Residents urge city to plan for river access impacts; priest asks to restore local cable worship broadcasts

Dave Withy, a West Fargo resident, asked the commission how officials will respond when a planned multi‑use path that improves access to the river makes the riverbank easier for nonresidents to reach.

"When non residents decide to move in with their tents and their shopping carts and their other possessions, what happens? Who do we call?" Withy asked during the public-comment period. He said neighbors have already attempted to discourage people from staying near the river and asked the city to clarify who residents should contact once the path is finished.

Father Gary Luton of Blessed Sacrament Church urged the city to reinstate local‑access cable broadcasts of his parish’s Sunday services and those of Faith Journey Lutheran. He said parishioners — particularly older residents — had called the churches to complain since the broadcasts stopped.

"We have had approximately 20 calls from people explaining their desire to see those services on local access once again," Luton said, and asked the commission to reconsider restoring the broadcasts. He said the churches had been told the city’s broadcast capabilities need updating but that the city had no plans to do so.

Mayor (Commission President) Dardis and the commission took no formal action during public comment; the remarks were recorded as citizen input and were not placed on the consent or regular agenda for a vote.

The public-comment period immediately preceded the evening’s business items, including several ordinance and project approvals. The commission next moved into public hearings and first‑reading business on the agenda.