Minutes_Human Rights Commission 09.13.21Copyrighted
December 6, 2021
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 1.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of 11/15 and 11/22; Arts and Cultural Affairs
Commission of 11/23; Cable TV Commission of 6/16 and 11/17; Civil
Service Commission of 11/04; Historic Preservation Commission of
11/18; Human Rights Commission of 9/13; Library Board of Trustees of
9/23; Library Board of Trustees Update of 11/18; Zoning Board of
Adjustment of 10/28; Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings
of 11 /01.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
City Council Proceedings of 11/15/21 Supporting Documentation
City Council Proceedings of 11/22/21
Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission Minutes of
11 /23/21
Cable TV Commission Minutes of 6/16/21
Cable TV Commission Minutes of 11/17/21
Civil Service Commission Minutes of 11/04/21
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes of 11/18/21 Supporting Documentation
Human Rights Commission Minutes of 09/13/21 Supporting Documentation
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 09/23/21
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 09/23/21
Library Board of Trustees Update of 11/18/21
Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes of 10/28/21
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of
11/01/21
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
DUBUQUE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
September 13, 2021
Commissioner Gardiner called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to
order at 4:32 p.m. on Monday, September 13, 2021, at the Multicultural Family Center, 1157
Central Avenue, Conference Room 2, Dubuque, IA 52001.
Roll Call:
Present: Carla Anderson
Michael Durnin
Klanea Evans
Mallory Gardiner
Absent: Taylor Merfeld
Staff: Kelly Larson
Miquel Jackson
Jake Kurczek
Kathy McCarthy
Pamela Birch
Carol Spinoso
Approval of August 14, 2021 Meeting Minutes
Motion by Jackson second by Anderson to approve the meeting minutes of August 9, 2021.All
in favor The minutes were approved as submitted.
Reports
Caseload Reports
The August 2021 Caseload Report was received and filed.
Chairperson's Report
Gardiner reminded commissioners of the upcoming International Day of Peace
activities. The theme is Promoting Racial Justice: Dismantling Systemic Racism with
keynote speaker Olga Marina Segura, and will be held at Loras on Tuesday, September
21st at 7:00 p.m.
Old Business:
New Business:
Discuss Making Equity Explicit Focus in Department Name, Positions, Ordinance
Kelly provided background information on the proposed transition from the Human
Rights Department to the Office of Equity and Human Rights that will include the equity
focus of the department's work. Currently there is nothing in the ordinance that
discusses equity and systemic issues. The ordinance was written in the 60's and
focuses mainly on complaints of discrimination and looks at what creates tensions
between people and intergroup relations without looking at the larger systemic issues.
This proposal focuses on the equity work already being done in the department that is
not currently laid out in job descriptions, the title of the department, or the ordinance.
Kelly asked for feedback regarding this proposed change prior to her forwarding it on to
the City Council in October. Commissioner Durnin moved to support the transition of the
Human Rights Department to the Office of Equity and Human Rights along with the
corresponding staff position changes. Jackson seconded. Roll call:
Carla Anderson
Yes
Michael Durnin
Yes
Klanea Evans
Yes
Mallory Gardiner
Yes
Miquel Jackson Yes
Jake Kurczek Yes
Kathy McCarthy Yes
Page 1 of 2
Motion carried. The proposal will be presented to the Council at their October 4, 2021 meeting.
Standing Items — Goals 2021-2022:
Goal: To build a greater community awareness and connections to advance Human Rights in
Dubuque.
Outreach and Advocacy Efforts — *Gardiner, Kurczek, Jackson
Kurczek created a document that outlines the proposed 2021 legislative actions that
affect human rights and inequities in Iowa. The document contains legislator contact
information, describes the impact, and provides the current status.
2. Inequities in Housing, Homelessness, and Food Access — *Anderson, McCarthy, Birch
Anderson would like to obtain information from local shelters to verify homeless data. It
was suggested she contact the Dubuque Homeless Advisory Coalition as they work in the
community collecting data on current trends and statistics within the homeless population.
Housing staff working in the Gaining Opportunities Program could also provide information
on needs. Kelly will share the goals with Housing staff and invite them to a meeting to
provide information.
Criminal Justice — *Merfeld, Durnin
Durnin is scheduled to meet with Caprice Jones September 14`h. The SRO group
continues to meet monthly. They are analyzing data, reviewing discussion points and
the research obtained, and will eventually make a series of recommendations to the
DCSD.
Advocacy for victims of sexual assault was suggested as an area to focus on as well. It
was suggested to contact the Riverview Center as they may be able to provide
information on any gaps in the services they offer, where the city may be able to
provide assistance. It was suggested that this focus be part of the education goal.
Commissioner Evans is interested in working on this subcommittee.
Adjournment:
Jackson motioned and Durnin seconded to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting ended at 5:34
p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, October 11, 2021.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected:
Page 2 of 2