Human Relations Commission - March 21, 2019 Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Human Relations Commissioners of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the Commission Chambers at City Hall at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, March 21, 2019.
The Human Relations Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Abdiwali Sharif-Abdinasir, Cheryl Schaefle, Laetitia Hellerud, Matuor Alier, Barry Nelson
Absent: Hamida Dakane, David Lanpher, Rachel Hoffman, Paul Jensen
Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Chair Nelson welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.
Items 4 and 5 were heard before Items 2 and 3 due to lack of a quorum present.
Item 2. Approve Order of Agenda
Member Alier moved the Order of Agenda be approved as presented. Second by Member Sharif-Abdinasir. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3. Approve Minutes
Member Sharif-Abdinasir moved the minutes of the February 21, 2019 Human Relations Commission meeting be approved as presented. Second by Member Hellerud. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 4. Building Bridges Presentation: Sean Coffman
Sean Coffman, Lutheran Social Services, provided an overview of the Building Bridges Conference being held at the Fargo Holiday Inn, April 9-10, 2019. He share that this conference is a celebration of diversity and will include national and local speakers, and a film screening. Mr. Coffman noted registration is open on the Lutheran Social Services website, and the formal program for the conference will be released next week.
Item 5. Public Comment – Citizens to be heard
No public comment was provided.
Member Hellerud present.
Item 6. Addictions Committee Note of Update
Member Schaefle provided a brief overview of the addictions subcommittee’s first meeting. She noted discussion is in the beginning stages and a second meeting is scheduled for March 22.
Item 7. Strategic Planning
a. Approve Vision Statement
Assistant Planner Kara Gloe presented the working versions of the Vision Statement for the Human Relations Commission as included in the packet. She noted that staff is recommending version 5 for approval.
The Board discussed the evolvement of the statement.
Member Schaefle moved to approve version 5 of the Vision Statement as outlined in the packet. Second by Member Sharif-Abdinasir. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
b. Work Plan Framework
Ms. Gloe provided an overview of the draft work plan model.
c. Next Steps
Ms. Gloe reviewed the meeting notes from the two strategic planning sessions held with Reach Partners. She noted that staff is recommending hiring Reach Partners for a third session to define the Human Relations Commission Goals.
The Board discussed the cost, meeting structure, and importance of bringing all the information together.
Action on this item was tabled until after the Item 8 Budget presentation.
Item 8. Budget
Planning Coordinator Tia Braseth presented the categories of the Human Relations Commission 2019 budget. She noted that Board approval is needed on the categories, not the amounts.
The Board discussed the proposed categories, presented ideas for additional categories, and the possible dollar amounts for each category.
Member Schaefle moved to approve the budget categories as presented with the addition of a Marketing/Outreach category. Second by Member Alier. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Ms. Braseth noted that the dollar amounts would be reviewed at an upcoming Executive Committee meeting.
The Board continued discussion on Item 7c.
Ms. Gloe stated that an additional planning session with Reach Partners would cost approximately $3,000, noting the previous two sessions were around $6,000 total. She noted these funds would be out of the 2019 budget.
Discussion was held regarding making adjustments to accommodate an additional meeting in the budget, the importance of being strategic with funding and planning, sources for additional Board funding, and alternative strategic planning options.
Member Schaefle moved to approve hiring Reach Partners for an additional strategic planning session and tasking the Human Relations Commission Executive Committee to research additional funding sources for the 2019 budget. Second by Member Hellerud. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 9. Building Bridges Attendance
The Board discussed interest in attending the event. Ms. Gloe noted that the approved amount of $500 from the February 2019 Human Relations Commission meeting would cover two event registrations.
Members Hellerud and Sharif-Abdinasir were selected to attend the event.
Item 10. Attendance Policy
Chair Nelson reviewed the attendance policy and emphasized the importance of timely responses to ensure meeting quorum is obtained.
Item 11. Other Business
No other business was addressed.
Item 12. Staff Reports
No staff reports were provided.
Item 13. Public Comment – Continue if needed
Member Sharif-Abdinasir inquired about the projected flood and information on how the Human Relations Commission could assist. Ms. Braseth stated that planning just started this week, and is in the early stages. She noted that Sandbag Central will be opening on Tuesday, March 26, volunteer information is available on the City website, and volunteers are greatly appreciated.
City Commissioner John Strand inquired about Member Hellerud’s recent trip to Burundi. Member Hellerud shared her trip went well, she is hopeful for Burundi, experienced safer travel than past visits, and she was encourage by her interactions. She noted that the poverty level is extreme, but that many people are doing good work.
Chair Nelson noted that the City Commission will be meeting on March 25 and will hear an agenda item to support an opposing position on House Concurrent Resolution 3037.
Item 14. Adjourn
The time at adjournment was 1:06 p.m.