Minutes_Human Rights Commission 8 13 12CITY OF DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
August 13, 2012
Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
4:34 p.m. on Monday, August 13, 2012, at the City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Street, Conference Room
II Dubuque, Iowa.
Roll Call:
Present: Anthony Allen, Chair
Andrea Beacham
Mike Elliott
Andrea Helgager
Absent: Judie Root
Staff:
Carol Spinoso
Nikola Pavelic
Miguel Jackson
RRS Stewart, Vice -Chair
Kelly Larson
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Beacham moved to approve the Human Rights Commission meeting minutes of July
9, 2012 as submitted. Commissioner Stewart seconded. All in favor.
Reports
Caseload Report
The written report for July 2012 was submitted.
Chairperson's Report
Commissioner Allen reported that he received a letter of resignation from Commissioner Hansen. He
stated that he was unsuccessful in his attempts at trying t o contact Commissioner Root to discuss
her status on the Commission.
Director's Report
Kelly attended a three -week Fellows Program at the Summer Institute of Intercultural
Communication. She has completed the second level and has received her Intercultural Professional
Certificate. She has been working with Nikola in creating the infrastructure to support volunteering in
the community. Boards and Commissions ICC training is coming up in September, and the next
round of leadership training will held October 18, November 1 and 15, from 8:30 — 4:30. A
community member has been selected to go through the interpreter /translation program at the Des
Moines Area Community College.
Old Business
Review and discuss current goals and collaborations
Joint Goal #1 & 5: The letter and registration forms to businesses and organizations have
been prepared and they are currently working on a mailing list. The letter will be finalized
Friday. They are waiting for a response from Clarke as to whether or not they could use their
athletic facilities in the event it would rain. The Jule will be rerouting buses so that they travel
through Flora Park, and they will be offering a free ride to individuals leaving the park.
The next subcommittee meeting is scheduled for Friday, August 17 at 3:30 at the Annex in
Conference Room II. There is a website that will be fully functional by Friday.
Goal #2: Improve HRC quality. Commissioners Jackson, Allen.
Commissioner Allen will check with Kurt Hansen as to whether the potluck scheduled for
September 10 is cancelled. It was suggested that they just plan to go somewhere downtown
right after a meeting.
Goal #3: Improve tenant/landlord communication. Commissioners Stewart, Helgager, Root
Commissioner Allen will assist.
Commissioner Stewart stated that she did not attend the July 11 Safe Community Advisory
Committee as it was canceled due to lack of a quorum, and that she is unable to attend the
September meeting due to work, school and other commitments.
Goal #4: Decrease incidents of bullying and violence. Commissioners Beacham, Stewart and
Allen.
Diversity Conference — Commissioner Beacham
The planning is moving along and information is ready to go out soon for Better Together
Dubuque to be held October 27 at the Grand River Center. A draft letter was distributed. The
keynote speaker is Zach Wahls, and there will be four breakout sessions to choose from.
Mediation Initiative — Commissioner Stewart
Commissioner Stewart stated that her meeting with Eric Dregne to discuss Charles Barker's
mediation program will need to be rescheduled.
Collaboration with CFGD and Day of Peace — Commissioner Stewart
Commissioner Stewart stated that she will be meeting with Commissioner He[gager and
Jessica Rose from the CFGD on Thursday to discuss the Speak Your Peace project that will
be part of the International Day of Peace activities. They will be partnering with all of the
schools beginning September 21 for a nine week period. They talked about tying the BBQ
into the Speak Your Peace kickoff.
Goal #5: Help promote the NAACP. Commissioners Elliott, Root, and Stewart
Commissioner Stewart will meet with Lynn Sutton to discuss the NAACP newsletter.
New Business
Appoint liaison to the International Speakers Bureau
Commissioner Kurt has resigned from the Commission so they are seeking a new liaison to the
Speakers' Bureau. It was also noted that he served on both the DDRC and DCAP, and that
replacements will be needed for those groups as well. A brief overview was provided for new
commissioners. Appointments will be made to DCAP and the International Speakers' Bureau at the
September meeting.
Commissioner Stewart reported that there are currently only four DDRC mediators and that there are
only two which are active due to work restraints of the other two mediators. At last week's DDRC
meeting, a board member stated that he felt that the group wasn't getting much support from the City.
Kelly added that the Board conveyed that they felt it was time to, make a decision at the City level,
from a policy perspective, about whether the City is willing to put time and energy into salvaging the
Center. If they are willing, it will take a significant amount of staff time to look at the structure and
create a workable model.
Commissioner Beacham announced that on August 30, 2012, from 5:00 — 6:30 p.m. she will be
hosting an informal get together at her home for Zach Wahls. He will then be speaking at the Library
at 7:00 p.m.
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Commissioner Stewart announced that the Day of Peace festival planning groups will be meeting at
the Clarke Atrium tomorrow (8/14/12) from 4:30 to 6:00, and that she will be attending to make sure
that The Jule and the NAACP are listed as organizations involved, and to also make them aware of
the DBQ Community BBQ and the Better Together Conference so that they could list those events on
their website,
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Elliott, second by Commissioner Beacham. All in favor. The
meeting of the Human Rights Commission adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday. September 10, 2012.
i /.,
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected:
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