Minutes Human Rights Comm 12 10 07CITY OF DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
December 10, 2007
Commissioner Oswald called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
4:18 p.m. on Monday, December 10, 2007, in Conference Room 2 at the City Hall Annex.
Roll Call: Mary Coan
Present: Marcos Rubinstein
Shane Oswald, Chair
Bill Ross
Vince Vanden Heuvel
Katrina Wilberding
Gretel Winterwood
Absent: Patricia Foster
Staff: Kelly Larson
Carol Spinoso
Approval of Minutes
Anthony Allen
Molly Menster
Upon a motion by Commissioner Wilberding and second by Commissioner Vanden Heuvel, the
minutes of the November 5, 2007 meeting were approved unanimously.
Caseload Report
Carol summarized the November Caseload Report. There were fifty intakes, two new cases filed,
seven cases under active investigation, four cases in mediation, and 1 case in administrative
review. There were no cases remaining in backlog. The case summary details a claim of
employment discrimination on the basis of sex.
Chairperson's Report
Commissioner Oswald thanked Bill for his work on various committees; especially his diligent
efforts on the sexual orientation subcommittee.
Shane stated that the City Council passed the ordinance amendment adding gender identity to the
city code.
Director's Report
Kelly provided a written report highlighting past and future initiatives. In addition to the written
report, Kelly stated that the Iowa League is trying to reschedule the ICN meeting for either January
7, 8 or 9. Commissioners preferred the time slot of 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
The National Fair Housing Policy Conference sponsored by HUD will be held April 8-12, 2008, in
Atlanta. Commissioners should let Carol know if they are interested in attending.
Subcommittee Reports
Education and Outreach
National Origin: Commissioner Vanden Heuvel reported that the group met on November
20th. Craig Schaefer presented options for creating the video, and recommended that
Loras College Productions produce the video in order to achieve a more professional
product. The subcommittee is looking for additional funding sources for this project.
Race: Molly stated that it has been difficult to schedule a meeting due to conflicting
schedules.
Disability: Commissioner Ross stated that the group provided Molly with revised objectives.
Commissioner Ross strongly encouraged commissioners to participate in the faces &
voices steering committee. Kelly stated that they are currently looking for someone to chair
that committee.
Accessibility
Commissioner Wilberding reported that the Proudly Accessible Dubuque board will meet
next week and will elect officers. She is working with Kelly to add an etiquette page to the
PAD website. She stated that approximately 30 businesses have completed the survey
and been awarded the PAD window cling.
Kelly stated that they have concluded interviews and have made a recommendation for the
part-time inspector who will be performing the readily achievable inspections for the
Building Department. They are also looking for funding sources to assist with accessibility
improvements particularly for downtown historic buildings where accessibility is not readily
achievable.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Vanden Heuvel
moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Wilberding seconded. Motion passed by consensus.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
The next regular meeting is January 14, 2 08.
Minutes approved as submitted: ~~~ %~~-~--~-~`
Minutes approved as corrected: