Minutes Human Rights 1 8 01DUBUQUE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MINUTES OF
JANUARY 8, 2001
Thom Determan called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order
at 4:17 p.m. on Monday, January 9, 2001 in Conference Room 2 at the City Hall Annex.
Roi1 Call:
Present:
Thom Determan, Chair
Raydora Drummer
Judy Giesen
Evelyn Jackson
Charles Ryan
Kathy Stevens
Absent: Kathy Blau Marry O'Shea
Ruby Sutton
Staff: Kelly Larsun Carol Spinoso
Bill Blum
Approval of Minutes:
Kathy Stevens moved to approve the minutes of the November 13, 2000 regular
' Commission meeting, Evelyn seconded. Heating no corrections, the minutes were
unanimously approved.
Caseload Report:
Carol summarized the November Caseload Report. There were 48 intakes, 4 cases in
backlog, 4 cases under active investigation, 1 case in mediation, 1 case in administrative
review, 1 case in ALJ review, 2 cases in the public heating process, one case was filed,
and 2 cases were closed. The case outline for November involves age discrimination in
the area of employment.
The December Report revealed that there were 42 intakes, 5 cases in backlog, 4 cases
under active investigation, 0 cases in mediation, 0 cases in administrative review, 0 cases
in ALJ review, 2 cases in the public hearing process, 1 case was filed, and 3 cases were
closed. The case synopsis for December involves race and sex discrimination also in the
area of employment.
Chairperson's Report:
Thom congratulated Raydom, Judy, and Evelyn on their reappointment to the
Commissic~n.
Thom provided a written report summarizing issues, ideas, and resources from the Fund
for an Open Society conference he attended in Philadelphia December 1-2, 2000. Thom
briefly summarized the sessions he attended: Building Open and Thriving Communities;
Segregation and Suburban Sprawl: Housing, Jobs and Opportunities; Economic Costs of
Resegregatiun; Corporations' Roles in Creating an Equitable Society; The Media and
Open Housing; The School/Commnnity Connection; Diversity over time: Keeping
Communities Strong; and Where do we go from here?
Thom reported that over the past six weeks he has been meeting with Kelly and Nancy
Van Milligen to talk about the initiative to create a more welcoming community, and to
continue to make Dubuque more culturally responsive. Through these discussions, it
was decided m have a one-day community forum to interchange ideas and to find specific
ways in which to build a plan of action to make Dubuque a more welcoming comrnunity.
This forum'entitled, "Dubuque: Everyone's Neighborhood" will be held on January 30,
2001 at 9:15 a.m. at Clarke College. Thom stated that it was critical for commissioners
to attend and encouraged their involvement.
Thom will be meeting with Ed Zuccaro, President of the Board of Education, to discuss
sexual orientation as a feature of the Dubuque Community Schools policy.
The Human Rights Department's budget hearing is scheduled February 26, 2001 at 7:45
p.m. commissioners need to contact Carol if they plan to attend the 5:45 p.m. dinner
prior to the budget hearing.
Director's Report:
The proposed decision was received in the Taylor vs. Farmland case that went to public
hearing. Commissioners must read the transcript, exhibits, briefs, and the proposed
decision, d!scuss the case and take action prior to May 3rd. The Commission may
accept, reject, or modify the proposed decision. There are three copies of the transcript
and relevant materials available. Chuck will pass his copy on m Thom and Judy. Kathy
S. will forward hers to Kathy B. and Marry, and Evelyn will forward hers to Raydora and
Ruby.
Kelly stated that the Complainant's attorney has requested to present oral arguments prior
to the Commission voting on the proposed decision. The Commission will need to set a
date and time, and also a limit for those oral arguments. Judy moved to hold oral
arguments on March 26, 2001 at 4:00 p.m, setting a 20-minute time limit for each party.
Kathy S. seconded. All in favor.
The Annual Report was presented to the City Council on January 2nd. Kelly stated that
Mike Van Milligen informed her that Pat Cline told him after the Council meeting that
she bad intended to remove the report from the consent items to publicly acknowledge
the work of the Commission. She indicated to Mike that she was impressed with the
report and the work of the Commission.
The immigration workshop that was cancelled due to weather on December 12th, is going
to be rescheduled for January or February. Kelly will pass along the date when received.
The National League of Cities has an "Undoing Racism" initiative. Kelly received a
booklet from the NLC with more information. Kelly passed this information along to the
Manager, so he could share it with the Council and perhaps consider joining the effort.
In preparing training segments at future meetings, Kelly asked that Commissioners
identify which sections of the ordinance they would like her to talk about.
Kelly has been participating in interviewing Police Officers. Approximately 60 people
passed the test, and about 40 will be interviewed. Currently there are two open slots to
fill.
Regarding the Commtmity Indicators for Success, Kelly informed the Commissioners
that the Long Range Planning Commission declined the Commission's suggestions
because of a lack of funding.
Staff has solicited area attorneys to act as administrative law judges. Currently there are
five ALJ's available to review cases.
Kelly brought attention to an ADA article regarding California mending their law by
expanding the definition of disability. The new law mandates that employers make
disability determinations without renard to mitigating measures.
Adoption of Proposed Ordinance Amendment:
Thom stated that the City Council approved the adoption of the proposed Ordinance
Amendment on December 18th.
Recommendation of DHRC #3916 Proceed to Public Hearing:
Kelly recommended that Dubuque Human Rights Commission case number 3916
proceed to a public heating. The case involves race discrimination in the area of housing.
Evelyn moved to approve sending DHRC #3916 to public hearing. Kathy S. seconded.
All in favor. Kelly anticipated that the hearing would be scheduled for May or June.
Committee Reports:
Education of the Commission:
Judy reported that the Lady of Guadalupe ceremony/Mass at St. Pat's was a
beautiful event. She would like to have it on the agenda again next year for those
Commissioners who were not able to attend.
Education of the Community:
Thom and Kathy Blau will be meeting to further the planning of the Human
Rights Banquet. Thom hoped that they could provide possibilities for a theme,
spe0ker, and location at next month's meeting.
Kathy S. felt strongly that the Shining Moment Award should be presented at the
banquet, even if it's every other year. She felt that in the past the award got lost
amongst the other activities. Other Commissioners concurred.
Judy announced that she was working with Kelly on developing some Human
Rights promotional television segments. More discusion will be held at next
month's meeting.
Evelyn had talked to Ruby, and Ruby has agreed that the NAACP will partner
with the Human Rights Commission in presenting a community presentation on
subtle discrimination and white privilege. Evelyn and Marty had planned on
presenting this to the Commission, hut will instead present it to the community
sometime in February, as part of Black History Month, at St. Mark's on a
Saturday.
Thom stated that Loras College has asked Cynthia Maddox to come to Dubuque
to perform "Momma Thinks We're Slaves," on February 5, 2001. Cynthia had
portrayed Harriet Tubman in the Underground Railroad presented during the
Human Relations Conference.
New Business!
Evelyn gave a brief overview of some of the topics discussed at the HUD training
session in Kansas City. Evelyn shared information on grant writing provided
some information on the City of Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission's Ouch
Program.
Kathy S. Moved to adjourn the meeting and Chuck seconded. All in favor. The meeting
adjourned ~it 5:45 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted: ~~~
Minutes approved as corrected: