The Fargo Fire Department has been busy preparing for the upcoming flood fight and has continued with the captain promotional process as scheduled. Approximately 20 candidates submitted applications and took a written exam to qualify for one open captain position.
The Fargo Cass Public Health Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program is collaborating with the Fargo Public Library and the United Way in March and April to promote reading to children. Library staff will visit the WIC clinic to assist clients in signing up for library cards and the United Way will provide books for clients in the waiting room.
A house at 1101 7th Street North, which was deemed a dangerous building at a recent City Commission meeting, has been taken down. A new owner has plans to redevelop the lot, which will bring new life to that corner of north Fargo.
Training for the new Inspections software continues for all City departments. The Inspections Department is still on track to implement the new software in the next six to eight weeks. The City is looking forward to the new and improved system that will allow more access for the public on plan review, permitting and inspections.
Assistant Director of Inspections Chris Rose has received the Brent Snyder Award from Region III of the International Code Council. The prestigious award is given to a person who exemplifies the attributes of Brent and all he did for education in the region. Chris works hard to make sure the goals of the region are met regarding training, building code awareness and many other activities.
March is National Noodle Month and the Fargo Public Library is hosting several noodle-riffic craft and activity sessions for kids of all ages this week. The sessions are in partnership with Dakota Growers Pasta Company.
April is National Poetry Month and the library will host a Poetry Day on April 6th which will feature a reading and Q&A session with ND Poet Laureate Larry Woiwode and a Favorite Poetry Reading event at 3 p.m.
The Block 9 ramp precast is nearing its final stages of assembly. To date, the crane has been working within the footprint of the ramp, assembling a full height bay at a time and sequencing its way from south to north. This sequencing will eventually require that the last bay of the ramp be assembled with the crane outside of the ramp footprint. Starting Monday, April 1st, a crane will be set on 3rd Avenue North to complete the work. This will close the east half block of 3rd Avenue North for 40 days. Vehicle traffic will maintain access between Broadway and the alley. The north sidewalk will remain open to pedestrians. Parking in the ramp is set to be available this summer.
There is an informational display at all public library locations of planning activities for the Civic Plaza. The City is seeking public input as the master plan for the area surrounding the new City Hall is analyzed for future community interests and needs. There is also an online survey.
The Fargo Police Department held a swearing-in and promotion recognition ceremony recently to welcome officers Nate Slack and Jett Swiontek and to congratulate Officer Cristie Jacobsen on her promotion to sergeant.
The Police Department has begun putting together its flood ops assignments and emergency management program as well as its flood tactical operations center. Command staff have identified assignments for dike and levee patrols, traffic control points, sandbag delivery escorts and more.
The Police Department’s intel team gave a presentation last week to City leaders regarding Intelligence Led Policing to show how effective the department’s analysis and targeting of efforts can be.
Officer Jesseca White was named to the United Way’s 35 Under 35 program, which focuses on empowering female leaders in the community through development in leadership and networking. The City is very proud of Jesseca and her acceptance and involvement in the program. She is going to do great things.
Lt. Travis Stefonowicz has been accepted to attend the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. This is a big deal. Less than a tenth of 1 percent of law enforcement gets selected to attending the academy and it is a great leadership and command college for further development of leaders. Congratulations to Lt. Stefonowicz. I am sure it is going to be an amazing experience for him.
Livability.com has ranked Fargo as No. 11 in their list of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in America for 2019. More than one thousand millennials across the country were surveyed on what matters most to them when making relocation decisions. The top responses were affordability and job opportunities. The site called Fargo surprisingly cool with affordable and easy to find housing, a booming startup scene, and a hale and hardy economy. Fargo’s median home value is $215,000. Other regional cities that made the Top 20 of this year’s list include Bismarck, Sioux Falls, Rochester and Minneapolis.