Cass County Joint Water Resource Meeting – June 12, 2025

A meeting of the Cass County Joint Water Resource District (CCJWRD) was held on June 12, 2025, at 8:30 a.m.

Present were Ken Lougheed, North Cass Water Resource District; Keith Weston and Rick Steen, Southeast Cass Water Resource District; Gerald Melvin, Maple River Water Resource District; Jacob Gust and William A. Hejl, Rush River Water Resource District; Melissa Hinkemeyer, Director, Secretary-Treasurer; Amy Hepper, Accountant; Elizabeth Smith, Administrative Assistant; Rita Nelson, Accounting Assistant; Sean Fredricks, Luke Andrud, Katie Schmidt, and John Shockley, Ohnstad Twichell, P.C.; Kurt Lysne, Lyndon Pease, Brady Woodard, and Josh Hassell, Moore Engineering, Inc.; Mike Opat, Houston Engineering, Inc.; Rob Stefonowicz, Larkin Hoffman; Duane Breitling, Cass County Commissioner; Eric Dodds and Dean Vetter, AE2S; Ken Helvey, SRF Consulting Group, Inc.; Oly Olafson and Wade Whitworth, HDR, Inc.; and Dale Alhsten, Prosource Technologies LLC.
Approval of agenda

It was moved by Manager Melvin, seconded by Manager Steen, and unanimously carried to approve the order of the agenda, as presented.

Minutes
It was moved by Manager Melvin, seconded by Manager Weston, and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of the May 22 and May 27, 2025, meetings, as presented.

Metro Flood Diversion Project – Property owner negotiation and discussion – CCJWRD Invites for Sheyenne Benching Property Owners

Eric Dodds noted property owners where right of way is needed for the Sheyenne Benching component of the Metro Flood Diversion Project were invited to this meeting to speak with the Board regarding the right of way acquisition. No property owners attended
the meeting.

Metro Flood Diversion Project – FMD-Mapleton and FMD-Warren 1st Subdivisions
A motion was made by Manager Steen and seconded by Manager Gust to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Consent Letter regarding Ohnstad Twichell P.C.’s representation of Cass County Joint Water Resource District regarding FMD-Mapleton
and FMD-Warren 1st Subdivisions for the Metro Flood Diversion Project. Upon roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Maple River Dam – General operation and maintenance updates Brady Woodard reported that he is working with JAC Predator & Large Pest Control, Inc. regarding nuisance animals at the Maple River Dam. Mr. Woodard also reported that surveys are being collected regarding environmentally sensitive sites at the Maple River Dam for annual archeological work.

Regional Conservation Partnership Program – Rush River Watershed
Josh Hassell updated the Board on the status of the RCPP Rush River Watershed Plan. Mr. Hassell noted that Jon Petersen recently met with the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) national design center to discuss the design of the RCPP Rush River Watershed project. There will likely be comments from the national design center to respond to regarding the design.

Regional Conservation Partnership Program – Upper Maple River Watershed
Mr. Hassell updated the Board on the status of the RCPP Upper Maple River Watershed Plan. Mr. Hassell noted comments were received from the National Watershed Management Center regarding the Plan. The NRCS has begun responding to the comments. One of the comments was regarding the impact of inflation on the cost estimate. Moore Engineering, Inc. will review the cost estimate and update it as needed. Moore Engineering, Inc. will assist the NRCS with comment responses as needed. The Board directed Moore Engineering, Inc to draft a letter to impacted property owners updating them on the progress of the RCPP Upper Maple River Watershed Plan.

Sheldon Flood Protection Project No. 2019-01
Kurt Lysne reported contracts are being completed for the Sheldon Flood Protection Project No. 2019-01. Once the contracts are complete the contractor can begin the project. Moore Engineering, Inc. is currently staking the project area.

SB2180 – Resolution of Policy

Mr. Fredricks reviewed the draft public comment policy resolution created to outline the guidelines of public comment at Cass County Joint Water Resource District meetings. SB2180 goes into effect August 1, 2025. A motion was made by Manager Weston and seconded by Manager Melvin to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Resolution of Policy Regarding Public Comment
Requirements at Regular Meetings regarding Cass County Joint Water Resource District as presented.
Discussion: The Board discussed non statutory aspects of the policy including time limits for speakers, the placement of the public comment period on the agenda, and ability to change the policy as needed. Upon roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously.

2025 maintenance levy assessments
The Director, Secretary stated she met with Moore Engineering, Inc to discuss maintenance levy assessments. The Director, Secretary presented the 2025 maintenance levy assessments. The Board discussed 2025 maintenance levy assessment changes. A motion was made by Manager Weston and seconded by Manager Steen to approve the Cass County Joint Water Resource District maintenance levy for the Maple River Dam at the $0.80 level for 2025. Upon roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Manager Gust and seconded by Manager Steen to approve the Cass County Joint Water Resource District maintenance levy for the Lake Bertha Flood Control Project No. 75 at the $2.00 level for 2025. Upon roll call vote, the motion carried
unanimously.

Human Resources Committee Update
Manager Weston updated the Board on activities taking place in the CCJWRD Human Resources Committee. The Committee reviewed the job description for the Director, Secretary position. The Committee made minor changes to the job description and is
recommending approval to the full Board. A motion was made by Manager Weston and seconded by Manager Steen to approve
the Director, Secretary job description as presented to the Cass County Joint Water Resource District. Discussion: Manager Steen noted that legal counsel and the Director, Secretary provided their input during the development of this job description.
Upon roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously.

Bills
It was moved by Manager Steen and seconded by Manager Melvin to approve payment of the wire transfers as presented. Upon roll call vote, the following Managers voted in favor: Lougheed, Weston, Steen, Melvin, and Gust. The motion passed.

Fargo Area Water Tour with North Dakota Water Education Foundation
Manager Steen noted there is a Fargo area water tour with the North Dakota Water Education Foundation on June 18, 2025.

Adjournment
There being no further business to be considered by the Board, it was moved by Manager Steen, seconded by Manager Melvin, and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting.