West Fargo Commission approves rezoning, plats, contracts and several street projects; holds budget hearing

The West Fargo City Commission on Sept. 8 approved multiple land-use and procurement actions and heard a public hearing on the 2026 preliminary budget.

The commission voted to approve the first reading of an ordinance to rezone the South Elementary School property from R-2 (multi-dwelling residential) to P (public facilities), approved the final plat for Galvanizer’s Addition, authorized a human-resources and payroll services agreement with the West Fargo Park District, accepted a bid withdrawal and awarded a mechanical contract for the Public Works and Sanitation expansion, approved the creation and advertisement steps for two street reconstruction projects, and adopted a second reading of an ordinance on routine street maintenance. Commissioners also held the statutorily required public hearing on the 2026 preliminary budget; no formal action on the budget was taken at the meeting.

The rezoning request (A25-17 Cheyenne Second Addition) covers the South Elementary School site at 117 Sixth Avenue West and adjacent recreational property. Aaron Nelson, West Fargo director of planning and zoning, told the commission the P district “allows for greater development flexibility specifically in regards to some of the required setbacks” and is intended for public facilities, and staff recommended approval. After the public hearing produced no speakers, the commission approved the first reading.

The commission approved a final plat for Galvanizer’s Addition, a roughly 12-acre subdivision west of the Fargo landfill that would create a 1.12-acre lot intended for Galvanizers Inc. Nelson said the subdivision stays in the M (heavy industrial) zoning district and includes right-of-way dedication for a future extension of 12th Street NE; staff recommended approval. The motion carried on a voice vote.

Sarah Gosevic, the city’s director of human resources, presented a services agreement that will allow the West Fargo Park District to remain on the city’s benefit program and have payroll and HR administered through city systems. Gosevic said the contract provides “taxpayer savings, employee stability and operational efficiency,” and Commissioner Wilson moved to approve the agreement. Commissioner Zundel recused herself from that vote because of her role on the park district; the motion carried.

Matt Andvik, director of public works, reported that mechanical contractor Peterson Sheet Metal withdrew its bid for Phase 2 of the Public Works and Sanitation Expansion after it identified a bid error. Andvik said Manning Mechanical became the low bidder and asked the commission to accept the withdrawal and award the mechanical contract to Manning Mechanical. He told commissioners the revised combined total for Phase 2 bids is $9,855,518 and the revised total Phase 2 cost including FF&E and contingency is about $11,717,000, figures below earlier construction estimates. Andvik said the city has secured $8,500,000 in Clean Water State Revolving Fund loans and $2,700,000 in Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loans, a total of $11,200,000 in SRF loan funding, and that the remaining project costs would be covered by capital improvement sales tax and water reserves. The commission approved accepting the bid withdrawal and awarding the mechanical contract.

Dan Hansen, senior director of community development, presented plans for two roadway projects that will be bid by the North Dakota Department of Transportation (DOT): Improvement District 2265 (Ninth Street and Seventh Avenue NE reconstruction) and Project 2284 (2026 HSIP intersections and turn-lane realignments). Hansen said the Ninth Street/Seventh Avenue project has a total estimated cost of $32,583,000; Fargo has committed $4,575,000; the city has secured slightly more than $18,000,000 in grant funding; and West Fargo’s remaining local share is roughly $2,950,000 to be paid from capital improvement sales tax with the remainder assessed regionally. He said the DOT will advertise and award bids, and the commission approved plans, specifications and an ad for bids for both projects.

Katie Schmidt, city attorney, asked the commission to adopt the second reading of Ordinance No. 1257 (chapter 2.06), which concerns routine street maintenance. Schmidt said there were no substantive changes since the first reading. The commission approved the second reading and adopted the ordinance.

The commission also held the statutorily required public hearing on the 2026 preliminary budget. Dustin Scott, city administrator, noted that the hearing is for objections or protests and that the city’s final budget is planned to return to the commission on Sept. 22 or Oct. 6 for possible adoption. Scott said that since the preliminary budget was approved on Aug. 4, the only numerical change is a reduction in forestry revenue from about $870,000 to $800,000 after a rates correction; he emphasized that no budget adoption occurred at the Sept. 8 meeting.

Votes at a glance

- A25-17 Cheyenne Second Addition: First reading of rezoning from R-2 to P — approved (motion: Commissioner Olson; second: Commissioner Anderson; voice vote).

- Galvanizer’s Addition final plat (8-25-19): Final plat approval and public dedication agreement — approved (motion: Commissioner Jorgensen; second: Commissioner Anderson; voice vote).

- Park District HR/payroll services agreement: Approve service agreement between City of West Fargo and West Fargo Park District — approved; Commissioner Zundel recused (motion: Commissioner Wilson; second: Commissioner Jorgensen; voice vote).

- Public Works & Sanitation Expansion (Project 9061, Phase 2): Accept bid withdrawal from Peterson Sheet Metal; award mechanical contract to Manning Mechanical — approved (motion: Commissioner Zundel; second: Commissioner Olsen; voice vote). City staff reported Phase 2 combined bid total $9,855,518 and revised Phase 2 total about $11,717,000; SRF loan funding approved $8,500,000 (Clean Water) and $2,700,000 (Drinking Water).

- Improvement District 2265 (Ninth St. & Seventh Ave. NE Reconstruction): Approve engineer’s report, plans/specifications, advertise for bids, resolution of necessity — approved (motion: Commissioner Zundel; second: Commissioner Jorgensen; voice vote). Project estimate $32,583,000; West Fargo local share roughly $2,950,000 after federal/state grants and Fargo contribution.

- Project 2284 (2026 HSIP intersections and turn-lane realignments): Approve engineer’s report, plans/specifications, advertise for DOT bids — approved (motion: Commissioner Olsen; second: Commissioner Anderson; voice vote). Construction expected in 2026; HSIP grant to cover about 90% of construction costs.

- Ordinance No. 1257 (Chapter 2.06) — Routine street maintenance: Second reading and adoption — approved (motion: Commissioner Jorgensen; second: Commissioner Olson; voice vote).

What this means

Most approvals move projects to the design or bidding phase; several rely on North Dakota DOT advertising and grant funding. The commission did not take final action on the 2026 budget; staff indicated the final budget will come back for possible approval Sept. 22 or Oct. 6. Several items reported grant or loan amounts and estimated project totals; those figures were presented by staff and are included above as reported at the meeting.

Meeting context

The meeting lasted through an executive session regarding ongoing litigation (Associated General Contractors of North Dakota et al. v. City of West Fargo, case 09-2025-CV-02310) and reconvened afterward for the city administrator’s report. Public engagement on agenda items was limited: the rezoning public hearing produced no speakers, and the budget hearing produced a single public comment in support of the budget process.