WEST FARGO -- About two dozen residents visited with West Fargo City Commissioners during a fire hall chat on Thursday, Jan. 23, that addressed a wide range of resident concerns and questions.
Commissioners Rory Jorgensen, Amy Zundel, Roben Anderson and Mayor Bernie Dardis attended the event sponsored by Civic West, a nonprofit group organized to help engage civic activity. Commissioner Brad Olson was not in attendance.
Residents took the opportunity to ask about a wide range of issues, including how the commission works with city staff and how the city can reduce the property tax burden for residents.
One resident asked about a newly filled-in lot on Sheyenne Street with trailers for sale. The resident noted that the lot does not fit with West Fargo's "downtown" aesthetic, which the city has attempted to revamp with additional development and foot traffic over the past decade.
Dardis said the sales lot is perfectly legal as there is no city ordinance that prevents it at this time.
"That was a surprise to all of us when that transpired," Dardis said. "There is an individual owner that owns that block. We don't have an ordinance that would protect us from something like that. It's a private enterprise leasing space from the property owner. If he owns his property and we don't have an ordinance that restricts that, he is free to do whatever he likes."
The community discussion also touched on the growth of the city, which Dardis said has been about 26% in the past 10 years.
"When my wife and I moved to West Fargo, there were 9,000 people in this community. So to witness the growth in this community has been amazing," Dardis said.
Resident and Civic West Member Marlene Batterberry addressed the city's lack of a senior center, something advocated by the West Fargo Seniors Group. She noted that since former West Fargo Commissioner Frank Lenzmeier died on Jan. 15, the seniors are now without a leader. She asked if the commission could provide help with an effort to build a senior center.
Commissioner Jorgensen said an effort to find a path forward to build a senior center remains active in the community.
"We all know what we want, but it's how we are going to pay for it and maintain it," he said.
Commissioner Zundel, who is also the West Fargo Parks Executive Director, said the Rustad Center offers as much senior programming as it can at this time, but the park district may be a good partner for the commission on any effort to build a senior center.
Dardis also addressed the use of tax incentives to attract businesses to the community, citing that those tax breaks can help ease residential tax rates in the long run.
"When they are fully on the tax rolls it will be a significant savings for our community and our citizens," Dardis said.
One resident, who did not give his name, said he was arrested coming home from work on New Year's Eve after he was stopped for a traffic violation. He said the traffic charges were dropped, and he received an apology letter from the department, but he asked the commissioners to address what can be done to "avoid hiring corrupt officers."
Zundel and Jorgensen are married to law enforcement officers. Zundel said she feels if there are officers who are problematic, the city has the right processes to handle the situation.
"As far as a real corruption issue, I don't see (it)," Zundel said.
Dardis noted that there are more screening processes for officers in place than ever before.
Resident and Civic West Member Lana Rakow asked commissioners to discuss how residents can get more involved and share their thoughts with the commission.
Dardis pointed to the city's website and encouraged residents to call their commissioners directly. Residents can also speak during the public comment portion of City Commission meetings.