Minutes Human Rights Commission 06 11 07
CITY OF
DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
June 11, 2007
Commissioner Oswald called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
4:17 p.m. on Monday, June 11, 2007, in Conference Room 2 at the City Hall Annex.
Roll Call:
Present:
Anthony Allen
Shane Oswald, Chair Vince Vanden Heuvel, Vice-Chair
Bill Ross Katrina Wilberding
Marcos Rubinstein Gretel Winterwood
Absent: Mary Coan Patricia Foster
Staff: Kelly Larson Crenna Brumwell-Sahm
Carol Spinoso
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Wilberding moved and Commissioner Rubinstein seconded to approve the May 14,
2007 meeting minutes as submitted. Roll call:
Allen Yes Vanden Heuvel Yes
Oswald Yes Wilberding Yes
Ross Yes Winterwood Yes
Rubinstein Yes
Motion carries. The minutes were approved as submitted.
Caseload Report
Carol summarized the May Caseload Report. There were forty-eight intakes, no new cases were
filed, 8 cases under active investigation, 4 cases in mediation, 6 cases were closed, 1 case in
administrative law judge review, and 2 cases in administrative review. The case summary details
allegations of race discrimination in the area of public accommodation.
Chairperson's Report
Commissioner Oswald commented on the Commission's initiative to amend the ordinance to
include gender identity so that it reflects the State Code, and asked for clarification on that process.
Crenna will prepare a comparison list between Chapter 27 and Chapter 216 for next month's
meeting for purposes of clarification and commissioner review prior to recommending the
amendment to the City Council.
Director's Report
Kelly provided a written report highlighting past and future initiatives.
Subcommittee Reports
Ordinance Review – Anthony, Marcos, Shane
including
The subcommittee did not meet. Anthony resigned due to time constraints,
other human rights related work he is involved in with staff.
Accessibility – Katrina, Bill, Shane
Commissioner Wilberding reported that the subcommittee did not have a formal meeting
last month due to lack of a quorum. They did film the video with Michele Ohmes, ADA
Specialist from Kansas City, on June 7 & 8. They met with several businesses during the
filming. They will now be working on getting the PAD website up and running, and are in
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the process of selecting a speaker for the September 19 Chamber event. Lastly, Katrina
stated that Penny Ehlinger resigned from the subcommittee. She has prepared a letter of
thanks to Penny for her involvement. Commissioner Rubinstein moved and Commissioner
Allen seconded to approve the letter of appreciation. Roll call:
Allen Yes Vanden Heuvel Yes
Oswald Yes Wilberding Yes
Ross Yes Winterwood Yes
Rubinstein Yes
Education and Outreach – Bill, Vince, Anthony, Gretel
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Commissioner Ross reported that 13 citizens attended the May 30 meeting and gave input
as to the idea of a speakers' bureau. They broke into three interest groups. Anthony will
chair the race group, Vince the national origin group, and Gretel and Bill will serve on the
disability committee. Each committee will meet separately to decide on the focus and
direction of their individual group. Kudos to Molly for her organization of this meeting.
Set Date for Goal Setting
The commission will meet Friday, August 10, 2007 at 12:00 noon for the annual goal setting
session at the Holiday Inn. Lunch will be provided. Suggested facilitators include: Jan Powers,
Sid Scott, and Art Roche. Staff will contact each of them to determine availability.
New Business:
Commissioner Ross mentioned that campaign representatives of Obama and Clinton contacted
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PFLAG. PFLAG invited these reps to attend the next meeting that is scheduled on June 21 at
7:00 p.m. at St. Johns.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Wilberding moved
to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Vanden Heuvel seconded. Motion passed by acclamation.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:20 p.m.
The next meeting is July 9, 2007.
Minutes approved as submitted: _______________________________________