West Fargo City Commission Meeting Summary - September 21, 2026

The West Fargo City Commission met on September 21, 2026, with Commissioners Erickson, Jorgensen, Stedman, and Zundal present; Mayor Jerdoveg was absent. The Commission approved three special assessment improvement districts following public hearings, advanced an ordinance on unpaid utility service liens, approved a fiber-optic conduit change order for the 9th Street Northeast bridge project, and authorized several 2027 mill and overlay projects.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda order approved by voice vote.
• Minutes of the September 8, 2026, meeting approved by voice vote.
• Building permits approved; Commissioner Jorgensen recused from voting on this item.
• Consent agenda Items A-L approved by roll call, 4-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public offered comments during the public comment period.

Public Hearings & Improvement Districts

• Improvement District 1345 (Sand Hill Sixth Edition): Jerry Wallace presented the completed project, with a total project cost of $6,136,784.35, assessed 100% to benefiting properties as green field development. The area is primarily commercial/industrial, with some residential properties excluded at the developer's request. No one spoke for or against the district. Motion to approve passed 4-0.
• Improvement District 1353 (Dakota Medical Foundation, also rendered Dako-na in the transcript): This petition-driven project northwest of City Hall totaled $2,109,294.45 and was constructed to West Fargo standards and consistent with the city's comprehensive plan. One existing business was not assessed because it already had road and utility service. No one spoke for or against. Motion to approve passed 4-0.
• Improvement District 2290 (2025 Public Works Mill and Overlay): The West Wind neighborhood project was reported at approximately $1,111,122.08 total cost, with 50% city funding and 50% special assessments. Commissioner Erickson asked about the difference between amount assessed and amount benefited; Wallace explained the benefited figure reflects the determined monetary value the improvement provides to each property. No one spoke for or against. Motion to approve passed 4-0.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 1286 - Liability of Owners and Occupants for Services: Schmidt presented the first reading of the ordinance, which would make unpaid water, sewer, and garbage service amounts a lien on the serviced property, allow annual special assessment of unpaid amounts, and allow the city to seek payment through a civil action against owners and occupants. Commissioner Jorgensen asked about a nuisance property for which the city paid just over $4,000 for lawn/weed service; staff confirmed the amount would be specially assessed and attached to the property until resolved. First reading approved 4-0.
• Improvement District 2293 - 9th Street Northeast Grade Separation Change Order: Wallace requested approval of a $311,367 change order to add a nine-conduit fiber-optic bank across the bridge, following the precedent of the Cheyenne River bridge. The original project included two city conduits; additional conduits could be leased or sold to private providers. Staff noted Cheyenne Street conduit leases run about $2,000 per year, and the proposed per-conduit user fee would be roughly $44,000. City-owned fiber supports city facilities and traffic signal connectivity. Motion to approve passed 4-0.
• 2027 Collector Street Mill and Overlay (9th Street West, 4th Street East, 36th Avenue East): This project would use a portion of the approximately $3.8 million 2027 asphalt street maintenance budget and would be funded 100% with capital improvement sales tax because the streets are collector roadways. Commissioner Jorgensen expressed support for moving forward. Motion to approve passed 4-0.
• 2027 Westport Beach Neighborhood Mill and Overlay: The project covers Westport Beach 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th editions plus public sections of 2nd and 4th editions. It would be publicly bid and funded 50% capital improvement sales tax and 50% special assessment. Wallace explained that collector streets are treated as regional improvements while neighborhood streets are local improvements; previous funding splits had been 100% assessed and 80-20 before the current 50-50 policy. He also noted a previous consolidated mill and overlay project was stopped by protests from this neighborhood, so projects are now brought individually. This year's assessments have ranged from about $2,500 to $4,000 per neighborhood. Motion to approve passed 4-0.
• 2027 Wilds Neighborhood Mill and Overlay: The project covers Wilds 1st, 4th, 12th, and 14th editions plus Wild 2nd east of 90th Street West, with a 50-50 funding split, due to differential settlement and pavement age. Motion to approve passed 4-0.
• 2027 West River Neighborhood Mill and Overlay: The project covers West River and West River Second Edition with a 50-50 funding split; Wallace said the area is due for work and should not be delayed further. Motion to approve passed 4-0.
• City Administrator's Report: Dustin Scott reminded Commissioners of the employee recognition event Thursday from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at Lights Plaza with a sports theme.
• Correspondence and Non-Agenda Items: No additional correspondence or non-agenda items were presented.

Key Outcomes

• Approved all routine items, including building permits (with Jorgensen recused) and consent agenda Items A-L.
• Confirmed and approved special assessment improvement districts 1345, 1353, and 2290 by 4-0 votes after closed public hearings with no comments.
• Approved first reading of Ordinance 1286 by a 4-0 vote.
• Approved the $311,367 change order for Improvement District 2293 by a 4-0 vote.
• Approved all four 2027 mill and overlay projects by 4-0 votes: collector streets, Westport Beach, Wilds, and West River.
• Meeting adjourned by unanimous motion.