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Record of Proceedings

Fargo City Commission Meeting February 18, 2025: Executive Session, Tax Abatement Denied, RFQ for Civic Center Approved

City Commission — Tuesday, February 18, 2025
BodyFargo, North Dakota
SessionCity Commission
DateTuesday, February 18, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
2:03

Call the meeting to order.

2:05

We'll begin with Pledge of Allegiance.

2:07

I invite you to join us.

2:23

Roll call.

2:25

Colpack here.

2:26

Pepcorn.

2:26

Here.

2:27

Strand?

2:27

Here.

2:28

Turnberg.

2:28

Here.

2:29

Mahoney.

2:30

Here.

2:30

We came out of the executive session, and there was a motion that was suggested to move to authorized administrator Michael Redinger to negotiate with the parameters within the parameters as established in the executive session.

2:43

Do I have that motion?

2:45

So moved.

2:46

Sir Second.

2:47

Second.

2:48

Any discussion.

2:49

Roll call vote, please.

2:51

Colpack here.

2:53

I.

2:53

Pepcorn.

2:54

Hi.

2:55

Strand.

2:56

Mahoney.

2:57

Yes.

2:58

Library.

2:59

The cooperative games night for teens will be February twenty-fourth from five PM to seven PM at the main library.

3:05

The games are not so much about competition as they're about working together to beat the clock.

3:09

Registration is not required for this event.

3:17

Winter reading challenge ends March 1st.

3:19

There's still time for area readers of all ages to read to earn books, prizes, and chances to enterprise drawings.

3:34

Last week, the community came together to remember and honor Margo Police Officer Jason Mosher on the ninth anniversary of his passing.

3:54

Also, we're honored to report that after eighteen months of recovery Fargo Police Officers Andrew Dotas and Tyler Haas are back on the street serving Fargo residents, businesses, and visitors.

4:28

Prior to becoming a police officer, he was in the Minnesota Army National Guard serving two tours as an Army medic.

5:00

They did a benefit game shortly after he died, and then a year later we did uh memorial game for him.

5:07

And that was that was a sellout.

5:10

And shortly after that, then we met his heart recipient.

5:14

He was an organ donor.

5:17

When we first met them, and we all got uh listening to Jason's heartbeat, which was pretty cool.

5:25

Pretty good friends with them now.

5:28

Like it's not lost on us right now as we're preparing to send you to college.

5:32

Knowing that you were in third grade and he died and he's missed, you know, missed everything.

5:37

Um because he would have been really proud of you, you know, making those decisions, and I know he would have wanted to be part of it.

5:42

Um probably would not be happier gonna go up to UND instead of NDSU.

5:46

I mean, those things are still really real for us all the time.

5:49

And and other people can just, you know, I feel like it's not really ever moving on because you don't.

5:56

Um you move forward and you find ways to just um there's something to deal with it.

6:01

It's really real for us every day.

6:03

I mean, I think it's just kind of harder this year with me being a senior and graduating, and he's not gonna get to see me.

6:09

He's not gonna get to see me walk across the stage, and I know he'll be watching from heaven, you know, but he can't be there in person.

6:17

I think that's one thing that's harder for me.

6:20

Remember I'm a police officer and uh and a soldier and a good son.

6:29

Yeah, and it's every day we think of him.

6:34

Been almost nine years, and it's like it happened yesterday.

6:42

Never forgotten.

6:44

Cherished forever.

6:46

Fargo police officer Jason David Mosier.

6:50

End of watch.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety██████████████████████████████30%
Procedural███████████████████19%
Budget Equity Analysis███████████████████19%
Public Infrastructure██████████████14%
Public Transit█████████9%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Summary of Proceedings

Fargo City Commission Meeting - February 18, 2025

The Fargo City Commission met on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, starting with an executive session at 3:30 PM and a public session at 5:00 PM. The commission unanimously approved the consent agenda, denied a tax abatement request, approved the 2025 Transit Program of Projects, approved a rezoning and plat for the Grafstrom First Addition, and approved an RFQ for professional event curation services for the Civic Center. The meeting adjourned at 5:30 PM.

Executive Session

  • The commission met in executive session from 3:35 PM to 4:50 PM to discuss offers from WMF Properties LLC and Hazer Ventures LLC for portions of City property west of the landfill, as well as exempt security system records.
  • Following the session, the commission voted unanimously to authorize City Administrator Michael Redlinger to negotiate within parameters established in the executive session.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the consent agenda (items 1-28) unanimously, including:
    • Tax abatements for properties at 6456 56th Avenue South and 1214 41st Avenue North (no change in value).
    • Final adoption of ordinances for a new conference center and city lodging tax, accessory use standards, and rezoning for Beardsley's Addition.
    • First readings of ordinances on license plate impoundment, alcohol consumption after hours, and others.
    • Interim financing agreement for the Red River Valley Water Supply Project.
    • Extension of Class "FA" liquor license for Mexican Village II, LLP until 6/30/25.
    • Bid awards: Central Specialties, Inc. ($562,302.20) for Project SN-25-A1; Northern Improvement Co. ($1,995,413.50) for Improvement District BR-25-F1; Northdale Oil, Inc. for fuel.
    • Bid advertisements for projects PR-25-A, QR-25-A, TR-25-C, TR-25-D, and creation of Improvement District PR-25-E.
    • Items from FAHR meeting, including transit agreements, library security services ($23,385), and hook and hoist truck procurement.
    • Change Order No. 1 for Fire Station No. 5 (electrical) in the amount of $2,883.25.
    • Bid award for vehicle towing/storage to Fargo Moorhead Towing.
    • Plats for Avery Commons and Skyline Additions.
    • Grant application for Digital Forensics LTP Program, unpaid leave extension for Jeffery Kolrud, and lawn maintenance extensions.
    • Bills totaling $6,313,407.64.

