Planning Committee Meeting – August 8, 2023

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A meeting of the Metro Flood Diversion Authority Planning Committee was held on August 8, 2023. The following members were present: Dr. Tim Mahoney, Mayor, City of Fargo; Shelly Carlson, Mayor, City of Moorhead; Bernie Dardis, Mayor, City of West Fargo and Mary Scherling, Cass County Commissioner.

Member(s) absent: Kevin Campbell, Clay County Commissioner and Rodger Olson, Cass County Joint Water Resource District.

1. CALL TO ORDER

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

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JULY 2023

MOTION PASSED

Mayor Dardis moved to approve the minutes from the July 2023 meeting and Mrs. Scherling seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.  

3. APPROVE ORDER OF 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. DISPOSAL OF ABANDONED RAIL PROPERTY & CHS ELEVATOR PROPERTY

Mr. Paulsen opened the discussion relating to the abandoned rail and CHS elevator properties.  The group engaged in lengthy dialogue and the following next steps were agreed upon:

1. Ms. Smith will reach out to Crown Appraisals to discuss potential appraisal options.
2. Mr. Paulsen will prepare an RFP for possible sale of the parcel with input from Horace leadership.
3. Determine if it would be beneficial to separate and sell as two properties.

MOTION PASSED

Mrs. Scherling moved to approve the above-referenced next steps and Mayor Carlson seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

5. RECREATION FEASIBILITY STUDY UPDATE

Mr. Paulsen reported that the feasibility study is in the final stages and will go to Mr. Shockley for his review. Mr. Paulsen will present the findings at the September meeting.

6. CITY OF OXBOW REQUEST FOR STORM SEWER

Mr. Shockley reviewed the Oxbow MOU and noted that the DA is not obligated to complete the drainage swale fill outside the levee in WP43A and remove the stockpile/borrow site along Highway 81.

Mr. Paulsen will send a letter to Mayor Nyhof indicating that the DA will not be doing this work in Oxbow.

7. LANDS BUDGET UPDATE

Ms. Smith provided an overview of the draft 2024 lands budget. Ms. Smith indicated that the final version will be presented in coming months.

8. RIMP LOAN BUDGET

Ms. Smith gave an overview of the RIMP loan budget and where it currently stands. It is anticipated that an additional $5 million may be needed since replacement costs included in the program have significantly increased and it is unknown how many landowners may choose to participate in the program.

MOTION PASSED

Mayor Carlson moved to approve presenting the $5 million request to the finance committee and board for final approval and Mayor Dardis seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

9. PROPERTY DEMO RFQ

Carried over to the September meeting.

10. OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business to report.

11. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be September 12, 2023.

12. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 2:01 PM.