Minutes_Human Rights Commission DUBUQUE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
February 13, 2017
Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
4:39 p.m. on Monday, February 13, 2017, at the City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Street, Conference
Room II, Dubuque, Iowa.
Roll Call:
Present: Sarah Fisher Jay Schiesl
Miquel Jackson, Vice-Chair Adrienne Scott
Anthony Allen, Chair Shirley Templeton Vaughn (4:55)
Kate Parks
Absent: Fred Davis
Staff: Kelly Larson Taj Suleyman
Oath of Office:
Administered to Commissioners Jackson and Schiesl.
Approval of Minutes:
Commissioner Schiesl moved to approve the meeting minutes of January 9, 2017. Commissioner
Jackson seconded. All in favor of approving the minutes as submitted.
Reports:
Caseload Report
The January 2017 Caseload Report was received and filed.
Chairperson Report
Anthony will be meeting with Legal Aid staff regarding the Access to Justice group he
serves on to provide legal info and referrals for community members.
NAACP—They are working with the City as part of the Days of Caring event to install
smoke alarms. A Friends of Fair Housing meeting is scheduled for later this week, and
anyone is welcome to attend. There is a Generation to Generation event on February 23rd
at the Dubuque Museum of Art from noon to 5:00 p.m. Commissioner Jackson is the
contact for that event.
DCPRC — Looking at scheduling some training due to concerns related to the last hearing
not being run appropriately. They will be meeting with the Dubuque County Supervisors to
establish a MOU.
Inclusive Dubuque will be holding a community conversation at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday at
Steeple Square.
Last week Anthony spoke to individuals on Source of Income at Clarke University.
Director's Report
A written quarterly report was submitted. In light of the national events Kelly submitted
information related to public outreach for immigrant and refugee communities that provide
referral resources. She also shared the fair housing testing results that went to the City
Council.
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Old Business:
No old business
Discuss Action Regarding League of Iowa Civil Rights Agencies Position on House Study
Bill 92
The League of Iowa Civil and Human Rights Agencies is calling a conference call meeting
regarding House Study Bill 92 to discuss whether the League wants to take a position. Kelly asked
commissioners to review, discuss and vote on the issue. The Bill would prevent cities and
counties from going beyond state law on employment conditions such as minimum wage, hiring
practices and civil rights protections. Commissioner Parks moved to oppose House Study Bill 92.
Commissioner Templeton Vaughn seconded. Roll call vote:
Sarah Fisher Yes Jay Schiesl Yes
Miquel Jackson Yes Adrienne Scott Yes
Anthony Allen Yes Shirley Templeton Vaughn Yes
Kate Parks Yes
Motion carries by a vote of 7-0.
New Business:
Nino Erba addressed the Commission seeking support banning gay conversion therapy in
Dubuque, and requested that a Human Rights Ordinance be presented to the City Council. Nino
reported that there is overwhelming evidence that conversion therapy does not work and causes
harm. Numerous cities and states have passed laws banning conversion therapy based on sexual
orientation and some on gender identity. He had suggested using the Iowa State Consumer
Protection Law approach. He would want the ordinance to cover sexual orientation and gender
identity as well as banning advertising. He shared data and information with commissioners and
provided other on-line resources. Commissioner Allen noted this could fit within the Commission's
Goal #1.
Commissioners would like to have time to review the materials submitted. Commissioner
Templeton Vaughn moved to obtain copies of the research and proposal from Mr. Erba so the
Human Rights Commission can be informed and assist Mr. Erba with formalizing and supporting
as needed. Commissioner Scott seconded. Roll call vote:
Sarah Fisher No Jay Schiesl Yes
Miquel Jackson No Adrienne Scott No
Anthony Allen Absent Shirley Templeton Vaughn Yes
Kate Parks No
Motion failed by a vote of 4-2.
Commissioner Fisher moved that the Commission propose an ordinance to the City Council
banning gay conversion therapy working with Nino Erba. Commissioner Scott seconded.
Sarah Fisher Yes Jay Schiesl No
Miquel Jackson Yes Adrienne Scott Yes
Anthony Allen Absent Shirley Templeton Vaughn Yes
Kate Parks Yes
Motion carries by a vote of 5-1. Further discussion will ensue at the March meeting.
Standing Items: Goals
Goal 1: Research, illuminate and eliminate disparities and increase cultural competencies
in education, housing, and employment. Initiatives identified.
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Dean Boles presented information and data on poverty in Dubuque that he obtained from
the US Census Bureau, and data related to reading proficiency from the Iowa Department
of Education. He noted that the poverty rate has increased from 10.6 in 2009 to 16.2 in
2015. In summary, the rapid change in the number of residents below the poverty
threshold is straining Dubuque's social safety net and will create economic and social
headwinds for the community.
Goal 2. Continue to improve communication within and among community groups to
improve human rights initiatives.
Tanya Engling, who is a sexual assault advocate for the marginalized at Riverview Center,
provided information about the services offered through the Riverview Center. They
provide 24-hour crisis intervention, medical and legal advocacy, therapy and education and
outreach on violence prevention.
Adjournment:
Commissioner Scott moved and Commissioner Templeton Vaughn seconded to adjourn. The
Commission adjourned at 6:50 p.m. The next regul meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 13,
2017 at 4:30 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected:
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