Minutes_Human Rights Commission 9 13 104
CITY OF DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
September 13, 2010
Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
4:31 p.m. on Monday, September 13, 2010, at the City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Street, Dubuque,
Iowa.
Roll Call:
Present: Anthony Allen, Chair
Lori Apel
Pam Sharrad
R.R.S. Stewart
Katrina Wilberding
Absent: Lynn Sutton, Vice Chair Colin Scott
Frederick Davis Marcos Rubinstein
Staff: Kelly Larson Carol Spinoso
Molly Menster
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Stewart moved to approve the August 9, 2010 meeting minutes. Commissioner
Apel seconded. All in favor. The meeting minutes were approved as submitted.
Forum Updates
Fair Housing Forum: Commissioner Allen stated that his letter communicating the Commission's
fair housing efforts was submitted to the City Council. Kelly stated that the Council received and
filed that communication, and that the Iowa Civil Rights Commission will proceed with testing for
race and disability discrimination. The State will then submit a written report that they can use for
educational purposes.
ADA Forum: Commissioner Stewart distributed a revised ADA Activity Summary Report.
Commissioner Wilberding commented that there is a definite need for a Center for Independent
Living (CIL) in Dubuque. She stated that the CIL is in need of leadership and support, and that
Proudly Accessible Dubuque and Step by Step are working to collaborate and may lend support to
this effort. Commissioner Stewart stated that the board has submitted the paperwork for 501c3
status, and is currently looking for board members and working on funding issues.
Commissioner Stewart stated that the revised report has been sent to Roundtable participants and
the City Manager. She understands that the City Manager shared it with other individuals as well.
She wasn't sure whether that included the City Council. Kelly will indicate to the City Manager that
the Commission requests that the report be sent to the City Council. Commissioner Wilberding
suggested that she highlight the revisions or maybe summarize the content changes.
Commissioner Stewart discussed also sending a press release announcing the results of the ADA
Roundtable stating that they will be addressing issues at their goal setting session. Commissioner
Allen suggested that since they are sharing information on their housing efforts, that the City
Council should also be informed about ADA activities. Commissioner Stewart moved to accept the
revised ADA Activity Summary Report and forward it to the City Manager with a request that he
forward it on to the City Council. Commissioner Apel seconded. All in favor.
Further discussion regarding the report will take place at the commission's goal setting session on
Friday.
Caseload Report
A written report for August 2010 was submitted.
Chairperson's Report
Commissioner Allen reported that he along with Commissioners Rubinstein and Stewart attended the Police
Community Dialogue on Race. He was pleased to see the respectful interactions of the group when dealing
with the various issues. Commissioner Wilberding moved to have the group that attended the session write
a letter of thanks from the Commission to the panelists advising them how impressed they are with their
efforts. Commissioner Apel seconded. All in favor.
The Chair met with members of DCAP and Kelly to discuss the possibility of having DCAP move toward
mediation. He will make contact with the DDRC to further discuss this recommendation.
Director's Report
Kelly reported that staff is currently working on the reorganization. She is hopeful that by October
1 they will begin filing cases through the Legal Department. She stated that the only difference in
function is that staff will no longer perform the actual investigations. Commission functions will
remain the same. She stated that another recommendation from the Safe Community Task Force
is to have mandatory Intercultural Competence Training for all boards and commissions. They are
currently putting together a recommendation on how to proceed with that suggestion. Lastly, she
stated that the Northern Illinois University Crime and Poverty Study is wrapping up so they should
be receiving a report on that study in late October or early November.
Communication from Dr. Godinez
Kelly stated that Dr. Godinez responded on assignments after having eliminated the Equity
Director position. Essentially Claudette Bees will represent the District on faces & voices, and then
Stan Rheingans will do the general equity issues. It is not clear whether the Equity Advisory
Committee remains a functioning group. Commissioner Apel stated that there are two school
systems in Dubuque and suggested that if a concerted effort is going to be made in courtesy to
one, it should also be extended to the other. Commissioner Wilberding moved to table further
discussion until the goal setting session. Commissioner Stewart seconded. Roll call:
All in favor.
Anthony Allen Yes R.R.S. Stewart Yes
Lori Apel Yes Katrina Wilberding Yes
Pam Sharrad Yes
New Business
Commissioner Allen has the joint proclamation for the International Day of Peace and will deliver it
to the office. He stated that he had a conversation with David Harris, the Housing Services
Manager, and he is willing to sit down with the Commission and discuss the various housing
issues.
It was decided that Commissioner Wilberding will provide quarterly updates as to PAD activities.
She also questioned whether they should send an invitation to the Chamber to have a member of
their board become part of this commission so that the Commission could have a strong business
voice at the table. Commissioner Allen favored the commission creating a partnership with the
Chamber. He suggested that this be discussed at the goal setting session.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Wilberding. Second by Commissioner Stewart. All in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
The next meeting will be October 11, 2010.
Minutes approved as submitted'
Minutes approved as corrected'