Fargo City Commission - January 8, 2024

The Regular Meeting of the Board of City Commissioners of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall at 5:00 o'clock p.m., January 8, 2024.
The Commissioners present or absent were as shown following:
Present: Kolpack, Piepkorn, Preston, Strand, Mahoney.
Absent: None.
Mayor Mahoney presiding.

The Mayor read a message with the following information: January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and screening tests and the HPV vaccine are available at Fargo Cass Public Health; the first Free Friday Movie of the year is January 12th at the Carlson Library; ND Job Service is offering onsite, walk-in services at the Main Library on January 16th; building permits worth more than $784 million were issued in 2023; Water Utility finished three major capital projects in 2023; and a video was shown from the awards ceremony honoring the actions taken by first responders during the critical incident on July 14, 2023.

Order of Agenda Approved:
Commissioner Strand moved the Order of the Agenda be approved.

Second by Preston. All the Commissioners voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Minutes Approved:
Commissioner Kolpack moved that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board held on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 be approved as read.

Second by Preston. All the Commissioners voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Consent Agenda Approved:
Commissioner Preston moved the Consent Agenda be approved as follows:

1. Letter of Support for the Center for Plastic Surgery project to the ND Opportunity Fund.
2. Applications for Abatement or Refund of Taxes #4551 and #4553 for property located at 2822 8th Street North requesting a reduction in values for 2022 from $342,000.00 to $290,000.00 and for 2023 from $394,000.00 to $320,000.00; staff is recommending a reduction in values to $305,000.00 for 2022 and $310,000.00 for 2023.
3. Gaming Site Authorization for Fraser Ltd. at Cairo Restaurant.
4. Applications for Games of Chance:
a. El Zagal Temple for a raffle on 2/8/24.
b. Fargo North Booster Board for a raffle on 1/18/24.
c. NDSU Asian Student Organization for a raffle on 2/3/24.
d. Rape and Abuse Crisis Center for bingo and a raffle on 2/3/24.
5. 2nd reading and final adoption of an Ordinance Repealing Section 10-0307 of Article 10-03 of Chapter 10 of the Fargo Municipal Code Relating to Persons Using Streets not to be Molested.
6. 2nd reading and final adoption of an Ordinance Repealing Section 10-0311 of Article 10-03 of Chapter 10 of the Fargo Municipal Code Relating to Panhandling.
7. Amendment to the Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Order for the property located at 1710 1st Avenue South.
8. Amendment to the Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Order for the property located at 1208 University Drive South.
9. Amendment (Second) to Agreement for Services with Valley Veterinary Hospital, P.C.
10. Amended Engineer’s Report for Improvement District No. TN-23-A.
11. Notice of Grant Award from the ND Department of Health and Human Services for HIV.HCV Counseling, Testing and Referral (CTR) (CFDA #93.940).
12. Notice of Grant Award from the ND Department of Health and Human Services for increasing TB infection identification and treatment (CFDA #93.116).
13. Bid award and Agreement with Fargo Moorhead Towing for junked vehicle removal services for 2024.
14. Bid award to Gast Construction Company, Inc. in the amount of $1,159,700.00 for the Public Works South Side Fuel Station (ITB24028)
15. Bills in the amount of $15,852,570.59.

Second by Piepkorn. On call of the roll Commissioners Preston, Piepkorn, Kolpack, Strand and Mahoney voted aye.
No Commissioner being absent and none voting nay, the motion was declared carried.

Resident Comments:
Deni Paramarta spoke about infrastructure funding and special assessments; and Wess Philome spoke about public records requests and the Police Department.

Hearing on an Application Filed by John Deere & Company for a Property Tax Exemption Continued to 1/22/24:
A Hearing had been set for December 11, 2023 on an application filed by John Deere & Company for a property tax exemption for a project to be located at 4101 19th Avenue North, which the applicant will use primarily for manufacturing and programming of receivers, displays controllers, modems and inverters.
At the December 11, 2023 meeting the Hearing was continued to this day and hour; however, staff is recommending the item be continued to January 22, 2024.
Commissioner Preston moved the Hearing be continued to 5:15 p.m. on January 22, 2024.

Second by Kolpack. On call of the roll Commissioners Preston, Kolpack, Piepkorn, Strand and Mahoney voted aye.
No Commissioner being absent and none voting nay, the motion was declared carried.

Resolution Adopted Approving TYKE Addition (201 27th Street North and 2600 3rd Avenue North):
A Hearing had been set for this day and hour to consider approval or denial of an application requesting a Plat of TYKE Addition (Major Subdivision) a replat of all of Lots 1-9 and part of Lots 10-14, Teigen’s Second Subdivision and Dedication of 25th Street North and a Vacation of a portion of 3rd Avenue North.
Current Planning Coordinator Donald Kress said the right of way was originally dedicated by the Teigen's Second Subdivision plat in 1951 and the proposed street vacation is the southern 10 feet for the length of the block adjacent to the property and encompasses approximately 0.14 acres of public right of way. An existing encroachment agreement exists within the area proposed to be vacated, he stated, which will not be necessary after the vacation. The plat also dedicates an existing street and utility easement as 25th Street North right of way, he said.
Commissioner Preston offered the following Resolution and moved its adoption:
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF CITY COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF FARGO:
WHEREAS, A Plat has been filed in the office of the City Auditor entitled “TYKE Addition” containing 2 Lots, 1 Block and 4.47 acres of land more or less, located at 201 27th Street North and 2600 3rd Avenue North; and
WHEREAS, A Hearing was held September 7, 2023 by the Fargo Planning Commission, and notice of such Hearing had been published, as required by law, and said Plat had been approved by the Fargo Planning Commission and by the City Engineer; and
WHEREAS, The City Auditor's Office published a Notice of Hearing on said Plat in the official newspaper for the City of Fargo on December 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2023 that a Hearing would be held in the Commission Chambers, City Hall, Fargo, North Dakota at 5:15 p.m., January 8, 2024 at which time said Plat would be considered and all interested persons would be heard.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the findings and recommendations of staff and the Planning Commission be accepted and the Plat entitled “TYKE Addition” be and the same is hereby in all things affirmed and approved on the basis that it complies with the Standards of Article 20-06, and all other applicable requirements of the Land Development Code, and that the Mayor of the City of Fargo and the appropriate City Officials are hereby directed to endorse their approval on the Plat and then direct Petitioner to file same for record in the Office of the Recorder of Cass County, North Dakota.

Second by Kolpack. On the vote being taken on the question of the adoption of the Resolution Commissioners Preston, Kolpack, Piepkorn, Strand and Mahoney voted aye.
No Commissioner being absent and none voting nay, the Resolution was adopted.

Resolution Adopted Approving CC’s First Addition (5080 38th Street South):
A Hearing had been set for this day and hour to consider approval or denial of an application requesting a Plat of CC’s First Addition (Major Subdivision) a plat of an unplatted portion of the Southeast Quarter of Section 34, Township 139 North, Range 49 West of the Fifth Principal Meridian.
Current Planning Coordinator Donald Kress said the plat creates three lots intended for commercial development and all three lots are zoned General Commercial with a conditional overlay. No changes to zoning or CO are proposed, he said, and the plat dedicates right of way for a public street within the subdivision to be known as Alexander Way South. He said a named street was allowed otherwise the street would need to be numbered as a half street.
Commissioner Preston offered the following Resolution and moved its adoption:
WHEREAS, A Plat has been filed in the office of the City Auditor entitled “CC’s First Addition” containing 3 Lots, 2 Blocks and 24.48 acres of land more or less, located at 5080 38th Street South; and
WHEREAS, A Hearing was held November 7, 2023 by the Fargo Planning Commission, and notice of such Hearing had been published, as required by law, and said Plat had been approved by the Fargo Planning Commission and by the City Engineer; and
WHEREAS, The City Auditor's Office published a Notice of Hearing on said Plat in the official newspaper for the City of Fargo on December 27, 2023 and January 4, 2024 that a Hearing would be held in the Commission Chambers, City Hall, Fargo, North Dakota at 5:15 p.m., January 8, 2024 at which time said Plat would be considered and all interested persons would be heard.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the findings and recommendations of staff and the Planning Commission be accepted and the Plat entitled “CC’s First Addition” be and the same is hereby in all things affirmed and approved on the basis that it complies with the Standards of Article 20-06, and all other applicable requirements of the Land Development Code, and that the Mayor of the City of Fargo and the appropriate City Officials are hereby directed to endorse their approval on the Plat and then direct Petitioner to file same for record in the Office of the Recorder of Cass County, North Dakota.

