Name Change Proposal - Multicultural Family Center Building_Ruby Sutton Building Copyright 2014
City of Dubuque Action Items # 2.
ITEM TITLE: Name Change Proposal - Multicultural Family Center
Building (Tabled from 9/21/15)
SUMMARY: Correspondence from the Multicultural Family Center Board
President John Stewart supporting the renaming of 1157
Central Avenue to the "Ruby Sutton Building."
City Manager submitting information on potential costs
related to the proposed name change.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: 1) Remove from Table; 2)
Receive and File, Council
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
MFC Board Letter of 12/9/15 Supporting Documentation
Human Rights Commission recommendation re: Staff Memo
NAACP Request
Multicultural Family Center Costs of Potential Name Supporting Documentation
Change-MVM Memo
Leisure Services Staff Memo - Potential Costs Related Supporting Documentation
to MFC Name Change
MFC Board Letter of 9/14/15 Supporting Documentation
NAACP Request Letter from 9/21/15 Supporting Documentation
December 9, 2015
TO: Mayor Roy Buol and the Dubuque City Council
FROM: John Stewart, President, MFC Board
RE: NAACP Name Change Proposal
On September 21, 2015, the Dubuque Chapter of the NAACP proposed that
the City Council change the name of the Multicultural Family Center to the Ruby
Sutton Multicultural Family Center. Mayor pro tem Lynn Sutton tabled the proposal
and asked me to consult with as many MFC stakeholders as possible and to report
back to the Council.
I have listened and talked with over 160 Dubuque residents, including some
of those involved in the establishment of the MFC; members of several groups who
use the Center, including the NAACP, Black Men Coalition, LULAC, a Marshallese
spokesperson, and two LGBT+ groups; MFC staff, and concerned citizens. On
November 5, approximately 20 additional community members attended a listening
session convened to receive their input. The MFC Board has discussed this proposal
at two of our monthly meetings. I have also consulted with the Sutton family, and
met with City Manager Mike Van Milligen.
The MFC Board unanimously and wholeheartedly agrees that Ruby Sutton
deserves to be honored, and, as the City's partners in the MFC, we strongly support
the NAACP proposal to the City Council. We understand that, if the Council concurs,
the City's building at 1157 Central Avenue will be named "The Ruby Sutton
Building." We believe that the Sutton family's preference on this matter should be
strongly weighted, and our support of this plan is consistent with what we have
been told are the Sutton family's wishes. This designation will be especially
appropriate when the build-out is completed and the Human Rights Deopartment
joins the MFC in this building. We envision the signage on the building looking
something like this: The Ruby Sutton Building
Multicultural Family Center
Human Rights Department
We understand that costs are associated with this change, including new
signage and the design, manufacture, and installation of a suitable plaque. We also
plan to affirm the honor by adding the new building name to the MFC letterhead and
website. We have had preliminary discussions with NAACP leadership about a
capital campaign and an educational campaign, and we look forward to partnering
with them and other groups in these efforts.
THE CITY OF Dubuque
DUBgkE All111-America CiI.ty
1
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007-2012-2013
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Kelly Larson, Human Rights Director
DATE: December 15, 2015
RE: Human Rights Commission Recommendation regarding NAACP request
At their regularly scheduled meeting last night, December 14, 2015, the Human Rights
Commission briefly discussed the NAACP's request to the City Council regarding
honoring Ruby Sutton through renaming of the Multicultural Family Center.
The Human Rights Commission voted to recommend that the City Council support
naming the building at 1157 Central Avenue, which houses the Multicultural Family
Center, the Ruby Sutton Building.
cc: Human Rights Commissioners
THE CITY OF Dubuque
UBE I
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007-2012-2013
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Potential Costs Related to Multicultural Family Center Name Change
DATE: December 13, 2015
Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware is transmitting information on the potential costs
related to a potential name change of the Multicultural Family Center. Should the City
Council approve the name change, $7,300 will be requested in the FY17 budget.
