Human Rights Commission Meeting Minutes - March 16, 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, March 16, 2023.

The Human Rights Commissioners present or absent were as follows:

Present: Matuor Alier, Carolyn Becraft, Sarah Boonstoppel, Nancy Boyle, Jacqueline Dotzenrod, Barry Nelson, Cheryl Schaefle, Sekou Sirleaf.

Absent: Hamida Dakane, Cody Severson

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. Hope Bloooms presentation, by Michael Bloom
Postponed- Presenter unable to attend.

Item 5. Rape and Abuse Crisis Center presentation, Heather Barnack.
Heather Barnack provided overview of domestic violence definition, per ND Century Code, Chapter 14-07.1, Domestic Violence. Barnack stated ND Century Code defines Domestic Violence as domestic violence which includes physical harm, bodily injury, sexual activity compelled by physical force, assault, or the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily in injury, sexual activity compelled by physical force, or assault, not committed in self-defense, on the complaining family or household members. Barnack discussed procedure on how individual can obtain Order For Protection from courts.

Item 6. Nomination Committee report.
Member Becraft provided updates on vacant vice chair seat on HRC. Nomination committee recommended Sirleaf to fill vacant vice chair seat.

Item 7. Vice Chair recommendation…………………………..Action Item
Becraft moved to nominate member Sirleaf to fill the vice chair role. Second by Member Nelson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Item 8. Recommendation to add member at-large to executive
team……Action Item.
Member Becraft stated that the nomination committee recommends member Boyle to serve as member at-large to the executive team bring the executive team to three members. Member Schaefle moved to nominate member Boyle. Second by Member Nelson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Item 9 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 10. Barry Nelson will provide a legislative update.
Member Nelson provided an overview of what has happened so far in the Legislature.

Item 11. Staff Updates
No updates to report.

Item 12. Announcements
Member Nelson stated that there is a lobby day scheduled March 21st at the Halls of the Capital for anyone concerned with the anti-trans bills. Anyone interested for the day of action can reach out to member Nelson.

Item 13. Public Comment

Christopher Coen spoke about Shane Netterville and Police policies.

Item 14. Adjourn
The time at adjournment was 12:45p.m.