Fargo City Commission Meeting Wrap-Up - 11.12.2024
In case you missed the November 12, 2024, Fargo City Commission meeting, here are a few highlights we would like you to know about.
Students Encouraged to Apply to Serve on Fargo Youth Initiative
The City of Fargo has openings on the Fargo Youth Initiative (FYI), a student-led advisory body to the City Commission. Students in grades 9 through 11 are encouraged to apply using the online application. Applications will begin to be reviewed on Friday, November 15.
FYI holds one monthly Sunday meeting and intermittent subcommittee meetings as needed. The average time commitment is one to 10 hours per month. The responsibilities of FYI members include:
- serving as a liaison between The City of Fargo and the youth of Fargo.
- investigating the needs, problems and issues affecting the youth of Fargo.
- researching issues and making policy or project recommendations to the City Commission.
Deputy Mayor Denise Kolpack, the City Commission’s liaison to FYI, shared the news of these openings during the Commissioner update portion of Monday’s meeting.
The City of Fargo Seeking Grants to Build Shared-use Paths
The Metropolitan Council of Governments and the North Dakota Department of Transportation are currently soliciting project applications for the Transportation Alternatives program for years 2028 and 2029. There is roughly $870,000 available in 2028 and about $880,000 available in 2029. Eligible projects include shared-use paths, which are multi-use trails that allow pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorized users to travel together.
Fargo City Commissioners voted 4-0 on Monday night to direct the City’s Engineering staff to prepare grant applications for the following projects:
- Shared-use path along Drain 27/Deer Creek Addition from 52nd Avenue South to 59th Avenue South (Phase 1).
- Low-level pedestrian/bicycle crossing within Drain 53 near 58th Avenue South.
- Shared-use path along Drain 27/Deer Creek Addition from Veterans Boulevard to 63rd Street South (Phase 2).
- Shared-use path along Drain 53 from 64th Avenue South to 73rd Avenue South.
Last year, The City of Fargo was successful in receiving funds for a new shared-use path to run on the south side of the Water Reclamation Facility between Broadway and the new Bison Village shared-use path.
City Commission to Consider Revised Turn Signal Law
Fargo Municipal Code currently requires operators of motor vehicles to signal only if their turning or merging impacts other vehicles. North Dakota law requires drivers who turn or merge to signal in all turning and merging situations.
In light of this, the City Commission voted Monday to direct the City Attorney’s Office to draft revisions to Fargo Municipal Code to make City law consistent with North Dakota law on when signals are needed.
City Commissioners will consider and potentially take action on the revisions at a future meeting.
City Commission Approves Appointments to Two Boards
The City Commission voted 4-0 to approve an appointment to the Planning Commission and the reappointment of a member of the Growth Initiative Fund Board of Directors.
Jennifer Holtz, a Planning Commission member, has moved out of the Fargo area which makes her ineligible to continue serving on the Planning Commission. City Commissioners appointed Michael Setlock to fill Holtz’s unexpired term which ends June 30, 2027.
Also Monday, City Commissioners reappointed Hari Panjini to the Growth Initiative Fund Board of Directors for a term ending December 31, 2027.
Residents are encouraged to research and apply for appointment to any of The City of Fargo’s boards, commissions and committees for consideration in the event of future vacancies.
For more information on the responsibilities of each board, commission and committee, please visit FargoND.gov/GettingInvolved.
Fargo Cass Public Health Partners with Area Counties
Fargo Cass Public Health, the public health agency that serves Fargo and Cass County, regularly collaborates with surrounding counties to provide a variety of services and resources to area residents. Over the years, this has included working together to respond to and address public health emergencies.
On Monday night, the Fargo City Commission unanimously voted to approve a memorandum of understanding between Fargo Cass Public Health and five neighboring counties to work as partners when a public health emergency exists.
The agencies that signed the five-year agreement are Ransom County Public Health Department, Richland County Health Department, Sargent County District Health Unit, Steele County Public Health Department and Traill District Health Unit.