Council Weighs Sande Resignation Calls
Grand Forks residents asked Council President Dana Sande to resign over deleted social media comments about special needs services.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in City Hall
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Grand Forks City Council heard residents call for Council President Dana Sande to resign over deleted Facebook comments about Grand Forks Public Schools' special needs services. City Attorney Dan Gaustad said a review of the comments would likely not accomplish much because of First Amendment protections.
Why it matters
The session raised questions about how a city council can respond to a member's public statements, and whether a code of conduct review can address them. Councilwoman Rebecca Osowski said Sande has apologized and asked the community for forgiveness.
The council approved a $132,946 purchase of 126 Glock handguns and accessories for the police department and a $154,386 change order for the landfill soil treatment pad. A 4-3 vote advanced a qualifications request for the former water treatment plant redevelopment, and it is not stated whether the Sande comments will undergo formal review.
The players
Dana Sande
Grand Forks City Council President whose deleted Facebook comments about special needs services drew calls for his resignation.
Dan Gaustad
Grand Forks City Attorney who said a review of Sande's comments would not accomplish much because of the First Amendment.
Rebecca Osowski
Grand Forks City Councilwoman who said Sande has apologized and asked the community to forgive him.
The details
Residents Maureen Riley and Paige Curran asked Sande to resign, and Riley requested that his comments be reviewed under the city's Code of Conduct. The council also upheld two Board of Zoning Adjustments decisions denying garage driveway length variances and approved an ownership transfer of J&N Operations LLC, which does business as Grand Forks Taxi, from Jesse Stephan to Nate Gregoire.
Timeline
Monday: City Council heard resident comments and approved multiple items at its meeting.
Legal Context
City Attorney Dan Gaustad said a review of Sande's comments would likely not accomplish much because of First Amendment protections for speech. The dispute illustrates how a city code of conduct can be limited when the conduct at issue is protected expression by an elected official.
Residents who want to raise concerns about council members can address the council during public comment periods. The approved police handgun purchase and landfill change order determine how city funds are spent on public safety and waste infrastructure.
The takeaway
Public comment periods give residents a direct channel to question elected officials, even when the formal remedies available to the council are limited.
Further reading
For more local government coverage, see City Hall reporting on council decisions in Grand Forks.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KNOX Radio, Local News, Weather & Sports from Grand Forks.
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