Fargo City Commission - January 20, 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., Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
The Commissioners present or absent were as shown following:
Present: Kolpack, Piepkorn, Strand, Turnberg, Mahoney.
Absent: None.
Mayor Mahoney presiding.
Part one of the 2026 State of the Cities video was shown.
Order of Agenda Approved:
Commissioner Piepkorn moved the Order of the Agenda be approved, moving Item No. “15” from the Consent Agenda to the Regular Agenda and adding an extra item to the end of the Regular Agenda for an application for Games of Chance for TNT Kid’s Fitness and Gymnastics for a raffle on 1/27/26.
Second by Kolpack. All the Commissioners voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Minutes Approved:
Commissioner Kolpack moved that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board held on January 5, 2026 be approved as read.
Second by Turnberg. All the Commissioners voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Consent Agenda Approved:
Commissioner Strand moved the Consent Agenda be approved as follows:
1. Interest Buydown Agreement, Escrow Agreement – PACE Program and Community PACE Interest Buydown Authorization with the Bank of ND and Midtown Market, LLC.
2. Letter of Support for 7 Star Properties to the ND Opportunity Fund Consortium.
3. Appoint Shirley Hughes to the Convention Center Committee to fill the position held by Mallari Ackerman.
4. Closing Memorandum, Certificate of Completion and Tax Increment Note with BLOC Partners, LLC (Tax Increment District No. 2023-01).
5. Applications for Games of Chance.
6. Cost Participation and Maintenance Agreement with the NDDOT for Improvement District No. BR-26-H1.
7. Cost Participation and Maintenance Agreement with the NDDOT for Improvement District No. BR-23-A1.
8. Negative Final Balancing Change Order No. 4 in the amount of
-$955,952.47 for Improvement District No. PR-24-A1.
9. Amended Engineer’s Report for Improvement District No. BR-26-H.
10. Create Improvement District No. NR-26-A. (Lift Station Rehab Reconstruction).
11. Contract and bond for Project No. SN-25-B1.
12. Contract and bond for Project No. BR-27-E4.
13. Bid award to Key Contracting in the amount of $2,860,757.40 for Project No. FM-15-J3.
14. First Amendment to Consulting Service Agreement with CPS HR Consulting.
15. Direct the City Attorney’s Office to review the Tobacco Ordinance – Chapter 35. (moved to the Regular Agenda).
16. Final Interim Financing Agreement, Series F.
17. Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Fargo and the North Dakota Air National Guard for use of the Fargo Regional Training Center.
18. Piggyback purchase through Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with Nelson’s Auto Center in the amount of $231,659.60 for five Ford Police Interceptors (PBC26067).
19. Piggyback purchase through Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with Nelson’s International/North Central International LLC in the amount of $127,995.00 for one 2026 SBA Chassis (PBC26068).
20. Task Order No. 2025-6 with HDR in the amount of $47,280.00 for engineering services related to the relocation of the Water Treatment Plant recycling drop site.
21. Resolution Prescribing Rates and Charges for Solid Waste Services effective 1/1/26 and Amended Landfill Rates effective 1/19/26. (Attachment “A”).
22. Bid awards to Border States Electric for 2026 Street Light Poles and Fixtures (RFP26038 and RFP26039) and to Graybar Electric for Street Light Bulbs (RFP26040).
23. Negative Final Balancing Change Order No. 10 in the amount of
-$383,633.00 for Project No. WW1701 (Phase IIB Expansion).
24. Task Order No. 16 – Task No. 1 with AE2S in the amount of $43,400.00 for Project No. WW2353.
25. Electrical Services Agreement between City of Fargo and JDP Electric (RFP26032).
26. Bills in the amount of $9,788,351.13.
Second by Piepkorn. On call of the roll Commissioners Strand, Piepkorn, Kolpack, Turnberg and Mahoney voted aye.
No Commissioner being absent and none voting nay, the motion was declared carried.
Annexation for 236.16 Acres, More or Less, in the Southeast Quarter and the East One-Half of the Southwest Quarter of Section 35, Township 141 North, Range 49 West of the 5th Principal Meridian, Cass County, North Dakota Concluded:
A Notice was published in the official newspaper for the City of Fargo, as required by law, on October 1 and 8, 2025 stating that a Hearing had been set for November 10, 2025 to determine the sufficiency of any written protests against the annexation proposed as set forth in the Resolution of Annexation.
At the November 10, 2025 Regular Meeting, the Hearing was continued to November 24, 2025.
At the November 24, 2025 Regular Meeting, the Hearing was continued to December 8, 2025.
At the December 8, 2025 Regular Meeting, the Hearing was continued to December 22, 2025.
At the December 22, 2025 Regular Meeting, the Hearing was continued to this date and hour.
Director of Strategic Planning and Research Jim Gilmour provided an update on three property annexations near the proposed Applied Digital data center, noting that the west half of Section 3 was withdrawn and annexed into the City of Harwood, the east half of Section 3 is currently in mediation, and with the property in Section 35, a procedural issue arose when only one of the seven total property owners was originally notified. He said since the mandatory seven-day window for notification has already passed, the City Attorney recommended stopping the current annexation process and reinitiating it immediately, which will allow the City to properly notify all seven owners and ensure the process is legally compliant.
In response to a question from Commissioner Piepkorn asking if the City could just continue the current annexation process and to try to contact all of the property owners and act on it later, instead of starting all over again, Mr. Gilmour said the City has contacted the owner several times with no response and the City lacks direct contact information, such as phone numbers, for the individuals involved. To ensure the process is legally defensible and adheres strictly to the governing legal code, he said, the City must follow formal notification procedures, which requires sending official notices via certified mail to all seven owners, providing a documented paper trail that fulfills statutory requirements and prevents future procedural challenges.
In response to a question from Commissioner Piepkorn asking if the City makes a best attempt, does it have to start the process all over again or does the current request continue, Mr. Gilmour said the City failed to notify all seven property owners within the mandatory seven-day window during the initial filing and the current process must be restarted to ensure legal validity. He said he recommends the Commission adopt a new Resolution of Annexation to trigger a new seven-day period for the City to properly notify every owner via certified mail. He said this reset ensures all parties are aware of the proceedings and it provides the opportunity to protest and the City can determine the appropriate next steps.
Commissioner Strand asked that the proposal be split into two separate votes to ensure the record was clear. He said the first vote would be to officially cancel the flawed annexation process from July and the second would be to start a new, legally correct process and allow the City to address each step individually rather than voting on them as a single package.
Commissioner Strand moved the annexation of the property in the Southeast Quarter and the East One-Half of the Southwest Quarter of Section 35, Township 141 North, Range 49 West of the 5th Principal Meridian, Cass County, North Dakota of Harwood Township that was initiated on July 31, 2025 be concluded.
Second by Piepkorn. On call of the roll Commissioners Strand, Piepkorn, Kolpack, Turnberg and Mahoney voted aye.
No Commissioner being absent and none voting nay, the motion was declared carried.
Resolution of Annexation of 236.16 Acres, More or Less, in the Southeast Quarter and the East One-Half of the Southwest Quarter of Section 35, Township 141 North, Range 49 West of the 5th Principal Meridian, Cass County, North Dakota: Public Hearing on the Sufficiency of Protests to be Held March 16, 2026:
Commissioner Piepkorn moved the Resolution entitled “Resolution of Annexation” and referred to as Attachment “B” be adopted and attached hereto.
Second by Turnberg. On the vote being taken on the question of the adoption of the Resolution of Annexation Commissioners Piepkorn, Turnberg, Kolpack and Mahoney voted aye.
Commissioner Strand voted nay.
The Resolution was adopted.
Alternative 1 for the 64th Avenue South Interchange Project Approved (Improvement District No. BN-25-A1): Engineering Department to Present Traffic-Calming Plan for the Area Between the New Interchange and University Drive in 90-Days:
City Engineer Tom Knakmuhs said the proposal tonight is for a build or no build decision regarding a new interstate ramp at the intersection of 64th Avenue South and I-29. He said this project was initiated 20 years ago and has seen more than $61 million in local investment to preserve right-of-way and prepare infrastructure for this long-term goal. He said proponents argue that adding ramps is essential to alleviate safety and congestion issues at the 52nd Avenue interchange and to secure more than $21 million in dedicated Federal funding that would otherwise be lost. The project aligns with the Growth Plan to promote orderly development and maximize infrastructure efficiency, he stated, whereas a potential alternative at 76th Avenue would fail to solve current traffic issues and require significant new investment. He said by securing more than $21 million in Federal aid and selecting the more affordable Alternative 1, the City will reduce the project cost by $3 million. The City is also implementing flexible assessment options, he stated, including a ten-year deferral for rural parcels and ensuring that non-profits and public entities, such as the Park District, contribute a fair share of the infrastructure costs.
Mayor Mahoney credited the collaborative efforts of the Engineering and Assessor’s Departments for refining the plans and upcoming discussions will focus on how developers will support Fargo’s ongoing expansion. He said this comprehensive approach ensures the 64th Avenue project remains affordable for taxpayers while significantly improving the quality of life for local homeowners.
Mr. Knakmuhs said to address safety concerns regarding high traffic speeds, the Engineering Department will present, at a later date, a formal traffic-calming plan for the area between the new interchange and University Drive. He said this plan will focus on features such as landscaped medians, pedestrian refuge islands and dedicated turn lanes to help residents safely access driveways. The design will maintain a residential atmosphere with a roundabout to the east, he said, while a traditional stoplight will manage commercial traffic to the west, ultimately supporting the operations of the new Fire Station No. 8 on 64th Avenue South. The City is leveraging the momentum from public engagement to begin long-term planning for 76th Avenue South, he stated, ensuring future growth is proactive rather than reactive.
Nathan Vollmuth, Austin Morris, Rob Kost, Chris Mack, Don Dabbert, Tyler Brandt and Walter Samuel spoke.
Commissioner Strand moved Alternative 1 for the 64th Avenue South Interchange Project be approved.
Second by Kolpack. On call of the roll Commissioners Strand, Kolpack, Piepkorn, Turnberg and Mahoney voted aye.
No Commissioner being absent and none voting nay, the motion was declared carried.
Commissioner Turnberg moved the Engineering Department be directed to present a traffic-calming plan for the area between the new interchange and University Drive in 90-days.
Second by Strand. On call of the roll Commissioners Turnberg, Strand, Kolpack, Piepkorn and Mahoney voted aye.
No Commissioner being absent and none voting nay, the motion was declared carried.
Informational Update on Employee Engagement Survey:
Human Resources Director Jill Minette said the City has launched a comprehensive employee engagement initiative designed to measure workforce morale, celebrate daily successes and address the root causes of disengagement. She said by creating a safe space for constructive feedback and civil collaboration, the City is empowering its employees to lead the development of a long-term action plan for positive change. Following a City-wide survey in late 2025 and a leadership retreat to analyze the results, the first quarter of 2026 is focused on department-level discussions to identify specific improvements and the implementation of tailored action plans will ramp up in the second quarter of 2026, with ongoing progress tracking throughout the year leading to a follow-up survey in 2027 to measure the initiative's overall impact.
Human Resources Assistant Director Beth Wiegman said to support the City’s engagement initiative, department heads are using specialized toolkits and worksheets to bridge the gap between survey numbers and real-world solutions. She said the process begins with leaders identifying two to three key engagement drivers and immediate high-impact solutions while also highlighting successes to celebrate. These priorities feed into both departmental and City-wide employee discussion groups, she stated, which are designed to provide the why behind the survey scores through qualitative feedback to ensure accountability. She said every department will follow a standardized action planning framework to track specific tasks, required resources and measurable milestones and this consistent framework includes a transparent communication plan and regular progress reviews, ensuring leadership remains open and responsive as these plans are rolled up into a unified City strategy.
City Administrator Michael Redlinger said the initiative marks a historic first for the City, establishing a baseline to measure and improve employee engagement over the long term. Rather than a one-time survey, the City is committing to a two-year cycle where progress will be re-evaluated in 2027 and beyond to ensure goals are being met and the focus remains on listening, learning and acting. By equipping department heads with the necessary change-management tools and resources to foster a more engaged workforce, he said, the City will be revisiting results every few years and the City aims to show continuous improvement and build an organizational culture that remains responsive to its employees' needs.
Commissioner Kolpack said City leaders expressed a strong commitment to fulfilling their promise to employees by transforming survey feedback into meaningful results. She said a key priority is addressing the 436 comments shared by staff, which officials praised for their candor and honesty. To ensure accountability, the City will require regular quarterly updates from each department and division head to track the progress of specific action plans, she stated and by keeping this initiative front and center, the Commission aims to prove to the workforce that their concerns have been heard and the City is dedicated to taking consistent, measurable action.
Applications for Property Tax Exemptions for Improvements Made to Building Approved:
a. TTE Holdings LLC (5 years).
b. TTE Holdings LLC (5 years).
c. Michael and Hayley Hannesson (5 years).
d. Haley Vargas and Juan Ramirez Vargas (5 years).
e. George and Jan Boyer (5 years).
f. Jonathan and Jennifer Hoffman (5 years).
g. Barret and Jennifer Wood (5 years)
h. Michael and Sarah Keim (5 years)
i. Ahron and Stacey Walter (5 years)
j. Firas Omar (5 years)
Commissioner Piepkorn moved the applications be approved.
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.
Direct the City Attorney’s Office to review the Tobacco Ordinance – Chapter 35 (Moved from the Consent Agenda):
Commissioner Turnberg raised concerns regarding proposed local vape restrictions, emphasizing the need for transparency with business owners who are worried about the impact on their operations. She argued that local bans might be fruitless and unfairly penalize brick-and-mortar businesses, as consumers could easily bypass local laws by ordering products online and noted while the Commission recently held an educational in-service with experts to discuss existing ordinances in Minnesota and Clay County, the current step is simply a request for the City Attorney to review potential regulatory options. She reassured the public that any formal changes would return to the Commission for further discussion and public input before being enacted.
Director of Public Health Jenn Faul said this comprehensive review aims to modernize licensing and flavor policies, with a specific focus on implementing best practices to reduce youth access to flavored vapes and building on a directive established in July 2025. She said the health department has been coordinating with a broad coalition of national and local partners including the American Heart Association, Fargo Public Schools and major healthcare providers like Sanford and Essentia to align with the state’s goal of becoming the healthiest in the nation and while a joint educational meeting was held last week to share expert insights with the Commission, there is currently no specific draft policy ready for review.
Commissioner Strand said he is requesting a clear, two-step review process to ensure the proposal is fully vetted and insisted Public Health review and endorse the policy first before it ever reaches the City Commission and this approach ensures health experts and local business owners, such as vape shop owners, have a chance to provide input at both levels. By following this order, he believes they can avoid skipping critical professional oversight and ensure the City has the Public Health's full endorsement before making a final decision, he said.
Commissioner Strand moved the City Attorney’s Office be directed to review the Tobacco Ordinance - Chapter 35.
Second by Kolpack. On call of the roll Commissioners Strand, Kolpack, Piepkorn, Turnberg and Mahoney voted aye.
No Commissioner being absent and none voting nay, the motion was declared carried.
Application for Games of Chance for TNT Kid’s Fitness and Gymnastics for a Raffle 1/25/26.
Commissioner Piepkorn moved the application be approved.
Second by Kolpack. On call of the roll Commissioners Piepkorn, Kolpack, Turnberg, Strand 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:
Kimberly Ondo spoke.
The meeting adjourned at 6:12 o’clock p.m.