Fargo City Commission Regular Meeting – July 6, 2026

The Fargo City Commission held its regular meeting on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM in Commission Chambers. The meeting began with the swearing-in of newly elected Mayor Josh Boshe and Commissioners Nikki Gullickson and Chad Peterson, administered by Judges Dawson and Webb. The agenda included a consent calendar, a public hearing, an ordinance to extend the city's 1% infrastructure sales tax, bid awards, and appointments to commission liaison roles and boards. Key decisions included approving the consent agenda (with two items pulled), approving the plat of the Cottagewood First Addition cul-de-sac, receiving and filing the sales tax extension ordinance, approving a boiler replacement contract, tabling a fence installation contract, and adopting a motion to hold a brown bag meeting to discuss commission portfolio assignments.

Consent Calendar

• Approved items 1–15 and 18–29 via roll call (all commissioners voted aye). Items 16 and 17 were pulled at the request of Commissioner Peterson.
• The consent calendar included routine approvals such as: applications for property tax exemptions, second reading and final adoption of ordinance amendments, transition services agreement with Interstate Parking Company, memorandum of understanding for the 2028 Olympic Torch Relay, withdrawal of annexation, findings of fact for a property, acceptance of primary election results, games of chance permits, change orders for improvement districts, easements, reimbursements, contracts and bonds, approval of FAHR meeting items (sales tax revenue report, donation from Fargo Police Foundation, grant amendments, salt contract extension), bid awards (boiler replacement and fence installation were pulled), grant awards, rejection of demolition proposals, plats, piggyback purchases for plow trucks, and bills.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public offered comments. One speaker, Mr. Sletmo, was not present, so the public comment period was closed.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing – Plat of The Cul-de-Sac of Cottagewood First Addition (3856 and 3870 47th Avenue South): Donald Cress of the Planning Department presented the replatting of two residential lots to dedicate the cul-de-sac area as right-of-way and revise utility easements. The Planning Commission recommended approval on June 2, 2026. No public testimony was offered. The commission approved the plat unanimously.
• Ordinance Amendment – Sales and Use Tax for Infrastructure Capital Improvements (Item 31): City Attorney McLean explained that on June 9, 2026, approximately 73% of voters approved extending the 1% infrastructure sales tax from its expiration date of December 31, 2028, to December 31, 2048. An ordinance amending Section 3-2011 of the Municipal Code is required to implement the extension. The item was received and filed; it will return for first reading at the next meeting and second reading thereafter. The commission voted unanimously to receive and file.
• Bid Award – Boiler Replacement at Fargo Cass Public Health (Item 16): Commissioner Peterson pulled this item to discuss the timing and single bidder. Facilities staff explained that the boilers were in catastrophic failure and funding was secured from bond savings. The boiler replacement was bid in June to complete before the next heating season, leading to only one bidder. Commissioner Peterson expressed concern about the lack of competitive bidding but moved to approve. The motion passed unanimously.
• Bid Award – Fence Installation at Fargo Police Department East Lot (Item 17): Commissioner Peterson opposed the fence, arguing it was a $188,950 security fence that would not stop a vehicle or serious intruder and that other public employee lots lacked similar protection. Commissioner Strand proposed tabling the item to the July 20 meeting for more details. The motion to table passed 2-1 (Commissioners Strand and Peterson in favor, Mayor Boshe opposed; Commissioners Gullickson and Turnberg were not recorded as voting on the roll call). The item will be revisited on July 20.
• Commission Liaison Assignments (Item 32): Mayor Boshe presented proposed assignments based on themes: Commissioner Strand – Renters Advisory Council; Commissioner Gullickson – Engineering and Planning; Commissioner Turnberg – Communications, Government Affairs, Facilities, and Fargo Library; Commissioner Peterson – Utilities (Solid Waste, Water Treatment, Water Reclamation) and Information Services. Commissioner Peterson requested a formal open meeting of all five commissioners to discuss portfolios, and Commissioner Turnberg moved to hold a brown bag lunch meeting that week to develop assignments collaboratively. The motion passed 3-2 (Commissioners Turnberg, Peterson, Gullickson in favor; Commissioners Strand and Boshe opposed). The mayor will coordinate scheduling.
• Deputy Mayor Appointment (Item 33): Mayor Boshe nominated Commissioner Strand, citing his seniority and experience. Commissioner Strand accepted the nomination. The motion passed unanimously by roll call.
• Board Appointments (Item 34): The commission approved continuation of service on the Board of Adjustment and a new appointment to the Library Board (due to term limits). Commissioner Peterson encouraged public engagement on volunteer boards. The motion passed unanimously.
• Liaison Commissioner Assignment Updates (Item 35): Commissioners provided brief reports: Commissioner Turnberg met with Police Chief (positive outlook) and Library Director; Commissioner Strand welcomed new commissioners; Commissioner Peterson noted his honor to serve and desire for portfolio rotation; Commissioner Gullickson highlighted positive police changes and met with planning team. Mayor Boshe reported on the Flock Safety transparency portal, 13 new police recruits, and upcoming budget workshops July 20–22.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent agenda (items 1–15, 18–29) – unanimous roll call.
• Approved plat of Cottagewood First Addition cul-de-sac – unanimous roll call.
• Received and filed sales tax extension ordinance – first reading scheduled for July 20 meeting.
• Approved boiler replacement contract – unanimous roll call.
• Tabled fence installation contract to July 20 meeting – motion carried 2-1 (two commissioners not recorded).
• Adopted motion to hold brown bag meeting on portfolio assignments – passed 3-2.
• Appointed Commissioner Strand as Deputy Mayor – unanimous roll call.
• Approved Board of Adjustment and Library Board appointments – unanimous roll call.
• Next regular meeting: July 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM, with budget workshops July 20–22.