Minutes_Human Rights Commission 08.12.25Copyrighted
October 6, 2025
City of Dubuque CONSENT ITEMS # 1.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of September 8, 15, 22, 23, and 25,
2025; Building Code Advisory and Appeals Board Minutes of
March 22 and April 6, 2023; Historic Preservation
Commission of August 21, 2025; Human Rights Commission
of August 12, August 29, and September 4, 2025; Library
Board of Trustees Update of August 28, 2025; Park and
Recreation Commission of August 12, 2025; Transit Advisory
Board of April 10, 2025; Zoning Advisory Commission of
September 3, 2025; Zoning Board of Adjustment of August
28, 2025; Proof of publication of City Council Proceedings of
August 27, September 2, and September 4, 2025.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 9 8 25 City Council Minutes
2. 9 15 25 City Council Minutes
3. 9 22 25 City Council Minutes
4. 9 23 25 City Council Minutes
5. 9 25 25 City Council Minutes
6. Building Code Advisory and Appeals Board Minutes of March 2023
7. Building Code Advisory and Appeals Board Minutes of April 2023
8. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
9. Human Rights Commission Minutes - August 12, 2025
10. Human Rights Commission Subcommittee Minutes - August 29, 2025
11. Human Rights Commission Subcommittee Minutes - September 4, 2025
12. Library Board of Trustees Update
13. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes
14. Transit Advisory Board Minutes
15. Zoning Advisory Commission Minutes
16. Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes
17. Proof —August 27 Proceedings
18. Proof —September 2 Proceedings
19. Proof September 4 Proceedings
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HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
August 12, 2025
DATE: Tuesday, August 12, 2025
TIME: 4:30 PM
LOCATION: Multicultural Family Center, 1157 Central Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52001
The meeting was called to order at 4:30 pm.
Commissioners Present: Jake Kurczek, Matthew Zanger, Michaela Freiburger, Dave Heiar,
Traci Phillipson, Nikki Nutter, Luzelena Bravo, Rick Baumhover
Commissioners Absent: DeLano Cain Watson
Staff Present: Gisella Aiken Shadle, Chief of Human Rights
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Motion to approve the minutes as submitted from the July 8, 2025 meeting. All in favor.
Public Input
No members of the public were in attendance. Kurczek discussed the intention of the
Dubuque Area Land and Water Legacy, who had originally planned on attending, which
included 12 recommendations for the new City council Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
The commission discussed the formation of a subcommittee to review the recommendations
and bring back their recommendations to the next commission meeting in September.
Reports
Caseload Report
• Complaints filed — number of complaints that were signed during the month
o July amount: 1
• Active investigations — investigations that are currently active but in various stages
(active, administrative review, initiated, on hold, etc.)
o July amount: 15
• Incidents in mediation — complaints currently in mediation
o July amount: 0
• Incidents in full hearing — complaints in full hearing process
o July amount: 0
• Inquiries — calls/inquiries that don't result in an official complaint being filed (including
outreach events)
o July amount: 13
• Complaints closed during the month — signed complaints that were closed during the
month (doesn't include inquiries or complaints that were never filed)
o July amount: 0
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• Total inquiries and complaints FY25 — signed complaints filed in FY25
o July amount: 14
Example of EHR complaint received in June 2025:
Complainant, who is Black, was being trained by the manager, who is white, when the
manager commented to the complainant that she was going to "work her like a slave."
Complainant was uncomfortable and insulted by this comment. On another occasion, the
complainant had an altercation with a different manager. That manager screamed at the
complainant because she was helping her son instead of working. The manager told the
complainant to leave and go clock out.
The complainant then called the owner to report the incident. He asked the complaint if she
could work different hours to which the complainant agreed. The next day, the complainant
received a text from him stating that they didn't need her anymore based on the hours she's
available to work. The complainant feels she was fired because of her race.
Freiburger and the commission discussed the possibility of creating a resolution to publicly
state that the city does not tolerate racism, bigotry, and homophobic comments. They
considered the importance of being proactive and ensuring community members feel
supported. Nutter suggested putting out a general statement of solidarity with the
community in the media to increase visibility and let people know the commission is there to
support them. Aitken-Shadle mentioned the need to follow the correct procedure, including
screening by the City Manager and Communications Officer. A discussion was held over
whether a subcommittee should be formed to create a resolution to be voted on at the
September commission meeting.
Director's Report
The commission discussed updating the "Know Your Rights" brochure to provide better
guidance on how and when to file a discrimination complaint.
Aitken-Shadle presented the changes to the Human Rights Commission's mission statement
and department landing pages on the website. Aitken-Shadle asked for commissioners to
review and report on any changes they feel should be made at the September meeting.
Copies of the recently passed new ordinance was handed out. The ordinance is in effect
but hasn't been posted yet as it is awaiting codification which will be done by City Council in
the fourth quarter of the year. Also, updated sections of the commission handbook were
handed out as well as a red -lined version of one of the chapters to update communication
guidelines between the commission, staff, and city council. Aitken-Shadle asked for the
creation of a subcommittee to review proposed changes.
The Equity Grant has been revamped and is now the Community Support and
Empowerment Grant. The new grant is currently being worked on and is awaiting approval
from the City Manager. Job descriptions for Aitken-Shadle and Jannette have also been
updated to match the new focus of the department. Equity Goals have been revamped into
Access, Belonging, and Community (ABC) Goals. Each department has been met with one-
on-one to discuss compliance with the HF856 bill. Aitken-Shadle is waiting to hear from the
City Attorney's office whether they can move forward with rolling out the revamped
Language Access Plan (which will be an internal administrative policy).
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Chairperson's Report
Nothing to report.
Old Business:
No old business.
New Business:
Subcommittees were formed. The subcommittee for reviewing Commission Handbook will
consist of Heiar and Phillipson. The subcommittee for reviewing Dubuque Area Land Water
Legacy Resolution recommendations will consist of Freiburger and Zanger. The
subcommittee for updating the Know Your Rights brochure consists of Phillipson,
Freiburger, and Baumhover.
Upcoming Outreach Events
Baumhover volunteered to attend the Senior Expo with staff. Heiar and Phillipson
volunteered to attend Latinx Fiesta.
Upcoming Cultural Events
Zanger and Heiar strongly recommended visiting the Voices studio for their Expressions of
the Soul: Art, Voices, and Vision events coming up in September
Reflections and Updates
Aitken-Shadle reported that the Latino community in the area is very concerned that the
National Guard is being called to act with ICE.
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn by Freiburger, seconded by Baumhover. All in favor. The meeting ended
at 6:00 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 4:30
p.m., at the Multicultural Family Center.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected:
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