Minutes_Human Rights Commission 10 9 17City of Dubuque
Copyrighted
November 20, 2017
Consent Items # 1.
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: Cable TV Commission of 11/1; City Council Proceedings
of 11/6, 11/13; Human Rights Commission of
10/9; Investment Oversight Advisory Commission of 10/25;
Library Board of Trustees of 9/27, and Council Update
#164 of 10/19; Resilient Community Advisory Commission
of 7/6, 7/25, 8/3, 9/7, 10/5; Zoning Advisory Commission of
11/1/17.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Cable TV Commission Minutes of 11/1/17
City Council Proceedings of 11/6/17
City Council Proceedings of 11/13/17
Human Rights Commission Minutes of 10/9/17
Investment Oversight Advisory Commission Minutes
10/25/17
Library Board of Trustees Minues of 9/27/17
Library Board of Trustees Council Update #164 of
10/19/17
RCAC Minutes of 7/6/17
RCAC Minutes of 7/25/17
RCAC Minutes of 8/3/17
RCAC Minutes of 9/7/17
RCAC Minutes of 10/5/17
Zoning Advisory Commission Minutes of 11/1/17
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DUBUQUE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
October 9, 2017
Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
4:37 p.m. on Monday, October 9, 2017, at the City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Street, Conference
Room II, Dubuque, Iowa.
Roll CaII:
Present: Anthony Allen, Chair Miguel Jackson
Adrienne Breitfelder Kate Parks
Indigo Channing Jay Schiesl, Vice Chair
Absent: Fred Davis
Staff:
Kelly Larson
Taj Suleyman
Carol Spinoso
Approval of Minutes:
Commissioner Parks moved to approve the meeting minutes of September 11 & 25, 2017.
Commissioner Schiesl seconded. All in favor. Commissioner Channing abstained.
Caseload Report
The August and September 2017 caseload reports were received and filed.
Chairperson Report
Anthony will forward the report on the work on of the Access to Justice Committee which
focuses on restorative justice practices.
NAACP activities include:
The NAACP Freedom Fund will be held on November 4th at the Diamond Jo.
The NAACP is sponsoring a citizen's debate in relation to the upcoming council elections at
the Dream Center on October 17 which will be similar to a town hall type event.
There is statewide NAACP Summit to address racial disparities in Iowa's criminal justice
system in Des Moines on October 10th.
Friends of Fair Housing continues to meet monthly with the City Manager and Housing staff
to offer input as to the rebranding of the housing program.
The NAACP is working with the Dubuque Democratic Socialists in helping to create a
renter's association.
Steeple Square is continuing to grow and will be holding their strategic planning meetings
over the next few months.
Anthony will send the letter he drafted requesting a replacement for Commissioner Davis to
Carol to forward on to the City Council.
Director Report:
The written quarterly report will be provided next month.
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Discuss Police Department Facebook Post
A post was made to the Police Department's Facebook page seeking information about a group of
children that may have been involved in damaging sidewalks along the Bee Branch Creek along
with photos of the children. Commissioner Parks shared concerns over comments made on a
Police Department social media post that were offensive and racist.
Chief Da!sing stated the posts are used to gather information from the public to help solve cases.
He noted that the Facebook post did lead to the alleged perpetrators being identified. Posting
photos is a last resort that investigators use if they are unable to identify the people involved. He
added that two other Police Department staff attempt to monitor the Facebook page and delete
offensive comments, but are unable to monitor the page at all time, and that usually they not
receive as many offensive comments.
Citizens are asked to provide information through private messaging or by calling the Police
Department. Staff will post a statement on the page as a reminder that offensive comments will
not be tolerated.
Discuss Editorial Piece for TH
Three statements were received. Commissioner Allen will combine and send to all to review.
FY19 Budaet Reauests
Nothing identified at this time.
Standina Items: Goals
Goal #1: Establish sustainable and consistent equity in the DCSD in order to live up to the mission
and vision statement of the District.
Subcommittee member RRS stated that the subcommittee was formed in October 2016, with the
goal of gathering information and preparing a report on their findings, which includes suggestions
and recommendations for improving racial equity in the City of Dubuque and Dubuque Community
School Board. Commissioner Schiesl reiterated that they are not being critical towards anyone,
they are simply reporting their findings. They will incorporate any suggestions made by
Commissioners prior to presenting the report to the NAACP on Wednesday.
Goal #2: Collaborate with the Housing Commission and other partners in the City to make certain
we accomplish the following for the benefit of the community.
An action item was added to Initiative #3 — Work to support and provide input to groups organizing
the Renter's Association.
Goal #3: Collaborate in the elimination of barriers in employment to reduce the poverty rate in
Dubuque.
Action item added to Initiative #2 — To collaborate with the Second Chance Committee, Circles,
and the Fountain of Youth.
Action items added to Initiative #3 — To obtain and review the goals of the Resilient Community
Advisory Committee and provide updates.
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Adiournment:
Commissioner Parks moved to adjourn. Commissioner Schiesl seconded. All in favor. The
meeting ended at 6:42 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, November 13, 2017
at 4:30 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected:
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