Commissioner, Deputy Mayor· 2024-07-01–2028-06-01; month-level start: July 2024, elected June 11, 2024 (first official meeting July 8, 2024 per inforum.com); the Fargo City Commission page says commissioners are elected for four-year terms, and Commissioner Turnberg's fargond.gov page gives a June election and expiry; month-level end: June 2028
John Strand
Fargo
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 2
- Total speaking time
- 2:08
- Avg per meeting
- 1:04
- Segments
- 37
Want every word Strand has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Strand said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Special Election on City Government Structure
Estimated $30,000-$50,000 in hard costs plus staff time, entirely borne by the city.
Historic Preservation and Arts & Culture Commission gaps
Minimal direct cost — the $90,000 tri-cities arts grant line item continues separately, and meetings-as-needed cost little in staff time.
Dangerous building demolition at 111-113 32nd Avenue North
The city will spend on demolition under the approved Master Construction agreement and can assess costs against the property.
1544 3rd Avenue South dangerous-building standoff
Demolition costs will likely be assessed against the property or borne by the city initially.
64th Avenue South traffic calming and future I-29 interchange
Estimated $25-30 million, with roughly $20 million in federal funds; a 76th Avenue alternative would cost an estimated $70-100 million with no funding in place.
Covey Ranch Third Addition growth and special assessments
Roads and utilities for the district will be paid for by special assessments on the new properties; costs aren't estimated yet.
Commercial Redevelopment PILOT Incentive Policy with inclusionary housing
The policy would shape how much property tax revenue the city forgoes for redevelopment incentives.
2027 Capital Improvement Plan and 2028 street reconstruction
About $52 million in special assessments spread over 6,835 parcels.
Flock surveillance cameras opposition
Litigation costs from the Lips case remain unknown, per the speaker.
COVE Living PILOT at 300 45th Street South
City share: about $166,000/year in forgone taxes ($1.6M over 10 years), against an $8 million total exemption if the county and schools participate.
Living conditions at the Arbors apartment complex
Moody's revises Fargo's credit outlook
A better credit outlook can mean cheaper borrowing for city projects.
Fire department staffing — extra recruit position
One additional position's salary and training costs, not stated in the meeting.
Renter and landlord relations
Housing affordability for fixed-income residents
Potential property tax relief and housing programs would have budget implications not yet quantified.
Thunder Road South sidewalk waiver
Property owners avoid assessment costs for sidewalk installation they said they couldn't afford or use.
I-29/64th Avenue interchange planning
NDDOT increased its contribution to cover the cost difference between alternates B1 and B2.
2027 preliminary budget
The 2027 general fund is around $147 million; the Arts Partnership line is about $90,000 of it.
2026 construction season and sales tax dependence
Over $14 million in construction spending, much of it funded through improvement district assessments and city infrastructure budgets.
Special Assessments for Streets, Sidewalks and Utilities
Affected property owners will be special-assessed for the paving and utility work.
Decisions during term (749)
Recorded while Strand was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Consent agenda (items 1-23), with item 16d carried over
Class ABH liquor license transfer — Ramada Fargo
Class A liquor license ownership transfer — Red Lobster #309
Adopt Commercial Redevelopment PILOT Incentive Policy (as forwarded by EDIC)
Adopt Mayor Boschee's amendments to the Commercial Redevelopment PILOT Policy
COVE Living LLC PILOT — 300 45th Street South
2027 Capital Improvement Plan and 2028 reconstruction projects
Appointment of Erica Anderson as Assistant City Administrator
Consent item 16d — firefighter recruit academy overfill
Approve Order of Agenda.
Minutes (Regular Meeting, October 12, 2026).
Recommendation to approve the Government Relations and Legislative Advocacy proposal from Effertz Law, PLLC and to appoint Terry Effertz as a Special Assistant City Attorney to represent the City of Fargo.
Receive and file an Ordinance Enacting Section 8-1027 of Article 8-10 of Chapter 8 of the Fargo Municipal Code Relating to Winter Parking Restrictions and an Ordinance Amending Section 1-0305 of Article 1-03 of Chapter 1 of the Fargo…
1st reading of an Ordinance Amending Section 8-2002 of Article 8-20 of Chapter 8 of the Fargo Municipal Code Relating to Operation of Motorized Scooters-Regulations.
1st reading of an Ordinance Amending Section 8-0101 of Article 8-01 of Chapter 8 of the Fargo Municipal Code Relating to Definitions.
2nd reading, waive reading and final adoption of an Ordinance Rezoning Certain Parcels of Land Lying in Urban Plains Medical Park Third Addition to the City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota, 1st reading 10/12/26.
2nd reading, waive reading and final adoption of an Ordinance Rezoning Certain Parcels of Land Lying in Village West Fifth Addition to the City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota; 1st reading, 10/12/26.
Termination of contract with J.D. Kraemer Enterprises, LLC for Water Service Replacement Project 2026-08 (WA2511).
Games of Chance applications.
Change Order No. 1 for a time extension to the substantial and final completion dates of 10/27/26 and 11/12/26 for Improvement District No. BN-26-B1.
Voting record (266)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Consent agenda (items 1-23), with item 16d carried over
COVE Living LLC PILOT — 300 45th Street South
Inclusionary housing component (11 affordable units) secured his affirmative vote
approve the 1st reading
approve the rezoning and plat
approve the agreement
approve the Consent Agenda
approve the 1st reading
approve the special assessment
approve the recommendations
approve the rezoning and plat
approve the special assessments
approve the reappointments
Consent Agenda (Items 1-26, 28-35)
Reappointments to the Historic Preservation Commission
Demolition Agreement — 111-113 32nd Avenue North (RFP26307)
Special Assessments for Nuisance Abatement Fees — Snow Removal
Special Assessment of Business Improvement District (BID)
Village West Fifth Addition — rezoning and plat
Urban Plains Medical Park Third Addition — rezoning and plat
64th Avenue South traffic calming recommendation
approve the Assessment
continue the Hearing to 5:05 p.m. on 10/26/26
approve the Final Budget
approve the assessments
approve the application
approve the Assessment
approve the Assessment
approve the Reappointment
approve the Consent Agenda
approve the assessments
approve the Rezoning
approve the application
continue the Hearing to 5:05 p.m. on 10/26/26
delay a decision on the PILOT Incentive Policy for 30 days
approve the 1st Reading of the Rezoning Ordinance
Consent Agenda (Items 1-25)
Item 26 — Skyway Maintenance Special Assessments
Item 27 — Unpaid Utility Special Assessments
Item 28 — Spaghetti Western Liquor License Transfer
Item 29 — Mount Everest Kitchen Liquor License
Item 35 — Christianson 32nd Avenue South Fourth Addition Zone Change
Item 36 — 2027 Final Budget
Praised the unanimous vote and reserve rebuilding as a first in his eleven budget cycles.
Item 37 — Commercial Redevelopment PILOT Incentive Policy
Wanted a group discussion on incentives, look-backs and clawbacks before approving.