Diversion Authority Public Outreach Committee Meeting Minutes

A virtual meeting of the Diversion Authority Public Outreach Committee was held on December 16, 2020. The following committee members were present: Bernie Dardis, Mayor, City of West Fargo; Jake Gust, Cass County Joint Water Resource District; Katie Mastel, Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chambers; Kevin Campbell, Clay County Commissioner; Rick Steen, Cass County Commissioner; Rodger Olson, Cass County Joint Water Resource District and John Strand, Fargo City Commissioner.

The following committee members were absent: Gerald VanAmburg, BRRW Manager; Grant Weyland, Clay County Commissioner; Jim Kapitan, Cass County Commissioner and Shelly Carlson, Moorhead City Council Member.

1. MEETING TO ORDER AND AGENDA REVIEW/APPROVAL

Mr. Olson called the meeting to order at 2 pm. Roll call was taken and a quorum was present.

Mr. Steen moved to approve the agenda as presented and Mayor Dardis seconded the motion. Motion carried.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Strand moved to approve the November 2020 minutes and Mr. Campbell seconded the motion. Motion carried.

3. PROJECT NEWS AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES REVIEW

BRRWD Permit Litigation Dismissal

The lawsuit with the BRRWD has been dismissed and the permit has been issued, allowing the Project to move forward.

Contested Case Hearing

Mr. Paulsen indicated that we expect to hear from the MN DNR early in 2021 when they will grant the permit.

ND Water Conference Presentation

Mr. Paulsen presented at their conference highlighting the successes that the Diversion had in 2020.

Chamber Podcast with Executive Director

Mr. Paulsen did a podcast with the Chamber addressing the settlement parameters and what it means for the Project moving forward.

OTHER REPORTS

Communications Plan Review and Schedule

January 27, 2021, is the timeline to share the final communications plan with the committee.

The DA will be working in conjunction with the chosen P3 developer regarding communications to the public and the entities that are involved. Protocols will be put into place to carry the communications plan forward.

Mr. Olson commented that communications to the public should be relayed in a timely manner to keep ahead of the rumor mill and to help eliminate frustration and complaints.

Website and Social Media Analytics for November

Web Map

            361 items viewed this month

12.45 average items per day

Website

2,990 sessions from 1,787 visitors

Average time on the site = 2:06 minutes

7,287 page views

YouTube

4:56 minutes of watch time

780 views

1 new subscriber in the month of November

Twitter

6 tweets with 4,027 impressions

238 profile visits

LinkedIn

6 posts with 808 impressions

Project Podcast

36 total plays

Construction Update

Two videos were viewed of the drone flyovers at the Diversion Inlet Control Structure and the Wild Rice River Control Structure. The videos showcase the progress that has been made to date.

Mr. Campbell asked if there will be issues with the demand on products and where will we be getting product from with all of the other projects in the area that are currently underway; especially with the high demand for concrete. Mr. Paulsen indicated that we already have a shortfall and it needs to be determined how this will be addressed.

Mr. Gust commented that the shortage of product sends a good message that we are moving forward as planned.

4. COMMITTEE INPUT ON OUTREACH ACTIVITIES PLAN FOR UPCOMING MONTHS

Litigation Resolution

With the settlement of the litigation, we will continue to build momentum for the Project.

Legislative Session

Mr. Schneider is working with Ms. Darling and Mr. Paulsen to prepare a plan for the upcoming session.

New Elected Officials and Committee Members

Mr. Jim Kapitan is our newest committee member and will be joining our meetings going forward.

Suggestions for January

Mr. Strand suggested that it would be good to have a visual method to display our progress to date; perhaps with a marque.

5. APPRECIATION FOR OUTGOING MEMBERS

Mr. Olson thanked and expressed his gratitude to Mr. Pawluk and Mr. Weyland for their service to the Project over the years.

6. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMENTS

With the litigation behind us, we are having productive conversations with the upstream folks and we are working on action plans as to how we can work together as we transition into construction,

We are currently reaching out to the cemeteries that are being affected and working with them to help resolve any issues that might arise as a result of the Project.

7. ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Campbell moved for adjournment and Mr. Strand seconded the motion. Motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 2:43 pm.