Bismarck City Commission Meeting - June 9, 2026

The Bismarck Board of City Commissioners met on June 9, 2026, at 5:15 PM in the Tom Baker Room of the City County Building. The meeting included proclamations honoring local athletes, public comments on a bus voucher program and school zone safety, and action on several agenda items including a transit voucher program, a Vision Fund loan, a zoning and annexation plat, school zone speed ordinance amendments, and purchasing threshold updates.

Proclamations & Celebrations

• Mayor Schmitz read proclamations declaring June 18, 2026, as Brita Curl Salomon Day and June 25, 2026, as Dave St. Peter Day. A certificate of achievement was presented to Brita Curl Salomon, a Bismarck native and Olympic hockey player who was recently selected for the new Detroit expansion team in the professional women's hockey league. Dave St. Peter, a former Minnesota Twins president and CEO, was also honored.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Trevor Burrus: Expressed support for the Bisman Transit voucher program, stating, "Things have been working well" and urging the commission to approve it.
• Jeff Stewart: Spoke about his granddaughter being hit by a car on 7th Street near Bismarck High School on October 27, 2026. She sustained serious injuries including broken femur, ribs, arm, pelvis, lacerated spleen, and collapsed lung. He reported that a city engineer told him "it was acceptable to drive 10 miles over the speed limit," which he strongly disagreed with. He urged action on the school zone, describing the area as a "kill zone" rather than a school zone. Mayor confirmed this topic would be addressed as item D on the regular agenda.

Discussion Items

• Bisman Transit Voucher Program (Regular Agenda A): Deedra from the Bisman Transit Board presented a recommendation to establish a $5,000 bus voucher program using public transit sales tax funding for CAT bus fixed route passes. The program would have the City Commission determine approved agencies, with Bisman Transit facilitating distribution of pre-purchased passes. The board recommended limiting passes to one-day/one-way tickets to improve tracking and suggested this serve as a pilot program for 2026, with potential future budgeting for 2027. Commissioner Connolly noted the program is "a good start" but that "there are a lot of needs that aren't getting met still." The motion to approve passed 5-0.
• Vision Fund Loan – Maximized Chiropractic (Regular Agenda B): A request for a $107,692.36 Vision Fund loan (flex-based program through Bank of North Dakota) to purchase and remodel 1720 Burnt Boat Drive. The clinic specializes in prenatal, family, and pediatric chiropractic care and plans to expand into pediatric occupational therapy, creating four skilled jobs. Commissioner Rish expressed concern about creating a competitive advantage, but the applicant noted their business is unique in offering all modalities under one roof. Commissioner Connolly praised the exterior remodel plans. Approved 5-0.
• Zoning Map Amendment, Annexation, and Final Plat – JMAC Industrial Second Edition (Regular Agenda C): Public hearing on three requests from UConn Investments LLC to rezone a strip of land near North 19th Street from Agricultural to MA Industrial, annex that strip, and approve the final plat. The plat realigns the intersection of North 19th Street and 71st Avenue Northeast. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval on April 22, 2026, with a waiver for a cul-de-sac and greater block length. Commissioner Rish noted the need for "industrial shovel ready land." No public testimony was offered. Approved 5-0.
• School Zone Speed Ordinance Amendment (Regular Agenda D): Public hearing on Ordinance 6667 to amend sections of city code related to speed in school zones, using state code language that allows the city engineer to designate school zones and set speed limits when children are present. Superintendent Jeff Fosnot from Bismarck Public Schools expressed support, stating, "We would support changes to allow the city engineer to make those revisions when it's appropriate." Commissioner Zenker raised concerns about the definition of "recess" for high schools, but City Attorney Mees clarified the state code language applies "when children are present" on school grounds, not limited to recess. Mayor Schmitz stressed the need to fund signage and lights before the August 1 school start. Approved 5-0.
• Purchasing Threshold Amendment (Regular Agenda E): Public hearing on Ordinance 6668 to amend purchasing thresholds from $50,000 to $100,000 to match the procurement policy adopted on May 12, 2026. No public testimony offered. Approved 5-0.
• Stormwater Drainage Easement Release (Regular Agenda F): Request to release a small portion (west 2.5 feet of east 57 feet of north 105 feet) of a stormwater easement on Lot 2, Block 1 of Frank Edition, requested by Mullenaro Properties LLC to allow for parking space adjustments. No public testimony offered. Approved 5-0.

Other Business

• Commissioner Rish announced plans for a new e-bike/e-scooter ordinance, citing citizen complaints about excessive speed and children operating vehicles capable of 45 mph. He stated, "The police have been getting a lot of reports... down the sidewalks, through the red lights... This technology has really gotten ahead of our ordinances." City staff will draft the ordinance, with Dickinson's ordinance cited as a potential model.

Key Outcomes

• $5,000 bus voucher program approved (5-0).
• Vision Fund loan of $107,692.36 approved for Maximized Chiropractic (5-0).
• JMAC Industrial Second Edition zoning, annexation, and final plat approved (5-0).
• School zone speed ordinance amendment approved (5-0), effective August 1, 2026.
• Purchasing thresholds increased to $100,000 (5-0).
• Stormwater easement release approved (5-0).
• Commissioner Rish directed city staff to draft an e-bike/e-scooter ordinance.