Far More is Happening Here

Fargo City Commission - July 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 4:30 o'clock p.m., Monday, July 8, 2024.
The Commissioners present or absent were as shown following:
Present: Kolpack, Piepkorn, Strand, Turnberg, Mahoney.
Absent: None.
Mayor Mahoney presiding.

Mayor Mahoney announced the Board of City Commissioners will retire into Executive Session in the Red River Room for the purpose of attorney consultation regarding potential opioid litigation with Indivior, Inc. and/or Mylan N.V., to receive its attorneys’ advice and guidance on the legal risks, strengths and weaknesses of an action of a public entity, which, to discuss these matters in open meeting will have a negative fiscal effect on the bargaining and/or litigation position of the City. Thus, an Executive Session for these matters is authorized pursuant to North Dakota Century Code 44-04-19.1 subsections 2, 5 and 9.
Commissioner Kolpack moved the Commissioners meet in Executive Session in the Red River Room as authorized by NDCC, Section 44-04-19.1 subsection 2, 5 and 9 to discuss said matter.

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

At 4:34 o’clock p.m. the Board moved to the Red River Room to discuss said matter in Executive Session.
Members present were: Kolpack, Piepkorn, Strand, Turnberg and Mahoney.

The Executive Session closed at 4:45 p.m. and the meeting reconvened in public session at 5:00 o’clock p.m.
All Commissioners present. Mayor Mahoney presiding.

Commissioner Turnberg moved in the matter titled City of Fargo v. Purdue Pharma L.P. et al the City Attorney’s office be authorized to inform the Plaintiff’s Executive Committee that the City of Fargo will not be joining in any motion to amend the pleadings to add claims against Indivior, Inc. and Mylan N.V.

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

The Mayor read a message with the following information: The Environmental Health Division of Fargo Cass Public Health hosted a food truck event in June; the Downtown Library will host a reverse glass painting workshop for teens on July 19th at 1:00 p.m. and Chess Club sessions for all ages are scheduled Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m. through the summer; the value of construction in Fargo for the first six months of 2024 is higher than last year at $472 million and the value last year was $389 million, the largest projects are the $131 million Airport expansion and the $48 million Downtown NP Development; a video was viewed recognizing Fargo Cass Public Health Director Desi Fleming’s retirement after spending 32 years with Team Fargo.

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

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

Judge Steve Dawson administered the Oath of Office to Commissioners Michelle Turnberg and John Strand.

Minutes Approved:
Commissioner Piepkorn moved that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board held on June 24, 2024 be approved as read.

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

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

1. Interest Buydown Agreement - Pace Program with the Bank of North Dakota received by the Roosevelt Family Lofts LLC.
2. Letter of Support for the APH Stores Project to the ND Opportunity Fund Consortium.
3. 2nd reading, waive reading and final adoption of an Ordinance Rezoning Certain Parcels of Land Lying in Selkirk Place Second Addition to the City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota; 1st reading, 6/24/24.
4. 2nd reading, waive reading and final adoption of an Ordinance Rezoning Certain Parcels of Land Lying in Chas A. Roberts Addition to the City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota; 1st reading, 6/24/24.
5. 2nd reading, waive reading and final adoption of an Ordinance Rezoning Certain Parcels of Land Lying in Rocking Horse Farm Seventh Addition to the City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota; 1st reading, 6/24/24.
6. Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Order of the Board of City Commissioners of the City of Fargo and Notice of Entry of Order for property located at 1449 4th Avenue South.
7. Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Order of the Board of City Commissioners of the City of Fargo and Notice of Entry of Order for property located at 909 4th Street North.
8. Accept the results of the Cass County Canvassing Board for the June 11, 2024 Primary election and declare candidates elected.
9. Applications for Games of Chance:
a. EagleRidge Legacy Fund, Inc. for a raffle on 7/18/24.
b. El Zagal Provost for a sports pool from 9/8/24-1/5/25.
c. Fargo Gateway Lions for a raffle on 7/16/24.
d. Fargo North High Football for a raffle on 7/23/24.
e. Fargo North High School for a raffle on 4/5/25.
f. Fargo North High School – Coli for a raffle from 11/11/24-2/14/25.
g. Fargo North High School for a raffle on 12/7/24.
h. Fargo North High School for a raffle on 8/8/24-2/21/25.
i. Holy Spirit Catholic Church for a raffle on 10/13/24.
j. North Dakota Backcountry Hunters and Anglers for a raffle on 8/1/24.
k. St. Anthony of Padua Parish Fall Bazaar for a raffle on 9/29/24.
10. Extension of a Class “N” Alcoholic Beverage License for Horse Race North Dakota d/b/a The North Dakota Horse Park until 6/30/25.
11. Change Order No. 2 in the amount of $19,225.19 and time extension for Project No. FM-21-A2.
12. Bid award to Asphalt Surface Tech Corp in the amount of $538,918.12 for Project No. PR-24-F2.
13. Final Balancing Change Order No. 4 in the amount of $34,758.84 for Improvement District No. BN-23-C1.
14. Final Balancing Change Order No. 2 in the amount of $14,992.50 for Improvement District No. PR-23-E1.
15. Memorandum of Offer to Landowner for an Easement (Temporary Construction Easement) with Cass Oil, LLC (Improvement District No. BR-23-G2).
16. Contract and bond for Improvement District No. AN-24-B1.
17. Certificate of Substantial Completion for Newman Outdoor Field Exiting Improvements 2023-2024 Project (RFQ18084).
18. Eleventh Amended Lease Agreement with North Dakota State University and Fargo Dome Authority.
19. NDDES FY 2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant Application (CFDA #97.042).
20. Notice of Grant Award from ND Department of Health and Human Services for increasing immunization rates (CFDA #93.268).
21. Notice of Grant Award from ND Department of Health and Human Services for PHEP-EPR All Hazards Allocation (CFDA #93.069).
22. Notice of Grant Award from ND Department of Health and Human Services for Women’s Way program (CFDA #93.898).
23. Notice of Grant Award Amendment from the ND Department of Health and Human Services for PHEP workforce supplemental funding (CFDA #93.354).
24. Financial Award from ND Housing Finance Agency for emergency shelter operations.
25. Agreement for Provision of Health Services for Cass County by Fargo Cass Public Health.
26. Bid award to Sanitation Products Inc. in the amount $357,585.00 for the purchase of one high compaction front load refuse truck (RFP24242).
27. Lease Agreements with the Diocese of Fargo and Fargo Public School District for recycling drop sites.
28. Bid award to Poynette Iron Works in the amount of $362,390.00 for front load containers (RFP24228).
29. Mass Transit Agreement with the City of West Fargo.
30. Exempt Purchase from Filmtec Corporation in the amount of $124,650.00 for Effluent Reuse Facility Ultra Filtration Membranes (EX24254).
31. Bills in the amount of $8,474,687.20.

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

Update on the Grants Pass Ruling:
City Attorney Nancy Morris said the document she shared from the International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) newsletter with the Commissioners includes an article about the Supreme Court ruling on the Grants Pass v. Johnson ruling and sums it up fast. She said the IMLA filed an Amicus Brief in the Johnson Grants Pass decision of June 28, 2024 from the Supreme Court. She read the following from the acritical: Reversing the Ninth District, Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote for the 6-3 majority, which squarely disagreed with the Circuit’s reading of the Eighth Amendment: “The Cruel and Unusual Punishment Clause focuses on the question what ‘method or kind of punishment’ a government may impose after a criminal conviction, not on the question whether a government may criminalize particular behavior in the first place or how it may go about securing a conviction for that offense.” The majority also challenged the intrusion of the judiciary into the complexities of unhoused persons, explaining that the “Constitution’s Eighth Amendment serves many important functions, but it does not authorize federal judges to wrest the rights and responsibilities from the American people” to decide “how best to handle a pressing social question like homelessness” and “in their place dictate this Nation’s homelessness policy.” She said the Supreme Court determined it is not cruel and unusual punishment to not allow camping on public property even though an individual may be homeless and the municipality may take appropriate action to remove the camps. In other words, she said, it is not unconstitutional to make it illegal to camp on public property.
Mayor Mahoney said now staff will look into it and bring ideas and he will visit with Chief Zibolski.
Ms. Morris said Assistant City Administrator Brenda Derrig has spearheaded a number of discussions, including the motion from two weeks ago to work on an Ordinance.
Commissioner Piepkorn said it is important to be on the same page with the Park District. It costs $35.00 per night to camp in Lindenwood Park, he said, and a ticket for illegal camping needs to be more than the cost to camp, perhaps $50.00. Camping on public property should be prohibited, he said, whether on Park District or City property. He said no one should be singled out, it needs to be for everybody, that camping is only permitted in public campgrounds where there is sanitation and safety. This is about camping for everybody, he stated, not just a specific group.
Ms. Morris said the Park District and its counsel have been working collaboratively with the City, as well as the Police Department, Public Works, Harm Reduction, toward a unified approach to mainly address the homelessness issue.
Assistant City Administrator Brenda Derrig said a draft Ordinance will be discussed with those parties mentioned, they have been meeting to discuss homeless camps and how to manage them. She said the involvement with Parks is so all property would be treated the same, whether it is the Park Districts or the City’s. She said they will look to the Commission for direction, a draft Ordinance could come forward or a potential Resolution.
Mayor Mahoney said the staff being brought together are those parties affected to enforce an Ordinance.
Commissioner Strand said addressing the issue on both sides of the river is important.
Mayor Mahoney said there is not jurisdiction across the river; however, he will see that Moorhead is aware.

Hearing to Consider a Renewal Plan and Developer Agreement with JS2L Partners, LLP for Tax Increment Financing District No. 2024-01 Continued to July 22, 2024:
A Hearing had been set for June 10, 2024 on a Renewal Plan and Developer Agreement with JS2L Partners, LLP for Tax Increment Financing District No. 2024-01.
At the June 10, 2024 meeting the Hearing was continued to June 24, 2024.
At the June 24, 2024 meeting the Hearing was continued to this date and hour; however, staff is requesting the Hearing be continued to July 22, 2024.
Commissioner Piepkorn moved the Hearing be continued to 5:15 o’clock p.m. on Monday, July 22, 2024.
Second by Kolpack. On call of the roll Commissioners Piepkorn, Kolpack, Turnberg, Strand and Mahoney voted aye.
No Commissioner being absent and none voting nay, the motion was declared carried.

Hearing on a Dangerous Building Located at 1011 and 1013 University Drive North: City Attorney's Office Directed to Prepare the Appropriate Findings of Fact and Order:
A Hearing had been set for this day and hour on a dangerous building located at 1011 and 1013 University Drive North.
The Board received a communication from Inspections Director Shawn Ouradnik submitting a Notice of Dangerous Building Order. He said this is a two-story duplex built in 1918, it is uninhabitable due to its condition. He said some of the damage includes a collapsed roof on the garage, the roof on the lower south is deteriorated and covered with a tarp, areas of the house fascia and soffit are rotten and/or missing, several broken windows, exterior has areas of deteriorated trim and graffiti, squirrel infestation in the roof and fascia, junk in rear yard, and there are cracks and loose block in the foundation. He said water usage stopped in 2009 and electrical meters were removed in 2021. Initial complaints of a possible dangerous building came in late 2023 and early 2024, he said, and it meets nine out of the ten criteria for a dangerous building. He said since that time, Terry Tegtmeier, who has a contract for deed on the property, was notified that repairs needed to be made to the garage and a permit was issued; however, the work was not completed and the permit expired and was abandoned.
Terry Tegtmeier, contract for deed owner of the property at 1011 and 1013 University Drive North, said he has been in contact with City officials since April regarding the damage to the garage caused by excessive snow and it was agreed he would demo that building. In April upon inspection of the duplex, he said, it was agreed that after the demolition of the garage, the duplex could be repaired. He is waiting for a basement repair specialty company to tell him what could be done, he said. The structure is in good shape for its age, he stated, and the soffit deterioration is a normal occurrence, he has not seen a squirrel infestation as referenced, the tarp referenced was due to previous ice damming so was proactive. He said he is a licensed contractor and would not take on the structure if it were not going to work. Weather was a problem and there was not an area for a roll-off dumpster, he said.
Mr. Ouradnik said if plans to demo the garage and repair the structure are presented, an extension could be requested. The permit has expired, he said, it is dangerous.
Commissioner Piepkorn moved the City Attorney’s Office be directed to prepare and serve the owner with the appropriate Findings of Fact and Order and the Inspections Department be authorized to solicit proposals for the removal of this structure if it is not removed by September 6, 2024, the time allowed by the Board’s Order.

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

Vacation Plat of a Portion of 5th Avenue North Right-of-Way Adjacent to Block 23, Leach and Wells Subdivision Approved (421 4th Street North Adjacent to 415 4th Street North):
A Hearing had been set for this day and hour to consider approval of a vacation plat of a portion of 5th Avenue North right-of-way adjacent to Block 23, Leach and Wells Subdivision.
Current Planning Coordinator Donald Kress said this portion of 5th Avenue North is not used as a public street. He said the area to be vacated encompasses approximately 0.21 acres of public right-of-way and the vacated acres is entirely on the south side of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad tracks. Upon vacation, he said, the vacated area will become part of the adjacent property to the south, 415 4th Street North. Approval was recommended by the Planning Commission on June 4, 2024, he stated.
In response to a question from Commissioner Piepkorn asking if there is a plan for snow removal and existing traffic, Mr. Kress said there is an access easement to be retained mainly for City vehicles. He said as he understands it, the School District is selling their property and they desire this to be adjoined.
Commissioner Piepkorn said a large apartment building is being built next to the area and his concern is the traffic that uses that area.
City Engineer Tom Knakmuhs said there remains public access to the south and west on 3rd Street. The easement being retained over this and the access agreement still provides access, he said, just not as a public right-of-way.
Public Works Director of Operations Ben Dow said the City will not retain it, do asphalt patching, paving or snow removal. He said with the Credit Union no longer there the traffic is greatly reduced; however, there will be cut through traffic.
Commissioner Piepkorn moved the vacation plat of a portion of 5th Avenue North Right-of-Way adjacent to Block 23, Leach and Wells Subdivision be approved.

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

Vacation Plat of a Portion of the West 23.5 Feet of 22nd Street North Right-of-Way Between 7th and 8th Avenue North, Adjacent to Lots 1 and 21 of First Industrial Subdivision of Beardsley’s Addition Approved (2213 7th Avenue North):
A Hearing had been set for this day and hour to consider approval of a vacation plat of a portion of the west 23.5 feet of 22nd Street North right-of-way between 7th and 8th Avenue North, adjacent to Lots 1 and 21 of First Industrial Subdivision of Beardsley’s Addition.
Current Planning Coordinator Donald Kress said this portion of 22nd Street North is not used as a public street. He said the proposed street vacation encompasses approximately 0.032 acres of public right-of-way and upon vacation the vacated area will become part of Lots 1 and 21 of First Industrial Subdivision of Beardsley’s Addition, which are both owned by John T. Jones Construction Company. Approval was recommended by the Planning Commission on April 4, 2024, he stated. A contingency is included in the motion due to late information, a surveyor found a utility line across the property, he said.
Commissioner Strand moved the vacation plat of a portion of the west 23.5 feet of 22nd Street North right-of-way between 7th and 8th Avenue North, adjacent to Lots 1 and 21 of First Industrial Subdivision of Beardsley’s Addition, be approved contingent on final technical review of the plat.

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

Parcels of Land in Cityside Addition Rezoned (202, 208, 210 and 212 6th Avenue North; 509, 511 and 515 3rd Street North):
At a Hearing held on December 5, 2023 the Fargo Planning Commission recommended approval of a change in zoning from MR-3, Multi-Dwelling Residential to DMU, Downtown Mixed Use.
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 plat combines existing lots into one large lot and vacates a portion of right-of-way, retaining an access easement.
In response to a question from Commissioner Piepkorn asking the reason for the change, Nate Vollmuth, Goldmark Design and Development, said the main purpose was for the DMU, Downtown Mixed Use zoning to increase the value in hopes of a sale and redevelopment.
Commissioner Kolpack offered the following Resolution and moved its adoption:
WHEREAS, All legal requirements in connection with the above-described request for rezoning 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.

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

First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning a Certain Parcel of Land Lying in Cityside Addition to the City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota:
Commissioner Kolpack 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 Certain Parcels of Land Lying in Cityside Addition to the City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota be placed on first reading.

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

Resolution Adopted Approving Cityside Addition:
Commissioner Kolpack 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 “Cityside Addition” containing 1 Lot, 1 Block and 1.05 acres of land more or less, located at 202, 208, 210, and 212 6th Avenue North; 509, 511 and 515 3rd Street North; and
WHEREAS, A Hearing was held December 5, 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 June 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2024 that a Hearing would be held in the Commission Chambers, City Hall, Fargo, North Dakota at 5:15 p.m., July 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 “Cityside 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.

Hearing on Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Program Proposed Amendment to the 2023 HUD Action Plan:
Planning Director Nicole Crutchfield said Planning and Development Department staff are proposing an amendment to the 2023 HUD Action Plan for project sites, budgets and scopes identified for an affordable single-family housing for project by the Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity. She said the locations for two housing projects have been identified at 213 and 221 24th Street South. The two adjacent sites will include construction of new affordable, single-family residential twinhomes, she said. Working on single-family properties has been a part of the goal for the five-year Consolidated Plan, she said, and now with an actual property in mind and funding being authorized, the plan can be amended to identify the actual property. The proposed budget for each twinhome unit is $200,000.00, she said, and comments and suggestions from the public will be accepted through July 19th. She said no motion or vote is happening at this meeting; the final City Commission vote will happen at the July 22nd Regular Meeting.
Mayor Mahoney closed the Public Hearing.

Request for Licensing of a Scooter Rental Business Denied:
Division Engineer Kevin Gorder said in the last month, Engineering has been contacted by two individuals who want to be permitted to provide private scooter rental in the City right-of-way. He said these are not the first requests received to place scooters in the City right-of-way as there have been a number of requests over the last few years; however, the previous requests were not pursued by staff or the requesting party. The last two requests are people looking for a permit or license to bring scooters to Fargo, he said, and Engineering has discussed this with Planning and with the City Attorney's Office. Concerns include drop points and sidewalk widths, he said, as some communities have installed drop points. There have been discussions at PWPEC and with the Downtown Task Force, he said, and the general consensus is there is no path to authorize the use of scooters in the City’s current municipal code. He said it appears there is some general update needed to various sections; however, the biggest change would be to rewrite Section 8-20. A section would need to be added to the Municipal Code with the requirements on getting a license well-defined, he stated, along with items such as insurance, safety, any desired restrictions and actions if municipal code is not followed by the scooter companies. City staff does not support the addition of scooters in the City
right-of-way, he said, and if the City Commission would like to allow scooters in the City right-of-way, City staff along with the City Attorney would work to rewrite the Municipal Code and bring it back to the Commission for approval. He said staff is looking for direction from the board and suggests that the City Ordinance be left as written and that there not be licensed scooter rentals in Fargo.
Commissioner Piepkorn said it is another transportation option and it may help concerns if it is restricted where the scooters are placed after rented.
Commissioner Kolpack said case studies in cities allowing this show concerns about liability, placement, drop off locations and required code changes for enforcement. She said it seems so many questions need answers and without more homework on implications in the community, she would support the staff’s recommendation of denial.
Mayor Mahoney said having scooters all over would make Downtown messy due to the narrow sidewalks. He said until there is a good option for drop points and cleaning it up, he would not support it.
Commissioner Strand pointed out that this is not stopping scooter or micromobility options in citizen’s personal lives.
Commissioner Kolpack moved to support staff’s recommendation to deny the request for licensing of a scooter rental business.

