Human Rights Commission Meeting Minutes - June 16, 2022
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Human Rights Commission of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the Commission Chambers at City Hall at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, June 16, 2022.
The Human Rights Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Cheryl Schaefle, Matuor Alier, Barry Nelson, Hamida Dakane, Cody Severson, Ahmed Shiil, Carolyn Becraft, Jed Locquiao, Nancy Boyle (via telephone), Sarah Boonstoppel.
Absent: 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 Schaefle. 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 19, 2022 Human Rights Commission meeting be approved as presented. Second by Member Becraft. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 4. Public Comment
No public comment was provided.
Item 5. Update from North Dakota Labor Commissioner Erica Thunder
North Dakota Labor Commissioner Erica Thunder said she has been in her position since June 3, 2019 and spoke about her role and the role of the State in labor claims. She said they are a small agency, but serve a large role in the State being the enforcer of the ND Department of Labors and Human Rights laws under ND Century Code and responsible for educating the public about these laws.
Item 6. Update from the Communications & Governmental Affairs Department
Director of Communications and Public Affairs Gregg Schildberger, Public Information Officer Katie Ettish and Community Engagement Manager Anders Johnson spoke about their roles and the tasks they are responsible for within the City.
Item 7. Update on the Moorhead Human Rights Commission Meeting
Member Schaefle said she attended the Moorhead Human Rights Commission meeting last night and said their meetings run much like the City of Fargo’s Human Rights Commission meetings. She said she spoke with their Chair and they are receptive to working and collaborating together.
Item 8. Announcements
Member Becraft said she was on the Nominating Committee to select a new Chair and Vice Chair and her recommendation is to nominate Cody Severson as Chair and Ahmed Shiil as Vice Chair of the Human Rights Commission.
Member Nelson moved to nominate Cody Severson as Chair and Ahmed Shiil as Vice Chair of the Human Rights Commission. Second by Dakane. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Member Alier said the July meeting will be cancelled due to several members of the Commission being absent.
Facilities Director Bekki Majerus gave an update on the ADA accessibility to the City Commission Chambers and departmental doors.
Item 9. Staff Updates
Sergeant Cristie Jacobsen said she wanted to remind everyone that the Police Department will be facilitating the booth at the Juneteenth event being hosted by Faith4Hope.
Item 10. Adjourn
The time at adjournment was 1:16 p.m.