OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Bismarck City Commission Meeting - May 12, 2026

City Commission — Tuesday, May 12, 2026
BodyBismarck, North Dakota
SessionCity Commission
DateTuesday, May 12, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:16:07

Transcript — Verbatim
0:09

On the 12th of May.

0:11

This will be the Board of City Commissioners meeting.

0:14

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

0:18

Before we start, Chaplain Chaffee is here.

0:20

And if we can have invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, please.

0:26

Good evening, Mayor and Commissioners.

0:28

Thank you guys all for all that you do.

0:30

Let's stand together and we'll pray and say the pledge.

0:37

Heavenly Father, we come to you in faith and thank you for your goodness and faithfulness.

0:42

We repent of our sin, known and unknown.

0:46

Forgive us because of the price Jesus paid for us.

0:50

Thank you for your freedom that you've given us.

0:53

We ask that your Holy Spirit will cast out evil and bring your presence of health and wholeness.

0:59

We ask for your supernatural provision, protection, favor, and health for our leaders as they steward blessings and courage to follow your desire for us as a city, state, and nation.

1:09

Guide and direct us, give us dreams and visions for the days and years ahead so we can be all that you created us to be.

1:17

May we work to serve you and one another in joy and peace, and may your kingdom come in growing measure on earth as it is in heaven.

1:24

Lastly, we pay for all those displaced by the apartment fire as they get relocated and settled, and we thank you for the community outpouring of love and support.

1:33

We are grateful for our community.

1:35

We ask this in the matchless name of Jesus.

1:37

Amen.

1:46

And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:55

Thank you.

1:55

Thank you, sir.

1:59

We'll call the meeting to order if we can call roll, please.

2:07

Commissioner Ish?

2:08

Here.

2:08

Commissioner Zenker.

2:10

Here.

2:10

Commissioner Connolly.

2:11

Here.

2:12

Commissioner Cleary.

2:14

Here.

2:15

Mayor Schmitz.

2:16

Here.

2:17

So first item is an award presentation.

2:21

Gabe, are you gonna Mayor and Commissioners?

2:28

The American Council of Engineering Companies is a group in North Dakota, and they have awarded the Engineering Excellence Award to Apex Engineering for the work that was performed on our South Washington Street Reconstruction Project from 2024.

2:42

As you may remember, that was a corridor project in 2024 where we converted a two-lane rural section roadway into a three-lane urban facility with uh lighting, trails, uh traffic signals, roundabouts, uh, shared use path landscaping, transit pull-outs, and assorted features.

2:59

Uh, this project was awarded a uh transportation category of the Engineering Excellence Award that recognized the project's innovation, complexity, and overall value.

3:09

So we have some representatives from Apex Engineering here today to uh present to the City Commission the award or the plaque that we also then receive through this.

3:17

Uh we have Calebarber and Derek Anderson here from Apex, and I guess we'd like to just take a picture to showcase this award.

3:25

Certainly.

3:26

So if you refer to South Washington, you can say it's the award-winning South Washington Street Project when you need to in the future.

3:32

Do you like us all?

3:33

That'd be great, yeah.

3:34

Okay.

3:35

Yes, please go ahead.

4:27

For public works professionals.

4:30

Whereas public works professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities, and services that are of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities and to public health, high quality of life, and well-being of the people of Bismarck.

4:45

Therefore, be it resolved that I am Michael Schmitz, Mayor of the City of Bismarck, on behalf of this commission do hereby designate the week of May 17th through 23rd, 2026 as National Public Works Week.

5:00

I urge all citizens to join with the representatives of the American Public Works Association and the government agencies in activities, events, and ceremonies designed to pay tribute to our public works professionals, engineers, managers, and employees, and to recognize the substantial contributions they make to protecting our national health, safety, and advancing the quality of life for all, signed today, may the 2nd of May 2026.

5:27

Next, public comment.

5:29

Public comment is restricted to items on well, before I get to that, because there's an item on the regular agenda that is being pulled because it causes a scheduling conflict.

5:43

It's item 5D, which is the presentation from Convention and Visitors Bureau.

5:48

So just so everybody knows that that's been pulled due to their request.

5:52

It will be on next meeting.

5:55

So it's on the regular agenda 5D.

6:03

And I just want everybody to wear that, so that's not an item on the agenda.

6:06

So now I'll open public comment.

6:08

Anyone who wish to speak on an item on the agenda, please come forward, identify yourself, sign in, and tell us what you're speaking to.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████████████21%
Homelessness███████████████15%
Public Engagement██████████████14%
Procurement Policy███████████11%
Procedural██████6%
Economic Development██████6%
Youth Programs██████6%
Public Safety██████6%
Budget Equity Analysis████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Bismarck City Commission Meeting - May 12, 2026

The Board of City Commissioners met on May 12, 2026, in the Tom Baker Room of the City County Building. All commissioners were present: Commissioner Rish, Commissioner Zenker, Commissioner Connolly, Commissioner Cleary, and Mayor Schmitz. The meeting opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by an award presentation and a proclamation. Key actions included approving a preliminary budget for a new police headquarters, receiving an update on the community triage center, and authorizing grant applications. The consent agenda was approved with three items pulled for discussion.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the consent agenda minus items D2, F1, and J2 (unanimous).
  • Item D2 (letter of support to North Dakota Opportunity Fund for Glance Salon): Approved 4–1 (Commissioner Connolly opposed) after discussion on supporting business vs. picking winners.
  • Item F1 (public health grant application): Withdrawn by Commissioner Cleary because the project no longer met grant criteria; no action needed.
  • Item J2 (call for public hearing on land development code revision): Approved unanimously; the public hearing will be held at the next meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Father Joe Hubbard, Executive Director of Ministry on the Margins, spoke in support of the community triage center (Item E). He argued that the unhoused are local community members, not outsiders attracted by services, and urged the commission to view the center as a way to coordinate resources and help people rejoin the workforce and tax base.

Discussion Items

  • Community Triage Center Update (Item E): Renee Mock (Bismarck Burley Public Health) presented data from phase two planning. Key findings: 105 individuals surveyed (93 completed), of which 77% had been in the area for quite some time, 46% had visited the ER in the past six months, and top priorities for a low-barrier shelter were personal safety (75%), showers/restrooms (71%), and 24-hour access (51%). Current shelter capacity is 42 year-round beds plus 45 overflow; demand exceeds purpose-built capacity. Social detox services have reduced jail reliance. The commission authorized Public Health to continue as the convening organization and to apply for the North Dakota Rural Health Transformation Grant (up to $300,000) for technical assistance and implementation planning. Motion passed unanimously.
  • Police Department Preliminary Budget (Item B): Chief and architects (JLG, Roth Shepherd) presented a space needs analysis and a preliminary budget of $97.6 million for a new police headquarters (construction $84.8M, soft costs $12.8M). The current building from 1979 serves 136 officers (up from 52). The proposed 135,000 sq ft facility would accommodate future growth. Discussion included square footage cost ($720–$730 total per sq ft) and project schedule (design starting June 2026, bid in February 2027, construction spring 2027). Motion to approve the preliminary budget passed unanimously.
  • Annual Report (Item C): Jason presented the city’s first comprehensive annual report in over 20 years, created with Bismarck State College students. The report covers all departments and strategic plan goals. Commissioners praised the effort; no vote required.
  • Vision Fund - Bismarck Sports Academy (Item F): Ben Woodside and Luke Mormon presented a request for a $107,692.30 flex-pace loan buy-down for a Shoot 360 franchise and Bismarck Sports Academy (basketball, volleyball, batting cages). The facility will feature patented shooting technology and partner with local businesses. Commissioners expressed support for its unique value to the community. Motion approved unanimously (Commissioner Zenker noted his firm may bid on the project but participated with consent of the commission).
  • Comprehensive Procurement Policy (Item G): Eric and Procurement Officer Josh Fern presented a new policy establishing dollar thresholds, procurement methods, and contract authority. The policy is benchmarked against federal and state standards. Phase one is the policy; phases two and three will standardize tools and create a centralized database. Commission approved the policy and directed staff to amend Title VII of the city ordinances. Motion passed unanimously.
  • Street Light & Traffic Signal Project SV88 (Item H): Bid awarded to Fetzer Electric LLC for $199,500. Unanimous.
  • Water Utility Project 153: Bid awarded to DL Barkey Construction Inc. for $888,500. Unanimous.
  • Easement Release - South Bay 5th Edition: Partial release of a private drive easement to allow building closer to the roadway. Public hearing held; no comments. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved consent agenda items (D2 passed 4–1, F1 withdrawn, J2 passed unanimously).
  • Received community triage center update and authorized Public Health to apply for a $300,000 state grant and continue as convening organization (unanimous).
  • Approved preliminary budget of $97.6 million for new police headquarters (unanimous).
  • Approved Vision Fund loan buy-down for Bismarck Sports Academy (unanimous).
  • Approved new comprehensive procurement policy and directed ordinance amendments (unanimous).
  • Awarded contracts for street lighting/traffic signal ($199,500) and water utilities ($888,500) (unanimous).
  • Approved easement release (unanimous).
  • Proclaimed May 17–23, 2026, as National Public Works Week.
  • Recognized the May 4 apartment fire response, noting no casualties and strong interagency cooperation.

