Minutes_Human Rights Commission 6 7 10CITY OF DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
June 7, 2010
Commissioner Stewart called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
4:47 p.m. on Monday, June 7, 2010, at the City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa.
Roll Call:
Present: Lori Apel Pam Sharrad
Marcos Rubinstein R.R.S. Stewart
Colin Scott
Absent: Anthony Allen, Chair Katrina Wilberding
Lynn Sutton, Vice Chair
Staff: Kelly Larson Carol Spinoso
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Rubinstein moved to approve the meeting minutes of May 10, 2010; Commissioner
Scott seconded. No discussion. All in favor. The meeting minutes were approved unanimously.
Fair Housing Subcommittee Update
Commissioner Rubinstein reported that they are developing a list of objectives and goals for the
year. They discussed issues of renting and home ownership. They decided that it was important to
have more public forums; possibly within the Northend and Westend neighborhoods. They
discussed Jackson Park and Kennedy Mall as possible locations. They will attempt to recruit
community members to serve on the subcommittee.
Housing Testing Timeline
Commissioner Rubinstein stated that Commissioner Allen was preparing the timeline.
Commissioner Stewart questioned when they planned to send the letter on to the Iowa Civil Rights
Commission and the City Council regarding the Commission's interest in testing. Commissioner
Rubinstein conveyed that Commissioner Sutton had taken notes and that he doesn't recall the
exact wording of the letter, but they wanted commission approval for the letter and the timeline that
Commissioner Allen was preparing. There were concerns with the amount of time that has passed
since this issue was first discussed at the February meeting. Commissioner Rubinstein moved to
request that the Commission Chair write a letter and timeline and send to the City Council by their
June 21, 2010 meeting, and notify the ICRC that Dubuque is interested in testing focusing on race
and disability discrimination. Commissioner Stewart seconded. Commissioner Rubinstein worried
that they may be too late with their request to ICRC if they postpone any longer. Consensus was to
contact Anthony to inquire as to the status of the timeline. Commissioner Sharrad will contact
Commissioner Allen to determine the status of that document. To save time, Commissioners felt
that they wouldn't need to review the letter prior to sending on to ICRC and the City Council.
Commissioner Stewart withdrew her second. The previous motion is withdrawn.
Fair Housing Forum Report Update
Commissioner Rubinstein reported that they are still working on this. They are discussing a future
fair type forum at a Northend park on a Saturday either this summer or early fall, and an event
during the winter in the Community Room at the Mall. At the next meeting they we begin recruiting
people from the community to be active in the subcommittee.
ADA Roundtable and Video
Commissioner Stewart reported that she has been working with Abi and Katrina in organizing the
July ADA Roundtable event. She stated that the possible dates are either June 26, or July 7, 8 or
12, with July 7 & 8 being more favorable. She indicated that the Director of Hills and Dales has
offered the use of their community room for this event. She stated that Senator Harkin will not be
present, but that Linda Lucy will be there on his behalf. They have also contacted Senator
Grassley, Representative Braley, Pam Jochum, and Pat Murphy and other local city people asking
if they would want to take part in this event. Katrina and Abi prepared a PowerPoint presentation
that highlights the work of PAD and their accessibility efforts and other ADA initiatives. They are
preparing questions for the service providers to be sent in advance in preparation for discussion
topics. Transportation issues and a Center for Independent Living in Dubuque are a couple topics
for discussion. Commissioner Stewart asked for feedback as to questions they should ask, specific
topics for discussion, and dates and times that would be the best, keeping in mind transportation
issues. She will contact both Commissioners Wilberding and Allen to get input, and will
communicate back. Commissioner Sharrad suggested that in addition to the forum that service
providers possibly setup displays.
Commissioner Stewart stated that she will prepare the press release, and that Commissioner
Wilberding is willing to contact the TH to get an ADA article published. Abi suggested Letters to
the Editor to advertise the event and perhaps highlight various things going on in the city.
Commissioner Stewart stated she would get together with Commissioner Wilberding to draft a
letter and share with the commission. Commissioner Rubinstein moved to authorize
Commissioners' Wilberding and Stewart, on behalf of the Commission, to write a letter to the editor
regarding the Anniversary of the ADA and share with commissioner via email for commissioner
input. Commissioner Scott seconded. All in favor.
Abi reported that the City's Cable TV Division produced an Accessible Housing video and that they
will be showing that video on Channel 8 the week of the actual ADA anniversary date. Cable TV
stated that rather than adding a 30 second commission introduction to that video, they would rather
establish a 30 minute program on the ADA. It was suggested, because of time and resources, that
they just record the ADA Roundtable event and edit it to a 30 minute video.
Caseload Report
A written report for May was submitted.
Chairperson's Report
No report given.
Director's Report
Written report for May was submitted.
Rule of the Month
Postponed until next meeting.
New Business
Discuss possible monthly work sessions — Postponed until next meeting.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Rubinstein. Second by Commissioner Sharrad. All in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
The next meeting and ADA roundtable discussion will be July 8, 2010.
Minutes approved as submitted*
Minutes approved as corrected*