Minutes_Human Rights Commission 10 10 16 DUBUQUE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF
October 10, 2016
Commissioner Allen called the meeting of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission to order at
4:33 p.m. on Monday, October 10, 2016, at the City Hall Annex, 1300 Main Street, Conference
Room II, Dubuque, Iowa.
Roll Call:
Present: Anthony Allen, Chair Adrienne Scott
Sarah Fisher Kathrin Parks
Jay Schiesl
Absent: Fred Davis Miquel Jackson, Vice-Chair
Jeff Lenhart Shirley Templeton Vaughn
Staff: Kelly Larson Carol Spinoso
Taj Suleyman
Approval of Minutes:
Commissioner Scott moved to approve the meeting minutes of September 12, 2016 as submitted.
Commissioner Schiesl seconded. All in favor of approving the minutes as submitted.
Reports:
Caseload Report
The September 2016 Caseload Report was received and filed.
Chairperson Report
Commissioner Allen presented a written report detailing various activities:
BMC (Black Men Coalition) — Began mentoring program at Hempstead and Senior; college
visits later this month at UD and Clarke; and met with UD Black Student Union to begin
monthly dialogue.
DCPRC (Dubuque Community-Police Relations Committee) — Begin marking plan in
December; MOU has been accepted as amended with addendum; By-Laws have been
amended to reflect addendum and possible County MOU; working to have police
complaints automatically referred to DCPRC if protected class is identified; and working
with Taj in an effort to bridge some of the cultural gaps.
DHRC — (Dubuque Human Rights Commission) —Collaboration with the NAACP to
facilitate the hiring of a Special Advisor or Equity Coordinator for the City and DCSD; met
with Inclusive DBQ Coordinator to begin work with the sector groups; will begin working
with the LGBTQ Community to begin looking at rising trends in hate crimes toward
Transgender Community; and in discussions with a social worker for possible collaboration
with the Riverview Center, DH RC, and NAACP.
IDNIC (Inclusive DBQ Network Impact Council) —Working to solidify the committee's
structure and purpose, developing response team for crisis interventions; and identifying
core impact council and responsibilities for sector groups.
IDNI — Inclusive Dubuque Network Impact Incident Response Team—to meet 10/13/16.
IAJC- Iowa Access to Justice Commission —to meet 11/18/16.
NAACP— Met with two residents regarding complaints and/or a possible hate crime;
attended events at St. Mark, BBQ in DBQ, MFC, and working with staff at Clarke regarding
upcoming social work series, and Loras to produce a facilitated TV segment on the Black
Lives Matter Movement.
Steeple Square Board — Currently working on capital campaign drive.
SOI — Source of Income —attended dialogue sessions, and planning work session with City
Council.
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Director's Report
A quarterly report was provided which highlighted various activity related to, Equity and
Empowerment, Training and Workforce Development, and Community Engagement.
Old Business:
New Business:
Commissioner Allen stated that Tonya Engling contacted him regarding scheduling a meeting to
discuss the Commission's interest in collaborating with the Riverview Center on social justice
issues. Anthony will meet with Tonya and report back.
Standing Items: Goals
Goal 1: Research, illuminate and eliminate disparities and increase cultural competencies
in education, housing and employment. Initiatives identified.
The subcommittee is working with members of the NAACP, and have identified a working
committee of 15, consisting of a cross section of people in different professions. The
members will be asked to provide input in an attempt to get a better understanding of any
discrepancies within the community in the areas of education, housing and employment.
Commissioner liaisons can provide an update at next month's meeting.
Goal 2: Continue to improve communication within and among community groups in order
to improve human rights initiatives.
As part of Goal #2, Initiative 1, Rachel Ferraro, Executive Director of Dubuque
Transgender, was invited to provide information and resources available for the
transgender community. Rachel stated that she is willing to continue to work with this
subcommittee. She also announced that November 201h is the Transgender Day of
Remembrance which is an annual observance that honors the memory of those whose
lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.
Ad iournm ent:
The commission adjourned at 5:30 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday,
November, 14, 2016 at 4:30 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted.
Minutes approved as corrected:
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