City Hall  
City of La Crosse, Wisconsin  
400 La Crosse Street  
La Crosse, WI 54601  
Meeting Minutes  
Human Rights Commission  
Wednesday, May 18, 2022  
5:15 PM  
Eagle Room  
This meeting is also being held virtually. E-mail kuhlmanl@cityoflacrosse.org if you have trouble logging  
in.  
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Meeting ID: 859 6171 7663  
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Call to Order  
Littlejohn called the meeting to order at 5:29 pm.  
8 -  
Present:  
Tracy Littlejohn, Julia McDermid, A Xiong, Chelsey Myhre-Foster, Mac Kiel,  
Tashyra Bernard, Kristen Ringgenberg,Kristen Lettner  
Roll Call  
4 - Tracy Littlejohn, Julia McDermid, Tashyra Bernard,Kristen Lettner  
4 - A Xiong, Chelsey Myhre-Foster, Mac Kiel,Kristen Ringgenberg  
Present:  
Excused:  
Approval of Minutes  
McDermid motioned to approve the minutes, Lettner seconded. The motion  
carried by a voice vote.  
Notices and Discussion  
Agenda Items:  
Fair Housing Complaint - Bridget A Karl v. Dawn Susan Relax Property  
Management - Determination whether the complaint alleges sufficient facts  
that if true, relief could be granted and therefore whether complaint is  
actionable.  
22-0569  
1
Attachments:  
HRC Complaint - Bridget Karl_Redacted.pdf  
Complainant and Landlord were not in attendance. Littlejohn found no requirement in  
the municipal code for them to attend, but to consult City Attorney about it. Littlejohn  
was unclear whether complainant had an issue with her source of income or proof of  
income. McDermid stated that it is not illegal to request the documentation cited in  
the complaint and that it needed to show discrimination in the landlords refusal to rent  
to the complainant; it's legal for the applicant to request a copy of the background  
check. The basis of discrimination indicated is lawful source of income, but the  
statement focuses on the credit check and dealing with criminal charges.  
Bernard motioned to dismiss the complaint due to lack of evidence, McDermid  
seconded. The motion carried by a voice vote.  
Discussion on Civil Rights Dept. - Subcommittee  
22-0062  
22-0655  
2
3
Attachments:  
Madison Civil Rights Dept Interview Notes  
McDermid is organizing a meeting with Jacqui Marcou to discuss progress so far.  
Updates from Racial Equity Team, REACH, and Comprehensive Planning  
Process  
REACH will be fully staffed since hiring two new employees; they'll be setting up a  
calendar of events and promoting REACH's services. REACH will be hosting a Mental  
Health Awareness Month event as well.  
Littlejohn posed a question to the Commission: how should the comprehensive plan  
address the housing crisis? McDermid said that La Crosse is #4 in the WI in poverty  
and 30% of residents are one paycheck away from disaster. The vacancy rate is very  
low, 1-2%. The pandemic and inflation have cause financial stress. There has been  
an increase in mental illness, drug use and overdoses. HUD programs don't help for  
people at risk, only once they are homeless. There will likely be in an increase in  
homelessness when CouleeCap funding for putting up 200 people in hotels runs out in  
June. McDermid also shared a Signup Genius link to provide meals for Houska Park  
people.  
Littlejohn and staff will request a speaker from Coulee Recovery Center for next HRC  
meeting; discussion could spur ideas for future town hall.  
Discussion on Fair Housing Complaint Application Improvements  
22-0199  
4
Attachments:  
Fair Housing Webpage  
HRC Webpage  
Under facts, make it clear to include specific information about how actions are  
discriminatory. Include some direction like "if you need assistance, you may  
contact..." Add information on website about getting assistance, could include  
agencies that completed fair housing training. Highlight rubric on webpage and include  
in cover sheet. Could include HRC powers and duties at top of form or on cover sheet.  
Staff will create draft for next meeting.  
Strategic Planning  
22-0343  
22-0054  
5
6
Attachments:  
Human Rights Commission Ordinance  
HRC Mission, Vision, and Action Items (2020)  
Littlejohn suggested each commissioner add 3-5 strengths and weaknesses to  
document or via email if having technical difficulties with document.  
Planning for Town Hall w/ Elected Officials  
The Wisconsin Democratic Convention is June 25-26  
(https://secure.actblue.com/donate/wisdems-convention-2022-tickets). That could be  
an opportunity to get in front of elected officials. Hope Restores has been focusing on  
Paddling for Hope (https://www.paddlingforhope.com/), so town hall organizing was on  
back burner for them.  
Next Meeting / Agenda Items  
The next meeting will be 6/8. Agenda items may include recap of this month's agenda  
items.  
Adjournment  
Littlejohn adjourned the meeting at 6:34 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.