Minutes_City Council Proceedings 07.14.25City of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 1.
Copyrighted
July 21, 2025
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of July 7 and 14, 2025; Equity and
Human Rights Commission of May 13, 2025; Equity and
Human Rights Commisions Goals Subcommittee of May 27,
2025; Library Board of Trustees Update of June 23, 2025;
Park and Recreation Commission of June 10, 2025; Proof of
Publication for City Council Proceedings of June 16, 2025.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 7 7 25 City Council Minutes
2. 7 14 25 City Council Minutes
3. May 27, 2025 EHRC Subcommittee Minutes
4. May 13, 2025 EHRC Minutes
5. Library Board of Trustees Update
6. 6.10.2025 Park and Rec Meeting Minutes
7. Proof of Publication for 6.16.25 Proceedings
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CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
SPECIAL SESSION
The Dubuque City Council met in regular session at 6:00 p.m. on July 14, 2025, in the second -
floor Council Chambers of the Historic Federal Building, 350 W. 6th Street.
Present: Mayor Cavanagh; Council Members Farber (attended virtually), Jones, Resnick,
Roussell, Sprank, Wethal; City Manager Van Milligen; Assistant City Attorney Lehman.
Mayor Cavanagh read the call and stated this is a special session of the City Council called for
the purpose of conducting such business that may properly come before the City Council.
PUBLIC INPUT
DeLano, Cain -Watson, 994 Patricia Ann Dr. - — Voiced concern about the impact of removing
gender identity protections and the weight of responsibility he believes the council holds, in
protecting all Dubuque residents.
Alexander Viner, 12972 Swiss Valley Rd. - Spoke to past experiences with discrimination and
advocated for restoration of legal protections.
Jake, Kurczek, 1110 Victoria St. - Acknowledged the rarity and bravery in elected officials
admitting fault and encouraged procedural improvements, such as ordinance redlining and
involving advisory commissions.
David Heiar, 805 Carriage Hill Dr. - Expressed support for comments made by previous
speakers.
Haley Lammer-Heindel, 1145 Mt. Pleasant St. — Recalled the historical absence of LGBTQ
protections and stressed the importance of reviewing legal changes carefully and with community
involvement.
Patricia Mackey, 1353 Atlantic St. — Commented on the city's image as a welcoming community
and emphasized the value of maintaining inclusive policies.
Nino Erba, 180 West 15th St. — Raised concerns about the broader social context and potential
increased vulnerability for marginalized groups due to policy changes.
ACTION ITEMS
1. Equity and Human Rights Ordinance Amendment: Motion by Jones to receive and file the
documents and rescind Ordinance No. 29-25 Amending City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances
Title 8 Equity and Human Rights by Repealing Title 8 Equity and Human Rights and Adopting in
Lieu Thereof a New Title 8 Human Rights. Seconded by Wethal.
City Manager Van Milligen offered a direct apology for the administrative oversight that
inadvertently resulted in the removal of gender identity from Title 8 through Ordinance No. 29-25,
understanding the harm it may have caused to members of the community. The City Manager
recommended procedural updates including redlining future ordinances and consulting with
relevant boards or commissions prior to a council vote. The City Council expressed regret in not
catching the omission of gender identity earlier and how that omission may have affected
members of the community. All council members emphasized the need for red -lined documents
and thorough staff and commission review before presenting ordinances to the council. Assistant
City Attorney Lehman confirmed that gender identity protections were reinstated in the current
revised ordinance under council consideration. Motion carried 7-0.
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Motion by Jones to receive and file the documents and that the requirement that a proposed
ordinance be considered and voted on for passage at two Council meetings prior to the meeting
at which it is to be passed be suspended. Seconded by Sprank. Motion carried 7-0.
Motion by Jones for final consideration and passage of Ordinance No. 30-25 Amending City of
Dubuque Code of Ordinances Title 8 Equity and Human Rights by Repealing Title 8 Equity and
Human Rights and Adopting in Lieu Thereof a New Title 8 Human Rights. Seconded by Sprank.
Motion carried 7-0.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Cavanagh declared the meeting adjourned at 7:15
p.m.
/s/Trish Gleason, MMC, Assistant City Clerk
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