Grand Forks, City of

The meeting included informational sharing on new GovDelivery notifications. Key discussion items involved considering an amendment to a Class 3 alcoholic beverage license for a proposed business, Annie's Chocolates, which seeks to allow all ages on the premises during alcohol service, leading to a motion to refer ordinance research to the City Council. Several infrastructure projects were reviewed, including creating Special Assessment Districts for paving and street lighting on S 34th St (Project No. 8850.02), approving plans for street and storm sewer repair on the 2400 Block of Columbia Road (Project No. 9048), and creating districts for the reconstruction of 5th Ave S (Projects No. 9050 & 9101). The committee also reviewed plans for the reconstruction of 17th Ave S (Project No. 9060). Further discussion covered the creation of Special Assessment Districts for utilities and paving for Grand Park First Addition (Projects Nos. 9094-9097). Agreements regarding the reconstruction of the intersection of ND 297 Demers Ave and 42nd St (Project No. 8823), including cost participation and maintenance agreements with NDDOT and BNSF, were presented for approval. Updates were given on the Altru Sports Complex (ASC) Phases I and II, including approval recommendations for Phase II design documents and cost sharing for a Tournament Development Specialist position. Finally, the committee considered the Enclave Property Management (Latitude Phase 2) tax incentive application for a multi-family development, recommending acceptance and setting a public hearing date.

Discussions covered key activities across several areas. The Base Retention & Investment Committee received updates on the Air Force's command structure, readiness goals, drone incursions, and the potential hosting of B21 bombers, noting the Point Defense Battle Lab as a priority. The Military Affairs Committee announced the upcoming State of the Base address and a veteran's job fair. Updates were provided on the Compatible Use Study, industrial interest from the UAS Summit, and accelerating work by General Atomics and Northrup Grumman on defense systems and aircraft. The University of North Dakota is focusing on work related to the Point Defense Battle Lab. School construction, including the Twining school on base and the opening of Valley Middle School, was reported. State officials provided updates on Vantis' radar approval status and ongoing revenue monitoring. City officials reported on progress with the Altru Sports Complex bid package and a recognized concern regarding housing needs, which a housing study is planned to address. The 2026 UAS Summit was confirmed for October.

The committee discussed several key agenda items, all of which were referred to the City Council with a recommendation to approve. Discussion items included plans and specifications for sanitary sewer installation (Project No. 8922, Phase IV) in the Highway 81 area, with the city assuming special assessments. Bids were reviewed for 2026 Inlet Protection Services (Project No. 9002), recommending an award to the low bidder, Midwest Planning, LLC. A preliminary engineering reimbursement agreement with the NDDOT for the 32nd Ave S & 17th St Left Turn Lane Realignment (Project No. 9103) was presented. The committee also reviewed plans for annual repairs to sanitary sewer, watermain, and storm sewer systems (Projects No. 8999-9001), as well as plans for multiple 2026 Mill & Overlay projects and 2026 Fog & Scrub Seal projects. Staff sought preapproval for purchasing a used tandem axle dump truck for the Water Distribution Department. Bid awards for residential and commercial/fire-rated water meters were reviewed, recommending awards to Winwater Works and Badger Meter, respectively, due to concerns about a lesser-known bidder. Material purchases for upgrading Lift Station #5 and replacing actuators for Flood Station No. 9088 were also discussed. Finally, the committee recommended adoption of a 0.8% annual population growth rate for the GF-EGF MPO Socioeconomic Study, projecting the city's population to 72,818 by 2055.

The committee discussed authorizing the City Attorney to review the status of Airial Robotics, which received an accelerate loan in July 2022, to ensure they are not operating and to initiate collection if they are in default. The committee also addressed the accelerate loan for Thread, which was issued in June 2020, following an extension granted in June 2025. Efforts are underway with Bank of ND and ND Development Fund to inventory and proceed with assets remaining at Thread's former lease premises. An update was provided on other past due loans, including ND Coffee Roastery, S Olson Holdings, KOTH Investments, and Integrity Fundraisers.

The agenda for the meeting includes the call to order, roll call, and the consent agenda which covers the approval of the January 28, 2026, meeting minutes. Key discussion items involve the approval of the November 2025 and January 2026 financial statements, a review of the Scoreboard Project, and various management and committee reports. Management reports cover executive summaries, finance, operations (including natural gas curtailment), food and beverage, partnerships, marketing, conference sales, and events. Committee reports focus on the Finance & Renovation 2026 Capital Review and Visit Greater Grand Forks updates. The document also provides detailed information on commission member terms, Alerus Center mission, upcoming meeting dates, and an extensive breakdown of 2026 projected events.