OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Mandan City Commission Meeting - May 5, 2026

City Commission — Tuesday, May 5, 2026
BodyMandan, North Dakota
SessionCity Commission
DateTuesday, May 5, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 35:34

Transcript — Verbatim
0:10

Welcome.

0:10

Today is Cinco de Mayo, and for our friends in Bismarck, that is May the 5th, 2026.

0:16

It is 5:30 p.m.

0:18

and we are in the Bosch Frelec meeting room in Mandan City Hall.

0:21

Mr.

0:22

Neubauer, could you please take the roll?

0:24

Commissioner Braun.

0:27

Roar.

0:28

Chair Schilberg.

0:29

Here.

0:29

Hein Challenge.

0:30

Here.

0:30

Mayor Freelick.

0:31

I'm here.

0:33

At this time we will have Tristan Kosick with the Mandan Progress Organization.

0:39

Lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:44

I pledge to the flag of the United States of America.

0:49

To the Republic for which it stands.

0:52

One nation.

0:53

Under God.

0:54

Individual liberty and justice.

1:02

All right, we'll start out with announcements.

1:05

And uh first one up is Fire Chief Mitch Bitts with NORSA Fire Department Sales Tax Initiative Public Information Meetings.

1:15

Good evening, Mayor and Commissioners.

1:16

Uh thank you for the opportunity to uh remind our residents of our public input information meeting on uh May 18th at 6 p.m.

1:25

down at Fort Lincoln Elementary School.

1:27

Um during that time, we're gonna do a small presentation and just kind of lay out um some of our uh thought process and the need for uh station three and uh the facts that are related to the sales tax.

1:39

It's gonna be on the June uh 2026 ballot to continue that existing sales tax from the Starring Sports Complex to uh reallocate that to the fire department.

1:48

So um invite the public to come out, interact with us and uh ask questions and um just stop in and say hi if they're able.

1:56

Okay, thank you, Mitch.

1:58

Um could you also comment on last night's fire in Bismarck and the Mandan Department's response?

2:06

How that works.

2:07

Yep, absolutely, Mayor, uh Commissioner.

2:09

So uh unfortunately our neighbors in Bismarck did uh have a significant uh structure fire last night.

2:15

Um large uh multifamily residential unit.

2:18

And those are very taxing uh from a from a labor uh standpoint or our our forces.

2:26

So we have a very strong working relationship with Bismarck Fire Department, and they uh called for some of our equipment.

2:31

Uh we have to have a mobile air trailer, which is part of a regional response team, and that's exactly what it's designed for, um, is to take out a large incidents like that, um, help fill air bottles on scene rather than having to transport bottles back and forth to the station.

2:45

And then we also sent a crew over a little bit later just to assist with uh personnel.

2:50

Um again, and there's very labor-intensive operations, and Bismarck has helped us out many times, and we work very well together, so it's reciprocal gesture.

3:00

We have received a few phone calls just to mention um asking where people can donate.

3:06

Uh the City of Bismarck website uh does have some information on it.

3:10

Uh the North Dakota Lions Emergency Relief Group is kind of leading the charge on that, or the Chrysler Crisis Care Chaplain Chryseless Crisis Care Chaplaincy, uh Salvation Army or American Red Cross are also good places to donate.

3:25

So answers your questions.

3:28

Yes, did thank you, Mitch.

3:32

Now we will have construction updates.

3:37

Mayor and Commissioners.

3:45

Um we've got a lot of projects that are kind of starting up officially uh in around town.

3:52

Um first uh as always is the Memorial Highway project.

3:56

Um got uh graphic up on screen just to kind of remind everybody that this is a two-phase project with two different contractors, and um you know that while they are coordinated and communicated as one project, there might be some nuances in between the two.

4:11

Um the east half should be wrapping up this year, and the west half should be wrapping up next year.

4:16

Um the east half, phase one, uh, water sanitary and storm mains are complete on Memorial Highway.

4:22

The only underground work left to do are lateral connections.

4:25

Um paving is happening from two directions.

4:28

You can see on the picture here, uh coming from the east moving west, and then right here it's coming from the west moving east.

4:36

Um there is intersection work at on at 46th, and um I do have here.

4:41

I'll go forward a little bit.

4:43

Uh we'll well we will have changing traffic patterns associated with some of the continued work at 46th.

4:49

Um, this is one that will be starting tomorrow morning.

4:52

Um the north to westbound movement at 46th will be um restricted.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████████████31%
Community Engagement████████████████████████24%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████████████22%
Parks and Recreation█████████9%
Land Use Planning███████7%
Water And Wastewater Management███████7%
Summary of Proceedings

Mandan City Commission Meeting - May 5, 2026

The Mandan Board of City Commissioners met on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the Bosch Frelec meeting room at Mandan City Hall. Mayor Frelick presided, with Commissioners Braun, Rohr, Schilberg, and Heinchon present. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Tristan Kosick of the Mandan Progress Organization (MPO). Key topics included updates on major infrastructure projects, upcoming community events, approval of variances and plats, and the selection of a design consultant for the wastewater treatment plant.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the May 5, 2026 agenda (motion by Rohr, second by Heinchon, unanimous roll call 5-0).
  • Approved the April 21, 2026 Board of City Commission meeting minutes (motion by Schilberg, second by Heinchon, unanimous 5-0).
  • Approved the April 29, 2026 Quorum of City Commissioners minutes (motion by Heinchon, second by Rohr, unanimous 5-0).
  • Approved the consent agenda as presented (motion by Heinchon, second by Rohr, unanimous 5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were made during the public hearing portions or otherwise. Two public hearings were held (setback variance and final plat), each opened and closed with no testimony from the public.

Discussion Items

  • Fire Department and Response (Fire Chief Mitch Bitts): Announced a public information meeting on May 18, 2026, at 6:00 PM at Fort Lincoln Elementary regarding the NORSA Fire Department sales tax initiative (June 2026 ballot) to continue the existing sales tax from the Starring Sports Complex to fund Fire Station 3. Also reported on mutual aid provided to Bismarck Fire Department for a large multifamily structure fire on May 4, 2026, including sending a mobile air trailer and crew. Directed residents to donate to the City of Bismarck website, North Dakota Lions Emergency Relief Group, Salvation Army, or American Red Cross.
  • Construction Updates (Jerek): Detailed ongoing projects:
    • Memorial Highway: Two-phase project; east half nearing completion in 2026, west half in 2027. Traffic pattern changes at 46th Street beginning May 6.
    • First Street Reconstruction: Pre-construction meeting held April 24; water main installation starting.
    • Collins Avenue Reservoir Retaining Wall: Continuing work with site restoration preparation.
    • Municipal Concrete Contract: Awarded to SARE Construction, starting May 6 at approximately 60 downtown locations; work to be completed by July 4.
    • 8th Avenue NW and 27th Street: Public input meeting May 14, 6:00-7:30 PM at Mandan High School.
    • Neighborhood projects: SID 235 (wrapping up), water/sewer district 65 (sanitary sewer lining, paving after school out), SID 241 (pre-construction meeting May 8), SID 242 (final design).
    • Midtown East concrete replacement (contractor's expense): Approximately 30 properties affected by substandard concrete from 2020 project.
  • Touch a Truck Event (Tristan Kosick, MPO): Announced the event on Saturday, May 16, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM on Main Street. Features a record 54 trucks (12 new participants), a coloring book for 1,000 children, food trucks (10 vendors), craft vendors, inflatables, and an airsoft shooting range. Free admission, 100% sponsorship-funded. Main Street closed from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Estimated 7,000 attendees. Also provided updates on parade registration (~50 entries) and fireworks (July 3 at Mandan Middle School).
  • Public Works Open House (Mr. O'Keefe): Scheduled for May 21, 2026, 3:00-6:00 PM, as part of National Public Works Week (May 17-23). Theme: "Rooted in service, powered by community." Will feature hamburgers/hot dogs, vendor displays, and hands-on experiences.
  • Community Cleanup (Carrie): May is community cleanup month. 17 routes; 3 remain unclaimed. First route cleaned by NIFC. Over 100 volunteers; door prizes donated by local businesses. Routes can be claimed at cityofmandan.com/slashletterclean.
  • Arbor Day Recognition (Mr. Neubauer): Celebrated Arbor Day on May 1 at Dykshorn Park with Lakewood Elementary fifth graders planting two trees (Hackberry and Ohio Buckeye). Noted Mandan's 50th consecutive year as a Tree City USA, one of only 16 cities to achieve this milestone. Honored the 1976 commission (Mayor Malcolm Brown, Commissioners Edward Bosch Frelick, Carolina Lutkat, Joe Schoff, and B.J.) for the original designation.
  • Setback Variance (Jordan): Approved a front yard setback variance for Lot 6, Block 1, Nicola Second Edition, from 15 feet to 12 feet, to accommodate existing utility locations. The Planning and Zoning (PNZ) commission recommended unanimous approval on April 27. Motion by Rohr, second by Schilberg; unanimous roll call 5-0.
  • Final Plat – 1884 Edition (Jordan): Approved the final plat for 15.3 acres (divided into sections) with all access conditions met. PNZ recommended unanimous approval on April 27. Motion by Heinchon, second by Schilberg; unanimous roll call 5-0.
  • Wastewater Treatment Plant Consultant Selection (Jerek): Presented the qualification-based selection process for an engineering design consultant. A six-member committee (including Commissioner Schilberg and five staff members) evaluated three proposals (AE2S, Apex, HDR) across five criteria (knowledge of existing facility, project approach, relevant experience, team qualifications, financial capabilities). All firms scored highly; AE2S was ranked first by four of six committee members and recommended for selection. Motion to select AE2S and authorize contract negotiations by Schilberg, second by Rohr; unanimous roll call 5-0. The project is expected to take approximately three years.
  • Other Business: Mayor Frelick noted the passing of Don Eckroth, a 41-year sexton at the Mandan Cemetery; condolences were extended to his family. Thanks were given to first responders for their work at the May 4 Bismarck fire. Future meeting dates: May 19, 2026, and June 2, 2026 (both at 5:30 PM); June 16, 2026 (corrected to 5:30 PM).

Key Outcomes

  • Setback variance approved (5-0).
  • Final plat for 1884 Edition approved (5-0).
  • Consent agenda approved (5-0).
  • AE2S selected as design consultant for wastewater treatment plant; staff authorized to negotiate a contract (5-0).
  • All votes were unanimous with no dissent.
  • Next regular meeting: May 19, 2026, at 5:30 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome. Today is Cinco de Mayo, and for our friends in Bismarck, that is May the 5th, 2026. It is 5:30 p.m. and we are in the Bosch Frelec meeting room in Mandan City Hall. Mr. Neubauer, could you please take the roll? Commissioner Braun. Roar. Chair Schilberg. Here. Hein Challenge. Here. Mayor Freelick. I'm here. At this time we will have Tristan Kosick with the Mandan Progress Organization. Lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge to the flag of the United States of America. To the Republic for which it stands. One nation. Under God. Individual liberty and justice. All right, we'll start out with announcements. And uh first one up is Fire Chief Mitch Bitts with NORSA Fire Department Sales Tax Initiative Public Information Meetings. Good evening, Mayor and Commissioners. Uh thank you for the opportunity to uh remind our residents of our public input information meeting on uh May 18th at 6 p.m. down at Fort Lincoln Elementary School. Um during that time, we're gonna do a small presentation and just kind of lay out um some of our uh thought process and the need for uh station three and uh the facts that are related to the sales tax. It's gonna be on the June uh 2026 ballot to continue that existing sales tax from the Starring Sports Complex to uh reallocate that to the fire department. So um invite the public to come out, interact with us and uh ask questions and um just stop in and say hi if they're able. Okay, thank you, Mitch. Um could you also comment on last night's fire in Bismarck and the Mandan Department's response? How that works. Yep, absolutely, Mayor, uh Commissioner. So uh unfortunately our neighbors in Bismarck did uh have a significant uh structure fire last night. Um large uh multifamily residential unit. And those are very taxing uh from a from a labor uh standpoint or our our forces. So we have a very strong working relationship with Bismarck Fire Department, and they uh called for some of our equipment. Uh we have to have a mobile air trailer, which is part of a regional response team, and that's exactly what it's designed for, um, is to take out a large incidents like that, um, help fill air bottles on scene rather than having to transport bottles back and forth to the station. And then we also sent a crew over a little bit later just to assist with uh personnel. Um again, and there's very labor-intensive operations, and Bismarck has helped us out many times, and we work very well together, so it's reciprocal gesture. We have received a few phone calls just to mention um asking where people can donate. Uh the City of Bismarck website uh does have some information on it. Uh the North Dakota Lions Emergency Relief Group is kind of leading the charge on that, or the Chrysler Crisis Care Chaplain Chryseless Crisis Care Chaplaincy, uh Salvation Army or American Red Cross are also good places to donate. So answers your questions. Yes, did thank you, Mitch. Now we will have construction updates. Mayor and Commissioners. Um we've got a lot of projects that are kind of starting up officially uh in around town. Um first uh as always is the Memorial Highway project. Um got uh graphic up on screen just to kind of remind everybody that this is a two-phase project with two different contractors, and um you know that while they are coordinated and communicated as one project, there might be some nuances in between the two.

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