Fargo City Commission Regular Meeting – August 31, 2026

The Fargo City Commission held its regular meeting on Monday, August 31, 2026, at 5:00 PM in the Commission Chambers. The meeting included the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, approval of the agenda and minutes from August 17, 2026, approval of the consent agenda, public hearings on dangerous buildings and alcoholic beverage licenses, discussion of a new airport alcohol license, appointment of the Transit Director, liaison reports, and public comments.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1 through 17 on the consent agenda were approved unanimously via roll call. Commissioner Peterson noted a future preference for hourly contracts on Item 13E but did not pull the item from the consent agenda.

Public Hearings

• Dangerous Building – 1433 4th Avenue South (Item 18): Mr. Radnik from inspections presented the property as meeting 10 out of 10 criteria for dangerous building, with foundation issues and improper shoring. The owner, Ammanuel Tedla, and potential investor Kerry Johnson (Autopilot Properties) requested a one-month extension to evaluate. The Commission approved a motion to declare the building dangerous and order demolition by October 30, 2026, with the possibility of an extension if the owner demolishes sooner. The city will proceed with demolition if not done by the deadline.
• Dangerous Building – 1334 1st Avenue South (Item 19): Mr. Radnik noted the property meets 5 out of 10 criteria and is “very saveable.” Gate City Bank, the mortgage holder, is pursuing foreclosure. Sue Anderson and Jay Kravenhoff of Gate City Bank stated they will remove hazardous materials and winterize the property. The Commission approved a motion to declare the building dangerous and order demolition/cleanup by March 31, 2027, with the possibility of vacating the order if the property is saved. The later date was to accommodate the foreclosure process.
• Red Lobster License (Item 20): Continued to September 28, 2026, at 5:05 PM, pending liquor control board recommendation.
• Anand Indian Cuisine License (Item 21): Application for a Class GH (beer and wine) license for Anand LLC d/b/a Anand Indian Cuisine at 1109 38th Street South. Ms. Baer confirmed no background issues. Approved unanimously.
• Fly Rail License (Item 22): Application for a Class GH license for The Fly Rail, LLC at 1531 University Drive South, Unit D. Approved unanimously.

Appointment of Transit Director (Item 23)

• The selection committee recommended Jordan Smith, currently Assistant Transit Director, to be the Transit Director. Commissioner Strand praised his leadership. Jordan Smith offered brief remarks. Approved unanimously.

Airport Alcoholic Beverage License – Discussion (Item 24)

• City Attorney William Wisher presented a proposed ordinance and resolution to create a new “Airport” alcohol license for Skydyne, the concessionaire at Hector International Airport. Key issues discussed: hours of operation (city proposed 10 PM cutoff; Skydyne wanted flexibility), pre-security areas (no current plans, to be addressed later), and security responsibility (the city draft places monitoring requirements on the vendor; feedback leaned toward vendor responsibility). Commissioner Strand suggested revisiting in a year. The Commission voted to receive and file the ordinances and continue work, with first reading scheduled for September 14, 2026.

Liaison Reports (Item 25)

• Commissioner Peterson toured Great Plains Food Bank, discussed a $33,000 matching challenge that fell through, and mentioned upcoming budget and solid waste meetings.
• Commissioner Turnberg noted ongoing budget work.
• Commissioner Strand announced a city-led listening session on tenant and landlord issues, likely between 4-6 PM in late September or early October.
• Commissioner Gullickson received a presentation on Flock cameras from Chief Stefanowitz, noting privacy safeguards, and toured Great Plains Food Bank.
• Mayor O'Shea provided updates: the special election on form of government (October 6) will have a third polling location at the Civic Center; the HUD Regional Administrator is visiting; the legislative special session begins later that week; the next Finance Committee meeting is September 8; the public hearing on the preliminary budget is September 14; the budget adoption is September 28. He also expressed condolences for Sgt. Tyrell Foskey who died of brain cancer.

Public Comments (Item 26)

• Mara Crump: Thanked emergency responders for aiding her daughter and raised concerns about two sober living houses on College Street operated by an out-of-state LLC. She alleged drug sales, threats, and extortion by management, and requested city action.
• Olivia Fisher: Opposed proposed budget cuts to social services to fund nine additional police officers. She argued the camping ban criminalizes homelessness and urged elimination of the ban, improved housing access, and lower-barrier shelter.
• Rachel Harvey: Criticized police for targeting unhoused people for simply being on a blanket outside, which she said is discriminatory, and argued against reducing social services to fund more officers.

Key Outcomes

• Dangerous building (1433 4th Ave S): Motion passed to order demolition by October 30, 2026, with owner/developer allowed to demolish earlier.
• Dangerous building (1334 1st Ave S): Motion passed to order demolition/cleanup by March 31, 2027, with possibility of vacation if property is repaired.
• Red Lobster license hearing: Continued to September 28.
• Anand Indian Cuisine license: Approved.
• Fly Rail license: Approved.
• Transit Director appointment: Jordan Smith appointed unanimously.
• Airport alcohol license: Commission provided feedback; motion to receive and file ordinances passed; first reading set for September 14.
• Meeting adjourned.