Fargo City Commission Meeting Wrap-Up - 05.13.2024

In case you missed the May 13, 2024, Fargo City Commission meeting, here are a few highlights we would like you to know about.

City Commission Approves Changes to MATBUS Routes and Hours of Service

Since 2021, Fargo-Moorhead’s public transit agency MATBUS has enacted various temporary reductions in service to provide consistent and reliable service levels in the face of a long-term driver shortage. MATBUS has also seen ridership decline since the COVID-19 pandemic, dropping from 1.8 million rides in 2019 to 1.2 million rides in 2023.

MATBUS will be making some of the previously enacted temporary service changes permanent. The changes will allow MATBUS to provide levels of service based on current ridership demands while addressing long-term driver shortages and decreases in federal funding.

Notices of the changes were published in The Forum and were posted at the Ground Transportation Center and on the MATBUS website and social media. MATBUS gathered public input at an open house this month, and 17 people submitted comments.

On Monday, the Fargo City Commission unanimously approved the MATBUS changes to take effect July 1, except for extended Saturday service, which will begin on August 26. The changes are as follows:

• Changes to service hours: MATBUS fixed-route and MAT paratransit service hours will be reduced to 6:15 a.m.-10:15 p.m. Monday-Friday and 7:15 a.m.-10:15 p.m. on Saturday. Saturday service currently operates until 8:15 p.m. As a result of public input, Saturday service will be extended to 10:15 p.m., beginning on August 26. (Previously, MATBUS operated 6:15 a.m.-11:15 p.m. Monday-Friday and 7:15 a.m.-11:15 p.m. on Saturday.)
• Changes to Route 13: Route 13 will change from 30-minute service to 60-minute service on Saturdays only.
• Changes to Route 15: Route 15 will change from 15-minute service to 30-minute service from 6:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
• Changes to Route 32W: The change will eliminate Route 32W.
• Changes to Route 33: The change will reduce Route 33 from 10-minute service with 7-minute service during peak ridership times to 10-minute service all day.
• Changes to Route 36: The change will eliminate Route 36. Currently, Route 13 serves the same area as Route 36.

For more information, visit MATBUS.com or call the MATBUS Helpline at 701.232.7500.

Fargo Cass Public Health Nurses Serving Central Cass, Northern Cass School Districts

Fargo Cass Public Health has provided school nursing services for Fargo Public Schools, along with four schools in Cass County, for many years.

On Monday, the City Commission unanimously approved contracts for school nursing services with the Northern Cass Public School District and the Central Cass Public School District.

Under a service agreement, Northern Cass Public Schools will pay $56,570 for nursing services for the 2024-2025 school year. Pursuant to a separate agreement, Central Cass Public Schools will pay $60,402 for nursing services for the 2024-2025 school year.

City Commissioners Appoint New Member to Economic Development Incentives Committee

Jessica Ebeling has served on the Economic Development Incentives Committee for several years and recently resigned her position.

Matthew Schlenvogt applied to serve on the Committee, and City Commissioners voted 5-0 on Monday night to appoint him to the open seat.

“I am a proud Fargo native, and have always enjoyed living in Fargo, and helping to better the community,” Schlenvogt wrote in his application. “I have a strong background in real estate, and banking … which I plan to use to create dialogue for the needs of the city both now, and in the future.”

Residents are encouraged to research and apply for appointment to any of The City of Fargo’s boards, commissions and committees for consideration in the event of future vacancies.

For more information on the responsibilities of each board, commission and committee, please visit FargoND.gov/GettingInvolved.

Metro Area Cities Exploring Possible Regional Transportation Management Center

Many metro areas around the country have established Regional Transportation Management Centers where public safety and transportation agencies collaborate to quickly address incidents on highway systems, disseminate information to the traveling public and maximize road efficiency.

The cities of Fargo, West Fargo and Moorhead together are exploring the possibility of establishing a Regional Transportation Management Center in the metro area.

The City of West Fargo is taking the lead on hiring a consultant to complete an application for a $2 million federal grant to fund a planning study for a Regional Transportation Management Center. It’s expected to cost Fargo, West Fargo and Moorhead $15,000 each to hire a consultant.

On Monday, the Fargo City Commission unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the cities of West Fargo and Moorhead regarding initial planning for a possible Regional Transportation Management Center.