City Hall  
City of La Crosse, Wisconsin  
400 La Crosse Street  
La Crosse, WI 54601  
Meeting Minutes  
Human Rights Commission  
Wednesday, January 12, 2022  
5:15 PM  
LifeSize Virtual Meeting Room  
In efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, this meeting will be conducted through video conferencing.  
The meeting can be viewed by clicking this link (or typing the URL in your web browser address bar):  
https://stream.lifesizecloud.com/extension/4857797/a8c61270-e220-4ad3-a234-c76d9d7dde51  
If you wish to speak on an agenda item, you can do so as part of the virtual meeting. Contact the Planning  
& Development Department at the email or phone number below so we can provide you with the  
necessary information to join in.  
Members of the public who would like to provide written comments on any agenda may do so by emailing  
kuhlmanl@cityoflacrosse.org, using a drop box outside of City Hall or mailing the Planning & Development  
Department, 400 La Crosse Street, La Crosse WI 54601. Questions, call 608-789-7361.  
Call to Order  
Turner called the meeting to order at 5:18 pm.  
Roll Call  
5 -  
Present:  
Julia McDermid, Chauncy M Turner, Chelsey Myhre-Foster, Tashyra  
Bernard,Kristen Ringgenberg  
3 - Tracy Littlejohn, A Xiong,Mac Kiel  
Excused:  
Notices and Discussions  
Katye Sargent introduced herself and provided a review of the Racial Equity Team's  
meeting. There are 14 members now with a new chairperson and vice chairperson.  
They are researching plans from other communities and reviewing the municipal code  
for equity considerations.  
Approval of Minutes  
McDermid motioned to approve the minutes, Jackson seconded. The motion  
carried by a voice vote.  
Agenda Items:  
REACH Introduction - Loretta LaPoint  
22-0065  
1
LaPoint was unable to attend, so staff will schedule a time to visit.  
Planning for Town Hall w/ Elected Officials  
22-0054  
22-0056  
22-0062  
2
3
4
McDermid suggested hosting an event, possibly a panel, on how to handle racism in  
the workplace (from employees and customers). Jackson said it is important to  
consider the culture of your business you want to consistently convey. Turner liked  
the idea of focusing on a specific topic, such as supporting black-owned businesses;  
HRC could step up out reach in general as well. McDermid suggested the possibility  
of a series of town halls, like for policing. Hope Restores is doing series of town halls  
as well. Sargent requested that the Racial Equity Team be invited to these events.  
Discussion on Strategic Planning Process  
McDermid shared the strategic planning framework the HRC did with Jason Gilman; it  
needs measurable goals. McDermid suggests the plan answer how the City can  
address human rights and racial issues on a regular basis; Madison's Civil Rights  
Dept. can serve as a model. Turner envisioned that the plan would outline how the  
HRC can create policy. Staff can include comprehensive plan updates at meetings.  
Previous workshop was two evening meetings, which could be replicated to create  
goals.  
Discussion on Civil Rights Dept. - Subcommittee  
Attachments:  
Madison Civil Rights Dept Interview Notes  
McDermid spoke with Jacqui Marcou and she would be willing to speak to the HRC  
about her work collaborating with GARE. Staff scheduled a meeting with Madison's  
Civil Rights Dept. Director and invited members of the HRC to join. Myhre-Foster  
suggested including staff from the Citizens with Disabilities Committee to be invited.  
Next Meeting / Agenda Items  
The next meeting will be 2/9. Agenda items may include RET update, comprehensive  
plan update, town hall organizing, strategic planning, recap of meeting with Madison's  
Civil Rights Dept., GARE information sharing, and REACH introduction. Members  
requested using Zoom instead of LifeSize.  
Adjournment  
McDermid motioned to adjourn the meeting at 5:58pm, seconded by Jackson.  
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.