Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes - February 18, 2021
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Human Relations Commissioners of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held virtually in the Commission Chambers at City Hall at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, March 18, 2021.
The Human Relations Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Matuor Alier, Laetitia Hellerud, Barry Nelson, Cody Severson, Ahmed Shiil, Carolyn Becraft, Abdiwali Sharif-Abdinasir, Cheryl Schaefle,
Absent: Hamida Dakane
Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Chair Alier welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.
Item 2. Approve Order of Agenda
Member Becraft moved the Order of Agenda be approved as presented. Second by Member Schaefle. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3. Approve Order of Minutes
Member Becraft moved the minutes of the January 21, 2021 Human Relations Commission meeting be approved as presented. Second by Member Shiil. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 4. Public Comment
No public comment was provided.
Item 5. Meeting Frequency and Structure Recommendation
Chair Alier introduced the item and shared the Executive Committee recommendation of Option 2 previously presented to the Board at the November 2020 meeting.
Assistant Planner Karin Flom provided a background and stated if approved, the new meeting structure would begin in April 2021.
Member Hellerud present.
Member Becraft moved to approve to Executive Committee’s recommendation to adjust the Human Relations Commission monthly meeting structure as outlined in the packet. Second Member Hellerud. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 6. Liaison Position Vision Statement Recommendation
Ms. Flom provided an overview of the topic and noted the Executive Committee has recommended approval of the Liaison Vision statement as included in the packet.
Member Nelson moved to approve the Executive Committee’s recommendation to adopt the Liaison Vision Statement as included in the packet. Second by Member Shiil. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 7. Staff Presentation: Carrying Out the Work Plan
Planning and Development Director Nicole Crutchfield presented an overview of work plan implementation, the three goals of the work groups, and the Planning Department functions. She highlighted the path to move new ideas and projects forward.
Item 8. 2021 Budget Memo Discussion
Ms. Crutchfield shared an update on the 2021 budget process changes and noted the importance of being strategic with what the Human Relations Commission wants to accomplish. She stated the importance of integrating work and being transparent in processes.
Item 9. Legislative Update
Member Nelson shared updates on Legislative measures of interest.
Item 10. HRC Work Groups Reports
No new work group updates were provided.
Member Sharif-Abdinasir present.
Item 11. Police Liaison Update
Lieutenant George Vinson stated that Fargo Police Department staff have been given a refresher training on bias crime reporting.
Lt. Vinson shared a story of a Fargo Police Department Officer who went above and beyond the call of duty to provide vehicle and housing assistance to an individual during the recent cold snap.
Discussion was held on a Citizen’s Police Academy.
Item 12. Planning Staff Report
Ms. Flom stated the staff report is included in the packet and provided an updated on Item 4 regarding the status of the City of Fargo Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion position.
Item 13. Announcements
No announcements were given.
Follow-up discussion from the November 2020 Human Relations Commission meeting was held regarding the Fargo Fire Department new firefighter application period.
City Commission Liaison John Strand noted concern over the impact of Lutheran Social Services closure.
Item 14. Adjourn
The time at adjournment was 1:08 p.m.