Mandan City Commission Meeting - October 21, 2025

The Mandan City Commission met on October 21, 2025 at 5:30 PM in the Bosch Frelec meeting room at City Hall. Key topics included library grant awards, construction updates, approval of bids, a fireworks show request for the 2026 US 250th celebration, bond financing, a long-term financial planning policy update, grant applications for road safety and downtown improvements, and ordinances on utility bond coverage ratios and parking restrictions.

Announcements

• Barb (Library Director) announced the Morton Mandan Public Library received a $500,000 North Dakota Destination Tourism Grant from the Commerce Department for a makerspace and tour program. She also announced the library achieved the top "future focused" rating, placing it among four out of eighty-four libraries statewide to earn that honor.
• Commissioner Schoberg thanked Barb for her work and noted collaboration with Mandan Schools and Parks.
• A ribbon cutting for the Mandan Art Alley is scheduled for October 22 at 5:15 PM.
• The Mandan Progress Organization (MPO) Mix and Mingle will be held October 23 from 5-7 PM at Dakota Customs.
• Chief Ziggler announced the 7th annual Trunk or Treat on October 31 from 4-6:30 PM at the Law Enforcement Center, with a $1,500 donation from the Mandan Eagles for candy.

Construction Updates (presented by Jerek)

• Memorial Highway: Five underground crews active; 60-inch storm sewer work between 40th and 32nd Avenues; water services complete on south side; sanitary sewers complete; paving at or through 40th Avenue intersection. Winter shutdown targeted for November 23; temporary asphalt will be flat and plowable. NDDOT has five inspectors and two project engineers on site, with additional consultants, ensuring quality oversight. Commissioner Schobar clarified that concrete base testing includes checking for truck sinking.
• Water Treatment Plant Phase 3: Backfilling lime silo area and cutting sheet piles; awaiting approvals for shop drawings and materials.
• Collins Avenue Reservoir: Wire winding and shotcrete finished; south tie-in and vault work ongoing; new reservoir online late November; exterior finishes in spring.
• 2025 Street Reconstruction: Water main installed; PRV installation next week; street lights to be restored; paving continues as weather allows; final lifts likely in spring. Commissioner Rohr asked about flushing the new water tower before service; Jerek said he would confirm.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1 and 3 through 8 on the consent agenda were approved unanimously. Item 2 (removing assessments held in abeyance for sewer improvement district 144) was pulled for separate discussion.

Discussion Items

• Library Grants (Announcement): Barb expressed excitement about the tourism grant, which will fund design of a makerspace and create tours (e.g., to Enchanted Highway) where participants make souvenirs. She noted the library's rise to the top rating.
• Sewer Improvement District 144 Abeyance Removal (Item 2 pulled from consent): Jerek explained that properties in the Red Trail area, originally estimated to benefit from a 2007 sewer project, are now served by other improvements and no longer benefit. Commissioner Schoberg clarified that no money is involved; assessments held in abeyance are being removed because no debt remains. Unanimously approved.
• Mandan Progress Organization Fireworks Request: Matt from MPO requested $50,000 from the city's 2% occupancy tax promotion fund for a pyromusical fireworks show on July 3, 2026, part of the US 250th celebration. The show is estimated to cost $75,000 for fireworks and $100,000–$125,000 total with logistics; MPO will raise the remaining funds. Expected attendance: 7,000–8,000 on-site, 10,000–12,000 in the area, and up to 15,000–17,000 total able to see the show. Commissioner Schoberg expressed fiscal conservatism, questioning the financial return and noting existing fireworks at the rodeo and other city events. Mayor Frelick argued it is a once-in-50-years event and projected higher attendance. Motion passed 4-1 (Rohr opposed).
• Proposal from Starion Bank for Warrants and Bonds: Greg presented the city's request for long-term financing from local banks for improvement districts (Street 231, 235; Water/Sewer 64; Trails 1 & 2). The advantage is that prepayment terms allow the city to lower future interest costs. Commissioner Braun asked about prepayment percentage; Greg noted it varies by project but gave an example of $350,000+ collected from two Brevera projects. Two resolutions approved unanimously.
• Long-Term Financial Planning Policy: Justin proposed updating the planning policy from a 5-year to a 10-year horizon, as requested by the Commission. Commissioner Rohr stated the change allows better planning for large-scale projects. Unanimously approved.
• Highway Safety Improvement Program Grant Application: Jerek presented a grant application for a $2.7 million roundabout at Sunset Drive and 27th Street (90% federal funding; local match $270,000 from special assessments). This is separate from the earlier Sunset Drive Interchange project but coordinated with it. Unanimously authorized to submit.
• Urban Grant Program Application: Jerek presented an application for Phase 2 of downtown street improvements (purple on map) for fiscal year 2029, asking for 60% of the $6.2 million project ($3.75 million) with local funding from multiple sources. Commissioner Heinchan noted this is only the application step; stakeholder meetings will follow. Unanimously authorized.
• Ordinance 1478 – Coverage Ratio for Water/Sewer Revenue Bonds: Greg explained the ordinance reduces the required debt service coverage ratio from 125% to 110% to align with modern lending standards and reduce future rate pressure. Commissioner Rohr thanked Greg for the clear explanation. Unanimously approved introduction and first consideration.
• Ordinance 1479 – Restricted Parking of Unlicensed Vehicles: The city attorney clarified that the ordinance explicitly requires current registration plates and tabs to be displayed on parked vehicles, addressing a loophole where expired tabs but valid registration could lead to dismissed citations. Unanimously approved introduction and first consideration.
• Resolution on Solid Waste Utility Rates: Shane presented a resolution increasing the monthly residential base charge by five cents per family living unit (reflecting contract with Eco-Sanitation); recycling collection unchanged through 2026 under contract with Waste Management; landfill rates adjusted to remain competitive. Commissioner Schoberg confirmed that the Waste Management contract runs through 2028 with potential increases in 2027-2028. Unanimously approved.

Key Outcomes

• Fireworks funding: Approved $50,000 from occupancy tax promotion fund for MPO’s July 3, 2026 fireworks show (4-1 vote; Rohr opposed).
• Bid award: Street Improvement District 240 (Shores at Lakewood Phase 2) awarded to Knife River Corporation for base bid and alternate one, approximately $2 million (engineer’s estimate was $2.7 million).
• Consent agenda: Items 1 and 3-8 approved; item 2 (sewer assessment abeyance removal) approved separately.
• Bond resolutions: Two resolutions approved – one creating funds and authorizing improvement warrants, another authorizing $8,717,190 in refunding improvement bonds Series 2025.
• Policy update: Long-term financial planning policy extended from 5-year to 10-year horizon.
• Grant applications: Authorization to submit Highway Safety Improvement Program grant for Sunset/27th roundabout and Urban Grant Program application for downtown Phase 2.
• Ordinances: First readings approved for Ordinance 1478 (coverage ratio) and Ordinance 1479 (parking restrictions).
• Solid waste rates: Resolution approved increasing monthly residential rate by $0.05 and adjusting landfill rates.
• Future meetings: Scheduled for November 4, 2025; November 18, 2025; and December 2, 2025, all at 5:30 PM.