April 20, 2023 Minutes
Human Rights Commission Meeting Minutes - April 20, 2023
The Regular Meeting of the 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, April 20, 2023.
The Human Rights Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Cody Severson, Sarah Boonstoppel, Nancy Boyle, Jacqueline Dotzenrod, Barry Nelson, Cheryl Schaefle, Sekou Sirleaf.
Absent: Hamida Dakane, Hon. Carolyn Becraft, Matuor Alier
Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Chair Severson welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.
Item 2. Approve Order of Agenda
Member Beccraft moved the Order of Agenda be approved as presented. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3. Approve Order of Minutes
Member Sirleaf moved the minutes of the January 23, 2023 Human Rights Commission meeting be approved as presented. Second by Member Schaefle. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 4. Juneteenth presentation, by Fred Edwards, Jr.
Fred Edwards Jr. educator and program curator provided overview of FM Juneteenth 4th annual event coming up on June 19, 2023
Item 5. Civil Rights & Hate Crime presentation, by US Attorney Mac Schneider
US Attorney Mac Schneider provided overview of hate crimes. Schneider touch on the history and mission of the Department of Justice (DOJ). 1870 The DOJ became official government department and enforces 14th and 15th amendments against systemic violence of the Ku Klux Klan. Mission: Uphold the rule of law. Keep our country safe. Protect civil rights. All DOJ’s nationwide conducts community outreach to combat unlawful acts of hate. Connects law enforcement with communities in order to build trust and encourage reporting of federal hate crimes.
Item 6. Committee Updates
Member Schaefle discuss with her sub-committee to engaging with community and hosting speaker sessions and panels at the public library on Human Rights subjects.
Item 7. Staff Updates
Jamie Garvey of the Fire Department provided update on Department’s currently hiring for open position. Application are open May 1st through May 21st.
Item 8. Announcements
No Anouncements
Item 9. Public Comment
Reverend Karen Van Fossan thanked the commission members for their deep concern for the LGBTGQ community and public for advocacy. Reverend Karen Van Fossan spoke about Shane Netterville.
Christopher Coen commented favoring on having the public comment at the end of HRC meetings. Christopher Coen spoke about Shane Netterville and Police policies. Christopher Coen ask the commission member to advise City Commission to as Police Dept. to look into a study on how public understand commands, specifically community with hearing disability.
Item 10. Adjourn
The time at adjournment was 12:45p.m.