Parcels of Land in Gamma Fargo Addition and Pracs Second Addition Rezoned and a Planned Unit Development Master Land Use Plan Approved (4951 and 4837 Amber Valley Parkway South, 4800, 4820 and 4840 23rd Avenue South):
At a Hearing held on January 2, 2024, the Fargo Planning Commission recommended approval of a change in zoning from LC, Limited Commercial to GC, General Commercial with a PUD, Planned Unit Development Overlay.
The City Auditor's Office published a Notice of Hearing stating this is the time and date set for said Hearing at which time all interested persons could appear and would be heard.
Current Planning Coordinator Donald Kress said the subject properties are located in the 2003 Southwest Future Land Use Plan and the properties are identified as being suitable for office and commercial uses. He said the proposed PUD allows manufacturing, production and warehouse, which will function internally to the building.
In response to a question from Commissioner Preston asking since this is the third or fourth conversion of property from Limited Commercial to General Commercial, does Planning anticipate that with new Land Development Code revisions this will be an easier process, Mr. Kress said as Planning works on revisions to the Land Development Code (LDC) they are going to assess how uses are done and the types of uses.
In response to a question from Commissioner Preston asking if there have been any requests to convert vacant commercial space to residential, Mr. Kress said he could not think of any; however, any such requests would have to go before the City Commission for approval due to the required change in zoning.
Mayor Mahoney said converting vacant commercial space to residential would be helpful for addressing needed housing.
Commissioner Preston offered the following Resolution and moved its adoption:
WHEREAS, All legal requirements in connection with the above-described request for rezoning, Planned Unit Development (PUD) Overlay and Planned Unit Development Master Land Use Plan have been complied with; and
WHEREAS, There have been no written or verbal protests to the request for rezoning and no one is present to protest thereto.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the findings of staff be accepted and the rezoning be approved on the basis that the proposal satisfactorily complies with the Comprehensive Plan, Standards of Section 20-0906.F (1-4) and all other applicable requirements of the LDC.

First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning a Certain Parcel of Land Lying in Gamma Fargo Addition to the City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota:
Commissioner Preston moved the requirement relating to receipt of the Ordinance by the Commission one week prior to first reading be waived and that the Ordinance Rezoning a Certain Parcel of Land Lying in Gamma Fargo Addition to the City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota be placed on first reading.

Second by Kolpack. On call of the roll Commissioners Preston, Kolpack, Piepkorn, Strand and Mahoney voted aye.
No Commissioner being absent and none voting nay, the motion was declared carried.

First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning a Certain Parcel of Land Lying in Pracs Second Addition to the City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota:
Commissioner Preston moved the requirement relating to receipt of the Ordinance by the Commission one week prior to first reading be waived and that the Ordinance Rezoning a Certain Parcel of Land Lying in Pracs Second Addition to the City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota be placed on first reading.

Second by Kolpack. On call of the roll Commissioners Preston, Kolpack, Piepkorn, Strand and Mahoney voted aye.
No Commissioner being absent and none voting nay, the motion was declared carried.

