April 18, 2024 Minutes
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MINUTES
Regular Meeting: Thursday, April 18, 2024
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 18, 2024.
The Human Rights Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Cody Severson, Kristen Nelson, Zoe Absy,, Nancy Boyle, Xavier Welty, Sekou Sirleaf, Cheryl Schaefle, Ritchell Aboah, Carolyn Becraft
Absent: Aaron Kawreh, Tambah Saah,
Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Chair Cody Severson welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.
Item 2. Approve Order of Agenda
Member Boyle, moved the Order of Agenda to be approved. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3. Approve Order of Minutes
Member Boyle moved the Order of March Minutes be approved as presented, second by member Aboah. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 4. Creating Community Consulting presentation, by Megan Jenson
Megan Jenson of Creating Community Consulting provided an overview of the programming Creating Community Consulting does in Cass & Clay counties. Creating Community Consulting contributes to community wellbeing through listening, learning, growing, and supporting the voices, ideas, and solutions of people from historically under-engaged and the impacted communities. Ms. Jenson stated, “In order to do this successfully, we know that the shifting of power and equitable leveraging of resources must be at the core of our work”.
Item 5. Discussions, Cease-Fire Resolution
Members of the commission discussed the outcome of the resolution, noting that it was not approved by Board of City Commission. Chair Severson encouraged members to reach out to City Commissioner to share their concerns. Member Aboah shared that she will continue to be an advocate for Human Rights. HRC Liaison Commissioner Strand, HRC members Schaefle, Nelson and Aboah knowledge the voices of the people and the advocacy in the community.
Item 6. Informal Discussion on Police Profiling
Chair Severson shared that there are meetings being coordinated to discuss reports related to police profiling. All members shared their concerns over the Police Profiling incidents.
Item 7. Juneteenth, presentation, by Fred Edwards
Fred Edwards was unable to attend. Chair Severson provided a brief announcement of the upcoming Juneteenth event in June.
Item 8. Staff Updates
Staff Liaison Shiil provided updates City-wide DEI training. Shiil extended the training invite to the members of the commission.
Item 9. Announcements/ Committee Updates
Vice Chair Sirleaf shared a community event for New American Seniors. Event will be April 28, 2024.
Chair Severson recognized former HRC member Dakane and present Dakane with a service appreciation plaque.
Item 10. Public Comment
Community member prairie Johnson commented on the Cease fire resolution. Johnson thanked the commission members for their support.
Item 11. Adjourn- 12:50pm