21:00One item at the meeting was the swearing-in ceremony of Chris Helmick as the new police chief of Moorhead. Helmick, surrounded by family and colleagues, took the oath administered by Mayor Shelley Carlson, committing to uphold the Constitution and maintain community trust. Helmick expressed gratitude for the opportunity and emphasized the importance of collaboration with city residents and the police department in ensuring community safety. He also acknowledged the contributions of Tory Jacobson, the former deputy chief who temporarily filled the role during the transition, and thanked his family for their support.

29:11Following the swearing-in, the council recognized “A Place for Hope Recovery and Wellness Center” for its outstanding service to individuals facing mental health challenges. The center, particularly noted for its food pantry, has become a crucial resource, distributing over 556,000 pounds of food to families in need over the past year. Volunteers play a role in the center’s operations, and the recognition highlighted the compassionate approach taken by the center in creating a welcoming atmosphere and providing essential resources.

40:06The meeting then addressed issues in the realm of public transit. A public hearing was held to discuss a grant application for federal funds to support Moorhead’s transit services. The city has contracted with Fargo for bus and paratransit services, and the grant aims to secure funds that cover half of the operating costs. It was emphasized that these funds would not impact local taxpayers, as they would be sourced from federal and state allocations, including CARES funds from 2020. The grant application received unanimous approval from the council.

Further discussions on transit included the introduction of Cole Swingen, the assistant transit director of operations for the city of Fargo and MAP bus. Swingen provided insights into the transit services, building on information previously shared by retiring transit manager Lori Van Beek. The council showed continued support for transit initiatives, recognizing the importance of accessible and efficient public transportation for community development.

43:49The council also tackled updates to community development ordinances, focusing on building and property standards, as well as rental registration. These updates, part of ongoing initiatives to enhance property management compliance, involved the introduction of a definition for hazardous trees and branches and provisions empowering the community development director to manage non-compliant rental properties. The amendments were presented by Community Development Director Christy Lasheski, who highlighted the use of GIS and software tools to address persistent property maintenance issues. The council approved the ordinance updates unanimously.

47:48In another notable move, the council addressed the city’s regulatory framework for adult-use recreational cannabis. The proposed ordinance requires businesses selling cannabis products to register with the city and adhere to specified operational hours. The ordinance includes a registration fee structure and sanctions for violations, focusing primarily on underage sales, while broader product safety concerns fall under state jurisdiction. The council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance, with City Manager Molly acknowledging the complexities involved in navigating cannabis legislation.

58:24The meeting also included updates from council members on various community activities and initiatives. Members participated in events such as the Red River Market and engaged in discussions on child care accessibility and flood mitigation efforts. The mayor provided updates on economic development efforts, including land acquisitions for the flood diversion project, and detailed ongoing discussions with local organizations to address community needs.