Minutes_Human Rights Commission 12 13 10Roll Call:
Present: Anthony Allen, Chair
Lori Apel
Frederick Davis
Absent: Marcos Rubinstein
Staff:
Forum Updates
Kelly Larson
Molly Menster
Caseload Report
A written report for November 2010 was submitted.
CITY OF DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
December 13, 2010
Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at 4:41
p.m. on Monday, December 13, 2010, at the City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa.
R.R.S. Stewart
Lynn Sutton, Vice Chair
Carol Spinoso
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Stewart moved to approve the November 8, 2010 meeting minutes. Commissioner
Apel seconded. All in favor of approving the meeting minutes as submitted.
ADA Forum:
Commissioner Stewart distributed a list of ideas for future ADA action. Commissioners
should review and identify which ideas they would like to pursue and email her by January 5,
2011, so that Carol can include it with the agenda mailing. Commissioner Allen suggested
that they hold off on breaking down the goals for individual assignments until the newly
appointed commissioners are all on board in February. Commissioner Stewart reported that
the Center for Independent Living is still waiting to hear as to the status of the 501(c)(3) filing.
Assuming that they will be approved, they will be eligible for funding through the Quad Cities
Center for Independent Living who is hoping to expand into Jackson and Dubuque counties.
They will be arranging a meeting with Mark Munson from ECIA to talk about transportation
issues, and will also be reviewing the Transit Study.
Discuss Partnership with Loras College
Kelly stated that Loras College is asking organizations to co- sponsor a speaker for Black History
Month. LaSheila Yates, owner of Cultural Perspectives will speak on "Civil Rights in the Present and
Future" on February 14, 2011 at Loras in the Ballroom at 6:00 p.m. Commissioner Sutton moved to
partner with Loras College in sponsoring the speaker for Black History Month. Commissioner Davis
seconded. All in favor.
Chairperson's Report
Commissioner Allen reported that an article appeared in today's TH which highlighted the Department's Annual
Report. That he had an opportunity to attend the last Police- Community Dialogue on Race; that he was asked
to attend a meeting of the Police Recruitment Committee; and that a panel discussion will take place after the
MLK Jr. Breakfast at Loras College from 10:00 a.m. to noon on January 17, 201, on the topic "Does Race
Matter ?" Lastly, the Black Men's Coalition will be meeting on December 22 to set goals for the upcoming year.
Commissioners are welcome to provide input to the group.
Director's Report
A written report was submitted. Kelly stated that next Getting Ahead class will be graduating on
Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, in the Blue Moon Room. Commissioners are welcome to
attend.
Review and Discuss Goals
Commissioner Allen suggested that they give the newly appointed commissioners some time to
review the goals so that at the February meeting they can be prepared to commit to a task. He stated
that he hoped to call a meeting with Commissioners Sutton and Apel by January 26 to begin the
work on establishing a tenant's association.
Old Business
Commissioner Allen stated that letters had been sent to Dr. Godinez, Mr. Rheingans and Ms. Bees
regarding the commission's continued effort to support the school district during the reorganization.
Mr. Rheingans and Ms. Bees were in attendance for dialogue regarding the District's transition. Mr.
Rheingans shared that the District does value the work of the Commission and will find ways to
maintain the working relationship. He stated that during the transition he and Ms. Bees are trying to
get the basic things done such as establishing the website. He asked the Commission to be patient
as they continue to figure things out. He stated that the Equity Advisory Committee will continue and
he is hopeful a meeting will be held sometime during the second semester. Ms. Bees stated that she
will continue the work with faces & voices, and that she is currently busy with planning the MLK
events. Commissioner Allen asked what they can do as a commission to help with the transition.
Mr. Rheingans stated that back and forth dialogue would be most important. He stated that clearly
four of the five items on the list could be priorities with them. He was not familiar with the DDRC
mediations component. Information on the DDRC was provided to them.
Commissioner Allen relayed that there was concern about negative perception, stating that the
school district had made progress over the last 15 years, and then with the reorganization the Equity
Operations Department is the first thing that is eliminated. And that there are concerns of what that
says to the community about the importance of equity. Mr. Rheingans stated that they realize that
that will be a challenge, but they are working on dispelling that perception. They continue their
commitment to hiring a diverse workforce and keeping the schools safe and accepting of all students.
They realized that Dr. Hall was the figurehead of all those things, but they still have employees
committed to working towards those goals. Ms. Bees communicated that Dr. Godinez is willing to do
whatever it takes to dispel the perception that equity issues are not important.
New Business
Kelly stated that along with Commissioners Davis and Rubinstein who reapplied, there were four
individuals who applied for the vacant commission seats. Commissioner Allen announced that there
were also vacancies on various State boards and commissions.
Adiournment
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Apel. Second by Commissioner Sutton. All in favor. Meeting
adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be January 10, 2011 at 4:30 p.m.
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Minutes approved as submitted*
Minutes approved as corrected*