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: