A new program designed to increase enforcement of Fargo ordinances is moving forward with city commissioner support.
Under the administrative enforcement program, approved unanimously Monday, a person who refuses to comply with an ordinance could be fined a minimum of $500.
The fine should be an incentive for people to immediately correct ordinance violations, Assistant Fargo City Attorney Patty Roscoe said.
A three-member ordinance enforcement board will be created to hear appeals from people who contest penalties.
Currently, the city's only remedy for dealing with ordinance violations is through the municipal court system. The board will replace the courtroom for most violations.
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About a dozen Roosevelt Neighborhood Association members attended the City Commission meeting Monday to support the program.
Resident Chuck Solly said it could be a key factor in stabilizing the housing in his north Fargo neighborhood, which borders North Dakota State University.
Issues in the area near Roosevelt school include parking, junk properties and lack of enforcement of a city ordinance that says no more than three unrelated people can live together in a house.
Increased enforcement of property-related ordinances could improve the neighborhood's appearance and safety, Solly said.
Fargo Mayor Bruce Furness hopes the program can give the city more leverage to deal with hard-to-enforce violations.
In other business Monday, commissioners:
- Agreed to contract with Airborne Custom Spraying of Halstad, Minn., for mosquito spraying.
Cass County Vector Control will coordinate the aerial spraying, and Fargo and West Fargo each will be billed for the areas sprayed.
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The cost per acre is $2.05 if the cities pay a combined $15,250 retainer fee and $2.45 per acre if they don't.
If the cities don't need spraying, they will lose the retainer. If they do spray, the money will be applied to the first application cost.
Fargo's spray area includes 19,643 acres. West Fargo has 6,047 acres.
- Approved a sewer services agreement with the city of Oxbow.
Under the deal, Fargo will install a new sewer line to serve the needs of Oxbow. In turn, Oxbow will pay Fargo $650,000 to hook into the new line.
Fargo will sell bonds to pay the balance of the $3.3 million project.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Mary Jo Almquist at (701) 241-5531
