Fargo City Commission Regular Meeting - January 21, 2025

The Fargo City Commission held its regular meeting on January 21, 2025, at 5:00 PM in the City Commission Chambers. The meeting covered a consent agenda with 26 items, a presentation on the Downtown Business Improvement District, a public hearing for a rezoning and subdivision, introduction of a lodging tax ordinance for a conference center, an overview of employee exit interviews, and resident comments. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Approved 26 routine items including: rezoning of the District of Fargo Fifth Addition, MOUs between VA and Fargo Police, gaming site authorization, games of chance applications, change orders, bid awards, improvement district creation, reimbursement, floodwall easement, ground lease supplement, FAHR items (K-9 replacements, Youthworks grant, forestry services, West Fargo agreement, modular vehicle barrier system, drug enforcement task force funds), Fire Station No. 5 change order, farm-to-school grant, interim health officer agreement, Project Safe Neighborhoods grant adjustment, animal pound services agreement, YWCA CDBG agreement, street sweepers, truck chassis, Stantec task orders, interim financing for water supply project, $35M bond for lead service line replacement, Sun Electric extension, and bills totaling $11,315,864.94.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Apostle Cizaria offered a prayer for the city, commissioners, police, fire, and children, citing Hebrews 13:17.
• Ryan Netterville expressed frustration regarding the death of his brother, referencing a prior statement about past issues and alleging injustice. He claimed the city has not provided justice for his brother's shooting.

Discussion Items

• Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) Overview: Rocky Schneider, Executive Director of the Downtown Community Partnership, presented 2024 statistics. The BID covers 72 blocks with five zones; annual revenue is just under $1 million, primarily from assessments. Key services include cleaning, graffiti removal, biohazard cleanup, snow removal, and hospitality. In 2024, the team removed 800 pieces of graffiti, disinfected trash cans and benches, and collected about 100,000 pounds of trash/recycling. New businesses include Nova Eatery (old Burn Bomb spot) and a bodega/deli (old Zambros spot). The BID team retained all staff in 2024.
• The Pines at the District Seventh Addition (Public Hearing): Donald Cress of Planning and Development presented a request to rezone an undeveloped 3-lot parcel near I-29 and 52nd Avenue South from LC (Limited Commercial) with C-O (Conditional Overlay) to MR-3 (Multi-Dwelling Residential) with C-O, and to plat the subdivision. The planning commission recommended approval on June 4, 2024; delays were due to technical easement complications. The commission approved the rezoning and first reading of the ordinance unanimously (5-0).
• Lodging Tax and Conference Center Ordinance: City Attorney Eric Johnson explained that voters approved a home rule charter amendment on November 5, 2024, authorizing a 3% lodging tax to fund a conference center. The ordinance is the first step; the commission will later issue an RFP for the project location and developer. Commissioner John Strand suggested including a performing arts center. The commission voted unanimously to receive and file the ordinance, with first reading at the next meeting.
• Employee Exit Interview Overview: Commissioner Denise Kolpack requested the presentation following media coverage. HR Director Jill Minette explained that exit interviews are optional, conducted by HR managers, and stored separately. In 2024, there were 280 separations (including temporary/seasonal), 60 exit interviews completed. Highest average rating (1-10) was 8.8 for supervision received; lowest was 7.22 for compensation. Five-year average shows relatively stable ratings, with a decline in compensation. Minette noted that public sector open records laws can deter participation. Commissioner Kolpack asked for documentation of actions taken in response to exit interview feedback. Mayor Mahoney suggested annual updates to the commission.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent agenda items 1-26 unanimously.
• Approved the rezoning and plat for The Pines at the District Seventh Addition (5-0).
• Approved first reading of the rezoning ordinance (5-0).
• Received and filed the lodging tax/conference center ordinance, placing it on first reading at the next meeting (5-0).
• The presentation on exit interviews was received; no formal vote taken.
• Commissioner reports noted: MLK Day celebration success, airport terminal expansion progress, and water treatment plant upgrade completion (granular activated carbon filters, 75% EPA grant up to $4.8M).
• Library records: 1,005,690 items circulated and 43,421 programming attendees in 2024.
• Meeting adjourned at 6:03 PM.