Ashlee Newman

This strategic plan outlines the future direction for the Mandan Fire Department, focusing on preserving life, protecting property, and maintaining service levels for a growing community. Key priorities include optimizing fire station coverage, improving emergency response times through the construction of Fire Station 3, and planning for future growth with a fourth station. The plan addresses increasing call volumes and community expansion by proposing infrastructure investments funded by existing sales tax redirection, ensuring continued effective and efficient service delivery.

The commission held public hearings regarding the annexation of the Heart River Correctional Center and Rock Prairie Estates Addition. Consent agenda items included approval of authorized check signers, project sequencing for municipal contracts, a request for proposals for geotechnical evaluations, event permits, and the acceptance of grant funding. New business topics featured the selection of a Vice President, commissioner committee assignments, the approval of a forgivable loan for fire sprinkler assistance, a project status update from the Lower Heart River Water Resource District, and multiple engineering service agreements for stormwater updates and project decommissioning. Additionally, the commission addressed ordinance amendments regarding parking violation penalties, approved a resolution for a WaterSMART grant, and proceeded with the first considerations of ordinances related to property annexations.

The committee discussed several initiatives including the Beautification Recognition Program nominations, status reports on the Spring Clean-Up Week and Community Clean-Up Month, updates on the Mandan Flowers project, and coordination of volunteers for city landscaping. Additional discussions covered the potential purchase of holiday decorations, a mid-year report from Code Enforcement regarding property compliance, the Bobcat Day of Community Service project at the dog park, progress on city-wide beautification projects such as alley improvements and mosaic installations, and the identification of individuals to receive notes of thanks.

The committee discussed nominations for the Beautification Recognition Program, resulting in the approval of two property recognitions and the denial of one due to code compliance issues. Status reports were provided regarding Christmas street light pole decorations and potential future lighting projects for Crying Hill. The committee reviewed design plans for the Collins Avenue water reservoir and the Water Treatment Plant Phase III project, establishing a subcommittee to further develop branding and artistic concepts for the reservoir. Additionally, the committee reached a consensus to maintain a bimonthly meeting schedule for the upcoming year and reviewed applications for membership terms starting in 2025.

The commission held a regular meeting covering various administrative and municipal matters. Key topics included the proclamation of the Social Security 90th anniversary, a ten-year extension of the Renaissance Zone Program, and budget approvals for the library and airport authority. Discussions also addressed infrastructure projects, specifically the Memorial Highway Construction, storm sewer improvements for Shores at Lakewood, and the Collins Avenue Reservoir Project. Furthermore, the commission enacted ordinances related to city sales and gross receipts taxes, and approved several zone changes for residential and commercial developments.