Minutes_Human Rights Commission 1 10 11CITY OF DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
January 10, 2011
Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at 4:41
p.m. on Monday, January 10, 2011, at the City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa.
Roll Call:
Present: Anthony Allen, Chair Mike Elliott
Lori Apel Megan Gloss
Frederick Davis R.R.S. Stewart
Lynn Sutton, Vice Chair
Absent: Andrea Beacham Kurt Hansen
Staff:
Kelly Larson Carol Spinoso
Reflections
Robert Walker, the DHRC /MFC AmeriCorps, highlighted some of the activities planned for the 25
Annual Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service on January 17.
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Davis moved to approve the December 9, and 13, 2010 meeting minutes.
Commissioner Stewart seconded. All in favor of approving the meeting minutes as submitted.
Commissioner Stewart moved to amend the agenda moving all of the committee update reports and
forum discussion to the review and discuss goals segment. Commissioner Davis seconded. Roll
call:
Motion carries.
Anthony Allen Yes Megan Gloss Yes
Fred Davis Yes R.R. S. Stewart Yes
Mike Elliott Yes Lynn Sutton Yes
Caseload Report
The December 2010 Caseload Report was distributed.
Chairperson's Report
Commissioner Allen reported that he reviewed attendance for the last twelve months and was concerned that
there was only one meeting, March 2010, where there was a full commission present. He strongly encouraged
commissioners to make every effort to attend meeting so that they can continue to be an effective group.
Commissioner Allen stated that he and Commissioner Sutton have been appointed to the newly formed Safe
Community Advisory Committee. He announced that the Black Men's Coalition Group is meeting to establish
some goals, and relayed that the group would like to collaborate with the DHRC.
Director's Report
Kelly reminded commissioners of this weekend's Dr. King Day events. At 1:00 p.m. on Sunday,
January 16, they will meet at Jackson Park and walk to Prescott where the NAACP will present
awards to students. Robyn Afrik is the keynote speaker. The breakfast is at 7:30 a.m. on Monday,
January 17. Ms. Afrik will also speak Monday night at Clarke College, 7:00 p.m. in the Atrium. This
event is open to the public and free of charge.
Kelly stated that she will be working with the Safe Community Advisory Committee that will begin
meeting soon, and that the crime and poverty study that the Safe Community Task Force
recommended is very close to being completed.
Review and Discuss Goals
Joint Forum with Housing Advisory Committee
Commission Allen will be attending the next Housing Commission meeting and he will
propose March 25 for a joint goal setting session. Committee members will meet the end of
the month to begin planning the second housing forum.
Joint Forum with Transit Advisory Committee
Commissioners Allen and Stewart met with staff from ECIA. Commissioner Stewart reported
that they have a Transit Board of Trustees (TBT) that is appointed by the City, and then a
Mobility Committee that is informal and works specifically with the mobility coordinator to
address those issues. They will approach the TBT to see if they are interested in a joint
forum. Joel Lightcamp, the chair of the TBT, is also working on setting up a Center for
Independent Living (CIL) in Dubuque which will be another resource for people with
disabilities. Commissioner Stewart will contact Joel to see about getting on their January 13
meeting agenda. They meet at the Federal Building at 4:15 p.m.
Commissioner Stewart stated that one of their goals was to re- establish the disability
subcommittee which would focus on both housing and transportation issues. She suggested
that they establish a transit forum taskforce that will look at just the transit portions since there
is already a housing forum taskforce in place. That would omit any overlap that may occur.
Commissioner Davis will also attend that TAC meeting.
Commissioner Allen reminded subcommittee groups to contact Carol with meeting dates and times
so that she can send out a public meeting notice. He asked that new commissioners review the goals
and determine where they would want to focus their energy.
Main Ideas /Goals in ADA Report
Commissioner Allen suggested that new commissioners have an opportunity to review these ideas so
that they can decide as to which ideas they would want to commit to.
Transit Report
Staff provided the link to the Transit Study. Commissioner Stewart recommended that commissioners
take a look at the two reports since they will be discussing transportation issues at future meetings.
Liaison to Mobility Coordinator
Commissioner Stewart mentioned that ECIA does have a mobility coordinator on staff who has her own
informal advisory board who meets to discuss mobility issues as they relate to the City's transportation
system.
Appointments
Commissioner Allen mentioned that there are current commission liaison vacancies on the Dubuque
Community Advisory Panel (DCAP), Dubuque Dispute Resolution Center (DDRC), DCSD Equity
Advisory Committee, Multicultural Family Resource Center, and the NAACP. Commissioner Allen
planned on attending this month's NAACP meeting, and Commissioner Apel would be interested in
representing the commission on the Equity Advisory Committee. He mentioned appointing a liaison
to the Housing Commission and the neighborhood associations as well. Appointments will be made
at next month's meeting.
Rule of the Month
Commissioner Allen reviewed Section 8- 2 -8(D) of the Code of Ordinances that deals with
commissioner attendance.
Old Business
Follow -up on Concerns from Shirley Bolds
Commissioner Allen communicated that in March 2010, Ms. Bolds approached the
commission with some community concerns related to the lack of activities for teens. He will
meet with Ms. Bolds to relay activities and programs that are being offered through the
Multicultural Family Center, Leisure Services and the schools. Kelly suggested that he meet
with Robert Walker our VISTA at the MFC to discuss options for advertising the various
events.
New Business
Discuss Optional Meeting Sites
Commissioner Allen stated that they previously had discussion about holding meetings at
various community locations in an attempt to be more visible in the community. Therefore, he
proposed:
March 25 — Joint goal setting meeting with the Housing Commission (2:30 — 4:30 ?);
May 9 — Regular meeting at Prescott with liaisons (4:30)
August 15 — Moving regular meeting to August 15 at Comiskey (5:00)
December 12 — Regular meeting at Tri -State Independent Blind Society (2:00)
Additional sites mentioned were the Library, YM/YWCA, Boys & Girls Club, Lincoln School,
MFC, and the local colleges.
Kelly distributed the results of the disability tests from the ICRC. They have not initiated the
race tests because that entails in- person tests. She will keep them apprised as to what happens
with the race testing. She will forward the disability report on to the City Manager.
Adiournment
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Stewart. Second by Commissioner Davis. All in favor. Meeting
adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be February 14, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. at the City Hall Annex.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected: