Loading...
Minutes_Human Rights Comission 7 8 10CITY OF DUBUQUE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF July 8, 2010 Chair Anthony Allen convened the ADA Roundtable at 12:00 noon. The oath of office was administered to new Commissioner Frederick Davis. The Roundtable proceeded until 2:15 p.m. Following a break, Commissioner Alien called the regular meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at 2:35 p.m. on Thursday, July 8, 2010, at the Hills & Dales Community Center, 3505 Stoneman Road, Dubuque, Iowa. Roll Call: Present: Anthony Allen, Chair Pam Sharrad Marcos Rubinstein R.R.S. Stewart Colin Scott Frederick Davis Absent: Lori Apel Katrina Wilberding Lynn Sutton, Vice Chair Staff: Kelly Larson Reflections Commissioner Scott acknowledged Commissioner Stewart's great job on the roundtable — thanks to Commissioner Wilberding and Abi as well. Regarding transportation, Commissioner Sharrad mentioned the architect from Mercy who said that handicapped parking is liberally given out in Dubuque and perhaps they could approach some kind of solution to restrict access to parking passes, perhaps providing education in the healthcare field. Also Finley is trying to encourage people to take the bus and bike to work; but if buses do not see someone at the stop they will drive past it. The drivers do not actually stop and wait if someone is ten feet down the street. This could be addressed by talking to the new manager at Keyline as the bus needs to allow time in the schedule for someone who might take longer to get on. Also suggested was to perhaps list services for people in the community on our web page. Consider whether VISTA could possibly gather this information. Approval of Minutes Commissioner Rubinstein moved to approve the meeting minutes of June 7, 2010; Commissioner Scott seconded. No discussion. All in favor. The meeting minutes were approved unanimously. Fair Housing Subcommittee Update Testing timeline: Commissioner Allen apologized for the delay in preparing the timeline. He will have it done hopefully by tomorrow and will forward it on. Fair Housing Forum: Commissioner Rubinstein stated that the group needs to meet and make some decisions. They would like to do one forum in early fall in a park downtown or northend; and one in the winter at the mall. They will try to meet before the next meeting. Caseload Report A written report for June was submitted. Discussion tabled until next month. Chairperson's Report Commissioner Allen thanked RRS, Abi, and Katrina on an excellent job with the ADA Forum today. There were nearly fifty people in attendance. Anthony has a concern with DCAP — Lynn, Marcos, and Anthony serve on the panel which is entrusted to bring together the minority community and the police department. The City Manager appoints some representatives, as does the Dubuque police department and the NAACP. Anthony is concerned that the commission should have some sort of oversight or collaboration with this group because it appears the panel is losing its objectivity and /or does not fully understand the role each individual is expected to play. The officers seem to be investigating /interrogating and it is causing some intimidation for people who file complaints. Perhaps we need to train all people on the panel. Perhaps they need to look into renegotiating the memorandum of understanding, maybe by engaging the NAACP and UNDIA. Director's Report Written report for June was submitted. Kelly also noted that there is a police /community relations panel on race that will be on August 19 from 6 -8 p.m. at the MFC. Public Hearing Panel Kelly stated that a public hearing is scheduled for August 30 and 31, 2010. She stated that the Chair makes the decision as to who serves on the panel, but that commissioners could provide input. Commissioner Stewart stated she likes the idea of having commissioners on the panel, though she wonders whether there are three commissioners who can commit up to three days to this hearing. Commissioner Rubinstein also indicated it would be a good idea, if there are three available. Commissioners Rubinstein, Sharrad, and Stewart would be available. Commissioner Scott also likes the idea of having commissioners serve and could be available. Commissioner Allen will email his decision to Kelly. Rule of the Month Public hearings — Commissioner Allen read the provision of the ordinance regarding the commission's administrative hearing responsibilities. New Business Commissioner Allen blocked off time between 10:00 — 1:00 in the conference room on the Tuesday following their regular meetings to have work sessions to follow through on items that need additional work from the previous night's DHRC meeting. They must monitor to ensure that a quorum is not present. The idea is to have office space and resources available, for example, if Anthony says he's going to stop in tomorrow to work on the timeline, the space and the resources would be available to do that. Next Tuesday there is space available. Kelly suggested that we do some training on public hearings at the next meeting. Commissioner Rubinstein expressed concern about equity issues in the school district now that they have removed Kris Hall from his position. He felt Kris was our strongest ally in the district, and expressed concern that the only administrative staff cut was the equity director. He would like people to start thinking about what the commission might do about the situation at this point. Commissioner Sharrad suggested the commission first ask who will be handling equity issues because it may have been reassigned. At this point, Commissioner Rubinstein is just raising this to express concern and suggest we have an agenda item next month while inviting the superintendent. He asked Kelly to send a letter to the superintendent expressing these concerns and invite her to attend a meeting. Commissioner Stewart suggested that they plan goal setting for Friday, September 17, from noon to five with lunch. Commissioner Allen asked commissioners to bring suggestions for a facilitator. Anthony suggested Art Roche or Sid Scott. Adjournment Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Scott. Second by Commissioner Stewart. All in favor. Meeting adjourned at 3:25 p.m. The next meeting will be August 9, 2010. Minutes approved as submitted Minutes approved as corrected.