Dave Piepkorn

Fargo and West Fargo Approve 2024 Budgets, One Vote Wasn’t Unanimous

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — The majority of Fargo City Commissioners agree that these are challenging financial times as they approve a 2024 budget including higher property taxes and increased franchise fees for public utilities. But Commissioner Dave Piepkorn was the lone vote against approving the $120 million budget. He once again spoke out against raising the franchise fees from 2%…

Sales Tax Vote For Fargodome Project Set for December 5

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) — Fargo City Commissioners unanimously approve a December 5th special election seeking a $140 million expansion and renovation of Fargodome. There will be one question on the ballot. City taxpayers will decide whether to approve a quarter-cent bump in the local sales tax and a 3% increase in the city lodging tax to pay for the proposed…

Fargo To Take Another Look at Street Racing, Postpones Decision On Outdoor Event Permits

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Fargo City Commissioner Arlette Preston is urging city staff to take more action on street racing. She says she is still receiving complaints about the issue nearly a year after a crackdown by law enforcement. The commission voted to have city engineering staff study possible changes like traffic lights or speed bumps. Commissioner Dave Piepkorn calls…

Fargo City Commission Votes 4-1 To Oppose State Anti-LGBTQ Bills

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) — Fargo City Commission votes 4-1 to oppose a series of state bills filed by Republican legislators targeting LGBTQ+ residents in the state. The only no vote came from Commissioner Dave Piepkorn. Cody Schuler, advocacy manager with the American Civil Liberties Union of North Dakota told commissioners the legislation amounts to a “culture war” that takes away…

Fargo no longer accepting glass for all-in-one curbside recycling

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Fargo’s Solid Waste Department tentatively agrees with MinnKota Recycling to eliminate glass recycling through its all in one curbside program by March 6. “Single stream is a very small percentage of the volume of material. It’s the commercial waste that you really need to keep an eye on,” MinnKota Recycling Sales Manager Mary Aldrich said. Fargo’s…

Piepkorn Out as Fargo Deputy Mayor, Preston Voted In, Against The Mayor’s Wishes

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR)– Fargo has a new deputy mayor, against the wishes of Mayor Tim Mahoney. Commissioners first voted on a motion put forth by John Strand and Arlette Preston to rescind Dave Piepkorn as deputy mayor for controversial comments he has made recently. That included Piepkorn’s issues with the police chief and calling out two drunk Native American’s outside…

Commissioners Respond To Harsh Statements During Downtown Fargo Safety Talk

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) — Fargo City Commissioner Dave Piepkorn raised some anger at last night’s meeting during a discussion about the need for safety downtown. Piepkorn shared a story about calling 911 on two very intoxicated Native Americans sleeping next to his building downtown. He says police came and rousted them and he followed them to see where they went…

Fargo City Commissioner Sounds Alarm About Public Safety Downtown

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Fargo City Commissioner Dave Piepkorn is sounding the alarm about public safety downtown. He wants a larger police presence to crack down on what he calls harassment and aggressive panhandlers. Piepkorn and other commissioners agreed the issue needs a metro-wide look with public input. There are Harm Reduction and Mobile Outreach programs that provide services including crisis…

Fargo City Commission Holds Closed Door Meeting Over Fired Officer

Justin Nachatilo and attorney Leo Wilking FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — A former Fargo police officer whose firing was upheld by the City Commission last week is the focus of a closed door meeting. City Commissioners met in Executive Session late Monday afternoon to provide settlement negotiation instructions to the city attorney for Justin Nachatilo. The negotiation was between the city…