Minot, ND – The Minot City Council convened on February 18, 2025, addressing various city issues and heard a heartfelt plea from a concerned resident during the public appearance segment.
Mayor Tom Ross opened the meeting by thanking first responders and engineers for their swift action in resolving a road issue from the previous day. The Council then moved on to discussions about potential changes to bus funding, ongoing police department improvements, and the search for a new HR Director.
Among the major agenda items, the Ehr Hills Addition project was unanimously approved, granting an interim permit allowing current residents up to 10 years before zoning changes take effect, ensuring a smoother transition in this area where industrial and residential zones directly border each other. A debate arose over proposed noise ordinance changes, with council members delving into decibel level specifics before ultimately passing the measure 6-0. The Council also reviewed plans to repurpose the old landfill site into a park, though EPA regulations have delayed progress, extending the project timeline by several years.
The most gripping moment of the meeting came about an hour in, when a concerned resident took the floor to describe years of harassment and threats from a mentally unfit neighbor. He recounted disturbing incidents, including the neighbor following his youngest daughter to school and threatening to kill her with lasers, making bizarre claims that police would abduct her parents, and repeatedly making inappropriate and unsettling comments, particularly toward minors. The resident also detailed a pattern of violent outbursts and numerous violations of no-contact orders, which have gone unpunished due to the individual's mental incompetence.
The City Attorney voiced frustration, stating that multiple agencies have been contacted in an attempt to find a legal solution. She pointed to HB1032, a legislative bill that could provide local authorities more legal avenues to handle such cases. Meanwhile, Catholic Services recently filed for guardianship, which could provide a breakthrough resolution for the situation.
Aldermen Pitner, Blessum, and Fuller all expressed deep concern about the legal limitations preventing meaningful action. Blessum warned that without intervention, the situation could end in tragedy if the wrong parent were placed in a similar scenario. State officials have advised the resident to seek involuntary commitment, a process that is still ongoing. Council members urged continued pressure on the state to reform laws that allow dangerous individuals to evade prosecution due to mental incompetence. Interim Police Chief Plesas stressed that this issue is not just a criminal justice matter, but a failure in social services and mental health support, and assured the resident that any individual breaking the law would not be tolerated.
Beyond the formal testimony, several citizens took to online forums during the meeting, corroborating the resident’s story and describing their own experiences of being terrorized by the same individual, showcasing this as a point of discussion Minot residents feel to have a vested interest in.
The Council also revisited the ongoing issue of the Minot Police Department’s outdated and undersized facility. The central debate revolved around whether to invest in immediate repairs or wait for potential state funding before committing to major upgrades or a new building altogether.
Several major concerns were raised, including HVAC failures, a lack of proper evidence storage, and accessibility issues in the current facility. There was also discussion about remodeling the old city hall space as a temporary solution, with oversight from a committee of MPD officials.
Alderman Pitner pressed for an immediate assessment, arguing that delaying too long could lead to higher costs down the road. However, Blessum pushed back, arguing that payroll and benefits should take priority and that waiting until the legislative session concludes would provide a better picture of funding opportunities with property taxes up in the air.
Mayor Tom Ross challenged Blessum on whether he had formally requested the $12-25 million funding options he had previously proposed. Blessum responded that this was merely a "first step" and reiterated his belief that waiting until after the legislative session would provide better clarity on funding. Alderman Fuller expressed openness to short-term fixes while keeping long-term solutions in mind, but opposed the idea of a parking garage-based facility. Meanwhile, Alderwoman Lisa Olson pushed for immediate action, arguing that delays would only worsen existing issues and that the Council had never conducted a full assessment of the parking garage site as a viable option. A well rounded conversation was had to say the least, with Pitner putting forward a motion that failed to receive a second, and Olson presenting two motions that were both struck down.
The City Manager emphasized that even if old city hall space were utilized, the current police facility remains far too small and that the city will eventually need a major upgrade or a new facility, regardless of interim solutions. The Council ultimately voted 6-0 to revisit the discussion in May, once legislative funding opportunities become clearer and the budget cycle begins.
Go watch the meeting here in full and be sure to tune in to a special edition of Minot Talk Thursday Evening at 7:30 PM where Jonathan and I break the meeting down as well as the State of the City.
