iowa.
  18. City Council candidates Damian Epps, Dale Todd, and Ashley Vanorny spoke about their campaigns and vision for Cedar Rapids.
  19. House candidate update
  20. Eric GjerdeScott Foen, and andMolly (68)) – 32:00
  21. Guest Speaker – Lisa Munoz – DACA, Professor at HCC and Cedar Valley Advocates for Immigrant and Refugee Rights 39:50
  22. Lisa Munoz, Associate Professor at Hawkeye Community College and Founding Member of Cedar Valley Advocates for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, addressed the assembly on consequence of recent actions regarding possible termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. She spoke about immigration generally, demographics of undocumented immigrants, and mixed status families.
  23. Ms. Munoz introduced individuals who spoke on how the recent action regarding DACA has personally affected them and their families.
  24. A motion for Linn County Democrats to donate $100 to DREAM Iowa was moved, seconded, and passed on a voice vote. DREAM Iowa was named as the preferred immigrant advocacy group to which Linn County Democrats should donate.
  25. Secretary’s Report: Co-Secretaries Laura Geary Bell and Michael Mcgree
  26. Alternates
  27. The following Alternate Committeepersons were seated:
  28. Eric Gjerde (CR05); Diane Petersen (CR11); Scott Roland (CR12); Chris Dahle (CR13); Helane Golden (CR14); Julie Shaw (CR18); Tom Fller (CR19); Sara Riley (CR25); Stacey Walker (CR34); Dianne Kamp (MR04); Beverly Philpot (MR07); Frank Reynolds (MR09); Kimberly McDaniel (MR13); Pamela Agan (TBOU); Carolyn Roseberry (TGRA)
  29. Approval of Minutes
  30. After discussion, a motion to approve the Draft Minutes of the August 23, 2017 Meeting of Linn County Democratic Central Committee was moved, seconded, and passed on a voice vote.
  31. Resignations/Nominations
  32. The following Committeeperson tendered their resignations, which were subsequently accepted by the Assembly:
  33. Anthony Brown, Andrew Leonard, Brent Oleson, James Pierce,
    Stacey Walker
  34. Nominations
  35. The following individuals were nominated to the Central Committee:
  36. Stephanie Mustermann-Scribben (Committeeperson, CR43)
  37. Ashley Vanorny (Alternate Committeeperson, CR38)
  38. Brent Oleson(Alternate Commiteeperson, MR05)
  39. 1st District Central Committee Vacancies
  40. Special elections were held to fill two (2) vacancies for Representative to the 1st District Democratic Central Committee to fill seats of Norm Sterzenbach and Sunny Story. The following individual were individually elected as Representative by voice vote:
  41. Lindsey Ellickson (filled seat vacated by Sunny Story)
  42. Neil Anderson (filled seat vacated by Norm Sterzenbach)
  43. Financial Secretary’s Report: Financial Secretary Sarah Stutler
  44. Ms. Stutler reported on the successful Dem Good Wine Testing fundraiser. Approximately $1,875 in funds were raise for Linn County Democrats.
  45. Ms. Stutler reported on continuing preparation for the Hall of Fame dinner to take pace the evening of 10/21.
  46. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Diane Peterson
  47. Approval of monthly report
  48. Ms. Petersen presented the August 2017 Treasurer’s report. After brief discussion, approval of the report was moved, seconded, and carried on a voice vote.
  49. Pass the hat
  50. The Pass the Hat fundraising activity raised $356.
  51. Resignation announcement
  52. Ms. Peterson announced that she will be vacating her position of Linn County Treasurer effective January 2018. The Chair and the Central Committee thanks Ms. Peterson for her dedicated service.
  53. Committee Updates
  54. Affirmative Action Committee
  55. No formal report was given. Mr. Nilles announced that Joy Mincey-Powell’s recovery is proceeding and she may be returning to her position as Affirmative Action Committee Chair shortly.
  56. Disability Caucus: Caucus Chair Catherine Crist Reporting
  57. Ms. Crist reported on the upcoming Accessibility, Outreach, & Inclusion Conference scheduled
  58. Highlights will include an address via skype by Sen. Tom Harkin, presentation by Disability Rights Iowa, and a Governors Candidate Forum.
  59. More information can be found on the state Disability Caucus website at
  60. Disability Caucus meets on the 4th Wednesday of each monh from 5:30 – 6:30 PM (immediately prior to the Central Committee meeting) at the Hiawatha Community Center (101 Emmons Street).
  61. Stonewall Caucus: Caucus Chair Harvey Ross reporting
  62. Mr. Ross reported no new announcements from Stonewall Caucus.
  63. Stonewall Caucus meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month in the Market Grille from 6:30 – 8:00 PM at the Mount Vernon Road Hy-Vee (4035 Mt Vernon Rd SE, Cedar Rapids).
  64. Labor Caucus: Caucus Chair Mike Olson reporting
  65. Mr. Olson reported on the newly form Linn County Democrats Labor Caucus, underscoring the mission to educate Democrats and the general public about labor issues
  66. New Business/Announcements
  67. Committee Members reported updates for various upcoming events of advocacy and political groups in Linn County.
  68. Bernard Clayton moved that Linn County Democrats write a letter to President Donald Trump regarding providing assistance to Puerto Rico
  69. After discussion, a motion to write a letter to President Donald Trump and Congressman Rod Blum urging the immediate lifting of the Jones Act and proving assistance to Puerto Rice was moved, seconded, and passed on a voice vote.
  70. Old Business
  71. No old business was discussed.
  72. 2018 Caucus Breakout by IA House District
  73. Bret Nilles outlined the importance of the Caucuses in 2018. The caucuses select delegates to conventions; these delegates may play a pivotal role in selecting nominees for national elective offices considering the number of gubernatorial and Congressional candidates.
  74. The Assembly broke out into groups representing various Iowa House Districts within Linn County to plan for location and discuss other logistic of operating Caucuses.
  75. Adjournment
  76. The meeting adjourned at 8:57 PM.