City Commission - Regular Meeting

Heat. Hey, Heat.

[music] [music]

Come on. Heat. Heat. Are you ready? Are you ready? Tell me when the clock hits 5:00. Is it close to 10?

Call the meeting to order. I've had some help with my two new mayors here. Uh we'll start with the pledge of allegiance. Face the flag with the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Roll call. Coac here. Pepcorn here. Strand here. Turnber here. Mahoney here.

Mr. Strand, do you have a motion? I do, mayor. Subsequent to our executive session, I move to approve the city of Fargo opting in to the settlement agreement regarding opioid litigation with Associated Pharmacies, Inc., JM Smith Corporation, Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company, Inc., Morris and Dixon Company, North Carol Corolia Wholesale Drug Company, Inc. and United National Foods Natural Foods, Inc. and authorize the city's city attorney's office and mayor to complete any necessary forms and paperwork to complete the settlement process. Is there a second?

Second. Roll call vote, please. Strand, yes. Coac, I. Pepcorn. Hi. Turnberg. Hi. Mahoney. Here.

So, I have two winners for the mayor of the day 2026 winners. To my left is Audrey Mirmo. Her teacher is Mr. Bradley Reese. She's in seventh grade. Her parents, Jason and Kelly, are here today. And then on my right is Leela Wag Wagan. Her teacher is Mr. Troy Brewster at Kennedy and she's in the third grade. Her parents are Kevin and Gerilyn. Now, I think I'll have Leila go first with her essay. Are you ready? Okay.

If I were mayor for today, I would build an an amusement park for people to visit. I would make an amusement park because we don't have any here right now. I would also make a place for family and friends. I would raise money to fix buildings, parks, and plant flowers around build. I would buildings. I would make our city welcoming so people would feel welcome. I would also get a welcome sign so everyone knows they're welcome. I would host city events like bonfires, art in the park and picnics. I would fix potholes and plant flowers around buildings. That's what I would do if I were mayor for a day. [applause] You hit the part that bothers all mayors as potholes. So, thank you very much for catching that. But your essay was excellent. Okay, are you ready? Aubrey's up.

Fargo is an amazing place. We have a skate park like Lynenwood Park, sledding hills for when it's cold, an air museum, and so much more. Crime rates are very low in Fargo, so it is a pretty safe place to live. The crime rates have decreased as much as 10% throughout November 2025 to early 2026. There are amazing job opportunities, so if you ever need uh so super cool places to live that are affordable and a friendly community. So if you ever need any help, someone will probably lend a hand. Another amazing thing about Fargo is we are originally part of the Sue Territory until 1861 when it was claimed as part of the Dakota Territory. Also, housing is 14 to 17% cheaper than in a bigger city. Fug's approxim approximate price for housing is around 3,00 $310,000 for the home and $285,000 for sales price. Compared to a bigger city, it usually cost around $1 million and up. Fargo is a safe, affordable, and peaceful place to call home. If I were the mayor of Fargo, I would improve something in our community by either adding a museum or library or both. I would add a history museum because learning about our past history is important so we can learn not to make the same mistakes in the future. I would also add an additional library because it serves a purpose for all students of all ages and it can be a place where community people can enjoy themselves, take get books and build strong relationships. If I could restrict something, it would be vaping because it is really addicted with all the nicotine in it and it can give you lung and heart damage. Some of my concerns about our green spaces and water sources and they are become becoming polluted and trash which is really bad for our environment, the air we breathe and how we feel about our city. I would also try to have some community events where we go out, dress

up, socialize, and just have fun. It would be a way to build community relationships, self-confidence, and it would help people have better social skills. Overall, we have an amazing education system. I can confirm, affordable housing, low crime rates, and if you visit the Fargo Morehead Visitor Center, you can see the Wood Tripper from the movie Fargo. So, if I become mayor, I hope you feel that you're in good hands. Fun fact, Fargo was originally named Centrolia before being named Fargo in 1872. [applause] [applause]

I would have to say we want to thank all the educators in the room that have done such a great job in raising these two. So, we're just going to step down and get our plaques if that's okay. Here we go.

Okay. All the commissioners down here. Congratulations. [applause] What if I have a vote? Is there a motion to approve the order of agenda?

That's a move. Is there a second? Second. All those in favor say I. I. Motion carried. Is there a motion to approve the minutes of the March 16, 2026 regular meeting? So moved. Is there a second? Second. All those in favor say I. I. Motion passed. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda items 1 through 26? So move. Is there a second? Second. That's a roll call vote. Strand. Yes. Coacc. I. Pepcorn. I. Turnberg. I. Mahoney. I.

Public hearings. Application for class GH. Alcoholic beverage relations for Moonrise Cafe doing businesses. Moonrise Cavay to be located at 111 Broadway North continued from the 2226 and the 32 regular uh liquor control meetings or our meetings. I'm sorry. Angie Bear to explain.

Yes. Thank you, mayor. Good evening, commissioners. This is for the Moonrise Cafe at GH. That is a beer and wine license only. They are currently downtown. Um 50% of their food sales have to exceed their liquor sales. Uh but what they're looking for is to host events such as an art night, trivia, uh cake decorating classes, and they'd like to offer more options to their customers. There was no concerns with the background check. So, we're looking for a motion to approve this license. Is there anyone present wishes to speak in regards to this license? Is there anyone wish to speak in regards to this license? If not, I'll close the public hearing. Do I have a motion? I'll make the motion.

Is there a second? [clears throat] Second. Any discussion? Roll call vote, please. Pepcorn. Hi. Coc. Strand. Yes. Turnberg. I. Mahoney. Hi. Application transfer of a V VWB alcoholic beverage license for the seller 624. Doing business venue on Maine from 624 Main Avenue sweet 4 to 624 Main Avenue sweet 5. And this had been continued from two meetings prior to this. Angie Bear to explain.

Yes. So seller 624, they're currently in unit 4 at 624 Main Avenue. And what they're looking for is just going across the hall. It is to sweet five. They're not changing their um license class. They right now the VWB license is designated space for wine educational events. So they're looking at a smaller space to allow someone else to go into the larger suite for. There was no concerns with the background check. So, we're looking for a motion to approve this transfer. Does anyone present wish to speak to this application? Anybody wanted to speak? If not, a close public hearing. Do I have a motion? I'll make the motion, sir. Second. Second.

Moved and seconded. Roll call vote. Pepcorn. I. Turnberg. I. Col. I. Strand. Yes. Mahoney.

Imm29. Application transfer of a F arz alcoholic beverage license for Dakota Food Group doing business as Teddy's from 212 Broadway to 624 Main Avenue sweet 4 continued from 2232 regular meetings. The FZ this is an on sale only with a bar. They have a full alcohol license. 50% of their foods must food sales must exceed their liquor sales. Um this would be uh Teddy's is going to go into suite 4 now that seller 624 is going to suite 5. Um again they are separate units. Um Teddy's will be open for lunches and different events and dinners. There were no concerns with the updated background checks and I'm looking for a motion to approve this transfer.

So is Teddy's just seeking a smaller space? Teddy's will be in a larger space. Seller 624 will be in a smaller space. But I mean from before Oh, before Yeah. They were moving from I believe the lease was up at the 212 Broadway. So they have had their license extended until March 31st, 2026 until they found a new space, which they did. So anyone present who wish to speak to this license transfer? Anybody wanting to speak? If not, I'll close the public hearing. Do I have a motion? Uh, can I make the motion? But can I also ask ask a question, Mr. Chair?

Sure. So, Angie, did you go We had some questions at the liquor control board about the the suites and the division. So, and the floor plan. So, could you you went and looked at it and I guess my question is, are you comfortable with how they are going to have it set up? Uh, yes, I am. It's um the one map that I did include and then I thought, okay, I'll go there just to make sure that they are completely separate units. So they are there's a hallway in between the one seller 624 will move over but separate doors just completely separate units. You're welcome. Is there a second? Second. Moved and seconded. Any other discussion? Roll call vote please. Pepcorn. Hi. Col. Strand. Yes. Turnber. I.

Mahoney. I. Item 30. Application for a class W alcoholic beverage license for Sunrose Nails and Despa businesses. Sunrose Nails and Day Spa located at 41013th Avenue South. Angie Bear to explain.

Thank you. This is a wine only license. They are allowed a bar. The owner of this nail salon, she did previously hold a liquor license with her previous nail company um that did close, but there were no issues ever with that license. Um this will be in the Village West Shopping Center, and there's no concerns with the background check. So, we're I'm looking for a motion to approve this license. Is there anyone present who wishes to speak in regards to this application? Anyone present wanting to speak? If not, I'll close the public hearing. Do I have a motion? I'll make the motion. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Roll call vote, please. Pepcorn. I. Turnberg. I. Coac. I. Strand. Yes. Mahoney. I.

Item 31, hearing on dangerous building located at 1156th Avenue North. Shauna Rodnick to explain.

Uh, good evening, mayor and commissioners. Uh tonight we're going to present to you 1156th Avenue North. Um so this is currently a 176 foot story and a halfwood frame structure built in 1900. Uh Kevin and Lisa Marie Larson are the owners of it and the taxes are currently paid. Uh list of damages includes uh water services shut off in on 121725. Um multiple broken up broken or bordered up windows. Entry doors have extensive damage due to um war forced entry. Um unpermitted electrical in the basement and other places in the house. Large amounts of indoor junk and outdoor junk. Uh we had junk vehicles on the property. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms were missing. Um visible cracks horizontal in the uh foundation. Um, areas of water damage in the basement and um, water and power are I don't know what that last one is. I must have messed up on that. I apologize for that. But it does appear to meet eight of the 10 criteria for a dangerous building. Um, timeline of events. We were alerted to this one by neighbors in October of 25. Um, we did some investigation and tried to find owners and occupants that we could speak to about it, see if we could get in for inspections and stuff. Um, during that on 11:25, we received another uh round of complaints about it. And we learned that the uh owner of the property, Kevin Larson, was actually had passed away and that the people that were living in the property and that we had had some contact with were not the owners. Um, we again received complaints in uh December of 25 or December of 26, I apologize or no, December of 25 and um about squatter activity and people being in the building that weren't supposed to be in the building at that point. Um, we

posted it in January, mid January of 26 as a dangerous building. Um, we had at that time actually been able to talk to the deceased owner's wife. they were aranged, so they are not together, but she does because they are still married. She did have interest in the property, so she was able to give us permission to do interior inspections and look at different things and stuff like that. So, we were using that as our authority to be able to go in and take a look at the building. Um, we had the property cleared on 121 of 26 and we secured it with a contractor. On 122, it had been uh tampered with and we had to resecure it. Um on 123 126 we did another round of interior inspections just because we wanted to make sure we had as many current photos as possible, especially after somebody had entered the the building and done some more damage. Um we resecured the property again on 211 after somebody had tampered with it. On 34 they entered the property again and we had to have it recleared and resecured by a contractor. On 3:16 um we requested the public hearing at city commission. Um on 319 the notice of dangerous building here hearing and order show cause was sent out to the owner and the mortgage holder and we're having the meeting tonight at the city commission. Um some so like I said some additional information is um the owners were going through a divorce and the uh husband was the owner of this property and passed away. So it did pass on to his wife. Um, Veterans United Home Loans holds a mortgage on the property and we've had multiple multiple securings of the property, multiple reports of squatters at the property and there have been there's been some a lot of activity there to the point where last time we secured it, we had to basically epoxy the screws on and make it so you could not take them out because people were trying to get into

this structure. Um, here's how the structure sits when we were doing our inspections and looking at things. And after that boarding up that's on there I do believe is not our doing. That is how the structure was when we came to it. Um you can just see there's a lot of junk accumulation. Um uh just maintenance issues with a lot of different things. Um and these this is how we found the property when we first went on. You can note the red door there that was destroyed for something. U just a lot of damage all over the property. Um you know the chimneys crumbling. Again, we have cars that aren't supposed to be there. They're just junk vehicles that were abandoned on the property. Um, again, more just accumulation, broken locks, all kinds of things that we saw on this one. Uh, you do notice that there is some uh um water damage in the picture on the left there towards the bottom, and that was consistent with a lot of the rest of the things we were seeing inside the house. Um, a lot of just shoddy electrical work that was done by somebody who was not licensed. Here you can see that the uh I guess it's difficult to see but the uh foundation is starting to buckle by the stairs there. It's boowing in and just the general, you know, how the house it is we found the house. Um they decided that they were going to do some electrical work after we went in the first time and secured it and tore the panel off and did something else. We're not sure what they did, but um here you can see the foundation cracks and the deterioration of that foundation. Um this is after we secured it the first time and had to come back the second time to resecure. And then the recommended motion is on your screen and I'll stand for any questions.

Is there anyone present wish to speak? Is there anybody represented that will speak today? I haven't been contacted by anybody. Any want to speak to this dangerous building? If not, I'll close the public hearing. Do I have a motion? I'll make the motion there. Second. Second. Any discussion? Roll call vote, please. Pepcorn. Hi. Turnberg. I. Copac. Strand. Yes. Mahoney. I.

Thank you, Sean. 32. Application filed. B2 LLC. Sign badges for property tax exemption for project to be located 610 University Drive North which application will use as a commercial sign design and fabrication shop. It was continued from the 316 regular meeting. Jim Gilmore to explain.

This is a request from a company sign badgers are currently in lease space in West Fargo. uh they're looking at acquiring the far old Fargo Brewing Building uh to move their operation there uh make improvements to the building and then also in the long term add couple employees initially in the long term they have hopes of adding um additional employees. It is a primary sector business. The type of signs they make are um ones you might find around this building, restrooms, room numbers uh as well a whole wide variety of signs. Not the big signs you'll you'll see on buildings, not many of those, but primarily smaller signs. And as a primary sector business, they're selling these are all over the country. They're not just making them here in Fargo. So, it's one of these important primary sector businesses for our metro area. Uh Dawson Sheffller will get up here in a minute and talk about uh their plans for the future. Again, I I had sent out the uh the score. This application scored very well with our criteria and comes to you with a recommendation of approval from the economic development uh incentive committee. So in addition to the jobs in the primary sector, it's uh making use of a building has been vacant for some time uh since Fargo Brewing uh closed. It's kind of a you bit of a challenging location when you're on railroad tracks and you have all the trains going by. So it's nice to find a use for that. I know Commissioner Strand, you've always asked about uh safety uh for the workers and this particular company gets a discount because they have an excellent record with the workers comp and have additional points for that. So, Dawson, I'll have you come up and just tell us a little bit about your business and your, you know, plans for the future. And this is a five-year property tax exemption. Uh it's very limited.

Thank you, Jim, and mayor and commissioners. grateful for the opportunity to be here to present tonight. Uh I'm a farm kid from Langden, North Dakota originally. Uh but I've spent my adult life and career here in Fargo as an entrepreneur in the advertising communication space. Uh Sign Badgers was an acquisition uh a year ago roughly. Uh and currently, as Jim stated, the business operates over in West Fargo. Has a great track record of providing uh great product to a number of uh staple brands that originated here in Fargo but have spread across the country. Um we're very proud of that work. uh today, you know, committing to three jobs in the growth here uh over the next handful of years, but we do have an active pipeline for mergers and acquisitions as well. So, there's an opportunity for some uh more exponential growth uh with the business. As he stated, we make, you know, signs and graphics, you know, much like the name plates sitting in front of you, but uh the wide spectrum from fleet graphics, uh you know, all the way on up to, you know, anything that you might need to to, you know, we always say that the sign should be worthy of the name that it carries. And my great uncle George Shfter was handp painting signs in the 1920s. And I think that, you know, he found that value to be uh really important uh for any small business. You know, it often is the first banner that they put up that, you know, sort of states their name and allows them to propel themselves and be successful in the future. Uh but it also might mean, you know, walking into the city commission chambers for the first time to present, not knowing exactly where you should go, but a great sign can point you at the way uh and help you feel a little bit better about that process. So, uh, we do take great value in the meaning of the work that we do. Uh, and it's a it's a really successful business with a great team, uh, looking to expand over in Fargo here as we get into some owner occupied space. So, happy to address any questions, uh, about the business or about our plans for growth.

Any questions by commissioners? Mr. Coach? Yeah. Can you share what current employment is and then where you hope to go ultimately, please? Yeah, I think we're at uh, 14 team members now. We'd like to get to 17. And like I said, there's that active M&A pipeline to grow. Thank you. Any other question? M Turnberg, are you able to move forward with this project without the tax incentive? Uh, it would be very difficult. Mr. Str, thank you. I'm just I'm trying to figure this out. Is it is it one new employee ultimately in five years or three? Jim, I think it's one in the first year that we have to commit to and then

it's one in the first year and another within three years. I asked uh Dawson to be very conservative on that because we will monitor. I think he's hoping to be much more than that. But I think it's better to be, you know, conservative and overachieve rather than run into trouble and not meet your goals with your agreement. So the one I see is listed at over $35 an hour. What are the other wage levels for the other new positions? Dawson.

Yeah, I'd have to see the application again to recall, but you know, we certainly want to pay a an aggressive living wage and we have to to attract and retain the talent that we need to uh make the level of product that we need to. So, uh you know, I I know the application scored well and and you know, our team members are are compensated very well. My my last question is what is the annual tax break requested here? Pardon me. What is the annual tax break requested here? be $34,000 a year for five each year for five years. So if if it's $34,000 a year and you're creating one position over $35 an hour

in the first year as a conservative estimate. I mean their current payroll is around 600,000 for 11 people. So [snorts] Any other questions? Any president wish to speak to this uh property tax exemption? Anyone want to speak to it? If not, I'll close the public hearing. Do I have a motion? I'll make the motion. Is there a second? I'll second. Any further discussion? [snorts] Roll call vote, please. Pepcorn, hi. Coac, I. Strand, no.

Turnberg, no. Mahoney I

item 33 recommendation to adopt the new pilot policy for commercial redevelopment. Jim Gmore to explain this again comes from with the recommendation from the economic development incentives committee. Um, we've had, you know, a couple inquiries and this is, you know, not about one particular project, but really is there a way where the city could do something in implementing our growth plans to encourage redevelopment of older commercial sites uh that are maybe 40 years old, they become economically obsolete and and so in really trying to bring in higher value and higher density buildings uh some of these older areas. Um, we also see that there could be some opportunities for economic development as well as mixed use and shared parking so you don't have just uh a lot of unused parking. Uh, you know, we still wanted to be consistent with city plans with desirable land uses and try to, you know, strive for improved design and uh some public amenities. Uh, this would limit any property tax exemption 10 years. It could be up to 100%. And in addition, there would be a butt for test. Uh we don't have any applications right now. So we don't know whether or not you know this you any potential applications would meet that. But that's an important step in the process. Really helps us determine the question you were commissioner Turmeric was just asking. Are they likely to do it anyway? And we'd have our financial advisor look at that and make that determination. They're experts on that. So, be happy to answer any questions. Um, again, this would be limited to 10 years. Uh, it would be a little different than our other pilot incentives. We have one focused on the downtown, one focused on core neighborhoods, one on jobs, and and one on low-inccome housing. This would kind of fill that um, you know, difference when you have a project come

in and it doesn't fall into any one of those categories. yet it seems like something the city would be good in encouraging uh some infill development and redevelopment. So be happy to answer any questions. Jim, in the Fargo forum, they mentioned the RORS project, but we're going to approve it tonight. We're not approving any ROS.

We don't have any application. We know they're interested and they had spoken to the economic development incentives committee in the past and expressed an interest in applying for that. But um so I think you know they had looked back at those old stories and um you know Ror is one of the people that have you know talked talked to me about how you know would we qualify for some type of incentive because we've we've got this older commercial site and we'd like to redevelopment. You think as you drive along Main Avenue there's a lot of older commercial buildings there that are underutilized some of them vacant and so this would be a way to incent those. We even see that on 13th Avenue South now South University. Mr. Pepcorn has something went through your committee.

