West Fargo City Commission Meeting – December 15, 2025

The West Fargo City Commission met on December 15, 2025, to approve routine items, two public hearings, multiple capital improvement projects, and administrative contracts. Key actions included first readings of two ordinances, contract approvals for transit and indigent defense, and project authorizations for courtroom security, IT upgrades, and street pavement rehabilitation. The city administrator reported on the HR director search, end-of-year financial processes, and snow removal statistics.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: Motion by Commissioner Jorgensen, second by Commissioner Anderson. Unanimous.
• Minutes of December 1, 2025: Motion by Commissioner Olson, second by Commissioner Anderson. Unanimous.
• Building Permits: Commissioner Jorgensen recused himself due to a conflict of interest. Motion by Commissioner Olson, second by Commissioner Anderson. Unanimous.
• Consent Agenda (Items A–G): Motion by Commissioner Anderson, second by Commissioner Jorgensen. Unanimous.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No general public comments were signed up.
• Public Hearing on Ordinance 1266 (Municipal Judge): Municipal Judge Trent Barcass offered neutral testimony. He expressed concern about the 210-day residency requirement, noting potential difficulty for part-time or semi-retired attorneys and for himself as a military member (he estimated 80 hotel nights in 2025 for one chain). He also noted that the city already has the ability to appoint alternate judges. City Attorney Schmidt clarified that the 210-day standard comes from the state's primary residency tax credit test and that the commission retains discretion to appoint an alternate judge when needed. No other public testimony was offered.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing & First Reading – Floodplain Management Ordinance (No. 1267): City Engineer Jerry Wallace explained that North Dakota Senate Bill 2027, effective August 2025, required statutory changes to local floodplain ordinances. The amendment (Ordinance 1267) is needed to maintain participation in the National Flood Insurance Program and state compliance. Staff recommended approval of the first reading. No public comments were offered. Motion by Commissioner Anderson, second by Commissioner Jorgensen. Unanimous.
• Public Hearing & First Reading – Municipal Judge Ordinance (No. 1266): City Administrator Dustin Scott presented the ordinance that updates residency requirements, judicial duties, and court convening provisions to align with state law. After testimony from Judge Barcass and City Attorney Schmidt, the commission approved the first reading. Motion by Commissioner Anderson, second by Commissioner Jorgensen. Unanimous.
• 2026 Transit Service Contract with Fargo MAT Bus: Aaron Nelson, Director of Planning and Zoning, presented the renewal. Cole Swingen, Assistant Transit Director for Fargo MAT Bus, reported ridership statistics: Route 20 had 29,385 rides (up 2,000 from previous year), Route 24 had 20,451 rides (down 2,000), and paratransit had approximately 10,000 rides. Plans for 2027 include a budgetary timeline with service recommendations. Ten transit shelters are expected to be installed by spring 2026, with site preparation handled by public works. A question about grocery store stops confirmed that Cash Wise, Family Fare, and Costco are served. Motion by Commissioner Olson, second by Commissioner Anderson. Unanimous.
• Courtroom Remodel: Captain Derek Croft presented a proposal to increase security in the courtroom, which originally served as a dual-purpose room. The remodel includes a 36-inch wall with 42-inch batwing doors, a 46-inch wall on the ramp side, and 20 inches of glass above, creating a traditional courtroom barrier. The cost is $44,213.53 from DAC Built Company. The funding source will be the capital improvement sales tax, amending the police department remodel budget. The project addresses a 30% increase in court cases over the last three to four years. Motion by Commissioner Jorgensen, second by Commissioner Olson. Unanimous.
• IT CIP Request (Security Cameras and Door System): IT Director Peter Howard requested approval to replace obsolete camera and door security systems with a Genitech integrated system, scalable for 10–12 years. The estimated cost is $450,000–$500,000 (CIP budgeted at $516,000). The project will start in 2026, with doors done first (indoor) and cameras in spring/summer, expected completion by Q4 2026. An RFP process will be used. Motion by Commissioner Olson, second by Commissioner Anderson. Unanimous.
• Improvement District 2297 – South Pond Neighborhood Pavement Rehabilitation: Jerry Wallace presented the first of two mill-and-overlay projects. The project will be funded 50% by capital improvement sales tax and 50% by special assessments. One letter of concern was received regarding the assessment, not a formal protest. The city published notices November 12 and 19, 2025, and sent mailing to property owners. Staff recommended approval of the determination of protest sufficiency and associated resolution. Motion by Commissioner Olson, second by Commissioner Jorgensen. Unanimous.
• Improvement District 2296 – Shadowwood Neighborhood Pavement Rehabilitation: Similar scope and funding as the South Pond project. One letter objecting to assessments was received. Notices published November 12 and 19. Commissioner Jorgensen asked about work on 36th Avenue; Wallace confirmed that some local paving to fix dips will be included as a city cost. Motion by Commissioner Anderson, second by Commissioner Olson. Unanimous.
• Improvement District 6062 – 2026 Sidewalk Improvements: Jerry Wallace reported that 37 properties were initially notified of required sidewalk construction. As of December 1, 2025, 11 properties had not completed the work and will be included in the district. The project is 100% assessed to benefiting properties. The amended engineer's report and map were presented. Motion by Commissioner Olson, second by Commissioner Jorgensen. Unanimous.
• Project 2284 – 2026 HSIP Intersections (Turn Lane Realignments): Wallace explained that the city applied for a Highway Safety Improvement Program grant in 2021, receiving $471,507 toward construction. The low bid from Northern Improvement Company was $656,717.20, which was 37.9% above the engineer's estimate, triggering a DOT bid analysis. The analysis attributed the overage to unique lighting and signal systems with a limited pool of contractors. Staff recommended concurring with NDDOT and awarding the contract, as rebidding carries risk of even higher costs. The remaining costs will come from capital improvement sales tax. Motion by Commissioner Olson, second by Commissioner Jorgensen. Unanimous.
• 2026 City Commission Meeting Calendar: Communications Director Rachel Richner Berderman presented a full-year calendar. Meetings remain on the first and third Mondays, with adjustments: February's second meeting moved to Tuesday for Presidents' Day, September's first meeting moved to Tuesday for Labor Day. A special meeting on July 1, 2026, is set for swearing in new commissioners. Months with five Mondays will be addressed case-by-case. Motion by Commissioner Anderson, second by Commissioner Olson. Unanimous.
• Renewal of Indigent Defense Services Contract (Steve Mottinger): City Administrator Scott requested renewal through 2027 with a monthly increase from $5,250 to $5,500. The 2026 budget includes $66,200 for this service, which covers 12 months plus an hourly rate for 2–3 annual alternates. Motion by Commissioner Jorgensen, second by Commissioner Olson. Unanimous.

Key Outcomes

• First reading approved for both Ordinance 1267 (Floodplain Management) and Ordinance 1266 (Municipal Judge). Second readings will be scheduled for a future meeting.
• Contract approved for Fargo MAT Bus 2026 transit service.
• Courtroom remodel approved ($44,213.53 from capital improvement sales tax, amending police department remodel budget).
• IT CIP request approved ($450,000–$500,000 range, with RFP process, funded from 2024 CIP budget).
• Determination of protest sufficiency and resolution approved for Improvement Districts 2297 (South Pond) and 2296 (Shadowwood).
• Amended engineer's report approved for Improvement District 6062 sidewalks; engineer directed to prepare plans and specifications.
• Concurrence with NDDOT and contract award approved for Project 2284 HSIP intersections (Northern Improvement Company).
• 2026 meeting calendar adopted.
• Indigent defense contract renewed through 2027 at $5,500/month.

City Administrator's Report

• HR Director Search: 34 applications received; first round of interviews scheduled for the second week of January 2026.
• End-of-Year Financials: Finance department is closing out 2025; fund transfers and accounting tasks will occur in January, finalizing the 2025 financial picture.
• Snow Removal Statistics (December 6–13, 2025): City crews plowed 6,384 miles of street, spent 797 man-hours, and placed 200 tons of salt. Administrator Scott thanked public works and emergency responders.
• Commissioner Non-Agenda Item: Commissioner Dartis praised the West Fargo Fire Department for their quick response to a slip-and-fall incident on Cheyenne Street, noting the injured woman was treated promptly with no broken bones.

Meeting Adjournment

• Motion by Commissioner Anderson, second by Commissioner Olson. The meeting was adjourned.