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Record of Proceedings

Fargo City Commission Meeting - August 5, 2025

City Commission — Tuesday, August 5, 2025
BodyFargo, North Dakota
SessionCity Commission
DateTuesday, August 5, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:09:36

Original source
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0:00

Call the meeting to order.

0:01

Roll call, please.

0:02

Colpack?

0:03

Here.

0:04

Pepcorn?

0:05

Here.

0:06

Strand?

0:07

Here.

0:08

Turnberg?

0:09

Here.

0:10

Mahoney.

0:12

Here.

0:14

On August 4th, 2025, the Board of City Commissioners will convey a city commission chambers for an retired executive session in the Red River Room for purposes of attorney consultation and to discuss the negotiating strategy or provide negotiating instructions to its attorney and other negotiator regarding the contract for incarceration of adult inmates at the Cass County Jail.

0:34

Discussing these matters in opening will have negative fiscal effect on a bargaining position of the city.

0:40

Additionally, the Board of City Commissioners will retire an executive session for purposes discussing confidential records and or information pursuant to NDCC 4404 19.2 subsection one, including economic development records and information pursuant to NDCC 4404 14.4 subsections 12 and 5.

1:00

And for purpose of discussing negotiating potential contract regarding economic development records and information and to receive its attorney's advice and guidance, legal rest strength and weaknesses of action of public entity and regarding reasonable prediction and or threat litigation regarding to annexation.

1:17

Discussing items in open meeting would have negative fiscal effect in the bargaining and our litigation position with the city.

1:23

Thus an executive session for this matter is authorized pursuant North Dakota Centric Code 4404-19.1, subsections 25 and 9, and North Dakota Centric Cold Subsection 4404, 19.2 subsection one.

1:35

Do I have a motion?

1:37

Is our second?

1:38

Second.

1:39

Roll call vote.

1:41

Strand?

1:42

Yes.

1:42

Colpack.

1:43

Aye.

1:44

Pepcorn.

1:45

Aye.

1:46

Turnberg.

1:47

Aye.

1:47

Mahoney.

1:48

Aye.

1:50

Call the meeting back to order.

1:52

We'll begin with a pledge of allegiance.

1:54

I invite you to join us.

1:57

Pledge allegiance to the flag.

1:59

And then it's in America.

2:12

Roll call, please.

2:14

Pepcorn?

2:15

Here.

2:15

Strand.

2:16

Here.

2:17

Turnberg.

2:17

Here.

2:18

Mahoney.

2:19

Here.

2:19

We came out of the executive session and we have one motion.

2:23

Pepcorn, please.

2:27

Yes.

2:28

I apologize, Mayor.

2:29

Uh I may I move to direct the city attorney to seek an attorney general opinion regarding receipt and storage of inmate property.

2:38

Second.

2:39

Second.

2:40

Any discussion?

2:41

Roll call vote, please.

2:43

Pepcorn?

2:44

Aye.

2:45

Colpack?

2:46

Aye.

2:47

Strand?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation███████████████████████23%
Zoning██████████████████18%
Public Safety█████████████████17%
Budget Equity Analysis██████████████14%
Homelessness███████████11%
Procedural████4%
Pending Litigation████4%
Community Engagement███3%
Water And Wastewater Management██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Fargo City Commission Meeting - August 5, 2025

The Fargo City Commission met on August 5, 2025, following an executive session. Key actions included approval of annexation resolutions, adoption of the 2026 preliminary budget, and discussion on Broadway bench removals. The meeting also addressed recent community safety concerns.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved Items 1-41 unanimously, including: amendments to municipal codes (domestic fowl, traffic, public safety, building codes), liquor license fines of $500 each for Bismarck Tavern, Empire Tavern, Chili’s, two Applebee’s locations, games of chance permits, developer agreements, change orders, contract awards, and bills totaling $18,922,783.95.
  • Directed the City Attorney to work with the City Auditor on conditions for an add-on limited off-sale liquor license.
  • Directed the City Attorney’s Office to review and revise the Tobacco Ordinance.

Public Hearings

  • Sullivan Second Addition (5201/5475 Bishop’s Blvd S; 5202/5534 25th St S): Approved zoning change from P/I and GO to P/I and GO (aligning plat) and first reading of rezoning ordinance. Unanimous vote.
  • RLN Business Park Second Addition (4551 33rd St N): Approved zoning change from GI (General Industrial) to LI (Limited Industrial) and first reading of rezoning ordinance. Unanimous vote.

Discussion Items

  • Mayor’s 2026 Preliminary Budget: Presented with revenues and expenses balanced at $140,287,211. Operating expenses increased 1.53%. The budget sets maximum revenue at 3% plus growth. Commissioner Piepkorn objected to voting only five hours after public release, saying the public had no time to review. Commissioner Turnberg echoed the need for more time. The budget passed 3-2 (Kolpack, Strand, Mahoney aye; Piepkorn, Turnberg nay).
  • Broadway Benches: Staff and Downtown Community Partnership presented a preliminary report recommending evaluation of street amenities. Public speakers (Bradley Foster, Shane Mooring, Chase Bode) strongly opposed bench removal, arguing it targets homeless individuals and reduces accessibility for elderly and disabled. Commissioner Kolpack supported option one (immediate removal of nine problematic benches) as a pilot relocation. Commissioner Strand preferred waiting for the final report. The commission approved option two (receive and file preliminary report, wait for final report in mid-September) 4-1 (Piepkorn nay).

Key Outcomes

  • Annexation Actions: Commissioners unanimously received and filed three resolutions of annexation (East Half Section 3, West Half Section 3, Section 35) and a de-annexation petition from Harwood; then ratified and approved the same resolutions.
  • Directed City Attorney: To seek an Attorney General opinion on receipt and storage of inmate property (unanimous).
  • Liaison Reports: Commissioners gave updates on board/committee assignments.
  • Resident Comments: Neal Minter, Joseph Garcia, and Daniel Hazer spoke. Minter raised concerns about homelessness enforcement and drug use. Garcia requested agenda time to discuss evidence handling in municipal court cases.
  • Mayor’s Remarks: Addressed two weekend shootings, announced a future policy for timely public communication during emergencies, and noted the upcoming Red River Diversion intake opening ceremony on August 7, 2025.

Meeting Transcript

Call the meeting to order. Roll call, please. Colpack? Here. Pepcorn? Here. Strand? Here. Turnberg? Here. Mahoney. Here. On August 4th, 2025, the Board of City Commissioners will convey a city commission chambers for an retired executive session in the Red River Room for purposes of attorney consultation and to discuss the negotiating strategy or provide negotiating instructions to its attorney and other negotiator regarding the contract for incarceration of adult inmates at the Cass County Jail. Discussing these matters in opening will have negative fiscal effect on a bargaining position of the city. Additionally, the Board of City Commissioners will retire an executive session for purposes discussing confidential records and or information pursuant to NDCC 4404 19.2 subsection one, including economic development records and information pursuant to NDCC 4404 14.4 subsections 12 and 5. And for purpose of discussing negotiating potential contract regarding economic development records and information and to receive its attorney's advice and guidance, legal rest strength and weaknesses of action of public entity and regarding reasonable prediction and or threat litigation regarding to annexation. Discussing items in open meeting would have negative fiscal effect in the bargaining and our litigation position with the city. Thus an executive session for this matter is authorized pursuant North Dakota Centric Code 4404-19.1, subsections 25 and 9, and North Dakota Centric Cold Subsection 4404, 19.2 subsection one. Do I have a motion? Is our second? Second. Roll call vote. Strand? Yes. Colpack. Aye. Pepcorn. Aye. Turnberg. Aye. Mahoney. Aye. Call the meeting back to order. We'll begin with a pledge of allegiance. I invite you to join us. Pledge allegiance to the flag. And then it's in America. Roll call, please. Pepcorn? Here. Strand. Here. Turnberg. Here. Mahoney. Here. We came out of the executive session and we have one motion. Pepcorn, please. Yes. I apologize, Mayor.

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