Minutes_Human Rights Commission 5 9 11CITY OF DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
May 9, 2011
Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at 5:32
p.m. on Monday, May 9, 2011, at the Multicultural Family Center, 1157 Central Avenue, Dubuque,
Iowa.
Roll Call:
Present: Anthony Allen, Chair Mike Elliott
Andrea Beacham Kurt Hansen
Megan Gloss R.R.S. Stewart
Absent: Fred Davis
Staff: Carol Spinoso
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Gloss moved to approve the Dubuque Human Rights Commission meeting minutes of
April 11, 2011. Commissioner Elliott seconded. All in favor of approving the meeting minutes as
submitted.
Reports
Caseload Report
A written report for April 2011 was submitted.
Chairperson's Report
Commissioner Allen reported that Lori Apel submitted a letter of resignation, and that Fred Davis has
also resigned as he has relocated to Illinois.
He met with the Housing Commission on April 26 to further discuss the details in preparation for the
joint meeting. He provided information to them regarding the Commission's collaboration with Transit,
and they indicated that they were very interested in also collaborating with these groups. Kelly
Larson and David Harris will be meeting to discuss a plan of action in executing this joint meeting.
Anthony stated that he is still participating in the Black Men's Coalition, and that the mentoring
program at Jefferson Middle School is continuing. Lynn Sutton has approached Hempstead High
School about the possibility of this group's involvement with high school students. He also met with
the executive board of the NAACP to discuss partnering with the DHRC. NAACP members will be
present tonight to discuss how we can help them with their membership drive. He also serves on the
Safe Community Advisory Board and they are currently looking at the curfew ordinance. Lastly, he
shared that he attended the Community Focus Group for African Americans that Andre Lessears
facilitated on May 3. He stated the group gave valuable input, but felt that the cross section of the
African American community was not represented.
Director's Report
No report.
Old Business
Review and Discuss Goals and Collaborations:
Goal #1: Fair Housing
Commissioner Allen reported that Kelly Larson and David Harris are working on the meeting details
with the Housing Commission. Updates will be provided.
Goal #2: Improve Commission Performance
Commissioner Allen stated that they currently had three open seats on the commission.
Commissioners Kurt and Gloss know individuals who may be interested in applying. Commissioner
Allen reported that planning for the faces & voices sponsored equity conference is on hold at this
point
Goal #3: Establish a Working Group to Facilitate Transportation Goals
Commissioner Stewart attended the May 3 DDRC meeting. There was discussion about the
possibility of using Third Side Training to recruit and train local mediators.
Commissioner Stewart distributed draft informational brochures announcing the joint public forum at
Comisky on August 15. Commissioner Gloss volunteered to work on the brochure and have it ready
for discussion at Thursday's Transit meeting. The DCSD will need the brochure by May 27 so that it
can be approved and included in registration packets. There was discussion about sharing copying
costs between the three groups.
Goal #4: Establish a Tenant Association
Commissioner Allen reported that he will meet with Jerry Maro from the Landlord Association to
discuss details regarding establishing a joint landlord /tenant association.
New Business
Discuss Hosting a Booth at the State Fair
The Iowa Civil Rights Commission will host a booth at the State Fair, August 1121 this year and are
inviting local commissioner to participate in this event. Commissioners Stewart and Elliott will check
their calendars to determine their availability on either August 11 or 12. Commissioner Kurt moved to
host a booth at the State Fair, Commissioner Beacham seconded. All in favor.
Discuss Hosting a Booth at Juneteenth
The Commission is invited to host a booth at the June 19`h Juneteenth Celebration at Comisky Park.
There will be no cost associated with this event other than staffing a booth. Commissioner Stewart
moved to host a booth at Juneteenth. Commissioner Kurt seconded. All in favor.
At 6:20 p.m. Commissioner Allen moved for a brief recess. Commissioner Elliott seconded. All in
favor.
Joint Meeting with NAACP
Commissioner Allen reconvened the meeting at 6:25 p.m. Commissioner Stewart chaired the
meeting.
Those present from the NAACP: Bruce Clark, Adam Moore, John Murphy, Kathy Sutton, Claudette
Carter Thomas, Judy Schmidt, and Terry Stewart.
Commissioner Stewart shared information on initiatives the Commission is working on, and asked
what they would like assistance with or, what they would like to collaborate on.
Claudette stated that their biggest concern is with the lack of active NAACP membership. Without
adequate membership it's hard to maintain the momentum of the various subcommittees (housing,
education, employment, equity advisory, DCAP).
Adam asked what kind of human rights violations are being reported in Dubuque. It was stated that
the majority of the cases filed are in the area of employment. The Department had contracted with
the ICRC to perform fair housing testing in the areas of disability and race, and the results of the
disability tests showed that violations were found in the area of disability. The race tests have not
been completed due to a change in administration. Commissioner Allen explained the Department's
recent reorganization, and the Commission's involvement with the Dubuque Dispute Resolution
Center (DDRC), the speakers' bureau, and the Dubuque Community Advisory Panel (DCAP). He
also highlighted the Commission's four goals.
Commissioner Allen is hopeful that the Commission can work jointly with the NAACP in reviewing the
Memorandum of Understanding to see how they can get the DCAP process back on track. There
was concern about the high rate of member turnover and the length of time between cases. They feel
that over the years the process has weakened. It was suggested that they jointly consider working
with the Regional Office to get help with strengthening the DCAP process. There is also a need to
educate the community that DCAP exists.
Commissioner Stewart talked about their collaboration with the Housing and Transit Commission in
planning a public summit in August.
Commissioner Allen stated that he had attended a Community Focus Group for African Americans
and thought that as a joint committee they can work together to address some of the concerns
coming from that dialogue to help bridge the gap in the minority community and hopefully facilitate
change. Claudette stated that they need to work harder to reach a cross section of the community as
some people aren't welcomed into the community the same as others.
Relating to employment opportunities, it was suggested that they analyze Census data regarding
unemployment rates, and possibly work with NICC or Workforce Development to address needed
skills and apprentice programs in a way to get people into the workforce. Commissioner Stewart
stated that Kelly Larson prepared a presentation that includes some of the studies on public
perception that came out of the Study on Crime and Poverty Summary Report. She will forward that
information to everyone.
It was conveyed that there may be a lack of trust in the community because no matter what the
background, race or culture, if you are unemployed and uneducated you don't trust the system and
they are not going to attend meetings.
Commissioner Allen suggested helping the NAACP by facilitating a membership drive for the local
chapter. Commissioners requested application forms be sent to them. There was discussion about
looking at possibly changing the meet date and /or time to alleviate any scheduling conflict for more
participation.
In addition to assisting with the membership drive, the Commission would also like the NAACP to
collaborate with the Commission, DDRC, DCAP, Equity Operations, Transit Advisory Board, and the
Housing Commission, to work together to increase visibility, and together facilitate change. The
commission does have liaisons with other committees, and they put together smaller subcommittees
to work toward those collaborations.
Claudette liked having that collaboration as she believed that working together would alleviate mutual
problems, such as some of the housing concerns they are hearing.
Anthony invited attendees to the joint meeting with the various neighborhood associations on July 11
at Murphy Park at 4:30 p.m.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Elliott. Second by Commissioner Stewart. All in favor. The
meeting of the Human Rights Commission adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
The next Human Rights Commission meeting will be on Monday, June 13 at 4:30 p.m. at the City
Hall Annex, Conference Room II.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected: