West Fargo City Commission Meeting - February 17, 2026

The West Fargo City Commission met on February 17, 2026, at 7:00 PM (approximate start time) to address a range of infrastructure, public works, and code adoption items. The meeting included unanimous approvals for several bids, contracts, and policy updates, with no public comments or testimony.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved the order of the agenda, minutes of February 2, 2026, and building permits (Commissioner Jorgensen recused himself from the building permits vote).
• Approved consent agenda items A through J without discussion.

Discussion Items

• Excavation Code Ordinance & Right-of-Way Management Policy (First Reading): City Engineer Jerry Wallace presented amendments to the excavation code and a new right-of-way management policy, formalizing existing practices. Commissioners discussed notification requirements for adjacent property owners when work occurs in the right-of-way. The policy includes authority to revoke permits for non-compliance. The first reading was approved, and the resolution adopting the policy was passed.
• Public Works Expansion Update: Public works staff reported that Phase 1 (Camlab building and 150 addition) is complete, with Phase 2 (sanitation office and garage remodel) and shop expansion on schedule for completion by June and September 2026, respectively.
• Building Code Adoption & Fee Updates: Inspections Administrator Mark Haush presented the adoption of the 2024 International Code Council codes with local amendments, including increased roof loads and snow/wind pressures for safety. The adoption and fee update were approved.
• Improvement District 2294 – 6th Street and 23rd Avenue East: Bid awarded to All Finished Concrete for $933,735, which is 16% under the engineer's estimate. Contract awarded unanimously.
• Project 2284 – 2026 HSIP Intersections Turn Lane Realignments: Task order 6.1 with Bolton & Menk for construction engineering ($90,000 budget) approved. The total project cost is estimated at $902,000–$939,000, with $471,000 from the state and the remainder from the city.
• 2026 Public Works Mill and Overlay (Project 2300): Creation of the project and direction to prepare an engineer's report approved. Funded entirely by capital improvement sales tax, with no assessments on property owners.
• Improvement District 2296 – Shadowwood Neighborhood Pavement Rehabilitation: Bid awarded to Northern Improvement Company for $764,673.20. Funding split 50% special assessments, 50% capital improvement sales tax.
• Improvement District 2297 – South Pond Neighborhood Pavement Rehabilitation: Bid awarded to Northern Improvement Company for $777,963.65. Same 50/50 funding split.
• Improvement District 1351 – Sanitary Lift Station 27 Rehabilitation: Approved purchase of an extra redundant pump for SA27, a critical regional lift station. Commissioner Olson noted the need for similar redundancy at SA40.
• Emergency Operations Plan and Security Plans: Adopted as presented.

Key Outcomes

• Excavation Code and Right-of-Way Policy: First reading approved (motion by Commissioner Anderson, second by Commissioner Zundell). Policy adopted with a note that the city engineer's discretion to amend the policy will be brought back to the commission for future changes.
• Building Code Adoption: Approved unanimously.
• Bid Awards: All four bid awards (Improvement Districts 2294, 2296, 2297, and lift station pump) passed unanimously.
• Mill and Overlay Project: Creation of Project 2300 approved, with funding from capital improvement sales tax.
• Emergency Operations Plan: Adopted.
• City Administrator's Report: A budget survey for commissioners and department heads will be launched; new HR Director Beth Wigman starts March 16, 2026.
• Adjournment: Motion by Commissioner Olson, second by Commissioner Anderson, meeting adjourned.