Mandan City Commission Meeting – January 20, 2026

The Mandan City Commission met at 5:00 p.m. on January 20, 2026, in the Bosch Frelick meeting room at Mandan City Hall. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Brenda Nagel, director of the Bismarck Mandan Chamber of Commerce EDC. Commissioners present: Roar, Schoberg, Hein Shawn, Braun, and Mayor Frelick. The meeting covered a range of administrative approvals, a public hearing on a variance, project updates, an update from the Chamber EDC, adoption of a new stormwater design manual, and introduction of an on‑call pay ordinance.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the agenda (motion by Commissioner Braun, second by Commissioner Schoberg; unanimous roll call vote).
• Approval of the minutes from the January 6, 2026 Board of City Commission meeting (motion by Commissioner Brown, second by Commissioner Schoberg; unanimous).
• Approval of the January 13, 2026 Board of City Commission special meeting minutes (motion by Commissioner Roar, second by Commissioner Braun; unanimous).
• Approval of consent items 1–9 (motion by Commissioner Roar, second by Commissioner Schoberg; unanimous).

Public Hearing

• Variance for lots one and two, block one, North Prairie School Second Subdivision: Dave Boison (Interstate Engineering) presented a variance request for an accessory structure (60 ft x 120 ft, 7,200 sq ft) that exceeds the 75%‑of‑primary‑structure limit in the R7 zone. The one‑property (6.5 acres) is surrounded by mature shelterbelts; the owner intends to store items currently kept outside. Planning and Zoning recommended approval. The public hearing was opened and closed with no comments. The commission approved the variance unanimously (motion by Commissioner Schoberg, second by Commissioner Roar).

Discussion Items

• Project Updates: Jared (city staff) reported on two active projects. (1) Mandan Proper: a kickoff open house for all four phases was held the previous week; good feedback was received on drainage and parking preferences; a follow‑up meeting for Phase One is scheduled for February 24 at First Lutheran Church. (2) 2B project area near Roosevelt Elementary: a public input meeting is scheduled for January 21, 6–8 p.m. at Roosevelt Elementary to gather early community input before design; the project will address aging cast iron water mains.
• Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC Update: Brenda Nagel presented the Chamber’s 2025 accomplishments and 2026–2030 strategic plan, focusing on economic development, public policy, community engagement/marketing, and leadership development. Highlights included Job Shadow Week, the Mandan Business Pitch Challenge (which Bismarck will emulate), a student leadership program, Leadership Bismarck Mandan, and workforce recruitment videos. The Chamber is exploring development of an industrial park to support manufacturing growth. Mayor and commissioners expressed support for the industrial park initiative.
• Stormwater Design Manual and Ordinance Rewrite: Nick Cullen and Michael Gunch of Houston Engineering presented the updated stormwater design manual and the corresponding ordinance (Ordinance 1483). The previous manuals were 18 and 13 years old. Key changes include a mandatory scoping sheet, streamlined review timelines (30 days prior, 21 working days for city review), four pillars of compliance (peak discharge, water quality, street drainage performance, and stormwater pollution prevention), and a 75‑100 ft Missouri River setback. The manual applies within city limits and the extraterritorial area (ETA) in coordination with Morton County. No questions from the public; the commission unanimously approved the manual (motion by Commissioner Schoberg, second by Commissioner Roar).
• Introduction of Ordinance 1481 – On‑Call Pay: Amy (city staff) introduced the first reading of Ordinance 1481 to amend the compensation section of city code to provide a flat daily on‑call stipend for employees required to be available outside normal hours. The proposed rate is approximately $48/day ($3/hour for non‑worked hours). The estimated annual fiscal impact is $80,000, with a corresponding budget amendment. The ordinance mirrors a similar policy just implemented by Bismarck. The commission unanimously approved the first reading and the associated budget amendment (motion by Commissioner Schoberg, second by Commissioner Roar).
• Introduction of Ordinance 1483 – Stormwater Ordinance Rewrite: The first reading of Ordinance 1483 (stormwater rewrite) was introduced by Jared, incorporating the updates presented earlier. The commission unanimously approved the first reading (motion by Commissioner Roar, second by Commissioner Schoberg).

Key Outcomes

• Vote: Variance for accessory structure approved unanimously.
• Vote: Stormwater design manual adopted unanimously.
• Vote: First reading of Ordinance 1481 (on‑call pay) and associated budget amendment approved unanimously.
• Vote: First reading of Ordinance 1483 (stormwater ordinance rewrite) approved unanimously.
• Directive: Administration to finalize on‑call pay procedures and implement in 2026 after the second reading.
• Next Steps: February 3, 2026 meeting at 5:30 p.m.; February 17 at 5:00 p.m.; March 3 at 5:30 p.m.