So, Mr. Chair, I I would like to suggest that we continue this just because there's lots of moving parts now with our tax incentives, not just this, but the whole thing. And so, I think with the land development code being done, uh, we should, you know, you want it to be complimentary with that. But I I just think there's so many things that are going on now that we need to clarify that. And obviously this this was in November. Well, lots of things have changed as you know. Uh and so I just think it would be better for us to continue this and revisit this because there's a whole lot of moving parts beyond just this going on at this time. That's just my your recommendation would be to table.

Yeah, to continue it. I I if that's okay. But what that's just my suggestion and and whatever the rest of the group uh believes. But you give me a difference between a table and a continue. You're not tableabling a motion. continue to be tableabling the discussion to a later date. So if you continue, it's not clear when it will come back. It just has continued to a later date. Undefined, right? Unless you define that date. Yeah. Okay. That's all I want to know. Mr. Coach.

Yeah. Just a couple things because I think the story did conflate and confuse um a number of people including me this morning until I uh dug into this. But what we're talking about here is a pilot policy. And this is not a TIFF request, which is different. A pilot is delay in tax payments. But in the end, what we're really trying to address here is this subgroup of vacant buildings around Fargo and really across the country right now because of what happened during CO and how we can have redevelopment in times of inflation um in uncertain times with tariffs for instance um and just uncertainty in general about how we can reimagine being innovative in redevelopment in order to increase the tax base for the taxpayer. um by increasing the value instead of letting buildings sit empty and devalue over time and maybe eventually not have any value at all to the tax base. And I think it's an important point with the 3% cap to really think through how are we going to get to new innovation and property tax increase with the cap. And so um I certainly support the concept. I will say to Commissioner Pepcorn's request, my first question was um you know how how are the county and the school um thinking through incentives right now and um and that's been part of this equation as well. And so I I don't know if we continue indefinitely if we could have some some urgency because at the last commission meeting we had the same conversation about incentives um and what are we going to how are we going to have the conversation with city and county about really understanding where they are including West Fargo by the way because the roars project would have implications at the West Farber public schools. So, um I I would support a continuation um but with maybe some

urgency. So, those are my comments. Mr. Pepcorn, could I have that motion? So, I just want to make sure we do it correctly though. So, for Ian, do you want to have a specific date? Is that what you're saying or or I I guess so to me and Commissioner Strand, you are a little more the Robert's rules of orders. We want to make sure we do it correctly. But I do think the the tax incentives even though there's tiffs, there's pilots, there's all these and they as you know there these are all together are need to be re reassessed at this time. And so tell me tell me Ian what what do you recommend? I think it'd be easy if you just took no action tonight and then any one of you five can put this on for any future agenda when you feel appropriate

or you can continue it to a certain date. I think those are the two options. So I guess my question is to the group is what what are you three months or or go ahead Mr. Chair you you I think you just wanted to continue we can bring it back but I think what Mr. Copac saying is we have to have some discussions with some other people. I also have heard the chambers asked for a question where the school board and the commission get together and have a discussion about defs and pilots and I think that the commission would like to weigh in on that a little bit. So if we just do a continuence, we could bring it back. But I think we also would ask uh administration to look into let's have some discussions about it. So it's not quiet. It says let's work on it. Richard Cop.

Yeah. And just to clarify, my understanding is both the school and the county have come back with their draft policies on incentives, but I have not fully understood what those are enough to know the implications yet. So I need certainly need more time. I think that's a good point to find out what West Fargo West Fargo I don't think has a policy, but we could, you know, check in with them and see what their intent is. Jim, could you share with the commissioners the new policies by the school board and the new policies by the county, please? I could I'll get a hold of the school one and yeah, just send them out to the commissioner so we have that because I think Mr. Copak might have mentioned she didn't even have that. So Dave, I take your motion is to continue with certain before there's a motion before there's a motion.

The reason I'm saying this I'm interrupting is some motions don't allow debate like if you table something you're not debating it. So that's why I want to say a few words before your motion. And I'm on board with you, Commissioner Preporn, for some sort of a a delay until after the election, until we know who the elected officers are, until we've all convened, which we've said we're going to do for a few years now since before Commissioner Turnberg arrived. We still haven't had our brown bagg as a group to talk about policies and incentives. I I'm waiting for that and I'm not going to vote for anything new or changes until we get to that point where we can sit at the table and talk about it. Last thing I'll say is it's absolutely needed with the commercial lay of the land change of the changes in the commercial lay of the land out there with empty properties out there and cities across the country are converting properties to housing. So, I'm all for that, but this isn't the moment to do it. I also don't want this to die right here. So I'm I'm on board with you uh at this point, Commissioner Pepcorn.

So Mr. Chair, just real quick. So but the to me the I agree with what you said, Commissioner Strand, but also the land development code is going to be completed. So it has to be complimentary with that as well. So there's a lot of things that have to be combined uh and considered uh to to go into this all at once. So, uh, I I would rather not set a date because just to say we will continue this, but this I I can assure you, Commissioner Strand, this will not be pushed because this is this is critical to the future of of our area. Uh, and so I I Does that make sense? So, Miss With that, Mr. Chair, I'll make the motion to continue. I'll second. Moved and seconded. Any other further discussion? Roll call vote, please. Pepcorn, I.

Colaci. Strand. Yes. Turnberg. I Mahoney I 34 review of the 2026 push card program and survey results. Nicole Crutchfield to give us her glowing report.

I don't know if it's glowing but um [laughter] so uh good evening mayor and commissioners but um for a few years you've heard uh staff talk about um the push cart program or the food push cart program. Vending basically vending on public sidewalks is what we're talking about in downtown only. Chapter 18 uh has the provision to allow for selling of food in carts once you get a permit from the health department um in certain locations. And uh we've over the last few years received uh numerous complaints and concerns that uh honestly from a staff perspective we we agree with we've had difficulty administrating this program over the years for a number of reasons. And so, uh, up until, uh, January, we were starting to propose to you some options on either tableabling the program or, uh, delaying or revising the program to some degree. We did a public survey, uh, in February and received, uh, astounding support for the food cart vending program. And, uh, that survey results are on your uh, packet. But just to highlight from the public too. Uh basically get my notes here you know very little negative support uh on the program. So like for in this instance uh only uh 6% had a negative reaction to the food cart program and um and in this chart here only uh uh 6% didn't see a benefit whereas everybody else saw a benefit to the program and so with that said the public feedback uh we are proposing instead of reduc rem eliminating the program instead uh piggyback from our open house that we had last in in January this past year of looking at uh some revisions to the

program that would include uh more enforcement um better rules for separation from business owners and the brickandmortar businesses and stronger enforcement tools. Uh for instance, right now in our current ordinance, we don't have a revocation of permits. So if someone misbehaves or someone has a penalty, we can't revoke that permit without a very extensive public process. And so looking at those revisions with our city attorney is what I'm asking to do for tonight with you. And uh we would come back to you in the fall with some revisions to the program. I've recommended to you with uh implementation in 2027. So that was a a long process, but be glad to answer any questions that you that you might have.

Nicole, there have been some complaints about some people not behaving the rules or working with the rules. How we can address that? That's part of what we've heard in your workshop.

Yes, it's been really difficult. We uh just recently uh through working with the prosecution and through the police department had our first ticket uh one of our first tickets uh endorsed, if you will, by the judge where a fine was given. We also had some confusion, if you will, of illegal operators. So, not only there's rules being broken, but then there's people um setting up permits or setting up operations without even having a permit. And so you can imagine 2 am it can get kind of confusing on who has a permit, who doesn't have a permit. There's been a couple instances where people don't have the permit altogether. Uh we were able to get uh a favorable action out of the judge um from uh in terms of filing for that. And so we think with better communication with our prosecutions off prosecutor's office and the district judge our district uh judge we can uh enforce that better.

Thank you. Any questions for Nicole? I have one speaker on this. Warren Ackley. [clears throat] My name is Warren Ackley. Been a downtown business person for 49 years now. So, I've seen a lot of changes in in Fargo and uh I I am here tonight just to talk a little bit about um the food carts and and what's going on with downtown. Uh first of all, I don't think we have a shortage of dining options in downtown Fargo right now. But I'm not here to, you know, say do away with the food carts at all. Um, I'm here because what I'm seeing and observing uh in in downtown having been there for almost 49 years, I just want to see us do this responsibly and safely. And so when you talk about responsible um the price of the uh food carts, you know, it's the even according to the planning department here tonight, you if you read the report, it cost the planning department between 12 and $15,000 for this program. Now, is that responsible use of taxpayer money? [snorts] I I'm not sure. Should should they look at the price of these permits being increased? Possibly. But that that uh fiscal responsibility needs to be looked at as far as the safety and and uh enforcement that that's another key to you know having this program work. Uh the hours of operation of the program uh the placement of these uh food carts and the permits all that needs to be looked at. Um and then the cleaning of the

facility that's been a problem. You know the one thing the food carts don't bring with them is garbage cans. the grease on the sidewalks. We have to pay for that through the bid program. So, we as the brick and mortar people are paying for that. And so, I I just want to keep people more responsible and and uh um you know, keep it a fair situation for for everyone. You know, we pay property taxes. You know, the food carts don't pay property taxes. We pay special assessments. They do not. But I really would like to look at, you know, not just to uh postpone to prolong the situation, but we need to have this program be more cost-effective than it is for the taxpayers. And and that's what I'm concerned about. I love Fargo and uh I still want it to be the land of opportunity. That was on the police cars in 1960. It still it still should be out there, you know. So Fargo should be the land of opportunity. I want it for everybody, but I want it to be fair and balanced as well. Thank you.

Thank you. Recommendation is to receive and file the 2026 pushcard program review and survey result. Is there a motion? So move. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? [snorts] Roll call vote. Strand. Yes. Coac. I. Pepcorn. I. Turnberg. I. Mahoney. I. Recommendation for appointment interim police chief uh Travis Stanowitz. And I can see we've got quite a gallery of policemen over here as well that uh well suited have been part of our department and are still part of our department. But seems like they have kind of a show of support for you, Travis. So that's pretty impressive. Mike, I'll let you go ahead.

