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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Bismarck Board of Health and City Commission Meetings - August 12, 2025

City Commission — Tuesday, August 12, 2025

BodyBismarck, North Dakota

SessionCity Commission

DateTuesday, August 12, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 52:20

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:06

We're in the Tom Baker room of the City County Building.

0:09

It's August 12th at about 5:15.

0:12

We have two meetings tonight.

0:14

The first will be the Board of Health, and then the second will be the Board of City Commissioners.

0:18

However, before we get started, we would like to if Chaplain Callis could come forward and lead us an invitation and Pledge of Allegiance, please.

0:29

As you're able, please stand for our opening prayer and remain standing for the pledge on behalf of Crisis Care Chaplaincy.

0:38

Thank you for the opportunity to open this meeting in prayer.

0:41

Let's pray.

0:43

Heavenly Father, thank you for this day for this beautiful evening.

0:48

Thank you for your creation for the enjoyment we experience with the change of seasons, the warm summer weather.

0:55

Thank you as our state's farmers begin the harvest season for the promise of a good harvest.

1:01

And at the same time, be with those who deal with disappointments due to recent summer storms.

1:07

Be with others among us that experience health issues.

1:10

I think of several chaplains and family members among us that wait for your healing hand.

1:16

Please give them your strength and comfort.

1:18

Thank you for the privilege of living in this city of Bismarck as well as in this state.

1:23

Thank you for the many blessings and opportunities that this local community offers for our families and each of us who live here.

1:31

I pray today for those who are in the offices that govern this community.

1:36

I ask that your spirit guide as they make decisions.

1:40

Thank you for the freedom citizens have to speak up and be heard.

1:45

For in discussion and diversity comes strength in our community.

1:49

I pray for Mayor Schmidt's and those who work in that office.

1:53

I pray for each commissioner as well and other elected officials and city workers and ask that each one would be but be blessed by you as they carry out their responsibilities.

2:05

I also pray for our first responders, those who put themselves in harm's way to protect the citizens of this community, our police, another law enforcement, firefighters, EMS workers, dispatch, health care workers, and others.

2:20

Please protect them in their line of duty so that they might continue to protect those of us who have placed our trust in them.

2:28

So God, we ask for your guidance and everything said and done this evening.

2:32

I'm so thankful for each and every one of the blessings you give us.

2:36

In Jesus' name we pray.

2:38

Amen.

2:39

Say the pledge together.

2:42

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

2:57

Thank you, sir.

3:00

If we can call the Board of Health to order, call roll, please.

3:04

Commissioner Rish.

3:05

Here.

3:06

Commissioner Zenker.

3:07

Here.

3:07

Commissioner Connolly?

3:08

Here.

3:09

Commissioner Cleary.

3:10

Here.

3:10

Mayor Schmidt.

3:11

Here.

3:12

And even though it's not published, and I'm not sure that there will be any.

3:15

I am going to offer public comment for the Board of Health, as I believe we should be having that at all of our meetings.

3:23

So if there's anybody who wishes to speak regarding public health and the update, please come forward.

3:32

A second call for public comment.

3:37

A third and final call.

3:40

Seeing no one and hearing no one, I'll close the public comment period.

3:44

Renee.

3:45

Sorry to delay you, but I just want to make sure we are in a proper accord with the law.

3:50

Absolutely.

3:51

Thank you.

3:52

Um Mayor Schmidt.

3:53

As a Board of Health, I am asking for a review.

3:57

I have a presentation tonight of our strategic plan that we've been working on.

4:01

This will be the plan for the next three years.

4:04

And that's the only item I have on the agenda unless you have any other questions following that.

4:09

So I will get started.

4:10

I think Whitney, you put my presentation up here for me.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural███████████████████████23%

Parks And Recreation█████████████████17%

Fiscal Sustainability███████████████15%

Public Safety██████████████14%

Public Health██████████10%

Public Engagement████████8%

Public-Private Partnerships███████7%

Environmental Protection███3%

Water And Wastewater Management███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Bismarck Board of Health and City Commission Meetings - August 12, 2025

The Bismarck Board of Health and Board of City Commissioners convened consecutively on August 12, 2025, at 5:15 PM in the Tom Baker room of the City County Building. The Board of Health meeting focused on approving a three-year strategic plan for public health. The City Commission meeting covered a proclamation, multiple ordinance updates, liquor license allocation, fall leaf collection, audit acceptance, and a sewer backup incident discussion, concluding with an executive session.

Board of Health - Strategic Plan Approval

The Board of Health reviewed and unanimously approved a strategic plan for the next three years, developed from the community health needs assessment and improvement plan approved in March 2025. Priority areas include behavioral health, healthy living, access to healthcare, and preparedness and public safety.

Proclamation

Mayor Schmidt proclaimed August 14, 2025 as the 90th anniversary of Social Security in Bismarck.

