Minutes_Human Rights Commission 5 14 18 Copyrighted
June 18, 2018
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 1.
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceeding of 6/4; Cable TV Commission of
6/6; Catfish Creek Watershed Management Authority of
6/6; Housing Commission of 5/22; Human Rights
Commission of 5/15, 5/21; Zoning Advisory Commission of
6/6; Zoning Board of Adjustment of 5/24; Proof of
Publication for City Council Proceedings of 5/14, 5/21.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
City Council Proceedings of 6/4/18 Supporting Documentation
Cable N Commission Minutes of 6/6/18 Supporting Documentation
Cafish Creek Watershed ManagementAuthority Supporting Documentation
Minutes of 6/6/18
Housing Commission Minutes of 5/22/18 Supporting Documentation
Human Rights Commission Minutes of 5/14/18 Supporting Documentation
Human Rights Commission Minutes of 5/21/18 Supporting Documentation
Zoning Advisory Commission Minutes of 6/6/18 Supporting Documentation
Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes of 5/24/18 Supporting Documentation
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of Supporting Documentation
5/14/18
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of Supporting Documentation
5/21/18
DUBUQUE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
May 14, 2018
Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
430 p.m. on Monday, May 14, 2018, at the City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Street, Conference Room
II, Dubuque, lowa.
Roll Call:
Present: Anthony Allen, Chair Ashley Melchert
Adrienne Breitfelder Jay Schiesl, Vice Chair
Indigo Channing Nicole Borovic
Jerry Hammel Kate Parks
Miquel Jackson
Absent:
Staff: Kelly Larson Carol Spinoso
Oath of Office
The Chair administered the oath of office to Commissioner Melchert.
Approval of Minutes:
Motion by Schiesl, seconded by Borovic to approve the meeting minutes of April 9, 2018. All in
favor. Commissioners Parks and Jackson abstained.
Reports
Caseload Report
The April 2018 caseload report was received and filed.
Chairperson Report
Commissioner Allen reported that he attended the Policy Link Equity Summit in Chicago in
April as part of a delegation sponsored by the Dubuque Community Foundation of Greater
Dubuque and expressed that the sessions/speakers were excellent.
The Juneteenth celebration is scheduled for June 16'h at Comiskey Park from 1:00 to 4:00
PM. He invited commissioners to assist with staffing the Human Rights Commission table.
Director Report:
To be submitted quarterly (next due July)
Commissioner Allen reordered the agenda to allow guests to participate in the discussion related
to a recent bias incident.
Discuss Action Reqardinq Bias Incident
Kelly stated that staff learned of a bias incident that occurred last week at a local apartment
building, where Executive Management is the property manager. Kelly stated that a flyer was
posted in areas of the building and on social media She stated that Executive Management has
responded stating it was a completely fabricated posting. They don't believe it was posted on
specific doors of tenants, and the management company has some ideas as to who may have
posted the flyer. The police are currently investigating this incident to determine whether there
would be any potential criminal charges. Depending on that investigation, there is also a potential
for a fair housing charge.
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Katrina Farren-Eller, Inclusive Dubuque Coordinator, and John Stewart, a member of the ID
Network Impact Council, were present to offer support from the Inclusive Dubuque Network.
Katrina is willing to invite representatives from the Housing Sector to meet with the Commission.
It was decided to hold a special meeting on Monday, May 21, 2018 to: 1) review a draft response
to the incident, which will be prepared in advance by Commissioners Parks, Schiesl, and Allen; 2)
host a conversation about collaborative efforts to prevent future incidents. Inclusive Dubuque
neighborhood groups (which includes representatives from NAACP Friends of Fair Housing and
the Dubuque Area Landlord Association), Housing, and the Dubuque Renter's Union will be invited
to attend; and 3) receive any investigative updates that are available from the Police.
Old Business:
No old business
New Business:
I Read Program Presentation — Hempstead Student
The student was not in attendance.
Complete Worksheets for City Council Goal Setting
An electronic copy of the worksheet will be sent to commissioners to complete prior to the
June 11'h meeting.