Great. Thank you, mayor and commissioners. Good evening. Uh thank you for the time tonight to talk about the interim appointment. Uh two weeks ago on March 16th, I was before the commission just to present on our search process moving forward uh after Chief Zabolski's departure. But very pleased tonight to recommend that Travis Stefanoitz, our current assistant chief of police, be appointed as the interim uh police of chief and uh really just want to support everything that he's done for our department. Really over the last 25 years, he's held a variety of roles here. Uh he is really committed to Fargo. He's very much committed to the Fargo Police Department. And I really believe he's really the right leader at the right time to help us lead the department and move the Fargo Police Department forward. Uh so this recommended motion is to appoint him uh back to Saturday, March 28th and that will become effective. We do an out ofgrade pay adjustment as well. But most certainly want to thank him for him stepping forward uh being uh willing to be considered for this opportunity. We're very grateful that he is willing to help us out and will take us through the our search process. And so I'm happy to answer any questions, but uh just uh really asking for the city commission's unanimous support of this interim appointment and we'll get going and and the search process will be discussed in the next item, item number 36. So thank you,

Travis. There was a question of what happens, you were assistant chief, when the chief was here, what happens when you're out of town, who takes over that duty? Could you just explain that? One of my commissioners had that concern.

Absolutely. So, we have a an extremely qualified team. So, if I were to leave town for the weekend or something came up, uh any of our any of our executive team would be um be allocated to take over for that. So, um it's actually part of our policy that we identify specifically who's in charge um in my absence. So um depending on who's available for that weekend or whatever the situation may be, we just clearly identify who that person is and then everybody would in the department would know that and then I would also share that with you uh you all as the commission as well. Would it be better to have one person assigned to that or do you feel it's better to do it the way you're doing it?

Uh the current situation probably works the best just in case somebody has a family engagement that they happen to also be out of town so that we can identify somebody else. So, we've got a fully capable team over there that is more than willing to help out wherever we need. Thank you. Any questions of Travis? I think you've done an excellent job, assistant chief, and I think you can stand up as interim chief and do an excellent job as well. So, looking forward to that. And if there's no other questions, do I have a motion? So moved. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Roll call vote. WAC I. Strand. Yes. Pepcorn. Hi, Turnberg. Hi Mahoney. Hi. Congratulations. Thank you.

Now we go on to the police chief search process update. Michael has changed some dates and ideas on that.

Yes. Thank you, mayor and commissioners. Again, I was here two weeks ago before the commission on March 16th. Just talked about a proposed timeline for the search process. really appreciate your feedback that was provided at what I heard pretty clearly was that we should try and make sure that as much of this process as possible is deferred after the election. And so what I did was uh with the HR department just want to appreciate their help. We created a proposed schedule of events that does just that. I've included that material in your packet this evening. Uh but basically what will happen is now we will we'll slow down just a little bit. We'll after the interim appointment tonight, we will get through the job description, make that available certainly to the commission as well, and then what we'll do is get the job posted um in [snorts] the middle of May and then have that close after the election on June 19. So, the future city commission uh will absolutely have a role um in in a part of that search process. We will have open houses. uh we will do a variety of things that we'll talk about at a later date, but I just wanted to just highlight that the current process um will just be slightly delayed based on that feedback that you provided uh two weeks ago. Um so I also at that time you'll recall we were also summarizing the search processes of 2020 for police chief as well as the fire chief in 2025. So we'll take the best elements of all those processes and uh put together. So again, uh we'll be moving forward [snorts] with posting the job on May 11 and then we will close on June 19. Couple other key dates. Uh we will also have a department survey that will be distributed to our department um all all throughout the department. Our civilian as well as swore staff will distribute that. We'll also compile that information in that same period of time and then really start the major activities as I said earlier in mid July. Um I'm looking at July 13 as being one of the very first dates. I also included in the agenda materials tonight that are are potential dates depending on where we we go. Um this is an appointed officer that is appointed by the city commission depending on the the kind of desire of the commission at that

time. Uh this could be an appointment that is accomplished as late as or I'm sorry as early as late August and perhaps uh if we did go to the outside that would be an appointment process that would likely on full background the conditional offer phase likely wrapping sometime in October. So, got a good schedule of events put together, but most importantly just want to provide you that briefing this evening. Again, no action requested of the commission. We'll be sure to keep you apprised of developments and we'll come back and visit with the commission after the election in July as to next steps. Thank you. Any questions? Mr. Turnberg. Michael, can you clarify how this selection committee will be determined?

Yeah, absolutely. So, I'm not talking about the committee tonight, but yes, thank you for the question. that will be something that's discussed over the next couple of months. We did take a look at what we did both for the fire chief in 25 as well as the uh police chief in 20. Um I talked a bit about that two weeks ago, but we'll come back with recommendation on that. But then we also will make sure that we are are talking to the public about community events and a community opportunity to meet and greet with the candidates as well. So more to follow on that in the future, but most importantly, we want to get a really quality job description put together and out on the street here in the middle of May. So you'll see us uh work on that and we look forward to that next step as well. So more to follow on selection. Mr. Stran,

thank you. Michael, [clears throat] remind me when the uh when new electeds take office. That will be in July. Uh July 1, I believe, is it's not in it's not the second meeting in June. No, that is now in July 1. Uh following changes that we've made here. Thank you. You're welcome. Any other questions? Mr. Cop, just a comment. and I appreciate the update to last week's report. Thank you. I just I just want to reiterate how important it is for community policing to have community engagement and transparency. And so the more we can talk about this and bring them along and be them be part of it sincerely, the more important it's going to be to the final selection and the success. So appreciate it. Mr. Shan,

and could we make sure there's no riots or anything in the meantime? It was tough the last while. we were going through some really challenging times and let's cross our fingers that the world's quiet and calm for the next few months.

