Minutes_Human Rights Commission 9 14 15 DUBUQUE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
September 14, 2015
Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
4:30 p.m. on Monday, September 14, 2015, at the City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Street,
Conference Room II, Dubuque, Iowa.
Roll Call:
Present: Anthony Allen, Chair Tom LoGuidice
Fred Davis Ashley Melchert
Tanya Engling Susan Stone
Sarah Fisher Shirley Templeton Vaughn
Miquel Jackson, Vice-Chair
Staff: Kelly Larson Carol Spinoso
Brynn McDonnell
Commissioner LoGuidice and VISTA Brynn McDonnell revealed a draft of the display they are
creating to provide information on civil rights history in a contemporary fashion. It will first be
displayed during LULAC, NAACP and PFLAG meetings.
Approval of July 13, 2015 Minutes:
Commissioner Jackson moved to approve the Human Rights Commission meeting minutes of
August 10, 2015. Commissioner Davis seconded. All in favor of approving the meeting minutes
as submitted.
Reports:
Caseload Report
The September 2015 Caseload Report was received and filed.
Chairperson's Report
Commissioner Allen reported on the following NAACP activities:
They will be submitting a proposal to the City Council and City staff for a name
change of the Multicultural Family Center to the Ruby Sutton Multicultural Family
Center.
The BBQ in DBQ is Saturday, September 19 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Clarke
University in the Kehl Center. There are also International Day of Peace activities
happening in the community during the next two weeks.
In October Anthony will be traveling to California to attend a conference on
inclusion and equity with representatives of Inclusive Dubuque.
The NAACP newsletter has been revived and should be circulating soon.
They have been reviewing the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding), an
initiative of the NAACP, which addresses bridging communication between the
minority community and the Police Department.
The Freedom Fund Banquet will be held November 14 at the Diamond Jo
beginning at 6:00 p.m.
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Director's Report:
Kelly reminding Commissioners that LULAC and Inclusive Dubuque are planning a
community dialogue on September 26 at 1:00 p.m. in the school gym at St. Anthony's.
Following the recent homicide, City staff reached out to our contacts in the Marshallese
community to discuss concerns of backlash and student safety in the schools.
Old Business:
Update of Source of Income Subcommittee Work—Alvin Nash
Alvin provided a brief review for new commissioners. The two subcommittees, Source of
Income Analysis and Housing Choice Voucher/Landlord policy had been meeting
separately, but will now be combined.
The SOI Analysis subcommittee has gathered data related to Source of Income
ordinances and developed a community planning documents. The plan will be used to
create and implement public engagement opportunities for key stakeholders. They will
then conduct a policy analysis and make an informed recommendation.
The Housing Choice Voucher/Landlord Policy subcommittee has reviewed the national
and local requirement for the Section 8/HCV Program as well as recent HUD approved
changes for Dubuque HCV program. The subcommittee reviewed data on SOI
ordinances and alternative community solutions. They then created a survey that will be
sent to all of the licensed landlords in the community this fall in an attempt to gain an
understanding as to what their position is on this issue. Results will be summarized and
the full SOI committee will conduct a policy analysis and make recommendations.
Alvin will provide a detailed report for next month's meeting on the Voluntary Compliance
Agreement (VCA) between the City and HUD and what they are doing to address HUD's
concerns.
New Business
Recommendation on Park & Recreation Commission Request
Kelly stated that the Park & Recreation Commission invited Human Rights
Commissioners to provide input on the possibility of renaming the "Indian Room" at
Eagle Point Park in light of the focus on inclusion in our community. Commissioners
discussed the importance of involving local residents who identify as American
Indian/Native American or who are associated with a particular tribe, such as the
Meskwaki, in the decision-making. Commissioner Davis moved to recommend that the
Park & Recreation Commission contact representatives from the American Indian/Native
American community to get their viewpoint in the spirit of an educational opportunity.
Commissioner LoGuidice seconded. All in favor.
Standing Items:
Goal 1: Research, illuminate and eliminate disparities (and increase cultural
competencies) in education, criminal justice and housing. (*Jackson, Melchert,
Stone, LoGuidice, Allen)
A meeting will be scheduled.
Goal 2: Provide input to City Council goals and priorities and support the Human
rights Commission's goals and priorities. (Full commission participation) *Allen is
Chair.
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Commissioners will continue to provide input to Kelly.
Goal 3: Continue to improve communication within and among community
groups in order to improve human rights initiatives. (Davis, *Vaughn, Allen)
Commissioner Vaughn stated that she is working on updating the presentation. She
asked for input on the presentation, and inquired as to which groups/organizations they
want to present to first. A meeting will be called to further discuss the details.
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner LoGuidice, second by Commissioner Vaughn. The meeting
of the Human Rights Commission adjourned at 5:25 p.m.
i
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monda , be 2015 at 4:30 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted: /
Minutes approved as corrected:
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