Fargo City Commission - January 5, 2026 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 5:00 o'clock p.m., Monday, January 5, 2026.
The Commissioners present or absent were as shown following:
Present: Kolpack, Piepkorn, Strand, Turnberg, Mahoney.
Absent: None.
Mayor Mahoney presiding.
A video was shown honoring retired K-9 Blue and his handler, Sergeant Sam Bollman of the Fargo Police Department.
Order of Agenda Approved:
Commissioner Piepkorn moved the Order of the Agenda be approved, adding an extra item to the end of the Regular Agenda for recommended appointments to the Board of Health.
Second by Kolpack. All the Commissioners voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Minutes Approved:
Commissioner Kolpack moved that the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Board held on December 18, 2025 and the Regular Meeting of the Board held on December 22, 2025 be approved as read.
Second by Strand. All the Commissioners voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Consent Agenda Approved:
Commissioner Piepkorn moved the Consent Agenda be approved as follows:
1. 2nd reading, waive reading and final adoption of an Ordinance Amending Section 1-0305 of Article 1-03, of Chapter 1, of the Fargo Municipal Code Relating to Classification of Ordinance Violations and an Ordinance Amending Section 10-0304 of Article 10-03, of Chapter 10, of the Fargo Municipal Code Relating to Carrying, Possession, Discharge of Dangerous Weapons.
2. Renewal of 2nd Quarter Alcoholic Beverage and Live Entertainment Licenses until 12/31/26, contingent upon all essential requirements for renewal were met by 12/31/25.
3. Application for Games of Chance.
4. Items from FAHR Meeting:
a. Receive and file Sales Tax Update - Accrual basis.
b. Grant award from DAFgiving360 in the amount of $15,000.00 and related budget adjustment.
c. Grant award from Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) Grant Program in the amount of $35,287.22.
d. Commercial Triple Net Lease with Heartland Trust Company, Trustee of the Megan Bergseth Irrevocable Trust dated December 15, 2015 (EX26049).
e. Piggyback purchase through Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with Hussey Seating in the amount of $106,569.00 for 245 stadium seats at the FARGODOME (PBC26050).
5. Bid award to Fugro in the amount of $36,970.33 (Fargo’s share) for the 2026 Digital Orthophoto, Color Aerial Photography, LiDAR Contour Mapping and Planimetric Updates (RFP26019).
6. Resolution approving Plat of Urban Plains by Brandt Eighth Addition (Attachment “A”).
7. Bills in the amount of $8,558,563.33.
Second by Turnberg. On call of the roll Commissioners Piepkorn, Turnberg, Kolpack, Strand and Mahoney voted aye.
No Commissioner being absent and none voting nay, the motion was declared carried.
Presentation from MetroCOG on the 2025 Metro Profile:
Aiden Jung, MetroCOG said the 2025 Metro Profile is structured into six chapters that track trends in development and transportation across the Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA). A standout highlight from the community profile is the region's robust growth, he said; in 2024, the metro added over 5,000 residents, a nearly 2% increase that outpaces national averages. This growth is supported by a highly educated, younger population and a labor market that is currently ranked number two in the nation for the lowest unemployment rate, tied with Burlington, Vermont, he stated. Regarding transportation and infrastructure, he said, the report highlights a high level of efficiency and significant capital investment. The average commute in the metro remains 17 minutes, he said, significantly lower than the national average of 27 minutes. Major 2024 projects included the 11th Street underpass in Moorhead and the 32nd Avenue reconstruction in Fargo, he said. While air cargo at Hector International Airport saw a 14% decrease, he said, reflecting a national trend and the termination of a major FedEx/USPS contract, the Airport simultaneously celebrated its busiest year on record, serving nearly 1.1 million passengers. Additionally, he said, rail travel saw a boost, with Amtrak’s Empire Builder reporting a 14% increase in ridership and improved on-time performance.
Karissa Pavek, MetroCOG, said the profile also notes shifting behaviors in how residents move throughout the City. Despite the population surge, she said, total vehicle miles traveled have remained steady over the last five years, which suggests a shift toward alternative transportation, such as the region’s nearly 300 miles of trails and bike paths, which saw a 4% increase in use in 2024. Public transit also continues its recovery, with MATBUS serving 1.3 million passengers, a 2.2% increase over the previous year, she said. While the report noted a concerning rise in bicycle and pedestrian crashes, she said, MetroCOG intends to use this data for future safety investments and smarter project planning to ensure the efficient movement of both people and goods.
Update on Project No. BN-25-A0 (64th Avenue South and I-29 Interchange):
City Engineer Tom Knakmuhs said the City and staff from the North Dakota Department of Transportation, along with a consulting team from Bolton & Menk, have been making progress on concept alternatives and are nearing a decision on the direction of the project. He said this update is meant to be informational in nature with the goal of returning in two weeks for final decisions to be made on the project so the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document can be finished and final plans can be developed. He detailed a project timeline spanning two decades, noting the City began preserving right-of-way for the ramps as early as 2006. While an overpass was completed in 2022 to provide immediate connectivity, he said, the long-term goal has always been a full interchange to support the City's southward growth. He said the 64th Avenue location already has significant infrastructure –namely the existing overpass – making the project cost roughly $25 million to $30 million, with $20 million covered by Federal funds. In contrast, he said, an interchange at 76th Avenue would require starting the funding process from scratch and could cost between $70 million and $100 million. He said traffic studies indicate that while the 52nd Avenue interchange currently suffers from dangerous southbound backups, adding ramps at 64th Avenue would alleviate this congestion, whereas an interchange at 76th Avenue would not.
Mike Bittner, Bolton & Menk, presented three design alternatives for the City Commission to consider, all of which would require widening the existing bridge or adding a secondary bridge. He said Alternative 1 is a hybrid design featuring a traffic signal on the west side near a regional event center and a roundabout on the east side near residential areas. Alternative 2 is a double-roundabout design, he stated, which is currently the top performer for safety, with data showing up to a 90% reduction in fatal crashes. He said roundabouts offer lower long-term maintenance costs compared to signalized intersections. Alternative 3 is a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI), similar to the one at 8th Street and Highway 75 in Moorhead, he said and while effective at removing left-turn conflicts, it was the most expensive and slightly less efficient in this specific simulation.
Rob Kost and Walter Samuel spoke.
In response to a question from Mayor Mahoney asking if the overpass bridge needs to be widened with all of the concepts, Mr. Bittner said with Alternative 1 and 2, the bridge would have to be widened and Alternative 3 adds a sister bridge with a gap in between.
In response to a question from Mayor Mahoney asking with the Sports Center on the west side, would roundabouts work better than stoplights, Mr. Bittner said the models showed a slight advantage with roundabouts; however, both are acceptable in terms of operations.
Mayor Mahoney said on 52nd Avenue there are traffic signals; however, it appears speed is not controlled. It appears roundabouts would slow speed on both ends due to the fact that drivers have to slow down for roundabouts, he said, whereas if there was a green light, drivers could go through at high speeds.
Commissioner Turnberg said most of this was voted on before she became part of the Commission and she has had several meetings with residents who live in the 64th Avenue area and she would like to know the difference between having an interchange at 64th Avenue versus 76th Avenue. She said having a driveway on 64th Avenue would be terrifying, especially if there are young drivers.
In response to a question from Commissioner Turnberg asking if it would be more economical to have the interchange at 76th Avenue and would that location not be better for Horace residents and for Davies students, Mr. Knakmuhs said the decision being asked to the City Commission in two weeks is not should the City build an interchange at 64th Avenue or 76th Avenue; it is should an interchange at 64th Avenue be built, yes or no. He said adding ramps to 64th Avenue will cost $25 to $30 million with about $20 million of that amount being from Federal funds. He said if the City Commission choses to prioritize 76th Avenue, the City starts over in asking for funding for 76th Avenue where there is no existing infrastructure and with the size of the interchange needed, it would likely cost $70 to $100 million, a much larger investment than what has already been made on 64th Avenue.