Tax Abatement Application (#4590)

  • Discussion: Mike Spankowski explained the mass appraisal process, noting that the City aims for a median assessment-to-sale ratio of 90-100% but acknowledges some inaccuracies. For the property at 6480 56th Avenue South, the 2023 value was $443,100, and the 2024 value was $402,800 after reappraisal. Staff compared six comparable sales (median $306 per square foot) and comparably assessed properties (median $307 per square foot), finding the subject at $301 per square foot, thus concluding the value was equitable and supported.
  • Decision: The commission voted unanimously to deny the abatement, keeping the 2023 value at $443,100.

Public Hearing: Section 5307 Transit Grant Program of Projects

  • Discussion: Julie Bobb explained the 2025 preliminary program of projects for the Federal Transit Administration grant. The amount available is $1.288 million (five-twelfths of the expected total), with an anticipated additional $1.8 million. This is a 4% increase over last year's allocation. Funds will support operating, planning, ADA paratransit, and 1% for safety/security.
  • Commissioner Strand asked about potential fund jeopardy; Bobb noted the FTA has not provided clarity, and if funds are cut, service cuts would be necessary.
  • Decision: Approved unanimously to submit the grant application.

Public Hearing: Grafstrom First Addition

  • Discussion: Donald Crest presented the proposal for land at 5401 and 5617 9th Avenue North and 2101 57th Street North. The property is largely undeveloped with two residences, and the plat proposes 13 lots and a private drive. The zoning would change from AG (Agricultural) to AG and LI (Limited Industrial) for lots 2-12, with two lots retaining agricultural zoning. The Planning Commission recommended approval on December 3, 2024. A minor plat modification (adding an 'N' to 'Vern away North') is pending.
  • Decision: Approved the rezoning and plat unanimously, and approved the first reading of the rezoning ordinance unanimously.

Civic Center RFQ

  • Discussion: Michael Redlinger presented the RFQ for professional event curation and management services at the Fargo Civic Center. The process aims to engage promoters and potential users; the RFQ includes "as-is" condition language. Responses are due March 28, 2025, with staff recommendations expected in mid-April. The RFQ does not include a sale option; any purchase proposal would be separate. Staff will reserve office space for city needs and focus on activating the arena and lower level. Commissioner Piepkorn asked about infrastructure costs—noted that capital improvements would be brought back to the commission. Commissioner Strand asked about alternative uses if no proposals are received—staff mentioned potential public use or city offices.
  • Decision: Approved unanimously to issue the RFQ and proceed with the process.

Resident Comments

  • None.

Commissioner Updates

  • Commissioner Kolpack recognized the engineering excellence award for Fargo's newest water tower (2.5 million gallons) from the American Council of Engineering Companies of North Dakota, and noted Communication Government Communicators Day on February 21.

Meeting Transcript

Call the meeting to order. We'll begin with Pledge of Allegiance. I invite you to join us. Roll call. Colpack here. Pepcorn. Here. Strand? Here. Turnberg. Here. Mahoney. Here. We came out of the executive session, and there was a motion that was suggested to move to authorized administrator Michael Redinger to negotiate with the parameters within the parameters as established in the executive session. Do I have that motion? So moved. Sir Second. Second. Any discussion. Roll call vote, please. Colpack here. I. Pepcorn. Hi. Strand. Mahoney. Yes. Library. The cooperative games night for teens will be February twenty-fourth from five PM to seven PM at the main library. The games are not so much about competition as they're about working together to beat the clock. Registration is not required for this event. Winter reading challenge ends March 1st. There's still time for area readers of all ages to read to earn books, prizes, and chances to enterprise drawings. Last week, the community came together to remember and honor Margo Police Officer Jason Mosher on the ninth anniversary of his passing. Also, we're honored to report that after eighteen months of recovery Fargo Police Officers Andrew Dotas and Tyler Haas are back on the street serving Fargo residents, businesses, and visitors. Prior to becoming a police officer, he was in the Minnesota Army National Guard serving two tours as an Army medic. They did a benefit game shortly after he died, and then a year later we did uh memorial game for him. And that was that was a sellout. And shortly after that, then we met his heart recipient. He was an organ donor. When we first met them, and we all got uh listening to Jason's heartbeat, which was pretty cool. Pretty good friends with them now. Like it's not lost on us right now as we're preparing to send you to college. Knowing that you were in third grade and he died and he's missed, you know, missed everything. Um because he would have been really proud of you, you know, making those decisions, and I know he would have wanted to be part of it. Um probably would not be happier gonna go up to UND instead of NDSU. I mean, those things are still really real for us all the time. And and other people can just, you know, I feel like it's not really ever moving on because you don't. Um you move forward and you find ways to just um there's something to deal with it. It's really real for us every day.

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