Fargo City Commission Meeting – June 22, 2026

The Fargo City Commission met on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. (preceded by a closed executive session at 4:15 p.m.) to consider a heavy agenda. Key actions included approval of a consent calendar of 34 items, continuation of two liquor license hearings, approval of several new alcoholic beverage licenses, a contentious zoning change and plat for the Lost Creek First Addition (approved 4‑1), selection of the EAPC Kilbourne Group/Downtown Civic Center as the first‑ranked proposal for the new convention center (4‑1), approval of $144,000 in Spirit of Fargo funds for the Resource and Recovery Center (3‑2), and a decision to conclude the Human Rights Commission (3‑2). The meeting also featured tributes to retiring Director Jim Gilmour (31 years) and Executive Assistant Kember Anderson (17 years), a video honoring Mayor Mahoney’s 21 years of service, and public comments from two residents.

Consent Calendar

• Letter of Support for Synclaire Events Center to the ND Opportunity Fund Consortium.
• Certificate of Completion and Tax Increment Revenue Note for the Great Plains Block 3 Holdings project.
• Authorization for the Mayor to sign documents for property‑tax exemptions as a community match for the Bank of ND Flex PACE Program.
• Authorization for City Administration to sign letters of support for the ND Opportunity Fund Program.
• Second reading and final adoption of an ordinance amending classification of ordinance violations.
• Second reading and final adoption of an ordinance amending the International Residential Code.
• Agreement Concerning Annexation and Standstill Period with Fercho Properties, LLP and APLD FAR‑01 LLC.
• Renewal of Alcoholic Beverage Licenses and Live Entertainment Licenses through June 30, 2027.
• Gaming Site Authorizations and Games of Chance applications.
• Developer Agreement with Rising Investments, LLC for Horizon Addition.
• Amendment No. 3 ($50,000, City share $25,000) for Project QN‑23‑B0.
• Deferral of Special Assessments for Enclave Covey, LLC.
• Contracts and bonds for multiple infrastructure projects (NR‑26‑C3, NR‑26‑C4, UR‑26‑A1, WA2506, WA2512).
• Amendment No. 6 ($27,892) for Improvement District BN‑25‑A0.
• Easement agreement with Alexander J. Herz and Cassie D. Herz for Improvement District BR‑26‑G1.
• Creation of Improvement District BR‑26‑D and adoption of Resolution of Necessity.
• Amendment to Limited Franchise Agreement with Cass County Electric Cooperative, Inc.
• Items from FAHR Meeting: General Fund budget‑to‑actual through May 31, 2026; acceptance of $1,500 anonymous donation; overfill request for Fire Academy; downtown parking policy updates; Amendment No. 2 to consulting agreement with czb, LLC.
• Reallocation of approximately $1.5 million in unspent Series 2024G bond proceeds to facility projects.
• Grant awards from ND Department of Emergency Services, ND Department of Environmental Quality, and ND Department of Health and Human Services.
• Resolutions approving plats for Horizon Addition, Timber Parkway Twelfth Addition, Grafstrom Second Addition, and Lenthe’s Second Addition.
• Change Order No. 2 ($143,000) for Project WA2502.
• Bill of Sale with Cass Rural Water Users District for transfer of the Effluent Reuse Facility.
• Bills paid in the amount of $14,479,337.27.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Romaine Kildy (Downtown Neighborhood Association board member) urged the Commission to select the Downtown Civic Center site for the convention center, citing fiscal discipline, elimination of $250,000 annual operating costs, avoidance of $2 million demolition expense, and the value of existing public infrastructure.
• Olivia Fisher (Fargo resident) supported using Spirit of Fargo funds for the winter warming shelter at the Resource and Recovery Center, noting over 80 people per night used the shelter during the winter. She implored the Commission to secure funding before October to prevent loss of life.
• Wess Philome addressed the Commission during the public comment period, reflecting on his sometimes‑difficult relationship with Mayor Mahoney and Commissioner Kolpack but expressing cautious optimism for the future under Mayor‑elect Josh Boucher.
• Austin Sletmoe alleged severe failures by the Fargo Police Department regarding a parking‑lot incident and theft of his vehicle. He stated he has filed a federal civil‑rights lawsuit (42 U.S.C. § 1983) seeking $300,000 in damages against each of four officers and the city, totaling $1.5 million, and claimed recent retaliation including threats to his safety.

Discussion Items

Lost Creek First Addition (Items 41 & 41b)

Planning Director Nicole Crutchfield and City Engineer Tom Knak presented a major subdivision and zone change (from Agricultural to several residential categories) located at 6685 57th Street South and 5120 64th Avenue South. Staff recommended denial due to unresolved infrastructure, flood‑proofing, and funding issues; the Planning Commission had recommended approval with conditions. Key concerns included the need for $5.5 million to nearly $20 million in regional infrastructure (sanitary sewer, water main, paving of 64th Avenue and Veterans Boulevard), the developer’s rejection of conditions such as flood‑proof basements and concrete roads, and a lack of agreement on cost‑sharing mechanisms. Public Works Chief Ben Hersch emphasized snow removal and emergency‑service challenges in the remote area. After extensive debate, the Commission voted 4‑1 (Commissioner Piepkorn dissenting) to approve the rezoning and plat with conditions, including deferred infrastructure and funding decisions to be finalized in the developer agreement.

Convention Center Project (Item 42)

Ian Evans summarized the process: a voter‑approved 3% lodging tax, an RFP, and a Baker Tilly financial analysis. The two final proposals were the Downtown Civic Center site (EAPC Kilbourne Group) and the Brulia site. Baker Tilly’s Steve Sharp reported that both proposals met feasibility guidelines but noted a funding gap in the Brulia proposal (they projected $47.8 million versus the developer’s stated $58.5 million). Commissioner Kolpack gave an extensive presentation advocating for the Brulia site, suggesting it would allow a future performing‑arts center at the Civic Center. Other commissioners cited operational risks and the existing TIFF for downtown. The Commission voted 4‑1 (Commissioner Kolpack dissenting) to select the EAPC Kilbourne Group/Downtown Civic Center as the first‑ranked proposal and to begin negotiations for a development agreement. A second motion to authorize use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for the project passed unanimously.

Spirit of Fargo Funds (Item 43)

Assistant City Attorney Eric Johnson explained that the Spirit of Fargo fund, created from 2009 flood‑fight donations (about $280,000 donated, $144,000 remaining), could be redirected to the Resource and Recovery Center for shelter during natural disasters. The Impact Foundation would need to approve the use. An attempt to table the item to allow the new Commission to decide failed. The Commission then voted 3‑2 (Commissioners Piepkorn and Turnberg dissenting) to approve the resolution requesting release of funds for the warming center.

Conclusion of the Human Rights Commission (Item 44)

Commissioner Strand moved to conclude the Human Rights Commission and direct the City Attorney to amend associated ordinances for the Human Rights, Arts and Culture, and Native American Commissions. He argued the commission was not functioning effectively and that activists would be more effective outside government constraints. Commissioner Kolpack opposed, noting a request from the commission to wait until after the new mayor was seated. The motion passed 3‑2 (Commissioners Kolpack and Piepkorn dissenting).

Appointments to Boards and Commissions (Item 45)

The Commission unanimously approved appointments to the Special Assessment Commission, Library Board, Liquor Control Board, and Planning Commission.

Property Tax Exemptions for Improvements (Item 46)

The Commission unanimously approved five‑year property tax exemptions for The Polansky Family Joint Revocable Trust, 7 Oak Homes LLC, and Austin and Morgan Steichen.

Liaison Commissioner Assignment Updates (Item 47)

Commissioners gave brief reports. Commissioner Piepkorn, Turnberg, and Kolpack offered parting remarks. A video was shown honoring Mayor Mahoney’s 21 years of service, featuring testimonials from local leaders.

Public Hearings (Items 35‑40)

• Items 35 & 36 – Applications for Class “GH” (Divine Taste of Africa) and Class “FA” (La Terraza Mexican Bar & Grill) alcoholic beverage licenses were continued to July 20, 2026. (Unanimous)
• Item 37 – Class “W” license for Polished Nail Spa was approved unanimously.
• Item 38 – Class “Y” brewery license for BCKM Enterprises d/b/a North Brewing was approved unanimously.
• Item 39 – Transfer of Class “ABH” license from SMC Fargo JV to Brandt Hospitality Group for Fargo Courtyard was approved unanimously.
• Item 40 – A dangerous building at 111‑113 32nd Avenue North was ordered to be prepared for removal; the City Attorney will serve findings and the Inspections Department will solicit demolition proposals. (Unanimous)

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (Items 1‑34): Approved unanimously.
• Lost Creek First Addition (Items 41 & 41b): Approved with conditions 4‑1 (Piepkorn nay).
• Convention Center First‑Ranked Proposal (Item 42, Motion 1): Approved 4‑1 (Kolpack nay); Motion 2 (TIF authorization) approved unanimously.
• Spirit of Fargo Funds (Item 43): Approved 3‑2 (Piepkorn, Turnberg nay).
• Human Rights Commission Conclusion (Item 44): Approved 3‑2 (Kolpack, Piepkorn nay).
• Board Appointments (Item 45): Approved unanimously.
• Property Tax Exemptions (Item 46): Approved unanimously.
• Public Hearings (Items 37‑40): All approved unanimously.
• Meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m.