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

Items from the FAHR Staff Meeting Approved:
Finance Director Susan Thompson said the sales tax update includes collections for January through April, which is a 5.4 percent increase from last year, the Badges of Unity organization donations were sufficient to cover travel expenses to the Police Week Memorial, the reclass request is to post a .8 FTE position as full time and the positions for Home Health Aides are a 100 percent bill back to Fargo Public Schools.
a. Receive and file Sales Tax update.
b. Accept the Badges of Unity donation and budget adjustment in the amount of $158,790.07 to cover all of the costs associated with travel to Washington, DC for the National Police Week Memorial.
c. Reclassification of the vacant Engineering Technician III position.
d. Authorize the Health Department to add two Home Health Aide contract positions for the school year, contracts will be billed back to Fargo Public Schools.
Commissioner Strand moved that the items be approved as presented.

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

Liaison Commissioner Assignments Approved:
The Board received a communication from Mayor Mahoney stating that after careful consideration, he recommends the following Commissioner assignments:

Kolpack
Departments: Communications & Governmental Affairs, Solid Waste, Water Treatment, Water Reclamation, Fire
Committees: Diversion Authority, Metro Area Transit Coordinating Board, Vector Control, Red River Regional Dispatch Center Board, Utility Committee
Board Liaison: Arts & Culture Commission, Fargo Youth Initiative

Turnberg
Departments: Information Services, Engineering, Library
Committees: Diversion Authority (alternate), Diversion Authority Land Management Committee, Metro COG, Traffic Technical Advisory Committee
Board Liaison: House Moving Board, Library Board, Red River Basin Board (alternate), Special Assessment Commission

Mahoney
Departments: City Commission, Finance/Assessors, Human Resources, Police, Public Works
Committees: Cass County Planning Commission, Diversion Authority, Diversion Authority Finance Committee, Diversion Authority Planning Committee, Economic Development Incentives Committee, GFMEDC, Lake Agassiz Water Authority, Red River Regional Dispatch Center Board, Sustainability & Resiliency Committee, Public Works Projects Evaluation Committee
Board Liaison: Police Advisory and Oversight Board, Renaissance Zone Authority

Piepkorn
Departments: Facilities, Fargodome, Inspections, Planning, Strategic Planning and Research
Committees: Diversion Authority, Diversion Authority Finance Committee, Economic Development Incentives Commission, Fargo Dome Authority Finance Committee, Lake Agassiz Water Authority (alternate), Liquor Control, Metro COG, Core Neighborhoods
Board Liaison: Board of Adjustment, Board of Appeals, Fargo Dome Authority, Historic Preservation Commission, Planning Commission, Red River Basin Board, Renaissance Zone Authority

Strand
Departments: DEI, Health, Transit/Mobility
Committees: Ambulance Service Oversight Committee, Cass Clay Food Commission, Diversion Authority (alternate), Metro Area Transit Coordinating Board, Metro COG, Regional Housing Commission, Sustainability & Resiliency Committee
Board Liaison: Airport Authority, Board of Health, Civil Service, Downtown Community Partnership/InFocus, Housing Authority, Human Rights Commission, Native American Commission

In response to a question from Commissioner Piepkorn asking about the process when the Diversion liaison assignment change happened prior to this vote, Mayor Mahoney said knowing the change was coming and with the timing of the Diversion meetings, he felt it best to be ahead of that.
Commissioner Strand said when he visited with Mayor Mahoney about assignments he requested not to be reappointed to the Diversion Authority and knowing he would not attend the last meeting, he requested an alternate.
Commissioner Strand moved the recommendations submitted by Mayor Mahoney be approved as presented.

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

Commissioner Kolpack Appointed Deputy Mayor:
Mayor Mahoney said his recommendation is to appoint Commissioner Denise Kolpack as Deputy Mayor.
Commissioner Strand moved Commissioner Kolpack be appointed Deputy Mayor.

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

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

Resident Comments:
Isabetta Herrera, Jamie Selzler, Mark Bosserman, Katherine Bosserman and Cori Edgerton spoke.

The time at adjournment was 6:18 o’clock p.m.