Fargo City Commission Meeting: Homelessness Strategy, Camping Ban, and Service Center Plans - December 23, 2024

The Fargo City Commission met on December 23, 2024, for a regular meeting following an executive session on a property acquisition. The meeting featured a major unified presentation on homelessness from the FM Coalition and United Way, a public hearing and vote on a proposed camping ban sunset, and a discussion on transitioning the Downtown Engagement Center into a comprehensive Community Service Center. The commission also approved routine consent items, zone changes, a liquor license transfer, the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, and several appointments.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the Consent Agenda (Items 1-40), which included the first reading of an ordinance on traffic signals, license renewals for alcoholic beverages and live entertainment, gaming site authorizations, several bid awards (including a $543,559.25 three-axle truck and a $395,923.00 dual auto side load truck), grant acceptances (including $136,000.00 from the State Homeland Security Program), engineering contract amendments, intergovernmental agreements (with West Fargo, Cass County, and Oxbow), and bills totaling $16,204,928.77.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Olivia Fischer (Fargo Resident): Opposed the proposed sunset of the camping resolution, arguing it criminalizes homelessness and urging the commission to prioritize compassion and services over enforcement. She later spoke during the resident comment period, urging commissioners to pass a ceasefire resolution regarding the conflict in Gaza.
• Matt Osborne (Downtown Condo Owner): Urged the commission to work collaboratively with state and federal representatives to secure funding for affordable housing and drug treatment, emphasizing that this is a community-wide issue that requires activating citizens.
• Rocky Schneider (Downtown Community Partnership): Thanked the city for incremental progress on the camping issue, noted the importance of the 30/60/90-day plan, and urged the activation of riverfront trails to deter encampments and improve public safety.
• Deb Frederickson (Fargo Resident): Voiced strong support for the proposed Community Service Center, stating that concentrating services in one facility would be more efficient than the current scattered approach.
• Cheryl Bergian (Fargo Resident): Shared a personal family story about a member overcoming homelessness and addiction through a Housing First program in rural Minnesota. She expressed support for the city’s direction on homelessness and recommended allowing metro-area residents from outside Fargo city limits to speak during public comment.

Discussion Items

• Unified Homelessness Strategy (Item 41): Chandler Esslinger, Executive Director of the FM Coalition to End Homelessness, and Taylor Syvertson, Director of Community Impact for United Way of Cass-Clay, presented a metro-wide plan to address homelessness. They described the current homelessness response system as ‘overwhelmed,’ with shelters at or over capacity and unsheltered homelessness reaching crisis levels. They advocated for an evidence-based ‘Housing First’ strategy and a 30/60/90-day action plan focused on minimizing inflow, managing crisis, and maximizing outflow into permanent housing. They highlighted a 5-to-1 return on investment for prevention and diversion programs. Mayor Mahoney stated the city would transition to a ‘supportive role’ within this broader metro effort, and Commissioner Kolpack praised the collaborative, cross-sector approach. Commissioner Strand asked about relocation services; Esslinger confirmed the system reunifies individuals with family when appropriate but noted the vast majority of people experiencing homelessness are from the local region.
• Public Hearings on Zone Changes (Items 42 & 43): The commission held public hearings for two zoning matters. (1) The HAL Addition, which consolidates lots and vacates an alley in the downtown area to allow for mixed-use redevelopment. Commissioner Piepkorn highlighted neighborhood support, the elimination of blight, the potential for lower-cost housing, and alignment with a nearby neighborhood school. The zoning change from DMU/MR-3/LC to DMU was unanimously approved. (2) The Eagle Valley Fifth Addition, which rezones a property from Limited Commercial with a Conditional Overlay to Single-Dwelling Residential (SR-5). Commissioners discussed the loss of potential neighborhood commercial amenities (e.g., coffee shops) but confirmed the change aligns with the 2024 Fargo Growth Plan. The zone change was unanimously approved.
• Red Lobster Liquor License Transfer (Item 44): The commission approved the transfer of ownership for the Class “A” Alcoholic Beverage License for Red Lobster, located at 4215 13th Avenue South. Commissioner Piepkorn inquired about the market value of such licenses.
• Metro COG Transportation Plan (Item 45): Michael Maddox, Senior Transportation Planner, presented the “Metro 2050” Metropolitan Transportation Plan. The plan sets a 20-25 year vision and introduces a context-sensitive approach to roadway design, balancing congestion relief with safety. The commission discussed the implications of Metro COG becoming a Transportation Management Area (TMA). The commission unanimously adopted a Resolution of Support for the plan.
• Sunset of Camping on Public Property Resolution (Item 46): Mayor Mahoney proposed sun-setting the resolution prohibiting camping on public property and rights-of-way on March 23, 2025, a 90-day phased approach intended to provide time for a coordinated effort. He reported that the city is currently aware of 5 active camps, 6 people, 3 dogs, and 1 cat. Commissioner Strand noted the significant reduction in camps (from over 40 down to 5) and emphasized that there have been zero deaths among the unsheltered population during this period. Commissioner Kolpack thanked Team Fargo and community partners. The motion to sunset the resolution on the designated date passed unanimously (5-0).
• Transitioning the Downtown Engagement Center to a Community Service Center (Item 47): Mayor Mahoney outlined a framework for a new centralized facility. It would combine the relocated engagement center, Gladys Ray Shelter services, a deflection center (to reduce police workload), and mental health providers (including Southeast Human Services). The preferred relocation area is outside the downtown core to improve efficiency. The estimated budget involves fundraising $2.5 to $3 million from private donors and $2.5 million from the city, potentially sourced from the sale of the current engagement center building and the old Fargo Cass Public Health building. The city is receiving guidance from Bloomberg Associates. Commissioner Piepkorn strongly dissented, stating the city has no additional funds for homelessness, cannot be the lead agency, and insisted all homeless services (including the Salvation Army) must move out of downtown to protect downtown redevelopment. Commissioner Strand supported exploring the framework further and suggested consolidating a list of all city assets for potential use. No formal vote was taken on this discussion item; it served as a framework for future work.
• Appointments (Items 48 & 49): The commission unanimously approved appointments to the Renaissance Zone Authority, Historic Preservation Commission, Native American Commission, and the Fargo Youth Initiative, which reached full capacity for the first time in several years.
• Extra Item - 2025 Meeting Calendar: The commission voted unanimously to move the January 6, 2025, meeting to Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. due to the NDSU Bison playoff game.
• Liaison Commissioner Updates (Item 50): Commissioner Strand promoted the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Awards event (Jan. 20). Commissioner Kolpack announced the winners of the City Hall holiday decoration contest, with Planning & Development taking first place.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Consent Agenda including routine finances, grants, permits, and contracts.
• Received and Discussed the Unified Homelessness Strategy, with the city committing to a supportive role alongside the FM Coalition and United Way.
• Approved the HAL Addition and Eagle Valley Fifth Addition zoning changes.
• Approved the Red Lobster Class “A” Alcoholic Beverage License transfer.
• Adopted a Resolution of Support for the Metro COG Metropolitan Transportation Plan (Metro 2050).
• Voted (5-0) to Sunset the resolution banning camping on public property on March 23, 2025.
• Discussed the framework for the new Community Service Center; no formal action was taken.
• Approved appointments to the Renaissance Zone Authority, Historic Preservation Commission, Native American Commission, and Fargo Youth Initiative.
• Approved an amendment to the 2025 meeting calendar, moving the January 6 meeting to January 8.