Finance Committee - November 20, 2023 Minutes
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Regular Meeting Monday, November 20, 2023
The Regular Meeting of the Finance Committee of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the Commission Chambers at City Hall at 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 20, 2023.
The Finance Committee Members present or absent were as follows:
Present: Timothy Mahoney, Dave Piepkorn, Michael Redlinger, Susan Thompson, Steve Sprague, Tanner Smedshammer, and Brenda Derrig.
Others Present: Nancy Morris, DC Anderson, Doug Durgin, Dan Eberhardt, Tom Knakmuhs, Wyatt Papenfuss, Jamie Bullock, Jordan Corneliusen, Jill Minnette, Beth Wiegman, Ron Gronneberg, Rob Sobolik and Jill Pagel.
Approval of Minutes
Mr. Piepkorn moved the minutes of the October 23, 2023 Finance Committee meeting be approved as presented. Second by Mr. Redlinger. All Members present voted aye, and the motion was declared carried.
Consent Agenda
Departmental Requests Approved:
One requests was considered.
Ms. Derrig moved to approve, second by Ms. Thompson and all members present voted in favor.
Regular Agenda
House Bill 1307 Back the Blue Grant Award Approved:
DC. Anderson presented a copy of the 2023 North Dakota Legislatives Session appropriation of $3.5 million for House Bill 1307 or the “Back the Blue” award for local law enforcement and correctional officers.
The North Dakota Office of the Attorney General released funds to the Fargo Police Department in the amount of $264,000. The Back the Blue funds are for police chiefs and sheriffs to decide the best way to use the funds for recruitment and retention within their law enforcement agencies. DC. Anderson also stated that the City of Fargo has no financial obligation, or match, to receive these funds.
Recommended Motion:
Accept the Back the Blue award as a result of the ND Legislation passing House Bill 1307 in the amount of $264,000.
Mr. Sprague moved to approve, second by Mr. Redlinger and all members present voted in favor.
LEMWHA Grant Award Approved:
The United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) awarded the Fargo Police Department $188,539 for the purpose of employing one civilian Wellness and Mental Health Coordinator on a contractual basis from 10/1/23 – 9/30/25.
According to DC. Anderson, the Police Department plans to utilize the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act or LEMHWA grant to support and enhance the current wellness and mental health initiatives inside the department by creating a Wellness and Mental Health Coordinator position. The coordinator will support current annual mental health check-ins and will be responsible for program evaluations to ensure the wellness programs are meeting the needs of officers.
Recommended Motion:
Accept the COPS Hiring Program Grant in the amount of $188,539.
Mr. Redlinger moved to approve, second by Mr. Piepkorn and all members present voted in favor.
TSU Grant Award Approval:
The United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) awarded the Fargo Police Department $750,000 for the purpose of employing six Police Officers to advance the practice of community policing and public safety partnerships through building legitimacy and trust. Funding under this award program will be utilized by law enforcement agencies to hire law enforcement officers necessary to increase the jurisdiction’s capacity to prevent and disrupt crime and violence.
DC Anderson discussed the implementation of a Traffic Safety Unit (TSU) in Fargo to address dangerous driving as a result of strong community support and safety concerns brought forward individually and collectively during a citywide town hall meeting in May of 2022. He explained the support and demand for police action to this persistent and dangerous behavior in Fargo. As a result, the Fargo community questions the legitimacy of the Police Department in terms of their ability to address this important issue. The TSU will provide updates to our community through proactive engagement, education and neighborhood meetings.
Recommended Motion:
Accept the COPS Hiring Program Grant in the amount of $750,000.
Mr. Redlinger moved to approve, second by Mr. Piepkorn and all members present voted in favor.
Deferral Request for Sanford North Approved:
Mr. Durgin presented a deferral request initiated by Sanford North on October, 30, 2023 for two parcels located in an undeveloped quarter section west of 45th Street South and south of 64th Avenue South. The request is for a 10 year non-interest bearing deferral due to the annexation of these parcels not being at the request of the property owner.
Recommended Motion:
Special Assessments recommends approval of these deferral as presented.
Mr. Redlinger moved to approve, second by Mr. Piepkorn and all members present voted in favor.
Deferral Request for A & T Land Company Approved:
Mr. Durgin presented a second deferral request from the owner of A & T Land Company for two parcels located in an undeveloped quarter section west of 45th Street South and south of 64th Avenue South and two parcels located in an undeveloped quarter section east of 45th Street South and north of 64th Avenue South. The request is for a 10 year non-interest bearing deferral due to the annexation of these parcels not being at the request of the property owner.
Recommended Motion:
Special Assessments recommends approval of these deferrals as presented.
Ms. Derrig moved to approve, second by Mr. Redlinger and all members present voted in favor.
Purchasing Policy Approved:
Mr. Smedshammer highlighted the new proposed purchasing policy and procedures along with an update P-Card policy. Some of the highlights included were adjustment to purchasing limits, exempt purchases, new forms and templates, as well as standardized procedures.
Upon approval from City Commission, the Procurement staff within Finance will provide on-sight training for each department.
Recommended Motion:
Recommend the Purchasing and P-Card Policies and Procedures Manuals as presented.
Ms. Thompson moved to approved, second by Mr. Redlinger and all members present voted in favor.
Finalization of CARES and ARPA Funding Approved:
Ms. Thompson presented an update to the CARES funds as follows:
The City of Fargo received $15.9 million in CARES funding which over $12 million of those funds have been spent on a variety of departmental and community needs including food and rental assistance, shelter aid, housing development, business assistance, Police Department overtime for the pandemic and 2020 unrest incident, policy body cameras and other protective gear, plus various capital items.
As of 12/30/23, $3.3 million remained for previously approved items, including Police Department media room, Food and Rental Assistance, Protective Equipment for Police and City Hall, MatBus match funds and Pension Actuarial Contributions.
According to Ms. Thompson, the City of Fargo also received $20.2 million in ARPA funding, which following guidelines from the US Treasury, must be spent prior to 12/31/2024.
Some funding has been spent on a variety of departmental and community needs, but as of 10/30/23, there is still $6.7 million remaining to be finalized. Funds have been approved in the amount of $2.7 million for a new ERP system, shelter needs, Core Neighborhood programs, Police Protection and various IS items. The Finance Department requested the remaining $4 million be redirected to the 2023 General Fund.
Recommended Motion:
Approve the allocation of the remaining ARPA funding to 2023 General Fund as presented.
Mr. Sprague moved to approve, second by Ms. Derrig and all members present voted in favor.
Adjourn:
The time of Adjournment was 10:33 a.m.