Fargo City Commission Regular Meeting – August 17, 2026

The Fargo City Commission met on August 17, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. (after an executive session at 4:00 p.m.) in the Commission Chambers. The meeting included approval of a consent agenda, a public hearing on federal transit funding, a fire department capital fund reallocation, acceptance of a $20,000 donation to the Red River Valley SWAT team, reappointments to the Civil Service Commission, a construction update, liaison reports, and a debated health officer contract with former Mayor Dr. Tim Mahoney.

Consent Calendar

• Approved items 1–31 (excluding item 20, moved to regular agenda) including ordinances, property tax exemptions, license violation orders for four establishments, settlements, grants, contracts, bond awards, budget adjustments, and routine administrative actions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kellen Benson, a Fargo resident and recent UND law graduate, opposed acceptance of the $20,000 Wrigley family donation to the Red River Valley SWAT team. He argued that private donations to law enforcement erode public trust and that the involvement of State Attorney General Drew Wrigley (a family member) creates a perception of compromised local sovereignty. He urged rejection, noting he did not accuse the family of wrongdoing but emphasized that trust in law enforcement is more important than funding.
• Tyler Knighthorse signed up for public comment but was not present.

Discussion Items

• Federal Transit Administration Program of Projects (Item 32): Jordan Smith of Metro Transit presented. Section 5307 funds will support operating costs; Section 5339 funds will purchase two expansion vehicles for Moorhead’s microtransit pilot (2027), supplement a pedestrian warning system, and buy three supervisor vehicles ($137,000 sub-allocated from NDDOT). No public comments. Approved unanimously.
• Fire Department Capital Funds Reallocation (Item 33): Chief Lorenz requested to use funds originally budgeted (approx. $150,000) for a mobile ventilation prop and mobile auto extrication prop to instead purchase temporary live‑burn training shipping containers and a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) for grass fire response and event support. Commissioner Peterson asked for specific vehicle details (John Deere XUV or similar). Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• $20,000 Wrigley Family Donation (Item 34): Commissioner Peterson noted the importance of formal gratitude for donations. Public comment opposed. Commissioner Gullickson supported, citing the family’s loss of a son to violence against police. Motion to accept and express gratitude passed unanimously.
• Civil Service Commission Appointments (Item 35): Reappointed Kelsey Roseth and Barb Ransom. Approved unanimously.
• Health Officer Services Agreement (Item 20, moved from consent): Commissioner Turnberg moved the item to the regular agenda for transparency. The contract with former Mayor Dr. Tim Mahoney pays approximately $3,400–$3,600 per month for four hours per week (reduced from 20 hours/$120,000/year under previous health officer). Commissioner Turnberg moved to table to the August 26 budget meeting for public education; motion failed 3‑2 (Turnberg, Peterson in favor; Strand, Gullickson, Bouche opposed). A subsequent motion to approve the agreement passed 3‑2 (Strand, Gullickson, Bouche in favor; Turnberg, Peterson opposed). Discussion included the statutory requirement for a health officer, difficulty recruiting, cost savings compared to prior contracts, and comparisons to Dr. Baird’s multiple roles.
• Construction Update (Item 36): Thomas Nakmoose reported on multiple projects: a fiber build by Gateway (resident concerns about restoration timeliness), 45th Street pavement rehab, 32nd Avenue reconstruction (University Drive intersection closed ~1 month, temporary signal planned), NP Avenue grade‑separated crossing (Second Street closing August 19), core neighborhood projects (Longfellow, Hawthorne, Roosevelt), a new traffic signal at 23rd Avenue South and 55th Street (delayed due to lead times), Southwest Metro Pond excavation (1.5 million cubic yards moved, nearly complete), shared use path near VA hospital, and Belmont flood wall installation. For 64th Avenue interchange, the environmental document is accepted; a traffic calming survey received 781 responses. For 76th Avenue interchange, Fargo reiterated its priority at the August 11 UIPP meeting with NDDOT.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the Federal Transit Administration grant programs for 2026.
• Approved reallocation of fire department capital funds for live‑burn training containers and a UTV (unanimous).
• Accepted $20,000 donation from the Wrigley family to the Red River Valley SWAT team (unanimous).
• Reappointed Kelsey Roseth and Barb Ransom to the Civil Service Commission (unanimous).
• Approved the Health Officer Services Agreement with Dr. Tim Mahoney (3‑2, with Strand, Gullickson, Bouche in favor).
• Motion to table the health officer agreement to August 26 budget meeting failed (3‑2).
• Construction update noted progress on numerous projects; 64th Avenue traffic calming recommendations expected late September/early October.
• Liaison reports included formation of a renters task force, budget preparation, and community events (police picnic, food truck inspection event, back‑to‑school PAC pack distribution – 820 cars first night, 600 second night, one in four Fargo children lives in poverty).
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:30 p.m.