City Hall  
City of La Crosse, Wisconsin  
400 La Crosse Street  
La Crosse, WI 54601  
Meeting Minutes  
Human Rights Commission  
Wednesday, November 13, 2024  
5:15 PM  
Grandad Room  
Call to Order  
Littlejohn called the meeting to order at 5:31 PM.  
Roll Call  
5 -  
Present:  
Tracy Littlejohn, A Xiong, Mac Kiel, Gretchen Guinn Paquette,Claire  
Bakalars  
Approval of Minutes  
Bakalars motioned to approve the minutes, Paquette seconded. The motion  
carried by acclamation.  
Notices and Discussion  
Agenda Items:  
Monthly Updates From REACH, DEI Committee, and Homelessness  
Coordinator  
24-0079  
1
Attachments:  
Monthly Pathways Update  
REACH's rezoning petition will go before the Common Council on Thursday 11/14.  
Here is the link to the REACH report released for our 3rd Anniversary in October:  
https://reachcenterlacrosse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/REACH_Impact_Report_F  
INAL.pdf  
The DEI team continued discussion of the results of their survey and determined:  
- New employees are looking for more follow up/communication after the onboarding  
process. Our goal is to compile a resource sheet for new employees which will include  
a list of “go to” people for each department for finding out information/getting questions  
answered. We would also like to start a mentorship program and include that as part of  
the new hire checklist being created in the HR department. A follow up/check in for  
new hires outside of the probationary evaluation process should be considered. Tours  
for all new staff should take place.  
- Employees are wanting to be informed of what is going on in the City and about  
upcoming events. We will continue to distribute the quarterly newsletter.  
- The City should do a better job at welcoming new employees, especially those who  
have moved to the area for employment purposes. We have started utilizing the First  
Friends program with the La Crosse Chamber for employees who are new to the area.  
They provide tours of the La Crosse community, as well as share resources and help  
make connections.  
- The City lacks in diversity candidates/a diverse upper management. We need to  
review things like our job postings, application questions, interview questions, etc. to  
discover what barriers we have in place for attracting diverse applicants. Materials may  
be outdated. Additionally, we need to look at our lack of outreach to diverse groups  
within our community regarding job opportunities. Offering more tours of facilities may  
be beneficial.  
- Employees would like to have more say in handbook policy changes. Gathering input  
from employees prior to making handbook changes for the following year should start  
taking place. This was previously done through a survey distributed from the HR  
Director, which provided beneficial feedback and ideas.  
They are starting the process of working on a resource sheet for incoming employees.  
Pathways Home update:  
• 24 people on the Pathways to Housing list were housed in October—thank you  
Pathways Conferencing participants and our community network! Our current focus is  
on people who have lower barriers to housing and people who have been experiencing  
homelessness for fewer than six months.  
• The Pathways Home team reviewed and scored 9 Specialized Housing Proposals.  
Our funding recommendation was provided to the Economic and Community  
Development Commission and the La  
Crosse City Council for the final award decision.  
• The 2025 budget for La Crosse County proposes adding 3 additional social workers  
and 3 peer support specialists to help people coming from homelessness find and  
maintain housing  
and support services.  
• Congratulations to the REACH Center for 3 years of community service! The REACH  
Center is a key entry point in our system to connect unsheltered individuals and  
families to case management, shelter or housing, and other resources tailored to their  
specific needs.  
Discussion on outreach opportunities  
24-0797  
2
Attachments:  
A Quick Guide to Renting in La Crosse (English)  
Staff received sample procedures from Board of Zoning Appeals on which to base  
Human Rights Commission procedures. That procedures document can then be used  
for a brochure. Existing renter brochures could be updated to include information  
about emotional support animals, or a new resource could be shared or created.  
There could also be a resource that includes generalized examples of past complaints.  
Discussion on housing as a human right.  
22-1024  
3
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  
Paquette sent notes on resolution. The resolution needs to be clear about  
requirements and implications. Kiel thought the resolution could look like an empty  
gesture following the camping ban; is it still relevant to for Pathways Home. Staff  
shared factors considered in editing the resolution. The City did not adopt the  
Pathways Home; what formal commitment does the City have to enact it? The  
resolution could support the plan.  
Commission suggested inviting Dillon Mader to speak about how the HRC could  
support Project Proven's efforts. Pathways Home team could speak to HRC about how  
it can help.  
Paquette motioned to refer the resolution to Pathways Home for direction on  
how the HRC can help, seconded by Xiong. The motion carried by a voice  
vote.  
Discussion on adding "homeless status" to protected classes.  
23-1489  
4
Attachments:  
Municipal Code Reference on Human Rights Declaration of Policy  
Kevin Hundt Email - 7.9.2024  
Jessica Olson Email - 8.8.2024  
Draft Ordinance (Nov 24)  
The commission recommended going to Pathways Home with this as well.  
Next Meeting / Agenda Items  
Adjournment  
Littlejohn adjourned the meeting at 6:11 PM.  
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.