Fargo City Commission - June 10, 2024 Minutes

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 o'clock p.m., Monday, June 10, 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: Residents are encouraged to volunteer at the Carlson Library Learning Garden; a jigsaw puzzle social and swap will be at 9:00 a.m. on June 15th at the Downtown Library; 1,600 readers of all ages have registered for the Summer Reading Challenge; the first draft of the 2024 Fargo Growth Plan is available online at FargoGrowthPlan.org and
includes a link to share comments; the 5th Annual Fargo Juneteenth celebration will be June 15th from noon to 6:00 p.m. at Broadway Square; and a video was viewed of the Employee Recognition event held May 30th when 136 employees were recognized for their years of public service.
Mayor Mahoney stated the new rules for the Commission Chambers include the exclusion of signs and flags. He said in this case, perhaps people did not understand the new rules; however, he cautioned that those in attendance who choose not to be respectful of the rules could be charged with trespassing.

Order of Agenda Approved:
Mayor Mahoney said there is a correction to Item No. “11f” on the Consent Agenda; it should read “North Dakota Horse Park Foundation at Edgewood Tavern,” not “Horse Race North Dakota at Edgewood Tavern.”
Commissioner Piepkorn moved the Order of the Agenda be approved, correcting Item No. “11f” as stated.
Second by Kolpack. All the Commissioners voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Minutes Approved:
Commissioner Strand moved that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board held on May 28, 2024 be approved as read.
Second by Piepkorn. All the Commissioners voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Consent Agenda Approved:
Commissioner Kolpack moved the Consent Agenda be approved as follows:
1. Letter of Support for the YWCA childcare project to the ND Opportunity Fund Consortium.
2. Receive and file the Summons and Complaint relating to U.S. Bank National Association v. Lori Jill Eveland, et al.
3. Receive and file the Summons and Complaint relating to Michelle Kommer and HighRoad Partners, LLC v. City of Fargo.
4. 2nd reading, waive reading and final adoption of an Ordinance Amending Section 20-0401 of Article 20-04 of Chapter 20 of the Fargo Municipal Code (Land Development Code) Relating to Use Regulations; 1st reading, 5/28/24.
5. 2nd reading, waive reading and final adoption of an Ordinance Amending Section 25-1509.1 (D) of Article 25-15 of Chapter 25 of the Fargo Municipal Code Relating to Alcoholic Beverages; 1st reading, 5/28/24.
6. 2nd reading, waive reading and final adoption of an Ordinance Amending Section 25-1506 (CC) of Article 25-15 of Chapter 25 of the Fargo Municipal Code Relating to Alcoholic Beverages; 1st reading, 5/28/24.
7. 2nd reading, waive reading and final adoption of an Ordinance Amending Sections 25-1501 of Article 25-15 of Chapter 25 of the Fargo Municipal Code Relating to Alcoholic Beverages; 1st reading, 5/28/24.
8. 2nd reading, waive reading and final adoption of an Ordinance Amending Sections 25-1503 of Article 25-15 of Chapter 25 of the Fargo Municipal Code Relating to Alcoholic Beverages; 1st reading, 5/28/24.
9. 2nd reading, waive reading and final adoption of an Ordinance Amending Sections 25-1509 of Article 25-15 of Chapter 25 of the Fargo Municipal Code Relating to Alcoholic Beverages; 1st reading, 5/28/24.
10. 2nd reading, waive reading and final adoption of an Ordinance Amending Section 11-0209 of Article 11-02 of Chapter 11 of the Fargo Municipal Code Relating to Public and Sanitary Nuisances; 1st reading, 5/28/24.
11. Site Authorizations for Games of Chance:
a. Arc Upper Valley at CJ’s Tavern.
b. Arc Upper Valley at Suite Shots.
c. Fargo Post 2 Baseball Club at El Zagal.
d. Fargo Post 2 Baseball Club at Herds and Horns.
e. Horse Race North Dakota at Chub’s Pub.
f. North Dakota Horse Park Foundation at Edgewood Tavern
g. Horse Race North Dakota at Labby’s Bar & Grill.
h. Horse Race North Dakota at Sickies Garage.
i. Horse Race North Dakota at Sidestreet Grille & Pub.
j. Horse Race North Dakota at The Old Broadway.
k. North Dakota Horse Race Foundation at The Boiler Room.
l. Northern Prairie Performing Arts at 701 Eateries.
