Minutes Human Rights 6 11 01DUBUQUE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MINUTES OF
JUNE 11, 2001
Kathy Stevens called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
4:16 p.~. on Monday, June 11, 2001 in Conference Room 2 at the City Hall Annex.
Roll Call:
Present:
Raydora Drummer
Judy Giesen
Marty O'Shea
Kathy Stevens
Kathy Blau
Evelyn Jackson
Charles Ryan
Ruby Sutton
Absent: Thom Determan
Staff: Kelly Larson Carol Spinoso
Bill Blum Rachel Wand
Stacie Codr
Approval of Minutes:
Kathy Blau moved to approve the minutes of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission's May
14, 2001 meeting, Evelyn seconded. Hearing no discussion, the minutes were unanimously
approved.
Caseload Report:
Carol summarized the June Caseload Report. There were 59 intakes, 4 cases in backlog, 10
cases under active investigation, 3 cases in mediation, 3 cases in AI-J review, 2 cases in the
public hearing process, 5 cases filed, and 1 case was closed. The case synopsis for June
involves employment discrimination on the basis of sex and retaliation.
Chairperson's Report:
No report given.
Director's Report:
Kelly announced that Cindy Stei~hauser was appointed to the Assistant City Manager
position.
On May 16th Kelly staffed a booth at the North End Neighborhood Fair.
Kelly participated in the Crime Free Multi-Housing program on May 19tth. Approximately
45 people attended.
Kelly is currently working on firefighter recruitment. They will begin testing late summer or
early fall.
On May 23 Kelly attended a management team session on employee input.
Kelly traveled to Minneapolis May 29-31 to attend the Upper Midwest Employment Law
seminar.
Kelly, Thom, Nancy Van Milligen, and Kim Wadding are serving as the interim executive
board for Everyone's Neighborhood while plans are being make to get the actual board in
place. They are also working on preparing by-laws.
On June 5 & 6, Kelly attended a deparOnent manager goal setting session.
A public hearing in the Parris vs. Maro case was held June 4-6th. When the ALJ's proposed
decision is received it will be forwarded on to Commissioners.
Thom and Roger Maiers were on the KDTH Good Neighbor Show on Friday to promote the
Dubuque Dispute Resolution Center.
Kelly has three speaking engagements next week: 1) Dislocated Workers Committee,
2)West End Business Association, and Friends of the Community.
The Chamber of Commerce Leadership Dubuque Class will be sponsoring "Embrace
Dubuque Night" on June 21, from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the Dubuque Greyhound Park.
HUD will perform the Department's annual audit on Jane 28th.
Rachel Wand researched some of the issues that were raised by Maitha, a representative of
the Marshallese community, at last month's meeting. In researching the housing assistance
issue, Rachel discovered that there had been an amendment to the federal statute in
November 2000, which now makes the Marshallese eligible to apply for housing assistance.
HUD is in the process of issuing directives to local agencies.
Consider Supplemental Motion for Stay of the Final Decision in Ta~lor vs. Farmland
Kelly stated that Farmland has requested that the Commission not rule on the Motion for
Attorney Fees until a decision on the appeal is received. Kathy Blau moved to issue a stay
for attorneys' fees. Judy seconded. All in favor.
Committee Reports:
Education of the Comnu'ssion:
Marty distributed an article on the Supreme Court decision in the Casey Martin case.
He also distributed an article on the Dubuque Community School District's plan for a
parking lot at Bryant School that will cost between $650,000 to $700,000. Marty
feels that it should be more ora priority to make the schools more accessible, such as
providing additional elevators at Senior and Hempstead.
Raydora stated that the committee is talking about possibly visiting the Jewish
community sometime in the fall.
Education o£ the Community:
Judy reported that the videos should be ready to show at next month's meeting. The
last taping is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
Kathy Blau asked Commissioners to provide names/addresses of groups or
individuals that they would like to be included in the Banquet mailing list. Carol
asked that those lists be forwarded to her by the end of July.
Presentation on Immigration Statuses
Rachel Wand gave a presentation on the immigration system in the U.S., the Welfare Reform
Act, and eligibility for public assistance programs.
New Business
Ruby announced that the Juneteenth Celebration will be held at Jackson Park on Saturday,
June 16t~ from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Kathy Blau moved and Marty seconded to adjoum the meeting. All in favor. The meeting
adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected: