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| | 1. | | Call to Order
Minutes note: The meeting was called to order at 4:05 pm | | | |
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| | 3. | | Approval of November Minutes
Minutes note: A quorum was not present for the approval of November minutes | | | |
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| | 4. | | Welcome from Chair
Minutes note: Recognition of Holidays and Observances
The Commission recognized and honored the following December observances:
• HIV and AIDS Awareness Month
• International Human Rights Day / Universal Human Rights Month
• International Day for People with Disabilities (December 3rd)
• Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and other cultural and religious holidays.
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| | 5. | | Omar Barberena - Equal Rights Specialist
• International Human Rights Day Event Updates - December 6, 2025
• Target date for 2026 - December 5th
• Complaints Calls and Walk-ins updates
Ramona Ramos - Equal Rights Complaints Liaison
• Online Complaint System Update
• Hmong event update on December 14, 2025
Minutes note: Staff & Liaison Reports
A. Equal Rights Specialist (Omar Barberena)
• International Human Rights Day Event (Dec 6): Reported a successful event with ~59 participants out of 109 registered. Positive feedback was received on programming, panelists, and networking. The target date for next year is December 5, 2026.
• Future Planning: Suggested using the same venue (MIAD) and caterer for the 2026 event to streamline logistics and focus on programming. Recommended exploring enhanced virtual participation options (e.g., live chat/Q&A).
• Complaints Update: Received 5 complaints in December related to:
1. Parking
2. Employment (Lawful Source of Income)
3. Disability
4. Homelessness (2 complaints)
• Action Items: Complaints based on lawful source of income and homelessness status will be formally referred to the City Attorney's office for jurisdictional review. Disability-related complaints are being addressed with resource referrals.
B. Complaints Liaison (Ramona Ramos)
• Data & Process Clarification: Distinguished between general inquiries (e.g., parking, city services) and official ERC complaints filed via the online form. Emphasized the "case management" approach to referrals with ongoing follow-up.
• 2024-2025 Activity Summary:
o Complaints: 27 (2024) vs. 41 (Jan-Nov 2025).
o Calls/Emails/Walk-ins: Tracked from April-Nov 2025 (205 calls, 164 emails, 15 walk-ins).
o Events & Outreach: Participation in 9+ community events (e.g., Juneteenth, Pride Fest, Hmong New Year) was highly impactful.
o Trends: Employment is the leading complaint category in 2025. Many complaints involve intersecting protected classes (e.g., race and disability).
• Technology Update: An online complaint app is in development with IT, with a goal for a Q1 2026 pilot launch. Collaboration with data analytics to create performance dashboards is underway.
• City Hall Events: Noted the historic Ballroom event for World AIDS Day and a TDOR celebration held at City Hall.
C. External Partner (Megan Wanke, Fair Housing Council)
• Report Delivery: The Fair Housing Council's initial community report on discrimination against rental voucher holders will be sent to the ERC electronically and via hard copy in late December/early January.
• January Presentation: Accepted an invitation to present the report's findings at the January 2026 ERC meeting, potentially with additional leadership from the Fair Housing Council.
• Training Offer: Offered to provide no-cost Fair Housing training to the Commission in 2026.
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| | 6. | | Communication from Committees
• Governance Committee
a. New Recruitment Update - Hearing postponed by Judiciary and Legislative Committee until January 2025 meeting
b. Strategic planning for 2025
• Identifying departments to invite for presentations
• Reviewing past year activities and goals
Minutes note: Committee Reports
A. Governance Committee (Commissioner Guequierre)
• Appointments: New Commissioner appointments are pending before the Common Council's Judiciary & Legislation Committee, with an expected review on January 12, 2026.
• Annual Report: Preparing the 2025 Annual Report, incorporating data provided by staff.
• Departmental Reports (Ch. 109): Discussed inviting city departments to present to the ERC in 2026. Initial suggestions included the Housing Authority (HACM), Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS), and the Treasurer's Office. A goal of three departmental reports, spread throughout the year, was proposed.
• Commissioner Training: Identified a need for formal training on the complaint’s adjudication process in preparation for future case hearings.
• LGBTQ+ Work Group: Commissioner Snell Rodriguez will draft a charter for a new LGBTQ+-focused work group/committee, to be reviewed by the Governance Committee.
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New Business & Strategic Planning for 2026
• Community "Know Your Rights" Trainings: Discussed potential collaboration with community organizations (e.g., Turners, VDLF) to host "Know Your Rights" and de-escalation trainings in response to community concerns about immigration enforcement.
• 2026 Calendar Planning: Stressed the importance of finalizing a comprehensive 2026 calendar early in Q1, including:
o Departmental reports.
o Key community outreach events.
o Meetings of the ad-hoc Complaints Committee (to be reconvened with a focus on housing).
o Commissioner training sessions.
• Administrative Reminders: Commissioners were reminded to direct all scheduling and technical issues to Equal Rights Specialist Omar Barberena via official email and to confirm their attendance (in-person/virtual) for meetings.
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| | 7. | | Community Announcements
Minutes note: Community Announcements
• Commissioner Smith announced:
o A New Year's Eve Sobriety Pow Wow at the WICOM campus (33rd & Kilbourne).
o A Native American Tourism of Wisconsin Winter Gala at Potawatomi Casino on January 30, 2026.
o A "Know Your Rights" event with MIC and Emilio at Turners in January (date TBD).
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| | 8. | | Adjournment
Minutes note: Closing Reflections & Adjournment
• Commissioners and staff shared closing words summarizing their year with the ERC: Community, Progress, Productivity, Fight, "Going Small," Resilience, Steadiness, and Clarity.
• With no objections, the meeting was adjourned at 5:26 PM.
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