The Fargo City Commission met on January 22, 2024, at 5:00 PM in Commission Chambers. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call (all commissioners present), approval of the agenda, and approval of the minutes from the January 8, 2024 regular meeting. The consent agenda (items 1-28) was approved via roll call with all ayes.
Report from Dr. Nicholas Bauroth on Public Survey (Item 36): Dr. Bauroth presented a mail survey of 2,000 Fargo households that voted in the June 2022 city commission election; 549 responded. Key findings: 49.4% of respondents supported changing from the at-large commission system to a city council form with district representation; 19.9% opposed. Most respondents were content with city services but less satisfied with the city commission's transparency and responsiveness. Commissioners discussed the need for better communication, the upcoming Zen City annual survey, and the importance of studying various governance models (strong mayor, weak mayor, mixed representation). No formal action was taken.
Wes Philome on Discrimination in Policing Act (Item 38): Wes Philome proposed a motion to require the Fargo Police Department to adhere to its policies 401.6 and 401.7 on bias-based policing and to release body camera footage from a January 6, 2024 incident free of charge within seven days. He cited lack of transparency and past incidents. Police Chief responded that the department is in compliance, has conducted implicit bias training, and is working on tracking demographic stop data. The chief noted the department now has six African American officers (up from three years ago) and a diverse recruit class (57% diverse in recent class). Commissioners discussed the importance of data collection and accountability. No motion was made on Philome's request; the mayor moved on after discussion.
Call the meeting to order. Let's begin with a Pledge of Allegiance. I invite you to join us. Here. Preston. Here. Mahoney. The winter puzzle competition will be January twenty-eighth at the main library where teams have two hours to complete a five hundred piece puzzle. This event is for adults, teens, and families, and pre-registration is required. The monthly community game nights at Northport Library are the first Monday of each month. Recommended for teens and adults, the event is February 5th at 5 p.m. Residents age 16 and older are encouraged to take part in the library's year-long reading challenge, which has 12 different prompts for books to read. Planning. Fargo Middle and High School students are invited to create original artwork that could be featured on the local MAT bus for one year. The theme of the artwork should be environmental stewardship and climate residence resiliency. And the deadline for submissions is February 2nd. Interested students can attend the informational session to learn more about the guidelines. See a bus in person and ask questions on January 26th at 4 p.m. at the Metro Transit Garage, 650 23rd Street North. We had some good winners last year, John. Yes, we did. On January 11th, I participated with local other local mayors in an annual State of the Cities event hosted by the Chamber. In conjunction with this event, we released our State of the City video where we highlighted six core values. Caring, preparing, collaborating, growing, serving, and honoring. The video celebrates Fargo as a city of limitless opportunity where young people, families, and seniors can thrive. A community where residents have a true purpose. Tonight we watched the first half of this video. Hello, I'm Dr. Tim Mahoney, Mayor Fargo. In 2023, Fargo experienced many changes, yet what makes Fargo unique remains a constant. We're a community big enough to offer everything you need, yet small enough to make it your own. Your Fargo cares for neighbors, prepares for the future, and collaborates with partners. Your Fargo grows as foresight and serves all residents. Your Fargo honors those who serve and protect our community, completing the daily work of keeping your city operating so you and your family can have peace of mind. Plow drivers operate around the clock to clear snow from over 700 miles of streets and alleys, with excess snow gathered at the symbolic Mount Fargo, a testament to their innovative ways of efficiency and effectiveness. Fargo residents, accustomed to collaborating amid challenges, united once more in 2023 to combat a potential spring flood. Community members of all ages and backgrounds, including hundreds of middle school students, face the challenge head on by crafting thousands of sandbags, averting destructive flooding. Team Fargo, driven by a commitment to serve all residents, including the most vulnerable, actively engage in outreach efforts. Fargo Cass Public Health's harm reduction division diligently reaches out to those experiencing homelessness, often facilitating transitions from the streets or shelters into permanent homes. Your Fargo continues to prepare for the future. Over the next two decades, we expect to welcome 15,000 new households to our community. To guide our growth, Fargo is developing a citywide growth plan, gathering input from residents like you. Major projects such as the Hector International Airport Terminal Expansion and the Fargo Park Sports Complex are underway to accommodate our thriving community. Our commitment extends to maintaining essential infrastructure. The engineering department's capital improvement plan covers roads, bridges, and flood mitigation, ensuring that core neighborhoods receive necessary updates. We're also working on sustainability efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and create a more resilient Fargo through the sustainability and resiliency plan. Fargo's leaders as financial stewards strive to maintain quality city services within budget constraints. The approved 2024 budget focuses on honoring commitments to public safety, regularly assessing revenues and expenses, and supporting staff through strategic financial management. Your Fargo collaborates in the face of challenges. Progress on the FM Diversion Project brings us closer to permanent flood protection, with the project scheduled to be operational by spring 2027.