Minutes_Human Rights Commission 7 25 11CITY OF DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
July 25, 2011
Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at 4:04
p.m. on Monday, July 25, 2011, at the City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Street, Conference Room II
Dubuque, Iowa.
Roll Call:
Present: Anthony Allen, Chair Mitzi Krey
Andrea Beacham Regine Ronek
Mike Elliott Judie Root
Absent: Kurt Hansen Megan Gloss
RRS Stewart
Staff: Kelly Larson Carol Spinoso
Oath of Office
Commissioner Allen administered the Oath of Office to commissioners Krey, Ronek and Root.
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Beacham moved to approve the Dubuque Human Rights Commission meeting
minutes of May 9, 2011. Commissioner Elliott seconded. All in favor of approving the meeting
minutes as submitted. Commissioners Ronek and Root abstained.
Reports
Caseload Report
Written reports for May and June 2011 were submitted.
Chairperson's Report
Commissioner Allen expressed gratitude that finally they have a full commission. He thanked
committee members who were working on the August 15th public forum as plans were progressing on
schedule. He thanked Commissioner Beacham for staffing a booth at the June 19th Juneteenth
celebration at Comiskey Park, and he reported that he has been working on arranging a DDRC
mediation session for the past couple months. Lastly, he announced that the annual NAACP picnic
is scheduled for August 27 at Comiskey Park beginning at 1:00 PM.
Director's Report
Written reports submitted for May and June.
Old Business
Review and Discuss Goals and Collaborations:
Goal #1: Fair Housing — Joint forum with Housinq/Transit Commissions
Commissioner Allen reported that this goal has been completed as forums have been held with both
Commissions.
Goal #2: Improve Commission Performance
Commissioner Allen stated that he will continue to send out reminder notices of any upcoming
meetings and solicit any new business for agenda items. Commissioner Beacham emphasized the
importance of contacting the office when they are unable to attend scheduled meetings.
Goal #3: Establish a Working Group to Facilitate Transportation Goals
Kelly stated that the August 15th public forum with Transit and the Housing Commissions will begin
with a ribbon cutting for the new buses at 4:00 p.m. She asked Commissioners to be there by 4:00,
or 3:30 if anyone is available to help set up. The Commission will have a booth with informational
items. Commissioner Stewart will be present to facilitate the meeting that evening as Commissioner
Allen will be at a Fair Housing Training Conference in Kansas City. Commissioner Stewart submitted
a press release for commissioners to review and provide input. The release was reviewed by Randy
Gehl and the Transit Advisory Board and they made some suggested changes. Commissioners also
suggested numerous changes. Kelly will make the changes and then share that draft with the
Housing Commission at their July 26th meeting, and hopefully finalizing it at the Commission's July
27th worksession. They do not know how many people to expect, but will estimate 50 people when
ordering food. Once the flyer has been finalized and printed, Commissioners will pick them up at the
office and then distribute to various locations as specified on the sign -up sheet.
They would like to meet again on either August 9 or 10 to review citizen submissions and organize
ideas. Commissioners suggested August 10. Once a date and time has been confirmed, staff will
send out notice.
Goal #4: Establish a Tenant Association
No report given.
Commissioner Allen asked the new commissioners to review the goals to determine which areas
would be of interested to them.
New Business
Discuss Hosting a Booth at the State Fair
The Iowa Civil Rights Commission will host a booth at the State Fair, August 11 -21 this year and are
inviting local commissioner to participate in this event. Commissioner Elliott will not be able to attend.
Carol will check with Commissioner Stewart to see if she is still available for that event.
Discuss and Decide Date for Goal Setting
Commissioners will need to reschedule the September 16th goal setting session due to staff
participation in the Midwest Culturally Inclusive Conference at UWP, September 16 & 17, 2011.
Commissioners Allen and Krey were interested in attending that conference as well. Commissioner
Beacham will let staff know whether or not she can attend. Kelly asked that they respond to Carol by
noon on Thursday, July 28. Consensus was to reschedule goal setting on Friday, October 7th, from
9:00 a.m. — noon at the Holiday Inn. Staff will confirm the availability of absent commissioners and
will contact either Art Roche or Thom Determan to facilitate that session.
Discuss Planning for Upcoming Meetings /Events
Commissioner Allen will contact members of the DDRC and DCAP regarding the joint meeting at
Keystone AEA on October 10 at 5:00 PM. He will also make contact with the Tri -State Blind Society
regarding the December 12 meeting.
Appoint Liaison to the National Origin Speakers Bureau
Commissioner Allen stated that with the departure of Commissioner Apel, they will need to appoint a
liaison to the National Origin Speakers Bureau. This group of volunteers is associated with the
Presentation Lantern Center. They have immigrant speakers from various countries that go out and
speak to various groups in the community. Commission Allen believes that they meet on the fourth
Thursday of the month at the Lantern Center. Commissioner Krey volunteered to serve as liaison to
this group.
Determine Whether to Support International Dav of Peace Proclamation
Commissioners agreed to co- sponsor the International Day of Peace Proclamation. Commissioner
Krey will be present at the September 6th City Council meeting to accept the proclamation.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Root. Second by Commissioner Beacham. All in favor. The
meeting of the Human Rights Commission adjourned at 5:55 PM.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected: