Fargo City Commission Regular Meeting Summary (August 21, 2023)

The Fargo City Commission met on Monday, August 21, 2023, at 5:00 PM in the Commission Chambers. Mayor Timothy Mahoney presided. The meeting covered a broad agenda, including consent calendar approvals, public hearings on liquor licenses and zoning changes, a detailed update on downtown public health services, and discussions on governance and economic development incentives. All five commissioners were present: Mayor Timothy Mahoney, Commissioner Denise Kolpack, Commissioner Dave Piepkorn, Commissioner Arlette Preston, and Commissioner John Strand.

Consent Calendar

• The Commission unanimously approved the consent agenda (items 1-30) as recommended. Key items included: extensions of alcoholic beverage licenses for Hennessey's Irish Pub and The Stage at Island Park; a resolution establishing the Wildlife Management Program for 2023-2024; gaming site authorization and games of chance permits for several organizations; change orders for construction projects FM-19-C1 and FM-22-C2; property acquisition for flood mitigation (3000 11th Street South); easements; contracts; financial reports (General Fund budget through 7/31/23 and Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for 2022); grants from the ND Department of Environmental Quality; service agreements with American Lung Association, Soul Solutions, Dacotah Foundation, New Life Center, and Sanford Clinic North; a public hearing date for a dangerous building; amendments to the Native American Commission; FMLA extension for Police Sergeant Tyrell Fauske; direction to review panhandling ordinances; a seat belt ordinance amendment; bid award to Titan Machinery for $141,973.00; and bills totaling $12,590,005.89.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kristina Klinkhammer expressed concerns about LED street lighting, stating that the lack of diffusers could cause macular degeneration and blindness, and urged the city to take preventive measures.
• Faith Dixon criticized the Liquor Control Board, alleging "political abuse," lack of diversity, and institutional discrimination against marginalized groups.
• Kathy Polansky reported on a dangerous building at 1449 4th Avenue South, citing a garage fire in January, squatters, drug paraphernalia, stolen tools, and safety concerns for neighborhood children.
• Wess Philome criticized a city commissioner for "unjustly targeted" new American and indigenous people, and argued for continued services for those battling mental health, addiction, and poverty.

Public Hearings

• Alcoholic Beverage License Approvals: The Commission approved all four liquor license applications unanimously:
  • Five Star African Cuisine (Class GH) – continued from June 26, 2023, approved 5-0.
  • Taj India (Class GH) – approved 5-0.
  • Michele's Table (Class GH) – approved 5-0.
  • NoBull Smokehouse (Class Z transfer, ownership change only) – approved 5-0.
• Zoning Changes:
  • Wentz Addition (2320 22nd Street South): Rezoning from SR-2 to SR-3 approved 5-0; first reading of ordinance passed 5-0. Staff noted no public inquiries or comments were received.
  • University South Fourth Addition (1376 Oak Manor Avenue South): Rezoning to include General Commercial overlay and plat approved 5-0; first reading passed 5-0. Beyond Shelter Housing is the applicant; Commissioner Mahoney asked about low-income housing units, noting the project may include 32-42 units (according to Brad Garcia). The project was scaled back due to funding shortfalls; the city has financial involvement, though the exact amount was not stated.
  • Southwest Fargo Mission Second Addition: Public hearing continued to October 16, 2023 (5-0).
• CAPER Report: Public hearing held on the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for 2022. No action required. Staff reported spending over $2.6 million in HUD funds over the last 12 months on homelessness, housing, and neighborhood improvements. No public comments were received.

Discussion Items

• Public Health Downtown Services Update: Presented by Desi Fleming, Chandler Esslinger (Community Liaison Specialist, Harm Reduction), and Police Chief Dave Sabolski. They highlighted:
  • Historical background of harm reduction programs since 2014, starting with the Gladys Ray Shelter.
  • Downtown Engagement Center services: showers, lockers, laundry, and connection to services; serving an average of 110 guests per day in July 2023, with a peak of 146 visitors.
  • National trends: homelessness rising 6% since 2017; unsheltered homelessness now exceeds sheltered; indigenous people are up to five times more likely to experience homelessness.
  • Local data: Fargo-Moorhead has about 330 shelter beds but 340 people sought shelter in July 2023; chronic homelessness is increasing.
  • Fargo PD stats: 1,038 mental health-related calls year-to-date; 21% of those involve 15 individuals with significant mental health issues; six homeless individuals accounted for 104 calls for service in June.
  • The Downtown Engagement Center budget was cut from $2.7 million to $1.3 million, leading to reduced hours (from 8-8 to 8-5).
• Commissioner Piepkorn's Discussion Item on Homelessness: Removed from the agenda due to lack of background information (motion passed 4-1, Piepkorn opposed).
• Governance Meetings Update: Commissioner Kolpack and City Administrator Michael Redlinger reported on the past six four-hour sessions with Dr. Schatz. Next steps: draft governance policies meeting, new commissioner handbook, and upcoming seventh session cost $1,500-$2,000 per meeting.
• Economic Development Incentive Policies: Commissioner Strand moved to schedule a working session to discuss all EDIC policies. After debate, the motion passed 4-1, with Commissioner Piepkorn dissenting, citing ongoing work by the EDIC committee and the city's growth plan.

Key Outcomes

• All consent items were approved and all four liquor licenses were granted.
• All zoning changes were approved with first readings; the Southwest Fargo Mission Second Addition hearing was continued.
• The CAPER public hearing was closed with no action required.
• A working session on Economic Development Incentive Policies was scheduled.
• Appointments to the Human Rights Commission: Motion passed 5-0 to reappoint Carolyn B. Craft and appoint four new members (Xavier Welty, Richie Aboa, Kristen Nelson, Zoe Apsey), with thanks to outgoing member Barry Nelson.
• The meeting adjourned at 6:31 PM.

Additional Notes

• During liaison updates, Commissioner Piepkorn reported on the airport expansion (124 million project, doubling in size to nine gates).
• A public attendee, Ryan Netterville, shared a grievance about a county worker destroying his late brother's wooden headstone; Chief Sabolski texted that he would look into it.

Note: There is a discrepancy between the agenda item 41 and the minutes: the agenda originally listed item 41 as "Commissioner Piepkorn would like to discuss homelessness in and around Downtown," but due to lack of a memo or background info, it was removed from the agenda (motion approved 4-1).