Minutes Human Rights 11 5 07
CITY OF
DUBUQUE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
November 5, 2007
Commissioner Oswald called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
4:18 p.m. on Monday, November 5, 2007, in Conference Room 2 at the City Hall Annex.
Roll Call: Anthony Allen Mary Coan
Present: Shane Oswald, Chair Katrina Wilberding
Bill Ross Gretel Winterwood
Absent: Patricia Foster Marcos Rubinstein
Vince Vanden Heuvel
Staff: Kelly Larson Molly Menster
Carol Spinoso
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Wilberding moved and Commissioner Coan seconded to approve the October 8,
2007 meeting minutes as submitted. By consensus the meeting minutes were approved as
submitted.
Caseload Report
Carol summarized the October Caseload Report. There were fifty intakes, two new cases filed, six
cases under active investigation, four cases in mediation, 1 case in administrative review, and five
cases were closed. There were no cases remaining in backlog. The case summary details a
claim of housing discrimination on the basis of familial status.
Chairperson's Report
No report given.
Director's Report
Kelly provided a written report highlighting past and future initiatives.
Discuss Addition of Gender Identity to Chapter 27
Commissioners reviewed the proposed ordinance amendment prepared by the Legal Department
to add gender identity to chapter 27 of the city ordinance so that our law is consistent with state
law. Commissioner Ross moved to formally recommend to the City Council the proposed
amendments to chapter 27. Commissioner Coan seconded. Roll call:
Allen Yes Ross Yes
Coan Yes Wilberding Yes
Oswald Yes Winterwood Yes
Motion carried.
Subcommittee Reports
Education and Outreach
Commissioner Ross reported that he, Vince and Gretel will give Molly a list of speakers,
their goals and objectives, and feedback on the original speakers’ bureau training manual in
preparation for the next training speakers’ bureau training session.
Accessibility – Katrina, Bill, Shane
Commissioner Wilberding reported that the city is in the process of hiring the part-time
inspector for the Building Department. Proudly Accessible Dubuque is working with the
Chamber in identifying and listing accessible hotels and restaurants in the 2008 Visitors
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Guide. The PAD Board of Directors will meet on November 14.
Discuss Individual Roles Related to the Goals:
Goal One:
Indicator 1: Commissioner Wilberding agreed to submit an article on accessibility and PAD to City
News, and Commissioner Coan agreed to work on HRC factoids for City News.
Indicator 2: Commissioner Coan volunteered to update an older PowerPoint informational
program.
Indicator 3: Commissioner Wilberding nominated Commissioner Coan to serve as the DHRC
representative on the DDRC Advisory Board. Commissioner Allen seconded. All in favor.
Indicator 4: Staff will compile a list of community organizations and advocacy groups to contact for
informational presentations.
Indicator 5: Commissioner Allen agreed to serve as the Commission’s liaison to the Multicultural
Center.
Indicator 6: Commissioner Allen will open dialogue with the Iowa Commission on the Status of
African Americans by inviting Jerry Thomas, an ICSAA board member, to a DHRC meeting.
Goal Two:
Indicator 1: The Education and Outreach Speaker’s Bureau subcommittees are currently making
presentations.
Indicator 2: Commissioner Wilberding’s continuing work on accessibility issues and the PAD will
impact this initiative.
Indicator 3: Commissioners Oswald and Wilberding will work on getting this information out.
Katrina will contact the Telegraph Herald to suggest an article in observance of Human Rights Day
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on December 10.
Indicator 4: The Education and Outreach subcommittees will work collaboratively on creating a
transition plan over the next year. Commissioner Allen volunteered to work with other members.
League of Iowa ICN and Legislative Priorities
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Kelly stated that the League will host an ICN meeting on December 6 at the Library. They will
focus on legislative priorities for the next coming legislative session. Kelly asked that
commissioners forward any priorities to her so that she can forward them on to the League. Kelly
distributed copies of the ICRC legislative priorities.
Final Approval of Budget Requests for DHRC Goals:
Commissioners reviewed improvement level budget requests to ensure that commissioner
requests for various subcommittee activities were captured correctly. Commissioner Wilberding
moved and Commissioner Ross seconded to approve the budget request as submitted. All in
favor.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Allen moved to
adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Wilberding seconded. Motion passed by consensus. Meeting
was adjourned at 5:02 p.m.
The next regular meeting is December 10, 2007.
Minutes approved as submitted: _______________________________________
Minutes approved as corrected: _______________________________________