Minutes_Human Rights Commission 12 11 17 Copyrighted
February 5, 2018
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 1.
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: Airport Commission of 1/22/18; City Council Proceedings
of 1/16/18; Human Rights Commission of 12/11/17, 1/8/18;
Library Board of Trustees Council Update #167 of 1/25/18;
Resilient Community Advisory Commission of 1/4/18;
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of 1/3/18,
1/16/18; List of Claims and Summary of Revenues for
Month Ending 12/31/17
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Airport Commission Minutes of 1/22/18 Supporting Documentation
City Council Proceedings of 1/16/18 Supporting Documentation
Human Rights Commission of Minutes of 12/11/17 Supporting Documentation
Human Rights Commission Minutes of 1/8/2018 Supporting Documentation
Library Board of Trustees Council Update#167 of Supporting Documentation
1/25/18
Resilient Community Advisory Commissoin Minutes of Supporting Documentation
1/4/18
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of Supporting Documentation
1/3/18
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of Supporting Documentation
1/16/18
Proof of Publication for List of Claims and Summary of Supporting Documentation
Revenues ME 12/31/17
DUBUQUE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
December 11, 2017
Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
433 p.m. on Monday, December 11, 2017, at the City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Street, Conference
Room II, Dubuque, lowa.
Roll Call:
Present: Anthony Allen, Chair Gerald Hammel
Nicole Borovic Miquel Jackson
Indigo Channing Kate Parks
Fred Davis Jay Schiesl, Vice Chair
Absent: Adrienne Breitfelder
Staff: Kelly Larson Carol Spinoso
Joie Brooks
Approval of Minutes:
Commissioner Schiesl moved to approve the meeting minutes of November 13, 2017.
Commissioner Hammel seconded. All in favor. Commissioners Channing and Jackson abstained.
Caseload Report
The November 2017 caseload report was received and filed.
Chairperson Report
NAACP activities include:
Reviewing their annual initiatives and goals, and finalizing previous goals. They will
continue to work on housing, education, employment, and mass incarceration.
They need MLK Tribute judges to review entries on Saturday, from 9:00 to noon at Clarke
in the Atrium. The MLK march will begin at 12:45 p.m. on Sunday, January 14'h at Jackson
Park and the tribute will take place at the Dream Center.
The Access to Justice Committee met to discuss the public outreach forum they held in Des
Moines two weeks ago. They will be working with the NAACP and local attorneys to hold an
expungement fair that will be held on February 24, 2018.
Anthony stated that at next month's meeting, they will need to appoint a commissioner to fill
a vacancy on the DCPRC. Commissioners Schiesl and Davis expressed interest.
Director Report:
A written quarterly report was received and filed.
Kelly explained that about a year ago the City Council passed a resolution around making
sure we are advancing diversity and inclusion through recruitment efforts for boards and
commissions members. She distributed a demographics form that will now be included
with all applications. It is voluntary to complete and is confidential.
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Old Business:
Discuss Gay Conversion Therapy— Nino Erba
Nino reiterated his desire to work with the commission to establish an ordinance on banning gay
conversion therapy. He asked the Commission to write the ordinance. Commissioner Davis
questioned whether these things are occurring in Dubuque right now, to determine whether this
should be a priority for the commission. Commissioner Jackson reminded commissioners that in
March they agreed to provide support to Nino who would be responsible, along with a
subcommittee, to work to research the need in the community, and then prepare the draft
ordinance. Commissioner Hammel suggested that perhaps there should be some dialogue with the
Dubuque Community School officials.
The commission encouraged Nino to coordinate a working subcommittee and begin the dialogue.
Commissioners Channing, Allen, and Jackson are willing to serve on this subcommittee.
Commissioner Channing suggested that Nino contact the Child Protective and Welfare Committee
to possibly recruit some subcommittee members.
Commissioner Allen stated that the NAACP has established a resolution that will focus on Gay
Conversion Therapy, and suggested to Nino that he should work as a NAACP liaison to the DHRC
as it relates to this issue.
Jennifer Ney addressed the Commission about issues she experienced related to mental health
issues and her eviction from a shelter in Dubuque. Jennifer suggested some sort of an arbitrary
board between the shelters, so an individual would have someone to voice their concerns to. It
was recommended that Jennifer contact NAMI and other mental health advocacy groups in the
community.
Standinq Items: Goals
Goal #1: Establish sustainable and consistent equity in the DCSD to live up to the mission and
vision statement of the District.
Commissioner Schiesl reported that they are looking at having conversations with the School
Board members and the Inclusive Dubuque Education Committee.
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.
Alvin Nash, Housing, and Community Development Director, reiterated that when the Commission
had presented the proposed ordinance for the inclusion of Source of Income protection, that the
City Council instead recommended that they adopt and implement educational and outreach
programs and financial incentives to increase participation in the Housing Choice Voucher
program. Alvin presented a printed PowerPoint report and provided an update as to the efforts of
rebranding the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8).
Housing is working on a proposal that will be presented to the City Council in late January, that will
convey the recommended changes related to the rebranding of the HCVP. He will submit that
report to the DHRC prior to the presentation to the City Council.
Alvin stated that the SOI issue at this time is on hold, but that SOI could be brought back to the
City Council at any time. Alvin commented that he felt it would be more beneficial to pursue SOI
following the rebranding process.
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Commissioner Borovic distributed the Housing Commission's HCVP Crime/Nuisance Property
Report. Kelly encouraged commissioners to use the data in that report to correct individuals who
tend to spread misinformation about the HCVP. Commissioner Allen indicated that he will also
send the report he received from the Access to Justice Committee regarding Population and the
Criminal Justice System in lowa.
Goal #3: Collaborate in the elimination of barriers in employment to reduce the poverty rate in
Dubuque. � Review Resilient Community Advisory Commission goals.
Commissioner Parks was not able to attend their last meeting, but does know a committee
member who she plans to meet with prior to next month's meeting.
Adiournment:
Commissioner Davis moved to adjourn, Commissioner Hammel seconded. All in favor. The
meeting ended at 6:00 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, January 8, 2018 at
430 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected:
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