City Commission - Regular Meeting

and welcome to the West Fargo City Commission meeting for March 2nd. Call the meeting to order. Uh before I start, uh I want to the when we do the roll call, you'll note that Commissioner Jorgensson 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 role? Commissioner Jorgensson,

present. Commissioner Zundell, here. Commissioner Dardis, here. Commissioner Olsen here. Commissioner Anderson here. Let the record show all commissioners are participating. First order of business to approve the order of the agenda that has been distributed and in your packets. Move to approve. Commissioner Anderson moves to approve. Is there a second? Please second. Commissioner Olsen second. 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 I. I. I. Opposed. Motion carried. Next order of business is the approval of the minutes of February 17, 2026. Again, they have been distributed. Move to approve.

Commissioner Olsen moves to approve the minutes of February 17th. Is there a second? Second. Commissioner Zundal seconds. We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. I. Opposed. Motion carried. Next order is the building permits. Commissioners, they have been distributed in front of you. Move we approve. Commissioner Zundal moves to approve the building permits for March 2nd as distributed. Is there a second? Second. Commissioner Anderson seconds. We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I.

I. Opposed. Motion carried. Next order of business is a consent agenda. We have items A through L. They have been distributed in your packets. Move to approve. Commissioner Anderson moves to approve the consent agenda items A through L. Is there a second? Second. Commissioner Olsen seconds. We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Opposed? Motion carried. We now move into the regular agenda. First order of business on the regular agenda is public comment. Madam Secretary, is anybody signed up for public comment?

I do not have anyone. Public comment is closed. We move to item number two is p public hearings. And uh if it's requirement of the city to have a public hearing with regard to any of the uh items being brought forward, we do it at this time. We have no items on the agenda that require a public hearing. So we move on to item number three. Item number three is the second reading of the 2024 IC code adoption and amendments. We call on Mark H, inspections administrator. Good evening Mark and welcome to questions.

Can you hit the mic? Sorry, it's not turned on. If you just hit the button on the mic. the button on the mic. Sorry. Perfect. Okay. Sorry. I can only do any questions for Mr. H. We approve second reading. Commissioner Zundell moves to approve the second reading. Is there a second? Second. Commissioner Anderson seconds. We have a motion and a second to approve the 2024 ICC code adoption and amendments. Is there any discussion? Commissioner Olsen. Any changes between the last meeting and this meeting to any of the ordinances? Second. Were there any changes made between the

just one? There was a typo on the uh IRC for the ground snow load. It was typed out at 64. We changed it to 44. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Any questions for Mr. Hos? We have a motion in a second. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Opposed. Motion carried. Thank you. Thank you.

We move on to item number four, excavation code ordinance rightaway management policy adoption. We're going to call on Jerry Wallace, the city engineer. The purpose of this discussion this evening is a second reading to amend the excavation code ordinance and adopt a resolution approving the rightaway management policy. For the public's knowledge, there has been another additional submittal with regard to this. Mr. Wallace, you might want to explain that a little bit, but um there's not not a big change in it. So, Mr. Wallace, please. Good evening and welcome.

Uh yes, thank you, Commission President Dardis and commissioners. Um I guess since you mentioned it uh I I added late uh to the packet uh for this item essentially the uh previously we brought forward a draft resolution. Um and some of the verbiage in that resolution said uh essentially that the city engineer has the discretion to change or amend the um right ofway management policy. Uh since that meeting, we've changed that to state essentially that uh it's the city commission that has that authority and not the city engineer. Um we did add some some verbiage on uh the city commission is also setting the fees associated with that. Um but that um essentially is what that resolution uh and those changes involved. Um again, um I'm here tonight before you uh to discuss the excavation code update, uh and right-of-way management, uh policy, uh approval via adopting via resolution, um I guess as far as new information goes, since the last time you've seen this item, um we did make a couple of um edits or clarifications to the right ofway management policy As you can see in the cover sheet here, uh we added some clarification uh in the notification section in regard to what is considered an adjacent business or residence. Um just you know provide additional detail as to what uh the expectation is for who should be notified. Um the other thing with that is uh we added some verbiage because um quite frankly it's never been in writing anywhere that uh while people can uh you know uh with properties uh adjacent to specific areas of right of way uh while while property owners can can in install things like uh irrigation systems for

