Fargo City Commission Meeting - June 24, 2026

The City Commission met on June 24, 2026, to address a range of items including a license transfer, a dangerous building declaration, a major subdivision and zoning change (Lost Creek), convention center site selection, funding for a winter warming center, and dissolution of the Human Rights Commission. The meeting concluded with farewells to outgoing commissioners and public comments.

Consent Calendar

• License Transfer: Approved unanimously with no public testimony. Staff confirmed background checks and 30 years of local experience for the new owners.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Convention Center: Romani Kildi, a downtown resident and board member of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, urged selection of the downtown Civic Center site, citing avoidance of $250,000 annual operating costs and $2 million demolition costs, and called it fiscally responsible stewardship.
• Concluding Public Comments:
  • West Philomay thanked outgoing officials, acknowledged past conflicts, and expressed cautious optimism about Mayor-elect Josh Boucher.
  • Austin Sletmall announced he had filed a federal civil rights lawsuit (42 USC §1983) against the city and four police officers, seeking $300,000 in damages per defendant, and reported a threat to drop the lawsuit.

Discussion Items

• Dangerous Building (111-113 32nd Avenue North): The property is a 1,152 sq ft duplex in foreclosure, owned by Bobby Stephenson. Deficiencies included no water (terminated Oct 2025) or electrical service, missing siding, junk accumulation, structural damage, and vagrant entry. Staff noted 35 police calls. The building was declared dangerous; approval was unanimous.
• Lost Creek Subdivision & Rezoning: A request to rezone from agricultural to single- and multi-dwelling residential with a conditional overlay and public/institutional. Staff recommended denial due to unresolved infrastructure concerns (sewer, water, roads), public safety risks (snow drifting, emergency access), and lack of a finalized developer agreement. The planning commission had recommended approval. Key disagreements: road type (asphalt vs. concrete), developer wanting not to floodproof basements (contrary to city policy), and funding mechanism (developer opposed special assessments). After extensive debate (including presentations on infrastructure costs: ~$1M for sewer extension, $600K for water main, and varied road costs), Commissioner Kolpak moved for approval with conditions preserving city commission authority on design and funding. The motion passed 4–1 (Pepcorn opposed).
• Convention Center Site Selection: Review of two final proposals – Bruhalla and Downtown Civic Center. Baker Tilly found both feasible but with risks; Bruhalla’s bonding capacity was lower ($47.8M vs. $58.5M). Commissioner Kolpak presented slides arguing for Bruhalla to preserve the Civic Center for a future performing arts center, citing the Sioux Falls model and the need for long-term opportunity. Commissioner Turnberg countered that Bruhalla’s proposed $100M TIF had not been discussed with the county or schools, and the downtown site uses an existing TIF. The first motion to select the downtown site passed 3–2 (Strand, Turnberg, Mahoney yes; Kolpak, Pepcorn no). The second motion to begin TIF financing for the selected site passed 3–2 (same vote).
• Spirit of Fargo Funds for Warming Center: Staff explained that ~$144,000 remained from 2009 flood donations (with Dakota Medical Foundation as fiscal agent). The funds were originally for flood fighting but later modified to cover other natural disasters. The mayor proposed directing the funds to the Resource and Recovery Center’s winter warming program. A motion to table (for the new commission) failed 2–3. The main motion to request the Impact Foundation release the funds passed 3–2 (Strand, Turnberg, Mahoney yes; Kolpak, Pepcorn no). (One commissioner’s vote was ambiguous in the transcript.)
• Human Rights Commission Dissolution: Commissioner Strand moved to conclude the commission, arguing it was not effective and that activists could organize independently. The motion passed 3–2 (Strand, Turnberg, Mahoney yes; Kolpak, Pepcorn no).
• Appointments to Boards/Commissions: Approved unanimously.
• Property Tax Exemptions for Building Improvements: Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• License transfer approved.
• 111-113 32nd Avenue North declared a dangerous building.
• Lost Creek subdivision approved with conditions (infrastructure, design, and funding to be determined by future commission decisions).
• Downtown Civic Center site selected for convention center; staff directed to pursue TIF financing.
• Spirit of Fargo funds to be directed to the Resource and Recovery Center’s winter warming shelter (pending Impact Foundation approval).
• Human Rights Commission dissolved.
• Appointments and tax exemptions approved.
• Farewells to outgoing commissioners and mayor; recognition of Mayor Mahoney’s 20 years of service.