EQUAL RIGHTS COMMISSION

Agenda

1. This is a working meeting for Commissioners and in-person attendance is required. For the public you can join hybrid and those wishing to attend virtually may do so by clicking the link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup join/19%3ameeting Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 296 273 783 528 Passcode: s8gp9Vw3
2. Untitled item
3. Call to Order (TS) (4:00)
4. Roll Call (OB) (4:01)
5. Approval of Previous Meeting (4:03)
6. Welcome from Commissioner Chair (TS) (4:04)
7. Commissioners Introductions (NG/JC) (4:10) a) Name & City of Residence b) Occupation & Relevant Background – Share your profession and any experiences that shape your perspective. c) Goals for the Equal Rights Commission – What impact do you hope to make this year? d) Key Strength or Skill – Highlight a quality or expertise you bring to the Commission.
8. Onboardding (TS/Attorney) (4:25) Equal Rights Commission Overview • Chapter 109 Summary – Brief explanation of the legal framework guiding the Commission’s work. • Relationship to the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) – How the Commission collaborates with OEI to advance equity and inclusion. • Mission Statement – Core purpose and values driving the Commission’s efforts. • Meeting Schedule & Attendance Expectations – Frequency of meetings, required participation, and quorum requirements. Key Focus Areas for 2025: a) Increasing awareness of the complaint process. b) Handling and addressing complaints. c) Re-establishing the committee system to enhance efficiency and impact. Quorum & Open Meeting Rules • Definition of Quorum – Minimum attendance required for official decision-making. • Open Meetings Compliance – Transparency requirements, public access to meetings, and procedural obligations. Internal & External Communication Procedures • Internal Communication – Best practices for coordination among Commissioners and with OEI. • External Communication – Guidelines for engaging with the public, stakeholders, and media while maintaining alignment with Commission policies.
9. Equal Rights Commission (ERC) and City Updates (TS & OB) (4:40)
10. Break (4:45)
11. Committee Overview (NG) (4:50) A) Overall Structure The Commission is organized into four key committees, each focused on a specific area of impact: 1. Governance – Ensuring compliance with policies, bylaws, and legal requirements. 2. Compliance – Managing complaint intake, investigations, and enforcement. 3. Outreach – Engaging the community, increasing visibility, and fostering partnerships. 4. Communication – Publicizing the Commission’s work, managing messaging, and improving public access to resources. B) Committee Composition • Each committee is made up of Commissioners with relevant expertise or interest. • Committees may include external advisors or community partners when appropriate. C) Internal Governance • Committees operate under clear guidelines for decision-making and reporting. • Regular updates are provided to the full Commission to ensure alignment with overall goals. D) Goal Setting • Each committee establishes specific, measurable objectives aligned with the Commission’s priorities. • Progress is reviewed regularly to ensure accountability and impact. E) Meeting Frequency • Committees will meet regularly based on workload and priorities, with a recommended schedule to maintain progress. • Meetings should align with Commission sessions to provide updates and ensure coordination among all committees.
12. Committees & Membership (NG or JC) (5:00) A) Reinstating the Committee Structure • Evaluate and reactivate the committee system to enhance the Commission’s effectiveness. • Ensure committees align with current priorities and operational needs. B) Key Committees for 2025 • Determine whether to maintain all three existing committees or refine the structure to better support ERC’s key objectives. • Focus on the most pressing priorities, such as complaint resolution, policy compliance, outreach, and public engagement. C) Committee Assignments 1. Mapping Skills to Committees – Commissioners will assess their strengths and interests to determine the best fit. 2. Selection Process – Each Commissioner will write their first and second committee choices on the board to facilitate balanced assignments.
13. Adjourn (TS) (5:29)
14. Untitled item
15. In the event that Common Council members who are not members of this committee attend this meeting, this meeting may also simultaneously constitute a meeting of the Common Council or any of the following committees: Community and Economic Development, Finance and Personnel, Judiciary and Legislation, Licenses, Public Safety and Health, Public Works, Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development, and/or Steering and Rules. Whether a simultaneous meeting is occurring depends on whether the presence of one or more of the Common Council member results in a quorum of the Common Council or any of the above committees, and, if there is a quorum of another committee, whether any agenda items listed above involve matters within that committee’s realm of authority. In the event that a simultaneous meeting is occurring, no action other than information gathering will be taken at the simultaneous meeting.
16. Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities through sign language interpreters or auxiliary aids. For additional information or to request this service, contact the City Clerk's Office ADA Coordinator at (414) 286-3475, (FAX) (414) 286-2025, (TDD) (414) 286-2025 or by writing to the Coordinator at Room 205, City Hall, 200 E. Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
17. City Hall and the Zeidler Municipal Building are accessible by "The Hop" City Hall Stations, the MCTS Green Line, Connect 1, 14, 15, 18, 19, 30, 33, and 57 bus routes. Visit https://www.ridemcts.com/ for more information. Bike racks are available on Water Street, Market Street, and Broadway, and a Bublr Bike Share station is located on the northeast corner of Kilbourn Avenue and Water Street. Limited parking for persons attending meetings during normal business hours is available at reduced rates (5 hour limit) at the Milwaukee Center on the southwest corner of Kilbourn Avenue and Water Street. You must present a copy of the meeting notice to the parking cashier.
18. Persons engaged in lobbying as defined in s. 305-43-4 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances are required to register with the City Clerk's Office License Division. Registered lobbyists appearing before a Common Council committee are required to identify themselves as such. More information is available at http://city.milwaukee.gov/Lobbying.