Board of City Service Commissioners upholds discharge of Equal Rights Specialist Omar Barberena | 200 E. Wells | TheCommon

Summary

Board of City Service Commissioners upholds discharge of Equal Rights Specialist Omar Barberena

MilwaukeeMar 13, 20262 min read

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On March 13, 2026 the Board of City Service Commissioners (City Hall, Room 301‑A) held a hybrid discharge appeal hearing for Omar Barberena, Equal Rights Specialist, Department of Administration—Office of Equity and Inclusion. The Board approved prior meeting minutes, convened a closed session, and found by a preponderance of the evidence that the Department had just cause both to discipline and to discharge Mr. Barberena. The meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m.

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BOARD OF CITY SERVICE COMMISSIONERS

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Labor

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Key decisions

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Approved the March 10, 2026 meeting minutes (motion by Steve Smith, seconded by Heidi Wick Spoerl; vote Aye 4, No 0, Excused 1).
Found, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the Department had just cause to discipline appellant Omar Barberena (Aye 4, No 0, Excused 1).
Found, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the Department had just cause to discharge appellant Omar Barberena (Aye 4, No 0, Excused 1).
Board convened closed session at 1:43 p.m., reconvened open session at 2:08 p.m.; meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m.

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BOARD OF CITY SERVICE COMMISSIONERS

Mar 13, 2026, 12:00 AMCity Hall, Room 301-Ascheduled

Omar Barberena Discharge Appeal Hearing

Agenda

This is a hybrid meeting that will be conducted via Microsoft Teams, in-person, and City Channel 25. Those wishing to view the proceedings via City Channel 25 can do so at http://city.milwaukee.gov/citychannel and use Live Stream 2. Microsoft Teams meeting https://bit.ly/4qdV2yV Meeting ID: 245 302 617 344 62 Passcode: d3eK99jL Dial in by phone 414-251-0392 Phone conference ID: 586 283 359#
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Communication for the approval of the March 10, 2026, meeting minutes.
PUBLIC HEARING
The Discharge Appeal Hearing for Omar Barberena, Equal Rights Specialist, Department of Administration-Office of Equity and Inclusion.
ADJOURNMENT
The Board may convene in closed session pursuant to Section 19.85 (1)(a) Wis. Stats., to deliberate concerning a case which was the subject of a quasi-judicial hearing before the Board of City Service Commissioners, or pursuant to Section 19.85 (1)(f) Wis. Stats., to consider financial, medical, social or personal histories of disciplinary data of specific persons, or the investigation of charges against specific persons, which, if discussed in public, would be likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of any person referred to in such histories of data, or involved in such problems or investigations. The Board may then reconvene in open session concerning any such item following the closed session pursuant to Section 19.85 (2) Wis. Stats.
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 Executive Secretary to the City Service Commission 286-3335, (FAX)286-0800, (TDD)286-2960 or by writing to the Executive Secretary at Room 706, City Hall, 200 E. Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
Limited parking for persons attending meetings in City Hall is available at reduced rates (5-hour limit) at the Milwaukee Center on the southwest corner of East Kilbourn and North Water Street. Parking tickets must be validated in the first floor Information Booth in City Hall.

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