May 16, 2024 Minutes
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MINUTES
Regular Meeting: Thursday, May 16, 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, May 16, 2024.
The Human Rights Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Cody Severson, Kristen Nelson, Tambah Saah, Nancy Boyle, Xavier Welty
Absent: Aaron Kawreh, Ritchell Aboah, Zoe Absy, Cheryl Schaefle, Carolyn Becraft, Xavier Welty, Sekou Sirleaf
Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Chair Severson welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.
Item 2. Approve Order of Agenda
Chair Severson stated, due to lack of quorum, no actions will be made.
Item 3. Approve Order of Minutes
Chair Severson stated, due to lack of quorum, no actions will be made.
Item 4. League of Women Voters, presentation, by Carol Sawicki.
Sawicki discussed the history of the League of Women Voters. Sawicki presented on steps and qualifications to vote in North Dakota and dates to vote.
Item 5. Approval voting presentation, by Jed Limke.
Limke presented on approval voting, which was passed in Fargo 2018. Limke stated that prior to approval voting 4 out of 5 voters did not vote for a winner in the 2015 election and 2016, 7 out of 10 did not vote for the winner. City of Fargo form a task force to study changing the voting system. After exploring several voting systems, members of the election task force recommended that the City Commission adopt approval voting. After gathering signatures to place a measure on the ballot, approval voting passed with 64% in favor. Limke also discussed the benefit of approval voting, which encourages voters to vote for as many as they approve.
Item 6. Staff Updates
No Staff updates.
Item 7. Announcements/ Committee Updates
No Announcement.
Item 8. Public Comment
Community member Schuler spoke of needed awareness for graduating students and the rights of indigenous students to add their traditional tribal regalia to their cap & gown. Schuler also shared the resource available on ACLU website.
Item 9. Adjourn- 12:45pm