OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Fargo City Commission Regular Meeting - April 13, 2026

City Commission — Monday, April 13, 2026
BodyFargo, North Dakota
SessionCity Commission
DateMonday, April 13, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:30:34

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

With Pledge of Allegiance, I invite you to join us.

0:04

Pledge allegiance is the United States in the United States.

0:19

Roll call, please.

0:21

COPAC here.

0:22

Pepcorn?

0:23

Strand?

0:24

Here.

0:24

Turnburg?

0:25

Here.

0:25

Mahoney.

0:26

Here.

0:28

I apologize.

0:28

We had like a short agenda, so we had to modify it a bit to have a bigger agenda.

0:32

So it would be one of the shortest meetings on record, but uh we had a few things we had to add.

0:37

So is there a motion to approve the order of agenda moving items seven and eight from the consent agenda to the regular agenda, withdrawing item 29 from the consent agenda and adding additional item, the regular agenda to consider appointment to the municipal airport authority?

0:51

So move.

0:52

Is there a second?

0:53

Second.

0:54

All those in favor say aye.

0:55

Aye.

0:56

Motion carried.

0:57

Is there a motion to approve the minutes of the May 30th, 2026 regular meeting?

1:01

So moved.

1:02

Is there a second?

1:05

Second.

1:07

All those in favor say aye.

1:09

Aye.

1:10

Motion carries.

1:11

Sir a motion to approve the consent agenda items one through 36, including item 7, 8, which have been moved to regular agenda, and item 29, which has been withdrawn.

1:21

So move second.

1:22

Roll call vote, please.

1:26

Epcorn?

1:26

Aye.

1:27

Strands?

1:27

Yes.

1:30

Aye.

1:30

Mahoney.

1:32

Regular agenda, presentation of the 2025 Fire Department annual report.

1:37

Chief Gary Lorenz to explain.

1:40

Guys have been busy.

1:41

I keep uh hearing about fires all over town.

1:45

You'll notice uh you guys have got me nervous.

1:47

I just put on a clean shirt and I just put pen all over the pocket.

1:50

So you can wear dark uniforms like the police, then you want to have that problem.

2:00

Exactly.

2:01

That's why we have that's a good idea.

2:03

Um I'm going to present tonight is a is a brief overview of our annual report that's that's now listed on the uh city's website for review that you are all welcome to dig into deeper.

2:19

Um just to start with, two of the kind of external agencies we use to verify and validate a lot of the information that we do and provide out to the public.

2:29

One is our accreditation model through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International.

2:34

Um the data there in our slide shows there are approximately 326 fire departments accredited in the United States.

2:41

And then of those, um, approximately 123 also have the insurance service office ISO rating of Class 1, which we do here in Fargo.

2:51

So two statistics that we're very proud of.

2:55

Um as part of the process, especially through the accreditation model, we developing a strategic plan.

3:02

And this slide highlights five of the planning goals that make up the foundation of really everything we do in the department.

3:08

Um these five planning goals are listed here, and they're also uh delineated in our annual report.

3:15

I'm not gonna read these specifically to you.

3:18

Also, one of the things that we use in the department that we reference a lot are our core values.

3:25

Um these core values were came up um through a committee hearing, or not hearing, but through a committee of of a lot of the members within the department that collectively develop these values that represent the department.

3:40

Uh the acronym that we use on the left of the screen here is pride, is is the one that we take a lot of pride in.

3:48

Um of the statistics for the department throughout the year, you can see our total call volume in 2025 was 14,592 incidents, total number of incidents.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Personnel Matters█████████████████████████████████████████████61%
Public Safety███████████████21%
Cannabis Regulation████████11%
Procedural████6%
Youth Programs█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Fargo City Commission Regular Meeting - April 13, 2026

The Fargo City Commission met on April 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM after an executive session at 4:30 PM regarding annexation with Fercho Properties. The meeting covered the 2025 Fire Department Annual Report, the appointment of a Police Chief, liquor license violations, and numerous consent agenda items. Public speakers overwhelmingly supported appointing Interim Police Chief Travis Stefanowitz as permanent chief.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved 36 consent items, including: letter of support for Valley Wealth Advisors; PACE interest buydown agreement; ordinance amendment on property maintenance code; findings for property at 115 6th Ave N; site and game of chance authorizations; liquor license penalties for El Agave and Chili's (moved to regular agenda); encroachment agreement with Case Equipment; quitclaim deed with Park District; multiple bid awards (e.g., Curb to Curb $692,321 for SR-26-B1, Dakota Underground $6,816,754.88 for BN-26-C1, Key Contracting $3,791,070.90 for BR-26-B1, Border States Paving $2,852,633.90 for PN-26-A1); contract and bond approvals; City Hall parking structure repairs with Gast Construction; addendum for Newman Field fire alarm system; FAHR meeting items (JAG grant $79,603, ND Forest Service grant $50,000, ordinance revision, library security, fire pumper truck $980,382, property sale resolution, trustee delegation); denial of extension for dangerous building at 1544 3rd Ave S; task orders for HDR Engineering (Cell 22 waste excavation $335,250 and WW2353 $46,350); mass transit agreement with West Fargo; leave extension for Jay Drechsel; bid awards for Capital Exteriors ($628,272.50) and J.D. Kraemer ($308,212); amendment for regional water system master plan; and bills totaling $8,922,869.01. (Item 29 on Water Treatment Plant drop site was withdrawn.)

