Minutes Human Rights 4 9 01DUBUQUE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MINUTES OF
APRIL 9, 2001
Thom called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at 4:15p.m.
on Monday, April 9, 2001 in Conference Room 2 at the City Hall Annex.
Roll Call:
Present:
Kathy Blau
EvelynJackson
Ruby Sutton
Charles Ryan
Thom Determan
Marry O'Shea
Raydora Drummer
Kathy Stevens
Absent: Judy Giesen
Staff: Kelly Larson
Bill Blum
Carol Spinoso
Approval of Minutes:
Kathy Stevens moved to approve the minutes of the Dubuque Human Rights
Commission's March 12 and March 26, 2001, meetings, Chuck seconded. Marry asked
the Legal Department to prepare an opinion regarding term limitations for officers (sec.
27-19). Bill will prepare an opinion for next month's meeting. Hearing no further
discussion, the m'mutes were un~nimously approved.
Caseload Report:
Carol summarized the March Caseload Report. There were 41 intakes, 6 cases in
backlog, 6 cases under active investigation, 3 cases in mediation, 0 cases in ALJ~review,
2 cases in the public hearing process, 3 cases filed, and 1 case closed. The case synopsis
for March involves pregnancy discrimination in the area of employment.
Chairperson's Report:
Thom reported that he continues to work on the Everyone's Neighborhood initiative that
began in January. There are three working committees: Welcoming, Community
Education, and Workforce Recruitment and Retention. Thom invited commissioners to
attend the next meeting on April 27t~ at 8:30 a.m. in the Boardroom at FinleY Hospital.
Thom is also continuing to work with DACU and St. Mark's in presenting more youth
diversity training.
Director's Report:
Kelly reminded commissioners that City Expo is Tuesday, April 17th from 5:00 p.m. -
8:00 p.m, Kelly asked for volunteers to help staff the Human Rights booth.
Kelly am~oUnced that Stephen Bloom, the author of"Postville: A Clash of Two
Cultures" will be speaking at the Library at 7:00 p.m. tonight.
HUD training is going to be held in Chicago, September 25-28, 2001. Kelly asked
commissioners to start thinking about attending.
Kelly relayed that included in their packets is information on additional training sessions
- one in Waterloo, and two in Des Moines. Kelly asked commissioners to review the
information provided and let staffknow if they are interested in attending.
Kelly will be speaking to the Leadership Dubuque class on April 20, and will be speaking
to two Psychology of Human Relations classes on April 23 at NICC.
Kelly will be staffing a booth at the volunteer fair at the Mall for the DDRC on April 21s~.
Crime Free Multihousing is scheduled for May 19t~.
The summer intern will be starting on May 7®.
A speaker has been lined up for the September Fair Housing Conference that staffis
plann/ng.
Kelly has been working with Vocational Rehab in planning the Undiscovered Resources
Job Fair and Employer Conference to be held sometime in October.
Review Taylor vs. Farmland Decision:
There was a motion by Kathy Blau and second by Chuck to approve the decision in
DHRC #3849, Taylor vs. Farmland Foods case. Thom opened the floor for discussion.
The following amendments were proposed:
#13: "There was testimony from several witnesses that Taylor's supervisor was yelling in
his face, monitoring restroom breaks, and not allowing Taylor tn go home early while
white co-workers with less seniority were pe~m'2te~ tc ~c-so treated differently.
Commissioners agreed with the suggestion."
#14: "Although Taylor complained to management on several occasions concerning the
racially abuse work environment, the company took no remedial action to rectify the
harassment. There was sufficient ewdence
discriminatory ridicule, intimidation and insults in the workplace." Commissioners
agreed.
Kathy Stevens moved to approve the amendments to the decision, and Chuck seconded.
No fm~er discussion. All in favor.
Raydora moved to adopt the Taylor vs. Farmland Foods decision as amended, Kathy
seconded. No further discussion. Roll call vote:
Thom Yes Kathy Blau Yes
Marty Yes Raydora Yes
Evelyn Yes Kathy S. Yes
Chuck Yes Ruby Yes
The motion carries. The Commission adopted the Taylor vs. Farmland Foods Decision
as amended.
Policy on Commission Initiated Complaints:
· Kelly recently received a phone call from a citizen who was concerned about a local
business not being accessible. This individual, however, was unwilling to file a
complaint with the Department. Kelly reminded commissioners that they have authority
to pursue commission-initiated complaints. Kelly asked commissioners so consider
whether they would like to recommend to the City Council that the commission pursue
this type of complaint.
Kathy B. said that it would be helpful for her to know how other commissions handle this
- type of situation.
Kathy S. moved to have staff pursue the initiative by keeping records and compiling
comparative data from other commissions. Marty seconded. All in favor.
Comm~ee Reports:
Education of the Commission:
Raydora reminded commissioners that John Hanos, from the Marshall Islands,
will speak about the h/story and culture of the Marshallese at the May meeting.
Education of the C°mmunitvi
Service Learning Pro[ect
Cassie Sloan, a student from Loras, highlighted activities from a diversity program she
put together for elementary-aged students. Cassie presented the program to the
kindergarten through second grade students at Prescott School. The program will be
available in the Department if anyone is interested in presenting it.
Commissioner Appointment to DCAP
Thom stated that his term on DCAP is expiring, therefore, they need to appoint another
commissioner to serve. The group meets four times a yeat' in the evening. Thom asked
commissioners to think about serving, and instructed staffto include this as an agenda
item for next month's agenda.
New Business
Evelyn was invited to Table Mound to give a presentation on the history of African-
Americans in Iowa.
Ruby moved to adjourn the meeting and Chuck seconded. All in favor. The meeting
adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
MinuTes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected: