Bemidji, MN

Planning Commission

The Bemidji Planning Commission will hold public hearings regarding an interim use permit and an ordinance text amendment. The body will also review meeting minutes from September 24, 2026.

• Public Hearing: Interim Use Permit Request for Parcel 80.04944.00 (Counseling Services of Bemidji)
• Public Hearing: Ordinance Text Amendment for Chapter 28 Section 28-82 Land Use Regulation Matrix

Work Session

Community and Police Advisory Board

Sanford Center Advisory Board

City Council

Planning Board

Public Arts Commission

Parks and Trails Commission

Sustainability Commission

City Council

Work Session

Planning Commission

Work Session

Community and Police Advisory Board

Sanford Center Advisory Board

Planning Commission

City Council

Public Arts Commission

Sustainability Commission

Planning Board

City Council

Planning Commission

Community and Police Advisory Board

Sanford Center Advisory Board

Planning Commission

Work Session

City Council

Planning Board

Public Arts Commission

Sustainability Commission

City Council

Work Session

Community and Police Advisory Board

Sanford Center Advisory Board

Planning Commission

City Council

Planning Board

Public Arts Commission

Sustainability Commission

City Council

Work Session

Community and Police Advisory Board

Sanford Center Advisory Board

Planning Commission

City Council

Planning Board

Public Arts Commission

Sustainability Commission

City Council

Community and Police Advisory Board

Sanford Center Advisory Board

Planning Commission

City Council

Sustainability Commission

Planning Board

Public Arts Commission

City Council

Planning Commission

Community and Police Advisory Board

City Council

Planning Board

Sustainability Commission

Heritage Preservation Commission

The commission will meet to discuss the Troppman Block and the Downtown Historic District. The agenda includes updates on the 1909 Pumping Station and a review of a brochure.

• Troppman Block update and Downtown Historic District discussion
• Discussion regarding 100 year old buildings
• Update on 1909 Pumping Station
• Brochure review
• Planning for December report to Council

City Council

The Council will hold a public hearing regarding proposed assessments for the 2026 Street Renewal Project. Other agenda items include approving claims, technology contracts, and various license renewals.

• Public hearing on proposed assessments for the 2026 Street Renewal Project
• Claims submitted by Finance Officer in the amount of $1,655,099.28
• Claims submitted by Legends Global for the Sanford Center in the amount of $151,051.43
• Technology contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc
• Change Order No. 1 for the Bemidji Rail Corridor Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project

Work Session

General

The Bemidji Planning Board will meet to consider a resolution for a Preliminary and Final Planned Unit Development (PUD) via a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). The request concerns Parcel 80.01191.00 for Sacred Bundle Inc.

• PUD and CUP request for Parcel 80.01191.00 (Sacred Bundle Inc)

Public Arts Commission

Planning Board

Sustainability Commission

The Bemidji Sustainability Commission meets Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 3:30 PM at City Hall, 317 4th Street NW. The agenda includes discussion of an Age Friendly Bemidji AARP application, Bemidji EV initiatives, and selecting a date for the annual report. The commission will also hear reports on a Land Use Matrix update and Counseling IUP, plus upcoming events or grant opportunities. Public comment is allowed, limited to 3 minutes per speaker.

• Age Friendly Bemidji - AARP Application
• Bemidji EV Initiatives: Beltrami Electric EV Car Show recap and outreach via letter to editor and council member conversations
• Annual Report date selection covering Native Landscaping, Waste & Recycling, and Energy Efficiency
• Reports: Land Use Matrix Update and Counseling IUP - Johnson
• Upcoming Events or Grant Opportunities

City Council

The Bemidji City Council meets Monday, October 5, 2026 at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall, 317 4th Street NW. Most items are on two consent agendas approved in single votes without debate, including $1,010,201.73 in claims, $126,981.21 in Sanford Center claims, and $65,266.02 for VisitBemidji. The council will hold two public hearings on proposed assessments for unpaid special charges and civil fines for property-related violations, and consider directing an engineering study by McKinstry on a city energy savings project.

• Consent agenda claims: $1,010,201.73 (Finance Officer), $126,981.21 (Legends Global for Sanford Center), $65,266.02 (VisitBemidji)
• Public hearing and resolution on assessment roll for unpaid special charges
• Public hearing and resolution on assessment roll for civil fines for property-related violations
• Consider directed engineering study by McKinstry regarding City Energy Savings Project
• Change Order No. 1 for 197 Light Pole Replacement Project (City Project 25-06); resolution appointing election judges for November 3, 2026 General Election

Work Session

Planning Commission

The Bemidji Planning Commission is meeting to hold a public hearing on a preliminary and final Planned Unit Development (PUD) request for a specific parcel by Sacred Bundle Inc. The commission will also discuss the ordinance process and timeline, and the 2027 meeting calendar. The agenda includes standard items like approval of minutes and visitors with business.