example um they're essentially doing that at risk and um you know should the city or whoever by by chance uh you know especially the city I guess in conducting standard day-to-day operations like snow clearing or you know things like that um should they accidentally you know cause something detrimental to happen uh you know to some of those facilities um that those are installed at at the risk of the adjacent property. Um so two things I just wanted to clarify with that. Um but other than that uh nothing else has really changed. Uh again, I'm before you tonight uh with the second reading of the amended excavation code ordinance and uh looking for approval of the right-of-way management policy uh and adopting that via resolution. Um essentially with that uh I'm available for any any questions you may have.

Questions for Mr. Wallace? Move we approve second reading. Commissioner Olsson moves to approve the second reading to amend the excavation code ordinance and adopt a resolution approving the right-of-way management policy. Is there a second? Second. Commissioner Commissioner Zundell second. We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. I.

Opposed. Motion carried. Item number five is an improvement district number 1356, Rookwood meter pit replacement. Again, we call on this Jerry Wallace, our city engineer. And the purpose of this discussion is to accept a bid and award a contract. Mr. Wallace.

Yes. Thank you, Commission President Dardis and commissioners. Um I'm sure everybody is well aware the uh the meter pit serving the Brookwood Mobile Home Park is in desperate need of replacement. Uh you know, we prepared plans and went out to bids for this project. Um Dirt Dynamics was the low bidder with $186,611. uh happened to be 10% under the uh final engineers construction estimate of about 28,000 and change. Um again, we're uh requesting that uh the commission accept bids or accept the bid and award the contract to Dirt Dynamics. Um with that, I'm available for any questions. Questions for Mr. Wallace on item number five?

Move to approve. Commissioner Anderson moves to approve uh Brookwood meter pit replacement cost for a total of uh $186,611. Is there a second? Second. Commissioner Zandell seconds. We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. I.

Opposed. Motion carried. We move on to item number six. Item number six is project number 2300 to 2026 public works mill and overlay. We call in Jerry Wallace, city engineer. Purpose of the discussion is to approve an engineer's report and direct the engineer to prepare plans and specifications. Mr. Wallace.

Uh yes. Thank you, Mr. Commission President. Um the purpose of this item tonight is to approve the engineers report and direct the engineer to prepare plans and specifications. Um, essentially with uh 2026 public works millan overlay work. We're looking at uh performing some millan overlays on 9inth street west uh 4th street east and 36th Avenue east. Uh we previously brought an exhibit forth showing those locations. So I apologize if we didn't improve it include it again in the packet here. Um but uh essentially those are the areas we're looking at. And as far as the financial aspects of that, um, you know, we're looking at a total project cost of about $791,000. Um, and most of that is to be, uh, essentially bid out materials, uh, with public works, uh, essentially performing the labor on the project. Um um I will say that uh you know these are critically needed mill and overlay areas. Um but with all that being said um again I'm I'm before you tonight to uh look for approval of the engineers report and direct the engineer uh to prepare plans and specifications. Um and with that I'll I'll stand for any questions you may have.

Questions for Mr. Wallace? Will we approve? Commissioner Olsen moves to approve project number 2300, which is a 2026 public works mill and overlay project. Is there a second? Second. Commissioner Anderson seconds. We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I.

Opposed. Motion carried. Thank you, Mr. Wallace. Item number seven, uh I believe that you're a busy man this evening is a beat and drive reconstruction to Cheyenne Street to the Cheyenne River. Again, we call on Mr. Wallace, the city engineer. Purpose of the discussion is to create an improvement district number 310 and direct an engineer to prepare an engineer's report. Mr. Wallace.

