MFDA Planning Committee Meeting – March 12, 2025

See full minutes.

A meeting of the Metro Flood Diversion Authority Planning Committee was held on March 12, 2025. The following members were present: Bernie Dardis, Mayor, City of West Fargo; Kevin Campbell, Clay County Commissioner; Shelly Carlson, Mayor, City of Moorhead; Tony Grindberg, Cass County Commissioner and Dr. Tim Mahoney, Mayor, City of Fargo.

Member(s) absent: Rick Steen, Cass County Joint Water Resource District

1. CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Grindberg called the meeting to order at 12:30 PM. Roll call was taken, and a quorum was present.

2. APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 2025 MINUTES

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Campbell moved to approve the minutes from the February 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 Carlson moved to approve the order of the agenda and Mr. Campbell seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

4. GLOBAL PROGRAM O&M DISCUSSION

Mr. Benson reported that the team has begun moving forward with the Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP) process. Evaluating the various components of infrastructure, different operating and ownership manuals, staffing needs, etc. Multiple transitions need to transpire before it can be determined what work will be turned over, what gets hired out, etc. In the next 30-60 days, a plan will be refined, setting forth the timelines and other elements that will need to be considered.

5. FEMA UPDATE

Mr. Bakkegard reported that the team from FEMA, state partners, and the USACE were in Fargo for the bi-annual coordination meeting. FEMA has determined, based on the number of maps needed for the project, that they would follow the Physical Map Revision process. This process is basically the same as the CLOMR process for the community but is a different internal FEMA process.

Discussion was held regarding the modeling process, and it was determined that the best course of action is to work on advancing the process now so it can be submitted to the agency partners for review and input by the end of the year. This will help keep on schedule to get the process completed by 2030.

6. WASHINGTON, D.C., VISIT UPDATE

Mr. Benson reported that the visit to Washington, D.C., was successful and well received. The team provided an update on the project to Senator Fedorchak, bringing her up to speed on the current status as well as providing project history. They also met with Senator Hoeven and Senator Cramer and Senator Fischbach’s staffers.

The need to remain tax exempt was discussed, indicating that it is critical based on the current loan interest rates that we are receiving. The Southern Embankment process and funding was also discussed and what the USACE is currently working on prior to transitioning it to the MFDA.

The team traveled to the Pentagon to meet with Stacy Brown, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, to provide a status update on the project. The USACE falls under her purview.

Mr. Campbell assumed the chairman role at 12:52 PM.

7. MINNESOTA FUNDING UPDATE

Mayor Carlson reported that Moorhead City Council members have been to St. Paul on several occasions to support the need of the $60.4 million request. They have met with Senators Kupec, Joy and Keeler and are awaiting to hear on the house bill that is pending regarding how much the state will receive.

Mr. Campbell reported that Clay County Commissioners Mongeau and Krabbenhoft have also made visits to St. Paul to advocate for the criticalness of the project and the importance of the funding that is needed to move forward.

8. LAND DIRECTOR POSITION

Mr. Benson reported he is working on a new position description for the land director role. It will be posted by the end of March, in hopes of having someone in place by late May or early June. The role will transition from the acquisition phase to a compliance-related role.

9. OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business to discuss.

10. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be April 8, 2025.

11. ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Dardis moved to adjourn, and Mayor Carlson seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 1:04 PM.