MFDA Planning Committee Meeting – February 11, 2025

See full minutes. 

A meeting of the Metro Flood Diversion Authority Planning Committee was held on February 11, 2025. The following members were present: Bernie Dardis, Mayor, City of West Fargo; Kevin Campbell, Clay County Commissioner; Shelly Carlson, Mayor, City of Moorhead and Rick Steen, Cass County Joint Water Resource District.

Member(s) absent: Tony Grindberg, Cass County Commissioner and Dr. Tim Mahoney, Mayor, City of Fargo.

1. CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Campbell called the meeting to order at 1:00 PM. Roll call was taken, and a quorum was present.

2. APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 2025 MINUTES

MOTION PASSED

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

3. APPROVE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA

MOTION PASSED

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

4. DETENTION FUNDING POLICY UPDATE

Mr. Shockley provided an overview of the detention funding policy that was developed in 2015. Mr. Shockley asked for a motion to recommend repealing the current policy and adopting a new policy that is consistent with the current upstream coalition settlement agreement.

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Steen moved to recommend to the MFDA board, repealing the current policy and adopting a new policy that is consistent with the upstream coalition settlement agreement. Mayor Dardis seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the motion carried.

5. P3 TECHNICAL DISPUTE REVIEW BOARD UPDATE

Mr. Shockley reported that the TDRB board members have submitted their resignations, citing they do not feel they can function as a board based on the North Dakota Attorney General’s opinion dated January 10, 2025. The MFDA will begin seeking new members.

6. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UPDATE

Mr. Benson reported that the Minnesota flood project meetings in St. Paul were well received and there was a lot of positive feedback. At this time, it remains unknown what may be received from the bonding bill.

Mr. Benson also reported that he will be sending an email to the board providing an update of his first week as the executive director. Meetings have been scheduled with DA and Jacobs staff and Jodi Smith and a meeting regarding consultant fees will be scheduled soon.

Mr. Wilson reported that the last item pending was to determine the MFDA staff COLA. Mr. Campbell commented that his recollection was to follow suit with Cass County.

Mr. Redlinger reported that he will be scaling back and will no longer attend the PC meetings but remains available if needed.

7. OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Campbell reported that Mr. Krabbenhoft met with the BRRWD asking for their support of the $60.4 million request and they graciously agreed to provide their support.

8. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be March 11, 2025.

9. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 1:25 PM.