Minutes_Human Rights Commission 12.09.25Copyrighted
February 2, 2026
City of Dubuque CONSENT ITEMS # 1.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of January 20, 2026; Civil Service
Commission of August 13 and October 8, 2025; Community
Development Advisory Commission of November 19, 2025;
Historic Preservation Commission of December 18, 2025;
Housing Commission of July 22, 2025; Human Rights
Commission of December 9, 2025; Park and Recreation
Commission of November 18 and December 10, 2025;
Zoning Board of Adjustment of December 18, 2025; Proof of
Publication on City Council Proceedings of January 5, 2026;
Proof of Publication For Expenditure Reports presented at
the January 5, 2026 City Council meeting.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 1 20 26 City Council Minutes
2. Civil Service Minutes 8/13/25
3. Civil Service Minutes 10/8/25
4. Community Development Advisory Commission Minutes
5. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
6. Housing Commission Meeting Minutes
7. Human Rights Commission Minutes
8. Parks and Recreating Advisory Commission Minutes —November
9. Parks and Recreating Advisory Commission Minutes —December
10. Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes
11. Proof —City Council Proceedings 1.5.26
12. Proof Expenditure Reports from 1.5.26 Meeting
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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
December 9, 2025
DATE: Tuesday, December 9, 2025
TIME: 4:30 PM
LOCATION: Multicultural Family Center, 1157 Central Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52001
The meeting was called to order at 4:31 pm.
Commissioners Present: Jake Kurczek, Michaela Freiburger, Traci Phillipson, David Heiar,
Rick Baumhover, Matthew Zanger, Nikki Nutter
Commissioners Excused: Luzelena Bravo
Commissioners Absent: 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 submitted from the November 18, 2025, meeting.
Motioned by Heiar, seconded by Freiburger, 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 November amount: 0
• Active investigations — investigations that are currently active but in various stages
(active, administrative review, initiated, on hold, etc.)
o November amount: 15
• Incidents in mediation — complaints currently in mediation
o November amount: 0
• Incidents in full hearing — complaints in full hearing process
o November amount: 0
• Inquiries — calls/inquiries that don't result in an official complaint being filed (including
outreach events)
o November amount: 7
• 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 November amount: 0
• Total inquiries and complaints FY26 — signed complaints filed in FY26
o November amount: 50
Director's Report
Jannette reported that the proclamation proclaiming December 10, 2025, as Human Rights
Day went well. Kurczek and Baumhover were there to receive the proclamation from the
mayor.
Chairperson's Report
Nothing to report.
Old Business:
The subcommittee updating the binder/handbook is mostly finished. They are waiting on the
final copies from Jannette before sharing with the commission.
New Business:
Invitation to local politicians: Jennifer Smith responded that she wasn't able to attend. None
of the other politicians responded to Kurczek's request for attendance.
Follow up on Community Support and Empowerment Grant: suggestion was made to
change the evaluation page with duplicate lines and to change the due date for applications.
HF704 Sunshine Law: Current commissioners are not required to take the training unless
they join a subcommittee at which time they will be required to take the training. Newly
assigned commissioners will be required to take the training.
Update on hiring for new OHR Director: Lehman reported that they got several good
candidates from around the country. They have narrowed it down to five or six candidates
and hope to have virtual interviews with them in early to mid -January followed by in person
interviews after that.
Impacts on Human Rights: Lehman reported that the City is doing a risk analysis regarding
federal and state laws pertaining to human rights. The City will continue enforcing gender
identity in keep it in the ordinance.
Upcoming Outreach Events
None
Upcoming Cultural Events
None.
Reflections and Updates
Freiburger commented that the commissioners talk more with community partners and to
educate them on what we do. Heiar asked to have other City departments attend a
commission meeting to discuss what they are doing and how the commission can help them
in their mission to uphold human rights in their department. It was discussed to begin this in
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March and start with the department of Community Impact & Neighborhood Support, the
Office of Economic Mobility, and the Housing departments.
Baumhover invited commission members to attend the Point Neighborhood Support
meeting. It was decided that this should wait until the marketing materials have been
updated.
Kurzcek and Zanger both announced that they will not be renewing their membership in the
commission after their term ends in January.
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn by Freiburger, seconded by Zanger. All in favor. The meeting ended at
5:28 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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