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Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes - March 18, 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, 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

Absent: Cheryl Schaefle, Abdiwali Sharif-Abdinasir, 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 Nelson moved the Order of Agenda be approved as presented. Second by Member Severson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Item 3. Approve Minutes
Member Nelson moved the minutes of the February 18, 2021 Human Relations Commission meeting be approved as presented. Second by Member Severson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Item 4. Public Comment
Resident Faith Dixon spoke regarding accountability with the liquor control board, and establishing more penalties, rules, and guidelines regarding underage drinking.

Member Becraft present.

Item 5. Anti-Bias Ordinance
City Commissioner Arlette Preston presented a proposed anti-bias ordinance.

Chair Alier read a statement concerning the recent events in Atlanta, Georgia.

Discussion was held on the process of creating an ordinance.

The following residents spoke in favor of an Anti-Bias Ordinance:

Barbara Dunn
Vanessa Clarke
Wess Philome
Cani Aden
Shamsa Isaak

The Board discussed the importance of having this type of ordinance, expansion of training and reporting, and having clarity in the language of the ordinance.

Ms. Preston noted the language of the ordinance would need to be shaped and presented to the City Commission for approval.

Member Severson moved to support the Anti-Bias Ordinance presented by Commissioner Preston and recommend its approval to the Fargo City Commission. Second by Member Becraft. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Item 6. Executive Committee Nominating Committee
Chair Alier provided an overview of the Human Relation Commission by-laws regarding the terms of the Chair and Vice-Chair, and noted Member Becraft has volunteered to serve on the nominating committee.

Member Nelson expressed interest to also serve on the nominating committee.

Member Hellerud moved to appoint Members Becraft and Nelson to serve on the nominating committee for the Human Relation Committee Executive Committee. Second by Member Severson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Item 7. Police Liaison Update
Lt. George Vinson shared that the Fargo Police Department recently held a refresher training on bias crimes and how to identify and report them. He encouraged residents to report any type of incident that may be a hate or bias crime.

Lt. Vinson also provided an update on the Fargo Police Department’s development of their Mission, Vision, and Values and shared a brief video of the final product.

Lt. Bill Ahlfeldt was introduced as the new liaison to the Human Relations Commission from the Fargo Police Department.

Item 8. Legislative Update
Member Nelson provided an update on recent legislation and encouraged residents to contact their senators and representatives.

Item 9. HRC Work Group Reports
No work group updates were presented.

Item 10. Planning Staff Report
Chair Alier noted the staff report is included in the packet.

Assistant Planner Karin Flom highlighted that staff is planning for an in-person Human Relations Commission meeting in the month of April.

Item 11. Announcements
Member Becraft acknowledged Members Dakane and Hellerud for both being nominated for the YWCA Women of the Year award.

Item 12. Adjourn
The time at adjournment was 1:12 p.m.