Minutes_Human Rights Commission 10.14.25City of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 1.
Copyrighted
December 1, 2025
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of November 17, 2025; Cable TV
Commission of March 5, 2025; Community Development
Advisory Commission of September 3, 2025; Human Rights
Commission of October 14, 2025; Library Board of Trustees
Update of September 25, 2025; Transit Advisory Board of
September 11, 2025; Zoning Board of Adjustment of Octboer
23, 2025; Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of
November 3, 2025; Proof of Publication for expenditure
reports presented at the November 3, 2025 City Council
meeting.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 11 17 25 City Council Minutes
2. Community Development Advisory Commission Minutes
3. Library Board of Trustees Council Update
4. Transit Advisory Board Minutes
5. Cable TV Commission Minutes
6. Human Rights Commission Minutes
7. Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes
8. City Council Proceedings November 3, 2025
9. Proof of Publication for Expenditure Reports
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Dubuque
THE CITY OF
DUB E
AI•AmMa City
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2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
October 14, 2025
DATE: Tuesday, October 14, 2025
TIME: 4:30 PM
LOCATION: Multicultural Family Center, 1157 Central Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52001
The meeting was called to order at 4:32 pm.
Commissioners Present: Jake Kurczek, Michaela Freiburger, Traci Phillipson, Nikki Nutter,
David Heiar
Commissioners Excused: Rick Baumhover, Matthew Zanger,
Commissioners Absent: Luzelena Bravo, DeLano Cain Watson
Staff Present: Ann Marie Jannette, Human Rights Specialist; Jason Lehman, Interim Chief
of Human Rights
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Motion to approve the minutes as corrected from the September 9, 2025, meeting. Motioned
by Heiar, seconded by Freiburger, all in favor.
Minutes received and filed from the September 16, 2025, subcommittee meeting regarding
the update of the Human Rights Commission Handbook.
Motion to approve the minutes as submitted from the September 16, 2025, special
commission meeting. Motioned by Heiar, seconded by Phillipson, all in favor.
Public Input
No members of the public were in attendance.
Reports
Caseload Report
• Complaints filed — number of complaints that were signed during the month
o September amount: 0
• Active investigations — investigations that are currently active but in various stages
(active, administrative review, initiated, on hold, etc.)
o September amount: 15
• Incidents in mediation — complaints currently in mediation
o September amount: 0
• Incidents in full hearing — complaints in full hearing process
o September amount: 0
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Inquiries — calls/inquiries that don't result in an official complaint being filed (including
outreach events)
o September amount: 11
Complaints closed during the month — signed complaints that were closed during the
month (doesn't include inquiries or complaints that were never filed)
o September amount: 0
Total inquiries and complaints FY26 — signed complaints filed in FY26
o September amount: 32
Director's Report
Aitken-Shadle resigned her position as Chief of Human Rights. Jason Lehman will be the
Interim Chief of Human Rights until a new Chief can be hired. Lehman introduced himself.
Jannette reported on the IAOHRA conference she attended in Anchorage last week. She
also reported that the department was facilitating Belonging training for new staff. She
submitted the budget for FY27 and goal setting was completed.
Jannette provided an update on the Dubuque Community Support and Empowerment Grant
which will be open for applications in January 2026. It was suggested that the language of
the grant be amended to allow for grants "up to" $5,000 which would allow for more than two
recipients. Lehman is to review and update the grant language.
Jannette reported on recent outreach events including the Senior Expo, BBQ in DBQ, Latinx
Fiesta, and the upcoming Landlord Association conference. Commissioners were invited to
attend the Cedar Falls Human Rights Commission's Fall Summit on October 24.
Lehman reported the discrimination cases are still being worked on by a third party
contractor out of the City Attorney's office.
Chairperson's Report
Nothing to report.
Old Business:
The subcommittee updating the binder/handbook is still in progress.
Kurczek reminded the commission to look for partnerships that will fulfill the commission
goals and planning.
New Business:
Update and input on the Chief of Human Rights job description — the previous job
description was provided. The City Attorney's office is in the process of updating it to
remove language associated with the HF856 bill. Commissioners were asked to review the
job description and provide any feedback to Jannette by Thursday, October 16.
Review of Improvement Package and Policy Book - Commissioners were asked to review
the these documents and provide any feedback to Jannette by Thursday, October 16.
Office of Human Rights Mission Statement - Commissioners were asked to review the
options and provide any feedback to Jannette by Thursday, October 16.
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Review of legislative priorities recommendations — A motion to approve the
recommendations was made by Heiar and seconded by Freiburger, all in favor
Letter of gratitude to previous Chief of Human Rights — The letter was presented to the
commission. A motion to approve was made by Heiar and seconded by Phillipson, all in
favor. Jannette to deliver the letter to Gisella Aitken-Shadle.
Upcoming Outreach Events
None
Upcoming Cultural Events
None.
Reflections and Updates
None.
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn by Nutter, seconded by Freiburger. All in favor. The meeting ended at
4:59 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at
4:30 p.m., at the Multicultural Family Center.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected:
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