Human Relations Commission - July 20, 2017 Minutes
Regular Meeting: Thursday, July 20, 2017
A regular meeting of the Board of Human Relations Commissioners of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held at the City Commission Room at City Hall at 12:00 o’clock p.m., Thursday, July 20, 2017.
The Human Relations Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Rachel Hoffman, Dave Lanpher, Paul Jensen, Cheryl Schaefle, Barry Nelson, Abdiwali Sharif-Abdinasir
Absent: Hassan Lamba, Tanya RedRoad, Timothy Stone
Also Present: Willard Yellow Bird, Kara Gloe, Safia Gele, John Strand (City Commissioner), Vince Kempf (Cultural Liaison Police Officer)
Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Chair Hoffman welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.
Item 2. Welcome New Member - Cheryl Schaefle
Chair Hoffman introduced and welcomed new Human Relations Commission (HRC) Member, Cheryl Schaefle.
Item 3. Approve Order of Agenda & Minutes: Regular Meeting June 15, 2017
Mr. Nelson moved the Order of Agenda and the minutes of the June 15, 2017 Human Relations Commission meeting be approved. Second by Mr. Lanpher. All Members present voted aye and the motion we declared carried.
Item 4. Public Comment
No public comments were made.
Item 5. Budget Requests
No budget requests were presented.
Item 6. Hate Crime Statement
Mr. Nelson delivered an update on the recent hate crime. Mr. Nelson informed the group that North Dakota United Against Hate will be holding a rally on August 2, 2017 at 5:30 p.m at the courtyard area in front of Fargo City Hall, and they are considering setting up a Go Fund Me account to help the survivor defray medical costs.
Cultural Planner Willard Yellow Bird informed the group that the Department of Justice contacted him to get more information regarding the incident. Mr. Nelson said that the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has also been involved.
Chair Hoffman asked if advocating for Hate Crime Legislation is would be only on the state level or if it could also happen on the city level. Mr. Nelson responded by saying they are certainly advocating for state level, but it could also be considered at the city level.
Mr. Jensen asked how the fund will be set up and whom it will serve. Mr. Nelson said that perhaps the fund could be set up to serve survivors in the future, as well as the current situation.
Mr. Strand asked what policies the City of Fargo has in regard to hate crime. Mr. Nelson stated that the HRC does have a Hate Crime Response Plan. Mr. Strand suggested the HRC explore what role the City of Fargo might have in developing citywide ordinances on hate crime.
Mr. Strand asked if there is a link with the Fargo Police Department to ensure that the HRC knows about all hate crimes. Mr. Nelson stated that the Board does have a partnership with the Police Department, but needs to be more intentional about it.
Ms. Schaefle suggested that the Board consider developing an educational program for judges. She further inquired about whether or not there is a victim’s advocacy program. Mr. Nelson stated he feels as though it is pretty limited.
Mr. Sharif-Abdinasir stated that, without hate crime legislation, there is not much the local justice system can do. He further stated that there is a need for stronger advocacy for survivors.
Mr. Jensen asked if restraining orders are filed in these types of situations. Mr. Nelson stated that it is not automatic. Mr. Sharif-Abdinasir noted the restraining order is a good idea, because the survivor feels very unsafe.
Mr. Yellow Bird added that the Federal Justice Department offered to send someone as a resource to help with this process. Several HRC members agreed that would be a good idea.
Mr. Nelson suggested that the HRC, North Dakota Human Rights Coalition (NDHRC), and High Plains Fair Housing should get together and do some strategic planning on how to best serve survivors of hate crimes. Mr. Strand suggested the HRC reach out to the State’s Attorneys office to discuss how to handle crimes of bias.
Mr. Nelson made a motion to add language to the statement to affirm the three points the NDHRC made in their statement. Second by Mr.Sharif-Abdinasir. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Chair Hoffman agreed to be the HRC’s spokesperson at the Rally Against Hate.
Mr. Jensen requested that there be better communication with the entire HRC when incidents happen. Mr. Lanpher cautioned that the communications need to respect survivors’ privacy. Mr. Strand cautioned against conducting commission business via e-mail, so as not to violate open meeting laws. Mr. Jensen suggested that if people go to assist hate crime survivors, they do so in a personal capacity and not as a representative of the HRC. Mr. Lanpher pointed out that Mr. Nelson’s role in assisting the survivor of the most recent incident was through the work he is doing with the NDHRC.
Item 7. Gateways for Growth Site Visit
Community Development Assistant Kara Gloe stated that Susan Downs-Karkos from Welcoming America and Kate Brick from New American Economy will be in Fargo July 25, 2017 to help start planning for the inclusion planning process.
Item 8. MLK Committee
Ms. Gloe stated that Ms. Hellerud will be sending out an e-mail to the planning committee to schedule the first meeting. She further stated that the nomination forms have been updated and the Fargo Theatre is booked.
Mr. Lanpher noted that the most difficult nomination to find is the youth nomination and asked the HRC to start thinking about who to nominate.
Item 9. Public Concern Policy
Chair Hoffman noted that when someone in the community has a concern they would like the HRC to address, they should be referred to the public comment period at monthly meetings, unless there is a privacy concern. She also stated that in most cases it would also be appropriate to refer people to other organizations that address their needs.
Item 10. Strategic Planning
Chair Hoffman suggested that the Board schedule a strategic planning meeting outside of the monthly meeting in the fall. Mr. Lanpher requested that the Board determine the date as soon as possible.
Ms. Gloe will send out a Doodle Poll for this meeting after Welcoming Week.
Item 11. PRIDE in the Park
Ms. Gloe stated that PRIDE in the Park will be held August 12, 2017. She added set-up is at 10 a.m. and the event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The HRC’s booth will be on the north side of Island Park. She added she will send a schedule request.
Mr. Nelson asked if the Board had anything to hand out. Mr. Yellow Bird stated the Board does have brochures, but they need to be updated.
Item 12. Night to Unite
Chair Hoffman stated that Night to Unite is August 1. She further stated that historically the HRC partners with CHARISM to hold an ice cream social in McCormick Park. Ms. Gloe stated that she has contacted CHARISM to see if they want to collaborate again this year.
Mr. Strand stated he believes the situation with hate crimes is going to escalate and he thinks the HRC can play an important role in the community’s eyes. He further stated that he encourages and supports any work the HRC does in that capacity.
Mr. Strand asked if hate crime survivors can take a HRC member with them to report the crime. Mr. Lanpher said the Board does not have that capacity. He stated the HRC’s role is to refer them to the people who can advocate for them. Mr. Nelson stated that through ND United Against Hate, they have identified people who can advocate for the survivors. Ms. Hoffman stated that the HRC can be a good conduit to get folks to the right resources.
Mr. Stone asked if there are opportunities to make people more aware of the work the HRC does. He further stated that he would be willing to assist with that outreach. Mr. Lanpher suggested a good place to go would be Woodrow Wilson High School, where there is lots of opportunity for the HRC to come to New Americans. Ms. Gloe suggested that this could be a topic for strategic planning. Mr. Nelson suggested the HRC invite Ruth Buffalo to a meeting, as she is contracted through Honor the Earth to do similar education and advocacy around Native American issues. Mr. Nelson stated that anyone interested in being on the rapid response team should contact him.
Announcements
Mr. Nelson reminded the group that the All Nations Celebration is August 6, 2017. He further announced that the NDHRC would be having their fundraiser August 15, 2017 at the HoDo from 5-7 p.m.
Item 13. Adjourn
The time at adjournment was 1:10 p.m.