Council directs staff to open talks with county on municipal court locations after staff study

City staff presented an internal review of potential locations for Minot’s municipal court and the City Council unanimously directed staff to open discussions with Ward County and the district court on possible co-location and other options.

Ryan Kamrowski, who led the staff integrated team, summarized a decision matrix that scored candidate sites — the Ward County Courthouse, a police department remodel, the Renaissance parking ramp, Ward County administration offices, the current auditorium location and several options at City Hall — against criteria that included cost, time, functional layout, accessibility and security. Kamrowski said the analysis was intentionally internal and recommended additional conversations with county partners before narrowing finalists.

City Manager Tom Joyce said the review responded to security concerns raised in Captain Sunheim’s report and noted staff had already addressed many short-term issues. Judge Beal, speaking to logistics, emphasized the benefits of court co-location for secure prisoner movement and reduced transport demands on police. Kamrowski added that other North Dakota jurisdictions use a mix of co-location with district courtrooms and standalone municipal facilities, and that staff could collect more detailed operational information if the council wished.

Alderman Fuller asked whether other cities’ municipal courts share courtroom space or use separate suites; Kamrowski said staff could follow up with city attorneys for specific details. Multiple council members said the next step should include formal outreach to county commissioners and district judges so the joint body can evaluate options together.

President Blessum put a motion on the floor to direct staff to begin those county-level conversations; Alderman Fuller moved, the motion was seconded and council members voted unanimously to proceed. Council members and staff said the future joint meeting with county officials will allow deeper analysis and potential selection of a short list of sites for further study.

The vote instructs staff to initiate negotiations and information-sharing with Ward County and district court representatives; no final site decision was made at this meeting.