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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'