City Hall  
City of La Crosse, Wisconsin  
400 La Crosse Street  
La Crosse, WI 54601  
Meeting Minutes  
Human Rights Commission  
Wednesday, February 8, 2023  
5:15 PM  
Eagle Room  
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Call to Order  
Littlejohn called the meeting to order at 5:22 pm  
Roll Call  
6 -  
Present:  
Tracy Littlejohn, Julia McDermid, Mac Kiel, Tashyra Bernard, Kristen  
Ringgenberg,Kristen Lettner  
1 - A Xiong  
Excused:  
Approval of Minutes  
Bernard motioned to approve the minutes, McDermid seconded. The motion  
carried by acclamation.  
Agenda Items:  
Accept Code of Ethics  
23-0068  
1
2
Attachments:  
Municipal Code of Ethics  
The commissioners accepted the code of ethics  
February Updates on Discrimination Complaints, Racial Equity Team,  
REACH, and Homelessness Coordinator  
22-1522  
Attachments:  
Equity and Diversity Survey Poster  
Racial Equity Team: Did not meet this month. There's a poster for their survey  
attached to this file.  
A representative from REACH was not able to attend, but emailed availability--current  
office hours are M, T, Th, and F 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m; W by appointment only. Legal  
Action, La Crosse County Economic Support, United Health, Winter Family Sheltering,  
Veteran's Services, La Crosse County Social Workers, La Crosse County  
Immunization Clinic Flu and COVID, and Remedy Staffing host days and times  
monthly in the REACH Center to meet the needs of consumers.  
Brian Sampson did not have any updates for the commission.  
Strategic Planning  
22-0343  
3
Attachments:  
Draft Goals (Nov 2022)  
Draft Vision, Mission, and Core Values (Sep 2022)  
Strategic Planning Workshop Results (Jul 2016)  
Staff suggested incorporating the housing as a human right into the actions.  
Discussion on housing as a human right.  
22-1024  
4
Attachments:  
The Right to Adequate Housing - Training Module  
What Does the 'Human Right to Adequate Housing' Mean?  
Cities for Adequate Housing Declaration  
Toronto Housing Charter – Opportunity for All  
City of Madison - Housing as a Human Right Resolution Draft  
McDermid talked about the vision statement that was shared with the Commission. It  
included action items for the City to take on. It is shameful that there have been 9  
deaths (and one on his deathbed) among La Crosse's homeless population (36 people,  
but not all have been counted).  
Public comment: Mary spoke of hospitalized man found cold and alone; she requested  
more transparency into how City housing money is spent. Eric thanked the  
Commission and staff for their attention to the issue.  
Kiel requested clarifications on next steps. Littlejohn suggested scheduling a longer  
meeting to workshop policy. McDermid needs to finish the resolution. She is working to  
build off of Madison's model. The actions in the vision statement need a timeline. She  
recommends forming a coalition to approve a homelessness strategic plan (there was  
a draft plan that was abandoned). This work needs to keep up its momentum.  
Kiel motioned to open a public hearing, McDermid seconded. The motion  
carried by a voice vote.  
McDermid motioned to close a public hearing, Kiel seconded. The motion  
carried by a voice vote.  
Discussion on Civil Rights Dept.  
22-0062  
5
Attachments:  
Madison Civil Rights Dept Interview Notes (January 2022)  
GARE Presentation Memo (August 2018)  
Staff needs to fill out GARE intake form to have its Race Forward Training Strategies  
connect staff with a team of trainers. GARE's Director met with La Crosse staff and  
several common council members in 2018 upon request from a council member.  
Adjournment  
Kiel motioned to adjourn at 5:51 pm, Lettner seconded. The motion carried by  
a voice vote.  
Notice is further given that members of other governmental bodies may be present at the  
above scheduled meeting to gather information about a subject over which they have  
decision-making responsibility.  
NOTICE TO PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY  
Requests from persons with a disability who need assistance to participate in this meeting  
should call the City Clerk's office at (608) 789-7510 or send an email to  
ADAcityclerk@cityoflacrosse.org, with as much advance notice as possible.