The most notable topic of discussion was the resolution concerning mayoral appointments, specifically the mayor pro tem position. Council Member Deb White voiced strong objections to Mayor Shelly Carlson’s recommendation to appoint Council Member Lisa Borgen as mayor pro tem, breaking from the tradition of selecting the most senior council member. White emphasized the importance of maintaining accountability among elected officials and expressed concerns about the potential appearance of cronyism, particularly given Borgen’s close relationship with the mayor and potential candidacy in the upcoming mayoral election. White stated, “I feel like we have this conversation over and over and it never seems to get any better,” stressing the need for transparency.

In defense, Borgen clarified that while she was considering a mayoral run, she had not formally declared her candidacy. She expressed disappointment at the implications of favoritism, asserting her capabilities for the role and stating, “I think it’s disingenuous of you to say that I’m not up for the job.” Nevertheless, the debate over the appointment raised broader questions about the council’s impartiality and the decision-making process.

Council Member Nicole Mattson also questioned the rationale behind appointing a potential mayoral candidate to the mayor pro tem position. The city attorney intervened to explain that, according to the city charter, the appointment of the mayor pro tem is at the mayor’s discretion and does not require council approval. However, the resolution’s language, which included the mayor pro tem appointment among other mayoral appointments, was criticized for its lack of clarity, prompting calls to amend it to focus solely on appointments to committees, boards, and commissions.

Despite the procedural clarifications, the debate continued with Council Member Chuck Hendrickson’s previous experience as mayor pro tem being acknowledged, prompting inquiries as to whether he had opted out of consideration. The council eventually voted on the amended resolution after a roll call, which included removing specific references to the mayor pro tem appointment. The vote followed an amendment motion, which was approved, leading to a unanimous passage of the resolution.

In an attempt to find a resolution to the ongoing debate, Council Member Mattson proposed a compromise where Borgen could consider stepping down from the mayor pro tem role if she officially announced her candidacy for mayor. This suggestion was met with mixed reactions, as some council members, including White, reiterated concerns over favoritism and its impact on public trust, emphasizing that the issue was far from trivial.

As the discussion on the mayor pro tem appointment concluded, the meeting shifted focus to other significant city matters. City Engineer Tom Trobridge provided an update on the 15th Avenue North Bridge replacement study, a joint project with the city of Fargo. The bridge, which has been operational since 1988, has faced frequent closures due to flooding. With traffic increased since Moorhead and Fargo assumed ownership in 2015, the study aims to design a new bridge that meets current standards and addresses flooding concerns.

Trobridge highlighted the necessity of raising the bridge by at least 18 feet to prevent closures and ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The project, estimated to cost between $27 million and $30 million, has yet to secure funding. The council discussed the framework for cost-sharing between Moorhead and Fargo and the importance of public engagement in addressing community concerns about potential costs.

In other council activities, members shared insights from recent audits, upcoming retreats focused on city development, and changes in local committee leadership. Council Member Nisser reported on a positive audit of the Moorhead Public Housing Agency and changes in meeting locations for local commissions. Meanwhile, Mayor Carlson highlighted Moorhead’s designation as vice chair of the Metro Flood Diversion Authority Board and shared updates on city manager performance evaluations.