Fargo Police Department Master Facility Plan Received, Filed and Adopted:
Police Chief David Zibolski said in June 2023 a Master Facility Plan was developed for the Fargo Police Department. He said the goals were to ensure current and future PD facilities are geographically located, sized and constructed with appropriate technologies to serve Fargo for the next 20 years and to identify and plan for staffing increases to support the growth of the City. He said the study reviewed existing facilities and used data gathered to develop models comparing them to similar size cities. Growth over the next 20 years necessitates the construction of a new, larger headquarters, he stated, as well as several other changes to keep pace with department and community growth.
Rob Remark, JLG Architects, said the recommendation is two options going forward, both of which include building a new headquarters for an unspecified cost. He said the first option involves building a new police campus with an onsite headquarters and training facility. He said this plan includes the construction of three additional substations, along with specialized evidence storage on the main campus and evidence packaging rooms at each substation. The second option also involves the construction of a new police headquarters, he said; however, this option offers that the current headquarters be retrofitted into a substation or other, unspecified City building. The PD would also need a new gun range and vehicle training facility as well as three substations across the City, he said.
Brian Berryhill, Roth Sheppard Architects, discussed structural, parking and safety concerns at the new headquarters and that response times have been negatively impacted by the growth of the City. He said not having a secure parking lot for staff is concerning and the building’s lobby is not inviting to visitors or secure enough for staff. Storage systems are also lacking, he stated, and there are gaps in the chain-of-custody process as well as increased risk of biohazard exposure. He said in Fargo, the officers per 1,000 residents is 1.4 and the strategic plan calls for an increase to 1.6 officers per 1,000, an increase of about 20 officers in the near future. Facilities needed to support the increase would be about 116,000 square feet, with the current headquarters at about 69,000 square feet.
Commissioner Kolpack said along with retrofitting the current building, the Department needs to be creative with substations to avoid the costs associated with new construction. She stated there are many other priorities in the City competing for funding, including staff retention and salaries across the board. She stated that the City needs to create a 10-year Capital Improvement Plan that outlines what projects need to get done and how to pay for them. She said there needs to be collaboration with the Finance team, a commitment to a robust approach to transparency and quarterly updates to the Commission.
In response to a question from Commissioner Strand asking if the City is still considering purchasing the Border States building, Mayor Mahoney said the City is currently negotiating with the property owner and should know in the next six months if the building will be purchased or not.
Commissioner Kolpack moved to receive, file and adopt the Fargo Police Department Master Facility Plan and direct appropriate staff to develop future phases of work to support plan development, funding and implementation options.

Second by Strand. On call of the roll Commissioners Kolpack, Strand, Preston and Mahoney voted aye.
Commissioner Piepkorn voted nay.
The motion was declared carried.

Fargo Police Department Participation in 2024 Law Enforcement Memorial Event Approved:
Police Chief David Zibolski said in honor of fallen Officer Jake Wallin, members of the Fargo Police Department would like to attend National Police Week May 12-16, 2024 in Washington D.C. He said the event is an annual remembrance of police officers who have died in the line of duty and Officer Wallin’s name will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial Wall. On October 30, 2023 the Board approved edits to the existing Badges of Unity (BOU) Agreement with the PD, which expanded the ability for the community to make charitable contributions to the Department and the Department intends to request and utilize donations to pay expenses, he said. Travel arrangements must be made soon, he said; therefore, the City may be subject to payment if sufficient donations are not received. He said he believes current BOU funds along with those of pledged and future supports should cover the costs.
Commissioner Preston said it is important for the PD to participate; however, she is surprised by the $250,000.00 cost.
In response to a question from Commissioner Preston asking how many officers is the Department planning to send to the event, Chief Zibolski said about 150 have asked to go; however, he knows he will not able to send that many. He said it will all depend on funding and making sure there is adequate staffing.
In response to a question from Commissioner Kolpack asking where fundraising is to date, Chief Zibolski said there is more money coming into the BOU fund and funds are also expected from the Giving Hearts Day campaign.
Robin Nelson, BOU Board, said dollars will be released to the City from the BOU fund to pay for expenses for this event once a total amount is known. She said the BOU is funded through Dakota Medical Foundation’s Impact Foundation. These are not taxpayer dollars, she said, and she is confident that BOU will raise the dollars needed, considering the public sentiment now. If not enough dollars are raised, there are plans in place to reduce the number of participants, she said.
Commissioner Strand moved to approve the commitment of City funds in the event sufficient pledges are not received for the Fargo Police Department’s participation in the 2024 Law Enforcement Memorial event in honor of Officer Jake Wallin in an amount up to $250,000.00 and authorize the Fargo PD to enter into necessary agreements to ensure participation by utilizing the most economically feasible arrangements in a timely manner.

