The first order of business for a revived human relations committee will be considering ordinance amendments to guide its operations.

After hearing again from several members of the public, the Minot City Council on Monday voted to re-establish a dormant human relations committee under the original ordinance that existed years ago. Council members Carrie Evans, who had asked to have the committee revived, and Lisa Olson will co-chair the committee, which will consist of seven additional members appointed by the council.

At the start of the meeting, Evans moved the ordinance that had been approved on first reading in April. The ordinance included revisions such as a list of categories of individuals for whom discrimination should be discouraged. The ordinance drew significant opposition, particularly related to the inclusion of the LGBTQ+ category.

That motion failed, as did an alternate motion from council member Mark Jantzer that would have removed some of the controversial language, focusing instead on promoting communication that leads to equal opportunity and treatment for all.

“I think there should be a safe place for voices to be heard,” Jantzer said.

Evans said Jantzer’s motion serves as a clear message that the community is unwilling to acknowledge diversity.

“We are unwilling to provide the forum or committee that educates and promotes respect for diversity. We are unwilling to recognize that 2023 Minot is different than it was in 1976. Some have attempted to rationalize their lack of support for an updated committee, but willful ignorance and intolerance does not have nuances,” Evans said. “This committee cannot make all of this better, or even change hearts and minds. But it can provide the forum for recognizing the realities for people different from us and foster a dialogue and help advise city council on how we can work to ensure Minot is a city for everyone.”

Residents who objected to the ordinance called it a slippery slope, a route for immorality, an infringement on rights and a waste of taxpayer time and money. Advocates for the ordinance urged the council to avoid making the community appear backward and unwelcoming. One individual supported tabling the issue again to appoint a committee to look at it. Arguments were similar to those made at previous meetings at which the council postponed decisions.

Council member Paul Pitner described the actions and reactions since the ordinance was proposed for reinstatement as a “gong show.”

“How embarrassing of a community can we be that this is what brings us out and this is how we handle issues?” Pitner said. “Let’s come together and let’s be curious and not judgmental. I’m just really embarrassed. Really, really embarrassed.”

He proposed a human relations committee led by Evans and Olson to consider changes to the ordinance.

“We’re not at the constructive conversation point yet. We’re at the destructive conversation point,” Pitner said. “We need to put our differences aside and talk face to face.”

Evans’ motion had received support from council member Scott Burlingame, and Jantzer’s motion received support from Stephan Podrygula. In the end, Pitner’s proposal received unanimous approval.

“It’s not exactly what I wanted, but it does say the human relations commission does exist in 2023 in Minot. It says that we’re trying to get better and I think there’s a huge amount of value in that,” Burlingame said.

“This doesn’t represent what I would have wished for, but I think it’s the best that’s achievable under the circumstances. It’s a reasonable compromise,” Podrygula said. “To me, the priority is to get us talking.”

“Good enough and compromise” shouldn’t be what marginalized people must deal with, Evans responded. Podrygula replied this is the best that can be accomplished in the current political reality of the community at this time.

Olson said the committee will move forward in collaboration, in which every voice is heard, and not a compromise, in which someone must give up something.