Planning Committee Meeeting – June 10, 2025

See full minutes.

A meeting of the Metro Flood Diversion Authority Planning Committee was held on June 10, 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; Dr. Tim Mahoney, Mayor, City of Fargo and Rick Steen, Cass County Joint Water Resource District.

Member(s) absent: no members were absent.

1. CALL TO ORDER

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

2. APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 2025 MINUTES

MOTION PASSED

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

4. MINNESOTA FUNDING UPDATE

Mr. Benson reported that the State of Minnesota passed a $720 million bonding bill in a special session. $9 million has been earmarked, state-wide, for flood control projects but Mr. Benson indicated that it is unknown if any of the funds will be designated for diversion-related projects.

Mr. Campbell reported that the MNDNR requested that Clay County, including BRRWRD, and the City of Moorhead, submit separate funding requests. Mr. Campbell reported that Clay County has submitted an ask for $44 million. Both Clay County and BRRWRD have listed the MFDA flood control projects as a priority.

5. O&M UPDATE

Mr. Benson reported that the team continues with the scheduling and reviews and walked the committee through the current schedule. AE2S is working to update the assessment district data to “Plan B” and will have their budget-level numbers in by mid-June. The O&M team is reviewing and updating the data for the in-town and mitigation areas and are working with the USACE for the SEAI and structures since these components will be handed off to the MFDA this year. This work along with the maintenance costs for all components will be determined by September. MOUs with the various parties will be worked out and signed to clearly outline responsibilities. Substantial completion is anticipated to be wrapped up by June 2027, at which time the MFDA will work with CCJWRD to officially update the maintenance levy.

Mr. Barthel reported that the maintenance levy budget will not be updated at this time and will remain as the preliminary budget until it has been determined what assets are going to be managed. The asset management plan will determine what is going to be included in the long-term budget.

Mr. Grindberg noted that the MFDA needs to look at “needs” versus “wants”.

6. MFDA GOVERNANCE POLICY

Mr. Benson introduced the 2024 MFDA Governance Policy. The final document was completed in September 2024 and a few minor adjustments may be needed to be consistent with the Cass County HR policy. After discussions with Mayor Carlson and Mr. Grindberg, it is recommended that the policy be reviewed at the board retreat. Compliance with the policy will begin in January 2026.

7. MID-YEAR REVIEW OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mr. Benson will be evaluated at the July board meeting to review his first six months as the executive director. Going forward, the executive director’s annual review will be performed each December to allow the current chair the ability to give a comprehensive review.

8. MFDA SEPTEMBER BOARD RETREAT

A retreat will be held in September to review the governance policies as well as any additional items that the chair would like to discuss or address.

9. OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business to discuss.

10. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be July 8, 2025.

11. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 1:51 PM.