OpenPublica

Accountability starts with access.

© 2026 · Filed for the public record

Use casesAboutAPIPrivacyTermsLinkedIn
Home/Fargo, North Dakota/City Commission
OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Fargo City Commission Regular Meeting – December 9, 2024

City Commission — Monday, December 9, 2024
BodyFargo, North Dakota
SessionCity Commission
DateMonday, December 9, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:24:11

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
5:18

Call the meeting to order.

5:20

We began with the Pledge of Allegiance.

5:22

I invite you to join us.

5:40

Roll call.

5:41

Colpack here.

5:43

Epcorn.

5:43

Here.

5:44

Strand.

5:44

Here.

5:45

Turnberg.

5:45

Here.

5:46

Mahoney.

5:47

Here.

5:48

Library.

5:48

Two special story times featuring members of the Fargo Police Department reading a holiday themed stories as part of the police novadock campaign are December eleventh at ten A.

5:58

M.

5:59

and eleven A.M.

6:00

at the Carlson Library.

6:02

The North Dakota Job Service staff will be on site for another pop-up session at the Main Library on December seventeenth from two to four.

6:08

The sessions are free of charge and registration is not required.

6:12

Services available include job seeking assistance, veteran services, information and training program, resume building assistance, limited unemployment insurance assistance, and migrant and seasonal farm worker services.

9:36

So moved.

9:42

Sir motion to approve the minutes of December twenty-fifth, two thousand twenty-four meeting.

9:47

So moved.

9:49

Second.

9:50

All those in favor say aye.

9:52

Aye.

9:52

Motion carried.

9:58

So moved.

9:59

Sir a second.

10:02

Second.

10:03

Roll call vote, please.

10:05

Call back.

10:06

Aye.

10:06

Turnberg.

10:07

Hi.

10:07

Pepcorn.

10:08

Hi.

10:09

Strand.

10:09

Yes.

10:10

Mahoney.

10:10

Aye.

10:12

Item 40 40.

10:14

Recommendation pursue hiring of a community integration facilitator.

10:17

Commissioner Kolpak to explain.

10:19

Sure, thank you very much.

10:21

Um, so this position of a community integration facilitator actually was identified by the Department of Health and Human Services a couple of years ago.

10:29

And in fact, the position does exist in Grand Forks in Bismarck today.

10:34

And they have been trying to get Fargo to look at this position since that time.

10:39

And in the last three and a half months, I've had three meetings with the State Department of Health and Services, State Office of Refugees, as well as included a couple meetings with the two that hold the position in Grand Forks in Bismarck.

10:52

I will share that both Grand Forks and Bismarck have very different approaches because they identified how the position best serves their respective communities.

11:01

And if you see the part of my proposal that my recommendation would be very much to create a task force in starting with our departments that are affected by the work that this position would do.

11:14

But hopefully, in the end, be from those conversations with city departments and the input we would have from the task force, including members of the new American community, finalize the scope of the position, including defining measures of success up front on what we're trying to achieve with the position.

11:43

But again, the position is to be very actionable.

11:46

So the recommendation, um, the motion that I have in the packet is to forward to direct the city administrator to move forward with pursuing a community integration facilitator for the city of Fargo to be 100% reimbursed through the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Refugee Services.

12:06

So that would be by motion, and I just have a couple more comments if there's a second.

12:12

Well, what motion approved?

12:13

Is there a second?

12:19

Is there a second?

12:22

I would second it for discussion so we can have a discussion about it.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Homelessness████████████████████████24%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████13%
Downtown Revitalization█████████9%
Procedural████████8%
Public Safety███████7%
Budget Equity Analysis██████6%
Community Engagement█████5%
Public Works█████5%
Economic Development█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Fargo City Commission Regular Meeting – December 9, 2024

The Fargo City Commission met at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, December 9, 2024, in Commission Chambers at City Hall, with Mayor Mahoney presiding. All five commissioners were present. The meeting covered a 53-item agenda including consent items, public hearings, tax abatements, capital improvement planning, a special assessment deferral, a new homelessness proposal (Operation Safe Fargo), and numerous routine approvals.

