Human Rights Commission granted permission to suspend meetings until after June election

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Fargo’s Human Rights Commission is still uncertain what path to take next after the city voted in January for it to conclude its activities.

City staff wanted Human Rights, Arts and Culture and Native American Commissions to conclude to reduce costs and the amount of staff time required.

Both Arts and Culture and Native American commissions have transitioned into community based models.

Human Rights has been given two extensions and now want to suspend all meetings until after the June election.

“They had more time, now they want more time and basically they don’t intend to do anything. They plan to keep on going, so,” said Fargo City Commissioner Dave Piepkorn.

Human Rights Commission Chair Sekou Sirleaf is a candidate for mayor along with three sitting city commissioners including Piepkorn.

The commission voted 3-2 to allow it to suspend its meetings until at least June, with Piepkorn and Michelle Turnburg voting “no”.