Minutes_Dubuque Human Rights Commission 8 10 15 DUBUQUE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
August 10, 2015
Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
4:36 p.m. on Monday, August 10, 2015, at the City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Street, Conference
Room II, Dubuque, Iowa.
Roll Call:
Present: Anthony Allen, Chair
Fred Davis Ashley Melchert
Tanya Engling Susan Stone
Miquel Jackson, Vice-Chair Shirley Templeton Vaughn
Absent: Tom LoGuidice
Staff: Kelly Larson Carol Spinoso
Approval of July 13, 2015 Minutes:
Commissioner Jackson moved to approve the Human Rights Commission meeting minutes of
July 13, 2015. Commissioner Vaughn seconded. All in favor of approving the meeting minutes
as submitted.
Reports:
Caseload Report
The July 2015 Caseload Report was received and filed.
Chairperson's Report
Commissioner Allen reported that the NAACP is working with the Clinton and Sanders
campaign committees in educating youth about the voting process. The NAACP
Freedom Fund Banquet will be held November 14. The NAACP has been working with
the DBQ Community BBQ committee in organizing the September 19th DBQ Community
BBQ event. They are also working with the Iowa Federation of Labor in planning a
Workers Summit to be held sometime in October. The NAACP held a goal setting
session, ethics training and the first of two Inclusive Dubuque dialogue sessions.
Nationally, the NAACP is beginning the walk to Washington, and are encouraging local
branches of the NAACP to march for peace.
Director's Report:
A written report was submitted. Kelly stated that she prepares an internal quarterly
written report of departmental activities for the City Council. She asked if it was
acceptable to submit quarterly reports to commissioners instead of monthly reports.
Consensus was to approve quarterly reports.
Old Business:
Appeal in DHRC #4416
Kelly stated that the parties in the Reinhardt vs. Alpine Park Community rejected the
Commission's amended settlement offer, and the Respondent submitted an appeal to
the recommended decision. By administrative rules, the Complainant has until August
19, 2015 to submit a response to the appeal, and the Respondent has until September
8, 2015 to reply. Commissioners need to decide whether they will grant the request for
oral arguments and then decide on a date for review. Commissioner Stone moved to
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hear oral arguments and review the case on September 16, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.
Commissioner Melchert seconded. Roll call:
Anthony Allen Yes Ashley Melchert Yes
Fred Davis No Susan Stone Yes
Tanya Engling Yes Shirley Vaughn Yes
Miquel Jackson No
Motion carries.
New Business
Appoint Teen LGBT Liaison
Commissioner Stone agreed to volunteer as a liaison to this group.
Discuss Promotion of DHRC
Commissioner Melchert voiced concern that people aren't aware of who the Commission
is and what they do. She suggested they write an article for the TH. Commissioner
Vaughn stated that subcommittee members for Goal #3 have met and discussed that
concern and have brainstormed a few ideas. Further discussion will be held under Goal
#3 discussions.
Standing Items:
Goal 1: Research, illuminate and eliminate disparities (and increase cultural
competencies) in education, criminal justice and housing. (*Jackson, Melchert,
Stone, LoGuidice, Allen)
Kelly reported that Nikola will be attending the Iowa Summit on Justice & Disparities
Workshop in Ankeny August 28 & 29, 2015, where the Governor, State decision makers,
national experts, and community advocates will address minority disproportionality in the
criminal justice system.
Kelly will be attending the 2015 Iowa Bipartisan Criminal justice Summit in Cedar Falls
on October 1. She received a request from Iowa State Representative Helen Miller, one
of the event sponsors, asking the commission to sign on as a supporter of the Summit.
Commissioner Davis moved and Commissioner Stone seconded to sign-on as a
supporter of the Summit. All in favor.
Kelly stated that once the final Equity Profile is complete they will begin pulling groups
together for action planning which will provide an opportunity for commissioner
involvement.
Alvin will be present at next month's meeting to provide an update on the Source of
Income committee work.
Goal 2: Provide input to City Council goals and priorities and support the Human
rights Commission's goals and priorities. (Full commission participation) *Allen is
Chair.
Commissioners will continue to provide input to Kelly.
Goal 3: Continue to improve communication within and among community
groups in order to improve human rights initiatives. (Davis, *Vaughn, Allen)
The subcommittee discussed and made the following recommendations:
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1) Commissioners announce when they attend other group functions such as
Inclusive Dubuque, BBQ in DBQ, etc.
2) Set dates to present information about the commission to liaison
organizations; and then branch out to other groups.
3) Work with various groups/organizations in distributing the DHRC brochures
and/or business cards.
4) Suggestion to have joint meetings with organizations to build partnerships.
5) Hold public "get to Know" meetings at various locations to provide an
opportunity for more interaction between community members and
commissioners.
Kelly will work on updating the presentation that already exists and will forward to the
group.
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Vaughn, second by Commissioner Davis. The meeting of
the Human Rights Commission adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monda ,? ept fnber 14, 2015 at 4:30 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted: /
Minutes approved as corrected:
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