Minutes_Human Rights Commission 12 8 14 CITY OF DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
December 8, 2014
Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
4:34 p.m. on Monday, December 8, 2014, at the City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Street, Conference
Room II, Dubuque, Iowa.
Roll Call:
Present: Anthony Allen, Chair Ashley Melchert
Miquel Jackson Chris Ostwinkle
Jeff Lenhart RRS Stewart
Howard Lee Susan Stone
Tom LoGuidice
Absent:
Staff: Kelly Larson Carol Spinoso
Approval of November 10, 2014 Minutes:
A correction was noted to change the word "ad" to "add" in the second sentence under Approval of
Minutes. Commissioner Stone moved to approve the meeting minutes of November 10, 2014 as
corrected. Commissioner Jackson seconded. All in favor.
Reports:
Caseload Report
The October and November 2014 Caseload Reports were received and filed.
Chairperson's Report
On Wednesday the Mayor will host the inauguration of the My Brother's Keeper Community
Challenge initiative in Dubuque.
Members of the Black Men's Coalition have established dates for The Manhood Project which
will begin in January.
Mark Dalsing and Kelly Larson provided training to members of the Community Police
Relations Committee on November 20.
Anthony is attending four days of Intercultural Competency Leadership training. He highly
recommended that commissioners attend this training.
Anthony attended a meeting of Neighbor to Neighbor, a pilot program that Manisha designed
to engage resident leaders to help build effective relationships among neighbors in their
blocks.
On Saturday, the national organization of NAACP will be organizing marches around the
nation in relation to the recent events. Members of the Dubuque Chapter of NAACP are
working on organizing a peaceful march for justice and equality issues. Details will be
forthcoming.
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Director's Report:
A written report was submitted. Kelly added that the Annual Report and source of income
recommendation will be on the December 15`h City Council agenda. She added that as
members of the Local and Regional Government Alliance on Race and Equity, the City was
asked to consider joining in an amicus brief. She is working on forwarding a recommendation
to the Council to join in the amicus brief being written on behalf of local governments in
support of upholding disparate impact law in housing.
Old Business:
Source of Income
Review Minutes from October 16`h Forum
Commissioner Stewart noted that there were questions that they provided answers to
at the Forum, but that the answers did not get captured in the minutes. She
distributed minutes with revisions that reflect the answers provided in brackets.
Commissioner Ostwinkle moved to approve the October 16,2014 as amended.
Commissioner Lenhart seconded. All in favor.
Poverty & Race Research Action Council —Laws Barring Source of Income
Discrimination
Reading material was shared for informational purposes.
One Iowa Update
Dates suggested for the One Iowa program presentation are January 14, 15, 21 or 22, 2015.
Commissioners favored an evening event due to work schedules.
New Business:
Clarify Subcommittee Process and Chairs
Kelly stated that Chairs of the various subcommittees need to communicate with Carol
regarding agenda items and keep within the timeline for submitting and sending those agenda
items. Reviewed Chairs for various subcommittees:
Goal 1 & 2: Subcommittee has completed their goals
Goal 3: Commissioner Stewart interim—Will confirm with Carol tomorrow
Goal 4: Commissioner Allen is Chair
Goal 5: Commissioner Jackson is Chair. Commissioners Melchert and Stone joined
this subcommittee.
Carol asked that Chairs provide agenda items to her the Thursday prior to the following
week's meeting.
Handouts from ICRC Symposium and Justice Disparities Summit
Commissioner Stewart provided various articles on racial impact.
Standing Items:
Review and Discuss Goals
Goal 1 & 2: Strengthen DHRC relationships as well as relationships between the community
Schedule Goal Setting Session
Commissioners will hold their goal setting session on Saturday, February 7, 2015,
from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Staff will contact Molly Menster, Art Roche and Sid Scott
to see about their availability.
Discuss Continuing Chair rotation until Goal Setting
Consensus was to discontinue the rotation.
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Goal #3: Discuss Criminal Justice procedures as they relate to racial disparities
Racial Disparities Forum Planning Subcommittee Update
The subcommittee and panelists will meet again on December 17 at 4:30 p.m. The January 7
planning subcommittee meeting is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. The Forum is scheduled for
January 28, 2015 at Clarke University. Chrissy Johnson will be scheduling the second forum
for either February 3 or 4 at the Prescott Resource Center. Commissioner Allen will confirm
forum meeting locations and times with Rachel Daack and Chrissy Johnson.
Goal #4: Education and communication regarding Housing
Goal #5: Participate in Inclusive Dubuque process
Inclusive Dubuque — Community Engagement Committee
Subcommittee members are researching resources available related to facilitation.
DBQ BBQ Subcommittee Update
Commissioner Jackson distributed the survey results from this year's BBQ. This data
will be forwarded to Inclusive Dubuque. It was requested that this data and that of the
previous year, be available to review at the goal setting session.
Consent Items:
Commissioner Ostwinkle submitted his resignation from the Commission due to job relocation.
Staff will provide the updates to the organization list at next month's meeting.
Public Input
Jerry Maro requested clarification regarding the agenda item for the City Council's December 15`h
meeting regarding source of income. It was explained that the agenda items is the Commission's
letter requesting that the Council consider their recommendation to appoint a task force. He stated
that he had data from the Housing Department that states that 56% of people renting with Section 8
Vouchers are elderly or disabled. He asked that they use the percentage instead of the term
"majority."
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Ostwinkle, second by Commissioner Stone. All in favor. The
meeting of the Human Rights Commission adjourned at 5:52 p.m.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, J uary 12, 2015 at 4:30 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected:
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