West Fargo commission approves series of infrastructure, development and budget measures; directs staff to negotiate administrator contract

The West Fargo City Commission on March 17 approved a package of infrastructure, development and budget items and directed staff to begin contract negotiations for the city administrator.

The commission voted to renew the West Fargo Neighborhood Revitalization Program with Gate City Bank for 2025, approved a variance previously tabled before the Board of Adjustment, rescinded an earlier petition resolution related to a Sixth Street and 20th/Third Avenue East intersection project and then directed plans for a traffic signal at that intersection. The commission also accepted a petition and approved engineering work for the Dakota Medical Foundation development, approved the 2025 concrete pavement repair program, approved a $250,000 amendment to the Street Department budget and voted to discontinue the franchise public-access cable channel in favor of continued distribution on YouTube and other online platforms. In executive session the commission directed staff to enter negotiations on the city administrator’s contract.

Why it matters: the votes shape near-term capital work in a commercial corridor southwest of Costco, fund routine pavement and ADA ramp repairs across the city, and set the communications approach for public meetings. The Dakota Medical Foundation decision and the intersection work affect planned private development and traffic operations in a growing commercial area.

Key actions and outcomes

- Renewal: West Fargo Neighborhood Revitalization Program (Gate City Bank). Motion to renew passed unanimously. Lisa Sankey, city planner, presented the request and Gate City Bank representatives attended. The program provides low-interest home-improvement loans in select areas and has been active since 2019.

- Board of Adjustment: A25-2 (Maple Ridge at the Preserve, Fourth Edition). The commission, acting as the Board of Adjustment, removed the item from the table and approved the requested variance. The staff recommendation did not change after a letter from the Southeast Cass Water Resource District was reviewed by the city engineer.

- Improvement District 2294 (Sixth Street & 20 Third Avenue East intersection). The commission rescinded a previously adopted resolution because an earlier petition inaccurately stated the petitioner represented a majority of the area; the petition from Dakota Medical Foundation will remain filed with the project. The commission then approved the engineer’s report, directed plans and specifications and chose a signalized intersection rather than a roundabout. City engineer Dan Hanson told commissioners both a roundabout and a signal are viable but the roundabout would perform better over time and be slightly safer; the commission chose the signal and asked staff to coordinate with the North Dakota Department of Transportation on signal warrants before detailed design.

- Improvement District 1353 (Dakota Medical Foundation development). The commission accepted the petition, approved the engineer’s report and directed plans and specifications. Dan Hanson reported an estimated project cost of $2,570,000 to install roadways and public utilities; the developer’s property is intended to be fully assessed for the project costs.

- 2025 Concrete Pavement Repair Project (various city locations). The commission approved creation of project 2291, accepted the engineer’s report and directed advertisement for bids. Hanson said the estimate is $1,804,000; the 2024 Capital Improvement Plan budgeted $1,825,000 (including $325,000 for pedestrian-ramp replacements to meet ADA requirements).

- Budget amendment: 2025 Street Department. Finance director Willie Galindo asked to amend the Street Department budget to place $250,000 previously earmarked for street-crew vehicles and work into the department’s expenditures in the city’s ERP. The commission approved the clerical budget amendment.

- Public-access cable channel. City administrator Dustin Scott outlined the technical and subscription costs to restore a franchise public-access channel. Commissioners voted to discontinue operating a franchise public-access cable channel and instead continue broadcasting meetings on YouTube and other online platforms; staff will explore expanded streaming options.

- Executive session and contract negotiations. In a closed executive session under North Dakota Century Code the commission directed staff to enter negotiations on the city administrator’s contract; the commission then voted to authorize staff to proceed with negotiations.

Votes at a glance (tallies reported at meeting): all listed motions passed by affirmative voice vote. Individual commissioners recorded on the meeting record and present at roll call include Commission President Dardis, Commissioners Jorgensen, Zundell, Jarvis, Olson and Anderson.

What commissioners and staff said

Dan Hanson, city engineer, on the intersection project: “Both a roundabout option and a signalized option of that intersection are both viable options, with the roundabout performing better over time as well as a bit safer. However, the signalized intersection does also perform adequately.” Hanson also advised coordinating with NDDOT on signal warrants before full design.

Willie Galindo, finance director, on the budget amendment: “We are requesting to amend and increase the budget for the street crew department by $250,000.”

Dustin Scott, city administrator, on the public-access channel: the city can continue to publish meetings on current platforms and expand streaming; restoring the franchise channel would require modest hardware and an annual subscription but is not legally required.

What’s next

Staff will proceed with design for the signal at Sixth Street and 20 Third Avenue East and coordinate with NDDOT on signal warrants, move forward on engineering work for the Dakota Medical Foundation development, advertise the 2025 pavement repair project for bids, complete the budget amendment accounting changes, and continue outreach about the Neighborhood Revitalization Program. City staff will also continue YouTube streaming and explore other online options for public meeting broadcasts.

Provenance: meeting transcript passages supporting these items are in the record for March 17, 2025; evidence spans for each action are attached in the article provenance.