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| | 1. | | Call to Order
Minutes note: This meeting was called to order at 4:02pm | | | |
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| | 2. | | Roll Calll | | | |
Roll call
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| | 3. | | Approval of August Minutes
Minutes note: • No additions or corrections.
• Motion to approve: Commissioner Crowley.
• Second: Commissioner Johnson.
• Minutes approved unanimously.
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| | 4. | | Welcome from Chair
Minutes note: • Chair welcomed commissioners and public attendees (virtual and in-person).
• Acknowledged Hispanic Heritage Month, highlighting contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities to the city.
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| | 5. | | Communication from Office of Equity and Inclusion Director Mary Reed
Minutes note: • Introduction: Mary Reed, new interim/acting Chief Equity Officer.
o Background: 20+ years public service (case management, compliance, W-2 administration).
o Former City Contract Compliance Officer.
o Focus: accountability, compliance, engagement.
• Current Focus:
o Contract compliance (construction & development).
o Small business certification (~200 certified; goal to double in 2–3 years).
o American Disability Act compliance.
o Racial equity & inclusion initiatives.
o Workforce outreach (Direct Connect Milwaukee).
o Staffing support for Equal Rights Commission.
• Vision & Priorities:
o Grow workforce opportunities, esp. RPP workers (apprenticeships, family-sustaining wages).
o Expand outreach to Latino/Hispanic & multilingual communities.
o Use social media, better timing, and strategic outreach.
o Strengthen collaboration with ERC.
• Budget:
o No cuts anticipated; sufficient resources.
o Strong support from Mayor’s Office & DOA.
• Q&A Highlights:
o Outreach must avoid “performative” efforts ? OEI committed to consistency.
o Building trust with disconnected communities is key.
o Equity in public safety: OEI provides racial equity training, but department buy-in needed.
o Reed emphasized collaboration and transparency, inviting commissioner input.
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| | 6. | | Communication from Department of Public Works - Thomas E. Tarkowski .
Minutes note: • Presenter: Tom Tarkowski, Department of Public Works Engineering.
• Policy Background: Adopted 2024 after collaboration (ERC, DPW, ADA Coordinator, Council).
• Progress Report:
o ~10% complete (goal delayed due to backlog).
o Completed at sites incl. Fondy Farmers Market, Keenan Health Center, Southside Health Center, Election Commission.
o Ongoing at multiple facilities.
• Challenges: ADA compliance signage, lock modifications, limited staff capacity.
• Timeline: ~20% completion in 6 months; phased completion of 236 restrooms by 2026.
• Commission Response: Appreciated progress, emphasized transparency, suggested progress updates online.
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| | 7. | | Communication from Office of Equity and Inclusion Staff
Omar Barberena - Equal Rights Specialist
• Commissioners Accounts & Usage
• International Human Rights Day Planning Committee Updates
Ramona Ramos - Equal Rights Complaints Liaison
• Ad Hoc Complaints Group Update
• Walk-ins Update
• Online Complaint System
• Events & Volunteer SignUp
Minutes note: Communication – Office of Equity & Inclusion Staff (Omar Barberena)
a. Commissioner Email Accounts
• Ensure ERC emails are working; IT has been responsive.
• Check at least weekly or risk deactivation.
• Suggested: add ERC email to Gmail app for easier access.
b. Proper Use of ERC Email
• Use only for Commission business: internal communications, outreach, responses to public inquiries.
• Avoid personal email (open records concerns).
• Quorum note: If emailing >4 commissioners, use BCC.
• Media/public requests must go through Omar, Nathan, or OEI staff.
c. International Human Rights Day (IHRD) Planning
• Date: Tentative Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 (10:00 AM–1:30 PM).
• Committee Members: Boling, Murdoch, Murtaugh, Halo, Barberena, Guled.
• Venues: Top choice – Milwaukee Youth Arts Center; alternatives – UMOS, Sherman Phoenix; ABHM considered (capacity/cost issues).
• Theme: Art as a Voice for Human Rights.
• Program Draft: Opening remarks; 3–4 creative art sessions (poetry, mural, collaborative art); ERC Commissioner Halo as MC.
• Artists: Public call by late Sept; 3–4 selected; stipends & supply support to be arranged.
• Food: No restrictions; exploring sponsorships & minority-owned vendors.
• Next Steps: Finalize venue/program within 2 weeks; release call for artists; determine stipend structure.
d. Report – Complaints Liaison (Ramona Ramos)
• Complaints: Group inactive pending online system; August flood calls cleared; interviews weekly (Wednesdays); expanding access via libraries.
• Community Engagement:
o Puerto Rican Festival: ERC booth.
o Silver City Fest: successful participation.
o Upcoming: Independence First Gala (Harley Museum, Friday), Milwaukee Hmong New Year (Dec. 13–14).
o Emphasis on ERC visibility to raise awareness.
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| | 8. | | Communication from Committees
• Governance Committee
a. New Recruitment Update
b. Commissioner Handbook Draft – Update
c. Budget Discussion - Update
• Communications Committee
a. Update
Minutes note: Communications Committee (R. Johnson / Chair Snell Rodriguez)
• No new updates.
• Chair highlighted:
o Strong ERC visibility in DOA newsletter.
o Importance of internal city visibility.
o Thanks to Christina Close (DOA) & Director Preston Cole.
• Social Media: Commissioners encouraged to follow ERC Facebook page.
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| | 9. | | Other Discussions
Minutes note: • Fair Housing Council Updates (via Ramona Ramos):
o Shared ordinances: Milwaukee County Ch. 107, Dane County Ch. 31, City of Madison 31.09.
o ERC interest in LRB review for possible City ordinance (re: source of income/housing discrimination).
o Current County ordinance exists but lacks enforcement.
o Fair Housing Trainings: Oct. 21 (Cudahy), Oct. 27 (Franklin), Nov. 6 (Greenfield Library).
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| | 10. | | Community Announcements
Minutes note: • Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct. 15): United Community Center & Latino Arts Center mural.
• Native American Heritage Month (November):
o Bucks Heritage Night – Nov. 29.
o UWM Event – Nov. 13 (possible ERC tabling).
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| | 11. | | Adjournment
Minutes note: • Meeting adjourned at 5:33 PM
• No objections | | | |
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