In response to a question from Mayor Mahoney’s asking about potential costs at 76th Avenue, Mr. Knakmuhs said the City would face higher expenses due to the fact that there is currently no established funding program for an interchange at that location. Although a 76th Avenue interchange is a long-term priority, he said, it lacks immediate financial backing. He said residential driveways fronting 64th Avenue resulted from development occurring prior to City annexation; however, current regulations now prevent similar configurations. He said that while 32nd Avenue South lacks adjacent residential properties, several other local arterials, such as 25th Street, 13th Avenue, Broadway, 10th Street and University Drive, do maintain residential driveways. He said if access remains a major concern for the area east of 64th Avenue, the Engineering department could pursue options from the corridor study, such as a frontage road, should the Commission desire it. He said a traffic analysis conducted by Bolton & Menk regarding the impact of proposed interchanges indicated that while regional growth will inevitably increase traffic volumes in the area, the construction of an interchange at 64th Avenue would actually result in lower traffic volumes to the east than if no interchange were built. By accommodating the demand driven by regional destinations to the west, he stated, the 64th Avenue interchange is expected to help alleviate congestion and better manage the area's continued expansion.
In response to a question from Commissioner Turnberg asking if there is a way to expedite the interchange at 76th Avenue, Mr. Knakmuhs said it is a planned location; however, if the City Commission directs him to pursue funding for 76th Avenue, that is what he would do. Until he has that direction, he said, there is no timeline and Federal funding is the difficulty.
Commissioner Piepkorn said 76th Avenue and 100th Avenue will eventually be
arterials. Once the Diversion is done next fall, he said, the growth in that area is going to be fast. The other challenge is State and Federal funding takes time and with 64th Avenue, some of that funding was moved back five years, he stated.
In response to a question from Commissioner Piepkorn asking about the cost of traffic lights, Mr. Knakmuhs said the cost is about $400,000.00 to $500,000.00 per signalized intersection.
In response to a question from Commissioner Kolpack asking what the next steps would be for frontage roads to be part of the consideration, Mr. Knakmuhs said day one traffic volumes along 64th Avenue if an interchange is constructed will increase; however, a day one frontage road probably is not necessary. If it is the wish of the City Commission to look at a frontage road sooner, he said, he can certainly do that; otherwise Engineering would monitor the area and try to get in front of it at that time.
Mayor Mahoney said he would like to see costs for a frontage road. He said a frontage road was done at 17th Avenue South, which made it easy for in and out access.
Commissioner Strand requested a more detailed, side-by-side comparison between the 64th Avenue and 76th Avenue projects to better understand their relative merits. He said he requires a balcony view to speak intelligently on the matter when questioned by the public. He said he would like to see an apples-to-apples analysis that accounts for the more recent development of the Diversion footprint, questioning how that infrastructure might alter traffic flows for 64th, 76th and 100th Avenues. He would also like to see data regarding the return on investment (ROI) for each corridor, he stated and he wants to understand which location offers the greatest potential for commercial reinvestment and financial return to the City, noting a high concentration of nonprofits in one area versus fully developed commercial entities in the other could significantly impact the City's long-term revenue.
Mayor Mahoney said Planning could provide Commissioner Strand with the growth plans for both areas to clarify their economic potential. He said the development around 64th Avenue consists primarily of profitable residential and commercial properties rather than nonprofits. He said the primary concern is the prohibitive cost of the project now on 76th Avenue. The region’s unique soil composition creates significant engineering challenges, he said, specifically regarding how clay tends to slump. Drawing on the experience with Veterans Boulevard, where the ground settled and shifted, he said, the Engineering Department must implement extensive pre-planning and stabilization techniques to ensure the structural integrity of the roadway.
In outlining the next steps, Mr. Knakmuhs said the goal of this presentation was to listen to public comments and understand the City Commission's specific concerns. The Engineering team will work to address these questions by January 20th, he stated; however, if additional time is needed to ensure the Commission has all the necessary information, the matter may be postponed for an additional two weeks. He said he will seek a final decision from the City Commission on whether to proceed with a build or no-build option and if a build option is chosen, the City Commission must also select a specific design alternative and if a build alternative is selected, the project will move into the design phase with an anticipated construction start in 2028.
AnnMarie Campbell Reappointed to the Civil Service Commission:
The Board received a communication from Mayor Mahoney recommending that AnnMarie Campbell be reappointed to the Civil Service Commission.
Commissioner Kolpack moved AnnMarie Campbell be reappointed to the Civil Service Commission for a three-year term ending June 30, 2028.
Second by Piepkorn. On call of the roll Commissioners Kolpack, Piepkorn, Strand, Turnberg and Mahoney voted aye.
No Commissioner being absent and none voting nay, the motion was declared carried.
Applications for Property Tax Exemptions for Improvements Made to Buildings Approved:
a. Patricia M. and Aaron R. Romaine, (5 years).
b. Nancy M. and Douglas Kalk, (5 years).
c. John Dahl T/O/D, (5 years).
d. Rose Krause, (5 years).
e. Dorothy S. Lackman Revocable Living Trust, (5 years).
f. Gregory S. & Ramona K. Fagerwick, (5 years).
g. Ronald A. Koehler, (5 years).
h. Marc Delorme, (5 years).
i. Osama and Brenna Naseer, (5 years).
Commissioner Kolpack moved the applications be approved.
Second by Strand. On call of the roll Commissioners Kolpack, Strand, Piepkorn, Turnberg and Mahoney voted aye.
No Commissioner being absent and none voting nay, the motion was declared carried.
Human Rights Commission, Arts and Culture Commission and Native American Commission to Report Back to the City Commission in Two Months or Less with Recommendations:
Mayor Mahoney said this item proposes a conclusion to the current operations of the Human Rights, Arts and Culture and Native American Commissions. While this proposal may seem sudden, it is the result of years of discussion and a year-long review involving informational meetings and white papers, he said. The objective has been to evaluate the administrative demands, costs and staff hours required to maintain these volunteer boards, he stated and the City is currently examining how to streamline and realign these committees to better serve the community, shifting away from formal advisory structures toward strategic partnerships that foster organic conversation. He said staff and board members have been brainstorming a new operational plan where boards would act as on-call advisers based on their expertise, striking a better balance between community needs and City resources. The logistical challenges of managing these boards are compounded when appointed leaders do not align with City policies or confuse their roles with those of advocacy groups, he said. On December 30, 2025, the Chair of the Human Rights Commission made public, disparaging comments directed at this body, he said and those unilateral remarks were made without the consent of the full Human Rights Commission and were inconsistent with the professional expectations of City appointees. Such conduct undermines collaborative dialogue and has caused harm within the community, as reported by several community leaders and HRC members, he stated. This is not necessarily a move to abolish these boards, he said, it is an opportunity to improve their functionality. Currently, many committees struggle with a lack of quorums or empty agendas, he said; therefore, by restructuring, the City can ensure that when the boards do meet, they are providing the strategic planning and expert insight the City Commission needs.
Speakers include Ashley Littlewolf, Anna Johnson, Doug Sharbono, Victoria Johnson, Whitney Johnson, Barnabas Gbeintor, Derek Fletcher, Brad Shaffer, Monika Browne-Ecker, Suzanne Senske, Aaron Starr and Jeremy Schaeffer.
Commissioner Kolpack expressed support for the Arts and Culture Commission, noting it served as her own entry point into City politics and public service. She said the Arts and Culture Commission, largely driven by volunteer commitment, has produced tangible results that were well-documented in the recent "Ripples of Impact" report. The Commission provides a massive return on investment, she said, acting as both a community-builder and an economic engine requiring minimal City funding. She said she was concerned about the transparency of the current proposal and found it troubling that the Commissioners serving as liaisons to these boards were not consulted before the plan was released. She said the City must do a better job of including stakeholders in major decisions. Rather than simply suspending or disbanding the groups, she said, she is recommending a more collaborative approach similar to the successful evolution of the Fargo Youth Initiative. She proposed a clear timeline for developing innovative action plans that would define the next iteration of these boards, ensuring they remain effective and well-integrated into the community.
Commissioner Turnberg advocated for the dissolution of the three commissions, framing the decision as a necessary step toward fiscal responsibility and government efficiency. She said she acknowledges the work of these groups may still have value in other contexts; however, the City is currently burdened by $1.3 billion in debt and must prioritize core municipal services over niche interest funding. She said City governments should function as service providers rather than charities and that maintaining underperforming or redundant unelected boards is an irresponsible use of taxpayer dollars. She said she anticipates a negative public reaction and those voting to disband the commissions and will be subjected to personal attacks and labels such as racist or anti-homeless. She said these tactics are used when the evidence for change is otherwise indefensible. Streamlining the bureaucracy, including a proposal to rename all volunteer commissions to boards to distinguish them from elected leadership, would provide much-needed clarity for the public, she said. Residents would still have ample opportunity for public input through direct access to the City Commission, ensuring that accountability remains with the voters.
Commissioner Kolpack said she would be willing to make a motion that would ask for action plans to come back on what the next state of these three commissions would be with a reasonable timeline so Commissioners can engage the members of each commission as part of that conversation. She said the Arts and Culture Commission is already doing this work.
Mayor Mahoney said the proposed motion should not be viewed as a surprise; it is a necessary step to address ongoing stagnation within certain committees. He said the Arts and Culture Commission has made progress; however, there has been a struggle to find a clear path forward for both Human Rights and Native American Commissions. He said the goal of this action is not to ignore these voices, but to demand a definitive direction. He said the City Commission needs to establish exactly where these boards are headed to ensure they are serving their purpose effectively.
Commissioner Turnberg said she hopes the City Commission does not turn into a campaign for the next six months. She said if this is strung along, it is giving more time to create results, data and misinformation.
Commissioner Piepkorn expressed frustration with the excessive number of committees currently in place, noting the majority are administered by the Planning Department. He said serving as the Department liaison, staff resources are being focused more on party planning and administrative logistics than on core Planning initiatives. He said staff time is being consumed by securing quorums, setting agendas and recording and writing minutes, and he urged a return to more substantive Planning work.
City Administrator Michael Redlinger said for the past several years, the City has invested significant time and consideration into evaluating its internal functions and the purpose of its various boards and commissions. A primary focus of this review has been determining whether external organizations might be better equipped to serve the needs of these groups, he stated, particularly those that currently require extensive City staff support. This process is similar to the recent decision to sunset the Police Advisory and Oversight Board, he said, reflecting a broader effort to delegate specific responsibilities to community partners who may be better suited for the task. The central question currently facing the City Commission is how to direct the future of these three specific committees, he said. By transitioning certain functions to outside partners, the City aims to sharpen its focus on core municipal services, he said, those essential duties required by both State statute and the City charter. While this dialogue has been ongoing for some time, he said, the final decision rests with the Commission's discretion. He said staff remains prepared to support whichever direction the Commission chooses to take, whether that involves further restructuring or seeking new community partnerships.
Commissioner Strand said serving on the Native American Commission for 12 years following his time on the Fargo School Board was his most meaningful appointment. Despite growing up here, he said, he realized how little he knew about the indigenous culture that defines the region. Being part of that Commission has been a vital, ongoing learning process, he said and an opportunity to listen and understand the lived experiences of others. He said his background in art and his identity as a human rights activist drive his service. He said he is not part of an old boy network and he is here to ensure marginalized voices have a seat at the table. There is no disagreement that the City needs to reinvent its boards and commissions to ensure they are effective and produce real results, he said, and the City has been discussing this for months. He said he is proud of how the City handled the Fargo Youth Initiative and that same strategic, high-expectation approach is what should apply to the Native American and Human Rights Commissions, rather than opting for a sudden dissolution. He said he was surprised by the timing of this motion, which seems to be a reaction to a recent Human Rights Commission press conference that went off the rails. He said that while people often say things in the heat of passion they later regret, the frustration behind those stands must be understood, especially when community members feel targeted or disrespected by larger political forces. He said he is fully in favor of reinvention; however, he cannot support doing it this way tonight.
Commissioner Turnberg said the core of this argument is that while the work of these commissions is valuable, it should be managed by the private sector rather than the municipal government. She said Fargo is home to more than 1,500 nonprofits, including many multi-million-dollar organizations that are well-equipped to champion arts, culture and human rights. She said by transitioning these programs to the nonprofit sector, the City can fulfill its responsibility to focus exclusively on essential services such as law and order, infrastructure and public safety, which are the fundamental duties of a local government. With the City currently facing $1.3 billion in debt, there is a pressing need to prioritize basics such as water, fire protection and street maintenance, she said. Moving these initiatives to external organizations is not a dismissal of their importance, she said; it is a strategic decision to ensure taxpayer dollars are dedicated to core City services. The goal is to see these cultural and social programs continue to thrive under the leadership of specialized nonprofits, she stated, while the City stabilizes its financial position.
Commissioner Kolpack said she expects some of these commissions moving forward will find other homes. She said her objection is abandoning them without a plan and treating people with respect, getting engagement and input and doing it the right way.
Mayor Mahoney said he introduced this motion due to the fact that there needs to be a formal timetable to decide how to streamline boards and commissions. Whether the City chooses to reinvent these groups or move in a different direction, a clear plan is needed. While the City does carry $1.3 billion in debt, he said, that is typical for a City of 137,000 people and the City is not bankrupt. He said thanks to the excellent work of Finance Director Susan Thompson and City Administrator Michael Redlinger, the City has a balanced budget and remains in a strong position. He said he appreciates the community members who spoke tonight; however, his goal is simply to establish a structured path forward.
Commissioner Piepkorn moved to conclude the Human Rights Commission, the Arts and Culture Commission and the Native American Commission.
Second by Turnberg.
Commissioner Strand moved to amend the motion to allow the Human Rights Commission, the Native American Commission and the Arts and Culture Commission to report back to the City Commission in two months or less with recommendations and the City Commission will take final action on these three Commissions.
Second by Kolpack. On call of the roll Commissioners Strand, Kolpack and Mahoney voted aye.
Commissioners Piepkorn and Turnberg voted nay.
The motion was declared carried.
On call of the roll of the original motion, as amended, Commissioners Kolpack, Strand and Mahoney voted aye.
Commissioners Piepkorn and Turnberg voted nay.
The motion was declared carried.
Appointments to the Board of Health:
The Board received a communication from Mayor Mahoney stating the terms of Dr. Avish Nagpal, Grant Syverson and Jayme Steig expired December 31, 2025. Dr. Nagpal and Ms. Steig are no longer wishing to continue their service on the Board; however, Mr. Syverson is willing to continue his service.
The Mayor is recommending that Mr. Syverson be reappointed and Oliver Frenzel and John Seifert be appointed to the Board of Health.
Commissioner Piepkorn moved that Grant Syverson be reappointed and Oliver Frenzel and John Seifert be appointed to the Board of Health for three-year terms ending December 31, 2028.
Second by Strand. On call of the roll Commissioners Piepkorn, Strand, Kolpack, Turnberg 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.
Public Comments:
Anna Johnson, Joseph Garcia and Monika Browne-Ecker spoke.
The meeting adjourned at 6:53 o’clock p.m.