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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: