Mandan City Commission Meeting – September 1, 2026

The Mandan City Commission met on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the Ed Bosch Prailic Meeting Room at Mandan City Hall. The meeting began with a moment of silence for Commissioner Craig Robert Schoberg, who passed away while in office. The agenda included construction project updates, approval of a new e‑bike and micro‑mobility ordinance (second reading), adoption of an updated land use code (second reading), continuation of the three‑quarter‑cent sales tax for fire station funding, removal of the local sales tax cap, and 2027 health insurance plan changes. The meeting concluded with multiple tributes to Commissioner Schoberg.

Announcements

• Memorial Highway Project – Substantially complete; punch list items (e.g., asphalt overlay on 46th Avenue) continue through fall. Eastbound concrete from Main Street to flood wall is finished; traffic flipped for northern utility work on stormwater and sanitary sewer. Third Street dewatering activities ongoing.
• First Street Reconstruction – Phases 1 & 2 substantially complete; phases 3 & 5 closed. Phase 3 water services and road preparation expected this week; road base installation upcoming. Phase 1 colored concrete at pedestrian crossings and sidewalk gaps to be completed in coming weeks.
• Water & Sewer District 65 (near Lewis & Clark Elementary) – Substantially complete; punch list items to be finished by contractor in coming months.
• Red Trail Elementary – Asphalt paving complete; chip seal work scheduled to begin September 2; fog seal (black final coat) expected next Tuesday, weather permitting.
• 2027 Neighborhood Projects – Street Improvement Districts 242 (2B project area) and 243 (Mandan proper northwest) are in final design, bidding expected late winter/early spring (February 2026). The 2B project was delayed because the State Water Commission ran out of municipal funding; its cost‑share policy is under review, which may affect local financial burden.
• Free Fall Landfill Week – September 14–19, 2026 (Mon–Sat, 8 AM–4:45 PM). Mandan residents may dispose of eligible items (furniture, appliances) free of charge with proof of address. Construction debris, hazardous waste, and liquid paint excluded.
• MPO Annual Dinner (“Boots and Bling”) – Thursday, September 10, 2026, at Dygshorn Park, 5–8 PM. Fundraiser celebrating summer events and looking ahead to Haunted Fort and Holiday Lights on Main. Public tickets available online at VisitMandan.com through Friday. Live auction and music on the newly renovated band shell.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1–5 approved unanimously without discussion.
• Item 6 – Ground Maintenance Crew Supervisor Job Description: Commissioner Bolovic requested clarification; Amy explained it is a new position within Public Works, overseeing two full‑time employees and 5–7 seasonal staff. Approved unanimously after motion and second.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comment was offered at the beginning of the meeting.
• Susan Bieler (citizen) addressed the commission during the land use code discussion. She expressed confusion over the zoning map and asked for clearer public education on the process, noting that many residents are suspicious about potential industrial zoning in residential areas and the relationship to a proposed data center. She also stated she was disappointed that emails sent to Planning & Zoning had been “lightly touched on.” Staff responded that they had listened and made amendments based on public input, and that no zoning changes occur without individual notification and public hearings.

Discussion Items

• 2027 Health Insurance Plan Design Changes – Amy presented the recommendation to switch to one of the North Dakota Public Health Insurance Fund’s standardized plans (option 4) for a 7.71% renewal increase. The health insurance committee recommended this change after meeting twice. The preliminary budget had assumed a 5% placeholder, so a budget amendment of approximately $99,826 would be needed. The only employee‑facing change is an increase in the out‑of‑pocket maximum: from $5,500 to $6,000 for single plans, and a $1,000 increase for employee‑plus‑family or employee‑plus‑one. Coverage, network, and employee premium contributions remain unchanged. Historical increases: 2024 – 16.77%, 2025 – 2.44% (after plan design changes), 2026 – 7.26%; 10‑year average ~10%, last five years ~9.41%. Employees will undergo active enrollment and receive new insurance cards. Approved unanimously.

• Ordinance 1489 – E‑Bikes, Micro‑Mobility Devices, and Mini‑Bikes (Second Consideration) – Chief Ziegler gave a detailed presentation on the classes of e‑bikes (Class 1 pedal‑assist up to 20 mph, Class 2 throttle‑assist up to 20 mph, Class 3 up to 28 mph). Devices exceeding 750 watts or 28 mph are not legal e‑bikes and require driver’s license, registration, and insurance. Electric mini‑bikes and motorcross bikes remain illegal to operate on sidewalks and roadways without the ordinance. The ordinance sets a 15 mph speed limit on sidewalks and requires cyclists to slow to walking speed when passing pedestrians. Chief Ziegler addressed a citizen’s email (forwarded by Commissioner Heinshawn) about police power, education, and impoundment procedures, clarifying that the department’s first priority is education, not citation. He also noted a safety concern: charging e‑bikes indoors can cause fires; charging should be in garages. Commissioner Bolovic asked for additional educational videos for children, especially regarding intersection safety. The chief agreed to work on that. Motion to approve passed unanimously.

• Ordinance 1490 – Land Use Code Update (Second Consideration) – Rachel and Jordan presented. This reading enacts new zoning districts into the code but does not include data centers, a new zoning map, or any property zone changes. A future zoning map and other items (e.g., signage) will be addressed later. The update is intended to modernize a 40‑year‑old code; staff clarified that any individual property re‑zoning will require notification and public hearings through Planning & Zoning. Citizens’ concerns were acknowledged; staff stated that six amendments were incorporated from public comments. Motion to approve passed unanimously.

• Ordinance 1491 – Continuation of Three‑Quarter‑Cent Sales Tax for Fire Station Funding (Second Consideration) – Mr. Neubauer explained that once the sports complex bonds are retired (projected end of 2027), the existing three‑quarter‑cent sales tax will continue to fund Fire Station 3 and equipment, potential land for a fourth station, and upgrades to Stations 1 and 2. Approved unanimously.

• Ordinance 1492 – Removal of Sales Tax Cap (First Consideration) – Mr. Neubauer noted the current cap on local sales tax is $56.25 (equivalent to a single transaction of about $2,250–$2,500). The Budget and Finance Committee recommended removing the cap for administrative ease and a likely minor positive fiscal effect. The exact dollar impact is unknown due to confidentiality from the North Dakota Tax Department. Approved unanimously (first reading).

Key Outcomes

• Flags at Half‑Staff: Mayor Frelick ordered U.S. and North Dakota flags at all city facilities to be flown at half‑staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, September 4, 2026, in honor of Commissioner Craig Robert Schoberg’s funeral.
• Health Insurance: Approved plan design changes and associated budget amendment of ~$99,826 for 2027 (motion by Commissioner Heinshawn, second by Commissioner Bolovic; unanimous).
• E‑Bike Ordinance (1489): Passed with an educational focus and a promise to produce safety videos for youth (motion by Commissioner Bolovic, second by Commissioner Braun; unanimous).
• Land Use Code (1490): Approved; staff will proceed with future zone map changes and public notifications (motion by Commissioner Heinshawn, second by Commissioner Braun; unanimous).
• Sales Tax Continuation (1491): Passed to fund fire station needs after sports complex debt is retired (motion by Commissioner Braun, second by Commissioner Bolovic; unanimous).
• Sales Tax Cap Removal (1492): Approved on first reading (motion by Commissioner Bolovic, second by Commissioner Heinshawn; unanimous).
• Tribute to Commissioner Schoberg: Commissioners, the City Administrator, and staff delivered heartfelt remarks celebrating his service, dedication, and impact. The meeting closed with a scripture reading (2 Timothy 4:6–7) and the phrase “The roar is silent, the old lion is dead. Rest in peace, Craig.”

Future Meeting Dates

• Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 5:30 PM
• Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 5:30 PM
• Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 5:30 PM