Fargo City Commission Meeting Wrap-Up - 11.24.2025
In case you missed the November 24, 2025, Fargo City Commission meeting, here are a few highlights we would like you to know about.
Update on Regional Rail Crossing Study
The Fargo City Commission received an update on Monday regarding a study that examined how rail crossings affect traffic flow, safety and long-term planning across the metro area.
Nearly three years ago, the Metropolitan Council of Governments (Metro COG), BNSF Railway and local cities and counties began discussing the need to evaluate rail-related congestion and safety concerns. In 2024, consultants from HDR launched a review of 15 key rail crossings in the Fargo area.
A committee made up of local governments, state transportation departments and rail companies helped guide the work, while another group including MATBUS, school transportation staff, first responders and local organizations provided additional feedback. Study organizers collected resident input at community gatherings and held public meetings in Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead and Dilworth.
The study includes evaluations of each major crossing, potential improvement options and early cost estimates. Metro COG is presenting the findings to all local jurisdictions before its Policy Board considers formally adopting the study.
Residents can view the draft study on Metro COG’s website.
City Commission Approves Solid Waste Rate Increases
The Fargo City Commission voted unanimously on Monday to approve updates to the City’s solid waste service rates. The changes, which take effect January 1, 2026, were included in the 2026 Budget and were reviewed by the Finance Committee in June 2025.
Most solid waste services will see modest increases, including:
• Residential garbage collection: +$1 per month
• Residential all-in-one recycling: +$1 per month
• Landfill tipping fees: increase from $51/ton to $57/ton
A cost-of-service analysis showed the rate increases are needed to cover higher costs for staffing, equipment and operations. Many rates haven’t been updated for several years; for example, residential garbage rates haven’t changed since 2009. A market survey analysis confirmed that the new rates are in line with what other cities in the region charge.
For more information on Fargo's solid waste services, please visit FargoND.gov/SolidWaste
Fargo Celebrates Opening of New Parking Garage
The City of Fargo, along with Kilbourne Group, the Downtown Community Partnership and other project collaborators, held a grand opening ceremony for the new NP Parking Garage on Friday, November 14.
The NP Parking Garage at 602 NP Ave. features 480 parking spaces, making it the largest City-owned parking facility in Downtown Fargo. Parking is free after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends, with hourly rates during business hours. Reserved parking is also available for $115 per month. For more information, please visit FargoParking.com.
Wrapping around the parking garage will be a mixed-use development that includes the future home of the Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre, 168 new apartments and 2,440 square feet of commercial space. While the parking garage construction is now complete, the surrounding development is on track for completion in 2026.
For more than 50 years, this downtown site served as a surface parking lot. Now, it’s being transformed into a multi-use space that will contribute to Fargo’s tax base and economic vitality.
A video recapping the grand opening ceremony was shown during Monday's City Commission. The video can be viewed here.
Ian McLean Appointed as New City Attorney
The Fargo City Commission has appointed Ian McLean as Fargo’s new City Attorney.
Longtime City Attorney Nancy Morris stepped down from her role on November 24 and will continue serving the City as a part-time Assistant City Attorney. McLean’s appointment as City Attorney became effective November 25.
McLean, a Fargo native, has worked in the City Attorney’s Office since 2015, providing legal support to City departments, the City Commission and handling both prosecution and civil matters. He has served as the First Assistant City Attorney since 2022.