Minutes Human Rights 10 13 03DUBUQUE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MINUTES OF
9ctober '13, 2003
Judy Giesen celled the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at 4:15 p.m. on
Monday, October 13, 2003, in Conference Room 2 at the City Hall Annex.
Roll Call:
Present:
Evelyn Jackson
Corine Murray
Vincent Vanden Huevel
Chuck Ryan
Bill Ross
Judy Giesen
Penny Ehlinger
Lou Oswald
Absent: Raydora Drummer
Staff: Kelly Larson
Bill Blum
Carol Spinoso
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Vanden Heuvel noted that he was not a member of the Welcoming New Residents
subcommittee. Raydora, Corine and Chuck serve on that subcommittee. Commissioner Oswald
moved to approve the September 8, 2003 meeting minutes as corrected. Commissioner Ehlinger
seconded. All in favor.
Review Plan of Action for Established Goals
1)
2)
Welcoming New Residents - Raydora, Corine, Chuck
The next meeting is scheduled for October 17. They have invited representatives of
the downtown area that are relatively new to the community to listen to their
experiences and concerns and identify needs of newcomers.
Human Rights in the Schools - Evelyn, Lou, Dave Patton
Dave Patton has volunteered to work with Evelyn and Lou on this subcommittee. They
are planning to meet with Kris Hall. The high school Rainbow and Key Clubs and Gay
and Straight Alliances were also mentioned as possible resources.
3)
Sexual Orientation - Bill, Judy, Vince
The nine-member citizen committee will be meeting on November 19, to begin
planning activities.
4)
Disability Awareness/Education - Penny, Lou
Six citizens have joined the subcommittee. The group will focus on accessibility in
businesses and establishments, not only looking at ADA requirements, but also quality
of life issues in the area of basic services. A letter that will be sent to businesses was
distributed for commissioner review. The committee will meet to discuss the checklist.
Caselo~
Carol summarized the September Caseload Report. There were fifty-two intakes, three cases in
backlog, eight cases in active investigation, no cases in mediation, one case in administrative review,
one case in administrative law judge review, two cases in the public hearing process, four new cases
were filed, and four cases were closed. '~he case synopsis involves age and sex discrimination in
employment.
Chai erson's Re orr
A written report was submitted. Additionally, Judy announced that the ID Action Disability Advocacy
Group will be sponsoring an training session in Dubuque on Thursday, November 6th at the Dubuque
Area Lifetime Center. She provided contact information.
Director's Report
Kelly provided a written report highlighting past and future initiatives.
Kelly reported that the DDRC is down to four or five active members. They met last week and the
group decided that they would go to community groups to obtain feedback on how they value the
services of the DDRC.
Ordinance Review - Article IV
Kelly reviewed Article IV of the Human Rights Ordinance.
Commissioner Appointments
Kelly stated that the due date for commissioner applications is November 24, interviews will be
December 1, and appointments will be made on December 15, 2003.
New Business
No new business.
Adjournment
Commissioner Ross moved and Commissioner Murray seconded to adjourn the meeting. All in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 5:57 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted: ~-~'~ ~
Minutes approved as corrected: