Far More is Happening Here

Board of City Commissioners - July 6, 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, July 6, 2026.

The Commissioners present or absent were as shown following:
Present: Boschee, Gullickson, Peterson, Strand, Turnberg.
Absent: None.
Mayor Boschee presiding.

Judge Dawson and Judge Webb swore in the newly-elected members to the Board: Mayor Boschee, Commissioner Gullickson and Commissioner Peterson.

Order of Agenda Approved:
Commissioner Peterson moved the Order of the Agenda be approved, moving Item Nos. “16” and “17” from the Consent Agenda to the Regular Agenda.

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

Minutes Approved:
Commissioner Turnberg moved that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board held on June 22, 2026 be approved as read.

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

Consent Agenda Approved:
Commissioner Gullickson moved the Consent Agenda be approved as follows:
1. Applications for Property Tax Exemptions for Improvements Made to Buildings.
2. 2nd reading, waive reading and final adoption of an Ordinance Amending Section 1-0305A of Article 1-03 of Chapter 1 of the Fargo Municipal Code Relating to Classification of Ordinance Violations.
3. 2nd reading, waive reading and final adoption of an Ordinance Rezoning Certain Parcels of Land Lying in Lost Creek First Addition to the City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota.
4. Transition Services and Mutual Release Agreement with Interstate Parking Company of North Dakota, LLC: Great Plains NP Holdings, LLC: Great Plains Mercantile Holdings, LLC: and DFI Roberts, LLC.
5. Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement with Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc. Regarding the City of Fargo’s Potential Participation in the 2028 Olympic Torch Relay.
6. Withdrawal and Termination of Annexation Proceeding.
7. Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Order of the Board of City Commissioners of the City of Fargo of 111-113 32nd Avenue North, Fargo, North Dakota 58102.
8. Accept the results of the Cass County Canvassing Board for June 9, 2026 Primary election and declare candidates elected.
9. Applications for Games of Chance.
10. Negative Final Balancing Change Order No. 3 in the amount of -$15,737.45 for Improvement District No. BR-25-G1.
11. Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $13,880.37 and time extension to Substantial and Final Completion Dates of 7/13/26 and 7/27/26 for Improvement District No. NR-24-C1.
12. Easement (Temporary) with Cass Rural Water Users District for land along the west side of the lagoons for a half mile just north of 52nd Avenue North.
13. Reimbursement to Krueger Construction in the amount of $29,700.00 for repair and backfill of borrow site at 2699 65th Avenue South.
14. Contract and bond for Improvement District No. UR-26-F1.
15. Items from FAHR Meeting:
a. Receive and file Sales Tax Revenue - Accrual Basis.
b. Accept donation from the Fargo Police Foundation in the amount of $11,000.00 for the 2026 Fargo Police Community Picnic and related budget adjustment.
c. Grant award amendment from ND Department of Health and Human Services No. G25.354A in the amount of $159,000.00 and related budget adjustment.
d. Authorize the extension of the 2025/2026 Highway Deicing Salt contract with Compass Minerals America Inc for the 2026/2027 snow season at a price of $126.07.00 per ton (RFP25165).
16. Bid award and contract for boiler replacement at Fargo Cass Public Health (RFP26194) (moved to the Regular Agenda).
17. Bid award and contract for fence installation around east lot of Fargo Police Department Headquarters (PBC26237) (moved to the Regular Agenda).
18. Notice of Grant Award from ND Department of Health and Human Services for HIV, HCV Counseling, Testing, and Referral (CFDA #93.940).
19. Notice of Grant Award Amendment from ND Department of Health and Human Services for the Women, Infants and Children Program (CFDA #10.557).
20. Notice of Grant Award from ND Department of Health and Human Services for PHEP - City Readiness Initiative (CFDA #93.069).
21. Notice of Financial Award from the ND Housing Finance Agency for the ND Homeless Grant.
22. Rejection of proposals for the demolition of the dangerous building at 115 6th Avenue North (RFP26210).
23. Contract and bond for Project No. WA2509.
24. Contract and bond for Project No. WA2510.
25. Contract and bond for Project No. WA2513.
26. Resolution approving Plat of GPK Second Addition (Attachment “A”).
27. Piggyback purchase through Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with Wallwork Truck Center in the amount of $142,323.00 for one Combination Plow Truck Chassis (PBC26225).
28. Piggyback purchase through Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing agreement with Bert’s Truck Equipment for the purchase of one combination plow truck body (PBC26235).
29. Bills in the amount of $12,968,286.

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

Resolution Adopted Approving the Cul-de-Sac of Cottagewood First Addition:
Current Planning Coordinator Donald Kress said the Cul-de-Sac of Cottagewood First Edition is a property located at the end of 47th Avenue South near Interstate 29 and 52nd Avenue, the undeveloped property consists of two residential lots currently zoned as SR2, single-dwelling residential and the Plat was brought forward due to the fact that the cul-de-sac area has recently been rebuilt and is currently a private easement. He said at the City's request the applicant is replatting the land to officially dedicate the cul-de-sac area to the City as a public right-of-way, while also revising some of the surrounding utility easements.

Commissioner Turnberg offered the following Resolution and moved its adoption:
WHEREAS, A Plat has been filed in the office of the City Auditor entitled “The Cul-de-Sac of Cottagewood First Addition” containing 2 Lots, 1 Block and 0.828 acres of land more or less, located at 3856 and 3870 47th Avenue South; and
WHEREAS, A Hearing was held June 2, 2026 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 24 and July 1, 2026 that a Hearing would be held in the Commission Chambers, City Hall, Fargo, North Dakota at 5:05 p.m., July 6, 2026 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 “The Cul-de-Sac of Cottagewood 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.

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

An Ordinance Amending Section 3-2011 of Article 3-20 of Chapter 3 of the Fargo Municipal Code Relating to a Sales and Use Tax for Infrastructure Capital Improvements Received and Filed:
City Attorney Ian McLean said on June 9, 2026, approximately 73% of Fargo voters approved an amendment to the City's Home Rule Charter, which acts as a local constitution granting powers that can supersede State law in specific circumstances and this voter approval allows for a 20-year extension of Fargo's 1% Infrastructure Sales Tax, shifting its expiration date from December 31, 2028 to December 31, 2048. He said because a Charter Amendment only grants the authority to act, the City must officially implement the extension by passing an Ordinance to amend section 3-2011 of the local municipal code and the standard process for passing or amending an Ordinance in Fargo spans three consecutive meetings: it is first introduced for receive and file to allow for public commentary, followed by a first reading at the next meeting and a final second reading at the meeting after that.

Mayor Boschee said many officials were pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming support from voters regarding the extension of the Infrastructure Sales Tax and highlighted the significance of the tax, noting that it ensures everyone who makes a purchase both local residents and visitors who utilize the City's roads and infrastructure contributes to funding these critical community needs.

Commissioner Turnberg moved an Ordinance Amending Section 3-2011 of Article 3-20 of Chapter 3 of the Fargo Municipal Code Relating to a Sales and Use Tax for Infrastructure Capital Improvements be received and filed.

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

Approval of Liaison Commissioner Assignments Continued to a Later Date:
Mayor Boschee said after meeting individually with each Commissioner to understand their goals and priorities, he restructured the liaison portfolios into thematic groups to improve departmental alignment and collaboration, moving away from the traditional practice of having new Commissioners simply inherit their predecessor's assignments. With this new structure, he said, Commissioner Strand will take the lead on issues impacting renters by co-chairing the Mayor's Advisory Council on Renters, Commissioner Gullickson will oversee both Engineering and Planning Departments that traditionally sat apart but are now paired together due to their hand-in-hand work on the City's Growth Plan and the Land Development Code (LDC) update, Commissioner Turnberg will leverage her background to lead Communications and Governmental Affairs while also overseeing Facilities and the Library and Commissioner Peterson will manage Information Services alongside Utilities, including Solid Waste, Water Treatment and Water Reclamation to maximize operational opportunities.

Commissioner Peterson said he is comfortable with his assigned portfolio and appreciate the logical, thematic approach to structuring these department; however, he believes the Commissioners should evolve how these assignments are handled in the future and with three new faces on the Commission now is the perfect time for a cultural shift toward greater transparency and collaboration. This team-based approach allows the Commissioners to openly discuss goals and compromise where interests overlap, he said. Regularly rotating these portfolios is crucial for our growth as a Commission, he said it ensures we all become well-educated on every facet of the City's operations, which is important when making major budgeting decisions. He said regarding the current assignments, he sees a valuable opportunity to learn about areas outside of his immediate expertise. He said he has one specific request for adjustments based on his prior experience and would like to take on the FARGODOME assignment and to ensure a fair trade, proposes a swap with Commissioner Turnberg and is willing to give up Red River Regional Dispatch in exchange.

Commissioner Turnberg said she is not easily offended by proposals for change and to support the cultural shift mentioned by Commissioner Peterson, she suggested that rather than continuing to duplicate past practices, the Commission body should hold an informal workshop to collaboratively review the portfolios. She said drawing from her own experience when first elected that she routinely attended every available City meeting regardless of whether it was in her assigned portfolio to thoroughly understand City operations and advocated for starting fresh and establishing a new process rather than replicating a 20-year-old system where assignments rarely rotate. She expressed support for more frequent rotations, such as an annual reassessment to maximize everyone's education on different departments and noted that this team approach would mirror how Cass County successfully manages its assignments.

Commissioner Turnberg moved the approval of the liaison assignments be continued to a later date.

Second by Peterson. On call of the Commissioners Turnberg, Peterson and Gullickson voted aye.
Mayor Boschee and Commissioner Strand voted nay.
The motion was declared carried.

Bid Award and Contract for Boiler Replacement – Fargo Cass Public Health Approved (Moved from the Consent Agenda):
Commissioner Peterson requested an explanation on the Bid Award and Contract for Boiler Replacement in the summer.

In response to a question from Commissioner Peterson, asking if the two boilers being replaced were a primary and a backup or if both were required to heat the building, Director of Facilities Management Bekki Majerus said the primary boiler and a backup are both currently failing and in a catastrophic state of disrepair.

Commissioner Peterson said that bidding a boiler in the middle of summer is typically the worst time and likely why the City only received one bidder, whereas bidding in December or January is ideal for phasing them in.

In response to a question from Commissioner Peterson asking why the City waited until June to bid the project, Ms. Majerus said the timing was delayed due to discussions regarding where the funding would come from, as well as the need to wait out the end of the heating season. The bid package was put together and released in June due to the fact that the emergency repair must be completed before the next heating cycle begins, she said which is simply how the timeline played out.

Assistant City Administrator Brenda Derrig clarified the project is being funded through cost savings achieved from a bond issued a couple of years ago and several projects tied to that bond came in under budget. The City was able to reallocate the surplus funds to add this boiler replacement to the bond and establish a funding mechanism, she stated.

Commissioner Peterson said the City should do its best to avoid this type of bidding situation in the future and having only a single bidder is not ideal, as it leaves an unknown amount of potential savings on the table. He said that bidding a boiler project in the middle of summer when contractors are at their busiest likely meant paying an accelerated rate and expressed his trust in the team and assessment, acknowledging that the equipment is genuinely needed.

Commissioner Peterson moved the Bid Award and Contract for Boiler Replacement at Fargo Cass Public Health be approved.

Second by Turnberg. On call of the roll Commissioners Peterson, Turnberg, Gullickson, Strand and Boschee voted aye.
No Commissioners being absent and none voting nay, the motion was declared carried.

Bid Award and Contract for Fence Installation Around East Lot of Fargo Police Department Headquarters Continued to July 20, 2026 (Moved from the Consent Agenda):

Commissioner Peterson requested an explanation on the bid award and contract for fence installation around the east lot of the Fargo Police Department Headquarters and said he does not support the fence decision.

Director of Facilities Management Bekki Majerus said the project was requested by the Police Department, which had originally intended to vacate the road between the Police Department and where civilian vehicles are parked. She said the particular vacation process has faced delays, the project is funded by a 2024 bond issue and faces a strict completion deadline of October 1st. The City decided to move forward with upgrading just the civilian lot for the time being to provide immediate, additional protection for vehicles, which are considered potential targets.

Commissioner Peterson expressed strong opposition to the proposed fence, saying the parking lot is no different from any other lot used by public employees and that decorative fences do not provide actual security. He said estimating the materials to be basic aluminum powder-cast posts with small spindles, he pointed out that the structure would not even stop a lawnmower, meaning anyone intending to cause harm could easily jump over it or drive a vehicle through it. The fence offers only psychological comfort rather than physical protection, he said and he would not support spending the initial $188,950.00, a figure that is expected to exceed $200,000.00 once the separate costs for energizing the system are included.

Assistant City Administrator Brenda Derrig said this is a project that has been repeatedly requested and was recently added to the bond.

In response to a question from Commissioner Turnberg said asking if this proposed fence offers anything beyond what a basic residential yard fence provides and is it of a higher quality that will actually prevent bad actors from causing trouble, Ms. Majerus said this is much more than a standard residential yard fence, it is designed to be a true deterrent. As Commissioner Peterson had previously noted regarding its structural properties, she said, the fence will feature secured badge-activated entrances to prevent unauthorized individuals from wandering into the parking lot and damaging vehicles, which has been an issue in the past with Administration approving to move forward with the bid based on this request.

In response to a question from Commissioner Turnberg asking if the funding is tied to the 2026 or 2027 budget, Ms. Derrig said it was clarified that this project is being funded by leftover revenue from the 2024 bond, this security request has repeatedly come up during budget discussions and the decision was made to utilize those remaining bond funds to go out for bids and assess the costs.

Commissioner Strand said this item was just pulled from today's Consent Agenda, the public nor the Commission has had sufficient time to thoroughly review the details into the matter and he recommends this item be continued until the next meeting to allow everyone ample time to gather information and be fully prepared to address any necessary questions.

Commissioner Strand moved the bid award and contract for fence installation around the east lot of the Fargo Police Department Headquarters be continued to the July 20, 2026 Regular Meeting.

Second by Peterson. On call of the roll Commissioners Strand, Peterson, Gullickson and Turnberg voted aye.
Mayor Boschee voted nay.
The motion was declared carried.

Recommendation for Appointment of a Deputy Mayor:
Mayor Boschee said regarding the recommendation for the appointment of a Deputy Mayor, his thought process behind this choice relies heavily on Commissioner Strand’s seniority on the Commission, he has publicly stated that he will not be running for re-election in two years and having someone with his sage advice will be incredibly important to him as he navigates the next two years.

Commissioner Gullickson moved John Strand be appointed as Deputy Mayor.

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

Marcia Pulczinski Reappointed to the Board of Adjustment:
The Board received a communication from Mayor Boschee recommending that Marcia Pulczinski be reappointed to the Board of Adjustment.

Commissioner Turnberg moved Marcia Pulczinski be reappointed to the Board of Adjustment for a three-year term ending June 30, 2029.

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

Kylie Sollie Appointed to the Library Board:
The Board received a communication from Mayor Boschee recommending that Kylie Sollie be appointed to the Library Board to replace Kristen Schipper, who has served the State law limit of two, three-year terms.
Commissioner Turnberg moved Kylie Sollie be appointed to the Library Board for a three-year term ending June 30, 2029.

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

Public Comments:
None.

The meeting adjourned at 5:44 o’clock p.m.