Photo Credit: HealthPartners / Dr. Nathan Chomilo
(MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA) – What started smoothly with the approval of several honorary resolutions at the August 13 regular meeting of the Minneapolis City Council quickly grew heated when it came time to discuss the appointment of Dr. Nathan Chomilo to the Minnesota Ballpark Authority.
The primary concern was that Council President Elliot Payne decided unilaterally to reach out to his community to find a suitable nominee. Several council members, including LaTrisha Vetaw and Pearll Warren, felt there was no real process for choosing the nominee and that Dr. Chomilo’s background wasn’t particularly suited to a position on the Ballpark Committee.
“I had no idea that his [Justin Baylor’s] appointment was even being looked at as a person to be taken off the Ballpark Authority,” Vetaw said, “so it became a red flag to me from the Minneapolis NAACP. I had concerns about the folks... on the Ballpark Commission and him being the only person of color. So, I do appreciate you finding this doctor to serve, [but] I wish there would have been a process.”
Photo Credit: City of Minneapolis / Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw
Vetaw went on to note that Dr. Chomilo has never served on a board or commission, reiterating that his work with Hennepin County Medical Center (a key focus for Payne) was essentially irrelevant to the position. Stating in part, “...it has nothing to do with the Ballpark Commission or why someone would be appointed to the commission.”
Vetaw then brought up an earlier conversation with council member Jamal Osman about a possible delay in the appointment, to allow the entire council to be involved in the selection process. Warren echoed her concerns.
“I ditto the comments of my colleague. I think it’s admirable that you did reach out to your community; I think it’s admirable that Nathan Chomilo is a person of color, of ethnicity; I appreciate his resume,” Warren said, “ (but) there’s a lot of emphasis being placed on the medical background, which we did learn has absolutely nothing to do…with the Ballpark Authority.”
Council Member Warren moved to delay the appointment, believing it would be more equitable if all council members were allowed to identify individuals in their communities and wards who would be a good candidate for the position.
The motion to postpone the appointment to allow for a more open process ended in a tie, and the vote for appointment was upheld. Dr. Chomilo was appointed 6-4 to the Minnesota Ballpark Authority, effectively replacing Justin Baylor.
To add to or correct any information in this report, please contact me at kristin.h@lead4earth.org.
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