Minutes_Human Rights Commission 3 13 17 DUBUQUE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
March 13, 2017
Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
4:30 p.m. on Monday, March13, 2017, at the City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Street, Conference Room
II, Dubuque, Iowa.
Roll Call:
Present: Anthony Allen, Chair Jay Schiesl
Fred Davis Adrienne Scott
Sarah Fisher
Absent: Miquel Jackson Shirley Templeton Vaughn
Kate Parks
Staff: Kelly Larson Taj Suleyman
Carol Spinoso
Approval of Minutes:
Commissioner Schiesl moved to approve the meeting minutes of February 13, 2017.
Commissioner Davis seconded. All in favor of approving the minutes as submitted.
Reports:
Caseload Report
The February 2017 Caseload Report was received and filed.
Chairperson Report
Access to Justice - Anthony reported that he attended a meeting with Kelly, Miquel, and
local attorneys to discuss the Know your Rights Workshops, and an expungement fair
which helps individuals who are felons attain their voting rights.
Steeple Square — To date, the fund-raising campaign has raised $11.9 million. The former
church located at 15th and White Streets will house and event center, non-profit
organizations and community gathering spaces.
DCPRC —Anthony will be calling a meeting with signatories to address some concerns of
the NAACP.
NAACP—The Bowl-A-Thon is scheduled for April 22.
Anthony has been working with the Dubuque Democratic Socialists to arrange a showing of
the film "13th" followed by a panel discussion at Mindframe Theaters.
The MFC will be hosting Taste of the World at Five Flags on Saturday, April 1 from 11:30
a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Director's Report
Reports are submitted quarterly.
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Old Business:
Process to Create an Ordinance
Kelly explained that in preparation for submitting a proposed ordinance to the City Council
they should be prepared to present background material, research and any facts
associated with the proposed ordinance, provide a description of gay conversion therapy,
explain what has been done to engage people who would be directly impacted by an
ordinance, review other city ordinances, and then present a proposed ordinance to the
Council.
New Business:
Election of Officers
The Chair opened the floor for nominations of Chairperson. Commissioner Schiesl
nominated Commissioner Allen. Commissioner Allen nominated Commissioner Jackson.
Nominations closed. By a vote of 3 —2, Commissioner Allen was appointed Chairperson.
The Chair opened the floor for nomination of Vice-Chairperson. Commissioner Davis
nominated Commissioner Schiesl. Commissioner Allen nominated Commissioner Fisher.
Nominations closed. By a vote of 4 — 1, Commissioner Schiesl was appointed Vice-
Chairperson.
Standing Items: Goals
Goal 1: Research, illuminate and eliminate disparities and increase cultural competencies
in education, housing, and employment. Initiatives identified.
Commissioner Schiesl was not present at the February 27th meeting. The group will be
drafting a job description for the equity position. He voiced concerns related to the number
of behavioral referrals in the downtown schools and would like to validate that data. Kelly
suggested that they contact Mae Hingtgen from the DCSD to obtain that data. The next
subcommittee meeting is scheduled for March 27 at NICC at 5:00 p.m.
Goal 2: Continue to improve communication within and among community groups to
improve human rights initiatives.
Nino Erba was present to provide additional information related to the ordinance proposal
relating to Gay Conversion Therapy. Kelly stated that the subcommittee will need to create
a local ordinance using examples of other local city ordinances for comparison. They will
need to provide a definition of gay conversion therapy and suggest what, if any, penalties
would be recommended. The Legal Department will review the proposed ordinance prior to
being presented to the Council.
Commissioner Fisher stated that they were thinking about covering it under the Consumer
Fraud protection. Kelly explained that if they want to do it under Consumer Fraud, they
would need to go through state law. She added that there are currently two pending gay
conversion therapy bills at the state level that have been referred to the Human Resources
Committee.
Resulting from her work with Rachel Ferraro, Commissioner Fisher announced that she
designed a web page for the transgender community "thisismeiowa.org" which provides
information, resources, support and more on transgender issues.
Commissioner Fisher will chair this subcommittee and will work on scheduling the next
meeting. It was suggested that Rachel Ferraro be invited to next month's meeting to let her
know that the commission is willing to work with her in identifying public areas in the
community that are welcoming and safe areas for the transgender community to gather.
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Commissioner Allen encouraged commissioners to make a contact and arrange a Human
Rights presentation using the PowerPoint presentation that Commissioner Templeton
Vaughn prepared. Carol will request the most recent version and will forward it to the entire
Commission. He also encouraged participation in the Inclusive Dubuque working groups.
Adjournment:
Commissioner Schiesl moved and Commissioner Scott seconded to adjourn. The Commission
adjourned at 6:10 p.m. The next regular meeting is cheduled for Monday, April 10, 2017 at 4:30
p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected:
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