Fargo City Commission Meeting – February 3, 2025

The Fargo City Commission met on February 3, 2025, beginning with an executive session at 4:15 PM concerning threatened litigation over the sole-source purchase of a Modular Vehicle Barrier System from Advanced Security Technologies. The public session convened at 5:00 PM and covered consent agenda items, a convention center RFP committee, a public hearing on a zoning change, federal transportation funding, a Fargo Police Foundation presentation, a legislative update, and resident comments.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1–27 were approved unanimously. Key actions included:
  • Receive and file ordinances amending license plate impoundment and after-hours alcohol consumption.
  • First reading of an ordinance enacting a conference center and city lodging tax.
  • Waiver and first reading of an accessory use ordinance.
  • Second reading and final adoption of a rezoning for The Pines at the District Seventh Addition.
  • Direction to develop a security policy.
  • Pledged securities report as of December 31, 2024.
  • Site authorizations and applications for games of chance.
  • Bid advertisements for projects PR-25-B and SR-25-A.
  • Creation of improvement districts BR-25-B (paving/utility rehab) and PR-25-C (seal coat).
  • Easement memorandum with Liberty Square Center, LLC.
  • Items from the FAHR meeting: sales tax update, piggyback purchase of 35 sets of firefighting turnout gear ($136,605.00), and one-year contract extension for Assistant City Attorney Erik Johnson.
  • Resolution adopting the 2025 Cass County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan.
  • Lease with the ND Department of Health and Human Services.
  • Plats for Hawthorne Elementary Addition and Prairie Farms Third Addition.
  • Second addendum to the Landfill Use Agreement with Valley City.
  • Submission of the 2025 Transit Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program.
  • Contract for security services with Signal of North Dakota (RFP25002).
  • Lease agreement with Moorhead for fixed-route buses.
  • Bid award of $91,174.76 to KLJ, Inc. for GTC deck overlay architectural/engineering services (RFP25024).
  • First amendment to the sewer agreement with Horace.
  • Contract and bond for Project WW2005.
  • Bills totaling $8,882,223.24.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Olivia Fischer urged the commission to make Fargo a sanctuary city, citing increased hostility toward immigrants and people of color, and called for policies limiting police cooperation with ICE. No action was taken; the comment was recorded.

Discussion Items

• Executive Session and Barrier System Protest: The commission retired to executive session from 4:16 PM to 4:59 PM for attorney consultation regarding threatened litigation. Upon reconvening, Commissioner Kolpack moved to reject the protest made to the city’s sole-source purchase of the Modular Vehicle Barrier System and to direct staff to continue negotiating acceptable terms with Advanced Security Technologies, consistent with the January 21, 2025 approval. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
• Convention Center RFP Committee (Item 28): Charlie Johnson presented a list of individuals to serve on a committee to create and manage the RFP process for a convention center project, approved by voters in November 2024. Commissioner Piepkorn moved to amend the appointment to include all five city commissioners, citing transparency and public trust. After debate—concerns about slowing the process and potential conflicts of interest (e.g., Commissioner Piepkorn’s role on the Fargo Dome Authority) were raised, and Commissioner Strand advocated for exploring a performing arts component—the motion passed 3-2 (Piepkorn, Strand, Turnberg aye; Kolpack, Mahoney nay). The committee will meet weekly, aim to submit the RFP by the end of April 2025, and bring a final recommendation to the commission by fall. All meetings will be publicly noticed.
• Public Hearing – Beardsley’s Addition (Item 29): A zoning change from SR-3 (Single-Dwelling Residential) to UMU (University Mixed-Use) at 1142 18th Street North, recommended by the Planning Commission on January 7, 2025. No public speakers offered testimony. The commission approved the rezoning and the first reading of the ordinance (5-0).
• Federal Aid Transportation Projects (Item 30): Tom Knoblauch presented the 2026-2029 Surface Transportation Block Grant applications. The proposal included delaying the 17th Avenue South project (25th Street to 38th Street) by one year (to 2030) and reallocating West Fargo’s withdrawn $6.3 million in 2027 to reconstruct First Avenue North from University Drive to 10th Street. Commissioner Strand inquired about risks from federal funding freezes; staff noted uncertainty but no current impact. The motion to approve the application with the delay passed (5-0).
• Fargo Police Foundation Presentation (Item 31): Melissa Brandt and Christine Jaeger presented the foundation’s mission to support the Fargo Police Department through three pillars: staff wellness, expansion of supportive resources, and community engagement. Examples included youth programming, suicide prevention, and officer safety equipment. The commission thanked the foundation for its work.
• Legislative Update (Item 32): Commissioner Kolpack reported on her attendance at the legislative session, including testimony against House Bill 1297 (which would eliminate approval voting and ranked choice voting, retroactively affecting Fargo). She argued the measure was a citizen-led initiative passed by 64% in 2018 and violated home rule authority. Mayor Mahoney provided updates on the Red River Valley Water Supply Project, noting a surprise state offer of $550 million to accelerate construction, potentially reducing local costs. Discussion included the need for a bill-tracking matrix and commissioner involvement. City Administrator Michael Redlinger noted 1,068 bills introduced; about 100 are relevant to Fargo, with staff monitoring and reporting to the commission.
• Sustainability and Resiliency Committee Appointment (Item 33): The commission appointed Setiya Hamidi to the committee, approved (5-0).
• Property Tax Exemptions (Item 34): Seven applications for 5-year property tax exemptions for building improvements were approved (5-0).
• Liaison Commissioner Updates (Item 35): Commissioners reported on their committee assignments. Notably, Commissioner Kolpack highlighted the Fargo Youth Initiative, now at full capacity, and their request for updates on homelessness and legislative processes.

Key Outcomes

• Executive Session: Rejected the protest and directed continued negotiations (5-0).
• Convention Center RFP Committee: Approved the recommended list with the addition of all five commissioners (3-2).
• Beardsley’s Addition Rezoning: Approved (5-0).
• Federal Transportation Applications: Approved with the 17th Avenue South project delayed one year (5-0).
• Sustainability Committee Appointment: Setiya Hamidi appointed (5-0).
• Property Tax Exemptions: All seven applications approved (5-0).
• Consent Agenda: Passed unanimously.
• Resident Comment: No formal action; the comment was recorded.