[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6658680,"mediaKeyId","3847278-807ff77ea0ef2f3ed7948dc212c5c611","parentId",3847278,"title","West Fargo commission actions at a glance: contracts, zoning, fees and capital awards","audioSeconds",1714,"startMs",4868000,"endMs",6582000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3847278-807ff77ea0ef2f3ed7948dc212c5c611&start=4868&end=6582","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3847278-807ff77ea0ef2f3ed7948dc212c5c611/thumbnail_4868000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6658680/West-Fargo/Cass-County/North-Dakota/West-Fargo-commission-actions-at-a-glance-contracts-zoning-fees-and-capital-awards","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658680-7156ca512e786bf51aa217fc645141d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182543&Signature=QgZ1i9JPXMYOOsVWdCCbmNT7DtDgtDLXBPq8ouQTFVSA1zWocnioZkOODfCoNy2ksLeWAPh1KMU-EhnJylPgn2wlIBRLVVFgoSCbkPHd24xDKYUP3~rrr5k0znrVtL2hrU0WiChxv5pQ-1NNFfK6lnVUlx4mwQ2VBcBt6CGJAR8hTCbngyCU8dA3OPSzQ9ag-sTTe0d~Mf6kxslme3OHMLel2yn~~hIjhkv5Tf-G-ioN5qOgaAXrfk2wOOiqZXHTd3Gum3xf~m3ndVfbbW6F-adS7yOwqlrvLuursRouL~PzN-TyWHsB1EFcUGu4HrOHcPKtc-0DDGWtnnFDO~~4IA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of West Fargo, ND","date","2025-06-17T12:38:08Z","article","The West Fargo City Commission took a series of votes on June 16 covering zoning, contracts, fees and capital projects. Below are the principal formal actions taken during the meeting; each item is summarized with the motion outcome and key details as stated on the public record.

Votes at a glance

- Building permits: The commission approved building permits as distributed. The record shows a 4–1 roll (one recusal was recorded for a specific item). No additional discussion was noted.

- Consent agenda (Items A–H): Approved as distributed by voice vote.

- Ordinance amendment — COSR Cheyenne River Corridor overlay (8-25-11): The second reading of an amendment to Title 4 adjusting the building control line within the COSR zoning district was approved by the commission on second reading. Aaron Nelson, planning and zoning director, said the amendment limits exceptions and encroachments within 100 feet of the Cheyenne Riverbank as requested by the Southeast Cass Water Resource District.

- Contract for incarceration of inmates with Cass County: The commission approved a three-year contract with Cass County to continue incarceration services with a revised commencement date of Jan. 1, 2026. City staff said the rate will increase from $85 to $120 per inmate per day and that an inflation clause ties future increases to the Midwest Consumer Price Index. Cass County Administrator Robert Wilson and Jail Administrator Andrew Froehlich were present for questions.

- Planning and building inspection fee updates: The commission approved updated fee schedules covering commercial and residential building permits, HVAC and inspection fees, development entitlement fees and cash-in-lieu land values. Staff said the updates reflect costs of service and regional comparables; changes would take effect in August.

- Public-works and sanitation expansion (Project #9061): The commission awarded Phase 1 construction to Meridian Commercial Construction to add approximately 15,000 square feet of garage space and reinforce an existing cold-storage building. The project also expands employee parking. The recommended contract award was accepted and the motion carried.

- Improvement District No. 1353 — Dakota Medical Foundation development: The commission accepted bids and awarded the contract for public improvements to Dakota Underground, the low bidder, for $1,401,430.75. Officials said the work is expected to start after contract finalization and be completed this year; the assessment will apply to parcels owned by the developer at the time of petition.

- Core area stormwater study (Project #9063): The city awarded a stormwater modeling and mitigation study to Moore Engineering. The project received a grant from the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services to cover 75% of the study costs; the study will inform interior drainage mitigation and future lift-station design.

- Parking-lot support for downtown mixed-use property (301 Cheyenne): The commission approved a $4,500 contribution from economic development sales tax to help repair and repave 18 parking spots at a downtown lot used for staff parking during business hours and public parking during events. The applicant agreed to sign a memorandum of agreement to make the parking publicly available during nonbusiness hours; staff confirmed property taxes are current.

- Renaissance Zone application — Rested Properties: The commission approved Rested Properties’ application for a five-year Renaissance Zone tax abatement for a speculative 11,340-square-foot industrial building in the city’s industrial business park. Staff estimated the five-year property tax abatement would total roughly $72,480 based on assessor estimates.

How the commission handled each item reflects the meeting record. Several items carried unanimous voice votes; others were approved after the staff presentation and a short discussion. For items involving contracts and construction the commission accepted low bids and authorized staff to proceed with contract execution and next steps.

What’s next

Where applicable, staff will finalize contracts, apply for funding in the 2026 preliminary budget and return with implementation details. The prison-contract commencement date was revised to Jan. 1, 2026, and staff will include the updated incarceration costs in the 2026 budget. The planning and public-works items will move forward to contract execution and project scheduling as staff completes standard procurement steps.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of West Fargo City Commission Meeting - Monday, June 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its June 16 meeting, the West Fargo City Commission approved contracts, a zoning amendment, fee updates and multiple capital awards, and accepted bid awards for public improvements and construction work.","taxTitle","West Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota","taxId",50876,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6658685,"MATBUS proposes Route 21 to add north–south service along Cheyenne Street; West Fargo commission offers feedback",757,959000,1716000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3847278-807ff77ea0ef2f3ed7948dc212c5c611&start=959&end=1716","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3847278-807ff77ea0ef2f3ed7948dc212c5c611/thumbnail_959000.jpg","/articles/6658685/West-Fargo/Cass-County/North-Dakota/MATBUS-proposes-Route-21-to-add-northsouth-service-along-Cheyenne-Street-West-Fargo-commission-offers-feedback","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658685-06c44357a2f2d73dd8ea629e1771ced4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182543&Signature=e01fEVznhwcxh1BCIrWQcJfZTeLwM0~i3lvRXxHHzpKBITrWZSGxUdI7-ti9IRqSxMRoDMaR-PDoNI-JtHy5~iH5Tj4KPcqj8tCS4BQerU0qAA1kpAgx-z9PIsR8nFCNVshEOSX4UWCmNjb8k6PVJCjz5-~66wnnSM7eC2nD~awov7eU5Col~AfpI6jWGc9LSAy-1WH9etuzwTbpy2fufEAJ3vX2G3yqcRKzdYjmjTmrkAlkV3ZRUy8JoqXw~jIHZkaupSCHcZd-nXaXvT7Aj8VA038dZajn4KxNEb7PrWmH5VH9gKmH54M-IqSX6hrkcxQq1aF4acUxTj48mSeG2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MATBUS planners presented a proposed new West Fargo-centric transit route, Route 21, on June 16 to provide a north–south connection along Cheyenne Street and improve intra-city connectivity. The presentation was informational; commissioners offered initial feedback but took no action.

Luke Ridner, transit planner for MATBUS, said the one-hour bidirectional Route 21 would operate every 60 minutes, serve Sanford Medical Center, West Fargo City Hall, Rustad Recreational Center, West Fargo Sports Arena, The Lights, Hornbacher's and downtown, and intersect existing routes 20 and 24 to allow transfers. Ridner said planning documents estimate similar ridership to a comparable Fargo route that recorded about 222,000 rides in the prior year and that Route 21’s system cost would be roughly $551,000; after anticipated federal formula funding (Section 5307), the additional cost to West Fargo was estimated at about $250,000 annually.

Ridner and Cole Swing, assistant transit director of operations, provided current productivity figures: Route 20 averaged roughly six rides per revenue hour in 2023–24; Route 24 averaged about 4.4 to 4.9 rides per revenue hour. MATBUS said Route 21 aims to reduce duplicated service by shortening Route 24 west of Veterans Boulevard and providing a continuous north–south connector.

Commissioners probed financial and operational details. Commissioner Zundell asked for a clearer breakdown of funding and whether Route 21 would change paratransit expenses; MATBUS staff said the agency uses a cost-allocation model that reallocates fixed-route and paratransit costs and that federal funds match up to 50% of eligible operating expenses. Commissioners pressed staff on shelters, stop locations and whether Route 21 should serve Cash Wise and other grocery stores; MATBUS indicated the route is not final and stops could be adjusted.

Several commissioners emphasized the need for hard data and clear shelter planning; one commissioner said West Fargo “deserves shelters at our bus stops,” and MATBUS staff said shelters are in the capital plan and replacement schedule and that the 2027 capital budget may include additional stops.

Aaron Nelson, the city’s planning and zoning director, introduced the item and said the Transit Development Plan is expected to be completed in July or August 2025. No action or budget commitment was requested at the June 16 meeting; MATBUS will refine the proposal and, if the commission signals continued interest, staff may include funding in the preliminary 2026 budget and a revised MATBUS operating agreement later this year.","MATBUS planners presented a draft Route 21 to provide a north–south connection along Cheyenne Street in West Fargo. Commissioners asked about cost, routing choices, shelters and grocery-area coverage; no commission action was required.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6658688,"West Fargo commission tables short-term rental ordinance, forms stakeholder committee",391,2607000,2998000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3847278-807ff77ea0ef2f3ed7948dc212c5c611&start=2607&end=2998","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3847278-807ff77ea0ef2f3ed7948dc212c5c611/thumbnail_2607000.jpg","/articles/6658688/West-Fargo/Cass-County/North-Dakota/West-Fargo-commission-tables-short-term-rental-ordinance-forms-stakeholder-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658688-86a56ada4fd60cba58445ff069d1ff5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182543&Signature=VdTdWDTPMV96-dy0JAk4F0Rsk228znxgLjvn4K89gIWqg1B0Jfxw1xoukspH3x7v3efIai~zLUr94GMilglcS834xpEG6u2H9Vpjmx0WMgNcGF1AjpM8btNY2eWPnDP0Z~epcuEuKHOBIMyxtXQ4o8soi1UnH1xtGU3wjWdMW9eGbPHeEBlmvVj4BFeXhHbcWGj9VM5b15nqHMhQO-kJrgHCBGlIwCvS5tBm0ckWnwi0HSyNoTGyni5wgARlg76dPVqfNDlYwMygd30bgdux1UUJf-7ErcC70MCjTrPCy0slap2mH2GdEmcROHKnVho1Kpl2RLssBlYuUDo0ca9v4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Fargo City Commission voted 4-1 on June 16 to table the second reading of ordinance 8-24-28, a city proposal to establish licensing and regulations for short-term rentals, and directed staff to form a stakeholder committee to study the issue further.

The commission’s decision followed a public comment period in which four residents gave opposing views. Eric Stewart, a West Fargo resident, urged the commission to delay regulation until the city collects more data: “We don’t have the data required to make an informed decision on this level of regulation.” Tyler Erickson, another resident and owner of short-term rentals, said he supported the version approved on first reading and argued the primary-residence requirement is needed “to stop incompatible commercial use of residential neighborhoods.” Rita Lunderman, a real estate investor, said the draft ordinance “amounts to a ban” and warned it would strip property owners of the ability to earn income from private property.

Aaron Nelson, the city’s planning and zoning director, told commissioners the ordinance had not changed since the June 2 meeting but that staff had received additional written comments, both supporting and opposing the draft. Nelson also said a resolution establishing related fees was included in the packet.

Commissioner Olson moved to table the item and gather additional information; the motion carried on a 4-1 vote. The commission president directed staff to assemble a public committee to include two commissioners (Commissioner Anderson and Commissioner Jorgensen were named), representatives of short-term rental owners, planning and zoning staff and a public-safety representative from the police department. Commissioners noted the committee’s meetings will be public and require posted agendas and minutes.

Commissioners and commenters raised recurring issues the committee will review: whether short-term rentals produce demonstrably higher rates of disturbances than other residential uses; how private covenants interact with a city licensing program (Nelson noted a draft subsection contemplates that a city-issued license may conflict with private covenants and disclaims responsibility); and enforcement options, including noise and parking complaints.

The commission’s action was explicitly procedural: tabling the ordinance to allow the newly formed committee to gather additional information and bring recommendations back to the commission at a later date.

The commission did not adopt any licensing or fee changes at the June 16 meeting. Staff was asked to coordinate committee membership, public meeting notices and to report back to the commission with findings and draft language as appropriate.","After public comment split between short-term rental owners and residents, the West Fargo City Commission voted 4-1 to table the proposed short-term rental ordinance (8-24-28) and asked staff to convene a public committee including commissioners, short-term rental owners, planning staff and public-safety representatives.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

West Fargo commission actions at a glance: contracts, zoning, fees and capital awards

MATBUS proposes Route 21 to add north–south service along Cheyenne Street; West Fargo commission offers feedback

West Fargo commission tables short-term rental ordinance, forms stakeholder committee