Uh yes, Mr. Commission President and Commissioners. Um basically just to recap here um the city's been successful in obtaining uh several grants uh to the tune of um 3.81 or 3.871 million and 1.44 million uh looking for uh essentially the reconstruction of uh the corridor. um with that um this project is kind of unique in that uh there was quite a few components of it and uh each component on its own I guess doesn't really stand out as overly dire other than uh most recently I'm sure everybody uh can remember um it had been pointed out to staff that uh um you know we had looked at creating uh connections to our multi-use path network and other areas of the city and uh the commission um decided that there were other areas that maybe uh the money was better spent elsewhere. Um we took a look at that and uh but you know uh took that as our marching orders so to speak and uh so we're currently back looking at uh uh this component of beaten drive that uh uh we interpreted as as being uh pretty heavily requested from the public. um with that component. Um there's there's a a couple of things going on here. The the road section is is just old and dated and you know coming uh to the end of its useful life. Um and then to top it off um there are some undeveloped properties in the vicinity that uh we would look to extend sewer and water service to um as part of the project. And then uh there is also a uh a lift station that is uh dated and you know again coming to the end well I should say dated and unders sized and is is coming to the end of its useful life and

uh you know we with the perfect storm of all those components um this project actually rose to be uh pretty high on the priority list. Um so with all that being said um before you tonight looking to uh create the improvement district and uh the direction to direct the engineer to prepare an engineers report. Um I I think it's worth noting too that uh we also recently received a uh a petition for public improvements uh for the project. Um so uh that at least tells city staff that there is uh some local support uh for the project. Um essentially uh you know uh coming to the financial analysis of uh the proposed work. Um it there's going to be uh a heavy use of grants which uh you know we're very happy uh to say we we're going to be able to do with this project. Um but there is also going to be a component that will be special assessed. Um and then a component that'll be paid for with capital improvement sales tax. Um, I've included a uh a map of the district in the pro in the in the uh in your packet here tonight as well as the petition uh for improvements and the uh uh the title opinion for uh the petitioner uh providing evidence of ownership. Uh with all that being said, um again here to look for uh and request the creation of the improvement district and uh move to directing uh the engineer to prepare an engineers report. And with that uh I'll I'll stand for any questions you may have.

Questions for Mr. Wallace. Mr. Olsen on your map here that you've got up on the screen. Which side of the beaten drive will the new multi-use walkway be put? Uh, we're looking at the north side. On the north side, commissioner. So, when you get over closer to Cheyenne Street, you've got a walkway that that parallels Cheyenne Street on the east side of it. Well, where are you going to tie them two together?

Um, we're actually looking at uh tying in south of the uh where Beaten Drive essentially ties into Cheyenne. Um, it's tough to say because we don't really have a good scale on here, but uh essentially kind of uh in the corner uh before the pedestrian box culvert goes underneath the uh uh the the offramp there. Uh we'd be looking at tying in over there pretty far away from the the beaten drive intersection. It just seemed to make most sense to uh terminate it there. Okay. So, it's going to be over the road or there be a tunnel there?

Uh no tunnel. It probably go over the road. Um, a lot of the uh specific details of that will probably be flushed out as we uh as we move through to the uh u feasibility study and and uh engineers report and all that. Um, the one thing I would say too with this project is uh um we'll be looking at moving forward with the resolution of necessity. Um it's going to be somewhat delayed because there's uh a little bit of uh preliminary engineering that work that needs to take place in order for us to properly uh you know get the proper information into the engineers report that we bring with that resolution. um behind the scenes, we'll be we'll if if this is approved tonight, we'll we'll be looking to work on the uh the preliminary the preliminary engineering needed uh to provide that engineers report.

I was just curious because if we're going to have two walkways on either side of beaten drive at one point, it would be a little bit redundant, you know, so have that close together. Yep. Great, great point. Is it safe to assume that with this work that's going to be done that it be an extension of the box culvert as the Cheyenne River passes I under I 94? Uh that is correct Mayor Dartis. So they're the construction process. It won't be like an open trench dig to replace all the box culvers and things like that. No, we're looking at specifically just an extension to the north side.

Thank you. Just wanted clarification for the public uh that the you know that neighborhood that uh

and those businesses to the east that uh utilize it. Could we go back to page one please? The the the I'd like it right there. Down a little bit please. Down up a little bit please. Thank you. Um Mr. Wallace did indicate that we were recipients of some grants 3.83 3,871,000 in North Dakota DOT flex funding as well as 1.4 1,440,000 and surface transportation block grant funding. So this is a significant uh grants but we have to uh the construction has to be done by 2028. So, commissioners, I bring that only to your attention because those grant dollars are tied to that 2028 deadline.

