City Hall  
City of La Crosse, Wisconsin  
400 La Crosse Street  
La Crosse, WI 54601  
Meeting Minutes  
Human Rights Commission  
Wednesday, June 14, 2023  
5:15 PM  
Eagle Room  
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Call to Order  
Littlejohn called the meeting to order at 5:17 pm.  
Roll Call  
5 -  
Present:  
Tracy Littlejohn, Julia McDermid, A Xiong, Gretchen Guinn Paquette,Claire  
Bakalars  
2 - Mac Kiel,Tashyra Bernard  
Excused:  
Approval of Minutes  
McDermid motioned to approve the minutes, Xiong seconded. The motion  
carried by a voice vote.  
Agenda Items:  
Welcome new commissioners and elect officers - Chairperson and Vice  
Chairperson  
23-0700  
1
Claire Bakalars and Gretchen Guinn Paquette were recently appointed to the  
commission.  
Kiel declined to be elected chairperson prior to the meeting. McDermid nominated  
Xiong for chairperson; Xiong declined. Xiong nominated McDermid for chairperson;  
McDermid declined. McDermid nominated Littlejohn for chairperson; Littlejohn  
accepted.  
McDermid nominated Bakalars for vice chairperson; Bakalars accepted.  
Littlejohn was reelected chairperson.  
Bakalars was elected vice chairperson.  
Discrimination Complaint - Kenzie McCoy v. Three Rivers Rentals, LLC -  
Determination whether the complaint alleges sufficient facts that if true, relief  
could be granted and therefore whether complaint is actionable.  
23-0701  
2
Attachments:  
HRC Complaint - Kenzie McCoy_Redacted  
Response from Three Rivers Rentals 6.13.2023  
LT Respondent Three Rivers 20 days to file written response 6.20.23  
Complainant explained complaint further and refuted lawyer's letter. Respondent's  
lawyer gave a brief summary of the letter and added some additional facts, stating the  
landlord did not have a ESA letter on file, the HRC does not have authority in this  
case, and the respondent did not violate the law.  
Littlejohn convened the commission in closed session to deliberate. Littlejohn later  
reopened the session for the motion.  
McDermid motioned that it is reasonable to believe there has been  
discrimination and to move forward with the complaint, Paquette seconded.  
The motion carried by a voice vote.  
Monthly Updates From RET, REACH, and Homelessness Coordinator  
23-0413  
23-0414  
3
4
No updates. Racial Equity Team did not have a quorum and are proposing membership  
changes to make it easier to meet.  
Discussion of fair housing outreach and education activities the City could  
take on with CDBG funds - Diane McGinnis-Casey  
Commissioners requested Casey suggest possible materials and provide more  
information on what the they can do. Former housing administrator did fair housing  
training at the Myrick Center. If that were to be replicated, Commission could guide  
what that could look like. Revisit next month.  
AN ORDINANCE to amend Section 22-23 of the Code of Ordinances of the  
City of La Crosse regarding membership of the Human Rights Commission.  
23-0457  
22-1024  
5
Attachments:  
Ordinance  
Staff Report  
McDermid motioned to recommend the ordinance be adopted, Xiong  
seconded. The motion carried by a voice vote.  
Discussion on housing as a human right.  
6
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  
Littlejohn shared background on recent progress. McDermid said next steps are to  
include goals and timeline. The resolution could be a declaration of affordable housing  
and homelessness emergency and include actions to resolve it. McDermid talked  
about an court case in Boise regarding illegal camping. Atterbury explained the  
amendment going to the Common Council regarding camping in parks. McDermid said  
it's being perceived as a crackdown on homeless.  
Staff will schedule a workshop for the resolution and can forward to the Mayor and City  
Attorney to determine direction.  
Adjournment  
Bakalars motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:44 pm, McDermid 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.