Minutes_Human Rights Commission 4 8 13CITY OF DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
April 8, 2013
Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
4:33 p.m. on Monday, April 8, 2013, at the City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Street, Conference Room!!
Dubuque, Iowa.
Roll CaII:
Present: Anthony Allen, Chair Miguel Jackson
Andrea Beacham Jeff Lenhart
Andrea Helgager RRS Stewart, Vice -Chair
Mike Elliott
Absent: Howard Lee
Staff:
Carol Spinoso Kelly Larson
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Jackson moved to approve the meeting minutes of March 11, 2013. Commissioner
Lenhart seconded. Commissioner Stewart asked that future agendas relating to goal #3 reflect the
word "bullying" instead of "bully." Motion carried.
Reports
Caseload Report
The written report for March 2013 was received and filed.
Chairperson's Report
The Safe Community Advisory Committee did not meet in March due to lack of a quorum.
Commissioner Allen reported that there is a DCAP ad hoc committee who has been working with the
NAACP and DCAP, the City Manager and the Police Chief regarding changing the name of DCAP,
and the complaint process. They will need to seek approval since there was a signed Memorandum
of Understanding between all the parties. The next meeting of DCAP is April 22. Anthony reported
that he has also joined the committee on the Coalition for Nonviolence.
Director's Report
Kelly reported that they received 250 applications for the Human Relations Specialist position, and
that they have scheduled two of the six candidates for later this week. Staff held the first of nine
sessions of the City Life program on April 4. There are 20 participants who will learn about city
departments and services. There is also a service component where we will have the Circles
Program come in to participate. Andre is currently working on Police recruitment, and this fall he will
have Firefighter recruitment.
Old Business
Review and Discuss Goals
Goal #1: Increase opportunities for citizen dialogue and education on human and civil rights:
Howard, Miguel, Anthony, Jeff, RRS, Andrea H.
Commissioner Stewart reported on the proclamation program that was held March 20 at the
Library. She stated there was a small crowd present, and that Cable TV did record it for
broadcast on City Channel 8. The TH was also present and did provide some publicity in the
March 21 TH edition.
1
Goal #2: Commission business /improve HRC quality:
Miguel, Howard, Anthony, Andrea B., Mike, Jeff
Rule of the Month: Title 8, Chapter 3: Unfair and Discriminatory Practices
Commissioners reviewed Title 8, Chapter 3, Section 8 -3 -1 through 8 -3 -5 of the Code of
Ordinances. For next month's meeting each Commissioner will review and report on their
assigned section. Anthony Allen, Section 8 -3A -1; Andrea Beacham, Section 8 -3A -2; Mike
Elliott, Section 3 -3A -3; Andrea Helgager, Section 8 -3A -4; Miguel Jackson, Section 8 -3A -5;
Jeff Lenhart, Section 3 -3A -6; RRS Stewart, Section 8 -4 -1; and Howard Lee, Section 8 -4 -2.
Goal #3: Community dialogue and education on bullying and violence:
Miguel, Howard, Andrea B., Jeff, RRS
Commissioner Stewart shared that the Day of Peace committee members have been talking
about activities /speakers. During discussions, they asked if the Human Rights Commission
would be interested in holding a panel discussion on the afternoon of Saturday, September
21. The main event, which will be held on the night of Friday, September 20, will feature
either Philip Lawson, a Methodist Minister who was involved in civil rights movement, or Patty
Miller, who is from Iowa, and who was one of the Freedom Riders. To coordinate both events
the same day, it was suggested that they could have the panel discussion from noon to 2:00
p.m., and then the BBQ from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. It was suggested that panelists be individuals
from Iowa who were involved in the civil rights movement. The DBQ Community BBQ
subcommittee will meet on Friday, April 12 at 3:30 p.m. to discuss applying for the
Sustainable Dubuque Community Grant and other committee business.
Goal #4: Increase collaborations /partnerships to further the mission of the DHRC:
Howard, Miguel, Andrea H., RRS, Mike
Commissioner Stewart distributed a draft letter to Chrissy Johnson, who holds the title of the
Equity Operations Coordinator for the Dubuque Community Schools, that invites her to the
April 8 Commission meeting. Carol has revised that letter to invite her to the May 13 meeting.
New Business
Election of Officers
The floor was opened for nominations of chairperson. Commissioner Elliott nominated
Commissioner Allen. No other nominations. Nomination for chair closed. Commissioner
Allen accepted the nomination as chairperson. Approved by acclamation.
The floor was opened for nominations for vice - chair. Commissioner Elliott nominated
Commissioner Stewart. No other nominations. Commissioner Stewart accepted the
nomination as vice - chair. Approved by acclamation.
Appoint Liaisons to DCAP, DDRC and International Speakers Bureau
Current liaisons for the DCAP are Commissioner Beacham as primary and Commissioner
Elliott as alternate. Both commissioners will remain liaisons to DCAP.
Liaisons to the DDRC are Commissioners Stewart as primary and Commissioner Helgager as
alternate. Commissioner Helgager will remain primary liaison and Commissioner Lenhart will
serve as an alternate to the International Speakers Bureau.
Discuss Liaison Continuation with Transit and Housing Commissions and Day of Peace
Consensus of the commission was that there wasn't a need to continue with the Transit and
Housing Commissions. If an event is planned and partnership is desired, then someone can
approach them at that time. Commissioner Stewart will continue to work with the Day of
Peace committee. They meet the second Tuesday of the month at 4:30 p.m. at Clarke in the
2
Iowa Room in the Atrium. Commissioner Helgager will be an alternate liaison to the Day of
Peace Committee.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Elliott, second by Commissioner Helgager. All in favor. The
meeting of the Human Rights Commission adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, May.1,3, 2.13.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected:
3