Minutes_Human Rights Commission 04.14.26City of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 1.
Copyrighted
July 6, 2026
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of June 15; Community
Development Advisory Commission of May 20; Historic
Preservation Commission of May 27; Human Rights
Commission of April 14; Resilient Community Advisory
Commission of May 7; Zoning Advisory Commission of May
6; Zoning Board of Adjustment for May 28.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 6-15-26 City Council Minutes
2. Resilient Community Advisory Commission Minutes
3. Community Development Advisory Commission Minutes
4. Human Rights Commission Minutes
5. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
6. Zoning Advisory Commission Minutes
7. Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes
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Dubuque
THE CITY OF
DUB E
All -America City
,i tr
2007.2012.2013
2017*2019
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
April 14, 2026
DATE: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
TIME: 4:30 PM
LOCATION: Multicultural Family Center,
1157 Central Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52001
The meeting was called to order at 4:33 pm.
Commissioners Present: Michaela Freiburger, Traci Phillipson, David Heiar, Rick
Baumhover, Erin Beatty, Courtney Engevold, Nikki Nutter
Commissioners Excused: Nikki Nutter
Commissioners Absent: Juan Montgomery, DeLano Cain Watson
Staff Present: Tibi Mocanu, Human Rights Director; Ann Marie Jannette, Human Rights
Specialist; Jason Lehman, Assistant City Attorney
The new Human Rights Director, Tibi Mocanu, introduced himself.
New commissioner Juan Montgomery was not present
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Motion to approve the minutes as submitted from the April 14, 2026, meeting. Motioned by
Freiburger, seconded by Baumhover, all in favor.
Public Input
None present
Reports
Caseload Report
• Complaints filed — number of complaints that were signed during the month
o March amount: 0
• Active investigations — investigations that are currently active but in various stages
(active, administrative review, initiated, on hold, etc.)
o March amount: 18
• Incidents in mediation — complaints currently in mediation
o March amount: 0
• Incidents in full hearing — complaints in full hearing process
o March amount: 0
• Inquiries — calls/inquiries that don't result in an official complaint being filed (including
outreach events)
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o March amount: 15
• Complaints closed during the month — signed complaints that were closed during the
month (doesn't include inquiries or complaints that were never filed)
o March amount: 0
• Total inquiries and complaints FY26 — signed complaints filed in FY26
o March amount: 125
Director's Report
Mocanu reported that Iowa HF2800 was amended to include that "a city or local government
shall not enact or enforce any ordinance or other law that is broader or had different
categories..." The implication is that in the City of Dubuque, gender identity could not be
covered as a separate protected class. Lehman reported that for now we will still cover
gender identity as a protected class but listed under sexual orientation instead.
Chairperson's Report
Heiar brought up his concerns regarding the license plate readers being used in Dubuque
and how they might impact the immigrant population. He has spoken with several people at
the City who are confident they can't be misused that way.
Old Business:
OHR Department and Commission goal setting discussion:
Successes:
o Getting out into the community more; being more visible.
o Supporting the grant disbursement
o Intentional conversations about legislative happenings
o Updated ordinance and revision to the handbook
Goals
o Improve access to affordable, healthy, and culturally appropriate food for all
residents in the community.
o Promote a more safe and walkable community by improving access,
connectivity, and green spaces while reducing the impacts of "concrete
jungle" development.
o Increase awareness among underserved communities that financial planning,
assistance, loan awareness, and investment is available from the City and
community partners to small minority -owned businesses and individuals.
o Increase planning and implementation of events (i.e., concerts, plays, fairs,
etc.) that directly appeal to diverse groups and include individuals from those
groups in the planning and execution of the events.
o Implementation of methods to guard against retaliation by landlords towards
renters who report problems.
o Increased diversion options for juvenile and adult offender arrests.
o More shelter facilities or beds for homeless or at -risk women, as well as
facilities for individuals who have pets.
o Advocating for and uplifting underserved communities through intentional
support and visibility by promoting awareness and standing in solidarity to
address their needs.
o Increasing access to public transportation that reduces commute times and
expands job opportunities by connecting residents in lower -income
neighborhoods to employment in industrial areas across town, especially for
those working second or third shift.
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Review Human Rights Commission Handbook: Heiar reviewed the Handbook and explained
updates to the commission.
Commission calendar review and discussion: the calendar will be updated throughout the
year as need arises.
Commissioner affiliation with resource organizations discussion: move to next month's
agenda.
New Business:
No new business
Upcoming Outreach Events
Jannette signed up to have a booth at Dubuque Fest which will take place August 8 and 9.
The department is to have a booth at DBQ Pride on June 6 and a booth at Juneteenth on
June 20.
Upcoming Cultural Events
The MFC will be hosting an Indigenous Heritage Celebration on May 16 from 10am — 2 pm.
Reflections and Updates
Freiburger invited Mocanu and other commissioners to the monthly Rotary Club meeting.
Baumhover reported on updates from the neighborhood associations.
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn by Freiburger, seconded by Phillipson. All in favor. The meeting ended at
6:03 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 8, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.,
at the Multicultural Family Center.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected:
I
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