Oct. 1, 2026

A noticeable absence was felt at the Sept. 1 City Commission meeting. Commissioner Craig Sjoberg passed away on Aug. 29, 2026, just days before the meeting.

A beautiful memorial was set up prior to the meeting. When it came time to call roll, City Administrator Jim Neubauer called Commissioner Sjoberg’s name three times. After no response, Neubauer read a humble tribute:

“Commissioner Sjoberg, on behalf of the citizens of Mandan, our city employees, and your fellow elected officials, thank you for your service to our community. Your life, your leadership, and your devotion to Mandan will not be forgotten. May you rest in peace with God, and may your family be surrounded by comfort and love in the days ahead. Well done, good and faithful servant.”

The meeting wrapped up with the mayor, fellow commissioners, and staff remembering Commissioner Sjoberg. It was evident that this man was not only an elected leader, but he was also a friend to so many.

“Commissioner Sjoberg served the citizens of Mandan with dedication, integrity and a steadfast commitment to public service,” said Mayor Jim Froelich.

“He took his responsibility to the board and the people of Mandan very seriously,” said Commissioner Ryan Heinsohn. “He was always 100% prepared, honest and never afraid to ask the tough questions or say what needed to be said.”

“He was a man of integrity who put his heart and soul into serving his community,” said Commissioner Heidi Belohlavek. “I was really looking forward to serving with him.”

“It didn’t take us long to figure out that this was a man who wanted to do the best for this community and put all kinds of effort into doing it,” said City Administrator Neubauer.

“It didn’t matter if we’ve known him our whole life, or for two days or two minutes,” said Communications Specialist Kari Schimdt. “He impacted a lot of people, and he will be missed greatly.”

“Way before he was a commissioner at the desk, he poured a lot of his heart into our fire department,” said Battalion Chief Shane Weltikol. “He was the epitome of what it meant to be a public servant.”

“He loved all public servants, it didn’t matter where you served,” said Police Chief Jason Ziegler. “He also had a specific affection for police and fire because he served (in those roles).”

“What I think I’m going to miss most is simply Craig,” said Morton Mandan Public Library Director Barb Sandstrom. “His encouragement, kindness, history and war trivia, and the way he made you feel like the work you were doing mattered.”

“We all felt such immense love and support from Commissioner Sjoberg, said City Engineer Jarek Wigness. “Leaving that impression is a testament to his capacity for care and his ability to lift others up.”

While his time serving as commissioner was relatively short, his life was filled with service. He was a volunteer fireman, public transportation driver, compliance officer, member of the Civil Air Patrol, served on the Mandan Rural Fire Department, and patrolman for both the Bismarck and Mandan Police departments.

Mayor Froelich directed U.S. Flags and North Dakota flags be flown at half-staff on Friday, Sept. 4 at all municipal buildings.  

Commissioner Sjoberg took office July 1, 2024, and was a passionate, caring, diligent and veracious leader.

Thank you to the Sjoberg family for sharing Craig with us. We are so grateful for Commissioner Sjoberg’s service to Mandan. He will be missed but never forgotten. 

In September, over 600 signatures were submitted to take the subject of data centers to a special election. The petition is to create an ordinance prohibiting large-scale and multiple data centers with a designed, contracted, requested or reasonably anticipated electrical capacity or aggregate electrical demand of 25 megawatts or more within the city of Mandan and within certain territory subject to Mandan Zoning authority.

As of today, the petition is still in process of being verified. If verified, a special election would have to take place prior to the end of 2026.

Draft data center ordinance. The draft data center ordinance has yet to be considered at City Commission.

In August, the Planning & Zoning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the draft data center ordinance with six amendments to City Commission. The six amendments were:

1. Reducing the decibel thresholds for noise
2. Banning NDAs
3. Requiring PFAS-free chemicals in the coolant systems
4. Adding a supplementary minimum setback
5. Strict school thresholds
6. Monitoring location numbers

View the draft data center ordinance with the six amendments at cityofmandan.com/zoningstudy.

It’s important to note the city does not have an application for a data center currently being considered. While there has been discussion regarding the Stark Power proposal, the company indicated it remains in the early stages of evaluating the opportunity. Should the proposed land use regulations (ordinance) be adopted, any future data center proposal would still be required to go through additional review processes, including a Conditional Use Permit application, public hearings, and consideration by the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Commission. Issues such as compatibility with surrounding land uses, infrastructure, traffic, utilities, noise, and other site-specific impacts would be evaluated as part of that process.

Stay tuned to cityofmandan.com/news for updates on this and other important topics. 

The City of Mandan's Beautification Recognition Program is entering its most exciting phase...public voting! This is your chance to help celebrate the residential and commercial properties that make Mandan a more vibrant, welcoming, and visually appealing community.

Six residential properties were nominated in two categories this year:

• seasonal/holiday display
• landscape maintenance/enhancements

Revive Law Group located at 107 First Ave NW was also nominated for its seasonal/holiday display and is being recognized as the only commercial property nominated this year.

The public is asked to vote for an overall winner from each category at surveymonkey.com/r/beaut26 by 11:45 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9. Winners will be recognized at an upcoming City Commission meeting, on the City's website, social media and in the Mandan Messenger newsletter.

The Community Beautification Committee received nominations throughout the year for properties that stand out for their landscaping, structural enhancements, seasonal displays, or overall aesthetic charm.  

During Free Fall Landfill Week (Sept. 14-19): 

• The landfill accepted a total of 1,014 loads!
• That’s an average of 169 loads per day.
• Up 270 loads from the same week last year!

The speed limit in school zones throughout the city of Mandan will soon increase from 15 mph to 20 mph. The change is intended to create consistency across all school zones, as some currently have a 15 mph speed limit while others are already posted at 20 mph. Once implemented, all school zones within the city will have a uniform speed limit.

The new speed limit will take effect as soon as the signs are posted. Updated signage will be in place on or before Oct. 15

School zones remain areas where extra caution is required. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.

The Mandan City Commission will soon consider appointments beginning in 2027 for positions and seats on boards that assist with city governance and community development. Applications are being sought for 12 positions on eight different boards or committees.

Interested individuals can apply online at cityofmandan.com/boardapplication for their desired appointment. Members of the business community and residents are encouraged to apply by Oct. 31 or until positions are filled.

Airport Authority. One position with a five-year term ending in 2031. Members of the local business community and residents are eligible to serve. A knowledge of aviation is helpful but not required. Provides input on planning, maintenance and management of the Mandan Regional Airport – Lawler Field. Meetings are typically held six to nine times a year, normally at noon on Mondays at the airport.  

Architectural Review Commission. One position with a three-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2029. Appointees are to be residents of the city, business owners/operators in the city, or owners of property within the city. Expertise in the design and construction industries, engineering or related professions is helpful. Architecture Review Commission consideration and approval is required before any commercial building is constructed or its exterior is altered. Meetings are typically on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m.

Civic Service Commission. A position for a five-year term through 2031 is available. Makes recommendations regarding City personnel regulations and benefits, investigates any complaints related to administration of the civil service system and hears appeals on disciplinary matters. Meetings are only held as needed and thus infrequent.

Community Beautification Committee. One position with a term ending in 2029. Residents or representatives of businesses that own property in the City of Mandan. Helps formulate and coordinate programs, projects and policies that enhance the aesthetic appearance of the community. Meets three times a year on the second Thursday of January, March and September at 7:30 a.m.

Growth Fund. Four positions with three-year terms expiring in 2029. Members may be representatives of the business community through ownership or employment with a Mandan

business or Mandan residents. Makes recommendations to City Commission related to applications for assistance to businesses desiring to expand or locate in the Mandan area. Meets as needed depending on applications for incentive or assistance programs.

Parking Authority. One, five-year term expiring in 2031, and one vacancy with a term expiring in 2029. The representative must be a downtown business owner or representative. The committee is responsible for monitoring the status of parking availability and providing input to the City Commission, Police Department, Public Works and other City departments regarding enforcement, signing, maintenance and rental fees. The committee also helps develop solutions to parking issues that promote customer access to businesses. It meets as needed.

Planning & Zoning Commission. Two at-large positions, one with a five-year term expiring in 2031, and one at-large vacancy through 2030. Must be residents living within city limits. Considers plats, zone changes, annexations, development plans and other planning related issues. Meetings are held the fourth Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. 

Renaissance Zone Committee. A three-year term ending in 2029 representing the private sector. Representatives may be members of the business community through ownership or employment with a Mandan business or Mandan residents. Makes recommendations regarding applications for property and state income tax exemptions for qualified investment in the purchase, rehabilitation, new construction and lease of commercial and residential properties in a 35-block area of downtown plus a non-contiguous area along Memorial Highway (the 2300-2500 blocks) in accordance with state and local regulations. Meets as needed to consider applications.

For committee rosters and descriptions for City of Mandan volunteer advisory positions, visit cityofmandan.com/boards. 

Mandan Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week™, Oct. 4-10.

The theme this year surrounds smart charging practices for lithium-ion batteris to prevent fires. Follow Mandan City Fire on Facebook and Instagram for safe charging tips Oct. 4-10.

Join Mandan Fire Department for it's annual Open House on Tuesday, Oct. 13. A fire truck parade through town will kick off the event! The truck parade will start at 6:30 p.m. at Mandan Rural Fire Station located at 34^th Street NW and follow Old Red Trail to Sixth Ave NW, to Main Street, to Sixth Ave NE, and then return to Station 1 on First Street NE.

The open house will follow from 7-9 p.m. at Mandan Fire Department Station #1 located at 110 Collins Ave, Mandan

Memorial Highway construction continues

The Memorial Highway project continues into Fall with Phase 2 preparing for big traffic changes.

Phase 2 | West (East Main Street to 32^nd Ave SE)

Traffic Changes this Fall. Beginning in October, traffic will shift to one lane in each direction while crews complete construction of the center median south of Main Street. Work on the median is expected to continue through late October and into early November, weather permitting. Drivers should continue to use caution and follow all posted work zone signage while traveling through the project area.

Winter Traffic Configuration. Once the median construction is complete, Memorial Highway will transition into its winter configuration. The portion of the project near Main Street will be completed with permanent concrete pavement and will closely resemble the final roadway layout. East along Memorial Highway toward Faulkner's Market, motorists will travel on a temporary five-lane asphalt roadway for the winter until underground utilities and permanent concrete paving can be completed during the 2027 construction season.

Memorial Highway will operate with five lanes at normal posted speeds throughout the winter suspension period, which will help maintain traffic flow and access along the corridor until construction resumes next spring.

Main Street Intersection Improvements. Work continues at the Main Street intersection, where crews are installing permanent traffic signals and roadway lighting. Construction of the new signal system and lighting infrastructure is expected to continue throughout October. The new signal system will be operational before winter, replacing the temporary traffic control devices and lighting configuration currently in place.

Lift Station Improvements. Lift station construction activities near McDonald's and Midway Lanes have been completed for the 2026 construction season. The lift station structures have been installed and will remain inactive until they can be connected to the broader utility network as part of future project work in 2027. These lift stations are a key component of the long-term wastewater and stormwater infrastructure improvements being completed as part of the Memorial Highway project.

Stormwater infrastructure work continues near 3rd Street and the Heart River. Crews are installing a stormwater pipe beneath 3rd Street while constructing several large stormwater structures designed to improve drainage and stormwater management throughout the corridor.

Construction of these structures is expected to continue throughout the remainder of 2026, depending on weather conditions and construction progress. Temporary asphalt and other traffic control measures will remain in place while stormwater infrastructure work continues in the area.  

No additional traffic impacts are anticipated beyond the existing traffic controls currently in place. Reduced speeds, temporary barriers, and pedestrian access restrictions are expected to remain in the area through the end of November 2026.

Season Outlook. Timelines may shift due to weather or other unforeseen conditions.

• October 2026: Traffic reduced to one lane in each direction while crews complete median construction.
• November 2026: Median work finishes and traffic changes to winter configuration.
• Winter 2026-27: Five lanes of traffic operate at normal speed limit on Memorial Highway.
• Spring 2027: Construction resumes on the next phase of roadway and utility improvements.

Traffic & Staying Informed. Motorists should anticipate delays, follow posted signage, and allow extra time for travel through the construction area. Please note that weather conditions and ongoing construction activity may cause project schedule changes.

Residents are encouraged to support local businesses along the corridor and to visit the City of Mandan’s website and social media channels for the most up‑to‑date construction and traffic information.

Purchase digital gift cards from local participating businesses at VisitMandan.com. Each card is delivered as a digital wallet file that appears on your phone just like a regular credit card. You can use the card to shop online or pay in person. As part of the program, the City of Mandan is contributing a 25% match that is automatically issued as a separate bonus card at no additional cost.

Never miss a local event, city update, or important alert again.

The new Mandan app brings our community closer—whether you’re

checking the calendar, reporting a concern, or supporting a local fundraiser.

Download it today and explore what’s happening around you! Search

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