OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

West Fargo City Commission Meeting: August 18, 2025

City Commission Meetings — Monday, August 18, 2025
BodyWest Fargo, North Dakota
SessionCity Commission Meetings
DateMonday, August 18, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 37:42

Transcript — Verbatim
0:04

West Fargo City Commission meeting.

0:06

Before we start, I would respectfully ask that everybody silence their cell phones with the exception of emergency personnel.

0:13

We call the meeting to order.

0:15

Please join the commission in a pledge of allegiance.

0:26

One is fall.

0:38

The secretary will call a roll shortly.

0:42

Commissioner Anderson is not going to be with us this evening.

0:45

And Commissioner Jorgensen is zooming in.

0:50

Madam Secretary, please call the roll.

0:53

Um it looks like Commissioner Jorgensen is still trying to connect.

0:56

So Commissioner.

0:58

Oh, he's on.

0:58

Just kidding.

0:59

Come on, Emily.

1:00

Commissioner Jorgensen.

1:02

Present.

1:03

Commissioner Zondell.

1:04

Present.

1:04

Commissioner Dartis.

1:05

Here.

1:06

Commissioner Olson.

1:07

Here.

1:09

Thank you.

1:10

Let the record show there are four commissioners present.

1:14

Next order of business is to approve the order of the agenda.

1:17

It has been distributed and is in front of you.

1:19

I would make a motion to make number two, the public hearing that we have really item 3A and the library carpet replacement item 3B.

1:29

Is there a second?

1:30

Second.

1:31

Of a motion and a second to amend the regular agenda moving uh an item number two to three A with regard to the second reading.

1:40

Is there any discussion?

1:42

Hearing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye.

1:46

Aye.

1:46

Aye.

1:46

Aye.

1:47

Opposed.

1:49

Motion carried.

1:50

For the public record, the reason that we move that is the item under 2A to approve the second reading of the adoption of the city's updated flood management ordinance is not a public is not a public hearing.

2:06

So that's the reason that it was inadvertently put there.

2:09

And so that's why we're changing it.

2:13

We have an approval of the agenda.

2:15

We move on to the approval of the minutes of August 4th.

2:18

So moved.

2:18

Thank you, Commissioner Olson.

2:20

Is there a second?

2:20

Second.

2:21

Commissioner Sondell seconds.

2:22

I have a motion and a second to approve the minutes of August 4th as distributed.

2:27

Is there any discussion?

2:30

Hearing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye.

2:33

Aye.

2:33

Aye.

2:34

Aye.

2:34

Opposed.

2:36

Motion carried.

2:38

Next order is the building permits.

2:40

Again, the building permit report has been distributed and in your packets.

2:44

Move to approve.

2:45

Commissioner Zundal moves to approve.

2:47

Is there a second, please?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Works██████████████████████████████████34%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████████████████27%
Budget Equity Analysis████████████12%
Procedural█████████9%
Public Engagement███████7%
Floodplain Management██████6%
Water And Wastewater Management█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

West Fargo City Commission Meeting: August 18, 2025

The West Fargo City Commission met on August 18, 2025, with four commissioners present (Commissioner Anderson absent, Commissioner Jorgensen attending via Zoom). The meeting covered public comment, approval of a flood management ordinance, library carpet replacement, creation of three street improvement districts, an alternate appointment to a water authority board, and updates on the budget and audit.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Steve Marcourt voiced concerns about two proposed street improvement districts for mill and overlay, questioning whether the projects would be publicly bid or done by city crews, and expressing a "strong feeling that the city is not saving money by utilizing its own crews and equipment" and may not achieve the same quality as a professional contractor.

Discussion Items

  • Flood Management Ordinance (Second Reading): City Engineer Jerry Wallace presented the second reading of the updated floodplain management ordinance, recommending adoption to keep the city current with the National Flood Insurance Program and new flood insurance rate maps. Legal counsel Katie Schmidt noted minor typographical changes and phrase alignment with updated definitions from the first reading. The Commission approved the second reading.
  • Library Carpet Replacement: Library Director Jenna Cayley presented a reduced-scope project for carpet replacement at the West Fargo Library, now limited to the stairs and main floor (excluding the top floor due to shelving design and less wear). The lowest bid was from All States Flooring for $42,775. Additional costs for movers ($6,000) and book trucks were noted. The project will use capital improvement funds. The Commission awarded the project to All States Flooring.
  • Shadowwood Neighborhood Mill and Overlay (District 2296): Dan Hanson, Senior Director of Community and Development, presented creation of Improvement District 2296 for mill and overlay in the Shadowwood neighborhood (approximately 150 single-family homes). The project was scaled back from a larger 2023 proposal; only one parcel in Shadowwood had previously protested. The project is intended to be bid and constructed by an outside contractor. The Commission approved creation of the district and directed preparation of an engineer's report.
  • South Pond Neighborhood Mill and Overlay (District 2297): Dan Hanson presented a nearly identical proposal for the South Pond neighborhood. The Commission approved creation of Improvement District 2297 and directed preparation of an engineer's report.
  • 9th Street Northeast Reconstruction (District 2265): Dan Hanson presented creation of Improvement District 2265 for reconstruction of 9th Street Northeast from Main Avenue to 12th Avenue Northeast and a portion of 7th Avenue Northeast. The project has total estimated costs of $26,224,000, with $18,400,000 in grant funding and $3.9 million from the City of Fargo. The city's local share is estimated at $7.8 million, with 70% assessed and 30% paid by the city. The bridge portion will be bid separately. The Commission approved creation of the district and directed preparation of an engineer's report.
  • Alternate Appointment to LAWA Board: The Commission appointed Commissioner Brad Olson as the designated alternate to the Lake Agassiz Water Authority (LAWA) Board, which governs the Red River Water Supply Project. West Fargo is the third largest user of the water.
  • City Administrator Update: Dustin Scott provided updates: the final 2026 budget will be presented September 8 with a goal of approval September 22; the 2024 audit is wrapping up with a draft expected before end of August; an RFP for a new ERP system is being drafted; and the employee appreciation picnic will be September 4 at the lights.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of the agenda (amended to move item 3A to second reading of flood ordinance, not a public hearing)
  • Approval of minutes from August 4, 2025
  • Approval of building permits (Commissioner Jorgensen recused; vote 3-1)
  • Consent agenda items A through I – all approved unanimously

Key Outcomes

  • Flood Management Ordinance: Approved second reading (unanimous).
  • Library Carpet Replacement: Awarded to All States Flooring for $42,775 (unanimous).
  • Shadowwood Improvement District 2296: Created; engineer’s report directed (unanimous).
  • South Pond Improvement District 2297: Created; engineer’s report directed (unanimous).
  • 9th Street Northeast Improvement District 2265: Created; engineer’s report directed (unanimous).
  • LAWA Alternate: Commissioner Brad Olson appointed (unanimous).
  • Meeting adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

West Fargo City Commission meeting. Before we start, I would respectfully ask that everybody silence their cell phones with the exception of emergency personnel. We call the meeting to order. Please join the commission in a pledge of allegiance. One is fall. The secretary will call a roll shortly. Commissioner Anderson is not going to be with us this evening. And Commissioner Jorgensen is zooming in. Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Um it looks like Commissioner Jorgensen is still trying to connect. So Commissioner. Oh, he's on. Just kidding. Come on, Emily. Commissioner Jorgensen. Present. Commissioner Zondell. Present. Commissioner Dartis. Here. Commissioner Olson. Here. Thank you. Let the record show there are four commissioners present. Next order of business is to approve the order of the agenda. It has been distributed and is in front of you. I would make a motion to make number two, the public hearing that we have really item 3A and the library carpet replacement item 3B. Is there a second? Second. Of a motion and a second to amend the regular agenda moving uh an item number two to three A with regard to the second reading. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed. Motion carried. For the public record, the reason that we move that is the item under 2A to approve the second reading of the adoption of the city's updated flood management ordinance is not a public is not a public hearing. So that's the reason that it was inadvertently put there. And so that's why we're changing it. We have an approval of the agenda. We move on to the approval of the minutes of August 4th. So moved. Thank you, Commissioner Olson. Is there a second? Second. Commissioner Sondell seconds. I have a motion and a second to approve the minutes of August 4th as distributed. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye.

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