m. Roy Chandler Post 762 at VFW Club.
n. Special Olympics North Dakota at Rooters Bar.
o. Team Makers Club, Inc. at Fargo Dome.
p. West Fargo Baseball, Inc. at Puerto Vallarta Bar and Grill.
12. Applications for Games of Chance:
a. Easton Hoffman Benefit for a raffle 7/17/24; Public Spirited Resolution.
b. Steve Weidner FM Junior Tour for a calendar raffle 7/1/24-6/30/25.
c. Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN for a raffle every Monday from 7/1/24-6/30/25 and 10/7/24.
d. Villa Nazareth dba CHI Friendship for a raffle 10/11/24.
13. First Amendment to Agreement with Passport Labs, Inc. for citation management and parking services until 12/31/24.
14. Farm Lease (Oak Grove) with Chad Johnson and Kyle Johnson for 5636, 5638, 6054 and 6056 Veterans Boulevard South.
15. Site Amenities and Project Plan - Interstate Business District Addition Amendment No. 1 and Amendment to Developer Agreements with Storage Kings ND, LLC and ARD Properties, LLC.
16. Amendment No. 2 in the amount of $86,000.00 with Houston Engineering Inc. for Project No. NR-24-B0.
17. Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $0.00 for Project No. SN-23-B1.
18. Bid award to Key Contracting, Inc. in the amount of $44,500.00 for Project No. UR-24-H1.
19. Contract and bond for Project No. UR-24-G1.
20. Memorandum of Offer to Landowner for Permanent Easement (Street and Utility) with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (Improvement District No. BR-23-G2).
21. Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $33,043.34 and 20-calendar day time extension to Phases 1A and 1B for Improvement District No. BR-24-B1.
22. No protests received and declared insufficient for Improvement District No. AN-24-B.
23. Create Improvement District No. BN-24-C (New Paving and Utility Construction).
24. Contract and bond for Improvement District No. AN-24-A1.
25. Contract and bond for Improvement District No. BR-24-F1.
26. Contract and bond for Improvement District No. BR-24-G1.
27. Contract and bond for Improvement District No. NR-23-C5.
28. Contract and bond for Improvement District No. NR-23-C6.
29. Contract and bond for Improvement District No. PN-24-A1.
30. Contract and bond for Improvement District No. PR-24-A1.
31. Amendment No. 1 to the Engineer Agreement with KLJ Engineering LLC in the amount of $16,840.00 for Fire Station No. 5 renovations (RFP24010).
32. Set June 24, 2024 at 5:15 p.m. as the date and time for a Public Hearing on a dangerous building located at 909 4th Street North.
33. Set June 24, 2024 at 5:15 p.m. as the date and time for a Public Hearing on a dangerous building located at 1449 4th Avenue South.
34. Update to the Electronic Communications Policy No. 200-016.
35. Termination of Consent Party Rights of the City of Fargo – Golden Valley Third Addition.
36. Extension of Household Hazardous Waste Services Agreements with Clean Harbors Environmental Service, Inc. and Recycle Technologies, Inc. effective 6/1/24-5/31/27.
37. Bid advertisement for Project No. WA2404 (Lime Softening WTP Pretreatment Bypass).
38. Amendment No. 1 to Engineer Agreement with Apex Engineering Group, Inc. in the amount of $48,885.00 for Project No. WA2055.
39. Bills in the amount of $9,769,563.04.
Second by Preston. On call of the roll Commissioners Kolpack, Preston, Piepkorn, Strand and Mahoney voted aye.
No Commissioner being absent and none voting nay, the motion was declared carried.

Jennifer Faul Appointed to the Position of Director of Fargo Cass Public Health:
Assistant City Administrator Brenda Derrig said that in preparation for the retirement of Director of Fargo Cass Public Health Desi Fleming, the City conducted a national search for candidates for that position. She said there were 26 applicants and the selection Committee interviewed six before naming four finalists. She said after the four finalists were interviewed and ranked, Jennifer Faul received an offer of employment contingent upon approval by the City Commission. She said Ms. Faul has many years of experience working in the healthcare industry, has a master’s degree in social work and is working toward her Ph.D.

Ms. Faul said she has worked in the behavioral health realm for 27 years and looks forward to the opportunity to serve Fargo and Cass County in a different way.

Commissioner Preston moved the appointment of Jennifer Faul to the position of Director of Fargo Cass Public Health, effective June 17, 2024, be approved.
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.

Applications for Abatement or Refund of Taxes #4560 and #4561 Requesting a Reduction in Value for the 2022 and 2023 Tax Years on Property Located at 1019 4th Avenue South Approved:
City Assessor Michael Splonskowski said the applicant filed for abatement of taxes on the residence located at 1019 4th Avenue South for the years 2022 and 2023. This is a property that staff had not been able to get into for more than 10 years to see if there are modifications; however, the applicant pulled a permit for extensive work in 2020 and staff was able to obtain access recently and verified the house had been gutted. He said with the information provided by the owner and the staff appraiser’s review, along with current market conditions and specifics of the property, a reduction in value is supported for 2022 from $156,800.00 to $99,500.00 and for 2023, a reduction from $167,800.00 to $99,500.00.

Commissioner Kolpack moved, based upon Mr. Splonskowski's recommendation, that the applications for abatement or refund of taxes #4560 and #4561 filed by Khna Chroeung requesting value adjustments for the 2022 and 2023 tax years on property located at 1019 4th Avenue South be approved.
Second by Preston. On call of the roll Commissioners Kolpack, Preston, Piepkorn, Strand and Mahoney voted aye.
No Commissioner being absent and none voting nay, the motion was declared carried.

Hearing to Consider a Renewal Plan and Developer Agreement with JS2L Partners, LLP for the Tax Increment Financing District No. 2024-01 Continued to June 24, 2024:
A Hearing had been set for this day and hour on a Renewal Plan and Developer Agreement with JS2L Partners, LLP for the Tax Increment Financing District No. 2024-01; however, staff is asking that this Hearing be continued to 5:15 p.m. on June 24, 2024.

Commissioner Strand moved the Hearing be continued to 5:15 o’clock p.m. on June 24, 2024.
Second by Piepkorn. On call of the roll Commissioners Strand, Piepkorn, Preston, Kolpack and Mahoney voted aye.
No Commissioner being absent and none voting nay, the motion was declared carried.

Application Filed by Precision Dental Laboratories, Inc. for a Five-Year Property Tax Exemption (PILOT) Approved:
A Hearing had been set for this day and hour on an application filed by Precision Dental Laboratories, Inc. for a property tax exemption for a manufacturing expansion project at 1841 Sheyenne Loop North.
No written protests have been filed for the attention of the Board.
The Board determined that no person is present at this Hearing to protest or offer objection thereto.

Strategic Planning and Research Director Jim Gilmour said the request comes with a recommendation of approval from the Economic Development and Incentives Committee.

Ryan Asheim, Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation, said the company majors in precision manufacturing of dental implants, so has an aspect of traditional manufacturing with an artistic element. He said they have been operating since 1985 Downtown and this is a true expansion as the company grows their enterprise.

Ian Johnson, Precision Dental Laboratories, said the company specializes in implants, crowns and bridges and removable dental restorations and since 1985 has grown to 40 employees. They use CAD design, CNC milling and 3D printing, as well as analog traditional hands-on approaches, he said, and moving and expanding into a facility specifically designed for their intensions would improve efficiency immediately and add employees.

Commissioner Piepkorn moved that the application filed by Precision Dental Laboratories, Inc. for a five-year 100% property tax exemption pursuant to Chapter 40-57.1, NDCC be approved.
Second by Kolpack. On call of the roll Commissioners Piepkorn, Kolpack, Preston, Strand and Mahoney voted aye.
No Commissioner being absent and none voting nay, the motion was declared carried.

Hearing on Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) 2024 HUD Action Plan, Proposed Amendments to the 2023 HUD Action Plan, Proposed Amendments to the 2020-2024 HUD Consolidated Plan and Proposed Amendments to the Citizen Participation Plan:
A Hearing had been set for this day and hour on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) 2024 HUD Action Plan, Proposed Amendments to the 2023 HUD Action Plan, Proposed Amendments to the 2020-2024 HUD Consolidated Plan and Proposed Amendments to the Citizen Participation Plan for the use of US Housing and Urban Development funds.