• Public hearing: Preliminary and Final PUD request for Parcel 80.01191.00 - Sacred Bundle Inc
• Discussion: Ordinance process and timeline
• Discussion: 2027 Planning Commission meeting calendar
• Approval of August 27, 2026 meeting minutes

Sanford Center Advisory Board

The Bemidji Sanford Center Advisory Board is meeting to review July financials from Legends Global, receive committee and general manager updates, and discuss the Sanford Center management transition. The agenda is routine, with no public hearings or votes on specific proposals listed.

• July financials from Legends Global for the Sanford Center
• Committee updates
• General Manager Report
• Sanford Center Management Transition

Community and Police Advisory Board

The Bemidji Community and Police Advisory Board is holding a regular meeting to discuss community engagement efforts, including a review of the 2026 Neighborhood Connections/Summer Picnics, board member recruitment, and outreach strategies. The agenda is primarily procedural and discussion-focused, with no formal votes or public hearings listed.

• Review of Neighborhood Connections/Summer Picnics 2026
• Board member recruitment update
• Outreach discussion

City Council

The Bemidji City Council will consider approving the preliminary tax levy for taxes payable in 2027 and setting the Truth in Taxation hearing date. The agenda also includes consent items for claims, grants, and various contracts, plus a special event permit. Public comment is limited to 3 minutes per person with a total of 30 minutes.

• Claims submitted by Finance Officer: $679,969.24
• Claims submitted by Legends Global for Sanford Center: $55,278.98
• Approve standby generator repair (WWTF)
• Approve fencing proposal from Keller Fence Company for Solar on Public Buildings Project
• Approve special event permit for Night We Light and Lighting Display

Heritage Preservation Commission

The commission will receive updates regarding the 1909 Pumping Station and the New Bemidji Hotel/Troppmann Building. The meeting also includes a review of a brochure.

• Update on New Bemidji Hotel/Troppmann Building
• Update on 1909 Pumping Station
• Review of brochure

Planning Board

The Bemidji Planning Board will consider an interim ordinance that would impose a moratorium on data centers while a study is conducted, and will discuss updates to the Development Code. The agenda also includes approval of the August minutes, public comment, and staff reports.

• Interim ordinance authorizing a study and imposing a moratorium on data centers
• Discussion on Development Code update
• Approval of August 10, 2026 meeting minutes
• Public comment period (3 minutes per speaker)
• Staff reports: Director's Report and Site Analyst and Enforcement Report

The board approved an interim ordinance to impose a one-year moratorium on data centers to allow for a study on their impacts. Members also discussed priorities for updating the city's development code.

• Approved Ordinance No. 239 imposing a one-year moratorium on data centers (6-1)
• Approved August 10, 2026 meeting minutes

Sustainability Commission

The Sustainability Commission will recap the final Bemidji EV Infrastructure Roadmap report. Members will also discuss strategies for the annual report, including addressing Council misconceptions and reviewing previous Council proceedings.

• Bemidji EV Infrastructure Roadmap final report recap
• Annual Report strategies regarding native landscaping and waste management
• Review of Council proceedings summary by Zachary Thole
• Sacred Bundle, Inc. — SUB-2026-0004 Preliminary/Final PUD/CUP Planning Case

Parks and Trails Commission

The Parks and Trails Commission will discuss the 2027 fee schedule and the 2026 Bemidji Bike Audit. The meeting also includes a discussion regarding the Loren Dean and Betty Ann Reichert Charitable Fund.

• 2027 Parks & Trails Fee Schedule
• 2026 Bemidji Bike Audit
• The Loren Dean and Betty Ann Reichert Charitable Fund
• Secretary appointment

Public Arts Commission

The Bemidji Public Arts Commission will hold a regular meeting to approve minutes and discuss several items, including a kiosk artist reception, a donated Peace Pole, and updates on local art projects and inventories.

• Kiosk/Artist Reception scheduled for September 12
• Donation of Peace Pole for public display
• Review of Art Inventory/GIS system

City Council

The Bemidji City Council will consider awarding bids for two infrastructure projects, discuss the future management of the Sanford Center, and review a financial audit. The agenda also includes a large consent agenda with claims, permits, and routine approvals. Public comment is limited to 30 minutes total.

• Claims totaling $3,499,542.53 and $166,290.97 (Sanford Center)
• Award bid for Bemidji Rail Corridor Sanitary Sewer Replacement (Project 26-04)
• Award bid for 15th Street NW Tower Valve Vault Improvements (Project 26-05)
• Professional services agreement for curbside recycling feasibility study
• Settlement agreement with Dickson Properties and Bemidji Certified Auto Center

Planning Commission

The Bemidji Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on an interim ordinance (moratorium) on data centers and discuss the process for a full ordinance update. The meeting also includes routine items like approving the agenda and minutes from the July 23, 2026 meeting.

• Public hearing on interim ordinance (moratorium) on data centers
• Discussion on process for a full ordinance update
• Approval of July 23, 2026 meeting minutes

The Planning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend an interim ordinance that authorizes a study and imposes a moratorium on data centers, and the ordinance received its first reading. Planning Director Jamin Carlson said the moratorium applies to data centers of 10,000 square feet and up so it would not affect current data centers operating in the city. Chair Michael Meehlhause said the interim ordinance goes to the Planning Board on September 14, 2026, at 5:30 PM for the final decision. The commission also discussed priorities for a full development code update but took no action on them.

• Recommended approval of interim ordinance authorizing a study and imposing a moratorium on data centers (5-0: Olderman, Meehlhause, McCoy, Lemmer, Heinonen)
• Interim ordinance on data centers given a first reading
• Approved the meeting agenda (unanimous roll call)
• Approved the July 23, 2026 meeting minutes as presented (unanimous roll call)
• Adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m.

Sanford Center Advisory Board

The Bemidji Sanford Center Advisory Board is meeting to approve the agenda and minutes from July 22, 2026, and to receive business updates. They will review June financials from Legends Global, hear committee updates, and receive the General Manager's report. The meeting is routine and procedural, with no major decisions or public hearings listed.

• Approval of minutes from July 22, 2026
• Review of June financials from Legends Global for the Sanford Center
• Committee updates
• General Manager report

Work Session

The Bemidji City Council is holding a work session to discuss three items: a resolution designating fund balances, a wrap-up of the housing initiative, and the meeting process for the Public Works and Public Affairs Committees. No formal votes are scheduled; this is a discussion-only session.

• Resolution designating fund balances
• Housing initiative wrap-up
• Public Works Committee and Public Affairs Committee meeting process

Charter Commission

The Bemidji Charter Commission is holding a regular meeting with one substantive item on the agenda: discussion of independent legal counsel. The rest of the agenda is procedural, including call to order, approval of the agenda, public comment, commissioner reports, and scheduling the next meeting.

• Discussion of independent legal counsel

Heritage Preservation Commission

City Council Budget Committee

The Bemidji City Council Budget Committee is meeting to discuss the budgets for the Liquor Store and the Finance Department. This is a working session to review these departmental budgets.

• Review of Liquor Store budget
• Review of Finance Department budget

City Council

The Bemidji City Council will consider a consent agenda approving over $1.29 million in claims, including $1,243,892.86 from the finance officer and $54,611.10 from Legends Global for the Sanford Center. The council will also hear a presentation on the Bemidji Area Housing Initiative, discuss an EV grant final report, and consider adopting a personnel policy. Several special event permits and alcohol resolutions are on the consent agenda.

• Claims totaling $1,243,892.86 and $54,611.10
• Special event permit for St. Philip's Centennial Celebration (Aug 28)
• Temporary off-premises alcohol for St. Philip's block party and Ojibwe Forests Rally
• DNR grant application for community forests resiliency
• Purchase of Bobcat 68" angle broom, water tower control panel, and special assessment software

Public Affairs Committee

The Bemidji City Council's Public Affairs Committee is meeting to discuss parking and general public affairs topics. No specific actions or proposals are listed on the agenda, so the meeting appears to be a discussion-only session.

• Discussion of parking issues
• Public Affairs standing topics conversation

City Council

The Bemidji City Council, acting as the City Canvassing Board, will meet to approve the results of the August 11, 2026 primary election. This is the sole business item on the agenda, making it a procedural meeting focused on certifying election outcomes.

• Approve August 11, 2026 Primary Election Results

Sustainability Commission

The Bemidji Sustainability Commission is meeting to discuss the final EV Roadmap report, which will be presented to the City Council on August 17th. They will also review the annual report covering native landscaping, waste and recycling, and energy efficiency, along with other business items.

• Discussion of Bemidji EV Roadmap Final Report ahead of City Council meeting Aug 17th
• Annual report topics: Native Landscaping, Waste & Recycling, Energy Efficiency
• Comprehensive Planning Update
• Public comment period (3-minute limit per speaker)

Public Arts Commission