Oct. 3, 2022

City Commissioners will soon consider appointments beginning in 2023 for open positions on many boards that assist with city governance and community development. Applications are being sought for nine different boards or committees.

Members of the business community and residents are encouraged to apply online at cityofmandan.com/boardapplication. 

More info. Information on specific openings is available at cityofmandan.com/news. For committee rosters and descriptions for City of Mandan volunteer advisory positions, visit cityofmandan.com/boards.

Contact Communications and Community Services Coordinator Kari Schmidt at 701-667-3478 or via email with questions. 

With a goal of engaging youth and young adults in the community — a priority from the 2021 Mandan Strong economic and community development strategic plan — the City of Mandan Business Development and Communications Department is helping with a launch event.

A fall youth festival will be held Oct. 15, 1-4 p.m., in Dykshoorn Park with music, food, and contests. Participating youth will be asked to sign up to spearhead and assist with community events, projects and programs.

Members of the youth initiative organizing committee include high school and college students with staff involvement from the Mandan Progress Organization, Mandan Public Schools, Morton County Extension, Morton Mandan Public Library, Native American youth groups, and volunteers from the Mandan Tomorrow – Leadership, Pride and Image Committee.

At its Sept. 20 meeting, the City Commission recognized Tom and Kathy Lipp’s property on 15^th Street SE for landscape maintenance or enhancements through the Community Beautification Recognition program.  

A community member nominated the Lipp property after noticing their landscaping with numerous plants, flowers and shrubs of various heights and colors with aesthetics that continue throughout the property.

Last year, the Community Beautification Committee launched the program as a way to recognize properties that enhance the aesthetic appeal of the community. Both residential and commercial properties located within city limits are eligible. Projects must be street facing, river view or other publicly viewable areas or landscapes. Nominations are forwarded to the Community Beautification Committee for consideration. 

Photos of the properties recognized through the program thus far, and additional information is available at cityofmandan.com/recognitionprogram. Nominations are accepted year-round. 

A selection committee reviewed qualified entries in Mandan’s second annual photo contest and selected finalists. The contest drew 102 entries from 30 talented photographers. Judges with expertise in photography and marketing are now reviewing top photos to select winners in five categories of achievement, community, fun, opportunity, and county plus the best youth entry.

Photographers of all ages and experience levels could enter by submitting special images of the community and surrounding areas in Morton County.

Members of the public may view finalist photos and vote for their favorite image to receive a people’s choice award at: surveymonkey.com/r/PeoplesChoice22. The deadline to vote is Oct. 10. Finalist photos may also be viewed on “Made in Mandan” community marketing Facebook and Instagram pages.

Judging criteria include applicability to community marketing, originality, subject matter interest, visual appeal, and consistency with category themes. Additional information is available at cityofmandan.com/photocontest. 

The City’s Code of Ordinances Section 18-3-5 covers the posting of handbills, posters and placards. These provisions include any signage placed within the right-of-way, or boulevard, and is relevant this time of year during elections. As a general rule of thumb, signs cannot be placed in the public right-of-way or on public property. Permission to place signage on private property must be obtained from the property owner.

A sign may be placed anywhere on an individual’s property, which typically ends where the sidewalk begins and excludes the area between the sidewalk and the street. However, signage cannot obstruct the vision of the traveling public at street corners.

The City does not actively seek out violations, however, if a complaint is received regarding signage, it will be investigated to determine if the sign is placed properly. If improperly placed, the property owner or person who placed the sign will be notified and asked to remove the sign.

If you believe a sign is improperly placed, call 701-667-3264 or visit cityofmandan.com/concern.

Mandan Union Cemetery reminders

As Veterans Day approaches, Mandan Union Cemetery staff reminds the public floral items may be placed on graves no earlier than seven days prior to holidays. Staff will dispose of remaining items 14 days after the holiday.

Permanent plantings are not permitted on gravesites because memorials become compromised or damaged as plantings grow. Those who have planted trees or shrubs in the cemetery are asked to remove them. For removal questions, please contact the Grounds Maintenance Department at 701-667-3240 ext. 7. 

It’s officially spooky season, which in Mandan means the Haunted Fort!

Experience “20 years of legendary fears” at the Haunted Fort Fridays and Saturdays in October from 7-11 p.m. at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. A Halloween Kids Bash will take place Sunday, Oct. 23 from 1-5 p.m. and Darkness Unleashed is Oct. 29 from 7-11 p.m. 

The Mandan Fire Department will promote fire prevention and safety during Fire Prevention Week in October. The Fire Department will host a fire truck parade and open house on Tuesday, Oct. 11. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. and the open house will follow at Mandan Fire Station No. 1, 110 Collins Ave, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Other fire prevention activities will consist of firefighters visiting classrooms in the community to teach children about fire prevention and safety. Additional information is available at cityofmandan.com/fireopenhouse. 

Business Start-Up 101 Workshop, Oct. 20

Mandan is offering its 10^th Annual Business Start-Up 101 Workshop on Thursday, Oct. 20. Anyone thinking about getting into business for themselves is welcome to participate. The free session runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at First Community Credit Union, 4614 Memorial Highway. For program details and to register, visit cityofmandan.com/register or call 701-667-3478.

The workshop is for anyone exploring the idea of opening a business. The audience will drive discussion. Resource partners will touch on business planning, financing and real estate decisions. A panel of entrepreneurs will share insights about their experiences starting and growing various types of businesses in Mandan and the surrounding area.

The session is hosted by the Mandan Tomorrow - Economic Opportunity and Prosperity Committee with assistance from Mandan's Business Development office and Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC. 

The Morton Mandan Law Enforcement Center is hosting its 4^th Annual Trunk or Treat on Monday, Oct. 31 from 4-6:30 p.m.

Law enforcement and other first responders will be on site with trunks full of goodies for kids.

State of the Cities, Nov. 8

The Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC’s State of the Cities breakfast is Tuesday, Nov. 8 at the Bismarck Hotel and Conference Center, formerly the Ramkota. The event will begin at 7:30 a.m. with Mayor Tim Helbling joining a panel discussion with representative from Mandan Public Schools, Mandan Parks and Recreation and Morton County. Questions? Call 701-223-5660.