Fargo City Commission Meeting – June 9, 2025

The Fargo City Commission met on June 9, 2025, at 5:00 PM in the Commission Chambers, following a 4:30 PM Executive Session to discuss negotiation strategy for land sales. The regular meeting covered consent agenda approvals, a fire chief appointment, construction updates, public hearings on transit changes and a property tax exemption, a convention center RFP, board appointments, a measles update, and resident comments on homelessness, voting reform, and police alternatives.

Consent Calendar

• Approved items 1–44 unanimously by roll call vote (Commissioners Kolpack, Strand, Piepkorn, Ternberg, and Mahoney all in favor). Items included waiving ordinance readings, adopting building and fire code updates, approving traffic and liquor license amendments, lawsuits, site authorizations for games of chance, right-of-way agreements, capital improvement plan revisions, change orders, contracts, bid awards, transit documents, and other routine actions.

Public Hearings

• Public Hearing – LinkFM Permanent Route and Service Changes: Jordan Smith (MATBUS) presented the recommendation to permanently end the LinkFM service due to dwindling ridership, increased downtown parking, and construction in Moorhead. No public comments were offered. The commission voted unanimously to approve the elimination effective immediately.
• Public Hearing – Property Tax Exemption for Bert’s Truck Equipment of Moorhead, Inc.: The applicant, a fifth-generation family business, requested a 5-year exemption for property at 2601 3rd Avenue North to manufacture snow plow trucks. The Economic Development Incentive Committee recommended approval (score 164.8 first year). The company will add 18 jobs in year one (average salary $75,000) and up to 30 by year five. No public comments were offered. The commission voted unanimously to approve the exemption.

Discussion Items

• Appointment of Fire Chief: Michael Redinger reported that the selection committee unanimously recommended Gary Lorenz from the Grand Forks Fire Department as the new Fire Chief, following interviews with three finalists. The appointment is conditional pending background checks; a swearing-in ceremony is planned for July. The commission voted unanimously to approve the appointment.
• Construction Update: Tom (Engineering) provided a monthly update. Key projects: 45th Street South concrete pavement repair (northbound two lanes, southbound one lane; completion expected end of July), 32nd Avenue South closed between 15th and 18th Streets (paving between 15th and 17th expected to open early July), NP Avenue between Broadway and Roberts (underground utility installation), and various other street reconstruction, seal coat, and flood risk management projects. No safety incidents since last report. Commissioner Strand asked about Veterans Boulevard traffic issues; Tom noted that traffic shifts due to 45th Street construction may be a factor, but no widening project is planned at this time.
• Convention Center RFP: Charlie Johnson (Visit Fargo-Moorhead) presented the Request for Proposals for a convention center/hotel public-private partnership, funded by a 3% lodging tax. The advisory committee spent months developing the RFP, including site visits to Rochester and St. Cloud. The RFP will be available by June 11, with developer questions due July 11, proposals due August 7. Scoring criteria include proximity to existing amenities and room for expansion. Commissioner Strand inquired about site control; the RFP requires developers to disclose land ownership status. Commissioner Kolpack noted that the committee’s scoring system was carefully crafted. The commission voted unanimously to approve the RFP.
• Property Tax Exemptions for Improvements: Three applications (Wade Savageau, Barry and Kay Malme, Preston Bolton) for 5-year exemptions on building improvements were approved unanimously without discussion.
• Board and Commission Appointments: Appointments to the Special Assessment Commission, Library Board, and Arts and Culture Commission were approved unanimously. Commissioner Kolpack thanked outgoing Arts and Culture Commission chair Tracy Jardis for her service.
• Measles Update: Brenton Nesemeier (State Epidemiologist) and Jen Powell (Fargo Cass Public Health) reported 34 measles cases in North Dakota (Cass County: 7, all linked; no community transmission). Nationwide, 1,168 cases across 34 states. Vaccination rate in Cass County is 90–93%, below the 95% herd immunity threshold. Fargo Cass Public Health held two clinics immunizing 48 adults, with 15 more last week. No new cases since May 25. The presentation was informational; no action taken.

Resident Comments

• Olivia (Fargo resident): Expressed strong opposition to the closure of the warming center, the camping ban, and the planned 55% jail expansion (540 beds, $31 million), while the city prioritizes a $40 million convention center. Demanded accountability for promised housing units and urged the commission to set strict deadlines for homeless solutions.
• Jim Shaw (Fargo resident): Called on the commission to hold a special election to implement a nonpartisan primary system for city elections, as a replacement for approval voting which was banned by the state legislature. Proposed that the top four commission candidates and top two mayoral candidates advance to the general election, ensuring winners receive a majority of the vote.
• Rep. Scott Wagner (North District): Supported the primary proposal, arguing it would increase voter turnout (currently ~20% in primaries vs. 55-60% in general elections) and give candidates more time to learn budgets before taking office.
• Rep. Carla Rose Hansen (District 44): Also supported the primary system, noting that it would produce consensus candidates and enable voters to better inform themselves. Representative Steve Swantek also endorsed the idea.
• Commissioner Tony Ternberg (personal remarks): Reflected on the 2016 election task force that recommended approval voting, which was later adopted by voters but now banned. He noted that the hardest job is estimating the silent majority’s views and hoped for public feedback on the primary proposal.
• Christopher Cohen (Fargo resident): Recommended that the city use trained alternative responders (e.g., for mental health crises, noise complaints, minor traffic accidents) to reduce police costs and improve outcomes, citing existing programs in Albuquerque, Olympia, and Rochester.

Key Outcomes

• Fire Chief Appointed: Gary Lorenz conditionally appointed as Fire Chief (unanimous vote).
• LinkFM Service Eliminated: Permanent route and service changes approved (unanimous vote).
• Bert’s Truck Equipment Tax Exemption: 5-year property tax exemption approved (unanimous vote).
• Convention Center RFP Approved: Motion to release RFP carried unanimously; proposals due August 7, 2025.
• Property Tax Exemptions for Improvements: Three applications approved (unanimous vote).
• Board Appointments: Appointments to Special Assessment Commission, Library Board, and Arts and Culture Commission approved (unanimous vote).
• No Action Taken on Resident Comments: Public comments were heard but no formal decisions were made. The commission took no immediate action on the primary election proposal or alternative responder suggestions.