Human Relations Commission - October 18, 2018 Minutes
Regular Meeting: Thursday, October 18, 2018
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Human Relations Commissioners of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the City Commission Room at City Hall at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, October 18, 2018.
The Human Relations Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Rachel Hoffman, Cheryl Schaefle, Laetitia Hellerud, Matuor Alier, Paul Jensen, Barry Nelson, David Lanpher
Absent: Abdiwali Sharif-Abdinasir, Hamida Dakane
Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Chair Nelson welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.
Item 2. Approve Order of Agenda and August 21, 2018 Minutes
Member Hoffman moved the Order of Agenda and the minutes of the August 21, 2018 Human Relations Commission meeting be approved as presented. Second by Member Lanpher. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Member Hellerud present.
Item 3. Community Trust Officers: Dave Carlson, Fargo Police Department
Officer Michael Bloom gave a presentation in place of Officer Dave Carlson, highlighting the work the Fargo Police Community Engagement Team is doing. He noted a strong focus is on youth and building relationships and connecting them into programs. Officer Bloom gave an overview of the current programs and highlighted planned future programs.
The Board held discussion on if the programs worked to develop social responsibility.
Officer Bloom shared that a main focus is to teach youth a sense of belonging and help them connect to something while developing consistency. He is open to collaboration ideas with the Board.
Item 4. Strategic Planning Updates
Chair Nelson shared that an RFP, Request for Proposals, for an outside facilitator will be sent out to assist in the strategic planning efforts of the Human Relations Commission.
Planning Coordinator Tia Braseth requested any comments on the RFP to be submitted to the Planning Department by close of business on October 19, with the intent to send out on October 22.
Discussion was held on the timeline of the process and tentative dates for the first meeting.
Item 5. Winnipeg Field Trip Update
Chair Nelson noted that a Board field trip to the Human Rights Museum was suggested at the Board orientation.
Member Hellerud shared that the group would benefit from going to the Museum and it would be a good team building activity. She noted there is a traveling exhibit on Nelson Mandela on display and would like the Commission to attend before the exhibit ends.
Ms. Braseth noted that the exhibit ends January 6.
Discussion was held on possible dates to make the trip and transportation.
Item 6. Meeting Attendance Procedures
Chair Nelson presented attendance procedures to the Board and emphasized the importance of communication.
Member Lanpher moved to approve the Human Relations Commission Attendance Procedures as presented. Second by Member Hoffman. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 7. Funding Request
Chair Nelson recused himself from voting on this item.
The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition requested $250 for the Human Rights Summit. Member Hellerud moved to approve $250 for the Human Rights Summit. Second by Member Schaefle. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 8. Budget Process Review
Planning Coordinator Tia Braseth tabled this item to the next meeting.
Item 9. ND HRC LGBTQ Summit Summary
Chair Nelson provided and overview of the Summit. He shared it was well attended and noted takeaways were to work on political organizations for policy change and to schedule the next summit.
Item 10. Staff Reports
Assistant Planner Kara Gloe noted a low number of nominations for the MLK Day awards have been received. She encouraged Board members to reach out to their contacts.
Item 11. Public Comment
No public comments were made.
Commissioner John Strand noted that Member Dakane recently became a citizen.
A reminder was given that MLK Day nominations are due October 30.
Item 12. Adjourn
The time at adjournment was 1:01 p.m.