Thank you, Commissioner. And and I would just note to uh full confidence and and full belief that our interim leadership is going to do a great great job in this interim period. Uh we've uh when you go back and you look, you're correct. When you look at the photos, you look at the imagery of 2020, it was it was a pretty challenging time uh certainly for us to conduct that search as well. So, we're looking forward to getting this underway, but just really, really appreciative of our command staff, the AC, um, our staff is just top-notch. They're great, great people, and they're going to do a great job in this interim, and so they have our full confidence and support as we move forward uh, with the process. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Item 37, Financial Operations Overview Resource and Recovery Center. Dave Pipporn has a question. [clears throat] Brenda Daring to explain. I'm coming. Sorry I didn't get up quick enough. It's moving along.

Yeah, much quicker than I thought. Uh, good evening, mayor and commissioners. Um, tonight I'm here to give you an update on the engagement center or our resource and recovery center operations. As you can see from this slide, the engagement center budget has been streamlined to find efficiencies over the last three years. Moving forward is anticipated there would be additional efficiencies with the one floor design that will produce further cost savings. I would be remiss though if I don't didn't note [clears throat] that it doesn't come without consequences. So we are starting to see an uptick in um issues at the library on Saturdays uh with the engagement center closed. So due to this we have added some additional security at the library. But you can see here over since 2024 we have been making reductions and streamlining um that work. And this is just the funding at the engagement center only. So here you'll see um the sequence for the lease and the fitup. The city of Fargo is leased with the owner. As part of the lease, the owner contracted for the fitup. Donations go directly to FM area foundation and then FM area foundation reimbures the work um with the appropriate documentation. So funds placed in the foundation to date as of today is 548,000. We have additional commitments that we have gotten emails on that are coming and then the mayor is continuing um to have conversations with community members. Um the expenses to date are 60,000. The

fitup cost is 1.6 million with over 100,000 of inkind work to date. and we are having discussions for additional opportunities and the annual lease is $240,18550. Here you'll see some of the work that's been accomplished on the site. [snorts] We are happy to report a number of the nonprofits over 35 are partnering with us on this work. So it really does exemplify a community project. Any questions, Mr. Chair? That's awesome, Brenda. That's what I asked for the last commission meeting and so I was just wanted to see the numbers. So, thank you very much for that report. I appreciate it

and I'm happy to come back whenever you'd like me to come back. Leaison Commissioner update. Commissioner Pipburn, Mr. Turnber,

I will have library operations on my Facebook commission page. So, a lot of people have received property tax valuations and a lot of people will note that they may have gone up 5 to 10%. I want people to remember that we have a 3% cap on existing property. So, it is going to conval your tax statement. So, you may have received an estimated tax, but that may change as you get into the new year as we see that reconstituted. So, as I best understand in discussing this with the team is that more to come, but uh what we are seeing uh Jim Gilmore and I talked about this is we don't have a lot of new construction and now the new house is going up. So, what's happening is the old stock is going up. So, if you're in the position to sell your house, it's a great deal because your house value is going to go up and your taxes are going to go down. But, if you're a homeowner, not necessarily good, but if they do the 3% cap, that should at least alleviate some of the growth we get. Commissioner Copath.

Yeah, just just one update. Um I had the opportunity to attend the water topics interm over to overview committee last Thursday in Bismar. Um chaired by representative Swantech, also last year chaired by Senator Sorvog, both from Fargo. um and had an opportunity to introduce Dwayne DRA of Garrison Diversion where he gave a report on the Red River water supply and some of the recent funding that has been secured by Senator Hovind of $150 million which in the end the greatest value is the offset to local um portion um and commitment both local and state because of the federal funding. So it was a very good day. It was a full day. It was a media agenda and it was a very good conversation. Thank you, Commissioner Strand.

Thank you. This is uh as long as we're talking the engagement center and the potential move to the new or the eventual move to the new location. Last week, I I had uh Glenn, former deputy sheriff Glenn Ellingsburgger. I hope I've got his last name right. Deputy Sheriff F. Cass County and I went over to the engagement center and looked at the memorial memorial wall, the the marble wall. And just so you all know, I'm hoping we can get that saved and when the building transitions ownership, we can maybe move it to Madanville into the into their building that's designed for law enforcement. Memorial memorial wall, the police station. You're

talking in the old police station. So, let's let's cross our fingers that that's that marble wall is removable and movable and maybe the community can help us get it over there to carry that honor to law enforcement over to to that historic site.

Thank you, Don. This is a historic night because it's time for public hearing and I have to tell you I have no speakers. So, uh, we're journ Hey. Hey. Hey.

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