Minutes_Human Rights Commission 5 1 19 Copyrighted
May 20, 2019
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 1.
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: Airport Commission of 4/22; City Council Proceedings of
5/6, 5/13; Civil Service Commission Minutes of
5/10; Community DevelopmentAdvisory Commission of
4/17; Human Rights Commission of 4/8, 4/25, 5/1; Transit
Advisory Board of 5/9; Zoning Advisory Commission
Minutes of 5/1/19; Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes of
5/2/19; Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings
of 4/15;
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Airport Commission Minutes of 4/3/19 Supporting Documentation
City Council Proceedings of 5/6/19 Supporting Documentation
City Council Proceedings of 5/13/19 Supporting Documentation
Civil Service Commission Minutes of 5/10/19 Supporting Documentation
Community De�lopmentAdvisory Commission Minutes Supporting Documentation
of 4/17/19
Human Rights Commissoin Minutes of 4/8/19 Supporting Documentation
Human Rights Commission Minutes of 4/25/19 Supporting Documentation
Human Rights Commission Minutes of 5/1/19 Supporting Documentation
TransitAdvisory Board Minutes of 5/9/19 Supporting Documentation
Zoning Advisory Commission Minutes of 4/17/19 Supporting Documentation
Zoning Board of Adjustrnent Minutes of 5/2/19 Supporting Documentation
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of Supporting Documentation
4/15/19
DUBUQUE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
May 1, 2019
Commissioner Allen called the special meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to
order at 4:02 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, at the City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Street,
Conference Room 1, Dubuque, lowa.
Roll Call:
Present: Anthony Allen, Chair Gerald Hammel
Nicole Borovic Jay Schiesl, Vice Chair
Adrienne Breitfelder
Absent: Miquel Jackson Erin Muenster
Kate Parks
Staff: Kelly Larson Jeremy Jensen, Assistant Police Chief
Carol Spinoso
Approve April 25, 2019 Minutes
Commissioner Borovic moved and Commissioner Schiesl seconded to approve the April 25, 2019
meeting minutes as submitted. All in favor.
Review and Approve Draft Op-ed in Response to Bias Incident
Commissioners reviewed two draft Op-eds that were submitted for consideration. Following
discussion, the Proposed Op-ed reads as follows:
The Dubuque Human Rights Commission recently held a special session to address a recent bias
incident that happened on or around 4/20/19 at Eagle Point Park. The rock area at the fish pond was
vandalized with spray paint and included statements such as "white power" and "KKK." The
Commission would like to make a strong and clear statement that racism in any form will not be
tolerated in our community! Events like this demonstrate how we are still falling short on the education
and outreach needed for Dubuque to be considered a fully inclusive community. Today more than ever
we recognize the need for this community to come together to help eradicate racism, hatred, and
bigotry. Every time we see a setback in our goals to eliminate discrimination and promote the quality of
life for every person in the city of Dubuque, we feel obliged to remind the community that we are a
resource and driver of inclusion in Dubuque. Insensitive and offensive messages that deface public
property are unacceptable and have no place in our community. Everyone should have the right to feel
safe in our community.
Incidents like this will only make the Human Rights Commission work harder to create a community free
of racism and bias. We will be identifying community partners to work with in the coming months to
consider what groups within the community we need to have dialogue with to promote inclusion. Any
member of the community with input is welcomed to contact us and be part of the solution. All of our
commission meetings are open to the public and occur on the 2^' Monday of every month at The Jule
Operations and Training Center. You can view all agendas and meeting minutes at
www.citvofdubuaue.ora/humanriahts.
Commissioner Breitfelder moved and Commissioner Borovic seconded to submit the Op-ed with the
edits as discussed to the Telegraph Herald. Roll call:
Anthony Allen Yes Gerald Hammel Yes
Nicole Borovic Yes Jay Schiesl Yes
Adrienne Breitfelder Yes
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Motion carried.
Identifv Groups/Individuals to Contact as Possible Co-siqners
Commissioners were supportive of having groups co-sign, but there was concern that having to
wait to contact groups and wait for their responses would cause a considerable delay in the
process. Consensus of the group was to send the Op-ed to the Telegraph Herald as soon as
possible.
Suggested partners to reach out to: MFC; BMC; NAACP; Dream Center; Chief's Forum; GDDC,
Main Street, City Council; Dubuque Community Y; Steeple Square; Inclusive Dubuque; Community
Foundation of Greater Dubuque; DACU; and Fountain of Youth.
It was suggested that they consider inviting those groups and anyone in the community who wants
to be part of this dialogue to a forum or panel discussion. There was discussion about possibly
linking the Race Conference or having a forum at the Juneteenth event in June. It was suggested
they create a questionnaire to aid in facilitating the event. More discussion will take place at the
May 13'h meeting when the full commission is present.
Adiournment:
Commissioner Schiesl motioned and Commissioner Borovic seconded to adjourn. All in favor. The
meeting ended at 4:45 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected:
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