West Fargo Focus April 2023

EDITOR

Wendy Reuer wreuer@forumcomm.com

701-241-5530

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Lisa Tillotson ltillotson@forumcomm.com

701-241-5524

MULTIMEDIA SALES CONSULTANTS

Jessie Andren jandren@forumcomm.com

701-241-5451

Tim Couchman tcouchman@forumcomm.com

701-241-5490

Jamie Dettling jdettling@forumcomm.com

701-241-5493

Keith Harriger kharriger@forumcomm.com

701-241-5435 DESIGNERS

Sara Slaby & Mollie Burlingame

David Samson / West Fargo Focus

One day, West Fargo hopes this aerial

the city’s lagoon system, facing southeast, will instead show a mix of commercial and

CITY INFORMATION

By City of West Fargo Staff

Don’t forget to license your bicycle this summer! It is always unfortunate when our residents’ bicycles get stolen or lost. Help us break the cycle by licensing your bike for only $1!

Make sure you have your bike’s:

• Make

• Model

• Color

• Wheel Size

• Serial Number

• Speed

Having a bike license on file helps the West Fargo Police Department return the bike to its rightful owner if it is stolen. For more information, visit westfargopolice.com

Calendar of Events

MONTHLY

Airport Authority

5:30 p.m. last Thursday of every month

@ West Fargo Municipal Airport Terminal Building

Board of Equalization

5:30 p.m. second Tuesday in April

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

City Commission

5:30 p.m. first and third Monday of every month

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Forestry Committee

5:15 p.m. second Tuesday of February, April, June, August and November

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Library Board

5:30 p.m. second Thursday of every month

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Liquor Control Board

1 p.m. second Tuesday of every month

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Park Board

5:30 p.m. second Wednesday of every month

@ Rustad Recreation Center

Planning and Zoning Commission

5:30 p.m. second Tuesday of every month and the fourth Tuesday if needed

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

School Board

6 p.m. second and fourth Monday of every month

@ Leidal Education Center

Technology Tutoring (adults)

3-6 p.m. every Tuesday

10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. every Saturday

@ West Fargo Public Library

West Fargo Cribbage Club (all ages)

6:30-8 p.m. every Tuesday

@ West Fargo Public Library

Ready to Read Storytime

(pre-K children + their adults)

10:30-11:30 a.m. every Wednesday

@ West Fargo Public Library

Baby Boost Storytime (ages 0-2 + their adults)

10:30-11:30 a.m. every Friday

@ West Fargo Public Library

APRIL

WFACP Games - Whist

WFACP Saturday Senior Breakfast (free-will offering)

9-10 a.m. Saturday, April 1

@ West Fargo High Rise

Bunny Blast

12:30-2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 2

@ River’s Bend Park

WFACP Fire Talk

12:15 p.m. Monday, April 3

@ West Fargo High Rise

Park District Career Fair

1-6 p.m. Tuesday, April 4

@ Rustad Recreation Center

WFACP Prize Bingo

12:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 4

@ West Fargo High Rise

WFACP Card Games - Whist

12:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 5

@ West Fargo High Rise

WFACP Crafts

12:15 p.m. Monday, April 10

@ West Fargo High Rise

WFACP Games - Chicken Foot

12:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 11

@ West Fargo High Rise

WFACP Card Games - Whist

12:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 12

@ West Fargo High Rise

Soup & More

5 p.m. Thursday, April 13

@ Blessed Sacrament Church

WFACP Cop Talk

12:15 p.m. Monday, April 17

@ West Fargo High Rise

WFACP Monthly Meeting

12:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 18

@ West Fargo High Rise

WFACP Card Games - Whist

12:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 19

@ West Fargo High Rise

Senior Extravaganza V

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, April 20 Details and RSVP at 701-293-1440

WFACP Sheriff Talk

12:15 p.m. Monday, April 24 @ West Fargo High Rise

Little Red Reading Bus

4:30 p.m. Monday, April 24 @ Maplewood Park

WFACP Money Bingo

12:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 25 @ West Fargo High Rise

Little Red Reading Bus

4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 25 @ Cash Wise Foods

WFACP Card Games - Whist

12:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 26 @ West Fargo High Rise

Little Red Reading Bus

4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 26 @ Hornbacher’s

Soup & More

5 p.m. Thursday, April 27 @ Blessed Sacrament Church

Little Red Reading Bus

4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 27 @ Dakota Park

Gigantic Rummage Sale

7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 29 @ Veteran’s Memorial

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE CHANGES

SCHOOL HOLIDAY SCHEDULE CHANGES

West Fargo Public Library

• Closed Sunday, April 9

West Fargo Public Schools

• No school Friday, April 7-

Monday, April 10

Park Christian School

• No school Friday, April 7-

Monday, April 10

Oak Grove Lutheran School

• No school Friday, April 7-

Monday, April 10

Grace Lutheran School

• No school Thursday, April 6-

Monday, April 10

Capstone Classical Academy

• No school Friday, April 7-

Monday, April 10

Trinity Elementary School

Holy Spirit Elementary School

Sacred Heart Middle School

Nativity Elementary School

Shanley High School

• No school Thursday, April 6-

Monday, April 10

Dakota Montessori School

• No school Friday, April 7-

Monday, April 10

NEWS AND FEATURES

West Fargo mom thanks thorough nurse practitioner for catching cancer early

By Kevin Wallevand | WDAY/West Fargo Focus

WEST FARGO — Jessicca Bye is ready for some much-deserved family time at the beach after an unexpected year of battling cancer.

“Now it has so much more meaning,” Bye said.

Like many, Bye’s life is busy with work, and chasing kids. But a year ago she didn’t feel like herself.

“I’m a single mom, I’m busy all the time. I’m always tired, that’s just kind of the norm,” Bye said. “Just felt a little off.”

Her Essentia Health provider, nurse

practitioner Joe Halvorson, ran tests and eventually scans. That’s when things got concerning.

“Then the race was on,” she said. A colonoscopy then confirmed it. She had Stage 3 colon cancer.

“It’s amazing how you just figure it out. When your given a set a problems, how you just figure it out, “ Bye said.

She underwent chemotherapy, radiation therapy, as well as surgery.

Now on Thursday, March 16, Bye is celebrating the completion. She went

to her first ever Timberwolves game with her son, then on to sun-soaked beaches with family who are grateful she is finished with treatment.

“Don’t put things off, there’s never an excuse not to go to a game,” she said. “You work to live, not live to work.”

To say that Bye appreciates her nurse practitioner is an understatement. Halvorson said he is glad to see a patient celebrate victories like this one.

“It started with you. You saved my life,” Bye told Halvorson.

“You listened to your body,” said Halvorson, who also gave thanks to the entire team of providers for helping catch the cancer early.

“That’s what it’s about, trying to face those challenges in a way that lets life persist in a really wonderful and celebratory way,” Halvorson said.

“Just the things that I’ve learned about this,” Bye said. “If we hadn’t done the things we did when we did it, it would be a whole different story.”

“You believed me. Thank you,” Bye told Halvorson.

Jessicca Bye, 45, gets emotional speaking with Essentia Health nurse practitioner Joe Halvorson. She had just finished chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery for Stage 3 colorectal cancer that Bye said was caught after Halvorson pushed for answers. Ryan Longnecker / WDAY/West Fargo Focus

“Don’t put things off, there’s never an excuse not to go to a game. You work to live, not live to work.”

Jessicca Bye

West Fargo Public Schools’ projected to continue explosive growth

By Wendy Reuer | West Fargo Focus

For more than a decade, West Fargo Public Schools has been growing by 300 to 500 students per year, just as its consultants predicted it would. Those same consultants say that growth rate doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon, and the second largest school district in the state is on track to become the largest in the near future.

RSP & Associates presented its latest enrollment numbers to the West Fargo School Board this

past month. The Kansas-based school planning experts have long calculated West Fargo’s enrollment numbers with consistent accuracy.

In the 2022-23 school year, the district saw 1,111 kindergarten students and grew in total by about 447 students, which was within 57 students of the number predicted by RSP.

“It would appear we’re growing about 15 times faster than Fargo right now,” West Fargo Schools

Business Manager Levi Bachmeier said.

West Fargo Public Schools surpassed Fargo in 2020 to become the state’s second largest school district, just behind Bismarck Public Schools. Bismarck Schools counted 13,279 students in 2022, and West Fargo counted about 12,700. Fargo Public Schools had 11,364 at the end of 2022. Moorhead Public Schools had 7,427 students on the first day of the 2022-23 school year.

“It would appear we’re growing about 15 times faster than Fargo right now.”

West Fargo Schools Business Manager Levi Bachmeier

RSP Associates uses birth rate information, demographics, land use, city planning projections, economic factors and more — a total of about 450 elements — to project enrollment.

RSP CEO Robert Schwarz said the West Fargo School District is expected to grow to 14,800 students in the next five years, and a majority of that growth will continue to come from the south side of Interstate 94.

“Everything south of I-94, we see enrollment growth. North, we see more declining,” he said.

Schwarz said building activity has averaged about 1,000 units per year across the district. However, it is important to note that building and city growth does not necessarily reflect growth in the city of West Fargo.

“If no new developments occurred, we would still continue to grow,” Schwarz said.

Although it is named the West Fargo School District, the district also includes Horace, Harwood, Reile’s Acres, parts of Fargo and rural areas.

Schwarz said the north part of West Fargo

could turn into an area of high growth once the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion is finished and the city of West Fargo finishes its plans to decommission its wastewater lagoon system, which could free up about 600 acres for development.

“We are paying attention to the city of West Fargo’s treatment plants,” Schwarz said.

The likely growth to West Fargo Public Schools is a familiar story to the district that has had to build a new elementary school nearly every year in the past five years.

The district has a preferred capacity in all of its elementary schools of 7,056 elementary students. RSP predicts the elementary population will grow from 6,707 students to 7,353 by the 2027-28 school year.

They project the middle schools population will grow from 2,800 to 3,300, and the student population of the district’s three high schools will grow from 3,400 to 4,100.

Readers can reach West Fargo editor Wendy Reuer at wreuer@forumcomm. com or 701-241-5530. Follow her on Twitter @ForumWendy.

CITY INFORMATION

Clearing storm drains this spring

By City of West Fargo Staff

WHY IS CLEARING STORM DRAINS IMPORTANT?

The potential for pooling of water and street flooding increases as snow melts. By clearing storm drains, the potential is reduced. This is especially important as the temperatures continue to drop during the evening, freezing ponded water. Melting snow can overwhelm storm drains by filling them with ice and street debris. Keeping storm drains clear helps ensure that any snow melt or rain doesn’t pool on

your street and goes back into the storm sewer system. Keeping storm drains clear also helps to ensure the storm sewer system is not overwhelmed during periods of significant melting or rainfall.

HOW DOES THIS IMPACT RESIDENTS?

Residents are asked to be proactive and check the drains on the street and backyard drains for proper operation. While it isn’t a requirement for residents to clear drains, every bit helps. The

City of West Fargo has more than 7,000 drains throughout the City to help with local drainage. Help the crews out, and go check the drains outside your home. If it is not flowing, do what you can to get it going. Residents are also reminded to clear sidewalks, fire hydrants, gas meters and vents of any remaining snow and ice.

HOW TO CLEAR STORM DRAINS?

To clear storm drains, residents are encouraged to clear out any snow

or ice buildup blocking the storm drain. Keep an eye on storm drains throughout the year and make sure to keep it as clear as possible. Public Works crews work to steam and/or scrape open problematic storm drains throughout the year to keep up with the local melt. If you notice pooling water and cannot, or are unable to, clear the storm drain, please call Public Works at 701515-5400 to notify crews. Identified locations will be added to a list for crews to address as time allows.

WEEKLY EVENT

Technology Tutoring

Tuesdays 3 – 6 p.m.

Saturdays 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Appointments Encouraged at WestFargoLibrary.org

Ready to Read Storytime

Wednesdays 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

For kids 3 – 5 and their parents/ guardians

Baby Boost Storytime

Fridays 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

For kids 0 – 3 and their parents/ guardians

West Fargo Cribbage Club

Tuesdays 6:30 – 8 p.m.

EVENTS

Family Movie: Free Screening of “DC League of SuperPets”

1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 1 @ West Fargo Public Library

Rated PG

Monday Matinee: Free Screening of “Alaskan Nets”

1:30 p.m. Monday, April 3 @ West Fargo Public Library

Rated PG-13

ACT Open Study Sessions

6 – 8 p.m. Monday, April 3 and Monday, April 10 @ West Fargo Public Library

Teen Hangout 4 – 6 p.m. Thursday, April 6 @ West Fargo Public Library

For ages 12 - 17

Teen Craft: Poptart Pillows

1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 7 @ West Fargo Public Library

For ages 12 – 17

AARP Safe Driving Class

1 – 4 p.m. Saturday, April 8 @ West Fargo Public Library Paid certification. Registration required at WestFargoLibrary.org/ EventSignup

Monday Matinee: Free Screening of “American Underdog” 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 10 @ West Fargo Public Library Rated PG

Spring Crafts for Kids

2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Monday, April 10 @ West Fargo Public Library For ages 6 – 12

Monday Night Readers

Book Club

7 – 8 p.m. Monday, April 10 @ West Fargo Public Library

English Conversation Circle

6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 11 @ West Fargo Public Library

Job Service ND Available at Library

1 – 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 12 @ West Fargo Public Library

Libby 101: How to Use the Library Mobile App

1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 13 @ West Fargo Public Library

Registration required at WestFargoLibrary.org/eventsignup

Genealogy Video Presentation: The Genealogical Proof Standard

1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 15 @ West Fargo Public Library

Monday Matinee: Free Screening of “42”

1:30 p.m. Monday, April 17 @ West Fargo Public Library Rated PG-13

Intro to Bachata Dance

6 – 8 p.m. Monday, April 17 @ West Fargo Public Library

Registration required at westfargolibrary.org/eventsignup

Novel Afternoons Book Club

1 – 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 19 @ West Fargo Public Library

Third Thursday Book Club

1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 20 @ West Fargo Public Library

Monday Matinee: Free Screening of “Lioness: The Nicola Adams Story”

1:30 p.m. Monday, April 24 @ West Fargo Public Library Not rated

Little Red Reading Bus Pop-up Library

4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 24 @ Maplewood Park (1504 17th Ave. E, West Fargo)

Adult Craft: Welcome Sign

6 – 8 p.m. Monday, April 24 @ West Fargo Public Library

Registration required at westfargolibrary.org/eventsignup

Little Red Reading Bus Pop-up Library

4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 25 @ Cash Wise Foods (755 33rd Ave. E, West Fargo)

Gardening Club

6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 25 @ West Fargo Public Library

Little Red Reading Bus Pop-up Library

4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 26 @ Hornbacher’s (2050 Sheyenne Street, West Fargo)

Little Red Reading Bus Pop-up Library

4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 27 @ Dakota Park (5600 9th Street W., West Fargo)

Books & Brews Community Book Club

6 – 7 p.m. Thursday, April 27 @ Caribou Coffee inside Hornbacher’s (2050 Sheyenne Street, West Fargo)

Concert at the Library: Cheney Middle School Orchestra and Horace High Choir Ensembles

6 – 7 p.m. Thursday, April 27 @ West Fargo Public Library

APRIL LIBRARY EVENTS All events held at West Fargo Public Library unless otherwise noted.

Branch and Bud Arrangement

Buds and branches normally are found directly across from each other and not alternating along the stem. Note, however, that buds and branches may die; therefore, not every branch will have an opposite counterpart.

Leaves:

Ash trees have compound leaves, composed of five to 11 leaflets. Leaflet margins are serrated and leaflets are opposite each other, except for the single leaflet at the tip.

SPOT AND STOP EMERALD ASH BORER

By City of West Fargo Staff

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect species that kills ash trees. EAB has recently been found in Moorhead, MN and the City of West Fargo Forestry Division is taking steps to prevent its spread into North Dakota.

EAB larvae kill ash trees by making a home under the bark and sapping water and nutrients away from the tree. They can survive harsh winters, and have killed millions of trees throughout the U.S. The insects spread as trees are used for fire wood, mulch, lumbar or when ash trees are transported to and from nurseries.

How to Spot EAB:

• EAB only impacts ash trees, so it is important to identify the trees on your property. In West Fargo all boulevard trees can be identified using our Tree Finder, which can be found by scanning the QR code.

Bark:

On young trees, bark is relatively smooth and may have an orange cast. As trees age, the bark becomes gray and develops diamond shaped ridges.

Seeds:

Individual seeds are held in samaras that each have a single wing. Seeds occur in clusters that may stay on the tree well into winter.

• To determine if other trees are ash, download a plant identification app like PlantNet or look for the characteristics of the tree’s leaves, branches, seeds and bark.

• If you are still unsure, contact the City’s Forestry Division and a professional arborist can come to inspect your trees.

• If you do have ash trees on your property, examine them for signs of EAB.

• S-shaped tunnels in the bark

• Splitting bark

• D-shaped exit holes in the bark

• Thinning of the tree’s upper canopy

• Sprouts at the tree’s base

Noon

Softball: V

@Sandford Sports Complex

12:45 p.m.

Baseball: V

@Harrisburg

12:45 p.m.

Baseball: V

1:45 p.m.

Softball: V

@Sandford Sports Complex

5 p.m.

Baseball: V

@Sioux Falls-Harmon 2

APRIL 16-18

All Day

National Speech ND

Roughriders @Mandan

8 a.m.-5 p.m.

HOSA

@Clarion Event Center, Minot ND

APRIL 17

5 p.m.

Baseball: JV

@Young Field-West Fargo

5 p.m.

Baseball: C

@West Fargo Exchange Club Field

5 p.m.

Baseball: JV

@Central Cass High School

7 p.m.

Baseball: C

@West Fargo Exchange Club Field

7 p.m.

Baseball: JV

@Young Field-West Fargo

7 p.m.

Baseball: JV

@Central Cass High School

APRIL 18

TBD

Baseball: JV

9 a.m.

Golf: B/V

@Village Green Golf Course

4 p.m.

Tennis: G/JV

@Choice Health & Fitness, Grand Forks Outdoor Tennis Courts

4 p.m.

Tennis: G/V

@Register Courts Register Tennis Courts

4 p.m.

Tennis: G/JV

4 p.m.

Tennis: G/V

@Sheyenne High School

Tennis Courts

4:30 p.m.

Softball: JV

@West Fargo High School

Softball Field- JV

4:30 p.m.

Softball: V

@West Fargo High School

Softball Field- Varsity

4:30 p.m.

Softball: JV

@Sheyenne High School

Softball Field

5 p.m.

Baseball: V

@Valley City Jr. Sr. High School Charlie Brown Memorial Field

5 p.m.

Soccer: G/JV

@Cushman Field Cushman

Track & Field

5 p.m.

Soccer: G/JV

@Sheyenne High School

Sheyenne Mustang Stadium

5 p.m.

Baseball: C

@Fargo Davies High School

Baseball Field

5 p.m.

Baseball: V

@Horace High School

Baseball Field

6:15 p.m.

Softball: JV

@West Fargo High School

Softball Field- JV

6:15 p.m.

Softball: V

@West Fargo High School

Softball Field- Varsity

6:15 p.m.

Softball: V

@Sheyenne High School

Softball Field

7 p.m.

Baseball: V

@Sheyenne High School

Baseball Field

7 p.m.

Soccer: G/V

@Sheyenne High School

Sheyenne Mustang Stadium

7 p.m.

Soccer: G/V

@Cushman Field Cushman

Track & Field

7 p.m.

Baseball: C

@Fargo Davies High School

Baseball Field

7 p.m.

Baseball: V

@Horace High School

Baseball Field

APRIL 20

4 p.m.

Tennis: G/V

@West Fargo High School

Tennis Courts

4 p.m.

Tennis: G/V

@Wahpeton High School

4:30 p.m.

Baseball: C

@Exchange Club Baseball

Field-West Fargo

4:30 p.m.

Softball: V

@Fargo Davies High School

4:30 p.m.

Softball: V

@Horace High School

5 p.m.

Baseball: C

@Horace High School

5 p.m.

Baseball: JV

@Horace High School Baseball Field

6:30 p.m.

Softball: JV

@Horace High School Softball Field

7 p.m.

Baseball: JV

@Horace High School Baseball Field

APRIL 21

8 a.m.-10 p.m.

EDC Strings Contest

@Hope Lutheran ChurchSouth Campus

9 a.m.

Golf: B/V

@Jamestown Country Club

2:30 p.m.

Track: G/V

@Fargo Davies High School

Eagle Relays

4 p.m.

Softball: V

@Dickinson High School

4 p.m.

Softball: V

@Kindred High School

4:30 p.m.

Baseball: V

@Sanford Sports Complex

5 p.m.

Soccer: G/JV

@Cushman Field Cushman Track & Field

5 p.m.

Baseball: C

@West Fargo Exchange Club Field

5 p.m.

Baseball: JV

@Jack Williams Stadium

5 p.m.

Baseball: V

@Young Field-West Fargo

5 p.m.

Soccer: G/JV

@West Fargo High School Turf (Football Field)

5 p.m.

Baseball: JV

@Tharaldson ComplexTeamsters Field

5 p.m.

Baseball: V

@Tharaldson ComplexStarion Field

6 p.m.

Softball: JV

@Kindred High School

7 p.m.

Baseball: C

@West Fargo Exchange Club Field

7 p.m.

Baseball: JV

@Jack Williams Stadium

7 p.m.

Baseball: V

@Young Field-West Fargo

HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITY CALENDAR

7 p.m.

Soccer: G/V

@West Fargo High School Turf (Football Field)

7 p.m.

Soccer: G/V

@Cushman Field mCushman Track & Field

7 p.m.

Baseball: JV

@Tharaldson ComplexTeamsters Field

7 p.m.

Baseball: V

@Tharaldson ComplexStarion Field

APRIL 22

8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Spring Dance Show

@Multiple Location

9 a.m.

Golf: B/V

@Jamestown Country Club

9 a.m.

Softball: V

@Dickinson High School

Noon

Baseball: V

@Bismarck Century High School

APRIL 24

3 p.m.

Track: G/V

@Ndscs Blikre Center OJ

Jensen Invite

3 p.m.

Track: G/V & B/V

@Wahpeton High School

5 p.m.

Baseball: C

@Tharaldson ComplexMcCormick Field

5 p.m.

Baseball: V

@Sheyenne High School

Baseball Field

5 p.m.

Baseball: C

@Horace High School

5 p.m.

Baseball: C

@Bennett Elementary School

6:30 p.m.

Baseball: C

@Tharaldson ComplexMcCormick Field

7 p.m.

Baseball: V

@Sheyenne High School

Baseball Field

7 p.m.

Baseball: C

@Bennett Elementary School

7 p.m.

Baseball: C

@Horace High School

APRIL 25

TBD

Softball: V

@Valley City Jr. Sr. High School VCSU Softball Complex

4 p.m.

Tennis: G/V

@West Fargo High School Tennis Courts

4:30 p.m.

Baseball: C

@McKinley Elementary Baseball Field

4:30 p.m.

Softball: V

@West Fargo High School

Softball Field- Varsity

5 p.m.

Baseball: JV

@Young Field-West Fargo

5 p.m.

Baseball: V

@Fargo North High School

Baseball Field

5 p.m.

Baseball: JV

5 p.m.

Baseball: V

@Sheyenne High School

Baseball Field

5 p.m.

Soccer: G/JV

@West Fargo High School

Turf (Football Field)

5 p.m.

Baseball: V

@Horace High School

Baseball Field

6:15 p.m.

Softball: JV

@West Fargo High School

Softball Field- Varsity

6:30 p.m.

Baseball: C

@McKinley Elementary

Baseball Field

7 p.m.

Baseball: JV

@Young Field-West Fargo

7 p.m.

Baseball: V

@Fargo North High School

Baseball Field

7 p.m.

Baseball: JV

7 p.m.

Baseball: V

@Sheyenne High School

Baseball Field

7 p.m.

Soccer: G/V

@West Fargo High School

Turf (Football Field)

7 p.m.

Baseball: JV

@Horace High School

Baseball Field

7:30-10 p.m.

Cabaret Night

@West Fargo High SchoolTheater

APRIL 26

9 a.m.

Golf: B/V

@Kings Walk Golf Course

APRIL 27

TBD

Softball: JV

@Sheyenne High School

TBD

Tennis: G/JV

@Sheyenne High School

4 p.m.

Tennis: G/V

@Sheyenne High School

Tennis Courts

4 p.m.

Tennis: G/V

@Wahpeton High School

4:30 p.m.

Softball: JV

@West Fargo High School

Softball Field- JV

4:30 p.m.

Softball: V

@West Fargo High School

Softball Field- Varsity

4:30 p.m.

Softball: JV

@Fargo Davies High School

Softball Field

5 p.m.

Baseball: JV

@West Fargo Exchange Club Field

5 p.m.

Baseball: V

@West Fargo High School

5 p.m.

Soccer: G/JV

@Fargo North High School

Stadium Field

5 p.m.

Soccer: G/JV

@Sheyenne High School

Sheyenne Mustang Stadium

6:15 p.m.

Softball: JV

@West Fargo High School

Softball Field- JV

6:15 p.m.

Softball: V

@West Fargo High School

Softball Field- Varsity

6:15 p.m.

Softball: V

@Sheyenne High School

Softball Field

6:15 p.m.

Softball: V

@Fargo Davies High School

Softball Field

7 p.m.

Soccer: G/V

@Sheyenne High School

Sheyenne Mustang Stadium

7 p.m.

Soccer: G/V

@Fargo North High School

Stadium Field

APRIL 28

TBD

Baseball: JV

@Young Field-West Fargo

TBD

Baseball: JV

8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Vocal Music: State Contest

@University of Jamestown

9 a.m.

Golf: B/V

@Maple River Golf Club

2 p.m.

Track: G/V

@Fargo South High School

Shanley Invite

4:30 p.m.

Baseball: JV

@Airport Park

5 p.m.

Baseball: C

@West Fargo Sheyenne High School

5 p.m.

Baseball: V

@John Randall Field

5 p.m.

Baseball: V

@Horace High School

Baseball Field

6 p.m.

Baseball: JV

@Airport Park

7 p.m.

Baseball: C

@West Fargo Sheyenne High School

7 p.m.

Baseball: V

@John Randall Field

7 p.m.

Baseball: V

@Horace High School

Baseball Field

APRIL 29

TBD

Baseball: JV

@Young Field-West Fargo

TBD

Baseball: JV

11 a.m.

Soccer: G/V

@Fargo North High School

11 a.m.

Softball: JV

@West Fargo High School

Softball Field- JV

11 a.m.

Softball: V

@West Fargo High School

Softball Field- Varsity

Noon Baseball: V @Bismarck High School

1 p.m.

Soccer: G/JV

@Fargo North High School

2 p.m.

Baseball: V

@Bismarck High School

3 p.m.

Softball: JV

@West Fargo High School

Softball Field- JV

3 p.m.

Softball: V

@West Fargo High School

Open land north of Main Avenue in West Fargo is likely to be developed in the future. This stretch was covered in snow Thursday.

Alyssa Goelzer / West Fargo Focus

Where will West Fargo grow?

Lagoon land may become the site of West Fargo’s next neighborhood

By Wendy Reuer | West Fargo Focus

WEST FARGO — Once West Fargo recognized its land south of Interstate 94 would be developed, the city’s population began to explode. Now, development is quickly reaching the city’s borders to the south and west, but city planners don’t expect that to stunt growth any time soon.

Instead, the West Fargo planning department is looking up — to the northwest, to be exact.

As the Fargo-Moorhead Flood Diversion

continues its path to completion and the city of West Fargo continues to decommission nearly 600 acres of its former wastewater system, the city is expecting that development and growth could explode north of Main Avenue and north of the historic heart of West Fargo: the former West Fargo Stockyards.

The city’s planning department hired consultants PlaceMakers LLC to help create an “action plan” that designates a timeline of planning projects to

be completed over the next five to 10 years. The consultants placed priority levels on the projects, starting with the city creating a master plan for what it will do with the acreage of the lagoon system.

City staff and PlaceMakers consultants first met with city commissioners and planning commission members Feb. 8, and the action plan was presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday, March 7.

GROW: Page 16

GROW From Page 15

The action plan calls on the City Commission and city staff to develop a plan as early as this spring for how it will use the land freed up by the decommissioning of the lagoon system along 12th Avenue West in the northwest part of the city.

The south side of the lagoons is almost fully decommissioned and scheduled to be tested for phosphorus in 2023. The decommissioning of cells five and six is scheduled for 2023, and two more cells are slated for 2024.

A significant amount of land is expected to be ready in the next two years.

PlaceMakers provided three possible methods of handling development of the lagoon system: 1. Sell to a private developer. 2. Enter a public-private

partnership. 3. The city becomes the property developer.

Selling the land would include the least amount of financial risk to the city and would use the least amount of staff time, but it is likely to have the smallest return on investment.

Entering into a public-private partnership would mean the city retains a partial equity stake in the property, and some financial investment would be placed on a private developer.

If the city were to become the developer, it would have to hire a planning consultant to work with the community and create a builders’ guild to construct the property in line with the city’s plans and architectural design guidelines.

The benefits of the city being a developer is that they would retain complete control over the development patterns of the new developments and reap the full financial benefits of owning and managing the property. A major downside to the city becoming a developer would be the city assuming all of the financial risk.

PlaceMakers suggested the city issue a Request for Expressions of Interest within the next year to national and regional developers asking for their level of interest in the redevelopment of the lagoon property.

The City Commission should start that process in July and finish by September, according to the action plan, with city staff working on the project as early as April.

The West Fargo lagoons, viewed facing south from above 19th Avenue North, are being decommissioned by the city to make way for future development. David Samson/ West Fargo Focus

of the short-term projects identified in this action plan will benefit from public input into the planning

Other recommendations

PlaceMakers identified projects it recommends the city take on sooner than later by dividing them up into shortterm, mid-term and long-term.

Short-term projects include implementing a Downtown Master Plan 2, finding a strategy for the lagoon development, defining the city’s economic development strategy and capital improvement planning.

The existing Downtown West Fargo Framework Study was completed in 2011. The vision established Sheyenne Street as a pedestrian-oriented main street and gathering place of the city along with improvements to properties along Main Avenue. The city has continued to work toward goals set in that study over the last 12 years.

“Most of the short-term projects identified in this action plan will benefit from public input into the planning stages for each initiative,” the action plan said.

In the next five to 10 years, the city should look to update its sign code, a growth area master plan, city codes and

specific corridors, as well as increase coordination for space management. Space management includes a possible third fire station and new library.

The long-term goals for the city as presented by PlaceMakers are to continue a public arts plan and eventually update the West Fargo 2.0 plan, which was created in 2018.

The city’s zoning code has not been updated since the mid-1980s.

“Typically, your zoning code is the primary tools you use to implement your comprehensive plan when it comes to land use and development,” City Planning Director Aaron Nelson said. “Right now, we have a comprehensive plan that is newer than our zoning codes.”

Nelson said he plans to bring forward the PlaceMakers study to the City Commission as a whole at a later date. He is preparing to bring a downtown master plan to the commission in April.

Readers can reach West Fargo editor Wendy Reuer at wreuer@forumcomm. com or 701-241-5530.

“Most

stages for each initiative.”

- Action plan

CITY INFORMATION

Sump pumps must discharge outside beginning Saturday, April 15

Fine for not complying with ordinance is $100 per month

By City of West Fargo Staff

All sump pumps in West Fargo must switch to discharge outside beginning Saturday, April 15, 2023. This regulation includes properties with sump pump variances for winter months. Properties found not in compliance with this ordinance will be notified and charged $100 per month until brought into compliance.

The City of West Fargo requires this action to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirement to have separate stormwater and sanitary sewer water systems. Sump pumps discharging outside help to ensure the sewer system is not overwhelmed during snow melt

and rain events, which can lead to sewage backup in properties and partially treated sewage water emptying into the Sheyenne River.

Sump pump water diverted outside should drain away from buildings to prevent recirculation. The City recommends discharging into backyards and coordinating with neighbors to ensure sump pump water is not causing drainage concerns.

Additionally, sump pump drainage hoses cannot cross sidewalks or positioned in a way that allows the water to pool on sidewalks. Both scenarios are safety hazards and considered

illegal in the City of West Fargo.

Residents must obtain a sump pump variance and pay a $5 monthly fee year-round to discharge water from the sump pump into the sanitary sewer system during winter months. The variance is only valid from Oct. 15 to April 15. The $5 fee is paid through the property’s utility bill. The sump pump water must divert outside during the remainder of the year.

If you have questions or concerns about discharging your sump pump outside, please contact Public Works at 701-515-5400.