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Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Marie L. Ware, Leisure Services Manager
THE CITY ODubuque II-A
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;111 I.mericaCi i
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007-2012-2013
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Marie L. Ware, Leisure Services Manager
SUBJECT: Potential Costs Related to Multicultural Family Center Name Change
DATE: December 11, 2015
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is to identify and share potential costs related to a potential
name change of the Multicultural Family Center per your request.
DISCUSSION
A review was completed with staff regarding potential costs. The following are provided
individually so that depending upon the specific decision the potential costs are known.
Costs Related Specifically to the Building:
Lettering Signage on Outside of Building
Sign Permit Fee $ 100.00
Signage 2,900.00
$ 31000.00
Costs Related to Commemoration Inside Building:
Commemorative Bronze Plaque for Inside Building
Estimated size 24" x 30" $ 21300.00
Other Costs Not Related to the Building:
Logo Modification $ 750.00
Letterhead, envelopes, business cards 11250.00
(one-year supply)
ACTION STEP
This information is provided for informational purposes only.
MLW:et
cc John Stewart, Chairperson, MFC Board of Directors
Sarah Petersen, Acting MFC Director
1
Y I t I V Y l t u ■ a I 1
157 Central Avenue
■ - . Dubuque,IA 52001
563-582-3681
Family Center I DUBUQUE www.mfcdb°.ore
September 17, 2015
City of Dubuque
City Council
50W. 13th Street
Dubuque,IA 52001
Dear City Council Members,
Regarding the attached correspondence from the NAACP,the Multicultural Family Center(MFC)Board of
Directors adopted the following motion:
The MFC Board unanimously supports honoring Ruby Sutton's legacy of building unity out of
diversity in Dubuque.We recommend that action be taken after discussions with all relevant stake
holders.
Sincerely,
John Stewart
Chairperson
MFC Board of Directors
MulllcuLtural Fmudy Center empowers all families and community members
of Dubuque to reach deeirpotenHal and buUdunhy out of diversity.
Dubuque Branch NAACP
P.O. Box
Dubuque, Iowa 52004-1025
Email: dubuquenaacp4025@gmall.com
Website www.dubuquenaacp.com
Phone: 563.594.0652
Dear City Council,
We,the Dubuque Branch of The NAACP, are bringing to your immediate attention this proposal to rename
the Multicultural Family Center located at 1157 Central Ave after our very profound, courageous,resolute and
honorary member within our community,Mrs.Ruby Sutton. The proposal will change the name to: The Ruby
Sutton Multicultural Family Center.The Dubuque Branch of The NAACP is and will diligently pursue this
endeavor to our deserving citizen. It has to be noted that an honoring endeavor was talked about in regards to
naming a building after Mrs. Ruby Sutton with the building of Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School,however,it did not
happen.
Ruby Sutton is a living legend,icon and a hero within our city of Dubuque.Mrs. Sutton became Dubuque's most
often identified activist in regards to Human Rights,Race, Civil Rights and Social Justice. Her work ethic speak
volumes which are parallel with her character. We know Mrs. Sutton as a creative mind,kind hearted,and willing to
go additional miles in order to provide for someone. The crux of the matter is Ruby Sutton often gave her time,
showed affection, and showed love to everyone she came into contact with no matter if she knew them personally or
just meant them for the first time. There was a saying in Dubuque in regards to Mrs.Ruby Sutton if you needed any
assistance,"Call Ruby."Mrs. Sutton raised the Dubuque Communities standards toward racial issues and provided
awareness to our city.
I repeat Mrs.Ruby Sutton needs to be honored in the way stated above through renaming the Multicultural Family
Center to The Ruby Sutton Multicultural Family Center.Mrs. Sutton's credentials include a Wife,a Mother,a
Daughter, a Friend, a Grandmother, an Aunt and most of all a Game Changer. In addition,Mrs.Ruby Sutton was
employed at Operation New View.Mrs. Sutton extended her time as a volunteer with River Valley,Inc. for the War
on Poverty,Dubuque Housing and Realtors Board, Correctional Services Advisory Board,Consortium on Aging
Network,Equal Opportunity Commission,Teenage Pregnancy Task Force,the Young Women's Christian
Association(Y.W.C.A),the Dubuque Community Food Pantry,Project Concern,Dubuque Dispute Resolution
Center,Equity Education Committee of the Dubuque Community School District and the Dubuque Human Rights
Commission.
