Minutes Human Rights 10 8 07CITY OF DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEET/NG.,M/NUTES OF
October 8, 2007
Commissioner Oswald called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
4:15 p.m. on Monday, October 8, 2007, in Conference Room 2 at the City Hall Annex.
Roll Call:
Present: Shane Oswald, Chair
Bill Ross
Marcos Rubinstein
Vince Vanden Heuvel, Vice-Chair
Katrina Wilberding
Gretel Winterwood
Absent: Anthony Allen
Patricia Foster
Staff: Kelly Larson
Carol Spinoso
Approval of Minutes
Mary Coan
Molly Menster
Commissioner Vanden Heuvel moved and Commissioner Ross seconded to approve the
September 4, 2007 meeting minutes as submitted. By consensus the September 4, 2007
meeting minutes were approved as submitted.
Commissioner Wilberding moved and Commissioner Winterwood seconded to approve the
September 10, 2007 meeting minutes as submitted. By consensus the September 10, 2007
minutes were approved as submitted.
Caseload Report
Carol summarized the September Caseload Report. There were sixty-one intakes, five new cases
filed, seven cases under active investigation, five cases in mediation, 2 cases in administrative
review, two cases were closed, and there were no cases in backlog. The case summary details a
claim of public accommodation discrimination on the basis of disability and accessibility issues.
Chairperson's Report
Commissioner Oswald stated that he didn't receive any feedback or changes to the goals
discussed at that month's meeting. The goals will be discussed later on in the meeting. Kudos to
Katrina on the successful kickoff of the Proudly Accessible Dubuque initiative.
Director's Report
Kelly provided a written report highlighting past and future initiatives. She reminded
commissioners to submit their "Reflection" statements for the Annual Report by the end of the
month. Additionally, there are funds available to attend the faces & voices sponsored Diversity
Conference on November 7cn
to race, national origin, housing...." Commissioner Ross moved to approve the 2007 - 2008 goals
as amended. Commissioner Wilberding seconded. Roll call:
Oswald Yes Vanden Heuvel Yes
Ross Yes ~ Wilberding Yes
Rubinstein Yes Winterwood Yes.
Motion carries. At next month's meeting there will be discussion as to how the work is going to be
distributed and/or given to existing subcommittee groups.
Budget Requests for DHRC Goals:
Commissioner Vanden Heuvel requested $2,500 for the production of the national origin video.
Commissioner Wilberding requested funds to create a postcard and mailing expenses (3,000)
related to the parking initiative for the accessibility group. Funds were requested for travel to Des
Moines to attend two Iowa Commission on the Status of African Americans meetings ($500.00).
Funds were requested for the publication and translation services for 2,500 informational
brochures. Commissioner Ross asked for funds to copy training manuals and provide lunch ($250)
during speakers' training sessions. Commissioner Rubinstein moved to approve the budget
requests for the Human Rights Commission goals. Commissioner Ross seconded. Roll call:
Oswald Yes Vanden Heuvel Yes
Ross Yes Wilberding Yes
Rubinstein Yes Winterwood Yes.
Motion carried.
Discuss Fair Housing Outreach to Tenants
Kelly explained that HUD has given the Department a performance deficiency because we have
not processed enough fair housing cases or presented enough outreach specifically to tenants.
Staff has come up with some plans for outreach and she asked commissioners to volunteer to
make presentations to groups that they have contact with such as churches and civic or
neighborhood groups. Kelly distributed an outreach presentation for commissioners to use as a
guide.
Reschedule November 12~' Commission Meeting
Due to the City's observance of Veterans Day on November 12"', which is the next regularly
scheduled meeting, Commissioner Wilberding moved to reschedule the next commission meeting
to November 5, 2007. Commissioner Ross seconded. All in favor.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Wilberding moved
to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Ross seconded. Motion passed by consensus. Meeting
was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
The next regular meeting is November 5, 2007.
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Minutes approved as submitted: --~``''~~- ~~~G~~~~
Minutes approved as corrected:
Subcommittee Reports
Education and Outreach
National Origin -Vince
Commissioner Vanden Heuvel reported that the National Origin group met on October 2nd.
They have approximately three or four people interested in speaking. Presently they are
working with Craig Schaefer from Loras College discussing the possibility of producing a
video entitled, "Where Is Diversity in Dubuque?" Molly commented that she had met with
Alejandro Peno, the Director of the Multicultural Services at Loras, and he voiced that he is
interested in what the subcommittee is doing.
Race -Anthony, Gretel
Commissioner Winterwood spoke briefly about the NAACP's youth initiative. Robert Kimble
is working with the NAACP to establish collaborative efforts with several schools and non-
profitorganizations for after school programs and mentors for African American youth in
Dubuque.
Disability -Bill, Gretel
Commissioner Ross reported that they are preparing a draft which explains what the
subcommittee is about. They will be meeting with Molly to discuss arranging training for the
speakers.
Sexual Orientation -Molly
Molly reported that the sexual orientation speakers' bureau gave a presentation to
approximately 124 employees at Prudential.
Commissioner Rubinstein distributed information related to "Seven Straight Nights for Equal
Rights" which will be held nationwide, with area vigils in Ames and Des Moines.
Housing -
No report given.
Accessibility -Katrina, Bill, Shane
Commissioner Wilberding commented that PAD kickoff was well attended and that there
was a lot of positive feedback. The Chamber will take a role in helping them broaden their
base of volunteers and support, and they will be getting more organized and establishing
goals and strategies. In November, Julien's Journal will be focusing on diversity and will be
using Proudly Accessible Dubuque as another aspect of diversity. Lastly, the Accessibility
Subcommittee will be looking more closely into parking and enforcement issues in the
community.
Finalize and Adopt Goals:
Commissioner Oswald reviewed each goal and their indicators for success. Commissioner Oswald
suggested that indicator #2 under goal one be changed to read, 'The DHRC will present an
informational program on the role of the commission in our community to no less than six (6) area
groups or businesses with the next twelve (12) months." Commissioner Rubinstein would like
indicator #3 of goal two to include "...create and distribute an accessible and multilingual
publication..." Commissioner Wilberding suggested a wording change to indicator #2 under goal
two so.that it reads 'The DHRC's actions will result in an increase in the number of intakes related