Human Relations Commission - August 20, 2020 Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Human Relations Commissioners of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the Sky Commons Conference Center at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, August 20, 2020.
The Human Relations Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Matuor Alier, Cheryl Schaefle, Laetitia Hellerud, Barry Nelson, Cody Severson
Absent: Abdiwali Sharif-Abdinasir, Hamida Dakane
Due to the lack of a quorum at the start of the meeting, Item 8 was presented at this time.
Item 8. Presentation: Land Development Code Diagnostic
Planning Coordinator Aaron Nelson presented an overview of the Land Development Code Diagnostic Study, providing an overview of the report, next steps, and the work plan timeline.
Members Hellerud and Schaefle present.
Mr. Nelson noted more information is available on the City of Fargo website.
Discussion was held defining what negotiated processes and best practices mean in relation to this study.
Planning and Development Director Nicole Crutchfield gave a brief example of best practices as it relates to how other cities are operating.
Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Vice Chair Severson welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.
Item 2. Approve Order of Agenda
Member Nelson moved the Order of Agenda be approved as presented. Second by Member Hellerud. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3. Approve Order of Minutes
Member Nelson moved the minutes of the July 16, 2020 Human Relations Commission meeting be approved as presented. Second by Member Hellerud. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Member Alier present.
Item 4. Public Comment – Citizens to be Heard
Fargo Board of Education President Rebeca Knutson provided an update on the August 11, 2020 School Board meeting. She noted the Board voted to immediately begin the process to examine renaming Woodrow Wilson High School, and also passed a motion directing the newly appointed Board of Education Community Engagement and Advocacy Committee to add a community engagement exercise to consider the school naming policy and process to their annual work plan.
Ms. Knutson stated there is currently not a school renaming policy. She thanked those that attended the August 11 meeting. She shared that community members can message Board Members.
Discussion was held regarding community input on the renaming process, a timeline for resolution on the issue, and feedback regarding the outcome of the August 11 meeting.
Faith Dixon, Black Lives Matter, provided an overview of the JoyFest event held July 25. She thanked the Human Relations Commission for their sponsorship.
Item 5. 2020 Human Relations Commission Budget
Vice Chair Severson noted the proposed 2020 budget is included in the packet.
Assistant Planner Karin Flom and Ms. Crutchfield stated the budget is essentially the same as 2019, and staff is requesting the Board’s approval.
Member Nelson moved to approve the 2020 budget as presented. Second by Member Schaefle.
Member Hellerud questioned video production costs for the Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) event. Ms. Flom clarified those costs were covered by the 2019 budget.
Ms. Crutchfield explained that costs for the MLK event straddle two years in the budget.
On call of the roll Members Nelson, Severson, Schaefle, Hellerud, and Alier voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Dakane and Sharif-Abdinasir. The motion was declared carried.
Member Alier absent.
Item 6. Sponsorship Request: Tudeako Group
Ms. Crutchfield noted a sponsorship request was received from the Tudeako Group.
Executive Director Gadi Edward provided an overview of the event. He thanked the Human Relations Commission for their past support of the Back to School event.
Member Hellerud moved to approved the sponsorship request in the amount of $300. Second by Member Schaefle. On call of the roll Members Nelson, Hellerud, Schaefle, and Severson voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Dakane, Alier, and Sharif-Abdinasir. The motion was declared carried.
Item 7. 2021 Human Relations Commission Budget Changes
Ms. Crutchfield provided an update to the Board on proposed 2021 budget changes to group the financials of the Native American Commission, the Arts and Culture Commission, the Human Relations Commission, and the Fargo Youth Initiative together. She stated this will streamline budget facilitation and Board support.
Ms. Crutchfield noted this will allow Boards to work more collectively and coordinate programming, to work on goals and ideas, and less on financials.
Discussion was held on how sponsorships would work, approval processes, and policy.
Member Nelson stated not wanting to lose the level of awareness and the stamp of approval the Human Relations Commission can provide to organizations.
Ms. Crutchfield stated further discussion is invited.
Item 8. Presentation: Land Development Code Diagnostic
This item was presented before Item 1.
Item 9. Old Business
a. Sponsorship Event Update
This item was discussed with Item 7.
b. 2020 Work Plan – Update on Work Groups
Ms. Flom stated that Board Members have indicated which subcommittees they would like to serve on. The next steps are for the groups to start discussion, and to move the work plan items forward through self-organization.
Item 10. Discussion: Anti-LGBTQ Language in North Dakota GOP Platform Resolution
Member Nelson stated the North Dakota GOP Platform was adopted and included Resolution 31 in which the language is un-informed and inflammatory for the LGBTQ community. He would like to see the Board have further discussion on how to respond.
Member Schaefle inquired if the Human Relations Commission could issue a statement on their own.
Ms. Crutchfield noted the Board does represent the City of Fargo as a brand and its elected officials, and it is a delicate balance. She noted dialogue is important to have and to help inform. She additionally stated that she has reached out to the Chairs of the Native American Commission, Fargo Youth Initiative, and the Arts and Culture Commission to begin work on coalition building and training between the Boards.
Member Schaefle stated the message has to get out there, and the importance of elevating the presence in the Community and the State of the Human Relations Commission.
Ms. Crutchfield stated that Board Members wear many hats, and to be clear on who they are speaking on behalf of, as many Members represent many different entities.
Item 11. Staff Update
Ms. Flom noted that the update is included in the packet. She stated the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration is approaching and encouraged Board members to begin thinking about what the event could look like.
Member Nelson stated he appreciated the update on Covenants, and he would like to see the issue on a future agenda.
Item 12. Announcements
No announcements were provided.
Item 13. Adjourn
The time at adjournment was 1:17 p.m.