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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'