Minutes Human Rights 9 10 01DUBUQUE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MINUTES OF
SEPTEMBER lO,
Thom Determan called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order
at 4:15 p.m. on Monday, September 10, 2001 in Conference Room 2 at the City Hall
Annex.
Roll Call:
Present:
Kathy Blau
Judy Giesen
Kathy Stevens
Raydora Drummer
Marty O'Shea
Staff: Kelly Larson
Bill Blum
Thom Determan
Evelyn Jackson
Ruby Sutton
Chuck Ryan
Carol Spinoso
Approval of Minutes:
Kathy Stevens moved to approve the minutes of the August 13, 2001 Human Rights
Commission meeting. Marty seconded. Headng no discussion, the minutes were
unanimously approved.
Caseload Report:
Carol summarized the August Caseload Report. There were 58 intakes, 2 cases in
backlog, 6 cases under active investigation, 1 case in mediation, 2 cases in ALJ review,
I case in administrative review, 2 cases in the public hearing process, 4 cases filed, and
5 cases were closed.
Chairperson's Report:
The NAACP and the Diversity Celebrations Committee have finalized the speaker for the
Martin Luther King Weekend on January 20 and 21, 2001.
Director's ReporL
Kelly reminded commissioners that they have until September 19 to either accept, reject,
or modify the ALJ's proposed decision in the Parris vs. Maro case. The ordinance states
that the review of the order must be completed 30 days after the order is issued. If they
do not take action by that date, the decision will automatically become final.
Staff has been working on the Fair Housing Conference scheduled for Thursday. Over
60 people have registered to attend.
The deadline for registering for the Human Rights Banquet is September 12th. Currently
there are 34 people registered.
Kelly, Kim Walsh, and Krista Weitz approached Dick Landis about serving as chair of
Faces & Voices 2002, and he agreed. They continue to search for a co-chair.
Kathy Stevens asked that the Faces & Voices planning committee inform the Dubuque
Fine Arts Society when a time-line is worked out. She also asked that the Dubuque Fine
Arts Society's logo appear on anything that is sent out.
Kelly stated that Roxanne Williams had contacted representatives of the African
American Cultural Museum in Cedar Rapids and they have agreed to bring their
traveling exhibit to Dubuque for Faces & Voices next November.
Kelly reminded commissioners that their reflection statements need to be submitted to
the office as soon as possible.
Kelly stated that she will not be attending the October meeting.
Discuss Tactical Plan
Thom asked for suggestions on how to proceed through the goals. Commissioners
stated that they needed time to review the document before they proceed. Kathy S.
moved to dedicate the regular October 8th meeting to the completion of the tactical plan.
Judy seconded.
Judy questioned the need for a facilitator. Thom was asked to develop a process on
how to proceed and he will forward it to commissioners for comments prior to the
meeting. No further discussion. The commissioners were all in favor of Kathy's motion.
Recommendation on HUD Contract Funds
Kelly explained that there is a new portion of the HUD contract this year called the
Partnership Initiative (PI). This PI gives the option of applying for the following funds in
four different categories: 1) $11,000 for testing; 2) $5,000 for novel and complex cases;
3) $5,000 for outreach and education; 4) $20,000 for enforcement projects. The PI is
designed to allow staff to contract with other agencies and other public and pdvate
entities to carry out the initiatives. Kelly asked commissioners to consider the proposal
she outlined and then make a recommendation regarding these funds.
Thom moved that the Human Rights Commission request HUD Partnership Initiative
funds in 2001- 2002 in the following categories: 1) testing; 2) novel and complex cases;
3) outreach and education; 4) enforcement projects. And further authorizes this request
be taken to the City Council on September 17th for their conceptual approval. Pending
Council's approval, the commission directs staff to prepare a detailed proposal for City
Council review and approval at their October 1 meeting. Judy seconded.
Kathy S. proposed an amendment to request all four categories at the maximum funding
levels. 1) $11,000 for testing; 2) $5,000 for novel and complex cases; 3) $5,000 for
outreach and education; 4) $20,000 for enforcement projects. Evelyn seconded.
Kathy Blau moved to vote on the amendment. Ruby seconded. All in favor.
The commission voted unanimously in favor of Kathy's amendment.
Kathy S. moved to vote on the odginal motion as amended. Ruby seconded. All in
favor.
The commission voted unanimously in favor of Thom's original motion as amended.
New Business
Marry voiced concern about the September 19~ deadline for responding to the ALJ's
proposed decision. There wasn't a lot of time to review case documents prior to the 19~h.
it was suggested that a special meeting be scheduled so the commission can take
action on the proposed decision.
Kathy B. moved to schedule a special meeting on September 17~ at 4:00 p.m. to
consider the ALJ' proposed decision in the Pards vs. Maro case. Marry seconded. All
in favor.
Kathy S. moved and Kathy Blau seconded to adjourn the meeting, All in favor. The
meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected: