OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Fargo City Commission Meeting - January 8, 2025:

City Commission — Wednesday, January 8, 2025
BodyFargo, North Dakota
SessionCity Commission
DateWednesday, January 8, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
1:11

Oh well done by the dungeon.

4:42

No, you wouldn't.

4:45

Sorry.

4:46

We'll call it order.

4:48

We'll begin with Pledge of Allegiance.

4:50

I invite you to join us.

5:01

Underground with us.

5:07

Roll call, please.

5:09

Coal pack here.

5:10

Capcorn.

5:11

Strand.

5:12

Here.

5:12

Turnberg.

5:13

Here.

5:13

Mahoney.

5:14

Here.

5:15

Inspections.

5:16

In 2024, the new construction of the city totaled $687 million, including 202 single family homes, 38 twin homes or row houses, and 441 multifamily housing units.

5:30

The largest building projects in the city in 2024 were the airport terminal, worth 94 million, the airport parking garage worth 38 million.

5:40

The downtown NP redevelopment project worth 49 million.

5:44

The Alaska was housing project worth 14 million.

5:47

The Von Murr Department store at 16 million.

5:50

And the expansion of the John Deere plant worth for worth 10 million.

5:55

Library.

6:16

National puzzle.

6:17

They would be celebrated January 18th at the main library starting at 9 a.m.

6:22

Activities include a social, puzzle exchange, chess event, and puzzle completion.

6:26

Pre-registration is required for that.

6:30

Planning.

6:30

The city is continuing to support the expansion of child care facilities in Fargo.

6:35

As a member of the North Dakota Opportunity Fund, Fargo has provided letters of support to use this fund, which provides a match from the Bank of North Dakota interest buy down program.

6:46

Support has been provided for five child care facilities and support for two more are on tonight's consent agenda.

6:53

It's an important uh partnership with the city, the North Dakota Opportunity Fund and the Bank of North Dakota.

6:59

On December 26th at approximately 6 p.m., a bus driving a bus driver, Zachary Armstrong was driving Route 15, which runs between downtown and West Acres in Walmart.

7:10

When he noticed a female pastor who was slumped down in her seat and another passenger was trying to get her to respond.

7:17

Zachary pulled the bus over, contacted dispatch to send emergency services to the scene.

7:22

He then retrieved Narcon spray and with the help of another passenger administered the spray.

7:28

The female passenger quickly responded to the narcon, and when emergency services arrived, they remove the female passenger from the bus.

7:36

This is the first time a bus driver has utilized narcine spray, which is located on every bus.

7:42

The city and the transit department would like to recommend Zachary or to commend Zachary for his quick thinking and assistance to this passenger.

7:49

And John, it's a great story about Narcan, right?

7:51

That we put it all over these cars, fire cars in the bus.

7:54

It's another save.

7:56

Yep.

7:57

And then as part of the Faro's commitment to sustainability and response, responsible waste management.

8:02

I'm excited to share a video with you tonight about the city's sanitary landfill reclamation project.

8:09

This initiative focuses on excavating and modernizing the East Landfill site, ensuring environmental safety, reducing long-term liabilities, and maximizing the use of the city-owned land.

8:21

It is forward-thinking project which demonstrates how the city can be innovative to protect the community and so where we're standing now is what was referred to as the old landfill.

8:42

And it was the old landfill because it was an operating landfill between 1950 and 1980.

8:48

So it was all 160 acres were full of garbage that was not in a line cell.

8:53

So the way they handled the landfilling back in the day was just digging a hole, putting garbage in, and covering it up.

8:58

What we're doing with this reclamation project is removing that old waste and the contaminated soil and water that was in there, relocating it to our active cells, and then constructing in its place a new cell that's regulated by the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality and the EPA.

9:14

And these new cells are lined with a base liner that contains all the waste and contains all the water.

9:19

We put in a leachate collection system, which takes the contaminated water and brings it for treatment up at the wastewater treatment facility.

9:25

In the best interest of the city, we decided we would excavate out the old waste, remove that liability, and bring it up to standards so that we can make sure that we're keeping the area around us safe.

9:35

The city is saving money.

9:37

We're utilizing space that the city already owns.

9:39

We don't have to purchase land elsewhere to try and develop a landfill.

9:42

There's a lot of permitting and other costs that come in to trying to develop a new landfill site.

