Bismarck City Commission - 2026-03-24

Approved master management agreement between City of Bismarck and Global Spectrum (Oak View Group) for operations and food/beverage services at Bismarck Event Center and Belle Mehus Auditorium. Agreement includes $5 million private investment ($2.5M year one, $500K year four, $2M year ten), base management fee starting at approximately $200,000/year with performance-based incentives, employee protection plan for all current staff, and city retention of asset ownership and audit rights.

Approved partnership with Bismarck Parks and Recreation District to solicit proposals for community recreation facility feasibility study. Cost share of $50,000-$75,000 each entity for total project cost up to $150,000. Study will evaluate community recreation needs and optimal facility location.

Approved letter of support for Four Partners LLC (financial advisors) seeking interest buy-down through Dakota Community Fund/North Dakota Opportunity Fund loan program for construction of an office building.

Approved amendments to 2025 budget including: $100,000 increase for public transit system (grant timing), police asset forfeiture fund increase for vehicle/equipment maintenance and drug enforcement training, motel/hotel tax fund increase for pass-through to CVB and Event Center, sales tax fund recognition for police department land purchase ($1M+) and transit operating deficit ($649,000), and special deficiency fund adjustment for extra width/depth special assessments.

Awarded contracts for furnishing pavement materials: Part A hot mix asphalt to Strata Corporation ($75.96/ton) and Northern Improvement ($77.84/ton); Part B bituminous tack oil to Northern Improvement ($6/gallon); Part C asphalt cement to Northern Improvement ($1,214/ton); Part F crushed granite to Strata Corporation ($90/ton); Part G cold mix to Northern Improvement ($15.25/bag or $188/ton). Parts D and E (asphalt cement sealant and bituminous seal oil) received no bids - authorized sole source procurement.

Accepted insufficiency of protests for Street Improvement District 597, a concrete pavement repair project on Main Avenue from Washington Street Bridge to 7th Street. No protests received from 42 affected parcels.

Approved resolutions creating district, approving plans/specifications, and authorizing advertisement for bids for 2026 concrete contracts: Part A1 (new driveways/sidewalks), Part A2 (sidewalk gap program with 25% subsidy incentive for 2026 installation, completion required by end of 2027), and Part B (hazardous sidewalk and miscellaneous concrete repair).

Approved project list and Home Rule Charter amendment language for half cent sales tax extension for roadways to appear on ballot. Tax expires December 31, 2038. Language modified to remove section 17c(1)(i) and (ii) to avoid confusion about imposing new tax, and clarified ballot language to reference 'as outlined above and as published in the Bismarck Tribune.'