Minutes_Human Rights Commission 10 14 13CITY OF DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
October 14, 2013
Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
4:39 p.m. on Monday, October 14, 2013, at the City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Street, Conference Room
II, Dubuque, Iowa.
Roll Call:
Present: Anthony Allen, Chair Howard Lee
Andrea Beacham Tom LoGuidice
Miguel Jackson RRS Stewart
Absent: Andrea Helgager Mike Elliott
Jeff Lenhart
Staff: Carol Spinoso Kelly Larson
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Beacham moved to approve the meeting minutes of August 14, 2013. Commissioner
Lee seconded. All in favor.
Reports
Caseload Report
The written report for September 2013 was received and filed.
Chairperson's Report
Commissioner Allen reported that the Dubuque Community Advisory Panel (DCAP) changed
its name to Dubuque Community Police Relations Committee. They are working on finalizing
details, including a new procedure, as well as changes to the complaint form. They've also
been discussing how to get the information out in the community. The Black Men Coalition
will be meeting to review goals to determine what they need to plan for this coming year.
Director's Report:
Kelly reported that staff presented at both the Sustainability Conference and the Midwest
Culturally Inclusive Conference at UW Platteville. Nikola is presenting the second round of
City Life and is working with the alumni group from the first session. Out of that group the
Cultural Voice is meeting with City Departments to talk about issues specific to city services.
Manisha will be meeting with the Housing Department staff to develop and present leadership
skill building for staff in the Family Self Sufficiency Program.
Those working on the Volunteer Generation Fund grant are getting ready to do a pilot of
different volunteer services. They will be working with Operation New View, Project Concern
and the Circles Initiative and will be looking at highlighting the impact of volunteering on
economic opportunities to try to raise awareness of needs both for volunteers and other
resources in the community around moving people to self- sufficiency. The University of
Dubuque has volunteers that have connected with the Housing Department helping with
downtown rehabilitation in the Washington Neighborhood.
Kelly has been involved in multiple meetings negotiating HUD's voluntary compliance
agreement. They are currently waiting for a response from HUD.
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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 that she will be attending the League of Iowa Civil Rights
Agencies quarterly meeting on Thursday, October 31, prior to the November 1st Iowa Civil
Rights Commission Symposium. Commissioner Allen, Nikola and Manisha will also be
attending the Symposium.
Commissioner Beacham has agreed to take over PFLAG. Meetings are the third Tuesday of
the month at 7:00 p.m. at St. Luke's United Methodist Church.
Goal #2: Commission business /improve HRC quality: Miguel, Howard, Anthony, Andrea B.,
Mike, Jeff
The review of the Title 8 Chapter 5 Fair Housing will be carried over to the November
meeting.
Goal #3: Community dialogue and education on bullying and violence:
Miguel, Howard, Andrea B., Jeff, RRS
Dubuque Community BBQ
Commissioner Beacham thanked them for the donation of leftover food for St. Luke's
free meal on that Saturday night. Commissioner Allen commented that approximately
110 of the people attending completed a survey, and that he took pictures and video
of the event. Commissioner Jackson reported that there was a diverse representation.
The data obtained from the surveys show: 63% white, 6% Asian, 3% Hispanic, 18%
black, 4% black and white, 1% black and other, 2% other, and 2% undeclared. The
survey averaged 4's and high 3's (on a scale of 1 — 5 with 5 the best) for every
category. Commissioner Jackson is working on compiling the data into a PowerPoint
and will send it to everyone when completed.
Commissioner Stewart distributed copies of thank you letters to vendors and
supporters of the DBQ Community BBQ, as well as letters to /from the Dubuque
Community Schools regarding the BBQ. She asked for input and approval.
Commissioner Stewart moved to approve and send both letters as submitted.
Commissioner LoGuidice seconded. All in favor. Commissioner Beacham abstained.
Kelly and Commissioner Stewart will meet with Cori Burbach, the Sustainability
Coordinator, on Friday, October 25 at noon to discuss the process and Sustainability
grant.
Goal #4: Increase collaborations /partnerships to further the mission of the DHRC:
Howard, Miguel, Andrea H., RRS, Mike
Commissioner Stewart distributed information from meetings she has attended. She attended
a forum at NICC called "Are we Prepared to Care" which focused on our growing population
of elders and people with disabilities and the limited number of direct care providers. She also
attended the Sustainable Dubuque Conference. Lastly, she informed them that October is
suicide awareness month.
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New Business
Reschedule November 11th DHRC Meeting
The next Commission meeting falls on Veteran's Day and City offices are closed. The
meeting was rescheduled to Monday, November 18.
Schedule Date for Goal Setting
The goal setting session will be held Saturday, December 7th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at
the Holiday Inn Downtown. Lunch will be served. Carol will contact Molly Menster, Art
Roche, and Sid Scott for their availability.
ACLU Report: The War on Mariivana in Black and White
Due to the length of the meeting, Commissioner Stewart moved to table this agenda item until
the November meeting. Commission Jackson seconded. All in favor.
Hempstead Concerns
A student at Hempstead told Commissioner Stewart that students weren't allowed to wear
tape across their mouth for Day of Silence last April. Another person reported that a same
sex couple was not sold a prom ticket until the parents got involved. A third person told her
that a student visited Claudette Bees office wearing a white sheet and was not disciplined.
Commissioner Stewart will approach Lee Kolker and Claudette to clarify the allegations and
discuss and see if there is anything the Commission can do to assist.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Beacham, second by Commissioner Stewart. All in favor. The
meeting of the Human Rights Commission adjourned at 5:59 p.m.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 18, 2013.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected:
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