Minutes_Equity and Human Rights Commission 11.12.24City of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 1.
Copyrighted
January 6, 2025
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of December 16, 2024; Civil
Service Commission of October 18, November 8, and
November 13, 2024; Equity and Human Rights Commission
of November 12, 2024; Zoning Board of Adjustment of
November 21, 2024; Proof of Publication for City Council
Proceedings of November 18 and December 2, 2024.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 12 16 24 City Council Minutes
2. Civil Service Minutes of 10 18 24
3. Civil Service Minutes of 11 8 24
4. Civil Service Minutes of 11 13 24
5. Equity and Human Rights Commission Minutes
6. Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes
7. Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings 11.18.24
8. Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of 12.2.24
Page 13 of 366
Dubuque
THE CITY OF
DAA•A�eria
UB E
al!
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
November 12, 2024
DATE: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
TIME: 4:30 PM
LOCATION: Multicultural Family Center, 1157 Central Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52001
The meeting was called to order at 4:33 pm.
Commissioners Present: Jake Kurczek, Matthew Zanger, Michaela Freiburger, Theresa
Sampson -Brown, Maita Joliet, Nikkole Nutter (virtual)
Commissioners Absent: Dave Heiar, Rick Baumhover
Staff Present: Gisella Aiken Shadle, Chief of Equity and Human Rights; Ann Marie
Jannette, Equity and Human Rights Specialist
Approval of Meetinq Minutes
Freiburger motioned, Zanger seconded, to approve the minutes from the October 8, 2024.
All in favor.
Public Input
No members of the public were present to provide input.
Reports
Caseload Report
• Complaints filed — number of complaints that were signed during the month
o October amount: 1
• Active investigations — investigations that are currently active but in various stages
(active, administrative review, initiated, on hold, etc.)
o October amount: 18
• Incidents in mediation — complaints currently in mediation
o October amount: 1
• Incidents in full hearing — complaints in full hearing process
o October amount: 0
• Inquiries — calls/inquiries that don't result in an official complaint being filed (including
outreach events)
o October amount: 12
• Complaints closed during the month — signed complaints that were closed during the
month (doesn't include inquiries or complaints that were never filed)
o October amount: 0
• Total inquiries and complaints FY25 — signed complaints filed in FY25
o October amount: 21
Jannette provided an example of a complaint received in October. The complainant
reported a possible injury to her Lead and her Trainer who then made a sexual reference to
her injury. When she informed her supervisor, he said that he would report it to HR and told
Pagel of 3
Page 25 of 366
her not to tell anyone else about the incident. After a few weeks, she was suspended
without pay, and when pressed for an answer, the supervisor told her it was because she
had lied. The complainant feels she was harassed and retaliated against because she
reported sexual harassment. Neither of the two male coworkers involved in the incident
were suspended.
Director's Report
Aitken-Shadle reported that Enoch Sanchez had submitted his resignation from the
commission. It was forwarded to the City Clerk and City Council will appoint a new member
within the next month.
The department is working on an updated Language Access Plan which they are hoping to
roll out within the next 2-3 months. Consistent language will also now be used on all City of
Dubuque department's landing pages and public meeting notices: TTY/TRS users may dial
711 or 800-735-2942 (RELAY Iowa). All reference to TDD will be removed from the
website.
Jannette will be attending the Government Alliance on Race and Equity Conference (CARE)
in St. Louis next week. Also, internal ICC training has now been completed for the Fall
session. Waterloo, IA will be hosting a one -day conference to celebrate International
Human Rights Day. Commissioners are asked to notify Jannette if they would like to attend
the conference.
Aitken-Shadle reported that the first meeting of the DEIB committee will be meeting this
week to discuss what DEIB looks like internally with a focus on retention and recruitment.
The committee will include several department heads.
Jannette provided a brief introduction of the Fines and Fees Reform program where low-
income individuals, who owe fines or fees for municipal services, can volunteer their time in
return for a reduction in the amount they owe. They will earn approximately $27 an hour
which will be applied directly to their owed amount.
Chairperson's Report
Chairperson Kurczek has not received a response yet from the other cities in Iowa he had
reached out to regarding their commissions. He will follow up with them again soon.
Old Business:
Requests to change the quorum requirement to be the majority of members who are
currently serving, rather than an automatic quorum of five members, was declined by
Crenna Brumwell. It was discussed whether to add this provision to the updated ordinance
despite not being approved by Brumwell, however it was agreed upon unanimously to not
include it.
A vote was held to submit to City Council the updated ordinance as approved by Brumwell.
Freiburger motioned, and Zanger seconded the motion. All in favor. Aitken-Shadle will
forward to the City Manager for approval and have it added to the City Council agenda.
Freiburger reported that the committee to plan a future DEIB event has not met yet. The
committee consists of Freiburger, Heiar, and Baumhover. They plan to hold a meeting
soon.
Page 2 of 3
Page 26 of 366
New Business:
Kurczek to send out reminders to the commissioners whose terms are expiring at the end of
2024 and providing them with contact information for the City Clerk so that they can reapply
if they so wish. Terms are expiring for Rick Baumhover, Maitha Joliet, and Michaela
Freiburger.
Aitken-Shadle requested that the commission meeting for December be moved due to prior
commitments. The date of December 17, at 4:30 PM, was proposed. Freiburger motioned,
Sampson -Brown seconded the motion. All in favor.
The FY25 Dubuque Equitable Community Grant will be accepting applications between
December 1, 2024, and January 31, 2025. Freiburger, Zanger, and Kurczek volunteered to
be grant reviewers.
Kurczek provided an update on the state election results and a timetable for the Iowa
legislative session. He will invite the elected representatives Lindsay James, Tom
Townsend, and Jennifer Smith to attend the December meeting.
Aitken-Shadle reported that the department has not seen any effect so far regarding the
election results, however she anticipates receiving more calls after the inauguration in
January. Other cities in Iowa were already in the process of restructuring in response to
anti-DEIB related State laws.
Kurczek reported on the major concerns of Project 2025. A discussion followed about the
possible effects this might have if adopted by President Trump.
Reflections and Updates
Joliet discussed that the Marshallese community are experiencing discrimination, however
they are not reporting it. Reasons vary, but it is partly because they are often distrustful of
outside organizations. Aitken-Shadle offered to meet them at their job, at Crescent
Community Health Center, or at any other location to discuss possible discrimination. Joliet
will pass along this information to others in the Marshallese community.
This was Sampson -Brown's last meeting as a commissioner. We are very grateful for her
service and advice over the tenure of her term.
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn by Sampson -Brown, seconded by Joliet. All in favor. The meeting ended
at 5:46 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 17, at 4:30 p.m.,
at the Multicultural Family Center.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected:
Page 3 of 3
Page 27 of 366