Public Comments & Testimony

City Commission: Two speakers addressed concerns about potential restrictions on special event liquor permits, arguing they would severely impact their businesses (catering and venue operations). Both urged the commission to consider the economic impact and expressed opposition to limiting off-site permit numbers. Commissioners responded that a related ordinance (6623) currently under review addresses the issue positively.

Discussion Items

Ordinance 6632 (Pension Plans): Public hearing on amendments to city employee and police pension plans required under Department of Labor law. No public comment; approved unanimously after clarification that no benefit changes were involved.
Ordinance 6633 (Obstructing Law Enforcement): Public hearing on adding failure to identify during traffic stops as obstruction. Some commissioners raised concerns about potential Fifth Amendment conflicts, but after city attorney explanation that existing state law requires identification, the commission approved unanimously.
Ordinance 6630 (Traffic Violations): Public hearing on amendments aligning city codes with 2025 legislative session changes regarding careless driving, speeding, construction zones, and driving under suspension. Approved unanimously.
Class D Liquor License Release: Administration reported 26 active licenses out of 31 allowed by population (77,772). With seven entities seeking licenses, the commission discussed releasing a number. After debate about respecting existing license values, a motion passed to direct staff to release three licenses via sealed bid with a minimum bid of $200,000 (matching previous practice). Approved 5-0.
Fall Leaf Collection: Public Works Director Steve presented updates on a potential fall leaf collection program. Options included requiring paper bags or allowing containers; residents would supply their own. Cost analysis showed bulk purchase of paper bags ($0.66/bag) was not cheaper than local retail. After discussion, the consensus was to implement two collections (mid- and late-October) with flexibility for weather, requiring residents to use paper bags or cans. No formal vote.
2024 Audit Results: Finance Director Dimitri reported a clean audit opinion with no material weaknesses, though a finding related to event center controls (similar to prior year) remains. The annual comprehensive financial report (160 pages) was accepted by unanimous vote.
Sewer Backup Incident: Commissioner Rish raised a July 20 sewer backup on Michigan Avenue affecting about 20 residents. The city's 30-cent sewer backup protection fund (approx. $84,000 annually) covers main line blockages only; claims are pending review by Enderf.

Key Outcomes

Board of Health strategic plan approved unanimously.
Proclamation issued.
Ordinances 6632, 6633, and 6630 approved unanimously.
Three Class D liquor licenses authorized for release via sealed bid with $200,000 minimum; motion passed 5-0.
Fall leaf collection program approved by consensus: two pickups in 2025, resident-supplied paper bags or cans.
2024 audit and financial report accepted unanimously.
Executive session entered under NDCC 44-04-19.2 for land acquisition contract negotiations.

Meeting Transcript

We're in the Tom Baker room of the City County Building. It's August 12th at about 5:15. We have two meetings tonight. The first will be the Board of Health, and then the second will be the Board of City Commissioners. However, before we get started, we would like to if Chaplain Callis could come forward and lead us an invitation and Pledge of Allegiance, please. As you're able, please stand for our opening prayer and remain standing for the pledge on behalf of Crisis Care Chaplaincy. Thank you for the opportunity to open this meeting in prayer. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for this day for this beautiful evening. Thank you for your creation for the enjoyment we experience with the change of seasons, the warm summer weather. Thank you as our state's farmers begin the harvest season for the promise of a good harvest. And at the same time, be with those who deal with disappointments due to recent summer storms. Be with others among us that experience health issues. I think of several chaplains and family members among us that wait for your healing hand. Please give them your strength and comfort. Thank you for the privilege of living in this city of Bismarck as well as in this state. Thank you for the many blessings and opportunities that this local community offers for our families and each of us who live here. I pray today for those who are in the offices that govern this community. I ask that your spirit guide as they make decisions. Thank you for the freedom citizens have to speak up and be heard. For in discussion and diversity comes strength in our community. I pray for Mayor Schmidt's and those who work in that office. I pray for each commissioner as well and other elected officials and city workers and ask that each one would be but be blessed by you as they carry out their responsibilities. I also pray for our first responders, those who put themselves in harm's way to protect the citizens of this community, our police, another law enforcement, firefighters, EMS workers, dispatch, health care workers, and others. Please protect them in their line of duty so that they might continue to protect those of us who have placed our trust in them. So God, we ask for your guidance and everything said and done this evening. I'm so thankful for each and every one of the blessings you give us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Say the pledge together. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, sir. If we can call the Board of Health to order, call roll, please. Commissioner Rish. Here. Commissioner Zenker. Here. Commissioner Connolly? Here. Commissioner Cleary. Here. Mayor Schmidt. Here. And even though it's not published, and I'm not sure that there will be any. I am going to offer public comment for the Board of Health, as I believe we should be having that at all of our meetings. So if there's anybody who wishes to speak regarding public health and the update, please come forward. A second call for public comment. A third and final call. Seeing no one and hearing no one, I'll close the public comment period. Renee.

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