Any questions for Mr. Wallace? Addition. Mr. Jorgensson, did you have a point you'd like to make? No, I did not. Okay. Mayor Dardis, uh, please. I I would uh probably clarify that I there is there I should probably just double check, but I believe because these are considered 2027 grant dollars, there is potential that construction could go into 2028 and as long as those dollars are spent then. Thank you for that. Thank you for that. Yes, sir.

Commissioners move to approve. We have a motion to approve the create a improvement district number 310 and direct the engineer to prepare an engineer's report on the beaten drive reconstruction from Cheyenne Street to the Cheyenne River. 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 I. I. I. opposed. Motion carried. Thank you, Mr. Wallace. Yes, sir.

We move on to item number eight, improvement district number 6062 is a 2026 sidewalk improvements. Uh again, we call on Mr. Wallace, our city engineer, to and the purpose of the discussion is to accept the bid and award a contract.

Uh yes, thank you again, uh Commission President Dardis and commissioners. Um this is our uh standard sidewalk improvement project that we bring uh every other year to fill in gaps uh in accordance with uh um our ordinance uh in title 2. Um essentially we've at this point we've prep we've prepared plans. We've gone out for bids. Um Tyac Concrete LLC uh was the apparent low bidder for $15,663. And at this point in time, um, essentially we're looking, uh, for the, uh, requested action of accepting the bid and awarding the contract. Um, it's probably important to note that, uh, these projects, um, per our standard um, are 100% special assessed um, to the, uh, adjacent properties. Um, but with that, I'll stand for any questions you may have.

Questions for Mr. Wallace? Again, we are on item number eight. One quick question. Commissioner Olsson, just for the public knowledge, uh when would the uh sidewalks be installed? This this coming summer. Uh that's correct. Yes. Great question. It's a 2026 project, right? I'll move to approve. Commissioner Anderson first has a question. Uh just looking at these bids here, seems like Tyac is really low compared to the others. we confirm that they're good and we're not going to have like any surprises with any additional like adjustments to a bid or anything.

Um I high level of confidence. Um they've they've done work uh we've we've got a working relationship that goes back years with them. Um nothing has stood out as an outlier. Um, I can never I would hate to stand up here and say we're never going to have change orders or you know any sort of overruns, but uh high level of confidence that uh you know they're going to be able to deliver the project uh you know for the bid that they supplied. Okay, thank you. Good question. Thank you. Great question. Anyone else? Anything on improvement district number 6062?

I'll now move to accept the bid contract. We have a motion to approve. Is there a second? Second. Commissioner Zundell seconds. We have a motion and a second to accept the bid and award the contract for improvement district number 6062, which is the 2026 sidewalk improvements throughout the city. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I.

Opposed. Motion carried. Item number nine is project number 6063. It's 8th Street West multiuse path. Again, Mr. Wallace from the city engineer is going to have this discussion. Purpose is to approve a task order for construction services. Mr. Walsh.

Uh, yes. Thank you, Mr. Commission President, commissioners. Um, here before you with this one. Um, essentially we the design engineer who was uh SRF consulting. Um, we we felt it I guess uh most in line uh to have them provide uh construction oversight and engineering uh during the construction and and finishing phases of the project. Um, I'm here tonight uh just uh to request that uh we approve the task order for them to be able to do that. Um, it's probably worth noting that um the original engineers opinion of cost came in somewhere at about $672,000. Uh we did receive uh grant funds in the amount of $412,731 and change um uh which would put us uh ultimately um responsible for about $259,000 of uh project cost. Um the the bids did come in on this project a little lower than we anticipated. So I would expect that number to be lessened by the time um the project is uh completed. But, uh, just wanted to bring that to your attention that that's that's about where we're at as far as project cost on this one. Um, and with that, uh, again, I'm I'm looking for, uh, approval of the task order for construction services, and I'm available for any questions you may have.

Do we have a map? Could you show us? Uh, I apologize. There's a map in this one. We've already approved this. We're just asking for a task order. So, that's right. But I was doing it for the public. Me, too. I look forward to I remember exactly where it was. It's over by Westside Elementary. Oh, it's over by West Elementary. Yeah, over in that area north of between 7th and Maine. Okay, that's what I kind of thought. And this is not uh none of this will be assessed to the neighborhoods. This is going to be uh paid for the the remaining balance will be paid by capital improvement sales tax. Yes, sir. So, there are no assessments to that neighborhood.

Okay. Commissioners, your thoughts. Did Did I have a motion? I didn't think so. You didn't ask for one yet. Well, I move. Commissioner Zundell work for you. Thank you, Commissioner. We have a motion. Is there a second? Second. A motion and a second to uh accept the bid and award a contract for improvement district number 6062, excuse me, for project number 6063 for the multi-use path to approve a task order in construction services. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying I.

I. Opposed? Motion carried. Commissioner Zundell, you got me flustered on that one. Got to keep you on your toes. Item number 10 is transit shelters. Again, we call on Jerry Wallace, our city engineer. The purpose of this discussion is to create a project number 6064 and direct engineering to prepare an engineers report. Mr. Wallace.

Uh yes, thank you. I swear this is the last one. um before you tonight uh uh we're finally uh getting moving on uh installation of uh about five transit shelters that we're going to be putting up uh between the public works and uh engineering team here. Um essentially uh the action I'm looking for tonight would be to create the project and direct the engineer to prepare an engineers report. Um I know uh Mayor Dardis and the commission have been looking for this and waiting for this for quite a long time. We're very excited to be moving forward on it. Um, again, uh, we're looking at installing, uh, five shelter location locations in town here. Um, the big thing that's going to be, uh, uh, needed here is concrete flat work, uh, to allow the installation. Um, we anticipate, uh, a total cost of about $40,000 for this. Uh, and we're proposing again that this, uh, would be 100% paid for with capital improvement sales tax. Um there is a map of the proposed locations uh in your packet here and uh again I'm uh hopeful we uh create the project and direct the engineer to prepare an engineer's report. And with that uh I'll stand for any questions.

Thank you Mr. Wallace. Questions for Mr. Wallace. Just one. I have one. Commissioner Jurgensson are when these locations were picked are what identified them as to be these locations? Was it the volume of riders location or Yes, Commissioner Jorgensson, there was uh that that was the heaviest component of it is, you know, where's our wrership actually occurring? Okay, thank you.

I know we review the transit plan frequently. Do we anticipate any of these sites not continuing to be in our transit plan? Like, are any of these sites vulnerable to route adjustment? Not that I'm aware of, but I could certainly follow up with Matt Bus and and the folks that are involved in the day-to-day if our representative of Metro Cog is sitting next to me, Commissioner. Perfect. Well, I'm not This would be the Fargo the Transit Authority, which Dustin is now the on. I used to I used to could be on. Yes, you were. I was on there for seven years till they abolished it, but I don't know if Dustin's got any insight on that or not, but

Well, yeah. Thank you, commissioners. Um, so there's always the possibility of the transit plan changing. Of course, that's a process that involves the city commission. So um at this point there is no plan to make those modifications but um if and when that discussion does come forward of course we would take into consideration that we now have these um these locations with shelters. So I don't know if that's the the expense of this the $40,000 is for basically the concrete flat work. Uh the the shelters themselves are coming from the transit authority. Yeah that's correct. Mayor Dartis, no charge for those.

No charge for that. Commissioner Olsson, uh, in in the agenda pack uh packet, uh, you say that we have 10 available and you're going to put up five. Why not put up all 10? Um, I would have to probably go back and and have a discussion with the public works engineering project team on it. I I think um feasibilitywise for what uh they the bandwidth they have this summer I think they were looking at trying to get the five in at the heaviest use stops.

So were the 10 uh the five extra the five that we're getting are are we going to have to store them or is the city of Fargo or Matt Bus storing those those five other shelters? My understanding is that they they're staying with Matt Bus. Okay. for now, but uh I could certainly uh just verify that, too. I was just curious that we're going to have to house them.