Consent Calendar

  • Commissioners unanimously approved the Consent Agenda, which included 39 items such as: an Interest Buydown Agreement with the Bank of North Dakota for three properties; Right-to-Sell agreements for city property west of the landfill; tax abatement recommendations for Park Ridge Apartments; an ordinance amending traffic signal requirements; second reading and final adoption of a 0.25% public safety sales tax; site authorization for Fargo Youth Hockey Association; utility easements; developer agreements; change orders; bid advertisements; budgets and allocations from the Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau; a mutual aid agreement between Fargo and West Fargo Fire Departments; agreements with Richland County Family Planning; employment policy revisions; plat approvals; firearm disposition agreements; equipment purchases via cooperative agreements; security services bid award; transit cost allocation; change orders; Red River Valley Water Supply Project commitments; and bills totaling $14,319,862.98.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Victoria Johnson (Families United for Self-Empowerment) opposed placing the Community Integration Facilitator position within city government, arguing it would be more effective in the school district, Global Refugee, or other community organizations. She cited the failed DEI position and urged the commission not to compare Fargo to Grand Forks or Bismarck.
  • Brian Albertson (City Center Lofts resident and advocate for the Renaissance Zone) spoke in support of the program and asked about potential changes to 5-year vs. 8-year incentives, noting that the program encouraged him to buy a condo.
  • Kurt Bowman (CFO, County 20 Storage & Transfer) requested tax abatement for six industrial properties, arguing that comparable new construction costs were lower than current assessed values and that the city’s comparisons to recently sold concrete buildings were unfair.
  • Blake Carlson (representing LH Broadway LLC) requested tax reductions for two downtown properties, noting the combined purchase price was 23% below assessed value.
  • Austin Morris (Enclave Companies) requested a three-year interest-bearing deferral of special assessments for industrial land, stating it was needed to remain competitive with other communities (e.g., Sioux Falls) where no special assessments apply.
  • Asher Lorenzen denounced Operation Safe Fargo as punitive and dangerous, claiming it would defund winter warming, sell the Downtown Engagement Center, and impose ID/sobriety requirements that would lead to deaths.
  • Alison Slavic (Fargo resident) opposed Operation Safe Fargo, citing research on low-barrier shelters and the importance of the Downtown Engagement Center. She urged a Housing First approach and requested an update on the previously approved housing-first plan.
  • Matt Osborne (downtown condo owner) urged immediate action to get people off the river but stressed the need for mental health and addiction services and affordable housing funding from the state.
  • Doug Charbonneau (Fargo resident) supported Operation Safe Fargo, arguing that current policies have failed, crime is rising, and law enforcement resources are strained. He cited personal experiences with crimes committed by homeless individuals.
  • Angie Feckner (Fargo resident and part-time Palm Springs resident) supported Operation Safe Fargo, explaining that 80% of homeless in Palm Springs were from elsewhere and that voluntary bus tickets helped reunite families. She emphasized the need to start somewhere.
  • Rocky Schneider (Downtown Community Partnership) thanked Commissioner Turnberg for bringing forward a solution but said the proposal needed more refinement. He encouraged collaboration with experts.
  • Denise Vanderbusch (President, Open Door 65) spoke against a one-size-fits-all approach, noting that many homeless have trauma, mental illness, or PTSD and that some cannot be inside. She invited commissioners to visit her thrift store to hear personal stories.
  • Olivia Fisher (Fargo resident) criticized Operation Safe Fargo as a waste of time, stating it violates the recently passed camping resolution and disregards best practices. She argued that the proposal does not include any actual mental health or addiction services.
  • Cheryl Bergian (Fargo resident) spoke against ending the needle exchange program, urging compassion for those with addiction as a chronic disease.
  • Jessie Azure (likely a resident) provided an update on efforts to help Stand (a facility) find a new location and urged ordinance changes to prevent similar neighborhood impacts.

Discussion Items

  • Community Integration Facilitator (Item 40) – Commissioner Kolpack proposed hiring a facilitator, 100% reimbursed by the state, to coordinate refugee and new American integration. Victoria Johnson spoke against hosting it at city hall. Several commissioners expressed concerns about cost, overlap with DEI, and lack of stakeholder input. A motion to delay two months passed 4-1 (Strand opposed).
  • Coneflower Farmhouse Renaissance Zone Project (Item 41) – A mixed-use rehabilitation project at 13-15 8th St S with $727,000 in improvements, exceeding investment thresholds. Unanimously approved.
  • Renaissance Zone Development Plan Update (Item 42) – Staff presented the 2024 plan update, adding two blocks and extending the zone for five more years. Discussion included potential 8-year incentives. Unanimously approved.
  • MATBUS Route Changes (Item 43) – Permanently eliminating Route 32 and replacing it with additional on-demand service for NDSU students, effective January 6, 2025. Unanimously approved.
  • Tax Abatements (Items 44-46) –
    • Item 44: Approved reduction for a misgraded residence (2022-2024).
    • Item 45: Denied abatements for Sky Logistics/County 20 properties, finding values supported by recent sales.
    • Item 46: Denied abatement for 406 Broadway but approved reduction for 412 Broadway to $621,000.
  • 2025 Capital Improvement Plan & Related Projects (Item 47) – Approved the $98 million CIP, 2026 Core Neighborhood and Prairie Dog projects, and updated infrastructure funding policy (caps increased from 2% to 5% annually). Unanimous.
  • Special Assessment Deferral – Enclave Companies (Item 48) – Requested a three-year interest-bearing deferral for industrial land assessments. Denied 4-1 (Piepkorn dissenting).
  • Operation Safe Fargo (Item 49) – Commissioner Turnberg proposed immediate measures: emergency shelter, banned camping after May 1, 2025, relocation of Downtown Engagement Center services to Cass County Public Health, and bus tickets for those wishing to leave. Public testimony was sharply divided. The motion failed 3-2 (Turnberg and Piepkorn in favor; Kolpack, Strand, Mahoney opposed). Commissioners Strand and Mahoney indicated a more comprehensive plan from the FM Coalition to End Homelessness would be presented at the December 23 meeting.
  • Civil Service Commission Appointment (Item 50) – Unanimously appointed Kelsey Roseth.
  • Property Tax Exemptions for Improvements (Item 51) – Approved 16 applications for five-year exemptions on residential improvements.
  • Liaison Reports (Item 52) – Commissioner Turnberg reported that the Fargo Public Library is on track for record circulation (nearly 980,000 items through November) and program attendance (over 39,000). Commissioner Kolpack recognized Fire Chief Dirksen for a FEMA commendation for his leadership on the Region 8 Advisory Council.

Key Outcomes

  • Delayed Community Integration Facilitator – Motion to delay hiring for two months passed 4-1 (Strand opposed).
  • Approved Renaissance Zone Projects – Both the Coneflower Farmhouse project and the five-year plan update were approved unanimously.
  • Approved MATBUS Route Changes – Permanent elimination of Route 32 and addition of on-demand service, effective January 6, 2025.
  • Tax Abatement Decisions –
    • Approved reduction for Kenai Holdings property (parcels at Cattail Cove) for 2022-2024.
    • Denied abatement for six Sky Logistics/County 20 properties.
    • Denied abatement for 406 Broadway; approved reduction for 412 Broadway to $621,000.
  • Approved 2025 CIP and Policy Update – Adopted $98 million capital improvement plan, 2026 reconstruction projects, and increased annual cap escalation from 2% to 5%.
  • Denied Special Assessment Deferral – Enclave Companies’ request denied 4-1.
  • Failed Operation Safe Fargo – Motion defeated 3-2; a broader plan is expected December 23.
  • Appointed Kelsey Roseth to the Civil Service Commission.
  • Approved 16 property tax exemptions for improvements.
  • Commended Fire Chief Dirksen for FEMA recognition.
  • Acknowledged library successes – Record circulation and high program attendance.

The meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Call the meeting to order. We began with the Pledge of Allegiance. I invite you to join us. Roll call. Colpack here. Epcorn. Here. Strand. Here. Turnberg. Here. Mahoney. Here. Library. Two special story times featuring members of the Fargo Police Department reading a holiday themed stories as part of the police novadock campaign are December eleventh at ten A. M. and eleven A.M. at the Carlson Library. The North Dakota Job Service staff will be on site for another pop-up session at the Main Library on December seventeenth from two to four. The sessions are free of charge and registration is not required. Services available include job seeking assistance, veteran services, information and training program, resume building assistance, limited unemployment insurance assistance, and migrant and seasonal farm worker services. So moved. Sir motion to approve the minutes of December twenty-fifth, two thousand twenty-four meeting. So moved. Second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carried. So moved. Sir a second. Second. Roll call vote, please. Call back. Aye. Turnberg. Hi. Pepcorn. Hi. Strand. Yes. Mahoney. Aye. Item 40 40. Recommendation pursue hiring of a community integration facilitator. Commissioner Kolpak to explain. Sure, thank you very much. Um, so this position of a community integration facilitator actually was identified by the Department of Health and Human Services a couple of years ago. And in fact, the position does exist in Grand Forks in Bismarck today. And they have been trying to get Fargo to look at this position since that time. And in the last three and a half months, I've had three meetings with the State Department of Health and Services, State Office of Refugees, as well as included a couple meetings with the two that hold the position in Grand Forks in Bismarck.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com