Bismarck Board of City Commissioners Meeting – March 24, 2026

The Board of City Commissioners met on March 24, 2026 at 5:15 PM in the Tom Baker Room of the City County Building. The meeting began with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a proclamation declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. The board approved several consent agenda items, held public hearings, and made key decisions on infrastructure, sales tax extension, and a new management contract for the Bismarck Event Center. Notable votes included a 3-2 approval for the Event Center management agreement with Oak View Group and a 3-2 approval for a letter of support for interest buy-down loans. The meeting concluded with a motion to enter executive session.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved as presented, with the exception of item D2 (letter of support for interest buy-down loans), which was pulled for separate discussion.
• Items approved included routine resolutions and contracts.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Trevor Burrus spoke briefly, encouraging the commission to keep something "how it was last time" with no further clarification.

Discussion Items

• Item D2 – Letter of Support for Interest Buy-Down Loans: Commissioner Connolly expressed opposition, arguing the program benefits individuals who are already financially successful and that there is no shortage of office space in the community. Mayor Smith countered that the program uses state funds (not city Vision Fund) and helps increase the tax base. The letter was approved on a 3-2 vote (Commissioners Connolly and Rish opposed).
• Public Hearing – Budget Ordinance 6658: City Administrator Eric explained five amendments related to transit, police asset forfeiture, hotel-motel tax, sales tax fund, and special deficiency fund. The ordinance was approved unanimously.
• Item B – Award Contracts for 2026 Paving Materials: Public Works staff recommended bids for various materials. Parts D and E received no bids, and staff requested permission for sole-source procurement. The commission approved the awards as presented.
• Item C – Street Improvement District 597: A concrete pavement repair project on Main Avenue. No protests were received, and the commission accepted the insufficiency of protests, allowing the project to proceed.
• Item D – Concrete Contracts for 2026: Three parts: new driveways/sidewalks (A1), sidewalk gap projects (A2), and hazardous sidewalk/miscellaneous concrete repair (B). The commission approved the resolution creating the district, approving plans, and authorizing advertising for bids.
• Item E – Half-Cent Sales Tax Extension for Roadways: Discussion focused on ballot language for the 2026 election. Commissioners debated removing sections that could cause confusion. An amendment was passed to eliminate Section 17 C (subsections) and to clarify the termination date of December 31, 2038, and to add “as outlined above and as published in the Bismarck Tribune.” The motion carried unanimously.
• Item F – Event Center Operations Contract with Oak View Group (OVG): The Bismarck Event Center Authority Board recommended approval after a competitive process. Key terms include a $5 million private investment in facilities, base management fee of ~$200,000/year, employee protection plan, and city oversight. Commissioner Connolly requested postponement to review the 100-page contract but noted he had not read it fully. Commissioner Rish raised concerns about missing caps on operational risk and inaccuracies in facility descriptions (e.g., premium seating). The contract was approved 3-2 (Commissioners Zenker and Connolly opposed).
• Item G – Community Recreation Facility Feasibility Study: Staff reported that the Bismarck Parks and Recreation District agreed to a 50-50 cost share up to $75,000 each ($150,000 total). The study will assess community needs and potential locations. Timeline: proposals due April 23, consultant selection in May, study completion projected February 2027. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Budget Ordinance 6658 (unanimous).
• Approved: 2026 paving material contracts (unanimous, with sole-source permission for two items).
• Approved: Street Improvement District 597 (unanimous).
• Approved: 2026 concrete contracts for driveways, sidewalk gaps, and hazardous repairs (unanimous).
• Approved: Home rule charter amendment language for half-cent sales tax extension, with amendments to remove confusing sections and clarify sunset date (unanimous).
• Approved: Master management agreement with Oak View Group for Bismarck Event Center (3-2: Commissioner Rish, Cleary, Mayor Smith in favor; Commissioners Zenker and Connolly against).
• Approved: Partnership with Parks and Recreation District for recreation facility feasibility study (unanimous).