Second by Kolpack. On call of the roll Commissioners Strand, Kolpack, Piepkorn, Preston and Mahoney voted aye.
No Commissioner being absent and none voting nay, the motion was declared carried.

2024 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and Infrastructure Funding Policy Approved:
City Engineer Tom Knakmuhs said there have been conversations about the CIP for years 2024-2027 along with proposed revisions to the Infrastructure Funding Policy. There is a noticeable disparity between infrastructure needs and current revenues generated from the Infrastructure Sales Tax, he said, and without intervention the fund balance for the quarter-cent sales tax allocated to the CIP could go negative by 2026 or 2027. He said while he understands the hesitancy to approve a multi-year CIP, the Engineering Department requires direction on the work to be undertaken in 2024 and if not approved soon, Engineering will not be unable to design, bid and build projects essential for the preservation and improvement of the City’s infrastructure. Recommended revisions to the Infrastructure Funding Policy include a 20% increase to caps for 2024, he said, and modification of the language relating to Concrete Pavement Rehab projects from 50% of project cost and no more than 25% of cap to up to 50% of the cap. He presented the following options to consider:
Option 1:
• Approve the Engineering CIP for 2024 as previously presented.
• Approve the planned Core Neighborhood reconstruction projects for 2025.
• Implement a 20% increase in special assessment caps for 2024.
• When notifying properties within Improvement District Nos. BR-24, BR-24-B1, BR-24-C1, BR-24-E1 and BR-23-G1, the proposed increase in special assessment caps has already been taken into account. Therefore, selecting Option 1 would not increase the amount to be special assessed beyond what has already been communicated.
• The City received less than 4% protest from within the Core Neighborhood project assessment areas.
• Modify the language regarding Concrete Pavement Rehab projects.
• This option ensures a balanced CIP for 2024, aligning anticipated sales tax revenues with expenditures.
Option 2:
• Do not approve a 20% increase in special assessment caps for 2024.
• Instruct the Engineering Department to notify properties in Improvement
District Nos. BR-24-A1, BR-24-B1, BR-24-C1, BR-24-E1 and BR-23-G1 of reduced special assessment amounts; this would be necessary, as previous correspondence has already included the proposed increase.
• Option 2 would result in a revenue shortfall of approximately $2.5 million for the CIP in 2024.
• Approve the Engineering ClP for 2024 as previously presented, but with the elimination of the NP Avenue Road Project No. BR-24-F1 from the 2024 CIP to offset the revenue shortfall.
• Approve the planned Core Neighborhood reconstruction projects for 2025.
• Modify the language regarding Concrete Pavement Rehab projects.
Since the increase in special assessments has already been communicated to the properties within the Improvement Districts listed, he stated, and the City received less than 4% protest and considering an increase in special assessments is likely one of multiple components that will be used to rectify the imbalance between revenues and expenditures in the longer-term CIP, he recommends Option 1. Additionally, he said, his opinion is that delaying the replacement of infrastructure, such as the NP Avenue Road Project, is not in the best long-term interest of the City.
In response to a question from Commissioner Kolpack asking in Option 2, why was the NP Avenue Road Project the one selected to be cut, Mr. Knakmuhs said that project is anticipated to be funded with Prairie Dog Funds for Fargo’s share. He said other projects funded with Prairie Dog Funds include one that has already been bid and awarded and the others are pavement preservation projects. He said the infrastructure on NP Avenue has failed and needs replacing and to delay it one year would be his recommendation versus delaying pavement preservation.
In response to a question from Mayor Mahoney asking if delaying that project would affect the building project already happening on NP Avenue, Mr. Knakmuhs said by agreement, the City has until October 15, 2025 to complete the road project and he believes that can happen next year.
Commissioner Strand asked about the possibility of a third option, such as going with Option 1 but still delaying the NP Avenue Road Project for a year and plan for it in 2025, which would give the City a cushion, Mr. Knakmuhs said that would be possible; however, the CIP is dynamic, he is always taking a look at what was originally approved by City Commission and the funding associated with it, and if projects are coming in under budget, that gives him an opportunity to come back to propose additional projects. He said if projects are over budget, something comes out of the CIP. He will also be more proactive and communicate those impacts better to the City Commission on a quarterly basis, he stated.
