Fargo City Commission Regular Meeting – October 13, 2025
Fargo City Commission Regular Meeting – October 13, 2025
The Fargo City Commission convened at 5:00 p.m. on October 13, 2025, following a 4:00 p.m. executive session on Resource and Recovery Center relocation strategy. Commissioners Denise Kolpack, Dave Piepkorn, John Strand, Michelle Turnberg, and Mayor Timothy Mahoney were all present. Key items included an economic development report, advancement of four convention center developer proposals, approval of interim financing for the Red River Valley Water Supply Project, a construction update, and routine consent agenda items.
Consent Calendar
- The Commission approved the consent agenda (items 1–40) by a unanimous roll‑call vote, covering tax abatements, ordinance readings, contract awards, change orders, and routine fiscal actions. Notable items included a consulting agreement with Bloomberg Consulting LLC, a $172,904.00 piggyback purchase of a Volvo asphalt roller, and bid awards for Project WA2501 totaling $1,407,205.00. Bills totaling $13,241,840 were also approved.
Public Comments & Testimony
- One individual, Izzy Wright, attempted to speak but was interrupted by the Mayor after invoking a personal legal claim against a commissioner; no substantive public comment was received.
Discussion Items
Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Report on Job Creation Incentive Projects
- Joe Raso (President/CEO, FMEDC) and Ryan Aasheim (Chief Business Development Officer) presented a report summarizing 23 existing city incentive agreements. They highlighted that reported average wages of $77,328 were 35% higher than originally committed, generating an additional $28.5 million in payroll. Property tax valuations for participating companies increased over 300%. Commissioner Strand raised concerns about a 5% non‑fulfillment rate (110 jobs) and lack of participation by three companies; Raso and Aasheim defended the process as a starting point for deeper conversations and noted clawback provisions exist. The report was received and filed without a vote.
Convention Center Site Selection – Advancement to Phase 2
- Charlie Johnson, chair of the Convention Center Committee, recommended moving four developers forward: Mutchler‑Bartram (Bruhalla area), Enclave (Shields Arena site), RLE (Fargo Dome site), and EAPC (downtown site). The committee’s scoring of nine proposals had been publicly posted. Commissioners emphasized financial viability must be a priority; Commissioner Piepkorn noted location is secondary to the project breaking even. Commissioner Strand asked about public engagement; Johnson said a formal process had not yet been determined but encouraged the public to contact commissioners. The motion to approve the four developers for Phase 2 passed unanimously.
Red River Valley Water Supply Project – Series F Interim Financing
- Ian and Dan (staff) presented the $273.33 million state biennial work plan (2025‑2026), with Fargo’s local share of $68.33 million financed via a 40‑year, 2% loan from the Bank of North Dakota. A minor recital modification regarding Thompson‑Acker water rights was noted. Commissioner Piepkorn questioned how the debt would appear on the city’s balance sheet; staff clarified it does not affect Moody’s rating but is included in water utility rate projections. Commissioner Strand praised the decades‑long project as a generational achievement. The motion to approve Series F passed unanimously.
Construction Update
- City Engineer Tom Knakmuhs reported zero injuries on city projects since the last update. He highlighted progress on Gateway fiber build‑out (GIS tracking tool active), core neighborhood reconstructions (e.g., 6th Street South, Hickory Street, 8th Street downtown), the Southwest Metro Pond project (60% clay excavation complete), and completion of 32nd Avenue between 15th and 22nd Streets. Several completed projects were shown with before/after photos. The update was informational.
Agreement for Property Demolition – 1102 1st Avenue South
- Chris Rose requested approval of a previously authorized contract with Western Excavation, LLC for demolition. The motion carried unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Unanimous votes on: consent agenda (items 1–40), continuation of public hearing EOLA Addition to October 27, advancement of four convention center developers, Series F interim financing, and the property demolition agreement.
- Receipt of the EDC jobs report and construction update; no vote required.
- Directive to City Attorney’s Office to review and update the ordinance on abandoned lead service lines (included in consent agenda).
- Public engagement on convention center site selection encouraged via commissioner contacts and open meetings.
Meeting Transcript
Fire department for gender neutral facilities for fitness facilities to modernize the station to add in some decontamination procedures with a hot warming coal drilling concept because of the structural issue and because of the needs of the station. We removed the old living quarter side. We had to stay within the same footprint of the building. So we rebuilt the living quarter side and added a couple small things to the apparatus side, the garage where the fire engine is housed that bring the station up to modern standards. But working with our project coordinators, we wanted as short a time as possible for a closed station. So we had a one-year project timeline. During that time, we moved 805 out of the station, and for a short time we shuffled apparatus in different stations in Fargo. At the beginning of this year, West Fargo offered to house 805 because they're so close. So we moved 805 over and they were able to operate and live out of the West Fargo Fire Station. So the big things the firefighters will notice here is a combined living room and kitchen area. In the past, we just had one big bunk room with some beds in there. And a treadmill and some fitness equipment all stuffed together. There really wasn't enough room to house all of that equipment. So we created a separate fitness room where we can keep the fitness equipment where they can work out. And then we have separate bedrooms in the back of the station, separate sleeping rooms for each firefighter, and a captain's office that also has a separate sleeping room attached to it. So those are the big things they'll notice as they walk out of the apparatus floor, they go through the hand washing zones. We've been very lucky here in the city of Fargo. The stations that we've built historically have have met the need at the time. And for the most part, with station five now being renovated, we only have a couple areas in our current existing stations that are in need of some updates and some remodels to make those stations functional, like the rest of the stations. So it it is important as the city grows not only to look for new areas where we can put new stations, but to make sure that we're keeping up our infrastructure and making sure that infrastructure is safe, that it provides for the firefighters that are working there, and that it's really optimal so we can provide the best service we can for the city of Fargo. Good to have that done. And I heard West Fire was happy to have the guys out there, and it was a good exchange, so it worked well. So a motion to approve the order of agenda, adding an extra item to the regular agenda, approving the agreement of property demolition for Western Excavation LLC for property located at 1102 First Avenue South. So moved. Zero second. Second. Any discussion. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carried. Is there a motion to approve the minutes of the September 29th, 2025 regular meeting? So moved. Sir Second. Second. All those in favor say aye. Motion carries. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda items one through 40? So moved. Sir second. Second. Roll call vote, please. Strand. Yes. Call pack. Hi. Pepcorn? Hi. Turnberg. Aye. Mahoney.
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