Fargo City Commission Meeting – February 2, 2026

The Fargo City Commission held its regular meeting on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM in the Commission Chambers. The meeting began with a showing of part two of the 2026 State of the Cities video, followed by approvals of the order of agenda and minutes from January 20, 2026. Commissioners unanimously approved a 37-item consent agenda and took action on several public hearings, a business park development, and a key design decision for the 12th Avenue North bridge replacement.

Consent Calendar

• Approved 37 consent agenda items unanimously, including tax abatements (#4633, #4634, #4635), a flood plain management ordinance amendment, a settlement agreement with the Joyce B. Cole Trust, a storm water pond MOU with the Fargo Park District, multiple permanent easements, bid awards (e.g., HVAC at Police Headquarters: $1,137,300 mechanical contract to Peterson Mechanical, Inc.; $180,100 general contract to Gast Construction Company, Inc.; a three-wheeled mechanical street sweeper for $216,371; fuel for 3rd and 4th quarters 2026 to Northdale Oil, Inc. for $967,520; water service line replacement to Johnson & Schock Excavating for $794,945; aggregate materials, concrete, asphalt, etc.), a third amendment to the FargoDome hospitality agreement, a cyber incident IT mutual aid agreement with Cass County and West Fargo, and bills totaling $10,772,267.

Public Hearings

• Alcohol License Continuations (Items 38–40): Three public hearings (Moonrise Café LLC, Cellar 624, and Teddy’s) were continued to 5:05 PM on March 2, 2026, by unanimous roll-call votes (5-0).
• RLN Business Park Third Addition (Item 41): A public hearing was held for a zoning change from LI (Limited Industrial) and AG (Agricultural) to LI and P/I (Public and Institutional), first reading of a rezoning ordinance, and plat approval. Planning Commission had recommended approval on October 7, 2025. After staff presentation (Donald Cress, Planning) and applicant representative (Ryan Wollen, Lowry Engineering) answering questions, the commission unanimously approved the rezoning and plat (5-0). The plat dedicates a lot to the Southeast Cass Water Resource District and includes a vacation of 46th Avenue North right-of-way with a reserved street and utility easement.

Discussion Items

• 2025 Downtown Fargo Business Improvement District (BID) Overview (Item 42): Rocky Schneider, Executive Director of the Downtown Community Partnership (DCP), presented the annual report. The BID, the only one in North Dakota, is funded by an additional tax on downtown businesses (assessments range by zone; median in Zone 1 is about $900/year). Annual revenue is just under $1 million, with expenses primarily for the daily clean and safety program (graffiti removal, sidewalk vacuuming, pressure washing, weed control, 150,000 Christmas bulbs, etc.), maintenance, beautification, and promotion. The BID employs nine staff through Block by Block. Commissioners thanked Schneider and the team for their work, with Commissioner Strand noting the BID is the “plumbing of downtown.”
• 12th Avenue North Bridge Project Design Decision (Item 43): Transportation Division Engineer Jeremy Gorden presented two build alternatives for replacing the flood-prone bridge (built too low; flooded 8 times in 15 years). The recommended “Build – Off Alternative” (slightly offset alignment on the Moorhead side) costs $26–29 million, about $3 million less than the on-alignment option ($29–32 million). For the Elm Street intersection, staff recommended a mini roundabout over a traffic signal ($1–2 million cheaper, better traffic operations, preferred by the public). Commissioner Piepkorn questioned snow plow compatibility; Gorden confirmed designed with 16-foot minimum openings for plows. Commissioner Strand asked about the North Broadway Bridge; Gorden said that project has been moved on from (20-year-old, no current plan). The mini roundabout option includes improved pedestrian/bike access under the bridge. No construction dollars are allocated; the commission approved the design decision to proceed with the off-alignment and mini roundabout (5-0), allowing the environmental review (NEPA categorical exclusion) and final design to proceed toward shovel-ready status. Future grant applications (e.g., Bridge Infrastructure Program) will be brought back for construction approval.
• Tax Abatement #4632 (Item 44): Assessor Mike Spinakowski explained an abatement for 1112 10th Street North due to a condition error (property reclassified from average to fair, reducing value to $115,000). The commission unanimously approved.
• Property Tax Exemptions (Item 45): Five applications for 5-year exemptions on building improvements (Shannon & Peter Chamberlin, James & Kristi Kirkeby, Jade & Laney Witty, Roger & Lynn Burris, Darin & Katherine Sherva) were unanimously approved.

Liaison Commissioner Assignment Updates

• Commissioner Turnberg reported library activities via Facebook.
• Commissioner Kolpack announced attending the Fire/Police Department promotional ceremony and awards; Officer Lacey Bunkelman was named Officer of the Year.
• Commissioner Strand updated on the ongoing process to reinvent the Native American Commission and Human Rights Commission, balancing public accountability and access, noting it is “not easy” and that some community members feel the changes diminish human rights voices.
• Commissioner Piepkorn reported on a Liquor Control Board discussion about a liquor license at the airport; he expressed concern about the initial proposal to allow alcohol throughout the new concourse, comparing it to “a bar with an airport in it,” while Commissioner Turnberg supported flexibility like other airports. Mayor Mahoney urged finding a compromise.

Public Comments

• Christopher Coen spoke about the need for clarity on Fargo law enforcement’s lethal force policies, referencing the July 8, 2022 shooting death of Shane Netterville by Fargo police. He alleged inconsistencies between video evidence and official claims, requesting a written response from the city. In reply, Commissioner Strand stated that some of Coen’s questions had been referred to police and staff would follow up. The meeting adjourned at 5:49 PM.