Lisa Bode

The meeting commenced with roll call followed by the approval of the previous meeting's minutes. A citizen provided an update on the Greater MBA, mentioning a successful holiday social and ongoing analysis of a member survey covering topics like childcare and paid time leave. A significant portion of the meeting involved a leadership transition announcement regarding the departure of Derek Leo and the introduction of Matt Lysath as the new provider of economic development services via Downtown Moorhead Inc. The Authority discussed recommending a one-year extension to the professional services agreement with Downtown Moorhead, Inc., which is scheduled for review by the City Council later. An informational session was held regarding the proposed financing of City Hall reconstruction through lease revenue bonds sold by the EDA, structured so the City makes payments equal to the bond obligations, with the EDA retaining ownership of the land until the bond term ends and the City purchases the property for a nominal fee. Discussions also touched upon the progress in downtown development, including the success of the housing goal and redevelopment efforts at the former Morehead Center Mall site.

The meeting commenced with the call to order for the November 3rd meeting. Key agenda items included the approval of the September 8th meeting minutes. A presentation was given by Staca Seisma, Executive Director of the Greater MBA, detailing recent activities such as the revamped nonprofit connect sessions focusing on topics like AI and board tips, and their annual celebration with over 130 attendees, where they rolled out the name change to the Greater MBA. The City of Moorhead communications team presented on their marketing efforts, funded by EDA investment, including work on downtown projects and awareness campaigns. They highlighted significant achievements, such as the State of the Cities presentation to 800 business leaders, the rollout of the new Greater MBA branding, and extensive social media growth with over 3.6 million engagements in the last year. Event organization, including groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings for major infrastructure projects like the 11th Street underpass and The Loop, was detailed. Furthermore, the team discussed advertising efforts in the Parade of Homes, promotion of relocation incentives, and the creation of the annual development report used to showcase community progress and attract investment. Finally, efforts to manage public perception regarding ongoing construction through informative social media posts were noted.

The meeting agenda covered several informational items and other business. Key discussions included the Capital Project Cost Allocation Plan, which details a proposed revenue-hour based methodology for allocating capital costs, and an introduction to the Monthly Budget to Actuals Report for January 2026. Updates were provided on security incidents, feedback received from riders, and an overview of MATBUS 2025 accomplishments, such as fare adjustments and equipment purchases. There were also specific reports on security incidents, including altercations, trespass issues, and instances of intoxicated individuals, alongside numerous pieces of rider feedback concerning schedule adherence, driver conduct, and service reliability.

This Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) serves as a roadmap for the City of Moorhead, Minnesota, to identify future projects, related expenditures, and funding sources. It aims to ensure effective management of capital assets and aligns with the City's strategic plan to maintain service levels commensurate with community needs and growth. Key goals include acknowledging and communicating public infrastructure priorities, responding to changing needs, and assessing financial resources for future capital projects. The plan also adheres to recommendations from the Government Finance Officers Association and the CIP Act for fiscally sustainable, multi-year capital planning.

The City Council meeting commenced with a land acknowledgment recognizing the indigenous communities who historically resided on the land. Following roll call and agenda confirmation, which included removing item 8A and adding item 10F to the consent agenda, the council approved the amended agenda. The council then approved the consent agenda. A presentation was given by representatives from the University of Minnesota Extension regarding Clay County Extension programs, focusing on horticulture education, 4-H youth development, and the impact of their work, including statistics on youth served, volunteer hours, and community partnerships. Following the presentation, the council addressed Item 8A, which involved nominations for the Morehead Public Service Committee, with Council Member White requesting separate discussion and votes for two nominations, starting with the appointment of Steve Lindos.