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Minutes Human Rights 1 13 03DUBUQUE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MINUTES OF January 13, 2003 Judy Giesen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at 4:15 p.m. on Monday, January 13, 2003, in Conference Room 2 at the City Hall Annex. Roll Call: Present: Raydora Drummer Sr. Codne Murray Penny Ehlinger Chuck Ryan Vincent Vanden Huevel Evelyn Jackson Judy Giesen Bill Ross Lou Oswald Staff: Kelly Larson Bill Blum Carol Spinoso Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Ross moved to approve the December 9, 2002 meeting minutes, Commissioner Oswald seconded. All in favor of accepting the minutes as submitted. Caseload Report: Carol summarized the December Caseload Report. There were 31 intakes, 3 cases in backlog, 7 cases under active investigation, 3 cases in mediation/conciliation, 5 cases in administrative review, 0 cases in ALJ review, 4 cases in the public hearing process, 2 new cases filed, and I case was closed. The case synopsis involves employment discrimination on the basis of age. Chairperson's Report Judy distributed a calendar of upcoming events. Judy suggested sending letters to those individuals who applied for commission seats to thank themand and encourage them to maintain their interest in human rights. Commissioner Oswald moved to approve sending a thank you letter and Commissioner Murray seconded. All in favor. Last month Judy spoke to two classes of Wahlert students on human rights issues. Lastly, Judy encouraged Comm~sioners to review the goals pdor tO the March meeting. Director's Report: The bulk of time in the office this past month was spent on investigations. We also continue to work on the multi-family housing accessibility compliance project. We sent out the initial batch of notification letters on approximately 10 properties, have already had a meeting and settled one of the cases, and will be holding a couple of additional meetings in the next week or so. We also sent out the second batch of letters and are waiting for responses on those. The fire chief has asked us to do general harassment and diversity awareness training for the firefighters sometime over the next couple months, as they have several new people and have not had training for several years. The chairs will be having a general wrap-up meeting for Faces & Voices on January 9, and in a couple of months we'll be scheduling a meeting with all volunteers to discuss the future of Faces & Voices. Jack Harper, one of our bike officers, attended a ten-day Spanish immersion class in Tucson in December. He is now available to us when we need assistance communicating with people who speak Spanish. I will be serving as vice president for the Regional Executive Council on Civil Rights, our organization consisting of directors in our four-state region - Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska. Thanks to Evelyn and Lou for attending the HUD training in Kansas City. Thanks to Judy for attending the Council meeting on December 16 for submission of the Annual Report. The Department's budget headng is scheduled for February 5, 2003 at 6:15 p.m. Kelly encouraged Commissioners to attend. Kelly reminded Commissioners to review the Kennicker vs. Unique Balance transcripts pdor to the February 10~ meeting. Kelly questioned whether or not the Commission would allow oral arguments. R3ydora moved to request oral arguments from both parties limiting the time to fifteen minutes. Evelyn seconded. Ail in favor. Elect Interim Vice Chairperson Commissioner Ross nominated Commissioner Murray to serve as interim Vice Chair. Commissioner Ryan seconded. Commissioner Jackson nominated commissioner Oswald. Commissioner Murray seconded, commissioner Oswald withdrew the nomination. Commissioner Oswald moved to close nominations. Raydora seconded. All in favor. All in favor of appointing commissioner Murray as interim Vice Chair. Appoint Commissioner to Serve on May Hearing Panel A Commissioner is needed to serve with Judy on the hearing panel for the May 6-8, 2003 public hearing. This item will be addressed again at the Mamh meeting. Consider Endorsement of Responsible Lending Guidelines Kelly reported that she was asked by the HOUsing Commission to help draft some Responsible Lending Guidelines. Commissioner Oswald moved to endorse the Housing commission's Responsible Lending Guidelines. Commissioners Ross seconded. Ail in favor. Plan of Action for Goals Banquet Update - Evelyn, Raydora Commissioner Jackson reported that the Committee is planning on holding the banquet in the spring at Clarke College. The Committee welcomes any suggestions for speakers. Faces & Voices ~ · th * - 7:00 Commissioner Oiesen announced a meeting of all volunteers on March 12 from 5.00 at the Forum to evaluate the future of Faces & Voices. Sexual Orientation - Bill Commissioner Ross is working with a member of the gay community here in Dubuque to have him encourage individuals to come forward with complaints of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Bill will provide an update in March. Disc;,~ion of Fo~s~ble Deportation of an ImmiRrant with Green Card Status Commissioners Murray, Ryan, Giesen and Marty O'Shea drafted a letter to the Assistant County Attorney voicing concerns and asking for consideration for an individual in Dubuque who faces deportation. Bill Blum recommended that Commissioners send letters independently, as opposed to the Commission, as this is going beyond the scope of the ordinance. New Business Report on Commissioner Training Commissioner Jackson relayed that HUD in pushing to get investigators trained so that housing cases are investigated properly. Commissioner Giesen thanked Evelyn and Lou for attending. 2003 At-a-Glace Commissioner Oswald distributed a list of important points that he urged Commissioner to review as a reminder of the powers and duties of the Human Rights Commission. Adioumment Commissioner Ross moved and Commissioner Murray seconded to adjourn the meeting. All in favor. The meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m. Minutes approved as submitted: ~4~~) .~ Minutes approved as corrected: