Fargo City Council Meeting - October 27, 2025

The Fargo City Council convened on October 27, 2025, to address routine administrative approvals, a series of public hearings regarding property developments and alcohol licenses, and a contentious discussion concerning the relocation of the Resource and Recovery Center (The Deck). The meeting featured significant tributes to outgoing employee Steve Sprague and public testimony regarding homelessness services and international geopolitical events.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the order of agenda.
• Approved the minutes of the October 13, 2025 meeting.
• Approved consent agenda items 1 through 36 via roll call vote (All Aye).
• Approved the appointment to the Housing Redevelopment Authority, including the reappointment of the chair.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Steve Sprague Departure Tributes:
  • Mayor & Council Members expressed full support and deep appreciation for Steve Sprague's 27-year tenure, praising his positive demeanor, institutional knowledge, and lack of micromanagement. They stated he is irreplaceable and will be missed by the entire city.
  • Commissioner Pepcorn expressed sadness that Sprague's institutional knowledge will not be replaced, stating he had to make colleagues cry with his emotional testimonial previously. He noted the potential fiscal impact of hiring five people to replace Sprague's multi-departmental duties.
• Resource and Recovery Center Relocation (Item 44):
  • Olivia Fisher (Fargo Resident) expressed strong opposition to the relocation to 2001 First Avenue North. She argued the move would displace unsheltered neighbors, citing that the new location is a 28-35 minute walk from essential resources (Salvation Army, library, harm reduction center) compared to less than 10 minutes for the current location. She stated that the current location is the most effective and questioned the safety of winter relocations without transport services.
  • Denise Vanderbush (President, Open Door 65) expressed concern regarding accessibility, stating that the new location is too far from downtown Fargo where the homeless population resides. She urged the council to establish transportation options for the homeless to reach the new resources and emphasized using gentle, supportive language.
  • Commissioner Kolpak expressed support for the relocation as a pilot project, contingent on securing private funding, with a two-year review period to decide on future continuation.
  • Commissioner Pepcorn expressed strong opposition, stating the proposal is financially inexcusable for the taxpayers given the proximity of a potential convention center (Bruhalla) across the street, calling the spending a "special kind of stupid" if the building must be vacated soon.
  • Commissioner Turnberg expressed support for the initiative but emphasized the importance of the "opt-out" clause if private funding is not secured. He stated he would vote against the motion if no private funding is obtained and plans to review data to determine if the center is working.
  • Commissioner Strand expressed support for the effort, framing the issue as a national crisis landing in Fargo, and advocated for a collaborative, compassionate approach to help those at risk.
• Geopolitical Statement:
  • Speaker (Unidentified) expressed strong opposition to U.S. funding for Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The speaker urged the council to pressure state representatives to cease funding, citing high casualty numbers and human rights violations. The speaker expressed regret over the council's past refusal to pass a ceasefire resolution.

Discussion Items

• Alcoholic Beverage License Transfers and New Licenses:
  • Transfer of Z License (Frank's Lounge to Frank's Bar): Staff reported the transfer involves a going concern and a pre-2014 license. Background checks found minor issues not deemed major concerns. The Liquor Control Board and Police Department recommended approval.
  • Class B License for Northdale Oil (Sisters Beer, Wine and Spirits): Created a new specific license for annexed areas with a $90,000 issuance fee. A distance rule of 100 feet from other liquor stores was met. Council Commissioner Pepcorn expressed concern regarding speculation on annexed land but confirmed a 10-20 year location requirement was part of the negotiation. Commissioner Strand voted no, while others voted aye.
  • Class C License for The 1889 (Wimmer's Store): Application to add a beer license to an existing wine license. No background check issues. Liquor Control Board recommended approval.
• Planning and Development Items:
  • JO 45th Street Apartments: Continued to the next meeting. No discussion required as the item was deferred.
  • Northern Pacific Edition (Item 41): Proposed major subdivision involving the vacation of an alley right-of-way and combining lots originally platted in 1880. Staff confirmed zoning remains Downtown Mixed Use (DMU). Approved with no public comment.
  • Annexation of 72.96 Acres (Item 42): Annexation of property in Southwest Cass to facilitate the Selkirk Place development. Staff noted consistency with the growth plan and no objections from Cass County or Stanley Township. Approved unanimously.
  • Selkirk Place 4th Edition (Item 43): Rezoning of 124 acres from agricultural to residential (single-family, multifamily, townhomes) and public/institutional zones. Includes dedication of drain protection lots and park land to the Fargo Park District. Approved unanimously.
• Resource and Recovery Center Relocation (Item 44):
  • Proposal: Relocate the Resource and Recovery Center to 2001 First Avenue North (54,500 sq. ft.). The lease term is proposed at two years with an initial rent of $6.50/sq. ft. ($350,000/year base rent). The city will seek private funding via the FM Area Foundation for fit-out and operations. An "opt-out" clause exists if funding is not secured. The City Attorney also noted a right of first refusal if the building is sold.
  • Debate: The council debated the financial risk to taxpayers versus the need for a larger facility. Supporters cited the current downtown location's inefficiency and the potential for a permanent solution or convention center construction nearby. Opponents cited the high cost, the proximity to a potential convention center site, and the negative impact on homeless accessibility.

Key Outcomes

• Alcohol Licenses:
  • Approved transfer of Z license (Frank's Lounge to Frank's Bar). Vote: 4 Aye, 0 No (Pepcorn, Colpack, Strand, Turnberg, Mahoney).
  • Approved Class B license (Northdale Oil). Vote: 4 Aye, 1 No (Strand).
  • Approved Class C license (The 1889). Vote: 5 Aye.
• Planning Projects:
  • Continued JO 45th Street Apartments.
  • Approved Northern Pacific Edition (plat & alley vacation). Vote: 4 Aye, 0 No (Colpack, Strand, Pepcorn, Turnberg, Mahoney).
  • Approved Annexation (Item 42). Vote: 5 Aye.
  • Approved Selkirk Place 4th Edition (Item 43). Vote: 5 Aye.
• Policy & Leases:
  • Approved property tax exemption application. Vote: 5 Aye.
  • Rejection: The motion to approve the lease for the Resource and Recovery Center relocation to 2001 First Avenue North was not carried. Vote: 3 Aye (Strand, Colpack, Mahoney), 2 No (Pepcorn, Turnberg). The Mayor's vote count is not explicitly detailed in the roll call provided, but the motion failed based on the stated Aye/No counts provided in the transcript.
• Other: Water treatment plant and tower achievements recognized; no formal actions taken on these items other than public acknowledgment.