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Mintues Human Rights Commission 4 14 08CITY OF DUBUQUE HUMAN R/GHTS COMM/SSION MEETING MINUTES OF April 14, 2008 Commissioner Oswald called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at 4:18 p.m. on Monday, April 14, 2008, in Conference Room 2 at the City Hall Annex. Roll Call: Present: Dan Chatfield Shane Oswald, Chair Marco Rubinstein Colin Scott Vince Vanden Heuvel Katrina Wilberding Gretel Winterwood Absent: Anthony Allen Staff: Kelly Larson Carol Spinoso Molly Menster Approval of Minutes Upon a motion by Commissioner Wilberding and second by Commissioner Vanden Heuvel, the minutes of March 10, 2008 were approved as submitted. Caseload Report Carol summarized the March Caseload Report. There were fifty-six intakes, four new cases filed, eight cases under active investigation, two cases in mediation, one case in ALJ review, four cases remained in backlog, and four cases were closed. The case summary details a claim of disability discrimination in the area of employment. Chairperson's Report Commissioner Oswald explained the DCSD's Discrimination, Bullying and Harassment Policy documents that Commissioner Winterwood received from Kris Hall at a recent PFLAG meeting. Either students or staff can complete a form if they believe they have been discriminated against. Administrators will determine whether the complaint moves forward. Director's Report Kelly reported that she, along with Molly and Anthony, traveled to Atlanta last week to attend the HUD National Fair Housing Policy Conference. HUD's is currently focusing on the mortgage lending crisis and their ongoing efforts to get low income families into permanent housing using FHA loans. Kelly is on a committee that is reviewing proposals for the Washington Neighborhood to hire a consultant to work on a comprehensive plan for that neighborhood using current programs that have been established. The Iowa Civil Rights Commission has funding to support a Vista position in Dubuque for one year. The Vista will be working on poverty issues. Staff will be presenting some legal training with the Sheriff's Department as part of the small business/nonprofit training. They will be six 2-hour sessions presented. Kelly reported that the city is completing its contract with One Ummah Consulting, and that they will be issuing an annual report to show what they have accomplished through the process. Additionally, she stated that the City will now be offering domestic partner benefits. Kelly is working with Project Hope on community poverty issues. They will be gathering information from across the community on different community assets to try to determine who needs to be involved in the planning session. They will be contacting several organizations to bring people together in May or June. Commissioner Rubinstein stated that the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission had conducted some fair housing enforcement testing which found 90 % of those tested to be in violation of the Fair Housing Act. He asked if Dubuque should be doing these types of pro-active activities. Kelly stated that it's a policy question for the City Council. Currently the Department may only conduct testing if a complaint is filed. Commissioner Oswald suggested that instead of enforcement testing, that they possibly do a study. Commissioner Rubinstein would like further discussion on this issue at next month's meeting. Subcommittee Reports Education and Outreach National Origin: Commissioner Vanden Heuvel reported that the committee sent out more solicitation and grant applications. They expect to receive grants from the school system, Loras College, NICC, and Dupaco. They were informed that the video is currently being filmed and that it should be completed in late June or early July. The next meeting is scheduled for May 14th at 3:30. Race: Molly reported that she and Anthony are ready to proceed with training speakers. Disabilit :Molly stated that she hopes to have this group of speakers trained by mid-May. Housing: No report given. Sexual Orientation: Molly reported that locally outreach efforts are being made in the gay and lesbian community. She stated that if they know of anyone in the community that would like to be a part of these efforts, to provide her with contact information. Accessibility Commissioner Wilberding stated that there was a very good accessibility article in Business Times. PAD is working with a social research class at the UD with the students conducting quantitative and qualitative research for them. They will be contacting people who are affected by disability issues asking in-depth questions. She will share that report with the commission. They will contact Chamber member restaurants to encourage them to take the PAD survey to become members of the program. The PAD Board has been holding planning sessions to fine tune some things. They also prepared a mission statement. They are continuing to work on developing a hotel survey as a follow-up to the Easy Access Chicago piece that she mentioned last month. Commissioner Rubinstein reported that he had attended three DCAP meetings over the last couple of months. Two meetings were dealing with complaints related to disability, and the other was a regular meeting. At the next meeting this summer, the group will discuss being more proactive. Election of Officers Commissioner Oswald opened the floor for nominations of Commission Chair. Commissioner Wilberding nominated Commissioner Oswald. Commissioner Rubinstein moved and Commissioner Wilberding seconded to close nominations. All in favor. By consensus Commissioner Oswald will remain chairperson. Commissioner Oswald opened the floor for nominations of Vice-Chair. Commissioner Wilberding nominated Commissioner Vanden Heuvel. Commissioner Rubinstein moved and Commissioner Chatfield seconded to close nominations. All in favor. By consensus Commissioner Vanden Heuvel will remain vice-chairperson. Discuss the Change in the Statute of Limitations to 300 Days Kelly stated that the Iowa legislature has amended the state law changing the statute of limitations from 180 to 300 days for filing state civil rights claims. Commissioner Rubinstein moved and Commissioner Wilberding seconded to request the City Council to extend the statute of limitations from 180 days to 300 days to be consistent with State legislation. All in favor. Kelly will be in contact with Crenna to get this accomplished. Appoint Commission Rearesentative to DDRC Advisory Board Kelly stated that they needed to replace Mary Coan as the Commission's representative to the Dubuque Dispute Resolution Center Advisory Board. Commissioner Rubinstein moved and Commissioner Wilberding seconded to appoint Commissioner Vanden Heuvel as the Commission's representative to the DDRC Advisory Board. All in favor. New Business Commissioners Wilberding and Oswald will be meeting April 15th at 1:00 p.m. at Hempstead to work on the Human Rights Commission brochure. Commissioner Oswald extended an invitation to anyone interested in attending. Commissioner Wilberding asked that they forward any comments or recommendations via email. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Vanden Heuvel moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Winterwood seconded. Motion passed by consensus. Meeting was adjourned at 5:25 p.m. The next regular meeting is May 12, 2008. Minutes approved as submitted: Minutes approved as corrected: