Minutes_Human Rights Commission 4 9 12CITY OF DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
April 9, 2012
Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at 4:40
p.m. on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Street, Conference Room II
Dubuque, Iowa.
Roll Call:
Present: Anthony Allen, Chair Kurt Hansen
Andrea Beacham RRS Stewart
Mike Elliott
Miguel Jackson
Absent: Regine Ronek Judie Root
Mitzi Krey
Staff: Carol Spinoso Kelly Larson
Commissioner Beacham moved to change the order of the agenda to allow the two guests to make
their presentations. Commissioner Elliott second. All in favor.
DREAM Act
Judy Giesen shared that she is a member of a group called Crossing Boarders that meets monthly to
work towards comprehensive immigration reform. She provided handouts and explained that the
DREAM Act (Development, Relief, Education for Alien Minors) would allow certain undocumented
young people of good moral character to obtain a Green Card and thereby get on a path to
citizenship.
Presentation of the International Speakers Bureau DVD
Corine Murray of the Lantern Center thanked the Commission for their financial support in getting the
DVD updated, and presented copies to each commissioner and staff. She stated that the original
DVD has been shown to over 1,100 community members. She invited any group or organization
who is looking for a speaker to contact her to arrange a presentation.
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Elliott moved to approve the Human Rights Commission meeting minutes of March
22, 2012. Commissioner Beacham seconded. All in favor of approving the meeting minutes as
submitted.
Reports
Caseload Report
The written report for March 2012 was submitted.
Chairperson's Report
Commissioner Allen reminded everyone of City Expo Tuesday night and encouraged commissioner
attendance.
Director's Report
Kelly reported that she, along with the Sherriff and Josh Jasper from the Riverview Center, will
participate as panelists at an event that Clarke students are sponsoring Wednesday night regarding
the Treyvon Martin case.
Old Business
Review and discuss current goals and collaborations
Goal #1 Increase opportunities for citizen dialogue and education around human nghts
issues Commissioners Hansen, Elliott, Jackson, Allen and Krey are on this subcommittee
The group will meet on Friday, Apnl 20th at 3 30 p m in Conference Room II
Goal #2 Improve HRC quality Commissioners Hansen, Root, Ronek Jackson and Allen
Commissioner Allen will contact Commissioners Root and Ronek about their involvement with
the commission and subcommittee work They will meet following discussion on Goal #1 on
April 20
Goal #3 Improve tenantilandlord communication Commissioners Root and Stewart
Commissioner Allen will assist The group will meet at 3 30 p m on Monday, May 14, 2012 in
Conference Room II
Goal #4 Decrease incidents of bullying and violence Commissioners Beacham, Stewart and
Allen The minutes of the March 24 subcommittee meeting and the letter to the pnnapals at
the middle and high schools were reviewed The subcommittee discussed partnering with
Riverview Center and PFLAG in planning a forum on decreasing incidents of bullying and
violence Commissioner Beacham will invite Matt Zanger and some individuals from PFLAG
to do some brainstorming They also discussed partnering with the Community Foundation,
Loras, and the Day of Peace organizers to have the Getting to Yes speaker host a workshop
during the Day of Peace event
Goal #5 Help promote the NAACP Commissioners Elliott, Root, Stewart and Krey The
committee did not meet Apnl 9 at 3 30 p m at Jitterz The group will meet on May 14th after
the discussion on Goal #3
Review and Discuss Communication from IA Immigration Education Coalition
Kelly stated that Mr Fischer was looking for grass roots groups to be the lead in the community
project Kelly had referred him to the International Speakers Bureau, Community Foundation and the
Sisters who put up the welcoming billboards
New Business
No new business
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Beacham and second by Commissioner Jackson All in favor
The meeting of the Human Rights Commission adjourned at 6 20 PM
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 14, 2012
Minutes approved as submitted
Minutes approved as corrected