9:47

So that's a huge cost savings here.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████20%
Public Engagement██████████████14%
Public Works████████████12%
Zoning████████████12%
Historic Preservation██████████10%
Public Transit█████████9%
Miscellaneous███████7%
Downtown Revitalization█████5%
Homelessness█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Fargo City Commission Meeting - January 8, 2025

The Fargo City Commission held its regular meeting on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 5:00 PM in the Commission Chambers. The meeting covered a wide range of items including approval of consent agenda items, public hearings on a Renaissance Zone application and a zoning change, discussion on the future of the Fargo Civic Center, and resident comments. The meeting adjourned at 5:52 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously (5-0) all 32 consent agenda items, including:
    • Letter of Support for Small Wonders Preschool & Child Care Center.
    • Second reading and final adoption of ordinances rezoning properties in Hal Addition and Eagle Valley Fifth Addition.
    • Amendment to Fargo Municipal Code Section 8-0602 regarding starting, stopping, or turning signals.
    • Second Amendment to Findings of Fact for 909 4th Street North.
    • Amendment to Municipal Code sections 20-0403(C)(5)(e) and 20-0402(T)(3) to comply with a North Dakota Supreme Court decision.
    • Four games of chance applications (F5 Project, Fargo Air Museum, St. John Paul II Catholic Schools, and ND Elite Cheer Parents d/b/a NDECP).
    • Administrative penalties for liquor license violations: $500 fines for Buffalo Wild Wings (42nd St S), Rick’s Bar, Old Broadway, and Rhombus Guys; $750 fine for VFW (second violation).
    • Nine memoranda of offer for permanent easements (sidewalk) for Improvement District No. BR-25-B1.
    • Change Order No. 4 for $19,309.41 for Improvement District No. BR-24-B1.
    • Creation of Improvement District No. BR-25-F.
    • Negative Final Balancing Change Order No. 1 for -$89,350.42 for Project No. PR-24-F2.
    • Bid advertisements for Projects TN-24-A and SN-25-A.
    • Master Service Agreements for Electrical Services (RFP25017).
    • Items from the FAHR meeting (Sales Tax update, Fire Department budget rollover, broadcast display replacement piggyback purchase).
    • Contract with Bee Seen Gear for Fire Department service uniforms.
    • Purchase of Service Agreement with Cass Human Service Zone.
    • Notice of Grant Award Amendment for Ryan White Part B Program.
    • Health Savings Account Administrative Services Agreement with WEX.
    • Resolution approving Plat of Estes Addition.
    • Mass Transit Agreement with the City of West Fargo for 2025.
    • Bills in the amount of $8,159,535.58.

Public Hearings

  • Renaissance Zone Application (Item 34): A public hearing was held for MBN Properties, LLC’s application for rehabilitation of the commercial building at 701 Main Avenue. The project involves $850,000 in interior rehabilitation with historic preservation tax credits. The current property value is $954,000. The Renaissance Zone Board unanimously approved the application. The Commission voted 4-1 (Strand nay) to approve the Renaissance Zone application and associated tax exemptions. Commissioner Strand expressed disappointment over the lack of public discourse before the city-owned historic property was sold by the Park District. All other commissioners supported the project for revitalizing a landmark building.
  • Zoning Change (Item 35): A public hearing was held for a zoning change to repeal and re-establish a C-O Conditional Overlay on Lot 1, Block 1 of The District of Fargo Fifth Addition (3788 55th Avenue South). The change allows the current sign code to regulate electronic messaging signs instead of the 2007 overlay. The Planning Commission recommended approval. The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the zoning change and 5-0 to approve first reading of the rezoning ordinance.

Discussion Items

  • River Drive Shared Use Path Alignment (Item 33): Jeremy Gordon presented the recommended alignment for the path, which will run from Elm Street at 15th Avenue North to the cul-de-sac at Woodcrest Drive. The path is over a mile long with an estimated cost of $1.3 million, funded by federal funds and a local share split with the Fargo Park District. No special assessments are involved. The alignment was moved from 35 feet to 75 feet from rear property lines and lowered 8-9 feet in elevation to address neighbor privacy concerns. The path will be open during daylight hours and closed after dark. The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the alignment. Commissioners noted this is a long-awaited connection that may eventually link to Moorhead and beyond.
  • 2025 RFQ Process for Fargo Civic Center (Item 36): Mayor Mahoney initiated a discussion on issuing a Request for Qualifications to gather ideas from the public and developers for the future use of the Fargo Civic Center. The goal is to activate the space in the short to medium term. Commissioner Piepkorn opposed, citing a $7.5 million estimated cost for necessary infrastructure upgrades and stating the city is "over the fiscal cliff." Other commissioners supported seeking input to potentially generate revenue or repurpose the asset. The motion to direct staff to draft an RFQ for Commission consideration in late January/early February passed 4-1 (Piepkorn nay).
  • Liquor Control Board Appointment (Item 37): The Commission approved the appointment of Doyle to the Liquor Control Board with a 5-0 vote.
  • Property Tax Exemptions for Improvements (Item 38): The Commission approved 18 applications for 5-year property tax exemptions for residential improvements. The list includes properties on 28½ Ave S, 6th Ave N, 35th Ave S, 5th St S, Broadway N, 46th Ave S, Parkview Dr S, 1st St N, Parkview Dr S, 18th St S, 37½ Ave S, Meadowlark Lane, 38th Ave S, 2nd St N, 11th St S, Lilac Lane, 26th Ave N, and 4th St N. Approved 5-0.
  • Purchase Agreement with Galvanizers, Inc. (Item 41): The Commission approved a purchase agreement for the sale of a 10.84-acre industrial property in West Fargo to Galvanizers, Inc. The purchase price is $1,055,000 with an earnest money deposit of $100,000. The buyer is responsible for all subdivision work and entitlements with West Fargo. Approved 5-0.

