MFDA Planning Committee Meeting – April 9, 2026

See full minutes. 

A meeting of the Metro Flood Diversion Authority Planning Committee was held on April 9, 2026. The following members were present: Dr. Tim Mahoney, Mayor, City of Fargo; Kevin Campbell, Clay County Commissioner; Tony Grindberg, Cass County Commissioner; Shelly Carlson, Mayor, City of Moorhead; Rick Steen, Cass County Joint Water Resource District and Bernie Dardis, Mayor, City of West Fargo.

Member(s) absent: no members were absent.

1. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Carlson called the meeting to order at 2:02 PM. Roll call was taken, and a quorum was present.

2. APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 2026 MINUTES

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Grindberg moved to approve the February 2026 minutes and Mayor Dardis seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

3. APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 2026 MINUTES

MOTION PASSED

Mayor Dardis moved to approve the March 2026 minutes and Mr. Grindberg seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

4. APPROVE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA

MOTION PASSED

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

5. OCTOBER RECOGNITION EVENT UPDATE

Mr. Benson and Ms. Willson provided an update on the October recognition event. The budget has not been fully determined and the tentative schedule of events for the evening is as follows:

• 5-6 p.m. – Social hour with cash bar
• 6 p.m. – Plated dinner served
• 6:15 p.m. – Program begins with welcome, Sen. Hoeven speech
• 6:30 p.m. – Emcee and speakers recognize various groups
  • Groups come up for awards
  • Designated speakers share interesting facts, etc.
• 7:30-8 p.m. – Event concludes

Mr. Grindberg suggested that past board members be recognized as emeritus based on their years of service to the Project and board. Mr. Shockley will draft a plan to discuss at the May planning committee meeting.

6. USACE UPDATE

Mr. Benson reported that the USACE has outlined the PPA Amendment with the USACE and within this Amendment, the payment timeline anticipates the $100,000,000, to be paid from the USACE to the Diversion Authority in early June 2027. This will be re-evaluated on a yearly basis in July-August to determine if additional funds, although smaller, are due to the Diversion Authority. The $17,700,000, due to the USACE from the Diversion Authority will also need to be paid by early August 2027.

Mr. Benson also noted that a portion of the $100,000,000, will be used for the Sheyenne Mitigation.

7. MN LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Mr. Benson reported that a resolution is forthcoming which would allow the Diversion Authority to match funds for Minnesota projects, a 50/50 match, up to $32,000,000. The resolution will be presented at the May board meeting for consideration.

8. OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Benson reported that Ms. Williams, Mr. Fuchs, the contractor’s insurance legal representative and himself visited the Askegaard farm to allow the contractor’s insurance legal representative the opportunity to view the area where crops were damaged, allegedly due to negligence on behalf of the contractor. Mr. Benson stated that it was a productive meeting and settlement negotiations continue.

9. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be May 14, 2026.

10. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 2:57 PM.