MFDA Finance Committee Meeting – November 19, 2025

See full minutes. 

A regular meeting of the Metro Flood Diversion Authority Finance Committee was held on November 19, 2025. Members present: Dr. Tim Mahoney, Mayor, City of Fargo; Bernie Dardis, Mayor, City of West Fargo; Dave Piepkorn, Fargo City Commissioner; Susan Thompson, Finance Director, City of Fargo; David Ebinger, Clay County Commissioner; Mike Redlinger, Administrator, City of Fargo; Rick Steen, Cass County Joint Water Resource District; Jim Kapitan, Cass County Commissioner; Mike Rietz, Assistant City Manager, City of Moorhead; Sarah Heinle, Cass County Finance Director; Shelly Carlson, Mayor, City of Moorhead and Tony Grindberg, Cass County Commissioner.

Member(s) absent: no members were absent.

1. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Dardis called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM. Roll call was taken, and a quorum was present.

2. APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE OCTOBER 2025 MEETING

MOTION PASSED

Mayor Mahoney moved to approve the minutes from the October 2025 meeting and Mr. Steen seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

3. APPROVE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA

MOTION PASSED

Mayor Mahoney moved to approve the order of the agenda and Mr. Ebinger seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

4. APPROVAL OF BILLS

Ms. Thompson reported that the bills payable through November 12, 2025, total $796,792, and noted that they were less than normal due to the early holiday cutoff.

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Grindberg moved to approve the bills as presented and Mayor Carlson seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion carried.

5. FINANCIAL REPORT

Ms. Thompson reported the total assets as of October 31, 2025, are $275,939,902; liabilities total $1,043,602, and the total net cash position is $274,896,300.

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Grindberg moved to approve the financial report as presented and Mr. Ebinger seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

6. CASH BUDGET REPORT

Mr. Benson reported that the budget continues to track well in all areas. He noted that there will not be any WIFIA draws in 2025, however, in 2026, the 2025 balance of $234,000,000, will be drawn, along with the remaining loan balance. $96,424,867, has been paid to the Developer including milestone payments; the land management budget continues to be monitored as it is anticipated there will be significant dollars paid out in 2025, as property settlements get resolved.

7. MOUs AND AGREEMENTS

a. CRWUD & MFDA amended and restated MURA

Mr. Shockley provided an overview and summary of the above-referenced MURA:

The Master Utility Relocation Agreement (MURA) defines the roles and responsibilities of the Metro Flood Diversion Authority (MFDA) and Cass Rural Water Users District (CRWUD) as it relates to the Utility’s real property interests that are impacted by the Comprehensive Project. The Amended and Restated MURA redefines the work to be completed to levee protect CRWUD’s Reservoir Site A treatment plant and wells. The treatment plant and wells have always been planned to be protected by a levee. The Amended and Restated MURA has been modified to construct the levee around the wells instead of elevating the wells on top of the levee as shown in the updated Exhibit A. This modification was completed due to concerns that were identified during the geotechnical analysis portion of the design.

b. Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion, Inc., & MFDA Right of Entry Agreement

Mr. Shockley provided an overview and summary of the above-referenced agreement:

The Right of Entry (ROE) Agreement is between the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion, Inc., (Landowner) located in Rollag, Minnesota, and the Metro Flood Diversion Authority (MFDA). The Agreement allows the MFDA, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and their contractors to access the landowner’s property to mitigate historic structures that are impacted by the Comprehensive Project. The temporary rights under this Agreement include the placement of three historic cabins, access for site preparation, building placement and landscape modifications including site grading and foundation work to place the three cabins.

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Grindberg moved to approve both the MURA and ROE as presented and Mayor Carlson seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion carried.

8. DA BOARD APPROVAL CONTRACTING ACTIONS

a. Master Services Agreement (MSA) – Amendment 1 – Program Advisor Services, LLC – $0

Amend Master Services Agreement to extend period of performance to December 31, 2028. Budget will be reflected in Task Order 3.

b. Task Order 3, Amendment 1 – provide 2026 budget – Program Advisor Services, LLC – $500,000

To advise on and provide recommendations on the development, procurement, governance, and implementation of the FM Area Diversion Project.

c. WP46G – CRWUD wellfield – recommendation of award – $299,550

Jacobs (PMC), HMG LLC (EOR), and the Authority’s Legal counsel have reviewed and evaluated the bid documents and recommend the Metro Flood Diversion Authority award the contract for WP47G to Steffl Drilling and Pump in the amount of $299,550, as the lowest responsive bidder.

MOTION PASSED

Mayor Mahoney moved to approve all the contracting actions as presented, and Mr. Kapitan seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion carried.  

9. OTHER BUSINESS

a. 2026 DRAFT CASH BUDGET VERSION 3

Mr. Barthel presented the DRAFT 2026 cash budget and reported that the milestone payment line item has been updated and there has been an increase in MOUs based on the lack of funds spent in 2025 which were rolled into 2026 commitments. Mr. Barthel reported that we are still waiting for the final lands projections based on the properties that are pending closeout.

Mr. Barthel is anticipating that the final version will be complete and presented to the board at the December meeting.

The total FY2026 DRAFT Version 3 is $996,942,997.

10. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be on December 17, 2025.

11. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 4:30 PM.