City Hall

City of La Crosse, Wisconsin

400 La Crosse Street

La Crosse, WI 54601

Meeting Minutes

Human Rights Commission

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

5:15 PM

Eagle Room

This meeting is also being held virtually. E-mail kuhlmanl@cityoflacrosse.org if you have trouble logging

in.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://cityoflacrosse-org.zoom.us/j/88525522441?pwd=cUh5OG41d1pydTNtZWV1VS95b0FSdz09

Meeting ID: 885 2552 2441 Passcode: 330906

Join by phone

+1 (646) 931-3860

Call to Order

Littlejohn called the meeting to order at 5:24 pm

Roll Call

5 - Tracy Littlejohn, Julia McDermid, Mac Kiel, Tashyra Bernard,Kristen Lettner

2 - A Xiong,Kristen Ringgenberg

Present:

Excused:

Approval of Minutes

Lettner motioned to approve the minutes, Bernard seconded. The motion

carried by acclamation.

Agenda Items:

March Updates from Racial Equity Team, REACH, and Homelessness

Coordinator

23-0265

The Racial Equity Team did not meet this month so there was no update.

Brian Sampson emailed that Houska is closing on 3/15. There are about eight people

remaining. He's been going out with the Homeless Outreach Team twice a week for the

past month to answer any questions people have and help connect them to services.

Littlejohn mentioned that Parks will be reseeding grass and cleaning up the area.

Request to sponsor 2023 Juneteenth celebration

23-0215

Attachments:

2023 Juneteenth Partner Letter (Online Version)

Bernard gave overview of success of last year's event and suggested increasing the

sponsorship amount as the event grows. The City sponsored the Juneteenth

Celebration in 2022 at $5,000 to go toward meals so attendees could eat for free.

McDermid suggested going big on the request. Staff was unaware what the Mayor's

DEI Fund is budgeted for this year. There are also other diversity events in need of

sponsorship.

Kiel motioned to sponsor up to $10,000, McDermid seconded. The motion

carried by acclamation.

Strategic Planning

22-0343

Attachments:

Draft Actions (March 2023)

Draft Goals (Nov 2022)

Draft Vision, Mission, and Core Values (Sep 2022)

Strategic Planning Workshop Results (Jul 2016)

Staff added actions from housing vision statement provided by McDermid; numerical

priority just tracks with the order actions were listed in the vision. McDermid reminded

commission about suggestion to schedule a working group meeting; Littlejohn

volunteered to send out a poll of possible times. Bernard suggested discussing one

goal at a time. McDermid suggested identifying partners for the goals and asking

them for action suggestions (what the City can do to help them). Commissioners

named possible partners and suggested that some actions listed could help meet

multiple goals.

Parks is hiring an Inclusive Recreation Coordinator. McDermid mentioned Alliance to

Heal has a new coordinator, focused on reducing stigma for addiction. McDermid

mentioned an opportunity for hotel staff to get training on addressing overdoses.

Lettner asked about landlord education about Project Proven; McDermid said there

have been positive news articles.

Discussion on housing as a human right.

22-1024

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 will work on resolution and send roadmap.

Bernard motioned to table this agenda item until the workshop, Lettner

seconded. The motion carried by acclamation.

Adjournment

Littlejohn adjourned the meeting at 6:26 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.