Minutes_Human Rights Commission 5 21 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 21, 2018
Commissioner Allen called the special meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to
order at 432 p.m. on Monday, May 21, 2018, at the McCarthy Center, 700 Locust Street,
Dubuque, lowa.
Roll Call:
Present: Anthony Allen, Chair Ashley Melchert
Nicole Borovic Jay Schiesl, Vice Chair
Indigo Channing Kate Parks
Jerry Hammel
Miquel Jackson
Absent: Adrienne Breitfelder
Staff: Kelly Larson Carol Spinoso
Taj Suleyman
Also present were representatives from the Inclusive Dubuque Peer Learning Council, NAACP
Friends of Fair Housing, 4 The People, Dubuque Community Y, Dubuque Landlord's Association,
and the Dubuque Renter's Union.
This meeting was called to review draft responses to a recent hate/bias incident, and to have a
conversation about collaborative efforts to prevent future incidents.
Commissioner's Schiesl and Allen read prepared statements. There was consensus to use the
second draft which read:
"The Dubuque Human Rights Commission was notified of an incident involving a letter containing
racist material that was posted in an apartment complex and also made public via social media.
The incident is currently being investigated by the Dubuque Police Department. Without speaking
with the person who wrote this letter, we are not certain of the motives of the author and we can
only make assumptions about their reasoning for writing such a letter. We also know that the
author's intent of this letter can be viewed differently by all people. However, the one thing we can
conclude is that the intent of the person who wrote this letter was to project racism against
minorities and Black people. In addition, the letter was written in such a way that it made a local
property management firm appear that they were racist and discriminatory against Black people
and minorities. Communication with words that are used to convey a message of intimidation, to
imply power over a race of people and minorities, and to say Black people and minorities are not
welcome is hateful, hurtful, and harmful to our community and will not be tolerated in Dubuque.
The Human Rights Commission is deeply saddened by this message of intolerance and hate in our
community. While the city continues to project an image of diversity and tolerance, events such as
this remind us that racism still exists in our community and we still have much work to be done.
There is a concern that the context of the letter may be signaling a larger issue related to housing
discrimination against people of color and we look forward to finding out the results of the police
investigation so that we know how to move forward in addressing this. Regardless, residents of
Dubuque should be aware that if they are facing discrimination, there are a number of resources
and services available that can help. These include: Human Right Department, lowa Legal Aide,
and the Dubuque Housing Department. The Human Rights Department also has a number of
resources available on their website explaining fair housing laws and renters' rights.
http://www.cityofdu buque.o rg/Docu me ntCenter/View/1857/H u ma n-R ig hts-Gene ra I-Broch ure
http://www.cityofdu buque.o rg/Docu me ntCenter/View/536/Fai r-Housi ng-Fact-S heet
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http://www.citvofdubuaue.orq/DocumentCenter/View/135/LANDLORD RESPONSIBILITIES"
It was suggested that the Dubuque Renter's Union and NAACP Friends of Fair Housing be added
as resources. Commissioner Channing moved to approve the second draft submitted as corrected
to add the Dubuque Renter's Union and NAACP Friends of Fair Housing as resources. Seconded
by Borovic. Roll call:
Allen Yes Hammel Yes
Borovic Yes Melchert Yes
Channing Yes Parks Yes
Jackson Yes Schiesl Yes
Motion carries.
Conversation was held on possible collaborative efforts to prevent future incidents. The Chair felt
the Commission should take the lead in educating the community, and suggested they organize a
public forum focused on racism and possibly economic opportunity. The groups in attendance
were interested in working in partnership to plan a public event.
Katrina stated that Inclusive Dubuque has groups that offer on-going learning opportunities to help
examine our own implicit biases and to understand and develop key language around diversity,
inclusion and equity efforts, and anyone is invited to attend these meetings.
The Chair stated that the Commission will take the lead in putting together a plan and will reach
out to those groups that have indicated an interest in participating in the planning process.
Adiournment:
Commissioner Schiesl motioned to adjourn, and Commissioner Jackson seconded. All in favor.
The meeting ended at 525 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, June 11, 2018.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected:
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