Jill Schramm/MDN Joan Hawbaker speaks to an ad hoc committee regarding amendments to an ordinance to re-establish a human relations committee in City Hall Nov. 28.

A revised ordinance for creation of a human relations committee will get an airing before the Minot City Council Monday.

An appointed ad hoc committee that had been tasked with updating a 1970s ordinance is recommending changes if the council chooses to proceed with establishing a human relations committee. The ad hoc committee was split on whether a human relations committee should exist.

The human relations commission currently authorized by the ordinance has been dormant for many years. The council placed a moratorium on the ordinance and set up the ad hoc committee after a proposal to revive the commission generated considerable public controversy, much of it surrounding LGBTQ-related issues.

The ad hoc committee concluded its review with a public input meeting on Nov. 28.

“My thought from the very beginning is that it was trying to be a solution looking for the problem,” Minot resident Wendi Baggaley said at the hearing that drew a dozen members of the public. Minot is not a community experiencing hate crimes, she said, adding that when the government begins favoring groups, that becomes the problem.

Others referred to the committee as a waste of time and resources. However, resident Barb Solberg disagreed.

“I’m glad you are moving forward in giving this to the city council, and I do not believe you have wasted your time. Whenever we talk about human rights, we are talking about probably the most important thing that we have on this earth, and that’s our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” she said.

“Equity and diversity are important components of a community that seeks to be welcoming,” Anna Dykeman of Minot said. “This work is valuable and forward-moving for our community.”

“If we want quality of life, we have to do that on our own personal level. I don’t think we can govern it,” said Sheri Armbrust of Minot. “Maybe a few people can make some recommendations, but those people, if not elected, shouldn’t be making policy. The elected officials should make the policies and thereby have to answer to the voting community.”

“I do not believe this is a role of government,” added Scott Samuelson of Minot. “We need to take personal responsibility for our actions and what we expect. The government doesn’t need to get in between relations with other people.”

The proposed revisions to the ordinance would establish an advisory committee to the city council to “promote education, support diversity and quality of life for all residents.” It would be responsible for “promoting communications between all parties, leading to equal opportunity and treatment for all persons.”

Objectives are listed as providing leadership in civil and human relations, promoting respect for all people and making recommendations to the city council when issues of concern are identified.

The nine-member human relations committee would be appointed by the mayor, with confirmation by the council, with members serving three-year terms. One member must be a city council member, who would serve as chair. The city manager or designee would serve in an advisory capacity.

Gone would be language regarding handling grievances of individuals, groups or organizations.

Any changes to the original ordinance by the council will require two readings for final passage.

The city council meets Monday at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall’s first-floor council chambers.