Commission approves up to $505,000 for America 250 event upgrades and mobile vehicle barriers

The Board approved a combined visitors‑fund request on April 7 that will direct up to $325,000 to the Mandan Progress Organization (MPO) for event equipment, signage, benches, additional picnic tables and band‑shell repairs for America 250 programming, and up to $180,000 for the Mandan Police Department to acquire Archer vehicle‑stopping barriers and associated trailers.

Mr. Neubauer presented the visitors committee's recommendation and said the requests were vetted by the committee. "These dollars are bed and beverage sales‑tax revenues that by North Dakota Century Code must be used for visitor‑related projects," he said, noting the visitors fund would still retain several hundred thousand dollars if both requests were approved.

Matt Shandor, executive director of the Mandan Progress Organization, outlined priorities including portable seating and tables (the MPO requested 50 additional picnic tables), improved event signage and benches, and cosmetic upgrades to the band shell for the July celebrations. He said last year's in‑park events drew large crowds and the organization plans equipment purchases that would also reduce demands on city public‑works crews during events.

Chief Jason Ziegler explained the proposed Archer barriers and their intended use at large gatherings. He said the barriers weigh about 750 pounds apiece, are mobile and can be deployed in arrays that meet the manufacturer's certification; city staff can tip and wheel them into place more quickly than the buses previously used as blockades. "They're designed to stop a large vehicle in its tracks," Chief Ziegler said, adding the units would be used alongside other measures (buses, closures) to maximize pedestrian safety.

Commissioner Schoberg moved to approve the visitors committee recommendation (up to $325,000 to the MPO and up to $180,000 to Mandan PD); the motion passed on unanimous roll call.