Fargo City Commission Meeting - February 5, 2024
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Fargo City Commission Meeting - February 5, 2024
This meeting of the Fargo City Commission convened at 4:30 PM with an Executive Session for attorney consultation regarding threatened litigation pertaining to 501 Main Avenue. The regular meeting began at 5:00 PM. The commission approved consent items, heard public comments, conducted public hearings on annexation and rezoning, received financial reports, and reviewed the Downtown Business Improvement District annual overview. Multiple votes were taken, all unanimous.
Consent Calendar
- Receive and file an ordinance amending the International Property Maintenance Code.
- Second reading and final adoption of an ordinance rezoning parcels in The Pines at the District Fourth Addition.
- Gaming site authorization for West Fargo Baseball, Inc. at Puerto Vallarta Bar and Grill.
- Six applications for games of chance from various organizations.
- Contract and bond for Project SL-23-B1.
- Bid advertisement for Project No. SR-24-A.
- Memorandum of Offer to Landowner for a temporary construction easement with Aaron Properties, LLC (Improvement District No. BR-23-G2).
- Purchase of service agreements with ND Department of Health and Human Services (withdrawal management) and FM Metropolitan Council of Governments.
- Notice of grant awards for PHEP-EPR All Hazards and Cybersecurity Grant Program.
- Agreements for in-kind contributions to Comstock Services LLC, JGC Leasing LLC, and Kjos Investments LLC for the Corvent Medical Project.
- Tree/stump removal and landscape maintenance agreements for 2024.
- Bills totaling $11,329,827.84.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Eight residents (Mohamed Sanaullah, Heidi Soliman, Eram Shahira, Marwan Minshar, Ahmed Abuzaanona, Ahmer Qarni, KJ Atkinson, Mahmoud Soliman) spoke in support of a ceasefire resolution for Gaza and called for humanitarian action, including a sister city proposal for Gaza. Speakers described the conflict as a genocide and urged the commission to act. Many identified as healthcare professionals or long-time community members.
- One resident (Wess Philome) criticized the mayor's handling of public comment and raised concerns about bias-based policing in the Fargo Police Department, stating that the department's reporting on the issue is inadequate.
Discussion Items
- Public Hearing – Annexation (14.20 acres for 46th Avenue Industrial Park): Donald Cress (Planning and Development) presented the annexation, which is contiguous to city limits and aligned with the growth plan. Commissioner Kolpack asked about alignment with growth strategies and avoidance of leapfrogging. The public hearing was closed with no opposition. Commissioner Kolpack moved, second by Commissioner Strand, to approve the annexation and the first reading of the annexation ordinance. Unanimously approved.
- Public Hearing – 46th Avenue Industrial Park Addition (zoning change from AG to LI and plat): Donald Cress presented the subdivision creating two industrial lots, with street dedications and an airport proximity agreement. Commissioner Preston requested a clearer boundary map. Commissioner Strand inquired about the timeline from Planning Commission (July 2023) to commission. Commissioner Kolpack moved, second by Commissioner Preston, to approve the rezoning and plat, and the first reading of the rezoning ordinance. Unanimously approved.
- General Fund 2023 Year-End Projections (Item 18): Finance Director Susan Thompson presented projections showing revenues of $118 million (budget $115 million) and expenditures just under $117 million, yielding a surplus of about $1 million. Higher interest earnings were noted. Commissioner Kolpack and Finance Director Michael (not transcribed in detail) discussed moving to quarterly finance committee meetings for better long-term planning. Motion to receive and file carried unanimously.
- 2023 Downtown Fargo Business Improvement District Overview (Item 19): Rocky Schneider (Downtown Community Partnership) presented the annual report. The BID provides cleaning, safety, hospitality, and beautification services across five zones. Statistics for 2023: 684 pieces of graffiti removed, over 5,000 disinfected infrastructure pieces, 42 referrals to mobile outreach, over 16,000 pounds of recycling, and nearly 100,000 pounds of trash removed. The budget for the coming year is over $900,000. Schneider noted expansion of Zone 1 services to Roberts Alley and Main Avenue. Commissioners asked about the block-by-block contract ratio (70% cleaning, 30% safety/hospitality) and the office relocation to the Black Building. No action; informational.
- Property Tax Exemptions for Improvements (Item 20): Thirteen applications for 5-year exemptions were presented. Motion to approve carried unanimously.
- Liaison Commissioner Assignment Updates (Item 21): Commissioner Strand reported on Solid Waste partnership with Bonic Recycling and KFGO for monthly recycling tips, and an arts display of Japanese dolls at City Hall. Commissioner Piepkorn provided an update on police department complaint statistics and de-escalation training. Other commissioners had no updates.
Key Outcomes
- Annexation and Rezoning for 46th Avenue Industrial Park: Approved unanimously (5-0) on all motions (annexation, first reading of annexation ordinance, rezoning, plat approval, first reading of rezoning ordinance).
- General Fund Projections: Received and filed unanimously.
- Property Tax Exemptions: All 13 applications approved unanimously.
- Next Meeting: The board adjourned to Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 5:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I invite you to join us the Play of Allegiance. One nation. We just finished an executive session and we will re-gun start the meeting. Roll call, please. Colpack here. Pepcorn? Here. Preston. Strand. Here. Mahoney. Here. Here. Library. The winter seed sowing workshop in February 17th at 10 a.m. at the Northport Library. Attendees can make many greenhouse from a milk drug and plant native pollinators. Pre-registration is required and all materials will be provided. The winter pop-up STEM event for kids in the main library would be February 17th at 10 a.m. to noon. Aerial science and engineering instructors, students, and experts will be on hand to provide hands-on STEM learning activities for kids' grade K. Kindergarten through 5th and registration is not required. Dakota Co Medical Foundation Giving Hearts Days February 8th. If you want to donate to a specific city of Fargo causes, the Gladys Ray Shelter and the Police Department badges of Unity Fund are among the organizations and charities seeking financial support. To learn more about these programs and where to donate, visit Fargo ND.gov slash Giving Hearts. At our last meeting, we watched the first half of the State of the City video that went over many of the major accomplishments of Fargo. Today we will view the second half, which will focus on core values of growing, serving, and honoring. Smart investments, such as the 32nd Avenue South Project, responded to resident feedback and streamlined traffic. With growth comes increased public safety needs, leading to the construction of Fargo Fire Station No. 8 and the reconstitution of the Fargo Police Department's traffic safety unit. As Fargo evolves, we continue to invest in infrastructure, enhancing services like the newly expanded and future-ready water reclamation plant. We are now able to ensure cleaner wastewater is being released. Electrical boxes, buses, and larger than life portraits at Madison Elementary. Fargo police officer Jake Waleen lost his life in a senseless ambush while FPD officers Andrew Dotis and Tyler Haas, along with an innocent bystander, were severely injured. Despite the tragedy, our first responders displayed extraordinary heroism. In the months that followed, the Fargo Moorhead community rallied behind our first responders. Your Fargo deeply honors the service and sacrifice of our guardians forever and always. Thank you for being part of your Fargo. A community where your contributions matter. Together we shape the future of our community. And we continue to be driven every day to be far more. Nicely done, communications, good job. Is there a motion to approve the order of agenda? So moved. Sir second. Second. All those in favor say aye. Is there a motion to approve the minutes of the January 22nd regular meeting and a January 23rd 2024 special meeting? So move.
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