Minutes Human Rights 2 12 01DUBUQUE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MINUTES OF
FEBR UAR Y 12,2001
Kathy Blau called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at 4:16 p.m.
on Monday, February 12, 2001 in Conference Room 2 at the City Hall Annex.
Roll Call
Present:
Thom Determan, Chair
Raydora Drummer
Kathy Blau
Evelyn Jackson
Judy Giesen
Ruby Sutton
Absent: Kathy Stevens Marry O'Shea
Charles Ryan
Staff: Kelly Larson Carol Spinoso
Bill Blum
Kathy Blau announced that Thom will be delayed due to a meeting conflict.
Approval of Minutes:
Ruby moved to approve the minutes of the January 8, 2001 regular Commission meeting.
Judy seconded. Hearing no corrections, the minutes were unanimously approved.
Caseload Report:
Carol summarized the January Caseload Report. There were 43 intakes, 3 cases in
backlog, 6 cases under active investigation, 1 case in mediation, 2 cases in the public hearing
process, 2 cases filed, and 1 case was closed. The case synopsis for January involves a pregnancy
discrim'mation complaint in the area of employment.
Chairperson's Report:
Thom thanked Kelly for her driving force in putting together the January 30th "Everyone's
Neighborhood" forum. The next meeting is February 23rd at The Forum. The action groups will
discuss the four themes identified at the meeting of the 30th.
The Human Rights Department's budget heating is scheduled for February 26, 2001. The diuner
begins at 5:30 with the Department's hearing beginning at 7:45 p.m.
Thom stated that the School Board will consider adding sexual orientation and physical attributes
to the anti-haraSsment policy at their meeting tonight at 7:00 p.m.
Director ~s Report:
Kelly announced that the Parris vs. Maro public hearing is scheduled for June 4, 5, 6, 2001 at the
Library.
Oral arguments in the Taylor vs. Farmland case will be presented March 26, 2001 at 4:00 p.m. in
Conference Room 2 at the City Hall Annex. Kathy Blau asked that the process be reviewed and
discussed at the March 12th meeting.
On January 26th Kelly met with counselors at vocational rehabilitation to discuss the Americans
With Disabilities Act.
On January 30,' 2001 there was a good turnout for Everyone's NeigJaborhood. The planning group
did compile a letter and summary that was sent out to all of the participants. The next meeting,
scheduled for February 23, 2001 at 8:00 a.m. at The Forum, will be to create task forces to
address the four areas identified. Kelly has also written an article regarding this effort for the
next issue of Julien's Journal.
Staff is currently planning the next landlord/realtor fair housing conference to be held in
September, on either the 12th or 13th.
As part ora planning committee, Kelly met with representatives from Workforce Development,
Voc Rehab, Eider Affairs, Refuge Services, TH, Chamber of Commerce, NICC and Clarke
College, to plan an employer conference and job fair for this fall. The focus will be on
connecting employers to employees with disabilities, employees who are older workers, and
employees with English as a second language.
A representativ~ from Tire John Marshall Law School will be in Dubuque in March to update the
Analysis of Impediments. They are also working on developing fair housing videos, and a fair
housing website for the Department.
Kelly reminded Commissioners of the Department's budget hearing on February 26th at 7:45
p.m.
Kelly extended an invitation to Commissioners to attend an open forum where Carlos Macias,
who is an outreach coordinator for the Iowa Department of Public Health, will speak on diversity
issu~ on Thursday, February 15'h at 1:00 p.m. at the VNA. This event is sponsored by the VNA
and the Iowa Department of Public Health.
Kelly will be speaking to the Women's Management Alliance on Tuesday.
Kelly asked if a Commission member would be interested in speaking to the Psychology of
Human Relations class at NICC on April 23rd The topic is diversity in the workplace and in the
community.
Committee Reports:
Education of the Commission:
Raydorh reported that Sr. Jeannette will speak about the needs of the Hispanic
community at the March 12th Conmfission meeting. Sr. Jeannette is plaaning to bring a
member of the Hispanic community to tell of their experiences.
John Henos will talk about the Marshall Islands at the May 14th meeting.
Raydora stated that the committee is also exploring religious diversity. She talked with
members of the Jewish community and was informed that on March 30th they are having
a visitor's night, and invited the Commission to attend. They are also willing to make
arrangements for another fane if that date doesn't work out. Raydora asked
Commissioners for their thoug~hts. This goal will be discussed further at the March 12th
meeting.
Education of the Community:
Kelly stated that Roxanne Williams has contacted her regarding goal # 3, "Facilitating
ethnic task forces for the purpose of soliciting information from their communities and
supporting their leadership in the community." She indicated that she would be interested
in working with the commission on this goal, and would be willing to gather information
from the African American community. Kelly will have Roxanne contact Marty to
further discuss this goal.
Kathy Blau and Thom had met to further discuss details for the Human Rights Banquet.
They have tentatively set it for Wednesday, September 19th at the Holiday lan Five-Flags.
As a possible speaker, they talked about someone from the business community, with the
idea of promoting the human rights theme. Kathy asked Commissioners if they had any
ideas for speakers. Judy suggested Dick White, a former Deere executive, and Bill
suggested the Lt. Governor.
Raydora circulated a sheet for Commissioners to list civic groups and organizations to
contact for speak'mg engagements.
Judy stated that she and Kelly are working on developing some Human Rights
promotional videos to be shown on cable and possibly Channel 40. Their first proposal is
to further the idea of friendliness and hospitality in Dubuque, and the second is to
promote consideration for people with disabilities. Judy asked for any comments or
suggestions. Commissioners concurred that these were great ideas. Judy asked for
recommendations for people to appear in the videos.
Evelyn reported that the presentation on subtle discrimination and white privilege that she
and Marty are plaaning will not be held in February due to time limkations. Evelyn
would like to expand the topics to include women, minority childrenl aged, social
economic classes, predatory lending, and political refugees. Evelyn would like to tie this
meeting into the diversity meeting that was held on the 30th, to give it more publicity so
that more people attend.
New Business:
No new business.
Ruby moved to adjourn the meeting and Evelyn seconded. All in favor. The meeting adjourned
at 5:15 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected: