Minutes Human Rights Commission 3 9 09CITY OF DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
March 9, 2009
Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at 4:24 p.m.
on Monday, March 9, 2009, in Conference Room 2 at the City Hall Annex.
Roll Call:
Present: Jim Allan
Anthony Allen Gretel Winterwood
Colin Scott Katrina Wilberding
Absent: Char Eddy Shane Oswald
Terry Driskell Marcos Rubinstein
Staff: Kelly Larson Carol Spinoso
Oath of Office
Commissioner Allen affirmed to and signed the Oath of Office.
Aaproval of Minutes
Commissioner Wilberding moved and Commissioner Winterwood seconded to approve the February 9,
2009 meeting minutes. Commissioner Winterwood noted that Jim Allan's name was incorrectly spelled.
The minutes were approved as corrected.
Caseload Report
Carol summarized the February Caseload Report. There were thirty-two intakes, two new cases were
filed, eleven cases were under active investigation, one case in mediation, five cases were closed, and
two cases remained in backlog. The case summary details allegations of race discrimination in the area
of public accommodation.
Chairperson's Report
No report given
Director's Report
Written report submitted.
View One Iowa Video
The video was not available to show. Will show at next month's meeting.
Discuss ordinance chances related to ADA and Ledbetter amendments
Kelly provided documentation related to recent federal amendments to the ADA and to Title VII relating
to remedies available in pay discrimination complaints, along with proposed ordinances changes for
commission consideration. She stated that the changes would keep our local ordinance consistent with
Federal law. Commissioner Allan moved to approve the recommended amendments to the City Code.
Commissioner Wilberding seconded. After discussion it was decided to separate and act on each issue
separately. Commissioner Allan offered a friendly amendment to approve only the recommended
amendments related to the pay discrimination and remedies. Commissioner Wilberding approved the
friendly amendment. Roll call:
Jim Allan Yes Gretel Winterwood Yes
Anthony Allen Yes Katrina Wilberding Yes
Colin Scott Yes
Motion carried.
Commissioner Allan offered a friendly amendment to now approve the recommended amendments to the
City Code relating to the ADA. Commissioner Wilberding approved the amendment. Roll call:
Jim Allan Yes Gretel Winterwood Yes
Anthony Allen Yes Katrina Wilberding Yes
Colin Scott Yes
Motion carried.
Review of Goals
Goal 1:The DHRC will increase its visibility in the community.
Commissioner Wilberding stated that last month she spoke to the Rotary and the Women's
Giving Circle. On March 10th she will be attending the Disability Advocacy Meeting and later this
week she will be participating in a meeting for police recruitment.
Commissioner Allan stated that he will partner with Nick Stuber to distribute the timeline of the
History of Civil Rights in Iowa that Nick put together. He thought area educators would be
interested in receiving that timeline.
To date there have been four individual commissioner representation at community organization
meetings.
Goal 2:The DHRC will build awareness and understanding of issues related to race, national origin,
sexual orientation, disabilities, and housing.
CorrirriissionerWilberdipg reported that there have been four speaker bureau presentations.
There was discussion about adding a "Commissioner Comment" section to the City's website.
Goal 3: The DHRC will increase advocacy efforts by commissioners for protected classes and for issues
related to fair housing.
Commissioners will contact area colleges, social concerns committees and neighborhood groups
to see if they would be interested in hosting a commission meeting at their facility.
Appoint Commission Representative to the Dubuque Community Advisory Panel (DCAPI
Kelly stated that they need to appoint a commissioner to serve as an alternate representative to replace
Vince. Commissioner Scott volunteered to serve as the commission's alternate representative.
Commissioner Wilberding moved to appoint Commissioner Scott to serve as the Commission's alternate
representative to DCAP. Commissioner Allen seconded. All in favor.
New Business
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Wilberding moved to
adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Winterwood seconded. Motion passed by consensus. Meeting was
adjourned at 5:37 p.m.
"fhe next regular meeting is April 13, 2009.
Minutes approved as submitted: ~~ ~^-~~
Minutes approved as corrected: