00:00:12,330	Welcome to this debate with the candidates for the Bismarck mayor. I'm Sargianna Wutzke, a member of the League of Women Voters, and I will be your moderator. This debate has been organized and the questions developed by the League of Women Voters, the Bismarck Tribune, the Bismarck Mandan Chamber, EDC, AARP of North Dakota, and Dakota Media Access.

00:00:33,270	There are two candidates running for the Bismarck mayor position, and both candidates have joined us here tonight. They are Steve Marquardt and Mike Schmitz. Our purpose is to provide voters with information about the candidates and their positions on issues that affect the citizens of Bismarck. The candidates have not received the questions in advance.

00:00:53,430	Viewers watching this debate live on April 30th may submit questions by texting. Bismarck 152222333 to join the session and then text your question. This debate format is as follows. Each candidate will have 60 sec to make an opening statement, and after opening statements, the candidates will respond to questions.

00:01:22,730	The first responses to questions will be rotated between the candidates, and each candidate will have 60 sec to respond to each question after each candidate has responded to the question. There will be up to three additional minutes allowed for debate or additional comments from any or all of the candidates. After the final question, each candidate will then have 60 sec to make a closing statement.

00:01:43,900	Candidates are asked to comply with our time restrictions so we can get to as many questions as possible. Our timer will let you know when your responses are down to 30s, then 10s, and then stop for the debate segment. The timer will indicate when you're down to one minute and then stop. Now let's get to our candidates.

00:02:05,430	Each of you now have 60 seconds to make an opening statement. I will start with Steve. Good evening. First of all, I'd like to thank the League of Women Voters for hosting the forum. And to everyone here watching from home.

00:02:21,430	My name is Steve Marquardt, and I'm running for mayor of Bismarck because I care deeply about the future of our city is one of the other main reasons I'm running. Like many of you, I've built my life working here, raising my family and contributing to community values. That's hard work, integrity, and just being a good neighbor. Bismarck is is is at an important moment.

00:02:42,330	We are growing and we're changing, and we're facing decisions that will shape our city for decades, from infrastructure, public safety to housing affordability, economic development and choices we make will now determine whether Bismarck remains a place for families can thrive. Businesses can succeed. I'm running because I believe in city government should be practical, transparent and focused on results, not politics.

00:03:03,900	We need leadership that listens, brings people together, and makes decisions based on what is best for the entire community. All right, Mike. Again, thank you to the voters for sponsoring this debate. You provide a very important service to the residents of the city of Bismarck.

00:03:25,170	I was humbled four years ago when I was elected mayor, and I've been a Bismarck resident for 54 years, a certified public accountant for 41 of those. The city has benefited from my financial expertise identified after I was elected, that the reserves were unnecessarily high and led an effort to reduce that requirement, leading to an effort of retaining or controlling property taxes

00:03:46,170	so we didn't have to fund for excess reserves. I led the effort to control property taxes, reducing the property tax rate, something my opponent voted to increase twice at a historically high rates while he was on the city commission, while property values were skyrocketing.

00:04:05,170	I've worked with the legislature to secure funding for water treatment facility and for the flood control product project, which led to reduced base rate in our water rates. From the funding for the water treatment facility. And we had another performing event center that had frustrated residents for years, decades, in fact. And we have moved to new management that.

00:04:26,000	Comes up quick, doesn't it, Mike? All right. We will start and move on to the questions. We'll start with Steve. How would you improve city county relationships that could support long term alignment, shared investment and accountability to move important efforts forward? Well, with my 18 years of experience as being elected

00:04:44,000	official, ten years being on the city Commission, eight years being on the school board, prior to one of the main things that I do bring to to our community, and even as this position as mayor is a bill to bring people together and have those discussions. I've had good working relationships with the county in the past.

00:05:05,870	I know all of the individuals that are on the county, and I know the new individuals also that are running for the county commission.

00:05:22,100	I feel that my approach of just visiting with the different individuals, that I am the only one that is sitting at this table that is able to bring the county in the city of Bismarck together to have those discussions and to just remind people that the city of Bismarck resides in Burleigh County. All right. Mike.

00:05:43,200	So, in fact, I have worked to have the joint efforts with the county, and I established a committee of the Burleigh County Commission and a member from there and myself, the auditor from the county and the city administrator. And we do hold those meetings. We haven't scheduled monthly. And unfortunately, sometimes we do not have the opportunity to have those meetings.

00:06:01,630	I have a great relationship with a multitude of the people running for commission coming up, and also a couple of those who are currently on the commission. It does take two to dance, and so we have extended those opportunities, and I will continue to do that. And we do have a great relationship when it comes to the staff between the two municipalities already. They do work together. All right. Thank you.

00:06:19,330	I'll open up this topic to any additional comments from either of you. So one of the things that we we did do and like I said, I've been on the commission for ten years, so we've had a lot of those different discussions.

00:06:33,000	And either if it was whatever committee it was at the time, or if we had just different discussions of able to bring those individuals together and have those discussions. You know, I know the mayor has has mentioned that, you know, he developed this committee.

00:06:55,500	But a lot of the things that has happened now, a lot of those were in infancy and also working towards those goals while I was still on the commission, because I was able to bring those different individuals together. And we take a look at just basically we just need to get set things aside and then have those discussions because they're not happening now. And there's device invest between the county and the city and there shouldn't be.

00:07:12,870	Steve, I would disagree with you. I think that they actually have happen. And I did lead the discussion to adjust the ETA. And we've had discussions ongoing and we certainly reach out on a regular basis. We're not always going to agree. Right between the two municipalities. But I brought some things to closure.

00:07:31,000	Well, you maybe brought it the closure, but it had started with me on the city commission because you wouldn't be having the discussion on the ETA if it wasn't for the discussions that I had with some of the residents in the ETA, and also with the new code that you guys are forcing,

00:07:46,430	title 14, which is what we've been working on for 6 to 8 years prior to you being on sitting at the table as mayor. So I've had those discussions with the county. I've had those discussions with the individuals in the ETA.

00:08:04,900	And prior to you being mayor, while I was sitting at that table over on that side over there, we had discussions about trying to reduce what the ETA is. We just didn't have enough buying at the at the table at the time. And the right people, not necessarily were there, but all those conversations has started way before you became mayor.

00:08:20,370	So but I was at the table and I did bring it to closure. All right. Let's move on to the next question. Our next question was texted in. And this question will be for Mike. First, what are your top three priorities for Bismarck. So we need to have amenities for the community.

00:08:36,170	So one of those would be to try to develop a sports recreation facility in a a public private partnership. Another one is we need to get the triage center up and running. And in fact, the city is already working on that.

00:08:51,230	And I would believe that one of the things we can do is put the facility up and then find partners, the, the private side to operate that. And then thirdly, we just need to continue to have a workable, walkable, vibrant community and keep everyone working together, all sides of town, internal and external, and be transparent and keep property taxes under control and try to find the infrastructure funding.

00:09:14,870	All right, Steve? Yeah. You know, one of the big things that we were discussing is the triage center. And we worked talked about that, but that's looked differently throughout the years. So the triage center, you know, by by all means, yes. We need something like that. We had talked.

00:09:31,430	We had a meeting here the other day with a group of individuals that, you know, we need that. One of the things that while I was on the city commission, that any of the monies that we either transferred through or the city commission had given out to different community partners that dealt with a lot of those different issues.

00:09:51,170	One of the things that we wanted to make sure is that those entities or those community partners had places in those facilities, and to give us a report for basically what the triage center is going to look like. So it's nice to see that we finally come full circle to a certain extent.

00:10:08,000	We have one place trio center. One of the things is, you know, we take a look at property taxes and also take a look at visiting with our senior population, and we need to visit with them and those individuals on what they would like to see from the city of Bismarck themselves. Thank you.

00:10:25,600	So I'll open this topic to any other discussion. So in addition to that, we need to make sure we're developing our economic development growth pattern and being promoting growth in the community, which is what will help us attract additional dollars from additional property values to be able to fund city government

00:10:43,500	with property tax limitations from the state legislature. The way we're going to be able to maintain those citizens services is by growing our development and growing property values with new development. Yeah, and I don't disagree. That's one of the things that, you know, we need to make sure that we grow and we grow correctly.

00:11:00,730	But I think what some of the issue is, is some of the red tape that was brought up before, just some of the things that kind of hamper some of that development, permitting process. We need to be more streamlined to be able to make sure that we get individuals in.

00:11:15,430	We as far as businesses in and within our community and selling their products as fast as we can. I think some of our processes are still antiquated and we need to move forward.

00:11:33,000	We talked about that for many years as far as on the city commission, and we've changed a few different things, but that process still takes too long from the individuals that I've visited with. And sometimes that pushes some of those businesses way from Bismarck, because there's too much red tape that goes through with that, and the permitting process is too long.

00:11:51,470	So that's something that I will continually will work on to try and make sure that we have the processes in place to make sure that we, you know, get those businesses in, keep our individuals here, but then also, you know, make sure that it's affordable for our citizens to be able to live in our city. As far as the red tape, we always can work on red tape.

00:12:08,430	But I will say that I have had multiple conversations from multiple developers who have appreciated the changes that have occurred since I was elected mayor. When I asked the staff to streamline things and they have found it to be much more cooperative. We we had streamlined that. Again.

00:12:26,900	Mayor, before you were on, we're taking a look at what that took place. One of the things in North Dakota that we have to take a look at is we only have a certain time frame to get stuff built, and we need to be cognizant of that. There's businesses that have tried to come in to our community and have run into roadblocks.

00:12:41,470	We need to eliminate those roadblocks to make sure those businesses can come in and then push our city forward with bringing those businesses in, but then also just building houses and stuff. And that's one of the issues that was brought up earlier as well. All right. We have another question. And this will start with Steve.

00:12:59,270	And this is another texted in question. What are your plans to ensure that housing to allow older adults to age in place is in our community? It's a very good question.

00:13:15,470	Well, one of the things that we need to take a look at is, you know, we do, you know, state does have some of the tax incentives for helping some of those individuals. But I think we need to take a look at, you know, what our mail level mill levy is as of right now to help with some of those.

00:13:34,800	That's one of the things that I plan on doing, is that visiting with the elderly in the aging population to what is it that they are looking for from the city to make sure that they stay in their home. And, you know, there's been a lot of topics and discussions prior to. But we need to do a better job. All right, Mike.

00:13:53,630	The biggest thing is, is to continue to control property taxes and other services within the city. And the rates of that, obviously, we have we have the limitation. Property taxes are, are are set as to what they can increase.

00:14:15,800	I think potentially in some of those older homes, we have to continue to monitor that valuation process and certainly encourage all of those residents who are aging to utilize the credits that are available through the state to help by down the property taxes. You know, we can't have varying property tax rates across the city, but I think also higher density housing with lower entry prices will additionally help. And the new land development code will take that into account. All right.

00:14:34,900	I'll open up this topic to any additional comments from any candidate. No, I mean, that's one of the things like we've discussed for many years. I mean, that's we just need to move forward and keep utilizing and helping those individuals to stay in their houses. All right. The next question will be Mike, who will answer first. And it's a texted in question.

00:14:52,800	What do you see as the biggest challenge and the biggest opportunity for Bismarck? Well, the biggest challenge is going to continue to be can we have enough employees coming to serve our or work for our businesses? But they to do that, we need to have affordable or accessible housing,

00:15:09,270	which means we need to have land development in higher density so that we can have an entry level point of of price for those people. So it becomes an opportunity as well as if we can attract people and have the amenities here. That means that continue to have growth in our community.

00:15:30,370	And we do have a lot of opportunities for growth and with with the housing development and also with some industrial and commercial development. So I think we've got some plans in place that will allow some of that to be attracted. And we can't shut down.

00:15:48,000	We ought to be able to for business and allow business to come in that wants to come in as long as it's done in a in a proper manner. All right. Steve. Yeah. And, you know, you take a look at the land development plan, like I said, that was been working on for quite a few years prior to. But then, you know, we don't have control of what those land costs are.

00:16:03,370	So where we as a city need to is cut that red tape, make sure that the permitting process, make sure that you know what we charge developers to build in these areas. You know, make sure that you know that's consistent and it cuts it cuts some of those costs.

00:16:23,170	We did that when I was on the city commission. I was the only one that was able to get all the developers together in one room. And then when we talked about getting pipe and stuff out of a bands putting pipe in the ground, we let and talked with the Home Builders Association, and we talked with

00:16:41,470	the homebuilders themselves and the developers on what is it that we as a city need to do to help you be able to develop your piece of land the way that you want, with the lowest cost to that to them, and then which in turn results in lower price houses? Well, I actually actually reduce further

00:17:00,600	that red tape was recently as this fall because we got rid of the utility capital charge, which was a big barrier for property development and increased property taxes. And I believe that went in while you were on the commission, sir. It did, Mike.

00:17:20,100	And one of the reasons why, when we had talked, we didn't have anything before, so we had to create a model as far as to be able to get our base set. And everything that I've done when I was on the commission is that it is a livable document. It can change, it should change, and we acknowledge that right away that depending on what this looks like, where we need to.

00:17:42,730	Because when I went up to the legislature to get funding for water, which is before you were on, one of the things that they had talked about is that every other city comes up with a better plan. We needed a better plan to be able to ask for that. Funding the city of Bismarck.

00:18:00,330	Before I got on and when I was on, we went to the legislature to help with those large projects. It wasn't done before. Not until I sat at the table.

00:18:18,170	So one of the things that all of the documents or all the things that we have done and I have pushed is that it is a living document and it can change and we can change it at the table if need be. And which is that's what it was designed to do. There's things that you since you've been on the commission as mayor just recently, a 20 year contract that cannot be changed. Actually, that's not true.

00:18:39,530	That contract can be exited if they don't perform, but they also brought $5 million to the table to put a kitchen and other facilities into the event center. And that that event center has been underperforming for decades. We we have made a change and we've already seen results.

00:18:56,630	We've had numerous announcements in the last three weeks of events coming here. So the contract can be exited if it is that they are not performing. But thank you for bringing that.

00:19:12,230	Up and to the cost of the city and the citizens is it really hasn't changed other than replacing putting the third party in because the city of Bismarck still has to pay for all the stuff that goes in there, and they did bring 5 million, right? You are correct. But for us to get out of that, if we need to get out of it sooner. We'd have to return. Part, we'd have to return part of it.

00:19:24,100	But but every decision that I made at the table, I made darn sure that I did not handcuff the city of Bismarck, its residents, and other future commissions moving forward. That's something that needs to be discussed and talked about because it doesn't. All right, moving on to the next question. And Steve, you will go first.

00:19:47,700	What impact do you believe the new state law capping property taxes at 3% will have on future budgets? It's we have to work with it. I mean that's it's at 3%. And we need to take a look at everything that we do. On the budget side.

00:20:05,900	When I was a commissioner, I had the budget portfolio for eight years, and one of the things that we always did was take a look at what it would look like if we did a, a cut, you know, where it would be at, what do we need to do? And then kind of pivot from there.

00:20:22,630	So it's going to take some work. Don't get me wrong. We'll take a look at, you know, what we're budgeting for where those dollars are going. And hopefully with the new growth and businesses that are going to come in with the changes that I'm going to make, you know, we should be okay with that.

00:20:40,470	But we're all have to work through it. All right. Mike. It is certainly a challenge that's been presented to us. But within the city business, Bismarck, we have been very fortunate that we do have growth, and that's part of how we're going to sustain our level of services.

00:20:58,270	That being said, we have to be looking at alternative ways to deliver those services that are critical so that we do not reduce the level of services to our citizens without looking for any other additional sources of revenue.

00:21:19,070	We had the ability, because of growth and property values, new property, I should say, that came online to maintain our budget and hold hold the line and actually see some tightness and reductions. And we've had our mill rates drop the last 2 or 3 years. So we're already working on that. And it's just something we got to work with and we will be able to do that.

00:21:35,530	And I think our mills, probably right before I left, I had mentioned to the commissioner that had that I wanted to have the budget portfolio to make sure that we reduced mills otherwise. Before that, I don't think those mills were reduced. We kept them steady, but I don't think we reduced until this.

00:21:54,330	Except for the two years before I was elected. They went up at the highest rates they'd gone. Up. In years. And I can tell you and I can tell you why, too. But I also saved the city $61 million plus with the fleet plan.

00:22:12,630	I also with that was for cybersecurity because it is a heck of a lot cheaper to spend a little bit upfront for cybersecurity instead of having something that may happen as far as ransomware or what happened up at the city of Minot, as far as someone getting into our system and and messing around with either water treatment,

00:22:30,530	sewage or any of the multitude of different things that we talked. That's the reason why it went up. But I also said that once that fleet plan comes together and we and we and those dollars look like they're going to come down, so we don't have to have that large of inlay, those mills can come down again.

00:22:54,400	That's what I had mentioned to begin with, and that's what I plan on doing. Well, Steve, I'm just going to hold you accountable for what your votes were. And you know what? I've got 18 years of votes that you can go back and take a look at. Ten on the commission. Eight here. All right.

00:23:10,370	Moving on to the next question, which was a texted in question. And we'll start with Mike. How would you plan to address the high water bill rates? Well, with the state funding that came through, we were able to reduce the base water rates. We're going to have a struggle seeing any much more movement.

00:23:28,970	But we also looked at while we were on the commission or I was on the commission, the tier structure, which helped reduce the rates. So I think we've seen consumption change, which is helped with water bills, but we've also seen a drop in rates between the base rate and the new tiered structure that allowed water usage,

00:23:48,500	especially in the summer, to be more affordable, I guess. All right, Steve. And you're welcome. You know, that's basically what that rate structure was supposed to do. And like I said, it is a living document and we can change it at the table.

00:24:07,000	You know, one of the things and we get hit hard on it right away, I'm not going to lie. I mean, it was it was tough. But what that also did was, like I had mentioned earlier, it brought us to be able to come to the legislature to say, hey, this is our plan. This is where we need the money.

00:24:21,000	We also built a brand new pumping station because we had issues with water tower on the northwest side of town that basically pumps water throughout the whole city, and it actually helps for future growth. So that has also been a part of that water. It is an enterprise fund.

00:24:38,730	So everything that we raise from that pays for water. Or any additional comments. All right. Next question and we'll go to Steve first. What do you feel is the best approach for addressing homelessness in our city? You know what? It's it's we really need to work with our community partners.

00:25:00,430	And I know sometimes our community partners aren't all on the same page, but we need to have those discussions. I think the triage center is, you know, that they've been discussing and wanting push forward, I think will definitely help, you know, some of the things that that we've heard throughout the community is, you know, we just need a place to stay.

00:25:18,630	And, you know, I think those conversations are going to have to come about with our community and what that looks like. And I said, I'm not afraid to have those conversations or those tough conversations. We can have that. But there needs to be a pivot. There needs to be a little bit more by in.

00:25:33,500	You know, we did a study at one time where roughly 80% of the homelessness that we saw here was homegrown. So we really needed to take a look and have those conversations. The center is going to help.

00:25:49,970	But like I had mentioned earlier, you know, a lot of the funding that we give as a city to some of those community partners, one of the things that we require is a report and also basically provide those services. All right. Thank you, Mike. The center is certainly going to be the house.

00:26:09,970	Once we get that up to help with the homelessness, we have to make sure we have the low barrier shelter, which is part of what the triage center facility can be utilized for. It's got to be a public private partnership. The city is not going to be able to be the one that can operate it, but it could certainly be the the owner of the facility and probably pay for the operating costs.

00:26:23,970	That could be our contribution to it. And then the operators, whether it's a minister on the margins or some other or some other youth works or somebody like that could potentially operate the facility and also house their all the other services that are needed for the mental health, well-being of our, our individuals who are on homed.

00:26:44,730	Any other comments? And I think that's one thing that Mike and I agree on, that. You know, there's something that needed to be done that's done, and it all needs to be housed in one spot, because the communication between some of the community partners back and forth just wasn't happening.

00:27:01,000	We hear that the city commission table, I know the mayor hears that as well. And there's been some different things that we've tried to adjust as a commission as a whole, with all five of us at the table to to address those issues. But like Mike said, it's got to be a community, public private partnership. So I totally agree.

00:27:16,230	And having it housed in one place where the where the city has somewhat control and making sure we have all those service providers in the unit is, is going to be critical. Yes, very much so. All right. The next question we'll start with Mike.

00:27:29,730	What are your thoughts on the upcoming joint study with the Bismarck Parks and Rec district on building indoor multi-purpose recreational complex? Well, I'm I'm excited. I'm part of the driver for that. And it's it's a bold step for us, but it's something that can drive economic growth as well as provide some community well-being. Fitness centers where it lands, what it's going to look like.

00:27:56,000	We don't know yet, but one of the things I think we need to make sure that the feasibility study shows to us is what does it need to have in it, and where should it be located, and how can it not only be there for the recreational use of our residents because they want that and

00:28:12,900	need it, but how can it also bring in visitors to our community to bring new hotel stays, restaurant visits and utilizing just the community and shopping retail? Right? Steve. Yeah, you know, it needs to have a wow factor.

00:28:33,100	You go to a larger other communities and it needs to be something that's different than what you see as somewhere else. You know, one of the things that we had talked about in a visit with a couple of developers on that was, you know, you have to think of it as sports tourism, because we're sending a lot of our clubs and our programs.

00:28:45,800	I know my my boys were in traveling teams and we would go to other communities. So we need to have something with that. Wow factor. We need that sports tourism to make sure that individuals or families come to the city of Bismarck and like the mayor said, that, you know, it helps with that.

00:29:03,000	You know, the shopping, the restaurants, everything else. But the other thing, on the other flip side of that is that we need to be transparent and upfront with the individuals and what those and what those are going to be, what those costs are going to be.

00:29:17,370	And if there's public private partnership that may happen with that or what does that look like? But we need to be upfront because the citizens already are seeing that, hey, we didn't approve a couple different things already. Why are we going back and visiting this topic again? All right. I'll open it up to any other comments.

00:29:33,500	So part of what has to happen, and it's going to be what the development of how that plan or development is paid for. And I don't believe it can be an additional tax.

00:29:48,170	So it's going to have to be somehow funded through a whole bunch of donations, which is what the feasibility study is going to have to bring to us. It also has to tell us how that facility is going to operate from a cost standpoint, and make sure that it covers all the capital improvement projects that need to go into that building as it ages, so we can know how to operate it,

00:30:01,800	how we can get it funded, and how we looked at the, the, the revenue that's going to have to be generated from the area, probably where that facility resides, to pay for it. All right. There are next question. We'll start with Steve. What ideas do you have for attracting and retaining city employees? Very good question.

00:30:23,830	You know, one of the things is, you know, we need to make sure a lot of our housing is affordable. You know, we've talked about that for new employees that are coming in. But, you know, just as far as retaining some of our employees.

00:30:35,100	I've been on the board for for ten, ten years, and there's been different packages that we've seen coming through, and we try and always do what's best for a lot of our city employees to make sure that they stay. You take a look at sometimes with the private industry, you know, poaching a lot of those.

00:30:54,530	You'd have a lot of, you know, our policemen and firefighters and stuff like that. You know, other communities are paying more. So we just need to take a comprehensive look again at what that is. We've had different studies.

00:31:11,900	I don't remember when the last one was probably not that long ago, about four years ago, I'm guessing, is we kind of had to take a look at that. But yeah, we just need to make sure that we have our qualified employees that are here and we need to keep them. All right. Mike. Compensation. Compensation packages as a whole are part of what attracts employees.

00:31:29,900	And and certainly that gets them in the door. But I think what keeps them here is the culture. And the culture has certainly seen a move forward, I think, over the years, probably for decades now, I think it's gotten better.

00:31:48,870	And we have some really good administrative staff, which is have been engaging with those department directors, and the department directors are engaging, and that's how we're going to really retain the employees, because once they're here, I think they really like the environment. And the compensation package is is certainly within the market, especially when you throw in the everything besides salary that they're able to receive.

00:32:06,730	You know, one of the things is that, you know, we always have to we have a budget that we have to maintain and we have to stay within those guidelines.

00:32:21,530	So some of it is just a lot of work by us as commissioners and the mayor, city admin, as far as getting that message out there, as far as this is where our budget is at, this is what we can afford to do because at the end of the day, that's taxpayers money that's going to those or to our employees. But we need to be out front with them and and how we move forward.

00:32:38,070	I think culture is going to be the main, main ingredient. Okay. All right. Our next question will start with Mike. What are your thoughts on development along the Missouri River and the accessibility of such development to the entire community? Well, we certainly and Steve was with with me on the commission when we made the decision

00:32:57,430	that the kill ball park or Kill park boat landing was going to be turned into something else, which then makes it to the entire community through whatever the amenities that for the Lincoln is going to put down there. And if they, by the way, don't live to the agreement, we all agree to that.

00:33:14,530	They have to it reverts back to the city and that still plays now. I think they're going to get there because they're starting to move dirt. But that's a that's an excellent opportunity. The river is one of our biggest amenities in this community between Bismarck and Mandan. So we just need to make it accessible to everybody.

00:33:32,900	All right. Steve? Yeah. And the mayor's right. I was with that. And that's what we decided. And like I said, if something doesn't happen, it does go back to the city. That's not necessarily the case in some things in the past, but that's how we formulated this plan.

00:33:49,100	One of the things we on with that plan was a public Marina and boat ramp. And, you know, that's something that we're going to still push forward with and to help help guide that or help some of those discussions. But we're going to move to where we're at now with Old Park and then future, you know, look for something new to the north.

00:34:14,700	Any other comments? I can just say we've already been having some discussions with the Park district on where there can be an additional boat ramp space, and it's just going to be where we going to find a space that will be greatly accessible from the riverfront is when you land the boat.

00:34:31,600	It's probably not so much taking the boat out as putting it back on the trailer, right? I know one of the things that, you know, one of the biggest complaints was, you know, and I think you take a look at the Fox Island, and that's where one of the spots may be.

00:34:45,700	As far as some of the discussions that that are taking place. That's some of the stuff that I've, I've seen as well. One of the things is that the current there is a little bit stronger versus where it was on Cue Ball Park, but there is also more chances of silt filling in at the park area too.

00:35:05,130	So, I mean, you take a look at some of the other boat ramps. I saw pictures of it.

00:35:14,100	Unfortunately, the river is down right now due to some infrastructure that's going in place. But you know, that's something that with a moving river you're going to see some of that. But I think we just need to make sure that we have those discussions with the whole community on what that looks like. And, and how do we move forward with it. All right.

00:35:31,800	We'll start with Steve for the next question. Do you support the recent city action of returning portions of the extraterritorial area to Burleigh County? Why or why not? Yes, I do. And one of the reasons was, is that's been a topic of discussion for for many years.

00:35:53,370	Like I said before, in my opening remarks, or one of the other questions that we had was, you know, that that's something that we've had those different discussions. And, you know, for whatever reason, it was with if it was with city or this county as far as trying to get together and move forward.

00:36:11,270	You know, one of the things that that I had from residents from the Etta was, you know, we can't vote for you. So what are you. I said, you know what I said? No matter. Even though you live in the ETA, I can bring your concern to the city of Bismarck, and we can discuss it at the table. That's where you got the difference.

00:36:26,530	As far as the home occupancy discussion, that's where you got the whole change of the title. 14 the land use code. And also just we take a look at a lot of the different things. I'm for it. I think we need to we can always do more, but we'll get there.

00:36:43,800	All right Mike. Well, I'm definitely for it. I was leading the effort recently with that and felt we had way too much land in the ETA, and there were areas that were in the ETA that we were never going to grow into with the city.

00:37:01,470	So moving that to a much smaller, concise area where the growth pattern is for the city makes all the sense in the world. That's what the ETA is for, is to manage the growth of the city to the areas you're going to go. And I'm glad we were able to get it done. It, it certainly took some some meetings, but we accomplished it.

00:37:18,770	And I think moving forward, we also gave the county the ability to do the planning and zoning out the Missouri Valley Fairgrounds, which I think is a good thing too, because it's there, it's their land. Or any other discussion on the topic.

00:37:36,170	No, I said, we've just been working on for a long time, is finally nice to see it come to fruition, but there's always more work to do. All right. What efforts would you take to ensure you and commission members do not use a position for personal gain? And we'll start with Mike. Well, we have a code of conduct now for commissioners, and that's the purpose of that.

00:37:56,630	We should not be doing anything that's personal gain. If we are taking a position or doing anything that enhances our own personal life or the business we work for, that's unethical and is, as I have been a certified public accountant for 41 years, that just makes my spine tingle when I hear about those things.

00:38:15,730	So we just have to make sure we are not asking for receiving any benefits from any entity organization within the community of or the city of Bismarck. All right. Steve. No, I agree. I mean, that's, you know, we take an oath at the beginning and yeah, we should not be at all. I mean, it's we just don't.

00:38:36,530	So, Steve, when you were on the commission, you did ask for free tickets at the Event Center on multiple occasions. I'm well aware of. Why would you be doing that? So that was taken a look at. And there's nothing.

00:38:54,970	So the last set that I had asked for was to check and see how the response was, because it was already after the whole event center stuff. Now, if you want to dig into all the old event center stuff, we can. But I did not do anything for any personal gain for me, myself at all. So that making a request to someone for a free ticket should not.

00:39:13,600	That's not an internal control test, that's somebody else who would be doing that. That's not. I can do that as a commissioner, I did, I do that, I did that with all my portfolio. And if you and I knew I wasn't going to do it, Mike, it was an internal test to see how the process works.

00:39:27,070	So I'm aware that's what that's what I had. That's what I had mentioned and that's what it was brought up. That's what it was discussed. And that's. I'm aware it happened more than once. That was actually an attribute article stated. And there was an independent study that said that there was nothing, nothing about it.

00:39:47,530	So there was no there was nothing there. All right. We're going to move on to the last question, and we'll start with Steve.

00:40:03,230	And the question is, what is your best personal attribute that you bring to the mayoral position? My best attribute is that I bring people together. We can have a conversation. I'm more approachable. I don't have a problem with individuals coming up to me on the street and the grocery store. I will meet people anywhere to have discussion about whatever topic that may be. You know, I did that when I was on the commission.

00:40:22,730	I did that as a school board member. I think that just helps bring people together to make sure that we have these discussions. Everything is transparent and out in the open to have those discussions. One of the other things is. Like I said, I just I'm very approachable, knowledgeable.

00:40:48,370	I've been doing this for 18 years on the city commission for ten. And I can, I can I can help the city grow and push forward to make sure that we grow in the consistent manner, and then also make sure that it's affordable for our individuals or our citizens that live here, all of them. All right. Mike. So a I'm fiscally responsible.

00:41:09,000	I believe in transparency. I do bring people together. I have done that on multiple occasions and accomplish things. My phone rings. All is open all the time. I also hold office hours on a regular basis at the city, which has been welcomed event for city staff and other members of the community.

00:41:29,470	And I can tell you for certain that I have put when a constituent has a concern, I immediately get Ahold of whoever the department director is and or that commissioner who has the portfolio, and we put everybody in the room. And I not only listen, but I get things done. All right.

00:41:47,170	Any other comments? Well, I get things done. Just look at my just look at my record. You take a look at all the the infrastructure that's been put in place. He takes a look at homebuilders and developers and new new development that that we as a city have done.

00:42:10,370	You take a look at just the sheer public public safety side of it. Please fire send. Come. You know, the mayor had mentioned earlier about, you know, the nine mills that we had raised, but again, that saved the citizens of Bismarck more than $61 million. And I think we can change it. We can drop those mills. We don't have to have it.

00:42:31,500	And that's one thing that as I, as a commissioner sitting at this table, had never handcuffed or hamstring a city commission into the future. Not like what we are now. Steve, you did raise the mills by nine mills twice, two years in a row? Yes. And I don't know how increasing mills save taxpayers dollars of $61 million. The math doesn't work.

00:42:55,530	I'm sorry. And again, we have not handcuffed anybody with the contract you've referred to with the event center. In fact, we've set the event center up to be successful and make the citizens of Bismarck have activity at the event center that they have not seen in decades.

00:43:14,000	And we will grow out, and likely, if they produce as they have to, in order to even recover their $5 million, the event center is going to break even or make money, which it hasn't done ever. And normally, event centers don't here. Historically, historically, across the country, event centers don't.

00:43:33,600	The only time that you make money on that is when you put beds or heads and beds and people are out to the restaurants. That's where that's where, that's where the event center. One of the other things with the event center.

00:43:52,270	You take a look at one of the things that I wanted to do when I was a commissioner was to bring in all the local food companies or restaurants into the event center. We weren't able to do that. I wanted Big Boy in there. I wanted Chick-Fil-A in there. I wanted to make sure that just like when we go to other event centers, that there's multiple different options of food choices and other choices.

00:44:17,070	So, so now with all the contracts that are being eliminated, are we going to have any local foods and local individuals working in there? Actually, the authority board is negotiating such. There will be opportunity for caterers as well as the contractors kitchen.

00:44:39,330	But the other thing that was not done very well in the past is we never had a improvement plan for capital improvements at the event center, and I was able to secure that and get that in place and funded. We had we had plenty of plans in place, but as far as you know, trying to fund some of those. All right. Thank you. So that was our last question.

00:44:59,370	So you will each have 60 seconds to provide a closing statement. And we'll start with Mr. Schmitz. Mike. Thank you again. I want to just thank the League of Women Voters for putting this on. I want to encourage everybody to vote on June 9th. June 9th is very important for city elections. There's no primary.

00:45:15,700	It decides the races and vote absentee if you're not able to go. I just want to say, you know, I spent a lot of time around Sister Thomas Welder at the University of Mary of bachelor's and master's degree in servant leadership is something she really instilled in me.

00:45:35,700	And I have I've emulated that in my entire career as an accountant, serving as mayor. I just hope that I can continue to provide that leadership to our committee community. I'll ask for four more years to serve as mayor and look forward to being part of making Bismarck move forward. All right. Steve.

00:45:57,900	When elected, I'll make sure my focus is on responsible growth, strong public services, and maintain the quality of life that makes Bismarck great. That means investing wisely in our roads and utilities, supporting our first responders, and making sure our city remains welcoming and affordable for the next generation. I too, would like to have you vote for Steve Marquardt June 9th.

00:46:19,270	I do want to thank Mayor Schmitz for his service that he has provided the city. It's not easy for us to be able to come up, put her name on a ballot and be able to run. So thank you, sir. I do appreciate that. It's not an easy task by any means, and I know that full well.

00:46:33,370	Most importantly, I believe with collaborating with the citizens because that's who we represent, the citizens. Bismarck has always been the people, and the best solutions come when we work together. I'd like to thank the League of Women Voters and just remind everyone to vote for Steve Marquardt for mayor, June 9th. All right. Thank you both.

00:46:51,630	I wish to thank Dakota Media Access, the Bismarck Mandan Chamber, EDC, The Bismarck Tribune, AARP of North Dakota, and the volunteers from the League of Women Voters for organizing this debate. Thank you to the voters for taking the time to learn about the Bismarck mayor candidates and the issues. This program airs several times on Midco channel 602.

00:47:12,900	It will also be available for on demand viewing at DakotaMediaAccess.org and on the Dakota Media Access apps iOS, Android, Apple TV and Roku. In the days leading up to the June 9th election. Before we close this debate, we remind you that you will need a form of identification to vote in North Dakota.

00:47:34,630	You can find identification requirements and additional voting information on the websites or at the offices of your county auditor and the North Dakota Secretary of State. And for candidate profiles, please visit. Vote411.org. Thank you. End of Meeting