Minutes_Human Rights Commission 5 13 13CITY OF DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
May 13, 2013
Commissioner Stewart called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
4:38 p.m. on Monday, May 13, 2013, at the City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Street, Conference Room II
Dubuque, Iowa.
Roll Call:
Present: Anthony Allen, Chair Miguel Jackson
Andrea Beacham Jeff Lenhart
Howard Lee RRS Stewart, Vice -Chair
Absent: Andrea Helgager Mike Elliott
Staff:
Carol Spinoso Kelly Larson
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Stewart moved to approve the meeting minutes of April 8, 2013. Commissioner
Lenhart seconded. All in favor.
Reports
Caseload Report
The written report for April 2013 was received and filed.
Chairperson's Report
Commissioner Stewart reported that last month she attended the League of Iowa Civil Rights
Agencies meeting. There was discussion on Title VI Compliance Agreements which have to
do with discrimination in public transportation. The IDOT is asking cities to have a Title VI
Agreement Plan to address sub - recipient compliance and for managing discrimination
complaints in the area of transportation. Kelly will consult with the Legal Department. There
was also discussion on the Cooperative Agreements that the Iowa Civil Rights Commission
has with local agencies for case reimbursement.
Director's Report:
Kelly reported that they have made a conditional offer to one of the Human Relations
Specialist candidates, and that they are conducting background checks and hope to have
someone on board by the beginning of June. The City is reviewing the Comprehensive Plan,
and staff has been working on pulling details together for the diversity and inclusion portion.
The pilot City Life program has three sessions remaining. Following the program, they will
send a report to the City Manager and make decisions on what they will do moving forward
with that group.
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.
Goal #2: Commission business /improve HRC quality: Miguel, Howard, Anthony, Andrea B.,
Mike, Jeff
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Rule of the Month: Commissioners reviewed Title 8, Chapter 3: Unfair and Discriminatory
Practices. Commissioner Beacham recommended that they move the words "transvestism,
transsexualism, and gender identity from 8- 3A- 2(C)(2a) to section 8- 3A- 2(C)(1). She will draft
a proposed amendment to the ordinance to discuss at the June meeting. For next month:
Jackson, Section 8 -4 -3; Lee, 8 -4 -4 (A)(B); Lenhart, 8- 4 -4(C); and Stewart, 8- 4 -4(D). Absent
Commissioners will report on their previously assigned sections at next month's meeting.
Goal #3: Community dialogue and education on bullying and violence:
Miguel, Howard, Andrea B., Jeff, RRS
Commissioner Stewart distributed the Diamond Jo grant information and the budget for the
DBQ Community BBQ. She reported that currently they will receive $1,900.00 from the City
of Dubuque Sustainability Grant, the DIFL will pay for T- Shirts, and Omega Psi Phi is
donating $500 for food costs.
Goal #4: Increase collaborations /partnerships to further the mission of the DHRC:
Howard, Miguel, Andrea H., RRS, Mike
Commissioner Stewart prepared proclamations for the May Anniversary of the First Freedom
Ride, and for the June Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation /Juneteenth. The First
Freedom Ride will need to be presented to the Council at their May 20`h meeting and the
Juneteenth Proclamation at the June 3rd meeting. Commissioner Beacham noted that the
date submitted on both proclamations should be changed. Commissioner Allen moved to
accept the proclamations as corrected. Commissioner Lenhart seconded. All in favor.
New Business
DCSD Equity Operations Coordinator — Chrissv Johnson
The Commission invited Ms. Johnson to the meeting to discuss past collaborations.
Specifically the intercultural competency training, mediation, the Equity Advisory Committee,
and the anti - bullying and harassment initiatives, and asked her to clarify her role. She stated
that in her role as the Equity Operations Coordinator she is responsible for educating staff
and students on their rights. This year she is working in the elementary schools making them
aware of the 17 protected classes in the State of Iowa. In the past the District, through her
position, has provided staff in- service using the work of Ruby Payne. Due to the need for
response to intervention, the District is now making a shift from the work of Ruby Payne to
that of Nancy Love, which is a data driven process.
She stated that she does have a working knowledge of Title 9, Section 504, the ADA, the Civil
Rights Act and relevant state laws, and they have recently formed an Equity Team to make
sure they have the policies and procedures related to those laws in place for their compliance
review this fall. She stated that bullying and harassment and 504 issues are handled by other
employees, and that all of that information will be listed on the equity page on the DCSD
website. At this time they are in the process of updating the entire website. The Human
Resources Department would handle any complaint investigations or mediations.
Commissioner Beacham announced that there is a Pride Picnic at Eagle Point Park at 2:00
p.m. on Sunday, June 2, and that she isn't able to attend the MFC sponsored Juneteenth
Event on June 15, from 4:00 to 6:00 at Comiskey Park. Commissioner Lenhart volunteered to
attend.
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Adjournment
Motion to adjoum by Commissioner Beacham. Second by Commissioner Lenhart. All in favor. The
meeting of the Human Rights Commission adjoumed at 5:47 p.m.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, J he 0, 29-13.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected:
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