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jacob Maas (FPD sergeant) read a letter from 24 sergeants expressing strong support for Interim Chief Travis Stefanowitz, citing his leadership, professionalism, and institutional knowledge.
  • Heidi Wetzel (FPD investigator) read a letter from officers, investigators, detectives, and civilian staff supporting Stefanowitz, highlighting his judgment, work ethic, and community relationships.
  • Lt. Christie Jacobson (FPD) read a letter from the lieutenant group supporting Stefanowitz, emphasizing his employee wellness initiatives, training contributions, and fiscal responsibility.
  • Travis Mosier (FPD division commander) read a letter from division commanders supporting Stefanowitz, noting unprecedented internal support for a candidate.
  • Superintendent Daniel Haugen (ND Highway Patrol) spoke in support, citing collaboration on police academy and law enforcement funerals.
  • Jeremy Schaefer (resident) supported appointing Stefanowitz, arguing he understands Fargo's crime environment.
  • Additional letters from Sheriff Jesse Johnner (Cass County) and Chief Pete Nielsen (West Fargo Police) were read into the record, both endorsing Stefanowitz.

Discussion Items

  • 2025 Fire Department Annual Report – Chief Gary Lorenz presented. Key statistics: 14,592 total incidents (60% EMS), 224 fires, 1 civilian fire death, 6 civilian injuries, $3.9 million estimated loss. Response times: 90th percentile for first unit on EMS calls was 8 minutes 31 seconds. Department completed 8,300 inspections, reoccupied Fire Station 5, and hired 12 new firefighters in two recruit classes. Morale reported as good.
  • Appointment of Police Chief – City Administrator Mike Redlinger outlined three options: Option 1A (hybrid, later appointment), Option 1B (post after election, appointment as early as August/October), Option 2 (expedited: post April 14, close April 17, selection committee early May, appointment May 11 if internal). After a motion by Commissioner Turnberg to directly appoint Stefanowitz died without a second, Commissioner Kolpack moved Option 2. Following debate, motion passed 3-2 (Kolpack, Strand, Mahoney aye; Piepkorn, Turnberg nay). The expedited search will proceed.
  • Liquor License Violations – Two cases heard separately:
    • El Agave: First offense; bartender served underage individuals. City attorney recommended $250 fine (reduced from $500 due to server training, no prior violations). Motion passed 4-1 (Strand dissenting).
    • Chili's: Second offense; server served underage individuals. Prior violation June 2025. $750 fine recommended. Motion passed 4-1 (Strand dissenting).
  • Appointment to Municipal Airport Authority – Commissioner Strand (liaison) recommended Brooks Burgum. Motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Police Chief Search: Commission voted 3-2 to adopt Option 2 (expedited search). Position to be posted April 14, closed April 17, selection committee interviews May 5-6, with possible appointment of internal candidate on May 11 or external candidate on July 6.
  • Liquor Penalties: El Agave fined $250; Chili's fined $750. Both violations upheld.
  • Airport Authority: Brooks Burgum appointed unanimously.
  • All consent agenda items approved (items 7,8 moved to regular agenda; item 29 withdrawn).
  • The executive session (4:30-4:45 PM) on Fercho Properties annexation was held, but no public action taken.

Meeting Transcript

With Pledge of Allegiance, I invite you to join us. Pledge allegiance is the United States in the United States. Roll call, please. COPAC here. Pepcorn? Strand? Here. Turnburg? Here. Mahoney. Here. I apologize. We had like a short agenda, so we had to modify it a bit to have a bigger agenda. So it would be one of the shortest meetings on record, but uh we had a few things we had to add. So is there a motion to approve the order of agenda moving items seven and eight from the consent agenda to the regular agenda, withdrawing item 29 from the consent agenda and adding additional item, the regular agenda to consider appointment to the municipal airport authority? So move. Is there a second? Second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carried. Is there a motion to approve the minutes of the May 30th, 2026 regular meeting? So moved. Is there a second? Second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carries. Sir a motion to approve the consent agenda items one through 36, including item 7, 8, which have been moved to regular agenda, and item 29, which has been withdrawn. So move second. Roll call vote, please. Epcorn? Aye. Strands? Yes. Aye. Mahoney. Regular agenda, presentation of the 2025 Fire Department annual report. Chief Gary Lorenz to explain. Guys have been busy. I keep uh hearing about fires all over town. You'll notice uh you guys have got me nervous. I just put on a clean shirt and I just put pen all over the pocket. So you can wear dark uniforms like the police, then you want to have that problem. Exactly. That's why we have that's a good idea. Um I'm going to present tonight is a is a brief overview of our annual report that's that's now listed on the uh city's website for review that you are all welcome to dig into deeper. Um just to start with, two of the kind of external agencies we use to verify and validate a lot of the information that we do and provide out to the public. One is our accreditation model through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. Um the data there in our slide shows there are approximately 326 fire departments accredited in the United States.

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