Fargo City Commissioner Dave Piepkorn speaks with Reporter Ty Schonert on WDAY Midday
FARGO, ND — One member of Fargo leadership believes he secured a win for city taxpayers in the city’s downtown in the debate against people “camping” on public property.
On Tuesday, the Commission passed an ordinance 5-0 which bans camping on public grounds. Following the ordinance, a resolution passed 3-2, with Commissioners Dave Piepkorn and Michelle Turnberg voting against it. The resolution allows the city to require unhoused populations camping on public grounds to be in contact and work with the Downtown Engagement Center. Additionally, it allows camps which comply with the ordinance to remain-in-place as long as individuals within follow expected “camp protocols and expectations”.
The resolution was lauded by members of the Downtown Engagement Center as a way to help homeless residents a pathway to housing. Peipkorn disagrees, saying despite the resolution’s passage on Tuesday, he believes the ordinance is a win for Fargo taxpayers.
“We had an incremental win last night, and that is the Ordinance passed. My goal now is to eliminate the resolutions. That is my long term thing,” said Peipkorn on WDAY Midday. “It might take a while, it might take 20 months – when we have a new Mayor and two new commissioners. It might happen then. It might take 20 months but I’m patient.”
If the resolution is removed, it would leave the ordinance as the the lone method to address the homeless population in the city. Peipkorn says Fargo taxpayers should not face the responsibility of taking care of people who want to “live that lifestyle.”
“We don’t have the money to pay for all of this,” continued Piepkorn.
WDAY Radio contacted Fargo Cass Public Health for comment, and have declined an opportunity for an interview.
“Fargo Cass Public Health (FCPH) respectfully declines to comment on statements offered by individual City Commissioners on policy matters; to do so would be inappropriate and not within the scope of our work,” wrote a spokesperson from FCPH. “City staff members implement the policies approved by the Fargo City Commission and FCPH staff will continue to do so.”
The full resolutions can be found below
The full ordinance states (passed 5-0)
- Anyone camping unlawfully must vacate and remove all belongings from the public property within 48 hours of receiving notice to vacate from an enforcement officer.
- After 48 hours, the City or its contractor shall remove the campsite.
- All unclaimed personal property with apparent value or utility will be stored for 60 days.
- After 60 days, unclaimed personal property may be disposed of in accordance with Fargo Municipal Code.
- Anyone who violates the ordinance is guilty of an infraction, which is punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000.
The full resolution states (passed 3-2)
- Camping in or within 100 feet of critical infrastructure (under bridges, lift stations, outfalls, city buildings, water intake and pump house), within 100 feet of a bridge embankment, on public sidewalks, and within 30 feet adjacent to public bike paths is strictly prohibited. An enforcement officer shall immediately cite persons in violation of the removal notice. Appropriate steps will then be taken to remove the unlawful campsite.
- Camping in, or within 100 feet of a park established by the Fargo Park District is prohibited pursuant to a Park District resolution adopting Fargo Municipal Code Article 10-14 and resolutions and guidelines adopted by the City Commission.
- Camping in areas posted as no trespassing or no camping by authorized City personnel is strictly prohibited.
- Campsites within the service area of the Downtown Engagement Center in compliance with all Camp Protocols and Expectations, and not located in a priority enforcement area, shall be monitored and persons occupying such camps shall be expected to engage in such services available.
- Persons who have been warned that their conduct is not in compliance with the approved Camp Protocols and Expectations will be subject to citation and notice of camp removal.