Yeah, commissioners. I Yeah, I'll add on to that. I did have a conversation with uh their assistant administrator a couple months ago, and Fargo has graciously agreed to continue to store these for us until they are all installed. So, should something change, we would bring that information forward, but right now, they're agreeing to to store them until they're installed. And then where's the one getting installed that looks like it's perhaps maybe at Cashwise? Is it like off the beaten path or where is that specifically

from the location? It looks like it might be the stop on the back side of Cashwise, but I I would probably want to verify that before uh um stating that as you know the God's honest truth or anything. Um we will um I guess be going forward uh and providing more detail for the commission um before we're constructing. Um but I I think that is the location they're they're referencing. I believe it is the road behind. It's behind Cashway. Okay. Any additional questions for Mr. Wallace?

I move we approve. Commissioner Olsson moves to approve and create a project number 6064 uh with regarding to the transit shelters five locations within the city of West Fargo. Is there a second? Second. Commissioners Unell seconds. We have a motion and a second to create project number 6064 and direct the engineer to prepare an engineer's report. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. opposed. Motion carried. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Walls. Item number 11 is guiding principles for the 2027 budget. We call on Dustin Scott, city administrator for the city of West Fargo. Good evening, Miss Scott, and welcome. Good evening. Thank you, Commissioner President Dartis and commissioners. Well, I am excited to have the opportunity to kick off our budget process in a new direction this year and adopting guiding principles. Uh the proposed guiding principles are intended to be uh clear direction for developing the 2027 budget. They are intended to establish a a shared framework for evaluating budget considerations and support a consistent and transparent approach to prioritization and overall decision-making. The guiding principles were developed through a collaborative process involving city commissioners and department heads. An online survey was used to gather feedback and perspectives across a broad range of budget topics. I'm proud to announce that we had all five commissioners participate in this survey as well as 17 department heads. So, a lot of good feedback uh coming forward to to help guide these uh these principles. So these uh responses were reviewed and organized to identify common themes and areas of alignment resulting in principles that reflect this shared input and provide a strategic direction for the budget process. Again, I can't express how excited I am to start with this collaborative approach, get a wide range of feedback, and I I really feel like this is going to help uh really guide our budget process throughout uh even through uh the the transition we'll have this summer with with the election. So, um that said, the the commission can choose to adopt the five principles that are before you this evening. you could adopt with some revisions or direct staff to go back and and make some additional uh considerations. So with

that, I would stand for any questions. Questions of Mr. Scott? No, sir. No, I Commissioner Olsson. So you got these five principles listed on the on the screen there. Is there are they ranked in that order or are they just random or how did you arrive at those five?

So I'll start with they are not ranked in any particular order. So yep I had that question come up earlier today too. Um nope this is in no particular order. The they are all equally guiding principles. So depending on what we are discussing or considering these are the foundation principles that we will go to to help guide those those decisions that are going to be made. Um, and I'll say that along the way we'll learn how we are applying these principles. And what I would like to do is when we prepare our final budget documents to further um divulge into how these principles were effective in in creating the budget, developing some some more definition behind each of them. But for now, they're intended to be more of a highle uh principle. and we'll let the definition kind of unfold throughout the budget process. How do we use them and and all of that good stuff. So, um how they were developed really uh the the online survey that we made for one has a tool that they it can summarize the common themes for us. So, uh took a look at the themes that were coming out of the the survey platform and then try to align that with some of the um questions that we've seen come through. uh some of the con comments that we received last year through last year's budget process and tried to put it under an umbrella of a guiding principle. So,

