Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes - June 17, 2021
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, June 17, 2021.
The Human Relations Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Matuor Alier, Barry Nelson, Hamida Dakane, Cody Severson, Ahmed Shiil, Carolyn Becraft, Laetitia Hellerud
Absent: Cheryl Schaefle, Abdiwali Sharif-Abdinasir
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 Nelson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3. Approve Order of Minutes
Member Nelson moved the minutes of the May 20, 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
Faith Dixon and Victoria Johnson addressed the Commission Members sharing concerns regarding reappointment of Members and wanting to see new faces and perspective represented, Member term limits, and changing the meeting time to accommodate public attendance.
Member Hellerud present.
Ms. Dixon also shared that Saturday, June 19, there will be a Juneteenth Celebration held at Lindenwood Park from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Item 5. Executive Committee Elections
Member Schaefle moved Member Alier be elected as Chair of the Human Relations Commission. Second by Member Nelson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Member Becraft moved Member Severson be elected as Vice Chair of the Human Relations Commission. Second by Member Shill. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 6. Approve Bylaws
Chair Alier noted the bylaws are included in the packet for Board Members review.
Member Nelson inquired about the expansion of the number of Board Members on the Human Relations Commission.
Planning and Development Director Nicole Crutchfield stated the ordinance was approved, and work is being done to see where the representation gaps are on the Board. She provided a background on the Board application process.
Member Becraft moved to approve the bylaws as presented. Second by Member Severson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 7. Subcommittee Reports
Member Becraft spoke on behalf of Work Group #1. She noted a survey has been developed for distribution to organizations in the community to obtain input to see what the issues are, and how organizations are working through them.
Member Shiil moved to support City of Fargo staff and Work Group #1, to administrate a survey similar to the one included in the packet. Second by Member Dakane. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Member Nelson acknowledged that this survey would coincide with the work of the Fargo Youth Initiative, presented at the May Human Relations Commission meeting.
Work Group #2 did not provide any updates.
Member Nelson spoke on behalf of Work Group #3 and noted they have two recommended action items.
Member Nelson moved to focus on internal assessment within the City of Fargo as an organization before focusing on external community needs and strategies. Second by Member Becraft. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Discussion was held on if the assessment means have been determined, and if the assessment would be looking at hiring practices.
Member Nelson moved to support Faith4Hope’s Juneteenth event and Pride in the Park in 2021, as part of the City of Fargo’s goals for promoting inclusion and community relations. Second by Member Becraft. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 8. Announcements
No announcements were provided.
Item 9. Staff Updates
Assistant Planner Catlyn Christie stated the Juneteenth celebration will be held on Saturday, and all Board Members are welcome to help staff the booth throughout the day.
Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibolski provided an update on traffic stop demographic data.
Discussion was held on procedures to collect data, and continuing the transparency of sharing this information. Board Members thanked the Chief for the update and noted the information is a good starting place.
Member Nelson provided an update on the Bias Hate Crimes Ordinances and noted the final hearing at the City Commission will be June 28.
Chair Alier shared that ESHARA will be hosting an event for World Refugees Day on June 25 at Rheault Farm.
Member Shiil shared there will be a FM Welcome event on July 23 hosted by the EDC.
Item 10. Adjourn
The time at adjournment was 12:40 p.m.