Human Rights Commission Working Session - March 11, 2026

A Working Session Meeting of the Human Rights Commission of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the Meadowlark Room at City Hall at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, March 11, 2026.

The Human Rights Commissioners present or absent were as follows:

Present: Sekou Sirleaf, Cody Severson, Nancy Boyle, Carolyn Becraft, Ritchell Aboah (virtual).

Absent: Tambah Saah, Xavier Welty, Aaron Kawreh, Kristin Nelson.

Other attendees: Brenda Derrig, Assistant City Administrator, Alyssa Farrell Czapinski, Assistant City Attorney, John Strand, City Commissioner.

Item 1. Welcome and introductions.

Item 2. Community Based Board Structure Discussion:
o The chair addressed concerns regarding a last-minute email update. They clarified that the email was intended to provide a comprehensive roadmap, detailing consultations with the Mayor and City Commissioners, so members wouldn't feel blindsided and would have a framework to vote on.
o The Commission successfully appealed for a 60-day extension from the City granted the previous Monday. This was seen as a major win, as some City officials originally wanted the process wrapped up within two weeks.
o The roadmap includes significant changes to the HRC, most notably reducing staff/Commission strength from roughly 11–12 members down to 5; Increasing community presence through quarterly meetings and reports; and shifting the focus toward listening, educating, advising and advocating within the community.
o There was a firm stance on maintaining the Commission's existence based on its founding Ordinance. Members expressed that they do not want to diminish the scope of human rights, especially during an election cycle.

Item 4. Next Steps:
o The group decided to use their regularly scheduled meeting the following Thursday as another public working session to continue refining the proposal, with the goal of having a final framework ready for a vote by April.