Fargo City Commission Regular Meeting

The Fargo City Commission held a regular meeting on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM in the Commission Chambers. The meeting covered a full consent agenda, multiple public hearings, approval of the 2027 final budget, and a decision to delay the Commercial Redevelopment PILOT Incentive Policy for further discussion. All commissioners were present: Nikkie Gullickson, Chad Peterson, John Strand, Michelle Turnberg, and Mayor Josh Boschee.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (5-0) items 1–25, including:
  • First reading of an ordinance amending parking ticket fees (Section 8-1606).
  • Final adoption of an annexation ordinance for Covey Ranch 3rd Addition and related rezoning.
  • Final adoption of ordinances updating airport liquor license classifications, fees, and restrictions.
  • Direction to the City Attorney to review and revise mobility impairment permit regulations.
  • Receipt and filing of Visit Fargo-Moorhead’s 2027 operating and capital budgets.
  • Property tax exemptions for building improvements and Games of Chance applications.
  • Appointment of election workers for the October 6, 2026 special election and canvassing board members.
  • Developer agreement and infrastructure request for Lost Creek First Addition.
  • Encroachment agreement for properties on 45th Street South.
  • Change orders and time extensions for improvement districts BR-26-F1 ($50,208.51), BN-26-C1 ($124,888.72), and UR-26-A1 ($15,228.60).
  • Authorization to advertise RFP for federal aid projects.
  • Bid award of $131,560 to Gast Construction for downtown library coffee shop remodel.
  • Bid awards for FARGODOME relighting and signage project.
  • Leave of absence extension for Russell Sunderland.
  • Contract up to $108,300 for fire training facility design and Fire Station 4 assessment.
  • Approval of FAHR recommendations including purchase of a rear-mounted aerial truck ($1,877,683), digital signage ($1,386,885), grant awards (NDDOT $649,416; JAG $81,045), and elevator refurbishment at Newman Outdoor Field ($53,000).
  • Resolutions authorizing refunding improvement bonds (Series 2026A up to $50,995,000) and redemption of Series 2012A bonds.
  • Approval of plat for Schultz and Williams Second Addition.
  • Agreement with Concordia College for 2026-2027 U-Pass transit services.
  • Bills totaling $15,238,816.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Romayne Kilde (Downtown Neighborhood Association board member) spoke about the Historic Preservation Commission’s lack of public education initiatives over the past decade, a high cancellation rate, and absence of transparency regarding federal CLG grants. She urged the Commission to direct code updates to include explicit education mandates, operational goals (education, survey, compliance), and regular grant disclosure.

Discussion Items

1. Public Hearings

• Item 26: Skyway Maintenance Fees – Annual assessment on 48 properties with a $160,000 budget. Approved 5-0.
• Item 27: Unpaid Utilities – 782 accounts totaling $268,454.72 assessed due to non-payment. A property owner (Valerie Perillis) questioned why landlords are held responsible when tenants default, noting lack of collection mechanisms. City Attorney Ian McLean clarified the 2018 ordinance making property owners jointly responsible. Approved 5-0.
• Item 28: Alcohol License Transfer (Spaghetti Western) – Class “F” license moving from 402 Broadway N to 524 Broadway N. Commissioner Peterson noted the floor plan sketch was minimal but suggested loosening form requirements. Approved 5-0.
• Item 29: Alcohol License (Mount Everest Kitchen) – New Class “GH” (beer and wine) for a Nepali restaurant at 1450 25th St S, Suite 160. Approved 5-0.
• Items 30-31: Liquor license hearings continued to October 26, 2026 – Red Lobster ownership change and Ramada license transfer. Both motions to continue passed 5-0.
• Item 32: Sidewalk Assessments SR-25-A – 415 parcels totaling ~$600,000. Approved 5-0.
• Item 33: Sidewalk Assessments SR-25-B – 84 parcels totaling ~$551,000. Approved 5-0.
• Item 34: Improvement District Assessments – 17 districts (A–Q) including 6,835 parcels with total special assessments of just under $52 million. Four greenfield districts and eight reconstruction districts (total project cost $39.4M, of which $10.6M assessed at 26.91%). Approved 5-0.
• Item 35: Christianson 32nd Ave S Fourth Addition Rezoning – Change from GC with C-O overlay to same, modifying overlay to require pedestrian connectivity only along 36th St S and decorative fence on 31st Ave. Approved 5-0.

2. Final Budget for 2027

• Mayor Boschee and finance staff (Mr. Redlinger and Susan Thompson) presented the final $15M+ general fund budget. Key elements: 3% COLA, 6.6% health insurance increase, eight new police officers (four funded by public safety sales tax), new positions in library, central garage, streets, HR, and municipal court. Utility rates adjusted with tiered water reclamation charges. Intentional underspend to maintain reserves. Approved unanimously 5-0 after discussion. Commissioner Peterson noted future challenges (convention center, MAT bus, courts, landfill, water reclamation) but praised transparency.

3. Commercial Redevelopment PILOT Incentive Policy

• Proposed policy to encourage redevelopment of vacant/obsolete buildings, targeting growth plan areas. Commissioners Strand and Turnberg raised concerns about past compliance, clawbacks, and need for clearer metrics. Motion to delay for up to 30 days for a brown bag discussion passed 5-0.

4. Housing and Redevelopment Authority Appointment

• Reappointment of Mr. Schuller to the HRA. Approved 5-0.

5. Construction Update

• City Engineer Tom Knakmuhs reported no safety incidents. Projects: NP Avenue underground utilities complete; Longfellow, Hawthorne neighborhood reconstructions progressing; 45th Street and 32nd Avenue projects substantially complete; Belmont flood wall near completion; I-94 work continuing with DOT coordination. Public encouraged to use FargoStreets.com.

6. Liaison Commissioner Reports

• Commissioners reported on various board meetings including League of Cities, MetroCog growth summit, and a renter listening session. Upcoming events: NDSU homecoming, special election on October 6 (ward vs. commission form of government), and Indigenous People’s Day breakfast on October 12.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved 5-0.
• Public Hearings: All assessments and license transfers approved 5-0.
• 2027 Final Budget: Approved unanimously 5-0.
• PILOT Incentive Policy: Tabled for up to 30 days by motion (5-0).
• HRA Reappointment: Approved 5-0.
• Meeting Adjourned: 6:24 PM.