okay, Commissioner Zundell,

one thing that I saw come through on the survey that I'm not sure I see in the guiding principles is I feel like there was a lot of specific attention paid to public safety within the survey. So when I look at some of this, I mean, I guess do you consider that a sustainable service or where does that fit into this? Because public safety ranked number one and then along with like water and sewer capacity. So I guess in the survey we broke it out into kind of maybe perhaps some different services that we offer through the city and it felt like public safety continued to rank highest in those areas. So I guess I'm just curious how that translates into this Yes, thank you, Commissioner Zendel. Um, you're right. It is in under the umbrella of sustainable services through responsible stewardship. I had considered having public safety as a standout, but I felt that that was a bit specific into uh two departments that we have. So, I wanted to be a little more broad and encompassing citywide uh services. So, I'd say it is rolled up into the sustainable services. Um, and again, as we go through the budget process, if we feel like the really the public safety aspect was the driving force behind some of the decisions we're making, then we can roll that into the definitions that we develop through the budget process, which will be memorialized then into the final budget documents. And along the way, we're going to learn some lessons and certainly going to apply that into the future budget processes. So, um, again, looking forward to how this all unfolds and yet learning from it and further developing these things as we as we move in through the the budget process. Commissioner Zandow,

my other question, and I know you said we'll refine them just as we go, but um from a context of like cultural values or that perspective, do we have a list of cultural values within our current like when we look at so maintain workforce stability and cultural values, do we have a defined set of what that looks like to prioritize? Yes. Yes. We have a set of five core values that were adopted by the commission some years ago. Uh, and those have been reflected in prior budgets in the opening statement, if you will. Okay. And so those are the cultural values that I'm referring to. Okay. Thank you.

This is a living document is what it is. Uh there's going to be obviously there's going to be some uh electeds that come and go and so there'll be uh influences by then new commissioners as they rotate through and and that type of thing. So it this isn't cast in stone. It will always reflect what the uh the administration at that time feels the most pertinent. Any additional questions on the guiding principles, Mr. Scott? All right. Please continue. That's all I've got for you. So, if there are no other questions, I would um ask that the commission adopt the guiding principles as presented.

Move to adopt. Commissioner Olsson moves to adopt the guiding principles for 2027 budget. Is there a second? 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 I. I. Opposed. Motion carried. Congratulations, Mr. Scott. Uh we move on to item number 12, the city administrators report. Please continue.

Thank you, Commissioner President Doris and commissioners. I want to start off by um I I think Jerry here is is giving Dan a run for his money on on the record for most items presented. Uh so I just want to give Jerry a shout out. He's he's doing a great job. He's he's going through these very clearly and and I'm proud of him. So um as far as updates, I've got just a couple. So going back to the 2027 budget uh with the guiding principles now adopted, we are going to roll out instructions to our department heads tomorrow. I believe Nick will have that uh on send here before the evening ends maybe. Um excited to get rolling into it. I know a lot of our departments are are already well in into uh analyzing what their needs are going to be. Um but the formal process is officially going to start tomorrow. our uh our timeline has been developed and shared and so we are um excited to get going on that. Our preliminary plan here is to have the budget in front of the commission the second meeting in June. That of course is the last meeting for for a few of you. So uh we're we're eager to to have the opportunity at least with this commission to uh publicly weigh in on on the budget before your um your term is done. So, uh, any questions on the on the budget process?

Any questions? We're good. Good. And then the last thing I'll leave you with is, uh, our finance team, I'm proud to say that they are well into the, uh, audit process for 2025. So, uh, we're, as we're working on looking into 27, we're also looking back in 25. And, uh, the audit process, as you know, is very intensive. Uh so I'm I'm happy to hear that they are uh they've got a good jump start on it and hopefully we can have a a 2025 audit done before we are approving a a final budget. So that is it for updates. With that I would entertain any other questions questions for Mr. Scott. Anyone? No. Okay. Thank you.

Thank you. All correspondence has been distributed and put into your mailboxes uh that the city has received. So, I'd encourage you to check that. Uh commissioners, do you have any non-aggenda items you'd like to bring forward at this time? Department heads, anything that you'd like to bring forward? I have one thing. We have a member of the West Fargo school board here this evening and the West Fargo United girls are the state champions for the state of North Dakota in hockey. So please pass that on to all of those on the school board. Mrs. Steedman, that's uh that's a great accomplishment that this is the first year we had a united team. Is that correct? So that's quite a fate uh quite a feat I should say. So, congratulations to those young ladies that uh won the state championship. Anyone else?

Commissioner Anderson, move tojourn. Commissioner Olsen, second. We stand adjourn. Thank you.