Minutes Human Rights 4 10 06
CITY OF DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
April 10, 2006
Commissioner Jarrard called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
4:16 p.m. on Monday, April 10, 2006, in Conference Room 2 at the City Hall Annex.
Roll Call:
Present:
Anthony Allen
Mary Gassman
Judy Giesen
Jim Jarrard, Chair
Dave Loney
Bill Ross
Marcos Rubinstein
Vince Vanden Huevel, Vice-Chair
Absent:
Evelyn Jackson
Staff:
Kelly Larson
Bill Blum
Crenna Brumwell-Sahm
Carol Spinoso
Molly Menster
On behalf of the Commission, Commissioner Jarrard presented Bill Blum with a plaque
in honor of his 33 years of service with the Commission. Commission members thanked
Judy and presented her with a plant in appreciation of her many years serving as chair.
Aooroval of Minutes
Commissioner Giesen moved and Commissioner Allen seconded to approve the meeting minutes
of March 13, 2006 as submitted. All in favor.
Case load Reoort
Carol summarized the March Case load Report. There were sixty-one inquires, nine cases under
active investigation, eight cases in backlog, one case in mediation, one case in administrative
review, three cases closed, and four cases were formally filed. The case synopsis involves
allegations of race discrimination in the area of employment.
Lou Oswald Reauestina to Address Commission
Lou thanked commissioners for all they do, and apologized for having said anything publicly that
might have offended anyone. He also presented the commission with a small donation. Assistant
City Attorney Crenna Brumwell-Sahm will research city code requirements on Lou's gift and will
report back at the May meeting.
Chairoerson's Reoort
Commissioner Jarrard reported that he had attended a panel discussion on March 31 at the
University of Dubuque. Kelly was part of the panel that discussed racial discrimination,
stereotyping, and profiling in Dubuque.
Jim also reminded subcommittee chairs to submit meeting minutes to staff so that they can be
included in commissioner packets.
Director's Report
Kelly provided a written report highlighting past and future initiatives.
Subcommittee Reports:
1) Faces & Voices - Judy, Marcos, Bill
Commissioner Giesen reported that the group is currently working on selecting a
speaker and theme for the banquet. The date is Thursday, September 14 at the
Grand River Center. The diversity conference has been scheduled for April 21,
2007. If anyone has any program ideas they should share them with subcommittee
members.
2) Sexual Orientation - Bill, Vince
Commissioner Ross stated that the next meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 17
at Keystone AEA in room 3A at 4:00 p.m. They continue to work on educating the
community. Commissioner Vanden Huevel added that a few people have contacted
them showing an interest in working with the group.
3) Multicultural Subcommittee - Marcos, Anthony
Commissioner Rubinstein reported that they met and discussed pin pointing
contacts for community involvement. The group will meet the last Wednesday (April
26) of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Multicultural Family Resource Center.
4) Accessibilitv - Judy, Jim, Dave
Minutes of the March 27 and 30 meetings were provided for commissioner review.
They are working to put together a booklet for architects, contractors, building
superintendents, etc. They currently have two teams and are working on a third to
conduct about three surveys a month. They continue to discuss how they will
handle noncompliance. It was suggested to identify businesses that are in
compliance by presenting them with a "seal of approval." The next meeting is April
24 at 4:00 p.m. in the Boardroom at the Library.
New Business
Commissioner Loney's new e-mail addressisdavelonev@tcmmanaaement.com.
Commissioner Gassman stated that she had contacted staff regarding a swastika on a warehouse
in the 15th and Maple Street area. Kelly advised that she is in the process of determining who
owns the building in order to make contact.
Adiournment
Commissioner Ross moved and Commissioner Vanden Huevel seconded to adjourn the meeting.
All in favor. The meeting adjourned at 5:37 p.m.
The next meeting is May 8, 2006.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected: