Mandan City Commission Meeting – February 3, 2026
Mandan City Commission Meeting – February 3, 2026
The Mandan City Commission met on February 3, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the Bosch Frelick meeting room at Mandan City Hall. Mayor Frelick presided, and all commissioners (Braun, Rohr, Schoberg, Heinchan) were present. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Micah Tubers from Mandan DECA and featured a promotional video for Visit Mandan 2026 produced by the Mandan Progress Organization.
Announcements
- Brianna Santiago de Vilia presented a proclamation declaring February 2026 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. Key statistics cited: 75.49% of North Dakota high school students are enrolled in CTE; CTE concentrators achieve a 95% graduation rate compared to the statewide average of 88%; and 95% of schools use the 'Are You Ready' online system. The proclamation was approved.
- Mr. Newbauer announced a Zoning Code Rewrite Update meeting on February 12, 2026, at 11:30 AM at the Morton Mandan Public Library, open to the public.
- Jericho provided project updates:
- Lead Service Line Project: Over 3,600 letters sent to households with unknown private-side service lines; a town hall is scheduled for February 5, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the commission room.
- Mandan Proper Phase One: A follow-up meeting will be held on February 24, 2026, from 6–8 PM at First Lutheran Church.
- Memorial Highway: The project consists of two phases. Phase 1 (awarded to Re-Deconstruction) will continue construction in 2026 and must be completed by July 9. Phase 2 (awarded to Northern Improvement) will run through 2027. Tree removal for stormwater improvements north of Third Street is underway to comply with migratory bird protections.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No verbal public comments were made during the meeting. However, a written comment submitted earlier in the day by Donovan Kruger regarding Improvement Area 2B was acknowledged by staff.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda (items 1–8) was approved unanimously on a motion by Commissioner Rohr, seconded by Commissioner Schoberg. Roll call: all ayes.
Discussion Items
- Approval of January 20, 2026, Meeting Minutes – Approved unanimously.
- Street Improvement District 242 (Area 2B): Jarek presented resolutions to create the district. The project will replace cast iron water mains, improve sanitary sewer and stormwater conveyance, and make road and ADA ramp improvements east and south of Roosevelt Elementary. There have been 35 water main breaks in the neighborhood, with costs of tens of thousands of dollars per break. A public input meeting was held on January 21, and a follow-up is scheduled for February 18 at 6 PM at Roosevelt Elementary. The resolution of necessity initiates a 30-day protest period. Commissioners expressed support for early transparency. Approved unanimously.
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Master Plan Update Peer Review: Delron and Ben from HDR presented findings. Two recommended liquid treatment alternatives: aerated granular sludge (L5) and extended aeration (L1). Phase 1 costs are about $125 million. The peer review eliminated options such as pumping to Bismarck or relocating the plant. For solids treatment, the recommended approach is dewatering to a cake for landfill disposal to address odors and operational challenges. The commission approved the peer review report and authorized solicitation of professional services for the project. Approved unanimously.
- Offer on City-Owned Lot (Parcel 65-610-2835): The Mittlighters offered $7,500 for the property at 4205 Show-a-Loop. After months of negotiations, an agreement was reached with adjacent property owners to move the eastern property line 15 feet west, granting them additional backyard space. The adjacent owners will pay for replatting. The sale is contingent on this adjustment and does not pre-approve any future development permits. Approved unanimously.
Resolutions and Ordinances
- Ordinance 1481 (On-Call Pay): Second and final consideration to formalize on-call compensation. No public comments received. Approved unanimously.
- Ordinance 1483 (Stormwater Rewrite): Second and final consideration updating the stormwater design manual and ordinances (18 and 13 years old respectively). No updates since the first reading. Approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- All motions and ordinances passed unanimously.
- Future meeting dates announced: February 17, 2026, at 5:00 PM; March 3, 2026, at 5:30 PM; March 17, 2026 (St. Patrick’s Day) at 5:30 PM.
- Meeting adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome. Today is February 3rd, 2026. It is 5:30, and we are in the Bosch Frelick meeting room at Mandan City Hall. Mr. Newbauer, could you please take the roll? Commissioners. Braun. Yes. Roar here. Schoberg. Here. Heinchan. Here. Mayor Frelick. Here. And at this time we will have Micah Tubers from Mandan Deca. Lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Please stand. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Micah. At this time we'll move on to announcements, and we're going to start off and get everybody uh excited about Mandan. We have a uh visit mandan uh 2026 video. Here it's more than a place to go. It's a place to belong. It's families side by side, kids wide-eyed, and grandparents smiling because they remember this feeling. It's Main Street alive with sound, music in the air, engines rumbling, and neighbors cheering like family. It's tradition in the dirt, pride in the stands, and moments pass down year after year. It's autumn nights where legends come alive, and winter lights that bring everyone together. It's warm hands by the fire, cold air, full hearts, and memories made in the middle of it all. And when the sky explodes with light. It's not just fireworks. It's community. It's home. It's legendary. It's Mandan. Visit Mandan. Where the West begins. Oh. Who's got goosebumps? That was uh the Mandan uh progress organization produced that. So thank you, Map. Uh at this time we will have Brianna Santiago de Vilia. Uh she will present uh the proclamation for career and technical education month. Thank you so much, Mayor and Comm and Commissioners. Today I bring you this proclamation for your approval to declare February 2026 Career and Technical Education Month. Whereas 70 75.49% of high school students across North Dakota are currently enrolled in career technical education, CTE, getting the essential academic technical and employability skills required for the modern career readiness, and whereas students who concentrate in CTE programs engage in authentic, meaningful learning experiences that significantly enhance the quality of their education, as evidenced by 95% percent percent of graduation rate compared to the statewide average of 88%, and whereas North Dakota provides comprehensive career exploration through are you ready.gov online system, utilized by 95% of schools to empower their students to make informed beneficial decisions regarding their academic pathways, and whereas leaders in North Dakota business and industry sectors continue to identify a critical skills gap, emphasizing the urgent need to connect qualified professionals with high demand careers in fields such as healthcare, energy, advanced manufacturing, valid value-added agriculture, and information technology, and whereas career and technical education bridges this gap by offering integrated programs of fulfilling and sustainable careers. And whereas the expanded access and innovative delivery of CTE programming, including distance learning initiatives, ensures that students in every corner of our state have the opportunity to pursue the Pacific educational interest and professional goals. Thank you. Okay.
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