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Minutes_Human Rights Commission 10 10 11CITY OF DUBUQUE Dubuque Human Rights Commission MEETING MINUTES OF October 10, 2011 Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at 5:09 p.m. on Monday, October 10, 2011, at Keystone AEA — Room 3B, 2310 Chaney Road, Dubuque, Iowa. Roll Call: Present: Anthony Allen, Chair Mitzi Krey _ Kurt Hansen RRS Stewart Mike Elliott Andrea Beacham Absent: Megan Gloss Regine Ronek Judie Root Staff: Kelly Larson Carol Spinoso Approval of Minutes Commissioner Hansen moved to approve the Dubuque Human Rights Commission meeting minutes of September 28, 2011. Commissioner Elliott seconded. All in favor of approving the meeting minutes as submitted. Reports Caseload Report A written report for September 2011 was submitted. Chairperson's Report Commissioner Allen expressed disappointment in commissioner attendance at the October 7th goal setting; and since there was not a quorum present, they will need to reschedule that session. It was the consensus of the commission to hold the goal setting session from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 3 at the Prescott Neighborhood Resource Center. Staff will check with absent commissioners to verify their availability. Director's Report Kelly reported that the ICC Training Team is conducting three rounds of training for new city staff. A contract has been signed with NICC to offer classes through their business consortium beginning in January. They will begin working with Hillcrest, Goodwill and the Riverview Center in helping them create their own internal intercultural competence teams. Staff is working with the Multicultural Family Center in updating our list of interpreters and translators that we have for various languages and will need to have people available who have gone through the State Certification Program in Iowa. Old Business Review and Discuss Goals and Collaborations: Goal #1: Fair Housing — Joint forum with Housing/Transit Commissions Commissioner Allen reported that this goal was completed August 15. Goal #2: Improve Commission Performance Commissioner Allen asked staff to prepare an attendance list and send it out to the commission. He stated that he will send reminder notices to commissioners the Friday prior to a commission meeting. Goal #3: Establish a Working Group to Facilitate Transportation Goals This goal was completed August 15. Commissioner Stewart serves on the Transit Board so she will provide updates as they meet. Goal #4: Establish a Tenant Association Commissioner Allen suggested further dialogue on this at goal setting. New Business Commissioner Beacham announced the Diversity University for students at Clarke University which will be held November 11. Some topics include anti - bullying, and harassment with regards to color and sexual orientation. She would like to see the commission's goals include some work on bullying, not just in the schools, but citywide. Commissioner Allen distributed the meeting notice for the October 11 Safe Community Advisory Commission. This month's meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. at Lincoln School and the public is welcome to attend. Commissioner Beacham called for a recess at 5:39 and Commissioner Hansen seconded. All in favor. CITY OF DUBUQUE Joint Meeting — October 10, 2011 Dubuque Human Rights Commission, Dubuque Dispute Resolution Center Dubuque Community Advisory Panel Commissioner Allen convened the joint meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission (DHRC), Dubuque Dispute Resolution Center (DDRC) and Dubuque Community Advisory Panel (DCAP) at 5:47 p.m., Keystone, 2310 Chaney Road, Dubuque. Introductions: Anthony Allen: DHRC, DDRC, DCAP Roger Maiers: DDRC Scott Baxter: DCAP Lynn Sutton: NAACP Corine Murray: DDRC Kurt Hansen: DHRC, DDRC, DCAP Carol Spinoso, Intake Specialist Kelly Larson, Human Rights Director Mike Elliott: DHRC Mitzy Krey: DHRC Judy Giesen, DCAP Andrea Beacham: DHRC, DCAP Graciela Canerio- Livingston: DCAP RRS Stewart: DHRC, DDRC John Digman: DDRC Commissioner Allen shared that as Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission, he wanted the Commission to meet with various groups and organizations that share the same goals. He provided background information as to the creation of DCAP. Roger Maiers provided details on the formation and process of the DDRC. Kelly provided details of the Department's restructuring as a result of a recommendation by the Safe Community Task Force which focused on strengthening preventative work in the community related to human rights. As a result of that, once complaints are formally filed with the Human Rights Office, they are forwarded on to the Legal Department for the Assistant City Attorney to make the actual legal determination on the complaint. This allows staff more time to focus on in -house mediation and education and outreach out in the community. In an attempt to collaborate, Commissioner Allen offered the following questions: 1) In what ways can we work together to facilitate goals for each group? 2) What are the barriers that each organization faces? 3) In the coming year is it possible to plan a forum related to bullying, harassment and community involvement? It was suggested to extend that to include bullying that occurs due to disability, stature, and sexual orientation. Commissioner Beacham mentioned that Galena held City -wide mediation training for community members to teach people to talk with one another. Commissioner Hansen has contact with Professor Dan Olsen from Wartburg Seminary who is researching the concept of contempt who may be an interesting contributor to a forum such as this. Judy Giesen recommended retired Chief of Police John Mauss as someone to speak on civility. It was recommended as a first step that each group set dates by which to have goals established and then to share that information among these agencies. A barrier is that both the DHRC and DCAP are faced with ongoing membership turnover. Another concern is the rumor circulating in the Hispanic community that there is a federal effort through Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), who are here attempting to locate people without proper immigration documentation. Lynn Sutton stated that the city is aware of this concern through conversations at the Hispanic Community Group meetings, and that the rumors are not true and they are working to address the issues as well as dispelling the rumors. A question was raised as to whether Dubuque was involved in the Secure Community initiative through the Department of Homeland Security and if there was a relationship with local law enforcement? Kelly explained that the Secure Communities Initiative has to do with sharing of fingerprint information between agencies and that the County Sherriff's Department, not the Police Department, handles all fingerprint information. In any event, the federal agencies involved can share information freely without the cooperation of the local sheriff's department and that has recently been clarified by a federal policy change. John Digman and Scott Baxter provided information as to the policies and procedures of the Police Department when it comes to immigrant arrests. Commissioner Allen asked that Lynn provide updates from the Hispanic Community Group meetings. As citizens there are things they can do. The Dreams Act will come up again and the Human Rights Commission could take a stand on it and talk to representatives in Congress and say as a commission we think this is a matter of justice and we think these kids need to be allowed to be educated. Judy Giesen stated that there are people who can make a presentation on the Dreams Act to the Human Rights Commission. Commissioner Allen suggested discussing this at goal setting. Commissioner Allen will arrange future dates when the commission can meet with representation from the DDRC and DCAP as we continue on with this process. Adjournment Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Elliott and second by Commissioner Krey. All in favor. The meeting of the Human Rights Commission adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Minutes approved as submitted: Minutes approved as corrected: