Planning Committee Meeting – August 6, 2024

See full minutes.

A meeting of the Metro Flood Diversion Authority Planning Committee was held on August 6, 2024. The following members were present: Dr. Tim Mahoney, Mayor, City of Fargo; Bernie Dardis, Mayor, City of West Fargo; Kevin Campbell, Clay County Commissioner; Shelly Carlson, Mayor, City of Moorhead and Tony Grindberg, Cass County Commissioner.

Member(s) absent: Rodger Olson, Cass County Joint Water Resource District.

1. CALL TO ORDER

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

2. APPROVAL OF THE JULY2024 MINUTES

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Grindberg moved to approve the minutes from the July 2024 meeting and Mr. Campbell seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

3. APPROVE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA

MOTION PASSED

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

4. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR APPLICATION SCREENING & INTERVIEW COMMITTEES

Mr. Wilson reported that the first round of interviews/screening will be conducted by himself, Mr. Redlinger, Mayor Carlson and Mr. Grindberg. The second round will be conducted by the Planning Committee and upon concurrence of the finalist(s), those candidate(s) will be interviewed by the full board.

There has been no feedback regarding the proposed timeline, however, it may be more realistic that a January start date be anticipated especially if the chosen candidate needs to relocate.

5. MFDA CLASSIFICATION & COMPENSATION STUDY RFP

Mr. Redlinger reported that an RFP was distributed to four firms and that an additional two will be sent out. The deadline for responding is August 31, 2024.

6. CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S COMPENSATION

Commissioner Peterson addressed the workload that Mr. Wilson and Mr. Redlinger have taken on with the departure of the executive director and recommended additional compensation. After lengthy dialogue, Mr. Grindberg advised that he will work with Commissioner Peterson to outline the parameters of the proposed compensation and retro date, and present it at the next finance committee and board meetings for review/approval.

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Grindberg moved that he and Commissioner Peterson will prepare a document that outlines the parameters of the proposed additional compensation for Mr. Wilson and Mr. Redlinger as well as the retro date. Mayor Mahoney seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the motion carried.

7. GOVERNANCE POLICY & UPDATES

Mr. Wilson reported that he and Mr. Redinger are working with the chair and Cass County Human Resources to update the Governance Policy. Upon completion, it will be presented to the board for final approval.

8. P3 MONTHLY UPDATE

Mr. Shockley and Mr. Nicholson introduced a “draft” outline document that would provide monthly P3 updates to the board. It would address several P3-related categories in a summary format along with exhibits. The “draft” outline will be presented to the board in August for input and/or approval.

9. CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS UPDATE

Mr. Redlinger stated that his updates were previously covered on the agenda, and he had nothing additional to report.

Mr. Wilson reported that effective December 1, Cass County will be appointing new commissioners, and they should be approved by the MFDA board timely so there is not a void in board membership.

10. OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business to discuss.

11. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be September 10, 2024.

12. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 1:57 PM.