Key Outcomes

  • All consent agenda items approved unanimously (5-0).
  • River Drive Shared Use Path alignment approved unanimously (5-0).
  • Renaissance Zone application approved 4-1 (Commissioner Strand dissenting).
  • Zoning change for The District of Fargo Fifth Addition approved 5-0 for both the public hearing and first reading.
  • Civic Center RFQ process approved 4-1 (Commissioner Piepkorn dissenting).
  • Liquor Control Board appointment approved unanimously (5-0).
  • Property tax exemptions approved unanimously (5-0).
  • Purchase agreement with Galvanizers, Inc. approved unanimously (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Resident Comments: Andrew Hennessey spoke during the resident comment period. He noted that despite existing shelters, 50-100 people per night go without shelter in downtown Fargo. He praised Commissioner Strand’s winter warming program at the old police station but pointed out limitations such as no pets allowed and the inability to lie down on cots.

Other Highlights

  • Mayor Mahoney read a proclamation reporting that $687 million in new construction occurred in Fargo in 2024, including 202 single-family homes, 38 twin homes or row houses, and 441 multifamily housing units. Largest projects: airport terminal ($94M), airport parking garage ($38M), downtown NP redevelopment ($49M), and others.
  • The City recognized bus driver Zachary Armstrong for administering Narcan to a passenger on December 26, 2024—the first time a bus driver used the overdose reversal spray.
  • Commissioners provided updates on their liaison assignments, including the Fargo Youth Initiative, warming center approaching 50 occupants, fentanyl awareness efforts, and an upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Awards event on January 20.
  • Commissioner Piepkorn congratulated the NDSU Bison football team on their 18th national championship.
  • The meeting included thanks to outgoing staff member Shelley for her service.

Meeting dates, times, and statistics are taken from the agenda, minutes, and transcript. Votes are as recorded in the minutes.

Meeting Transcript

Oh well done by the dungeon. No, you wouldn't. Sorry. We'll call it order. We'll begin with Pledge of Allegiance. I invite you to join us. Underground with us. Roll call, please. Coal pack here. Capcorn. Strand. Here. Turnberg. Here. Mahoney. Here. Inspections. In 2024, the new construction of the city totaled $687 million, including 202 single family homes, 38 twin homes or row houses, and 441 multifamily housing units. The largest building projects in the city in 2024 were the airport terminal, worth 94 million, the airport parking garage worth 38 million. The downtown NP redevelopment project worth 49 million. The Alaska was housing project worth 14 million. The Von Murr Department store at 16 million. And the expansion of the John Deere plant worth for worth 10 million. Library. National puzzle. They would be celebrated January 18th at the main library starting at 9 a.m. Activities include a social, puzzle exchange, chess event, and puzzle completion. Pre-registration is required for that. Planning. The city is continuing to support the expansion of child care facilities in Fargo. As a member of the North Dakota Opportunity Fund, Fargo has provided letters of support to use this fund, which provides a match from the Bank of North Dakota interest buy down program. Support has been provided for five child care facilities and support for two more are on tonight's consent agenda. It's an important uh partnership with the city, the North Dakota Opportunity Fund and the Bank of North Dakota. On December 26th at approximately 6 p.m., a bus driving a bus driver, Zachary Armstrong was driving Route 15, which runs between downtown and West Acres in Walmart. When he noticed a female pastor who was slumped down in her seat and another passenger was trying to get her to respond. Zachary pulled the bus over, contacted dispatch to send emergency services to the scene. He then retrieved Narcon spray and with the help of another passenger administered the spray. The female passenger quickly responded to the narcon, and when emergency services arrived, they remove the female passenger from the bus. This is the first time a bus driver has utilized narcine spray, which is located on every bus. The city and the transit department would like to recommend Zachary or to commend Zachary for his quick thinking and assistance to this passenger. And John, it's a great story about Narcan, right? That we put it all over these cars, fire cars in the bus. It's another save. Yep. And then as part of the Faro's commitment to sustainability and response, responsible waste management. I'm excited to share a video with you tonight about the city's sanitary landfill reclamation project. This initiative focuses on excavating and modernizing the East Landfill site, ensuring environmental safety, reducing long-term liabilities, and maximizing the use of the city-owned land. It is forward-thinking project which demonstrates how the city can be innovative to protect the community and so where we're standing now is what was referred to as the old landfill. And it was the old landfill because it was an operating landfill between 1950 and 1980. So it was all 160 acres were full of garbage that was not in a line cell.

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