Finance Committee Meeting – June 22, 2022

A regular meeting of the Metro Flood Diversion Authority Finance Committee was held on June 22, 2022. The following members were present: Bernie Dardis, Mayor, City of West Fargo; Dr. Tim Mahoney, Mayor, City of Fargo; Dan Jacobson, Chairman, Cass County Joint Water Resource District; Steve Sprague, City of Fargo Interim Finance Director; Lori Johnson, Clay County Auditor/Treasurer; Mike Redlinger, City of Fargo Interim City Administrator; Rick Steen, Cass County Commissioner and Dave Piepkorn, Fargo City Commissioner.

Members absent: Chad Peterson, Cass County Commissioner; Shelly Carlson, Mayor, City of Moorhead; Mike Rietz, City of Moorhead Assistant City Manager and Brandy Madrigga, Cass County Finance Director.

1. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Dardis called the meeting to order at 4:01 PM. Roll call was taken, and a quorum was present.

2. APPROVE MINUTES FROM THE MAY 2022 MEETING

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Piepkorn moved to approve the minutes from the May 2022, meeting and Dr. Mahoney seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

3. APPROVE ORDER OF AGENDA

MOTION PASSED

Dr. Mahoney moved to approve the order of the agenda as amended, removing item 7 a. ii, Schmidt and Sons WP50F Change Order 01, and Mr. Steen seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

4. APPROVAL OF BILLS

Mr. Sprague reported that the three bills payable through June 14, 2022, total $2,243,174.38 and are payable to the usual vendors, Cass County Joint Water Resource District, Ohnstad Twichell, P.C. and Cass County.

MOTION PASSED

Dr. Mahoney moved to approve the bills as presented and Mr. Steen seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion carried.

5. FINANCIAL REPORT

Mr. Sprague reported that our current net position is $135,793,993.

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Piepkorn moved to approve the financial report and Mr. Redlinger seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

6. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FINANCIAL REPORT

Mr. Paulsen reported that city and county sales tax revenues have been coming in as anticipated and there was a $2.2 million draw from the Legacy Funds. Mr. Paulsen stated that there are no concerns with the cash budget, and everything is tracking well.

Mr. Paulsen also reported that an offer has been made for the senior construction manager position. This position was budgeted for, and the salary will come out of the administrative budget.

7. CONTRACTING ACTIONS

a. DA Board Approval Contracting Action

Mr. Paulsen provided an overview of the following contracting action:

Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc., Task Order 03, Amendment 0 – Oxbow Substation Relocation – Land acquisition to relocate Minnkota Power’s Oxbow substation that is located approximately one mile north of the town of Oxbow and will be located in the backwater flowage easement area of the Southern Embankment – $275,000.

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Sprague moved to approve the contracting action as presented and Mr. Steen seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion carried.

b. 2022 Cash Budget Changes

There were no changes to report.

8. OTHER BUSINESS

a. DA Board Approved MOU and Agreement Actions

Mr. Shockley provided an overview and summary outlining the purpose and necessity for the following MOU and MURA:

1. Red River Valley Cooperative Power Association (RRVCPA) & MFDA MURA
2. SBA Towers X, LLC & MFDA MOU

MOTION PASSED

Dr. Mahoney moved to collectively approve the MOU and MURA as presented, and Mr. Jacobson seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion carried.

b. Program Information Points

Mr. Paulsen noted that the program information points document has been updated as of June 15, 2022. 

9. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be July 27, 2022.

10. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 4:18 PM.