West Fargo City Commission Meeting: Regular Session on March 2, 2026
West Fargo City Commission Meeting: Regular Session on March 2, 2026
The West Fargo City Commission met on March 2, 2026, at 7:00 PM (presumed) to address a full agenda, including building permits, code adoptions, infrastructure projects, and the adoption of guiding principles for the 2027 budget. All votes were unanimous. Commissioner Jorgensen participated virtually.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the order of the agenda as presented.
- Approved the minutes of February 17, 2026.
- Approved the building permits for March 2, 2026, as distributed.
- Approved the consent agenda, items A through L, en bloc.
Discussion Items
- 2024 ICC Code Adoption and Amendments (Second Reading): Inspections Administrator Mark Haush presented the second reading of the updated International Code Council (ICC) codes and amendments. Correction to IRC ground snow load from 64 to 44 was made. The commission approved the adoption.
- Excavation Code Ordinance and Right-of-Way Management Policy (Second Reading): City Engineer Jerry Wallace presented amendments clarifying notification requirements and property owner risk for adjacent installations. The resolution now grants the city commission authority to modify the right-of-way management policy and set fees, not the city engineer. Approved.
- Improvement District No. 1356 – Brookwood Meter Pit Replacement: Bid from Dirt Dynamics in the amount of $186,611 (10% under engineer’s estimate) accepted and contract awarded.
- Project 2300 – 2026 Public Works Mill and Overlay: Engineer’s report approved for mill and overlay work on 9th Street West, 4th Street East, and 36th Avenue East. Total estimated project cost: $791,000. Engineer directed to prepare plans and specifications.
- Improvement District No. 310 – Beaton Drive Reconstruction (Cheyenne Street to Cheyenne River): Jerry Wallace presented the creation of the improvement district, citing multiple grants ($3.871 million from ND DOT Flex, $1.44 million from STBG) and a petition for improvements. Project includes road reconstruction, extension of sewer/water service to undeveloped properties, replacement of an undersized lift station, and a multi-use path on the north side tying into existing paths near Cheyenne Street. Funding from grants, special assessments, and capital improvement sales tax. Construction must be completed by 2028. Commission approved creation of the improvement district and directed the engineer to prepare an engineer’s report.
- Improvement District No. 6262 – 2026 Sidewalk Improvements: Bid accepted from Tizac Concrete LLC for $105,066.63 (low bid, with high confidence from staff). Project is 100% special assessed to adjacent properties; installation scheduled for summer 2026.
- Project 6063 – 8th Street West Multi-Use Path: Task order approved for SRF Consulting to provide construction oversight. Project cost $672,000 originally; grant of $412,731 received, leaving ~$259,263 from capital improvement sales tax (no assessments on neighborhood).
- Project 6064 – Transit Shelters: Jerry Wallace presented the creation of a new project to install five transit shelters at high-ridership locations. Total cost ~$40,000 for concrete flat work, shelters provided by MATBUS at no cost. Funding from capital improvement sales tax. Remaining five shelters stored temporarily by Fargo. Commission approved project creation and directed engineer to prepare a report.
- Guiding Principles for 2027 Budget: City Administrator Dustin Scott introduced five guiding principles developed via survey of all commissioners and department heads. Principles are not ranked; they provide a shared framework for budget decisions, with public safety and water/sewer capacity rolled into “sustainable services through responsible stewardship.” Commission adopted the principles as presented.
- City Administrator’s Report: Scott announced that budget instructions go to department heads on March 3, with a preliminary budget target for commission review in June (before some commissioners’ terms end). The 2025 audit process is underway; target completion before final budget approval.
- Non-Agenda Items: Mayor Dartis acknowledged the West Fargo School Board representative and congratulated the West Fargo United Girls hockey team on winning the state championship.
Key Outcomes
- All consent items and regular agenda items were approved unanimously (recorded votes: all in favor, none opposed).
- Specific approvals included: code adoption (ICC 2024), excavation code amendment/right-of-way policy, four infrastructure contracts/task orders (Brookwood meter pit, sidewalk improvements, multi-use path task order, transit shelter project), and the 2027 budget guiding principles.
- Meeting adjourned via motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Olson.
Meeting Transcript
And welcome to the West Fargo City Commission meeting for March 2nd. Call the meeting to order. Before I start, I want to net the when we do the roll call, you'll note that Commissioner Jorgensen is participating virtually this evening. He's out of town on business. With that, would you please join the commission in a pledge of allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Madam Secretary, would you please call the roll? Commissioner Jorgensen. Present. Commissioner Sundell. Here. Commissioner Dartis. Here. Commissioner Olson. Here. Commissioner Anderson. Here. Let the record show all commissioners are participating. First order of business to approve the order of the agenda and it has been distributed and in your packets. Move to approve. Commissioner Anderson moves to approve. Is there a second, please? Second. Commissioner Olson seconds. I have a motion and a second to approve the order of the agenda as presented. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed. Motion carried. Next order of businesses, the approval of the minutes of February 17, 2026. Again, they have been distributed. Move to approve. Commissioner Olson moves to approve the minutes of February 17th. Is there a second? Second. Commissioner Zundell seconds. We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed. Motion carried. Next order is the building permits. Commissioners, they have been distributed in front of you.
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