Minutes_Human Rights Commission 2 8 10Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
4:25 p.m. on Monday, February 8, 2010, in Conference Room 2 at the City Hall Annex.
Roll Call:
Present: Jim Allan Colin Scott
Anthony Allen, Vice Chair R.R.S. Stewart
Lori Apel Lynn Sutton
Marcos Rubinstein, Chair Katrina Wilberding
Absent: Pam Sharrad
Staff:
Multicultural Family Center — Tara Velez
Tara distributed the Center's newsletter, gave a brief overview of the Center and provided
information on the various programs offered by the Center. She stated that most programs are
offered in partnership with other organizations due to their small operating budget. Commissioner
Rubinstein asked how the Commission could help the MFC. Tara expressed a need for adult
volunteers; help with promoting the center, and monetary donations.
Oath of Office
Kelly Larson Molly Menster
Commissioner Stewart took Oath of Office.
CITY OF DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
February 8, 2010
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Allan moved and Commissioner Allen seconded to approve the minutes of January
11, 2010. Commissioner Allen pointed out that Commissioner Allan had moved to adjourn, not
Commissioner Allen. The meeting minutes were approved unanimously as corrected.
Review History of Housing Testing /No Testing in Dubuque
Kelly stated that in approximately 1997 there had been a recommendation from the Human Rights
Commission to do housing discrimination testing in Dubuque, and that the City Council at that time
was opposed to doing that. At this point the Commission needs to decide if they are interested in
pursuing testing and how they want to proceed. Commissioner Rubinstein asked about funding for
the project and Kelly stated that they have HUD funding that they may be able to use for testing,
but would need to get their approval. HUD's policy is enforcement action if there is evidence of a
violation. Additionally, HUD would probably require a proposal prior to them allowing us to use
HUD funds for testing. The cost would depend on whether they did phone or in person testing; and
we would need to hire someone to come in to train testers. Kelly will check with the Cedar Rapids
Human Rights Commission and the Iowa Civil Rights Commission to see what the costs of their
testing programs were.
Commissioner Wilberding questioned the type of civil penalties that would be assessed. Kelly
stated that based on the type of violation found, staff would look at the settlements of other
agencies that have done testing, along with the Department of Justice, to see what type of
settlements they put in place for the various types of violations. Commissioner Wilberding felt it
was important to determine that piece prior to taking it to the City Council. Commissioner Allan
suggested some sort of pilot program before they launch a full scale testing program to determine
the need for education or enforcement based testing.
Commission Wilberding suggested that as a Commission, they start with approaching the Landlord
Association to explain the law and let them know that we are trying to avoid testing, and if they
want to work with us then we can avoid it. Commissioner Sutton commented that it may be difficult
dealing with the leadership of that group. Commissioner Scott recommended just inviting them
about community concerns and if they say no, then we proceed with the testing. Commissioner
Sutton added that with enforcement, there still has to be an educational component.
Commissioner Rubinstein proposed to reactivate the Housing Subcommittee and work on a
proposal to present, discuss and vote on at next month's meeting. He stated that he had sent an
email to the Chair of the Housing Commission to see about meeting to discuss relevant issues.
Commissioner Allen moved to table the discussion until they have clarified information from the
meeting with the Housing Commission. Commissioner Allan seconded. Commissioner Rubinstein
offered a friendly amendment to table this discussion until the March meeting, not until clarification
is received from the Housing Commission so that they can continue the dialog. Commissioner
Allen accepted the friendly amendment. Commissioner Allan moved to engage in testing to gather
data as grounds of any further action. Commissioner Allen seconded. Commissioner Stewart
moved to suspend the tabling motion so they can discuss Commissioner Allan's current motion.
Commissioner Allen seconded. All in favor.
Commissioner Rubinstein offered a friendly amendment adding wording that it is the sense of the
Human Rights Commission that testing in the area of housing discrimination is needed.
Commissioner Rubinstein withdrew his friendly amendment. Roll call:
Motion carried.
Rubinstein Yes Wilberding Yes
Allen Yes Scott Yes
Allan Yes Stewart Yes
Sutton Yes Apel Yes
Commissioner Rubinstein restated Commissioner Allen's main motion to table the discussion until
the March meeting. Roll call:
Rubinstein Yes Wilberding Yes
Allen Yes Scott Yes
Allan Yes Stewart Yes
Sutton Yes Apel Yes
Motion carried. Commissioner Rubinstein stated that the subcommittee will meet and have at least
a proposed timeline and action steps available to share with commissioners at the March 8th
meeting. Commissioners interested in participating on the Housing Subcommittee should meet
with Commissioner Rubinstein after the meeting.
January 2010 Caseload Report
Commissioner Allan commended staff on the quantity of speaking engagements. Commissioner
Wilberding questioned if there was something that commissioners could be doing to better assist
staff. Kelly explained that people enjoy the Speakers' Bureau and that any contacts commissioners
can make to set up those kinds of engagements would be helpful. Additionally, just doing general
speaking and going out as commissioners to groups like the Rotary or Kiwanis and give just a 10 —
20 minute presentation on this is what the Human Rights Commission is about and this is who you
call.
At 5:20 p.m. Commissioner Wilberding moved to extend the meeting 20 minutes to complete the
agenda. Commissioner Allen seconded. All in favor.
Chairperson's Report
No report given.
Director's Report
Written report for January was submitted.
Request from One Iowa to Join the Partners Program
Commissioner Wilberding questioned whether this request is an issue by issue basis. Kelly replied
that this request is issue specific to the constitutional amendment issue. Commissioner Stewart
moved to partner with One Iowa to use the Dubuque Human Rights Commission's name as being
opposed to a constitutional amendment to the state constitution regarding marriage.
Commissioner Allan seconded.
Motion carried.
Review Goals
Commissioner Wilberding moved to schedule the Town Hall Meeting in conjunction with the
April 12 Commission meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Multicultural Family Center. Commissioner
Scott seconded. All in favor. Staff will check with the MFC to see if it is available.
Commissioner Stewart suggested that the topic of the Town Hall Meeting be housing
discrimination. Commissioner Sutton suggested not just housing, but for discrimination for
people seeking housing.
New Business
Rubinstein Yes Wilberding Yes
Allen Yes Scott Yes
Allan Yes Stewart Yes
Sutton Yes Apel Yes
Commissioner Apel reported that the National Origin Subcommittee is meeting Thursday from
10:00 — 11:00 a.m. at the Lantern Center.
Adjournment
Commissioner Stewart moved to adjourn and Commissioner Sutton seconded. All in favor.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:43 p.m.
The next regular meeting is March 8, 2010.
Minutes approved as submitted'
Minutes approved as corrected'