Discuss Replacing Commissioner Melchert Due to Absences
Commissioner Melchert was not present for this discussion. Kate moved to table this item
until the June meeting. Commissioner Channing seconded. The Chair felt strongly about
sending Commissioner Melchert a letter advising that she is in violation of the attendance
policy and informing her that she would be required to attend all scheduled Commission
meetings. The motion and second were rescinded. Commissioner Channing move to
request the Chair send a letter to Commissioner Melchert to inform her that she will need to
be present at all remaining 2018 Commission meetings, and if noncompliance, a letter will
be sent to the City Council requesting removal due to violation of the attendance policy.
Commissioner Hammel seconded. Roll call:
Allen Yes Hammel Yes
Breitfelder Yes Jackson Yes
Borovic Yes Parks Yes
Channing Yes Schiesl Yes
Motion carries.
Review Studies: GDDC Community Perception/ISU Central Avenue Corridor/
University of lowa Portrait of Poverty
Commissioner Parks moved to table until the June meeting. Commissioner Breiffelder
seconded. Commissioner Parks will prepare summaries for each of the studies for the
June meeting. Commissioner Allen suggested using those summaries to identify possible
goals for the next year. All in favor of tabling.
Standinq Items: Goals
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Goal #1: Establish sustainable and consistent equity in the DCSD to live up to the mission
and vision statement of the District.
Approve Goal #1 Subcommittee Presentation
Commissioner Schiesl stated that he and RRS met to discuss and further summarize the
presentation. They also met with Kelly to discuss the presentation and recommendations. It was
suggested that the Commission decide as to what recommended actions they would ask the City
Council to take into consideration. Kelly suggested the report be modified to reflect that the
recommendation to fill the vacant positions in the Human Rights Department have been approved.
The piece related to the poverty study could be addressed in the city council goal setting
worksheets they will be completing at the June meeting.
Commissioner Schiesl stated that the School District has also taken some action. They have
formed a committee to look into equity and diversity issues within the school district. Stan
conveyed that he felt confident that one of the recommendations from that committee would be to
hire of a full-time equity coordinator for the school district. He indicated that they have been told
that he and RRS would be invited to the next committee meeting, but to date, that has not
happened.
Commissioner Schiesl reported that they discussed ways to approach the city. Poverty reduction is
crucial to housing and education, so it was suggested that they support the ongoing efforts to
disperse Housing Choice Vouchers to reduce the concentration of low income in the downtown
schools. That would involve both the City and the School District. The NAACP is planning to
move forward in approaching the DCSD, and they talked about whether the Commission would
want to offer their support of the NAACP's recommendations. Commissioner Allen felt
collaboration between the NAACP and Human Rights was valuable.
The Chair felt strongly that Human Rights Subcommittee members be involved in the school
district committee meetings. It was suggested that the commission draft a letter to Stan Rheingans
requesting that a representative from the DHRC and NAACP be included on the Equity Committee.
Commissioner Schiesl moved that the Human Rights Commission draft a letter to the School
District requesting that a member of the Human Rights Commission be invited to be a part of their
committee dealing with equity. Commissioner Parks second. All in favor. There was also
discussion about possible involvement with the recruitment and hiring of the equity coordinator.
Goal #2: Collaborate with the Housing Commission and other partners in the City to make certain
we accomplish the following for the benefit of the community.
Commissioners Channing and Parks have been communicating to arrange a meeting to work on
the newsletter. They should be prepared to present something at next month's meeting.
Goal #3: Collaborate in the elimination of barriers in employment to reduce the poverty rate in
Dubuque.
Upcominq Events:
Commissioner Channing announced that she is working on the Proclamation for June's Pride
Month. The picnic will be held on June 3'' at Flora Park from 1130 to 5:00, and all ages are
invited.
Adiournment:
Commissioner Jackson motioned to adjourn, and Commissioner Channing seconded. All in favor.
The meeting ended at 630 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, June 11, 2018.
Minutes approved as submitted:
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Minutes approved as corrected:
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