Minutes_Human Rights Commission 11.18.25City of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 1.
Copyrighted
December 15, 2025
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of December 1 and 8, 2025; Airport
Commission of September 23 and October 9, 2025; Five
Flags Civic Center Advisory Commission of September 8,
2025; Human Rights Commission of November 18, 2025;
Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission of October 21,
2025; Zoning Advisory Commission of November 5, 2025;
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of
November 17, 2025; Proof of Publication for Expenditure
Reports presented at the November 17, 2025, City Council
meeting.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Airport Commission Minutes of October 9 2025
2. Airport Commission Minutes of September 23 2025
3. Five Flags Civic Center Advisory Commission Minutes
4. Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
5. Zoning Advisory Commission Minutes
6. Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings
7. Proof of Publication for Expenditure Reports
8. 12 1 25 City Council Minutes
9. 12 8 25 City Council Minutes
10. Human Rights Commission Minutes
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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
November 18, 2025
DATE: Tuesday, November 18, 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, Michaela Freiburger, Traci Phillipson, David Heiar,
Rick Baumhover, Matthew Zanger, Luzelena Bravo, DeLano Cain Watson
Commissioners Excused:
Commissioners Absent: Nikki Nutter
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 October 14, 2025, meeting. Motioned
by Heiar, seconded by Baumhover, 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
• 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)
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o September amount: 0
• Total inquiries and complaints FY26 — signed complaints filed in FY26
o September amount: 43
Director's Report
The open Chief of Human Right's position has been posted. Commission members are
invited to participate in the interview panel. The Chief's job description included several
changes including the title change from Chief to Director.
Grant language has been updated to allow for multiple grants to be awarded of up -to $5000
each. The grant will be accepting applications in January 2026.
Cooperative Agreements with the Iowa Office of Human Rights have been received and will
be signed by the City Manager.
Jannette reported on the new House File 706 which requires all newly elected or appointed
members of the commission to complete specialized training regarding Iowa's Sunshine
laws.
Chairperson's Report
Nothing to report.
Old Business:
The subcommittee updating the binder/handbook is still in progress, no update
New Business:
Hiring for Chief/Director: per Lehman, they are hoping to start interviews in mid -December
with an offer being made in January.
Update on the Community Support and Empowerment Grant: The grant was updated to
include suggested language by the commission at the October meeting. The grant will now
allow for multiple grantees with awards up -to and including $5000.
Attendance Policy: the Chair reminded the commission that after missing three meetings the
commission has the power to ask that commissioner to step down.
Reminder of terms: commissioners were reminded to check their term expiration. The City
Clerk's office already sent reminders to two commission members whose terms are expiring
soon.
Update on Goals/subcommittees: The subcommittee updating the binder/handbook is still in
progress; no update.
Local/State/Federal Updates and impacts on human rights and upcoming Iowa
Congressional Session: Chief Kurczek will reach out to our legislators and invite them to the
December meeting.
December commission meeting: the commission decided to hold the meeting in December
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Human Rights Day, December 10: a proposed proclamation for December 10 to be named
as Human Rights Day was presented to the commission. It was agreed that the
proclamation should go before City Council at their next meeting scheduled for December 1.
The language was approved by the commission. Heiar motioned to submit the
proclamation, Phillipson seconded, all in favor.
Upcoming Outreach Events
None
Upcoming Cultural Events
None.
Reflections and Updates
None.
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn by Heiar, seconded by Phillipson. All in favor. The meeting ended at 5:02
p.m.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 4:30
p.m., at the Multicultural Family Center.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected:
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