Minutes_Human Rights Commission 5 10 10CITY OF DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
May 10, 2010
Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
4:16 p.m. on Monday, May 10, 2010, at the City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa.
Roll Call:
Present:
Anthony Allen, Chair
Marcos Rubinstein
R.R.S. Stewart
Lynn Sutton, Vice Chair
Katrina Wilberding
Absent: Jim Allan Pam Sharrad
Lori Apel Colin Scott
Staff: Kelly Larson Molly Menster
Carol Spinoso
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Rubinstein moved to approve the meeting minutes of April 12, 2010; Commissioner
Wilberding seconded. No discussion. All in favor. None opposed. The meeting minutes were
approved unanimously.
Action of Fair Housing Forum Report
Commissioners received a summary on input received by community members related to fair
housing issues in the community. Commissioners voiced disappointment about the low
attendance. They will consider other formats and locations to reach different demographics when
hosting future events. It was proposed that perhaps they go to the parks, and that groups of two
commissioners or the subcommittee members talk with people as that could be more effective.
Commissioner Allen wants to do more community outreach like this to get feedback and suggested
going to places where they can reach out to the immigrant population. It was suggested that they
collaborate with ECIA as they have a large list of service providers and have done surveys related
to community needs.
Fair Housing Subcommittee Update
Commissioner Stewart moved that the Fair Housing subcommittee further review the data from the
housing forum and come back with recommendations to the full Commission. Commissioner
Rubinstein seconded. All in favor. Commissioner Rubinstein will call the first formal meeting of the
subcommittee in two weeks.
Decision on the ICRC Testing Program
Kelly reported that the Iowa Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) is doing a statewide testing program
this summer and inquired whether Dubuque would be interested in having rental testing conducted.
This would not involve the DHRC in terms of expending any funds or processing any complaints.
The ICRC would enter into a contract to have the tests performed and would make the decisions
about whether or not the tests revealed discrimination and would issue a report on what the tests
revealed. The ICRC would move forward with enforcement in cases where there was clear
evidence of discrimination. Kelly asked whether Commissioners were interested in having ICRC
include Dubuque in the program and, if so, in what categories. Commissioner Stewart reminded
members that in February the Commission voted to pursue testing in order to obtain data regarding
whether or not actionable discrimination is occurring. Commissioner Wilberding moved that the
commission create a timeline regarding the discussions they have had concerning housing
discrimination and then forward this timeline to the City Council for their information at the same
time that they forward a request to the ICRC to include Dubuque in the tests, and also moved that
the Commission decide what bases to test. Commissioner Rubinstein seconded. Commissioner
Wilberding clarified that she wanted to more clearly phrase her motions. Commissioner Rubinstein
rescinded his second. Commissioner Wilberding rephrased her motion to state that the
Commission will present a considered action to the City Council stating that the commission has
looked at fair housing and has determined that the next step is to discuss the areas to be tested
and to ask the ICRC to come to Dubuque to perform the testing. Commissioner Rubinstein
seconded. Roll call:
Allen Yes Sutton Yes
Rubinstein Yes Wilberding Yes.
Stewart Yes
Motion carried. Commissioner Stewart moved to ask the ICRC to prioritize race and disability as it
investigates possible housing violations in the City of Dubuque. Commissioner Rubinstein
seconded. All in favor.
ADA Anniversary Proclamation
Commissioner Wilberding distributed a list of supporters from Iowa that joined the 2010 by 2010
ADA Campaign and encouraged commissioners to personally become part of the effort.
Additionally, she would like to send a request to the City Council and Mayor to sign on and do a
proclamation. There was a motion by Commissioner Rubinstein and a second by Commissioner
Stewart to have Commissioner Wilberding, on behalf of the Commission, send an official request to
the City Council and Mayor asking them to participate in this effort and to present an ADA
proclamation. All in favor.
Related to the preparation for the celebration in July, Abi Cahak reported that a VISTA from the
ICRC is attempting to publish an ADA article in the Telegraph Herald as well as other newspapers
throughout the state. As an alternative, they will write letters to the editor.
Commissioner Stewart is working on planning a public event in celebration of the 20 Anniversary
of the ADA. She is looking at options where they would get valuable feedback even if there isn't a
large public attendance. She is contemplating inviting representatives from area service providers
and local people who work in different areas that are affected by the ADA. She is thinking of a
panel discussion for a question and answer type session about accomplishments over the last 20
years, and future initiatives. This meeting would be open for the public to attend to just listen, or to
participate in the discussion.
Discussion ensued on how they can encourage people to attend. Commissioner Wilberding
suggested getting local politicians involved. She also suggested listing the city's accomplishments
in a digital presentation and sending it to Senator Harkin. She felt it was important that he be
present. They will decide on a date for the event once they determine when Harkin will be in
Dubuque. Katrina also mentioned that she has a commitment from the marketing team at Dupaco
to help PAD with marketing efforts, and that she may talk to them about marketing this event. Abi
volunteered to work on putting the presentation together.
Recommend DHRC #4259 Proceed to Public Hearing
Kelly reported that the case involves a racial harassment case in employment that has been
investigated with a probable cause finding that did not settle. The Assistant City Attorney has
reviewed the case and is recommending that it go forward to hearing. Commissioner Wilberding
moved and Commissioner Rubinstein seconded to recommend DHRC #4259 proceed to public
hearing. All in favor.
Caseload Report
A written report for April was submitted. Commissioners questioned the increase in gender identity
inquires, and it was suggested that they try to recruit someone into the speakers' bureau to speak
on gender identity issues.
Chairperson's Report
Commissioner Allen reported that he had attended the Dubuque Dispute Resolution Center
(DDRC) meeting. They talked about holding a mediation training session. He also attended the
DCAP meeting where the focus was race relations.
Director's Report
Written report for March was submitted.
Rule of the Month
Commissioner Allen gave a brief overview of Chapter 2, Section 8- 2 -8(b) Special Meetings. There
was discussion on the Open Meetings law related to sending public meeting notices. Kelly stated
a notice would need to be sent if it is committee work for the commission, and if commissioner
attendance is either a majority of the committee, or a majority of commissioners.
New Business
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Rubinstein. Second by Commissioner Sutton. All in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
The next meeting is June 14, 2010 at 4:15 p.m. at the City Hall Annex in Conference Room II.
Minutes approved as submitted'
Minutes approved as corrected'