Land Management Committee Meeting – March 25, 2026

See full minutes.

A meeting of the Metro Flood Diversion Authority Land Management Committee was held on March 25, 2026. The following members were present: Duane Breitling, Cass County Commissioner; Brenda Derrig, Assistant Administrator, City of Fargo; Bob Zimmerman, Director of Engineering, City of Moorhead; Nathan Boerboom, Fargo Division Engineer; Michelle Turnberg, Fargo City Commissioner; Tim Flakoll, Cass County Commissioner; Kevin Campbell, Clay County Commissioner; Matt Stamness, Cass County Engineer; Jake Gust, Cass County Joint Water Resource District and Deb White, Moorhead City Council.

Member(s) absent: Jenny Mongeau, Clay County Commissioner.

1. CALL TO ORDER

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

2. APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES FROM THE DECEMBER 2025 MEETING

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Flakoll moved to approve the minutes from December 2025, and Mr. Stamness seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

3. APPROVE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA

MOTION PASSED

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

4. RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING DEBRIS REMOVAL AND RESTORATION SUB-COMMITTEE

Mr. Shockley provided an overview and summary of the above-referenced sub-committee. The Diversion Authority will create and support a Debris Removal and Restoration Sub-Committee to adaptively manage debris clean up and non-structural property damage repair, remediation, and/or restoration. The RWJPA agrees to secure two (2) full-time Agricultural Producers from the Staging Area to be voting members of a Debris Removal and Property Damage Sub-Committee to assist in further clarifying and refining the Debris Removal and Restoration Program over time. The Diversion Authority shall provide an update regarding the status of the Post-Operation Debris Clean-up and Restoration Plan to the Parties every six (6) months commencing on the Effective Date of this Settlement Agreement until termination of the Comprehensive Project.

Sub-Committee Charter Summary

• Sub-Committee of which standing committee?

o For now, this will be a sub-committee of the Land Management Committee

• 7 total members

o 5 MFDA members

▪ 1 recommended by CCJWRD

▪ 1 recommended by MCCJPA

▪ 3 recommended by LMC, 2 with technical background

o 2 members from RWJPA (active ag producers in staging area)

o All will be voting members

• Chair & Vice Chair identified by the sub-committee
• Sub-committee will make recommendations for consideration by LMC then approval by MFDA Board
• Term of sub-committee – Annual renewal requirement, no term limit.

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Flakoll moved to recommend approval of the resolution as presented, and Mr. Campbell seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion carried.

5. RAIL CORRIDOR OINs 7234 B, C, & D UPDATE

Mr. Dodds provided an update on the rail corridor parcels south of the Horace Elevator. He has met with all the adjacent landowners, and all have expressed interest. They are still working through some questions, but he is confident that there will be 100% buy-in, and the parcels can be liquidated at that time.

6. OIN 7249 SALE OF EXCESS LAND RECOMMENDATION

Mr. Fisher introduced OIN 7249. The MFDA declared OIN 7249, which is a segment of the former railroad corridor near Horace, ND, as excess land in April 2024. The MFDA offered to subdivide this property into small segments that could be sold to all the adjacent landowners; however, agreement could not be reached with all the adjacent landowners.

In accordance with the excess land policy, project staff have continued to offer this property for sale to the adjacent landowners. Recently, one of the adjacent landowners expressed interest in purchasing the entirety of OIN 7249. Project staff feel that this is ideal because it results in the sale of excess land and guarantees no inaccessible remnants will remain under project ownership and management. It is recommended to approve the sale of OIN 7249 to an adjacent landowner.

If approved, the adjacent landowner would purchase OIN 7249 (approximately 3.9 acres) at the listed price of $84,942.

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Flakoll moved to recommend the sale of OIN 7249 to the adjacent landowner in the amount of $84,942, with the stipulation that it be sold as one parcel. Mr. Zimmerman seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the motion carried.

7. OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business.

8. NEXT MEETING

To be determined.

9. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 3:16 PM.