Minutes_Human Rights Commission 1 12 15 CITY OF DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
January 12, 2015
Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
4:37 p.m. on Monday, January 12, 2015, at the City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Street, Conference Room
II, Dubuque, Iowa.
Roll Call:
Present: Anthony Allen, Chair Nikkole Nutter
Miquel Jackson Shirley Vaughn
Jeff Lenhart
Tom LoGuidice
Absent: Fred Davis Susan Stone
Ashley Melchert
Staff: Kelly Larson Carol Spinoso
Oath of Office
The Chair administered the Oath of Office to newly appointed commissioners.
Reflections
Commissioner LoGuidice distributed flyers and registration forms for the January 19`h MLK Breakfast
and stated that the early registration fee of$20 is due today. Late registrations will be accepted at
$25 per person. He commended Manisha for her organization in the faces & voices group and in
obtaining a speaker for this event.
Commissioner Lenhart reported that Leon Logothetis, the author of The Kindness Diaries, and film
maker, will be in Dubuque next week for a book signing at the Grand River Center.
Approval of December 8, 2014 Minutes:
Commissioner LoGuidice moved to approve the Human Rights Commission meeting minutes of
December 8, 2014. Commissioner Lenhart seconded. All in favor of approving the meeting minutes
as submitted.
Reports:
Caseload Report
The December 2014 Caseload Report was received and filed.
Chairperson's Report
The Dubuque Chapter of the NAACP had organized a march for justice and equality issues
on Saturday, December 13`h. The speakers were fabulous, the weather cooperated and
despite the short turn-around for planning, it was estimated that 130 people participated. At
the end of the program, initiatives were identified and work on those initiatives began this
month.
The NAACP will be working with the Dream Center and the My Brother's Keeper initiate. The
Dubuque Independent Football League has connected with the Dream Center and will be
looking for opportunities for youth in the Washington Neighborhood area. The NAACP is in
the process of completing appointments to the cabinet and the board, and membership has
been increasing.
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The Black Men's Coalition (BMC) is collaborating with the NAACP to take twenty of the young
men from the BMC's mentoring program to the MLK Breakfast. The Manhood Project will
begin in February. All of the BMC's programs are working toward Obama's initiative of My
Brother's Keeper in collaboration with Inclusive Dubuque, Dubuque Independent Football
League, Dream Center, Boys Club, St. Mark Youth Enrichment Center, and all three colleges.
The Community Police Relations Committee (CPRC) had received two complaints. One
complainant withdrew his complaint and one did not show for the initial review and is in the
process of being rescheduled.
Eric Dregne and Jessica Rose from Inclusive Dubuque presented information related to the
Equity Profile to members of the Race Disparities Planning Forum. The Equity Profile is a
process that evaluates how diverse groups are affected by various systems in the community.
Inclusive Dubuque will be holding monthly community forums to gain input from community
members beginning in February. Each month will focus on one of the seven areas; economic
wellbeing, housing, education, health, safe neighborhoods, arts/culture and transportation.
The Community Engagement Committee is seeking facilitators for these sessions and will
soon begin training.
Director's Report:
Kelly reported that the Human Rights Department's budget hearing is February 5 at
approximately 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
The Equity Assessment will focus on seven different areas beginning in February and working
through August. Each month there will be a specific area of the community that they will
focus in on. There will be a series of opportunities for community members to provide input
on each of the topics. There will be surveys, and there will be a committee of specialists set
up for each of the seven areas that will also be providing input. At the end of each month they
will prepare a short summary and at the very end all of the input will be compiled and then
community work sessions will be held to identify areas to focus in on.
Staff is preparing for the next session of City Life which will begin in April. The program was
redesigned to include fewer sessions and more tours of city facilities.
Old Business:
Source of Income
Report on December 15 City Council Meeting
Alvin Nash, Housing & Economic Development Director, was present to provide
information related to the recommendation for the City Council to appoint existing
Commissions and staff members to a committee to further study the source of income
issues for the next 24 months. The goal is to examine and analyze data and examine
the impact of the ordinance to determine the best course of action based on the
factual situation in Dubuque. He provided a draft outline showing proposed
subcommittee members and meeting timelines.
Source of Income will remain an agenda item and Alvin will attend next month's
meeting to provide updates on any progress.
One Iowa Update
Commissioner Allen will contact R.R.S. Stewart to see if there has been any progress on
selecting a January date.
Confirm Goal Setting Date/Time/Location/Facilitator
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The session will be held Saturday, February 7, 2015 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Hotel
Julien in the Harbor Gallery Room. Lunch will be provided.
New Business:
Appoint Commissioners to the DHRC #4381 Public Hearing Panel
Commissioners Lenhart and LoGuidice will serve with the Administrative Law Judge on the
public hearing that is scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, 2015.
Standing Items:
Review and Discuss Goals
Goal 1 & 2: Strengthen DHRC relationships as well as relationships between the community
Schedule Goal Setting Session
Commissioner LoGuidice will take the display to the MLK Breakfast and will then
transport it to the Roshek Building.
Goal #3: Discuss Criminal Justice procedures as they relate to racial disparities
Racial Disparities Forum Planning Subcommittee Update
The roundtable meeting is scheduled for January 28, 2015, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Clarke
in the Jansen Music Hall. The public forum is scheduled for February 4, 2015, 6:30 to
8:30 p.m. at the Prescott Resource Center. At these meetings, speakers and
panelists will be using the short version of the Plan for Sustainable Change, and the
long broader version will be posted on the website as a resource.
Commissioner Jackson moved to have Human Rights Commissioners along with
subcommittee members sit together at a table at the February 4`h public forum.
Commissioner Lenhart seconded. All in favor. Commissioner LoGuidice abstained.
The next subcommittee meeting is January 21 at 4:00 p.m. in Conference Room II.
Copies of the media release and the letter of invitation were distributed for
Commissioner approval. Commissioner LoGuidice moved to have the Chair represent
the voice of the Commission on approving the final medial release and letter of
invitation to members of the community. Commissioner Lenhart seconded.
Commissioner LoGuidice offered a friendly amendment to include that the Chair also
approve the final Plan for Sustainable Change. Commissioner Lenhart accepted the
friendly amendment. All in favor of approving Commissioner LoGudice's motion as
amended.
Goal #4: Education and communication regarding Housing
Goal #5: Participate in Inclusive Dubuque process
Inclusive Dubuque — Community Engagement Committee
The Committee has not met.
Review and Update the Organizations Liaison List
Commissioner LoGuidice asked to table liaison appointments until there is a full
commission present. Since goal setting is scheduled February 7, it was suggested
that at the February meeting they focus on the liaison list and prioritize that list based
on the newly established goals.
Consent Items:
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Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Jackson, second by Commissioner Lenhart. All in favor. The
meeting of the Human Rights Commission adjourned at 5:52 p.m.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 9, 2015 at 4:30 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted: T
Minutes approved as corrected:
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