Minutes_Human Rights Commission 3 22 12CITY OF DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
March 22, 2012
Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at 4:43
p.m. on Thursday, March 22, 2012, at the City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Street, Conference Room II
Dubuque, Iowa.
Roll Call:
Present: Anthony Allen, Chair Mitzi Krey
Andrea Beacham RRS Stewart
Mike Elliott
Absent: Kurt Hansen Miguel Jackson
Regine Ronek Judie Root
Staff:
Carol Spinoso Kelly Larson
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Elliott moved to approve the Human Rights Commission meeting minutes of January
9, 2012. Commissioner Stewart seconded. All in favor of approving the meeting minutes as
submitted.
Reports
Caseload Report
Written monthly reports for January and February 2012 were submitted.
Chairperson's Report
Commissioner Allen commented that he felt the training that Kelly presented to DCAP members was
very beneficial. The group will now put together an educational piece to get the community more
engaged with DCAP.
Commissioner Allen stated that DDRC mediators met with Molly Menster to discuss planning of the
May 1, 2012 focus group they are organizing to get individuals engaged in community mediation. The
group will provide diverse perspectives about the current community mediation services provided by
the City.
The Safe Community Advisory Commission is working with the Golden View, Advertiser, and
Dubuque365 to publish a series entitled "I'm a Dubuquer."
The Chair announced that Taste of the World will be held Saturday, March 31 from 11:30 to 2:00
p.m. at Five Flags, and that ICC training is being offered to boards and commission members once
again April 9 and 23. He encouraged attendance to those who haven't attended.
Director's Report
Written Director Reports submitted for February. Kelly added that she will begin recruiting for an
AmeriCorps VISTA member. This person will be continuing the work of VISTA Mary Bridget Corken,
who has been working to establish a better system for the use of volunteers in the community. Kelly
distributed information on the Community Gardening Project, and communication from Jeff Fischer
who works for the Iowa Immigration Education Organization related to a project entitled "Welcoming
Iowa." The group wants to create a more welcoming atmosphere in Iowa communities by bridging
the gap between US -bom and foreign -born residents He is asking us to identify grass roots
connections in the community who would adopt the `Welcoming" initiatives Kelly referred him to the
Presentation Lantern Center, the Community Foundation, and the Sisters who put up the welcoming
billboards Commissioner Allen asked Commissioners to review the communication and asked that
this item be included as an agenda item for next month's meeting
Old Business
Review and discuss current goals and collaborations
Goal #1 Increase opportunities for citizen dialogue and education around human nghts
issues Commissioners Hansen, Elliott, Jackson, Allen and Krey are on this subcommittee
Goal #2 Improve HRC quality Commissioners Hansen, Root, Ronek and Allen
Goal #3 Improve tenantilandlord communication Commissioners Root and Stewart It was
suggested as an initiative to partner with the Safe Community Advisory Committee Kelly
stated that the Landlord Association had contacted her inquinng about the creation of the
Tenant Association and that she informed them that it is a Commission goal for 2012 It was
suggested to invite Joe Knoll to participate in this initiative
Goal #4 Decrease incidents of bullying and violence Commissioners Beacham, Stewart and
Allen Commissioner Stewart liked the idea of holding a public forum once a year in the
summer Suggestions included the Third Way training event that the DDRC is discussing, or
Getting to Yes, or maybe partnering with PFLAG and the GLBT community Kelly suggested
contacting Ben Bartels at the UD as he is doing peer mediation with students and may be
willing to be part of the subcommittee in helping to put together a forum The committee will
meet at 1 00 p m Saturday, March 24 at Jitterz to begin planning
Goal #5 Help promote the NAACP Commissioners Elliott, Root and Krey Commissioner
Krey stated that they need volunteers to help with three events they are planning for this
summer, and that they also need assistance with the NAACP newsletter The committee will
meet April 9 at 3 30 p m at Jitterz
Commissioner Allen will contact subcommittee members involved with goal #1 and #2 to arrange
meetings He will also make contact with Commissioners Root and Ronek regarding their
commitment to serving on the subcommittees they signed up for Kelly recommended reaching
outside the commission to recruit subcommittee members to help A suggestion was made to contact
current HR applicants to see if they would be interested in serving on subcommittees Remember to
notify Carol when meetings are scheduled so she can send public meeting notices
New Business
Commissioner Elliott reported some incidents of racial discnmination at Washington Middle School
The incidents were reports but continue He asked if staff could possibly provide training to school
staff It was suggested to send a letter to the school distnct offenng their staff ICC training that the
City plans regularly Commissioner Stewart suggested sending a letter directly to each school along
with the press releases for Train- the - Trainer training and the ICC training, inviting them to send staff
to these training sessions Subcommittee members will draft a letter when they meet Saturday
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Stewart and second by Commissioner Elliott All in favor The
meeting of the Human Rights Commission adjourned at 5 50 PM
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, Ap it 9, 2012
tJ
Minutes approved as corrected
Minutes approved as submitted