On the agenda: Bismarck, ND Bismarck City Commission — Flock Camera (Aug 11)

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF CITY COMMISSIONERS
8/11/2026 - MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
The Board of City Commissioners met on August 11, 2026, at 5:15 PM in the Tom Baker
Meeting Room, City/County Office Building, 221 North Fifth Street, Bismarck, North Dakota.
Commissioners Connelly, Hull, Risch, Doll, and Mayor Schmitz were present.
FUTURE COMMISSION MEETINGS
August 25, 2026
September 8, 2026 & September 22, 2026
October 13, 2026 & October 27, 2026

MISSION STATEMENT
Together, we deliver exceptional public service.
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF CITY COMMISSION
1.

PUBLIC COMMENT
A.

Public Comment Policy: Restricted to items on the Consent Agenda, Regular
Agenda, or the Prior City Commission Agenda, excluding public hearing items.
1. Sarah Kallhoff spoke on behalf of item 3.G and is in support of a ban on kratom
and other synthetic derivatives.
2. Lexi Gunderson spoke on behalf of item 3.G and is in support of a ban on kratom
and other synthetic derivatives.
3. Allison Smith, Director of Government Affairs for the Global Kratom Coalition,
spoke on behalf of item 3.G and agrees there is a regional issue with kratom,
policy should differentiate between traditional natural leaf products and dangerous,
lab-created synthetic alternatives.

2.

CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor Schmitz requested to pull item E.2 due to a conflict of interest.
Commissioner Hull requested to pull item G.5 due to a conflict of interest.
Commissioner Doll moved to approve the consent agenda removing items E.2 and G.5.

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Commissioner Hull seconded the motion. M/C
Commissioner Doll moved to approve item E.2 as presented. Commissioner Hull seconded the
motion. M/C. Mayor Schmitz abstained from voting.
Commissioner Connelly moved to approve item G.5. Mayor Schmitz seconded the motion.
M/C. Commissioner Hull abstained from voting.
A. Consider approval of minutes

B.

Consider approval of personnel actions

C.

Consider approval of expenditures

Vouchers: 1133968-1134202
D.

E.

F.

Consider the request for approval from the Bismarck Airport for the following:

1.

Change order to Weisz and Son’s contract for the outfall repair project.

2.

Department of Homeland Security Law Enforcement Officer Reimbursement
Grant application.

Consider the request for approval from the Engineering Department for the following:

1.

Introduction of and call for a public hearing to approve a non-exclusive right of
way occupancy agreement with Metro Fibernet, LLC.

2.

Encroachment and Waiver Agreement with Church of the Ascension.

3.

Encroachment Agreement at 2513 E Main Ave.

4.

Resolutions approving plans and specifications, directing the advertisement for
bids, and receiving bids for Street Improvement District No. SI 601 and Sewer
Improvement District No. SE 587.

Consider the request for approval from the Finance Department for the following:

Bismarck City Commission - August 11, 2026

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1.

G.

3.

Resolution directing special assessments to be levied.

Consider the request for approval from the Planning Department for the following:

1.

Introduction of and call for a public hearing on Ordinance 6679, a zoning map
amendment from the existing RM30 – Residential (RM-Residential Multi-Family)
zoning district to the CX-Commercial Mixed-Use and RM-Residential MultiFamily zoning districts, and a preliminary subdivision plat titled Paradise Valley
Third Addition, where the Planning and Zoning Commission recommends
approval.

2.

For the Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Planning Organization, on behalf of BisMan Transit, to decommission and dispose of four (4) Ford Econoline paratransit
buses.

3.

Addendum to the Advanced Traffic Analysis Center (ATAC) Master Agreement
for Signalized Intersection Traffic & Pedestrian Data Collection in Bismarck.

4.

Amendment to the Addendum to the Master Agreement with Advanced Traffic
Analysis Center (ATAC) for Signalized Intersection Traffic & Pedestrian Data
Collection in Mandan.

5.

Passenger Rail Station Siting Study Contract.

REGULAR AGENDA
A.

Public hearing on an application for a Class C-2 Hotel or Motel alcohol license by
Jassi Bismarck 29 Corporation (dba) LaQuinta Inn & Suites at 2240 North 12th
Street.

Mayor Schmitz opened the public hearing. No public comment was received.
Commissioner Hull moved to approve the item as presented, and Commissioner Doll
seconded. Upon a roll call vote, all voted aye. M/C.
B.

Public hearing on Ordinance 6674 to amend Sections 2-05-01, 2-05-02, and 6-09-04
of the City of Bismarck Code of Ordinances relating to Term of Office, Duties and
Powers, and Fee Assessments for Funding Crime Victim and Witness Program.

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Mayor Schmitz opened the public hearing. No public comment was received.
Commissioner Connelly moved to approve the item as presented, and Commissioner Doll
seconded. Upon a roll call vote, all voted aye. M/C.
C.

Public hearing on Ordinance 6678 to amend sections 5-01-01, 5-01-06, 5-01-07, 501-13, and 5-03-05, of the City of Bismarck Code of Ordinances Relating to Alcoholic
Beverages and Civic Center Exception, and Repeal 5-01-20 Relating to Enclosed
Booths and Access to Licensed Premises and 5-10-01 Relating to Sunday Opening
of Grocery Stores.

Mayor Schmitz noted that the public hearing for this item would need to be extended to
the next commission meeting due to complications with the public notice process.
Mayor Schmitz opened the public hearing. No public comment was received.
Commissioner Connelly moved to extend the item to the August 25, 2026, City
Commission meeting, and Commissioner Risch seconded. Upon a roll call vote, all voted
aye. M/C.
D.

Public hearing on the release of the access, watermain, sanitary sewer, stormwater,
drainage, and utility easement on Lot 1 less the South 5 feet and all of Lot 2, Block 1,
Tree Top Addition First Replat

Mayor Schmitz opened the public hearing.
• Landon Niemiller, a representative of Swenson, Hagen & Company, stood for any
questions the commission had.
• Mark Hanson, owner of the project, gave clarification of the project.
Commissioner Risch moved to approve the item as presented, and Commissioner
Connelly seconded. Upon a roll call vote, all voted aye. M/C.
E.

Consider the request to receive an update on the Water Treatment Plant Expansion
Project and approve funding sources.

Public Works Utility Operations Director, Michael Mart, provided an update on the Water
Treatment Plant Expansion Project and wanted to discuss next steps for funding the
project. Director Mart proposed applying for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
(DWSRF) grant to fund the remaining balance of the project.
• Presentation
Commissioner Hull moved to approve the application and potential receipt of the DWSRF
grant, and Commissioner Doll seconded. Upon a roll call vote, all voted aye. M/C.

F.

Consider the request from the Finance Department to accept the 2025 Audit Results
and the 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.

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Finance Director, Ryan Skor, presented a summary of the 2025 Annual Comprehensive
Financial Report (ACFR), Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards, and the 2025
audit results.
Commissioner Doll moved to approve the item as presented, and Commissioner Hull
seconded. Upon a roll call vote, all voted aye. M/C.
G.

Consider the request by Commissioner Connelly to discuss the upcoming September
2, 2026 special legislative session and the topic of kratom.

Commissioner Connelly discussed the upcoming special legislative session to discuss the
Governor's announcement of the banning of kratom. Commissioner Connelly asked the
commission if it was their desire to take a formal position prior to the legislative session.
Mayor Schmitz commented that currently the City does not know the official position of the
state, and therefore believes it is premature for the City to take a position and proposed
possibly hosting a special City Commission meeting when more information comes from
the State and at that time develop a formal position.
There was consensus among the Commission to wait until more information from the
State is presented.
• Public Health Handout
H.

Consider the request by Commissioner Connelly to discuss non-disclosure
agreements relating to City of Bismarck staff and North Dakota open records laws.

Commissioner Connelly raised concerns regarding the use of non-disclosure agreements
(NDAs) by public officials in other communities, prompting a review of how such
agreements align with North Dakota open records laws.
City Attorney Julie Mees clarified that under state law (ND Century Code 44-04), all City
records are public by default, with limited exceptions, such as confidential information, and
affirmed that the City of Bismarck adheres to these legal requirements.
4.

OTHER BUSINESS
A. Commissioner Risch discussed the public concern over Flock Cameras, and clarified
that the City of Bismarck doesn't utilize Flock Cameras. Commissioner Risch clarified
that there are some private businesses that use Flock Cameras.
B. Mayor Schmitz requested permission to form a task force to help the Engineering
Department develop a proposal for a street utility fee. Mayor Schmitz also stated that he
would like this committee to help develop a strategy for public engagement and
education regarding the details of the future proposed street utility fee.
o Commissioner Risch moved to approve the Mayor's request, and Commissioner
Hull seconded. Upon a roll call vote, all voted aye. M/C.

ADJOURN
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 6:36 PM.

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