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BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The role of mayor proves a different experience for Mike Seminary two months after being elected. He finds himself busier than he was in his six years as a city commissioner.
"There are more responsibilities. I am more of a public figure and city representative. I used to be a 'pit bull.' Now, I am more of a diplomat," he said, clutching the ribbon from a dedication ceremony. Still, the experience of fellow commissioners, the staff and public will mean fewer "curve balls," as decisions and issues surface, he told the Bismarck Tribune (http://bit.ly/1rUbBwJ ).
Seminary finds a wealth of talent in city department heads, and he has used predecessor John Warford as an example of how a good leader functions long-term.
He said his main goals as mayor are to keep the city sustainable, be a good facilitator and appropriately help innovation.
"I want to keep the wheels of progress moving for the city," he said.
Seminary will use a series of city-funded plans to guide a growing Bismarck — the growth management plan, the Bismarck Downtown SubArea Plan and the Bismarck Strategic Plan, to name a few.
"We are definitely growing ... The growth management plan will become the bible in how we lead development in the city," he said. "It will determine how we pay for infrastructure, where expand to and what should be where."
Seminary also believes downtown Bismarck will be significantly different because of new projects identified in the Bismarck Downtown SubArea Plan. The plan suggests a large underpass walkway at Fifth Street, to narrow parts of Main Avenue, wider sidewalks, themed street districts, a bus hub, more parking ramps and a gathering/event area be created near the former depot. It says $22.8 million in investments could generate $318 million in the long-term private investment.
Changes in the downtown plan will be paid for and led mostly by the private sector, Seminary said, but also with public-private partnerships. He believes better infrastructure downtown will drive more job creation and people to live and work downtown.
"It will change the footprint of downtown. It will change the traffic patterns so people walk more," he said.
Vision Fund money, banked from sales tax revenue, could help fund some of those partnership projects. He added private investors spend in Bismarck because there is potential return for their investment. He said the city can grow and remain safe if enough police and firefighters are hired.
Infrastructure also will guide how the city grows outward, according to Seminary. The growth management plan suggests placing roads and services strategically near the city to prevent random growth out of reach of existing city services.
He said it's projected that the city will have to add up to 50 miles of new roads within the next 12 to 15 years. Seminary said Bismarck cannot rely on federal money to pay for roads as much as it has in the past. New local funding methods must be found. He still supports a "Smart Street" design system that promotes narrower roadways and involves less maintenance costs where appropriate and walking is suitable. More walking downtown triggers spending more money, he added. Despite rapid growth, Seminary said Bismarck must still use its resources efficiently, not just spend on large projects without a purpose for the community.
Seminary still wants to hire a business development director for the city that understands how the city can generate revenue, attract and keep young talent, and serve as lobbyist to the city's needs. Candidates are still being reviewed.
City Commissioner Josh Askvig said he has always had a good relationship with Seminary. He said there has been a different tone in the first three meetings Seminary has run as mayor.
"He runs the meetings in a 'let's get this done' fashion. It makes it a different meeting. Our meetings may be more swifter and they were more deliberate before," Askvig said. "There are plenty of issues to solve."
City Administrator Bill Wocken said Seminary has only been in office a short time. "He has jumped right in and progressing with the items we are dealing with. There are a lot of things moving forward. The city is still growing rapidly and the mayor has been very involved," he said.
Seminary said as mayor, he wants to remain a good listener and communicator. He started a "Coffee with the Mayor" program after he was elected and that has given him new insight on city needs. Once a month, he meets with residents during a 7:30 a.m. comment and question period. Future dates and locations of the program will be announced. For non-early birds, he promises to respond quickly to messages sent via his city email box.
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Information from: Bismarck Tribune, http://www.bismarcktribune.com
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