Planning Director Nicole Crutchfield said the federal government has done the appropriations for Community Development Block Grant dollars and HOME program dollars and those can now be allocated through the application process that opened last fall. The 30-day review process is under way for the 2024 Action Plan Proposal, she said, which is the last year of the 5-year Consolidated Plan. She outlined the 2024 Action Plan proposed activities based on grant applications received and said there are minor amendments which are generally overages or underages of past projects put back into 2024 program dollars. The Citizen Participation Plan (CPP) is updated, she said, with a public hearing process added. She said to date, no public comments have been received. She said the proposal is being presented tonight as a Public Hearing and final consideration is planned for the June 24, 2024 Regular Meeting of the City Commission.
Mayor Mahoney closed the Public Hearing.

Items from the FAHR Staff Meeting Approved:
Finance Director Susan Thompson said the items are from the June 3, 2024 FAHR staff meeting on June 3rd and all are fairly routine.
a. Receive and File - Sales Tax Update.
b. Budget Adjustment in the amount of $80,325.00 for the purchase of a truck and equipment from the street lighting and traffic control device utility.
c. Extension of the 2023-2024 Highway Deicing Salt contract with Compass Minerals America Inc. for the 2024-2025 snow season at a price of $120.69 per ton (RFP22068).
d. Accept the NDDES Public Assistance Grant Program Subgrant Agreement for FEMA-4760-DR under CFDA 97.036 for the December 2023 Ice Storm Cost Recovery.
e. Workforce Development Partnership Agreement with the University of Mary.

Commissioner Piepkorn moved that the items submitted from the FAHR staff meeting be approved as presented.
Second by Kolpack. On call of the roll Commissioners Piepkorn, Kolpack, Preston, Strand and Mahoney voted aye.
No Commissioner being absent and none voting nay, the motion was declared carried.

Construction Update:
City Engineer Tom Knakmuhs said there have been no safety incidents reported. Completed projects include Golden Valley 7th Addition; Meadow View Addition; Citywide crack fill; 714 Hackberry Drive South demolition and 2414 7th Avenue North demolition; he said. Ongoing rehab and reconstruction projects include: 1st Avenue South near Bell Bank; 7th Street North Phases 1 and 2 and NP Avenue; 9th Street South Phases 1-3; South Woodcrest Drive North; and 1st Street North, he said. There has been a lot of rain recently and contractors have been impacted, he said, so some change orders may be processed. There was an emergency sewer repair project on 30th Avenue South, he said, contractors are working in multiple sections doing asphalt mill and overlay, and the 42nd Street over I-94 bridge rehab project will result in a 60-day closure of the 42nd Street. He said Phase 1 of the 32nd Avenue South concrete rehab project has reduced traffic to one lane. Contractors are working on city-wide concrete sidewalk repairs, as well as traffic signal maintenance and pavement marking replacement, he said. New development projects are on 45th Street North, 46th Avenue North, Alexander Drive South, and east of Sheyenne Street on 52nd Avenue, he said, where the roundabout is expected to close soon. He said the new Red River Shared Use Path is complete, with work underway installing benches and garbage receptacles. Flood Risk Management projects include Storm Lift Stations 47 and 48, he said.

State of Wisconsin Request for Assistance from Fargo Police Department Approved:
Police Chief David Zibolski said the State of Wisconsin is requesting 15 Fargo Police Officers to assist with the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. He said the officers would assist with crowd management starting July 13, 2024 and would depart on July 19th. Crowd management staff has evaluated what can be supported, he said, and the City Attorney is working the legal aspects out with the State of Wisconsin and the ND Department of Emergency Services. All of their costs, personnel, overtime and benefits are reimbursed, he said, and command staff is able to support this without additional overtime or measures. This is assisting an agency and State that helped our State during the DAPL protest, he said, and the value, experience and knowledge that personnel will gain is invaluable. He said Governor Doug Burgum is a potential vice president candidate and if that should happen, there is more potential activity in North Dakota and Fargo.

Commissioner Kolpack said she struggles with the issue as this is the busiest time of year for the department and there is public commentary about the need for additional local presence for safety concerns and traffic. She said she has a hard time supporting the request.

Chief Zibolski said this is separate from traffic and safety issues. He said he has discussed this with his staff and is confident in the staffing plan and the ability to send officers. This will be beneficial to the team and to the City, he said. Traffic is a regular persistent issue, he said, and this is a six-day, short-term commitment.

Commissioner Strand said the topic of mutual aid has been seen numerous times and this would support North Dakota delegates and Fargo residents who are in that City for the convention. He said he cannot imagine getting support from others when and where needed here if the City refused such support.

Commissioner Preston said she understands the traffic enforcement unit may not be available until fall; however, she pointed out that the perception of the public is an issue here.

Commissioner Strand moved the State of Wisconsin’s request for assistance from the Fargo PD personnel for the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee be approved.
Second by Piepkorn. On call of the roll Commissioners Strand, Piepkorn, Preston and Mahoney voted aye.
Commissioner Kolpack voted nay.
he motion was declared carried.

Presentation on Dangerous Driving and Loud Muffler Issues:
Police Chief David Zibolski said this is a follow-up from a presentation in April when the Board requested a report on options for dangerous driving and illegal exhaust systems. Officers are making traffic stops as time allows between calls for service, he said; however, additional staff is needed overall as proposed in his budget request. A COPS Grant was approved for six positions to re-establish the Traffic Safety Team, he said, and once field training is complete in late August, the Traffic Safety Team can be reconstituted. He shared heat maps of traffic stop activities that show activity in the main corridors and he said, efforts are concentrated in those areas. A statute to get registration suspended for “fix-it” citations is being explored rather than the current long bureaucratic process currently in place, he stated. A mix of grant and overtime money, plus partnerships with Cass County and the North Dakota Highway Patrol, allows extra overtime efforts, he said. Dangerous driving and speeding violation fees are nominal and have no deterrent effect, he said, so legislative support would help. Some jurisdictions have seized nuisance vehicles, he said, and in one community that proved to be an effective major deterrent factor. Fleeing vehicles continue to be a significant issue in Fargo, he said, and he feels there could be support in the next legislative session to again bring an owner liability law that would allow owners to identify a fleeing driver or receive a noncriminal fine.

Assistant City Attorney Ian McLean said there is a need to increase penalties for infractions such as speeding, exhibition driving and racing and to double or escalate fines. He said recategorizing requires a State law change. In North Dakota, he said, if 12 points are accumulated, a license is suspended for a period of time. It would be more of a deterrent if reckless driving points were higher than 8 points, and there needs to be a change to fleeing, he said. It is alarming that there are 5 to 6 people fleeing every week, he said. Photo radar brings complications to costs, he said; however, 18 states currently use photo radar for speeding and while not expressly prohibited, it would likely need a change to State law. He said City Article 11-04 allows the City to declare a vehicle a public nuisance, which in most cases now is an abandoned vehicle, and the abatement process could possibly be used for unlawful vehicles with some revisions to address due process and a mechanism to bring vehicles into compliance.

Commissioner Preston said the City must move forward with something so the citizens begin to understand their concerns are being addressed. There must be some local tools that can be used, she said, perhaps not synchronizing stoplights in the evenings to slow traffic.

In response to a question from Commissioner Strand asking if there could be a way to have the service providers not contribute or allow illegal modifications to their vehicles, such as when a local shop tints windows dark beyond statute or modifies a muffler, Mr. McLean said business in Fargo can be regulated. He said the issue is that many doing modifications are not local or done by the owner.

Chief Zibolski said the department is moving quickly to implement and augment additional traffic enforcement. A top priority is to bring some deterrence into what is going on with the very big public safety traffic issue, he said. It is an issue at a national level and long-term issues require support from the State legislative delegation, he said. He would ask the Board to consider the options presented and to consider what type of legislative efforts to work on, he said.

Mayor Mahoney said the Commission as a whole would like recommendations from Chief Zibolski and Mr. McLean to take to the legislative body. The Commissioners would need to commit to working with lobbyists and the League of Cities, he said. Some people feel a photo of who is breaking the law and then presenting them with a fine is a violation to personal liberties, he said. Also, he said, there is the urban issue versus small communities so perhaps something that makes it okay for a city of a specific size to enhance fines or something different could be considered.

Commissioner Kolpack said she would like Mr. McLean and Chief Zibolski to come back with what can be done immediately and in the longer term. Local legislators are open to regular conversations and talking with them about specific issues collectively, which is something that needs to happen soon, as well as working with the lobbyist for the agenda of the next legislative session.

Commissioner Strand said technology enhancements need to be considered and budgeted. He said there are things like Flock camera license plate readers and 911 response drones that could be considered.