In response to a question from Commissioner Strand asking if the NP Avenue Road Project is delayed until 2025, but the cap increase approved, is that doable, Mr. Knakmuhs said it is.
In response to a question from Commissioner Piepkorn asking if the NP Avenue building project is delayed, would pushing back the NP Avenue Road Project still tie it in with the building project, Mr. Knakmuhs said it would.
In response to a question from Commissioner Preston asking about all of the Core Neighborhood projects, where many are back to back in different years and are the special assessment districts limited to just one project so residents are not assessed again, Mr. Knakmuhs said they are limited to just one project.
Commissioner Preston said she is leaning toward the alternative Option 3. She said she has been asking for a long term financial plan, especially infrastructure, and she does not want the action taken tonight to be a Band-Aid. She said the City needs to look deeper and develop a plan that will be more comprehensive.
Mayor Mahoney said City Administration worked with Engineering and recognizes the need to explore all options. He said the best option is Finance, Engineering and Commission looking at different options for a plan going forward, so that is why the recommendation is to approve one year and not two years. He said Commissioner Strand had an interesting idea; however, there are minimal people who objected and some people are only paying 13 percent. In fairness to the community the City has committed to an 80/20 and that is what Engineering after more than two years of study came up with, he said, which is a good deal. He said the only other city in North Dakota to do it is Grand Forks. The City does not have to do the NP Avenue Road Project right away and he agrees with Mr. Knakmuhs that oftentimes Engineering has to be flexible. The economy has not been good as of late, he said, and with mortgage rates at 8 percent, nothing is going on; however, if rates come down to 6 percent or 5 percent, the housing industry will take off and sales taxes will increase.
Commissioner Kolpack said she is pleased the timing of the CIP is going to be the same as the annual budget process. She said only 3.9 percent of the projects had objections; however, the literature sent to residents did not have information about the 20 percent increase and if that language would have been included, she feels there would have been more feedback.
Commissioner Piepkorn said delaying infrastructure is never a good idea. He said the lowest cost for investing in infrastructure is right now and if that is pushed back, it is just going to cost more. He said the half cent sales tax needs to be a part of this and having that discussion going forward will be critical. Now is also the time to update specials, he stated, and this is the first step.
Commissioner Strand said his concern is how the City ended up notifying nearly 2,000 people they would have a cap increase before it was approved.
Commissioner Kolpack said the literature sent to homeowners stated costs were not final. She said now those homeowners they will get a notice stating their portion of the project will be less.
In response to a question from Commissioner Strand asking how much savings the City will see after notifying residents of the reduced special assessment amounts, Mr. Knakmuhs said for the 5 projects it will be $2.5 million, which is why he is proposing elimination of the NP Avenue Road Project in 2024.
In response to a question from Commissioner Strand asking with increases in construction costs, is the increase in the cap adequate, Mr. Knakmuhs said thinking back to the Special Assessments Task Force, the goal was to get to 70/30 in the hope the City could use Prairie Dog Funds to get to 80/20. He said for several years the City did not get Prairie Dog Funds, costs continued to increase and the City got to the 80/20 split naturally. He said without the increase, the City is not meeting the 80/20 split that the policy had intended the City stay at 5 years ago. He said that is why he proposed the increase.
Mayor Mahoney said without the increase there is a shortfall of $2.5 million and the way Engineering is proposing to address that is the elimination of the NP Avenue Road Project from 2024. He said in fairness, residents are getting the best deal they ever got, as normally it would be 80/20 and by people not getting the 20 percent they are paying far less than 20 percent, and that is not fair to those who already pay specials.
Assistant City Administrator Brenda Derrig said the original letters were pre-estimates and the City goes above and beyond to give residents a pre-warning of what they are going to see. She said as projects are finalized, residents get their final estimates.
Commissioner Kolpack moved the 2024 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and Infrastructure Funding Policy be approved using Option No. 2 as the preferred option.

Second by Preston. On call of the roll Commissioners Kolpack, Preston, Piepkorn and Mahoney voted aye.
Commissioner Strand voted nay.
The motion was declared carried.

Fargo-Moorhead Regional Housing Needs Analysis and Strategies Approved:
Planning Director Nicole Crutchfield said the City, under the project management of MetroCOG, was the primary funder for a regional housing study that kicked off in 2022 and finished in 2023. She said the Fargo-Moorhead Regional Housing Needs Analysis and Strategies study outlines a data-focused assessment of housing supply and productions, as well as future demands for the region. She said the final report also outlines short and long-term strategies for implementation. The Planning Commission reviewed the report at the January 2, 2024 meeting, she stated, and made a unanimous recommendation to the City Commission for approval. She said MetroCOG is now working on a Regional Housing Commission and Planning is working on a few things regarding financing and different components on the regional and local recommendations.
In response to a question from Mayor Mahoney asking how many housing units does the City need, Ms. Crutchfield said about 8,000 and with the current building trajectory, the City is on pace to meet that number; however, she is not sure the right housing types are being built.
In response to a question from Commissioner Preston asking if the MetroCOG Regional Housing Commission will help filter out what is going to be done regionally versus citywide, Ms. Crutchfield said the City is already integrating the housing study into the Growth Plan analysis and Land Development Code (LDC) recommendations.
Commissioner Preston moved the Fargo-Moorhead Regional Housing Needs Analysis and Strategies be approved.

Second by Piepkorn. On call of the roll Commissioners Preston, Piepkorn, Kolpack, Strand and Mahoney voted aye.
No Commissioner being absent and none voting nay, the motion was declared carried.

Downtown InFocus Take Action Report Approved:
Planning Director Nicole Crutchfield said in 2016, Interface Studio was hired to facilitate a comprehensive planning process for Downtown resulting in the Downtown lnFocus: A Blueprint for Fargo's Core being adopted in 2018. In 2022, the City again hired Interface Studio to assess operational process, data and confirm goals and targeted engagement, pandemic impact and Downtown Community Partnership alignment with the Downtown lnFocus, she said. An implementation plan has been created, she said, following stakeholder outreach and coordination to identify implementation steps. The Downtown lnFocus Take Action highlights 20 priorities and lays out action steps for implementing these priorities over the course of the next 5 to 10 years, she said, and the report is meant to be a living document and considered an addendum to the Downtown lnFocus plan adopted in 2018. As observations and findings occur over time, she stated, there will be a need to keep the report updated. Scott Page with Interface Studio presented an overview of the implementation plan to the City Commission and other stakeholder groups on November 13th, she said, and following the presentation, members of the community were invited to review and provide comments on the draft plan. At the December Planning Commission meeting, she said, the final draft of the report was presented and at the January Planning Commission meeting, the updated report was reviewed and a unanimous recommendation to the City Commission for adoption was made.
Commissioner Kolpack moved the Downtown InFocus Take Action Report be approved.

Second by Preston. On call of the roll Commissioners Kolpack, Preston, Strand and Mahoney voted aye.
Commissioner Piepkorn voted nay.
The motion was declared carried.

Applications for Property Tax Exemptions for Improvements Made to Buildings Approved:
a. Jason and Sara Hinkle, 1538 11th Street North (5 years).
b. Gary and Pamela Lorenz, 6409 14th Street South (5 years).
c. Betsy Stadick and Peter Cossette, 2013 26th Avenue South (5 years).
d. April Peterson and Joshua Steier, 3325 43rd Avenue South (5 years).
e. Kennedy Court Investments, LLC, 809 Kennedy Court North (5 years).
f. Kennedy Court Investments, LLC, 813 Kennedy Court North (5 years).
Commissioner Piepkorn moved the applications be approved.

Second by Preston. On call of the roll Commissioners Piepkorn, Preston, Kolpack, Strand and Mahoney voted aye.
No Commissioner being absent and none voting nay, the motion was declared carried.

Liaison Commissioner Assignment Updates:
The Commissioners gave reports on the Boards and Committees on which they serve.

The Mayor moved that the Board adjourn to 5:00 o’clock p.m., Monday, January 22, 2024.
The time at adjournment was 6:41 o’clock p.m.