FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – The Fargo City Commission postponed a vote Monday on dissolving three volunteer boards, giving the Human Rights Commission, Arts and Culture Commission, and Native American Commission two months to develop new plans or face disbandment.
The commission originally planned to vote on a recommendation to dissolve the three boards but amended the proposal during Monday’s meeting. The delay gives the volunteer commissions time to present new operational plans.
The city commission will either disband the commissions or approve new plans for them within the next two months
The proposal was added to the agenda after the Fargo Human Rights Commission made headlines in December. During a Dec. 30 press conference, Commission Chair Sekou Sirleaf called local leaders “cowards” for not attending and said they were refusing to stand with Somali residents.
City Commissioner Dave Piepkorn and City Commissioner Michelle Turnberg supported dissolving the commissions and voted against the amendment to delay the decision. Mayor Tim Mahoney, Deputy Mayor Denise Kolpack and City Commissioner John Strand voted for the amendment.
“I was surprised to see the way this was introduced. One of the things that I really found troubling was with respect Mayor the fact that the commissioners who are a part of these three boards were not talked to ahead of time about the release of this proposal,” Kolpack said.
Turnberg said the proposal addresses efficiency concerns.
“The city commission has laid out a clear path of inefficiency among some of our various unelected officials. This is about accountability, efficiency, and respect for our tax payer dollars,” Turnberg said.
Strand, who supported the delay, cited his background in arts and human rights advocacy.
“My whole world is art, my background is art. The Human Rights commission that why I’m here because I’m a human rights activist,” Strand said.
The city commission will revisit the issue within the next two months.
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