The time, affection,life and love Ruby Sutton gave to our Dubuque Community should never go unnoticed and it
calls for an honoring.Ruby Sutton gave more to this community than anyone can ever imagine.Her mission was
serving people by making unlimited changes to the people and positions of people within our community.Her
mission is in action. Thanks to Mrs. Sutton some barriers are broken,thanks to Mrs. Sutton the African American
community stands stronger and thanks to Mrs. Sutton We stand stronger as a city.
Let your hearts rest on the person:Mrs.Ruby Sutton of Dubuque Iowa.
Yours Truly,
Dubuque Branch NAACP
dp
NAACP
• FOUNDED
1909
CONTACT:
Dr. Farris Muhammad
Multicultural Family Center Director
fmuhamma@cityofdubuque.org
563-582-3681
N E W S R E L E A S E
Oct. 12, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ruby Sutton Building Dedication Scheduled for
Thursday, Oct. 20
DUBUQUE, Iowa The public is invited to a dedication of The Ruby Sutton Building, which
houses (MFC), from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, October 20,
at 1157 Central Ave. A program will begin at 5:15 p.m.
The Multicultural Family Center has been located in the City-owned space at 1157 Central Ave.
since September 2009. In 2015, the Dubuque chapter of the NAACP initiated a proposal to
name the building in honor of Ruby Sutton, an equal-rights advocate who helped pave the way
for racial reconciliation within the Dubuque community. The proposal was supported by the MFC
Board of Directors and approved by City Council on Dec. 21, 2015. Sutton passed away in
September 2015.
The building dedication event will include an unveiling of new signage, a commemorative
plaque, and dedication of a permanent display in the Multicultural Family Center. Refreshments
will be served.
Ruby Sutton and her family moved to Dubuque in the late 1950s and faced discrimination as
some of the few African Americans in the predominately white city. Throughout her life, Sutton
worked to bridge cultural divides within the Dubuque community
ace, creed, color, whatever, economic status. Just
treat people fa
Among her many accomplishments, Sutton helped organize the NAACP Dubuque chapter and
served as president of the chapter from 1993-1995, served on the City of Dubuque Human
Rights Commission for 21 years, and helped design the first diversity training session for the
City. Sutton received several honors throughout the years, including the First Citizen Award in
1984, YMCA Women of Achievement Award in 1987, NAACP Peacemaker Award in 1999,
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honorary doctorate of letters fromLoras Collegein 2000, Friends of Iowa Civil Rights Award in
2009, and induction into the
The MFC seeks to empower all families and community members of Dubuque to reach their
potential and build unity out of diversity. For more information on the Multicultural Family Center
and The Ruby Sutton Building, visit www.mfcdbq.org.
# # #
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October 20, 2016
Multicultural Family Center
Welcome
Dr. John Stewart
Chair of Multicultural Family Center Board of Directors
Sign Unveiling and Remarks
Anthony Allen
President of NAACP Dubuque Branch
Plaque Unveiling and Remarks
Mayor Roy D. Buol and Ruby Sutton Family
Remarks from Lynn Sutton
Daughter of Ruby Sutton
Concluding Remarks
Dr. Farris Muhammad
Multicultural Family Center Director
Hors d'oeuvres and Refreshments
Multicultural
VyfikFAMILY CENTER
The Ruby Sutton Building 1 DUBUQUE
Dubuque Branch
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Please join us for
The Ruby Sutton Building Dedication
Thursday, October 20, 2016
5-7 p.m. (Speakers at 5:15)
Multicultural Family Center
1157 Central Avenue
Refreshments will be served
Please join in celebrating our mission
of building unity out of diversity
■ A All I want for everyone is fair play and equity regardless
of race, creed, color, whatever, economic status.
Just treat people fair, as you like to be treated. y 7
Our honoree » the late Ruby Sutton
Multicultural
me;FAMILY CENTER
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