Land Management Committee Meeting – April 23, 2024

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A meeting of the Metro Flood Diversion Authority Land Management Committee was held on April 23, 2024. The following members were present: Mary Scherling, Cass County Commissioner; Kevin Campbell, Clay County Commissioner; Nathan Boerboom, Fargo Division Engineer; Matt Stamness, Cass County Engineer; Arlette Preston, Fargo City Commissioner; Brenda Derrig, Assistant Administrator, City of Fargo; Rodger Olson, Cass County Joint Water Resource District; Chuck Hendrickson, Moorhead City Council; Jenny Mongeau, Clay County Commissioner and Bob Zimmerman, Moorhead City Engineer.

Member(s) absent: Duane Breitling, Cass County Commissioner.

1. INTRODUCTION

Mr. Campbell called the meeting to order at 3:00 PM. Roll call was taken, and a quorum was present.

2. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES FROM THE FEBRUARY 2024 MEETING

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Hendrickson moved to approve the minutes from February 21, 2024, and Mr. Zimmerman seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

3. APPROVE ORDER OF AGENDA

MOTION PASSED

Ms. Mongeau moved to approve the order of the agenda as presented and Mr. Zimmerman seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

4. OINs 717Y, 9732Y, 7247, 7248, 7249, 877 AND 8385Y EXCESS LAND RECOMMENDATIONS

Ms. Smith introduced the above-referenced OINs and asked for approval to sell the parcels per the Excess Lands Policy.

OINs 717Y and 9732Y: it is recommended that these parcels be sold together as two small strips on the unprotected (western) side of the diversion channel.

OIN 7247: this parcel is part of the rail corridor south of Horace. The land committee recommended selling 2.46 acres at $0.50/SF based on adjacent sales from BNSF.  Bids may be received from both adjacent landowners and if so, it will need to be revisited by the lands committee. A ROE will be needed as we are required to remove the rail ballasts.

OIN 7248: this parcel is part of the rail corridor south of Horace, south of OIN 7247. Slightly over one acre, it is recommended to sell at $0.50/SF based on adjacent sales from BNSF. It is the same landowner on both sides of the corridor, and they have expressed interest in purchasing.

OIN 7249: this parcel is part of the rail corridor south of Horace. Slightly under four acres, it is recommended to sell the parcel at $0.50/SF based on adjacent sales from BNSF.

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Olson moved to approve OINs 717Y, 9732Y, 7247, 7248 and 7249 as presented and Mr. Hendrickson seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion carried.

OINs 877 AND 8385Y EXCESS LAND RECOMMENDATIONS

Ms. Smith introduced the above-referenced OINs and asked for approval to sell the parcels per the Excess Lands Policy.

OIN 877: we reserve the right to maintain a flowage easement with no structures allowed on this parcel. Located in the UMA, it is approximately 2.75 acres, and the recommended price is $5,000/acre.

This parcel is an expense to the project as we are paying for mowing and weed control.

OIN 8385Y: we reserve the right to maintain a flowage easement with no structures allowed on this parcel. Located UMA, it is slightly over eight acres. The recommended price is $5,000/acre. This parcel is an expense to the project as we are paying for mowing and weed control.

MOTION PASSED

Ms. Preston moved to approve OINs 877 and 8385Y as presented, to include the rights to flowage easements, and Mr. Stamness seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion carried.

5. OTHER BUSINESS

There was no additional business to discuss.

6. NEXT MEETING

To be determined.

7. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 3:23 PM.