Minutes Human Rigts Commission 7 9 07CITY OF DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
July 9, 2007
Commissioner Oswald called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
4:17 p.m. on Monday, July 9, 2007, in Conference Room 2 at the City Hall Annex.
Roll Call:
Present:
Anthony Allen Marcos Rubinstein
Mary Coan Vince Vanden Heuvel, Vice-Chair
Shane Oswald, Chair Gretel Winterwood
Bill Ross Patricia Foster
Absent: Katrina Wilberding
Staff: Crenna Brumwell-Sahm Molly Menster
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Ross moved and Commissioner Vanden Heuvel seconded to approve the June 11,
2007 meeting minutes as submitted. Roll call:
Allen Yes Vanden Heuvel Yes
Coan Abstain Wilberding Yes
Oswald Yes Winterwood Yes
Ross Yes
Motion carries. The minutes were approved as submitted.
Caseload Report
Molly summarized the June Caseload Report. There were thirty-seven intakes, one new case filed,
7 cases under active investigation, 2 cases in mediation, 4 cases closed, 2 cases in administrative
review, and 1 case remained in backlog. The case summary details allegations of employment
discrimination on the bases of sexual harassment and retaliation.
Chairperson's Report
Nothing new to report.
Director's Report
Kelly provided a written report highlighting past and future initiatives.
Subcommittee Reports
Education and Outreach -Anthony. Bill, Vince. Gretel
Commissioner Ross reported that they met on July 2 to review what other subcommittee
involvement. The Disability Subcommittee will be contacting support groups to see about their
interest in being speakers.
Commissioner Allen reported that the Race Subcommittee met on June 29. They discussed
focusing on efforts to secure speakers willing to speak on race and education in the K-12
school system, the colleges, and then will reach to the community. Rachel Daack suggested a
video "Off Track" to be used during presentations.
Commissioner Vanden Heuvel stated that the National Origin Subcommittee met to discuss
various ideas. They discussed the lack of awareness of the national origin make-up in
Dubuque. It was reported that there were 12 languages spoken in the school district. They
plan to identify and celebrate diversity in the community and thus eliminate myths, and possibly
address the issues of immigration.
The next Education and Outreach large group meeting will be August 8th at Keystone at 3:30
Ordinance Review -Marcos, Shane
The subcommittee did not meet.
Accessibility -Katrina, Bill, Shane
Molly reported for Katrina that at the last two meetings only two people were in attendance
and she stated that there are not enough people on this subcommittee. She would like to
discuss this at goal setting. The next meeting is on July 23 at 4:00 p.m. in Conference
Room II.
Staff distributed a memo to remind subcommittees of the public meeting notice procedures.
Review Resumes and Select Facilitator for Goal Settins~
Staff contacted Jan Powers, Sid Scott and Art Roche to submit proposals to facilitate goal setting
for the Commission. Sid Scott is not available August 10th, and Jan Powers did not submit a
proposal. Commissioner Rubinstein moved to approve Art Roche to facilitate the Commission's
planning session on August 10, 2007. Commissioner Allen seconded. Roll call:
Allen Yes Vanden Heuvel Yes
Coan Yes Rubinstein Yes
Oswald Yes Winterwood Yes
Ross Yes Foster Yes
Motion carries.
Recommendation Res~ardin~ Addition of Gender Identity to Chapter 27
Commissioners reviewed Crenna's comparison between Chapter 27 and Chapter 218 relating to
gender identity and religion. Crenna suggested two options: 1) recommend the City amend its
ordinance to reflect the state law addition of gender identity and religious exemptions, or 2)
recommend the City amend its ordinance to possess the same religious exemptions as state law
without adopting gender identity. The consequence of this is that gender identity complaints could
not be enforced locally, but would be referred to the Iowa Civil Rights Commission.
Commissioner Ross suggested contacting City Councilmembers to get a feel of how they want to
approach this with regards to the recommendations.
Commissioner Rubinstein requested that Crenna draft the amendments related to religion and
gender identity to the ordinance for City Council consideration.
Commissioners will contact Councilmembers individually, and Crenna will draft a proposed
ordinance amendment that reflects both the religion and gender identity changes for
commissioners to review. At next month's meeting commissioners will approve the
recommendation to the City Council.
New Business:
No new business.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Rubinstein moved
to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Vanden Heuvel seconded. Motion passed by acclamation.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:48 p.m.
The next regular meeting is August 13, 2007.
Minutes approved as submitted: ~~ (~~-~ti~-~
Minutes approved as corrected: