West Fargo Focus August 2022

EVENT SPOTLIGHT

Still cruising:

West Fargo Cruise Night remains popular

By Wendy Reuer | West Fargo Pioneer

WEST FARGO — Some say it’s the West Fargo community spirit. Some say it’s a rarity because cars can actually cruise. Others say it’s the allowance of alcohol. Whatever may be the reason, West Fargo’s Cruise Night continues to draw thousands each third Thursday of the summer.

At the first and second 2022 West

Fargo Cruise Night, held Thursday, June 16, and July 21, hundreds of classic and unique cars, trucks and motorcycles lined up along Sheyenne Street while visitors in the thousands flocked to West Fargo’s downtown, The Downtown Yards on Sheyenne. The numbers of both vehicles and attendees are quickly returning to those of pre-pandemic years of 2020

and 2021. In 2020, Cruise Night was held in the later months and social distancing efforts were enforced. In 2021, Cruise Nights were held on southern Sheyenne Street as ongoing construction affected the usual route along Sheyenne Street.

“It kind of felt like the event was coming back home,” West Fargo

Events Executive Director Mike Amundson said. “To be back downtown in West Fargo was terrific. All of our spot sales were sold out and we had a ton of classic cars out there. We had a really good turnout. It’s hard to get an accurate count when we have the street fair layout of cruise night but it was in the thousands.”

Classic cars draw a big crowd as West Fargo Cruise night returned back to Sheyenne Street on Thursday, June 16, 2022. David Samson / West Fargo Pioneer

Calendar of Events

MONTHLY

City Commission

5:30 p.m. First and third Monday of each month

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Planning and Zoning Commission

5:30 p.m. Second Tuesday of every month

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Library Board

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

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Park Board

5:30 p.m. Second Wednesday of every month @ Rustad Recreation Center

School Board

6 p.m. Second and fourth Monday of each month @ Leidal Education Center

Little Red Reading Bus Summer Stops

• Mondays 7 – 8 p.m. at Dakota Park (5600 Ninth St W, West Fargo)

• Tuesdays 7 – 8 p.m. at Tintes Park (161 Sixth Ave. E, West Fargo)

• Wednesdays 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. at Goldenwood Park (1330 Fifth St. NW, West Fargo)

• Wednesdays 10:00 – 11 a.m. at Maplewood Park (1504 17th Ave. E, West Fargo)

• Thursdays 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. at Rendezvous Park (1055 32nd Ave. W, West Fargo)

• Thursdays 10:00 – 11 a.m. at Shadow Wood Park (3545 Fourth St. E, West Fargo)

Monday Night Readers Book Club

6 p.m. Second Monday of every month @ West Fargo Public Library

Novel Afternoons Book Club

1 p.m. Third Wednesday of every month @West Fargo Public Library

Third Thursday Book Club

6:30 p.m. Third Thursday of every month

@ West Fargo Public Library

True Crime Book Club at Thunder Coffee

6 p.m. First Tuesday of every month

@ Thunder Coffee

Books & Brews Community Book Club at Thunder Coffee

6 p.m. Fourth Thursday of every month

@ Thunder Coffee

Ready to Read Storytime

(for kids 3 to 5 and their adults)

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Every Wednesday @ West Fargo Public Library

Baby Boost Storytime

(for babies & their adults)

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Every Friday @ West Fargo Public Library

English Conversation Circles

6:30-7:30 p.m. Second Tuesday of each month @ West Fargo Public Library

Job Service ND Walk-in Help at West Fargo Library

1-3 p.m. Second Wednesday of each month @ West Fargo Public Library

Technology Tutors Available

10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays

6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays

10 a.m. to noon Saturdays

@ West Fargo Public Library

Family History Research Specialist Available

1-4 p.m. Second Saturday of each month

@ West Fargo Public Library

AUGUST

Night to Unite

Aug. 2, 2022, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. @ South Elmwood Park

Legally Blonde: The Musical

7:30 p.m. Aug. 2-4, 2022

@ Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights

Yoga on the Lawn

12 p.m. Aug. 3, Aug. 10, Aug. 17, Aug. 24, 2022

@ Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights

Kidchella: A Kids Festival

3-7 p.m. Aug. 6, 2022

@Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights

Movie Night: Cruella

7-9 p.m. Aug. 9, 2022

@ POW/MIA Plaza at The Downtown Yards on Sheyenne

Big & Rich

7-10 p.m. Aug. 11, 2022

@ Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights

Hairball

7-10 p.m. Aug. 12, 2022

@ Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

7-10 p.m. Aug. 13, 2022

@ Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights

Library Director Meet and Greet and Public Input Open House

Aug. 16, 2022, 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Aug. 16, 2022, 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Rec on the Go

4:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 16, 2022

@ River’s Bend Park

Movie Night: Back to the Future

7-9 p.m. Aug. 16, 2022

@ Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights

Cruise Night

Aug. 18, 2022, 4:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

@ The Downtown Yards on Sheyenne

Traditional Red Willow Dreamcatchers Class

Aug. 20, 2022, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

“Let’s Talk About Gardening!” Monthly Meetup

Aug. 23, 2022, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Senior Picnic

12-2 p.m. Aug. 24, 2022

@ Rustad Recreation Center

Discovering Your Roots: Searching your Ancestors’ Backyards

Aug. 27, 2022, 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Diamond Rio

7-10 p.m. Aug. 27, 2022

@ Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights

Sculpt on the Lawn

12 p.m. Aug. 31, 2022

@ Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights

CRUISING From Page 3

West Fargo’s famed Cruise Night is presented by the City of West Fargo , West Fargo Events and Toppers Car Club .

Each third Thursday in June, July, August and September, vehicles are allowed to cruise Sheyenne Street from Main Avenue to Seventh Avenue West, as attendees can walk along the street and visit parked display vehicles or grab some food or drink from the West Fargo VFW and food and drink vendors that set up near the POW/MIA Plaza.

Cruise Nights have been drawing visitors and vehicles from around the region for decades.

For West Fargo City Communications Director and West Fargo native Melissa Richard, there are likely a number of factors that have led to West Fargo Cruise Night’s longevity and popularity.

“First, it’s one of the only events that allows cars to actually cruise,” Richard said. “This is a major differentiating factor that is enjoyed by the car enthusiasts who attend. Second, Toppers Car Club is a critical partner who helps promote and coordinate the event. It’s a great partnership that ensures we are putting on an authentic Cruise Night that the community and enthusiasts can enjoy.”

Richards said the city’s Downtown Yards on Sheyenne businesses and neighborhood have really embraced the event and continue to allow it to be successful.

“It’s a great sacrifice to bring thousands of people into your

front yard each summer and shut down your major access road. But they understand the value in bringing community together and giving visitors a unique West Fargo experience,” she said.

Richard added the city has also made sure the event has evolved with changing conditions over the years to make sure it continues.

Although both Fargo and Moorhead have hosted similar “cruise night” events for the car and truck lovers, West Fargo’s annual events have continued to be the biggest draw in the metro.

While the sheer size of West Fargo’s Cruise Night is a draw for some, one rule sets West Fargo’s event apart from other metro events and that is the city’s allowance of alcohol on the street during Cruise Nights.

While West Fargo does have an ordinance that prohibits the public consumption of alcohol in commercial areas, the ordinance is waived each month for The Yards on Sheyenne. Of course, drinking and driving is still not allowed. Despite the availability of alcohol, only one major accident has been recorded. At the first Cruise Night, a driver who had been drinking before the event, drove to Cruise Night and hit two collector cars.

The remaining 2022 Cruise Nights will be held Thursday, Aug. 18, and Thursday, Sept. 15.

Readers can reach West Fargo editor Wendy Reuer at wreuer@ forumcomm.com or 701-2415530. Follow her on Twitter @ ForumWendy.

All makes and models of cars lined Sheyenne Street during West Fargo Cruise Night on Thursday, June 16, 2022. David Samson / West Fargo Pioneer

A classic convertible Rambler heads down Sheyenne Street during West Fargo Cruise Night on Thursday, June 16, 2022. David Samson / West Fargo Pioneer

“It’s a great sacrifice to bring thousands of people into your front yard each summer and shut down your major access road. But they understand the value in bringing community together and giving visitors a unique West Fargo experience.”

Melissa Richard

The sun sets on this trio taking in the sights and sounds during West Fargo Cruise Night on Thursday, June 16, 2022. David Samson / West Fargo Pioneer

NEWS AND FEATURES

West Fargo Police Department launches comfort dog and School Resource Officer team

Program made possible through a generous donation from SCHEELS

By City of West Fargo

The West Fargo Police Department is launching a School Resource Officer (SRO) and comfort dog team with the addition of new K-9 Bella. This program is possible through a donation from SCHEELS and partnership with West Fargo Public Schools.

K-9 Bella is a 14-month old Labrador mix from the United States. K-9 Bella and her handler, SRO Todd

Pearson, are the first comfort dog SRO team in the state of North Dakota. K-9 Bella is a trained comfort dog and will achieve certification in the coming months.

K-9 Bella will assist SRO Pearson in his role fostering positive relationships with students, parents, faculty and staff. With the addition of K-9 Bella, SRO Pearson will help students struggling

with anxiety and depression, improve student morale and increase overall positive interactions.

As part of the larger Community Outreach Programs and Services Unit the two will also assist with public events and community outreach, as well as respond to traumatic and crisis response incidents. K-9 Bella will also assist in the department’s officer wellness programs, including the Peer Support Team.

Bella posting at Paws in the Park. City of West Fargo

BELLA

From Page 8

The West Fargo Police Department will work with West Fargo Public Schools to proactively address issues related to students’ allergies or fears. The West Fargo Police Department would like to thank SCHEELS for their generous donation and continued support of the department’s community engagement efforts.

West Fargo Fire Department graduates new recruit from joint recruit firefighter academy

On Friday, July 22, 2022, Arika Morgan graduated from the 10-week West Fargo Fire Department and Fargo Fire Department training academy for both departments’ recently recruited firefighters. The training consisted of classroom work, drills, ride-alongs and live burn scenarios.

“We are excited to see Arika graduate from the academy and join our team with the training she received at the academy,” said West Fargo Fire Chief Dan Fuller. “Holding a joint academy helps both departments continue to collaborate together to serve both the West Fargo and Fargo communities.”

This is the fourth time the West Fargo Fire Department has collaborated with the Fargo Fire Department to hold a recruit firefighter academy. Three recently recruited firefighters from the Fargo Fire Department also graduated. Trainers from both departments provide instruction to recruits.

If you are interested in joining the West Fargo Fire Department, go to www.westfargofire.com and click the ‘About Us’ tab to find the ‘New Recruits’ webpage.

Bella with kids at Paws in the Park. City of West Fargo

New West Fargo hires ready to make impact

By City of West Fargo

The City of West Fargo recently hired Casey Sanders-Berglund as Economic Development Manager. In this role, SandersBerglund serves as an advocate for local businesses to build strong relationships, facilitates business retention and expansion and performs new business development. She will also work to help businesses connect with incentive programs and assist developers in accessing City services.

“We are happy to welcome Casey to the West Fargo team,” said City Administrator Tina Fisk. “Her experience and skills will help us to continue to promote the growth of West Fargo’s dynamic business community.”

The City of West Fargo also hired Dan Hanson as City Engineer. In this role, Hanson is responsible for coordinating, directing and implementing engineering policy and services; as well as overseeing activities, budget and performance of the engineering department.

“We are looking forward to bringing Dan’s knowledge, experience, and perspective to the City of West Fargo,” said Fisk. “We have enjoyed

working with him as a collaborator in his previous role, and are proud to officially welcome him to the team.”

Sanders-Berglund comes to the City of West Fargo from the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce where she served as Vice President of Engagement since 2018. Prior, she held various positions with YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties and served in Iraq as an enlisted soldier in the Minnesota National Guard. Sanders-Berglund is a 2013 graduate of the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and is involved in several community organizations including the Girl Scouts Dakota Horizons, United Way and Moorhead Business Association.

“I am excited to begin work as the Economic Development Manager for the City of West Fargo,” said Sanders-Berglund. “I enjoy collaborating with businesses, business leaders, and community members to find opportunities where we can all work together to foster a thriving and vibrant community. I look forward to working with new, expanding, and existing businesses in our community.”

HIRES: Page 11

“I enjoy collaborating with businesses, business leaders, and community members to find opportunities where we can all work together to foster a thriving and vibrant community. I look forward to working with new, expanding, and existing businesses in our community.”

Casey Sanders-Berglund

Casey Sanders-Berglund. City of West Fargo

Hanson is a 1997 civil engineering graduate of North Dakota State University and holds a professional engineer license in both North Dakota and Minnesota. Hanson began his engineering career in the

Twin Cities area, returning to North Dakota in 2000. Hanson comes to the City of West Fargo from Moore Engineering, Inc. where he served as a Senior Project Manager and provided engineering services for

multiple municipalities, including West Fargo, Dilworth and Barnesville.

“I am honored to become the next City Engineer for the City of West Fargo,” said Hanson. “I am excited

to experience the culture built here by administration and staff, and look forward to continuing to work on projects that improve the quality of life for the residents of this community.”

Dan Hanson. City of West Fargo

“I am excited to experience the culture built here by administration and staff, and look forward to continuing to work on projects that improve the quality of life for the residents of this community.”

Dan Hanson

Gimmies, a business offering golfers a chance to improve their play with golf simulators while enjoying food and drink, is seen Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at West Fargo’s Oak Ridge Mall. The business is expected to open about mid-September.

Helmut Schmidt /West Fargo Pioneer

NEWS AND FEATURES

A need for golf

Gimmies to give another shot to get into the swing of things in West Fargo

By Helmut Schmidt | West Fargo Pioneer

WEST FARGO - Gimmies, a business that offers golfers a chance to sharpen their swings with electronic golf simulators, even as they enjoy food and drinks, is planned to open in the Oak Ridge Mall in mid-September.

Fit-up for the shop at 635 32nd Ave. S., No. 144, is moving along, with much of the drywall up.

Bob Polcher, who co-owns the business with his wife, Kelly, says there’s an unmet demand for simulator time among Fargo-Moorhead area golf lovers.

“I just felt that in the F-M area, there’s such a need for golf,” Polcher said Wednesday, June 15.

“West Fargo is just a great place to bring a new business, too.”

The couple created the concept themselves.

“To be honest with you, golf has always been a passion of mine. I’ve always enjoyed it. I figured, why not make a business out of it?” he said.

Gimmies will have five simulators that allow several players to play at the same time. Each

simulator offers a wide range of courses, he said.

Gimmies will serve liquor, though food will be lighter fare, mainly appetizers and pizza.

A unique offering is that players will be able to draw their own beer at their tables, Polcher said.

Gimmies is next to the M.J. Capelli Hair Salons shop. Other mall tenants include Deek’s Pizza, an Ace Hardware store, Ultimate Nails, and Brewtus’ Brickhouse restaurant and tavern. The mall is just west of a Cash Wise Foods grocery store.

West Fargo launches Water Tracker website service for residents

Site allows residents with a digital water meter to track estimated water usage and setup alerts

By City of West Fargo

The City of West Fargo is now offering the Water Tracker website for residents with a new digital water meter to track their estimated water usage. Registration information and a link to the service are available at westfargond.gov/watertracker.

On the website, residents can view estimated water usage in increments of hours, days and months. They can also set up alerts to notify them of a different level of water usage that results from a lifestyle change like houseguests or watering the lawn in the summer. It could also signify excessive water usage from a serious issue like a leak or malfunctioning appliance. These issues are often not visible to homeowners and take some investigation to identify.

The Water Tracker site is one element of the City’s smart water meter system that will improve utility

services. This network of digital water meters allows the City to accurately measure water usage and eliminate on-site reading. The system will also notify the City of service outages.

Due to a supply shortage, about 20% of eligible residents have not received their new digital water meters yet. They are encouraged to go to westfargond.gov/watertracker and sign up for the email notification list. Members of the email list will receive notifications of when the meters are available for installation. These residents will not be able to use the Water Tracker website until they receive a new meter.

It is helpful for residents to have their monthly City of West Fargo Utility billing statement ready before they register for the Water Tracker website because account information on the bill is needed to link water meters.

NEWS AND FEATURES

West Fargo explores City Hall and police space needs

By Wendy Reuer | West Fargo Pioneer

WEST FARGO — A company commissioned by the city of West Fargo found the current City Hall and police headquarters building isn’t in failing shape, but it will have to be remodeled or a new building may be needed to accommodate additional staff.

The West Fargo City Commission approved adding a new City Hall into its Capital Improvement Plan earlier this year, currently penciled in for the year 2026.

Monday, July 18, RLE Architects Principal Kim Manuel and Project Manager Mark Thiede, returned a forensic

study on the building at 800 4th Ave. E.

Manuel said the original building was built in 1974 as the city’s public library and in 1975 it became City Hall. There were additions to the building in 1984, 1990, 2005 and 2015.

Thiede said the study process involved observing the building aspects, documenting what was observed, rating the condition and then estimating probable costs.

“The site is one of the first sites we took a look at,” he

said. “This site has some drainage issues, particularly to the southwest.”

Thiede said the building envelope, or walls were mostly OK, but the building could use some maintenance.

RLE gave the building’s mechanical system a C grade and the electrical system received a B grade, but Thiede noted the electrical system is at capacity.

Manuel said there are some spaces in the building that are underutilized and some spaces that could be repurposed.

West Fargo City Hall and police station. Matt Von Pinnon / West Fargo Pioneer

Based on information from the city, Manuel said the City Hall staffing will grow by 40% through 2032 and the police department is going to grow by 20%. City Hall would need about 28% more space and the police department would need more than 50% more space.

“That equates to about 30,000 square feet between the two departments,” Manuel said.

RLE also noted the municipal court should have its own space and the commission chambers, which was added in 2015, is lacking in technology updates and has acoustic issues. They said the police department is “scrambling” for more space for storage and fitness.

Police Chief Denis Otterness said he currently does not have enough lockers for men and women staff.

“We’re having to come to you every year to increase our staffing members,” Otterness said. “Right now, the biggest issue is a lack of lockers for our staff.

We’re out of locker space for both our male and female staff.”

Otterness said additional space in the police headquarters is dedicated for training and the partnership the department is currently hosting with Lake Region Technical Academy.

“It’s going to be really important for our hiring and to continue to fill vacancies to continue that partnership with Lake Region,” Otterness said.

RLE staff recommend separating the municipal court from City Hall and said the court should probably stay with the police department at whatever location that would be.

The consultants also looked at site possibilities for new buildings. One option is to simply relocate the entire facility somewhere else.

Another alternative would be to relocate City Hall somewhere north, perhaps in the downtown district and relocate the police headquarters south of Interstate

94. Or, the city could leave the police headquarters where it is and relocate City Hall somewhere else.

The city could also remodel the current building to fit the needs of the city. RLE presented a possible design that would move the municipal court to its own space and enlarge the area for court. Nearby spaces would be used for the municipal judge and clerks. In the design, the current commission chambers would be remodeled to police lockers and space moved to another area.

“Your site would be fully developed by that point with little to no room for growth,” Thiede said.

The City Commission agreed to create an exploratory committee that will work with RLE to further study the space needs of the city and police, possibly for the next 50 years.

“We thought the police department would last us 40 years, it’s been seven,” City Administrator Tina Fisk said. “We all know that City Hall is tight but it’s a

bigger concern when you look at the police department. In order to make intelligent decisions to move forward, we would like to set up an exploratory committee.”

The committee would include Assistant City Administrator Dustin Scott, Commissioners Brad Olson and Mandy George, who carries the secondary portfolio of police, along with city staff members who are not managers and police staff.

The committee is expected to meet starting Aug. 1 and to return results to the commission after Oct. 16.

“There would be no decisions made at all, if there is a decision to be made, it would be made by the commission,” Fisk said.

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

CITY OF WESTFARGO

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