Fargo City Commission Opts to Keep Three Volunteer Commissions

By a three-to-two vote, the commissioners decided to give the Arts & Culture, Native American, and Human Rights commissions two months to come up with reconfiguration proposals.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The Native American, Arts & Culture, and Human Rights commissions made it through the evening, but they’re not out of the woods just yet.

Even just the decision to keep those commissions alive for a little while longer was certainly a contentious one.

Commissioner Michelle Turnberg was one person not pleased by her colleagues’ conclusion, as they ultimately chose to give the three commissions in question two more months to come up with plans to improve their efficiency or face dissolution.

“City governments are not charities. City governments are not niche interest funders,” she said.

The original item on the commission agenda was whether or not to disband those boards – but after many of their volunteer leaders made impassioned speeches during the public comment portion, Commissioner Denise Kolpack moved to amend said item.

Commissioners Turnberg and Piepkorn voiced their disapproval.

“We have way too many committees,” said Piepkorn.

They were ultimately outvoted by a count of 3 to 2.

Questions still remain regarding what changes these commissions could make, as Mayor Mahoney expressed apprehension about the way they do business at present.

For now, though, thanks to fiery defenses from the likes of Commissioner John Strand, the three on the chopping block live to see another day.

Mayor Mahoney also began his remarks for the evening by issuing a rebuke of Human Rights Commission Chair Sekou Sirleaf, who had publicly called Mahoney a “coward”.

Mahoney called the remarks “unacceptable” as part of his statement.