Minutes DHRC 1 08 07
CITY OF
DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
January 8, 2007
Commissioner Vanden Heuvel called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to
order at 4:17 p.m. on Monday, January 8, 2007, in Conference Room 2 at the City Hall Annex.
Roll Call: Anthony Allen Bill Ross
Present: Mary Coan Marcos Rubinstein
Patricia Foster Vince Vanden Heuvel, Vice-Chair
Shane Oswald Katrina Wilberding
Gretel Winterwood
Staff: Kelly Larson Crenna Brumwell-Sahm
Molly Menster Carol Spinoso
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Wilberding moved and Commissioner Anthony seconded to approve the November
13, 2006 meeting minutes as submitted. Roll call:
Allen Yes Ross Yes
Coan Yes Rubinstein Yes
Foster Yes Vanden Heuvel Yes
Oswald Yes Wilberding Yes
Winterwood Yes
Motion carried.
Caseload Report
Carol summarized the November Caseload Report. There were forty-two intakes, 2 new cases
filed, 12 cases under active investigation, 1 case in mediation, 1 case in administrative review, 3
cases were closed, and 5 remain in backlog. The case summary details allegations of
discrimination in the area of employment on the basis of disability.
The December caseload revealed 44 inquires, 2 formal cases filed, 10 cases under active
investigation, 1 case in administrative review, 2 cases in conciliation, 1 case in administrative law
judge review, 4 cases were closed, and 3 remain in backlog. The case synopsis details
employment discrimination on the basis of age.
Vice Chairperson's Report
No report given.
Director's Report
Kelly provided a written report highlighting past and future initiatives.
Subcommittee Reports
Accessibility – Katrina, Bill
Commissioner Wilberding gave a brief overview for new commissioners. Proactively, the
group has prepared an ADA checklist for Building Services inspectors and hopes to do the
same for architects and contractors. They will also provide educational opportunities to the
disabled community, and will be creating a "Proudly Accessible" brochure. The surveys are
on hold right now pending the investigation of enforcement strategies.
Katrina, as a private citizen, prepared a memo for presentation to City Councilmembers and
the City Manager educating them on the ADAAG regulations versus the Building Code
violations, as well as making some recommendations. Katrina asked that the commission
approve the memo so that it can be forwarded to the Council prior to the budget hearings.
Commissioner Rubinstein moved that the Human Rights Commission approve and send
the memo on to the Mayor, City Council, and City Manager. Commissioner Ross
seconded. Roll call:
Allen Yes Ross Yes
Coan Yes Rubinstein Yes
Foster Yes Vanden Heuvel Yes
Oswald Yes Wilberding Yes
Winterwood Yes
Motion carried.
Education and Outreach – Bill, Molly, Vince, Anthony
Commissioners were provided with copies of the December 18 meeting minutes, an
informational brochure, media release, speakers' bureau flier, and speakers' bureau training
manual. Molly explained that currently there are six people interested in being speakers and
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the first training session is scheduled for January 13. The group plans to send the media
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release out on February 5, the first anniversary of the passage of the sexual orientation
ordinance. The flier will be sent to businesses, schools, and organizations. Commissioner
Ross moved to approve the media release, speakers' bureau flier, brochure, training
manual and December 18 meeting minutes. Commissioner Oswald seconded. Roll call:
Allen Yes Ross Yes
Coan Yes Rubinstein Yes
Foster Yes Vanden Heuvel Yes
Oswald Yes Wilberding Yes
Winterwood Yes
Motion carried.
Ordinance Review – Anthony, Marcos
No report given.
Appointment to the Dubuque Dispute Resolution Center
Kelly reported that there are currently three vacancies on the DDRC advisory board. She asked
Commissioners to identify people who might be interested in serving on the advisory board and
provide names to staff. Commissioner Rubinstein asked to table this item until the February
meeting.
Review and Vote on Priorities for State Legislative Breakfast
Kelly explained that the League of Iowa Human Rights Agencies is hosting a legislative breakfast
in Des Moines on March 14. Commissioners were provided with a list of specific legislative
priorities that the League has adopted for the coming legislative session. Kelly asked if the
Commission would like to also adopt some or all of the listed priorities. Commissioner Rubinstein
moved that the Human Rights Commission endorse the League's priorities, and in addition to the
League's priorities, the Human Rights Commission will advocate for ADA issues. Commissioner
Allen seconded. Roll call:
Allen Yes Ross Yes
Coan Yes Rubinstein Yes
Foster Yes Vanden Heuvel Yes
Oswald Yes Wilberding Yes
Winterwood Yes
Motion carried. Commissioners were encouraged to contact legislators prior to the breakfast.
Commissioners Ross, Foster, and Rubinstein will attend the breakfast.
Discuss Chair/Vice Chair Elections
Commissioner Vanden Heuvel asked commissioners to consider their interest in serving as
chairperson. Officer elections will be held in February.
New Business:
Commissioners were reminded that the Martin Luther King Jr. walk will begin at 1:00 p.m. Sunday
at Jackson Park and proceed to Prescott School where awards will be presented. The breakfast
activities are planned for Monday, January 15 at 7:30 a.m. at the Grand River Center.
Mary Coan reported that Clarke College will observe Human Rights Awareness Week beginning
January 21.
Patricia announced that Evelyn Villines will speak at UWP sometime in March, and that their GLBT
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Alliance will have a conference February 24.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Ross moved to
adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Wilberding seconded. Motion passed by acclamation.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
The next meeting is February 12, 2007.
Minutes approved as submitted: _______________________________________
Minutes approved as corrected: ________________________________________