Meeting Transcript

On the 12th of May. This will be the Board of City Commissioners meeting. We're in the Tom Baker room of the City County Building. Before we start, Chaplain Chaffee is here. And if we can have invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, please. Good evening, Mayor and Commissioners. Thank you guys all for all that you do. Let's stand together and we'll pray and say the pledge. Heavenly Father, we come to you in faith and thank you for your goodness and faithfulness. We repent of our sin, known and unknown. Forgive us because of the price Jesus paid for us. Thank you for your freedom that you've given us. We ask that your Holy Spirit will cast out evil and bring your presence of health and wholeness. We ask for your supernatural provision, protection, favor, and health for our leaders as they steward blessings and courage to follow your desire for us as a city, state, and nation. Guide and direct us, give us dreams and visions for the days and years ahead so we can be all that you created us to be. May we work to serve you and one another in joy and peace, and may your kingdom come in growing measure on earth as it is in heaven. Lastly, we pay for all those displaced by the apartment fire as they get relocated and settled, and we thank you for the community outpouring of love and support. We are grateful for our community. We ask this in the matchless name of Jesus. Amen. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Thank you, sir. We'll call the meeting to order if we can call roll, please. Commissioner Ish? Here. Commissioner Zenker. Here. Commissioner Connolly. Here. Commissioner Cleary. Here. Mayor Schmitz. Here. So first item is an award presentation. Gabe, are you gonna Mayor and Commissioners? The American Council of Engineering Companies is a group in North Dakota, and they have awarded the Engineering Excellence Award to Apex Engineering for the work that was performed on our South Washington Street Reconstruction Project from 2024. As you may remember, that was a corridor project in 2024 where we converted a two-lane rural section roadway into a three-lane urban facility with uh lighting, trails, uh traffic signals, roundabouts, uh, shared use path landscaping, transit pull-outs, and assorted features. Uh, this project was awarded a uh transportation category of the Engineering Excellence Award that recognized the project's innovation, complexity, and overall value. So we have some representatives from Apex Engineering here today to uh present to the City Commission the award or the plaque that we also then receive through this. Uh we have Calebarber and Derek Anderson here from Apex, and I guess we'd like to just take a picture to showcase this award. Certainly. So if you refer to South Washington, you can say it's the award-winning South Washington Street Project when you need to in the future. Do you like us all? That'd be great, yeah. Okay. Yes, please go ahead. For public works professionals. Whereas public works professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities, and services that are of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities and to public health, high quality of life, and well-being of the people of Bismarck. Therefore, be it resolved that I am Michael Schmitz, Mayor of the City of Bismarck, on behalf of this commission do hereby designate the week of May 17th through 23rd, 2026 as National Public Works Week.

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