Minutes Human Rights 5 14 07CITY OF DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING M/NUTES OF
May 14, 2007
Cindy Foreman, Outreach Director, for the Epilepsy Foundation of Southern Wisconsin presented
a brief overview of the HOPE Program (Helping Other People with Epilepsy).
Commissioner Vanden Heuvel called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to
order at 4:32 p.m. on Monday, May 14, 2007, in Conference Room 2 at the City Hall Annex.
Roll Call:
Present:
Anthony Allen
Mary Coan
Patricia Foster
Bill Ross
Marcos Rubinstein
Vince Vanden Heuvel, Vice-Chair
Katrina Wilberding
Gretel Winterwood
Absent: Shane Oswald, Chair
Staff: Kelly Larson
Molly Menster
Crenna Brumwell-Sahm
Carol Spinoso
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Wilberding moved and Commissioner Allen seconded to approve the April 9, 2007
meeting minutes as submitted. All in favor of approving the minutes as submitted.
Caseload Report
Carol summarized the April Caseload Report. There were forty-nine intakes, 2 new cases filed, 15
cases under active investigation, 5 cases in mediation, 3 cases were closed, and 1 case remains in
backlog. The case summary details allegations of age, sex, disability and national origin
discrimination in the area of employment.
Chairperson's Report
No report given.
Director's Report
Kelly provided a written report highlighting past and future initiatives. Anyone interested in
attending the RECCR training in Kansas City, August 22-24, should let staff know by the end of the
month.
Appointment to the Dubuaue Dispute Resolution Center
Kelly reported that she had contacted several individuals to inquire as to their interest in serving on
the DDRC Board. Corine Murray, Director of the Lantern Center, and Russ Stecklein, Captain of
the Community Oriented Policing Officers, indicated that they are willing to serve. Commissioner
Allen moved and Commissioner Wilberding seconded to appoint Corine Murray and Russ
Stecklein to the DDRC Board. Roll call:
Allen Yes Rubinstein Yes
Coan Yes Vanden Heuvel Yes
Foster Yes Wilberding Yes
Ross Yes Winterwood Yes
Motion carried.
Additionally, they are looking to do training of mediators on August 1 & 2, 2007, and if
Commissioners know anyone who might be interested in being a mediator, they should have them
contact staff for details.
Subcommittee Reports
Accessibility -Katrina Bill
Katrina defined the two groups involved with this initiative. The Accessibility Subcommittee
is directly responsible to the Commission, and will do anything that requires details, i.e. any
liaison work to staff or Building Services. Proudly Accessible Dubuque is a group of
volunteers who have signed on to help advise about the public relations portion.
Katrina reviewed the minutes of the Accessibility Subcommittee meeting of April 23rd and
the April 2"d PAD Steering Committee meeting. A media blitz will be done in conjunction
with the Chamber at their quarterly event scheduled for September 19. The video that is
being created, with the help of local production company and Michele Ohms who is an ADA
Specialist, will be presented at that event. They are in the process of selecting a speaker.
Commissioner Rubinstein questioned the subcommittee's involvement in the hiring of the
part-time Building Inspector. Kelly stated that the commission or the subcommittee could
request to be involved in that. Commissioner Rubinstein recommended involvement in
developing the job description, having a representative of the subcommittee sit on the
search/hiring committee, and recommends that the individual who is hired as inspector
attend the Accessibility Subcommittee meetings. Commissioner Wilberding will compose a
proposal and present it at next month's meeting.
Education and Outreach -Bill Vince Anthony Gretel
Commissioner Ross reported that the group wants to expand the Speakers' Bureau to
include the topics of national origin, race, religion and disability. They are in the process of
co htacting people in the community to have them attend an informational meeting on May
30 at Keystone in room 3B at 3:30 p.m. We will seek individuals to join adhoc committees
based on their interest. Once speakers are identified, Molly will train them.
Ordinance Review - Anthony, Marcos Shane
No report given.
Discuss Adding Gender Identity to the Ordinance.
Commissioner Ross stated that sexual orientation and gender identity was recently added to the
Iowa Civil Rights Act (although not yet signed). Bill proposed that the commission consider adding
gender identity to the local ordinance. He stated that the State defines "gender identity" as "a
gender related identity of a person, regardless of the person's assigned sex at birth." Crenna
suggested that they wait for the bill to be signed, and then as a commission they can make a
recommendation to the City Council to have the city's ordinance reflect the state law on both
sexual orientation and gender identity. She urged commissioners to review chapter 27 and the
State's language in preparation for that proposal. Crenna will examine the ordinance and provide
clarification on the exemptions.
New Business:
No new business.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Ross moved to
adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Rubinstein seconded. Motion passed by acclamation.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:44 p.m.
The next meeting is June 11, 2007. %i
Minutes approved as submitted: ~~~-2
Minutes approved as corrected: