Minutes_Human Rights Commission 11.08.21Copyrighted
January 18, 2022
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 1.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of 1/3; Human Rights Commission of 11/8 and
12/13; Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 10/28 and 11/18; Library
Board of Trustees City Council Update of 12/16; Zoning Advisory
Commission of 1 /5; Zoning Board of Adjustment of 12/16; Proof of
publication for City Council Proceedings of 12/20; Proof of publication
for List of Claims and Summary of Revenues for Month Ended 11 /30.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
City Council Proceedings of 1/3/22 Supporting Documentation
Human Rights Commission Minutes of 11/8/21 Supporting Documentation
Human Rights Commission Minutes of 12/13/21 Supporting Documentation
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 10/28/21
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 11/18/21
Library Board of Trustees Update of 12/16/21
Zoning Advisory Commission Minutes of 1/5
Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes of 12/16/21
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of
12/20/21
Proof of Publication for List of Claims / Summary of
Revenues for Month Ended 11/30/21
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Dubuque
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi
DUBUQUE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 8, 2021
DATE: Monday, November 8, 2021
TIME: 4:30 PM
LOCATION: Ruby Sutton Building, 1157 Central Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52001
Commissioners Present: Carla Anderson (vice -chair), Pamela Birch, Michael Durnin, Mallory
Gardiner (chair), Miquel Jackson, Jake Kurczek, Kathy McCarthy, Taylor Merfeld
Commissioners Absent: Klanea Evans
Staff Present: Collins Eboh, Carol Spinoso
Commissioner Gardiner called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to
order at 4:31 p.m.
Approval of September 13, 2021 Meeting Minutes
Motion by Anderson second by Durnin to approve the meeting minutes of September 13, 2021
as submitted. All in favor.
Reports
Caseload Reports
The September and October 2021 Caseload Reports were received and filed.
Chairperson's Report
Gardiner reported that the Loras College Civil Leaders Program presented their first
equity and emotional intelligence training to outside groups, and hope to present to
other groups that have also shown interest in this training.
Interim Director's Report
On behalf of Mayor Boul, Collins presented commissioners with a token of appreciation
for their service on a city commission. Mayor Boul had also proclaimed October 18,
2021, as Boards and Commissions Recognition Day.
Collins provided updates on departmental work related to ongoing review of legislative
priorities; SRO Work Group; Municipal Career Pipeline Project; Fines & Fee Reform
Committee; and the review of the DCPRC.
Old Business:
New Business:
Standing Items — Goals 2021-2022:
Goal: To build a greater community awareness and connections to advance Human Rights in
Dubuque.
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Outreach and Advocacy Efforts — *Gardiner, Kurczek, Jackson
2. Inequities in Housing, Homelessness, and Food Access — *Anderson, McCarthy, Birch
Hollie Ohnesorge, Assisted Housing Coordinator, shared information on the housing
support available through the City of Dubuque Housing and Community Development
Department programs for those impacted by COVID. On a state level, the Iowa Finance
Authority offers assistance with COVID-19 homeowner foreclosure prevention, as well as
the Iowa Rent and Utility Assistance Program. Locally, the Coordinated Entry System is a
group of providers from the region who are prepared to answer the calls related to
homelessness, housing instability, domestic violence, and if there are funds still available,
provide rental and utility assistance. She encouraged the subcommittee to reach out to
this group for data related to homelessness as well as the local agencies that are
addressing community needs. The Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP)
provides local financial assistance to prevent eviction for non-payment of rent as well as
utility and water assistance.
Commissioners expressed concerns and frustration they received from community
members about barriers to the application process and recommended that Housing staff
review and improve the processes so that it is more equitable and accessible. There were
also concerns about landlords who evicted tenants for non-payment with the moratorium in
place. Hollie will convey these concerns to Housing staff.
Kurczek reported that the subcommittee met November 1, 2021, to discuss strategies to
address increasing inequities in housing, homelessness, and food access. The following
projects were identified: 1) educate tenants on housing responsibilities and rights; 2)
obtain information on housing assistance approvals and denials and reasons for denials
and assist the public in providing the correct information to address denial reasons; and 3)
provide residents in shelters and those visiting meal sites information on resources. The
subcommittee is proposing to partner with the Civil Leaders students at Loras College to
assist with these projects during the spring semester.
Jackson moved and Durnin seconded for the Human Rights Commission to form a
partnership with the Loras College Civil Leaders students to assist with the action items for
these projects. Roll call:
Carla Anderson
Yes
Miquel Jackson
Yes
Pam Birch
Yes
Jake Kurczek
Yes
Michael Durnin
Yes
Kathy McCarthy
Yes
Mallory Gardiner
Yes
Taylor Merfeld
Yes
Motion carried.
Criminal Justice — *Merfeld, Durnin
Durnin reported that discussion with Caprice Jones are ongoing, and that he had
attended a Real Talk session to listen to the needs of participants.
Durnin spoke to Jim Jelinske, Restorative Strategies Program Director, and he is willing
to attend a meeting to provide information on that program.
Merfeld reported that he is working to gather resources for overcoming criminal
backgrounds such as pardons or expungement.
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Adjournment:
Jackson motioned and Anderson seconded to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting ended at
5:45 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, December 13, 2021.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected:
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