Fargo City Commission Meeting - July 21, 2025

This regular meeting of the Fargo City Commission was called to order at 11:00 AM on July 21, 2025. The agenda included executive session actions, recognition of the assessor's office, a Fargo Rising Star Award, swearing-in of the new fire chief, public hearings on annexation, zoning changes, a street vacation, a federal grant report, economic development tax exemptions, liquor license transfers, a construction update, reconsideration of a street closure, and commissioner-initiated policy directives. Public comment periods addressed budget concerns, homelessness, and record transparency.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of July 7, 2025: Approved unanimously.
• Consent Agenda Items 1–37: Approved by roll call vote (Commissioners Strand, Colpack, Pepcorn, Turnberg, Mahoney all in favor).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Olivia (Fargo resident): Expressed frustration with the city's progress on homelessness, noting that 55 housing units promised in June have not materialized. Criticized the camping ban, closure of the warming center, attempts to end harm reduction programs, and weekend deck closures. Called for immediate updates and more dedicated low-income housing solutions.
• Christopher Cohn (Fargo resident): Requested clearer public explanation of the $6.8 million budget shortfall and suggested starting with smaller grants for nonprofits to reduce risk. Proposed improvements to open records request management, including sequential numbering of requests.

Discussion Items

• Executive Session Motions:

  • Commissioner Kolpac moved to authorize the city administrator to finalize wording and make a counteroffer on an agreement discussed in executive session, with the mayor authorized to sign; the agreement to be brought back for receipt/filing if accepted. Approved unanimously (5-0).
  • Commissioner Pepcorn moved to direct the city attorney and auditor to draft an ordinance creating a new liquor license classification for off-sale only upon annexation. Approved 4-1 (Strand opposed).

• Spotlight on Assessor’s Office: Recognized by video presentation highlighting their role in appraising property values, maintaining records, and supporting multiple city departments. Stressed that 99% of property taxes stay in Cass County and that 20% of city funding comes from property taxes.

• Fargo Rising Star Award: Presented to Brenda Summer, a residential appraiser who served the city for five years, for her dedication and excellent customer service.

• Swearing-In of Fire Chief: Gary Lorenz, former Grand Forks fire chief and 28-year Fargo Fire veteran, took the oath of office. He expressed commitment to continuing high-level service and working with the department.

• Public Hearing – Annexation (Item 40): Proposal to annex 87.89 acres (part of sections 10 and 15, Township 140, Range 49). Staff reported insufficient protests by the June 20 deadline. Motion to approve passed 5-0 after no public testimony.

• Public Hearing – Zoning Change & Plat (Item 41): Northdale First Edition – rezoning from agriculture to limited industrial with conditional overlay; plat of one lot/block. Approved 5-0.

• Public Hearing – Vacation Plat (Item 42): Vacation of portions of 50th Avenue North and 43rd Street North right-of-way adjacent to industrial properties. Four of five property owners signed; the fifth was out of town. Approved 5-0.

• Public Hearing – CAPER Report (Item 43): Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for HUD's CDBG and HOME programs for program year ending April 30, 2025. Comment period ends July 24. Motion to receive and file approved 5-0.

• Property Tax Exemption – Corvent Medical (Item 44): Five-year exemption for expansion of medical device manufacturing at 4837 Amber Valley Parkway S. The company added 12 jobs, now employing 42 at an average salary over $140,000, exceeding commitments. Only U.S.-owned mechanical ventilator manufacturer. Approved 5-0 after public hearing.

• Liquor License Transfers:

  • Item 45: Transfer of Class FA license from Mexican Village to Phoenix Buffet (3155 43rd St S). Approved 5-0.
  • Item 46: Transfer of Class FARZ license from Toasted Frog to new owner as a going concern (same location, menu). Approved 5-0.

• Construction Update: Provided by Engineering Department. Notable projects: 45th Street rehab (concrete replacement complete; finishes by end of July); 32nd Avenue South (closed between 17th-22nd St; opening early August); NP Avenue (concrete nearly done); University concrete rehab (phases underway). No safety incidents. Southwest Metro Pond box culverts installation requiring lane closure on 45th St between 64th-76th in early August.

• Broadway Street Closure Reconsideration (Item 48): Commissioner Kolpack moved to approve a closure for the Samoa eating contest on Thursday, July 24, from 3-11 PM between 2nd and 3rd Avenues North, and to instruct the multi-department street task force to evaluate and clarify legacy designation criteria. Motion passed 5-0. Prior discussion noted the last-minute nature; staff supported reconsideration for this single event.

• Commissioner Requests:

  • Pepcorn – Street Closure Cost Recovery: Directed staff to develop an event street closing policy that recoups city costs (police, engineering). Staff already working on this.
  • Pepcorn – Parking Revenue Review: Requested review of parking garage hourly rates, free parking periods, and overall revenue. Staff noted a parking study with preliminary findings due August/September; will be presented to finance committee. Motion to refer to finance committee accepted.
  • Pepcorn – Recovery of Funds from Faith for Hope and Presentation Partners: Requested city attorney investigate potential recovery of funds provided to these entities implicated in embezzlement allegations. Amended to cover all city funding recipients where terms were breached or criminal activity occurred. Approved 5-0.

• Commission Reports and Appointments: Approvals for Human Rights Commission and Liquor Control Board members passed unanimously. Commissioner Strand reported attending National League of Cities Human Development Committee retreat in Columbus, Ohio, highlighting immigration enforcement concerns nationally.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All motions passed as recorded. No votes were tied.
• Directives:
  • Staff to draft event street closure policy with cost recovery.
  • Parking study findings to be presented to finance committee in 30 days.
  • City attorney to investigate recouping funds from any city funding recipients where fraud or breach occurred.
• Next Steps: The 2024 CAPER to be submitted to HUD after July 24 comment period. Fire Chief Lorenz will assume leadership. Street closure task force to evaluate legacy designation criteria.
• Public Noted: No update on homeless housing unit timeline was provided during the meeting; a speaker demanded an update at the next meeting.