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Fargo Human Rights Commission votes to pause activities until after June election
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Summary
The Fargo Human Rights Commission voted unanimously April 16 to recommend that the city commission keep the HRC chartered but suspend all HRC activities until after the June 9 mayoral election, merging two proposed options and forwarding the adjusted language to the city commission.
The Fargo Human Rights Commission voted unanimously on April 16 to recommend that the city commission retain the HRC’s charter but pause all HRC activities until after the June 9 mayoral election.
Chair Sekou Sarleev opened the meeting by reviewing five restructuring options the commission had been asked to consider after a Jan. 5 Fargo City Commission action prompted a 60-day consultation window. Dalton Erickson of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition presented a two-part proposal that would preserve core HRC functions while offering an optional expansion to institutionalize community events and provide contracted trainings and liaison support.
"My proposal is also in 2 parts," Erickson said, describing a pared-down, low-cost structure to fulfill complaint intake and community outreach and a later expansion for events and trainings if budget lines allow. When Commissioner Cody Severson asked about a cited $14,000 budget figure, Erickson said, "I don't recall who first brought up that number, but I thought that was relatively reasonable." He confirmed the proposal includes a liaison role between the commission and the Department of Labor and Human Rights.
Commissioners spent much of the meeting debating whether to (1) recommend keeping the HRC with streamlined activities, (2) request an extension to present recommendations after the election, or (3) make no formal recommendation and let the incoming city commission decide. Several members said the pending mayoral and city commission turnover made pausing activities or seeking an extension a prudent path; others said there was time to proceed but acknowledged the political reality of the transition.
Commissioner Nancy Boyle moved "that HRC options 2 and 3 be merged, that HRC would continue as is, suspending activities through the election June 9, and then meeting with the new city commission at that point to discuss recommendations." Carolyn Beecraft seconded. The commission conducted a roll-call vote and approved the motion unanimously.
The commission instructed staff to forward the adjusted language and the recommendation to the city commission. Staff clarified that, should the city commission choose to rescind the HRC charter, that process would be handled by city administration and the city attorney. Commissioners and staff thanked community partners, including Erickson and coalition partners, for their participation in the consultation process.
There were no public comments at the meeting. The chair closed the meeting pending the city commission's review of the HRC recommendation; the commission will await the city commission's decision after the election before resuming any suspended activities.
