Commissioners

Front row, left to right: David Fikar, Wendy Francis (Chairperson), Jose Quintero
Back Row, left to right: Sitaram Jaswal, Lori Lopez-Urdiales, Dick Noble
Not Pictured: Karla Cooper (Vice-Chair), Gene Crump, Hazell Rodriguez

Click on photo for larger picture.

The nine-member Commission on Human Rights acts as an advisory body to the Mayor, City Council, and Equal Opportunity Officer and shall be charged with the responsibility of eliminating and preventing discrimination in places of public accommodation, housing and employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, national origin, familial status, ancestry, age or marital status.

The purposes of the Commission are:

Review actions of the Equal Opportunity Officer whose responsibilities include:
1. reviewing all City of Lincoln procurement bids and awards in excess of $10,000, and
2. reviewing DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprises) program of minority and women-owned businesses and maintain directory;
Institute actions to educate the public as to unlawful discriminatory practices and the enforcement measures available for the prevention and punishment of such practices;
Enforcing provision of Title 11 of the Lincoln Municipal Code;
Seeking to eliminate and prevent discrimination in places of public accommodation, housing, and employment;
Utilize conference, conciliation, and persuasion so that persons may be guaranteed their civil rights and goodwill may be fostered;
Formulate policies and make recommendations to agencies and officers of the city government;
Investigate and make determinations regarding discrimination complaints.

Commission Meetings are held on the last Thursday of each month, 4:00 p.m. at the City Council Chambers, City/County Bldg, 555 South 10th Street. The Public is welcome.

Committee Meeting Schedule & Policy on Public Comment

Commission meetings are generally held the last Thursday of every month in the conference room in the City Council Chambers at the new City County Building at 555 South 10th Street. Meetings convene at 4 p.m. and all meetings are open to the general public.

Meeting dates for the year 2010 are: January 28, February 25, March 25, April (no meeting), May 13, June 24, July 29, August 26, September 16*, October 28, and December 9
*Meeting to be held at the K Street Complex Conference room, 440 S. 8th Street. All others will be in City Council Chambers, 555 S. 10th Street, 1st Floor.

The Commission is subject to public meeting laws and provides times for public comment on its monthly agenda. Public comment guidelines are as follows:

At the end of each meeting, the public will have 5 minutes to speak on any issue or agenda item, with the exception of "case disposition."
The meeting agenda is available to the general public through the City Clerk's office, which posts announcements in the County-City Building, or requesting a copy from the Human Rights office prior to the monthly Commission meeting, generally held the last Thursday of each month. For more information, call 441-7624.

Interested in Serving LCHR?

The Lincoln Commission on Human Rights has positions to fill on our Board of Commissioners beginning in January 2010. Commissioners are appointed for a 3-year term, meet monthly and make the final determinations on the outcome of discrimination complaints.

If you are interested in serving as a Commissioner and would like more information, contact our office at 441-7624. You may also complete and submit an application here.

Commissioner Meeting Minutes

June 2010
May 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
June 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009