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.