Minutes Human Rights 12 9 02
DUBUQUE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MINUTES OF
December 9, 2002
Judy Giesen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at 4:15 p.m. on
Monday, December 9, 2002, in Conference Room 2 at the City Hall Annex.
Roll Call:
Present: Raydora Drummer Evelyn Jackson
Sr. Corine Murray Judy Giesen
Marty O'Shea Bill Ross
Chuck Ryan Lou Oswald
Absent: Kathy Stevens
Staff: Kelly Larson Carol Spinoso
Approval of Minutes:
Commissioner Ross moved to approve the November 18, 2002 meeting minutes, Commissioner
O'Shea seconded. All in favor of accepting the minutes as submitted.
Caseload Report:
Carol summarized the November Caseload Report. There were 28 intakes, 4 cases in backlog, 7
cases under active investigation, 2 cases in mediation/conciliation, 4 cases in administrative review, 0
cases in ALJ review, 4 cases in the public hearing process, 5 new cases filed, and 0 cases were
closed. The case synopsis involves employment discrimination on the basis of disability.
Chairperson's Report
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The "Our Lady of Guadalupe" celebration will be held at St. Pat's on December 12at 6:00 a.m. and
6:00 p.m.
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Judy will be speaking to Wahlert High School students on December 10 on human rights issues.
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Judy will present the Commission's Annual Report to the City Council at their December 16 meeting.
Director’s Report:
Kelly attended a meeting to discuss the possibility of bringing a variety of people in the
community together to make Dubuque a "Community of Promise."
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The DDRC hosted a training event on December 2 that was well attended by DDRC
mediators and mediators from Loras and the Small Claims Court.
Co-chairs for Faces & Voices received correspondence from a couple that had attended the
About Face performance and had objections to it on religious grounds. The co-chairs and
Kelly did send a response to their letter.
Kelly continues to meet with the Police Recruitment Committee. Chief Wadding will be going
to four Chicago area colleges with significant minority enrollment to talk about possible
employment in Dubuque.
Staff is continuing to work on the multi-family housing accessibility compliance project and
the testing program.
The courts have issued a notice of judicial review in the Parris vs. Maro case. The review will
be on January 24, 2003 at 10:30 a.m.
The proposed decision in the Kenniker vs. Unique Balance hearing was received today. The
deadline for the Commission to accept, reject or modify the proposed decision is March 9,
2003. Commissioner Murray moved to review the Kenniker vs. Unique Balance Proposed
Decision at the February 10, 2003 regular Commission meeting. Lou seconded. All in favor.
Copies of the transcript and exhibits are available in the office. Copies of the proposed
decision will be forwarded to parties along with a letter outlining the timeline for submission of
any exceptions or briefs.
Status of Individuals Applying for Commission
Kelly reported that there are currently six applications on file.
Utilizing Commissioners to Serve on Hearing Panel for May Public Hearing
For the upcoming May public hearing, the Commission exercised the option to have two
commissioners, Judy and Marty, serve on the hearing panel. Marty moved to have the hearing panel
participate with the decision panel, participating in the discussion and voting at their discretion. Lou
seconded. All in favor.
Plan of Action for Goals
Update on Sexual Orientation
Commissioner Ross provided a copy of an e-mail from the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights
Commission regarding their approach to adding sexual orientation to their civil rights
ordinance. Bill will continue to research this issue.
He added that there will be discussion groups offered to parents of gay and lesbian children at
Four Mounds in February. Bill will convey additional information when received.
Needs for Children/Parents with Autism – Corine, Chuck, Marty
Commissioner Murray has been unsuccessful in contacting representatives of ARC. She will
continue with her efforts. The committee continues to speak with area agencies and continues
to gather information.
Address Resident Concern Regarding National Origin
Commissioner O'Shea stated that he and other Commissioners were made aware of a gentleman in
the community from Sri Lanka who feels he is being treated harshly by the court system. The
situation is not jurisdictional under Chapter 27, but some Commissioners will be meeting with this
gentleman and his attorney Wednesday.
New Business
Adjournment
Commissioner O'Shea moved and Commissioner Ryan seconded to adjourn the meeting. All in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 5:59 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted: _______________________________________
Minutes approved as corrected: ________________________________________