Minutes_Human Rights Commission 3 10 14CITY OF DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
March 10, 2014
Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 10, 2014, at the City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Street, Conference Room
II, Dubuque, Iowa.
Roll Call:
Present:
Anthony Allen, Chair
Andrea Beacham
Andrea Helgager
Miguel Jackson
Absent: Jeff Lenhart
Staff:
Howard Lee
Tom LoGuidice
Chris Ostwinkle
RRS Stewart, Vice -Chair
Carol Spinoso Manisha Paudel
Reflections:
Commissioner Beacham announced that Rachael Ferraro will be speaking and showing the film
"Trans" at the next PFAG meeting on March 18 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Luke Methodist Church.
Approval of Minutes:
Commissioner LoGuidice moved to approve the meeting minutes of February 10, 2014.
Commissioner Jackson seconded. All in favor.
Reports:
Caseload Report
The February 2014 caseload report was received and filed.
Chairperson's Report
Commissioner Allen reported: 1) the Black Men Coalition received a Dubuque365 Impact
Award for their work on The Manhood Project; 2) he was elected Secretary for the NAACP;
and 3) he accompanied Manisha, Nikola, Anderson, and Abeni to Cedar Falls to attend the
African American Children and Families Conference on February 28.
Director's Report:
Manisha reported that round three of City Life began March 6. Boards & Commissions
Intercultural Communication Training is set for March 24 and April 7, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30
p.m. at the Library. The registration deadline is March 20. The next round of Intercultural
Leadership Workshop training is set for April 10, 12, 24 and 26. Applications should be
submitted by March 21. Manisha reminded commissioner that Taste of World is Saturday,
March 22 from 11:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m. at Five Flags.
Standing Items:
Goal #3: Discuss Criminal Justice procedures as they relate to racial disparities
Chief Dalsing provided arrest statistics that he had been compiling for 2013. He distributed
statistics on arrests, traffic, drug charges, and all charges; a map of the city based on census
tracts; an example of the monthly audit questionnaire; and raw data. In reviewing raw data,
the Chief looks are variables and safeguards. He is limited by what the software can do so
there is a lot of hand analysis and tallying. He stated that he would be willing to attend
another meeting to answer any question once they have had time to review the documents.
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The Chief provided information on a basic traffic stop. He stated that all arrests are digitally
recorded and that begins automatically when the lights are turned on. Individuals can view
those recordings at the DLEC.
New Business:
Election of Officers
Commissioner Allen opened the floor for nominations for Chair. Jackson nominated Allen.
Beacham nominated Helgager. Nominations closed. Paper ballot vote: six votes for Allen and
one vote for Helgager. Commissioner Allen will remain Chairperson.
The floor was opened for nominations of Vice -Chair. Beacham nominated Helgager.
Jackson nominated Stewart. Nomination closed. Paper ballot vote: three votes for Stewart,
three votes for Helgager, with one commissioner abstaining. Tie vote. Second round of
voting: Four votes for Helgager and three votes for Stewart. Helgager will serve as Vice -
Chair.
Old Business:
Review and Discuss Goals
Goal #1: Strengthen DHRC Relationships - Allen, Beacham, Helgager, Jackson, Lenhart,
Ostwinkle
Commissioner Allen reported that Goal 1 & 2 subcommittees met together which resulted in
six commissioners being present. The concern is that with 2/3 of the commission present, that
they would need to take any recommendations back to the full commission for approval. He
encouraged subcommittee members to solicit community members to serve on the various
subcommittees to alleviate that problem. It was suggested that they talk about that process
looking at the ordinance, administrative rules, and perhaps parliamentary procedures at the
retreat.
The commissioner retreat is confirmed for the afternoon of Saturday, March 22nd, 1:30 p.m. to
6:30 p.m. at Four Mounds.
Goal #2: Improving Effectiveness and quality of meetings — Beacham, Helgager, Lee
LoGuidice, Ostwinkle
Commissioner Allen suggested that they look at their calendars to decide which day and time
works best to achieve full commission attendance at regular meetings. Carol will conduct a
doodle poll to determine which day and time works best for all.
Goal #4: Education and communication regarding Housing —Allen, Lee, Lenhart, Stewart
Letters were sent to community/organization liaisons and neighborhood associations to
reconnect and see how they can work in partnership. Commissioner Ostwinkle suggested that
the group decide procedurally, whether subcommittees act on their own, or would they need
to bring any action back to the whole body for approval. Commissioner Allen stated that
protocol is that the subcommittees do their work on the initiatives and then bring
recommendations back to the entire commission for approval.
Goal #5: Participate in Inclusive Dubuque process: Allen, Helgager, Jackson, Lenhart,
LoGuidice, Stewart
Select liaisons to organizations:
Black Mens Coalition — Allen attends as a committee member
Day of Peace Organizing Committee — Stewart attends as a committee member
DCPR — Primary liaison Beacham, alternate liaison (needed)
DDRC — Primary Stewart, alternate (needed)
Housing Commission — Primary Allen, alternate LoGuidice
NAACP — Jackson
Transit Advisory - Stewart attends as a committee member
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Speakers Bureau — Ostwinkle
Faces & Voices — LoGuidice
Inclusive Dubuque — LoGuidice
PFLAG — Beacham attends as committee member
Commissioners not present should review the list to determine involvement. Allen will
prepare a draft letter to update the City Council on commission activities. Commissioners will
review that letter at next month's meeting.
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Beacham, second by Commissioner Ostwinkle. All in favor. The
meeting of the Human Rights Commission adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Commissioner Jackson will lead the next regular meetin scheduled for Monday, April 14, 2014.
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Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected:
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