Commissioner Preston said specific recommendations are needed for a local Ordinance that can be beefed up, changed or enhanced as well as any other initiatives.
Chief Ziboloski said recommendations can be brought to the Board at the next meeting.

Reduced Speed Limit on 52nd Avenue South from I-29 to the Sheyenne River Reduced from 45 mph to 40 mph Effective June 18, 2024 Approved:
City Engineer Tom Knakmuhs said the speed reduction request came from an adjacent business. 52nd Avenue South is a busy arterial roadway across the southern part of Fargo, he said, and connects to Moorhead and West Fargo with access to I-29, along with numerous commercial and residential areas. The daily traffic volume in 2021 near the Sheyenne River was 8,665, he stated, and moving east, traffic volumes are more than 27,000 near I-29. This roadway used to be a two-lane County road, he said, before the City took it over and reconstructed it to a median-divided, four-lane and six-lane roadway. He said the area is filling in with development, there are more people using the corridor and a lower speed is a step in a safer direction. The other reason is to have some consistency on arterial roadways in this area, he said, and if this change is made, speeds on arterials will be either 35 or 40 mph. He said the Traffic Technical Advisory Committee unanimously recommended the speed limit be reduced.

In response to a question from Commissioner Preston asking why speed limits on arterials vary, Mr. Knakmuhs said many streets east of the Interstate are adjacent to residential. He said staff is considering scheduling something with West Fargo, Cass County and Horace for a regional conversation about speed limits on arterials.

Commissioner Strand moved that the speed limit on 52nd Avenue South from I-29 to the Sheyenne River be reduced from 45 mph to 40 mph effective June 18, 2024.
Second by Preston. On call of the roll Commissioners Strand, Preston, Kolpack and Mahoney voted aye.
Commissioner Piepkorn voted nay.
The motion was declared carried.

Assistant City Administrator Directed to Report Back to the City Commission in Two Weeks with a Summary of Policy and Ordinance Recommendations to Manage Encampments on Public Property to Align with the Housing First Philosophy:
Commissioner Denise Kolpack said encampments on public property and along the Red River have increased and have become more visible over the past few months, especially with the river flooding levels. Over the last year, she said, City staff have been meeting with Park District staff to discuss encampments and how to manage the issue consistently. To understand all related issues, as well as current realities and impacts to City Departments, she said, she would like the Assistant City Administrator to compile a summary of policy recommendations for encampments on public property consistent with the Housing First philosophy. Additionally, she said, if from those recommendations it is identified that any City Ordinances need to be updated or created, she would instruct collaboration with the City Attorney to produce any Ordinance changes as part of the overall recommendations to the Commission for consideration and adoption.

Assistant City Administrator Brenda Derrig said the Downtown Engagement Center (DEC) staff is valuable to the conversation, as is the Park District staff. She said the river corridor is a mixture of City and Park District owned property and the goal is that a situation would be handled the same whatever property is in question.
In response to a question from Commissioner Preston asking if the adoption of the Housing First philosophy can be part of this effort, Ms. Derrig said she will work on that with DEC and Harm Reduction staff.

Commissioner Piepkorn said permitting camping on public property includes everyone, not just certain people. It is important to clarify that there is no discrimination, the policy applies to everyone, he said, and it concerns him that property owners with a back yard that goes to the river could have anyone in the public camping in their back yards. Places like the Lindenwood campgrounds have showers and bathrooms and without that there are public health issues, he said. The Park District is no longer removing encampments, he said, so camping along the river is being allowed.

Mayor Mahoney said camping is happening on public property now and no policy is in place prohibiting it. He said the goal is to have a policy that does not allow people camping in public spaces.

Commissioner Kolpack said she is asking for an objective review of the current Ordinances for consideration and to have discussion on the recommendations by the Commission.

Commissioner Kolpack moved to direct the Assistant City Administrator to report back to the City Commission in two weeks with a summary of policy and Ordinance recommendations to manage encampments on public property to align with the Housing First philosophy.
Second by Preston. On call of the roll Commissioners Kolpack, Preston, Strand, Piepkorn 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.

Resident Comments:
Sumaya Abukar, Heidi Solman, Allison Slavik and Olivia Fischer (via conference call) spoke about censorship, use of tax dollars and Gaza.

The time at adjournment was 6:38 o’clock p.m.