Planning Committee Meeting – July 11, 2023

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A meeting of the Metro Flood Diversion Authority Planning Committee was held on July 11, 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; Rodger Olson, Cass County Joint Water Resource District and Mary Scherling, Cass County Commissioner.

Member(s) absent: Kevin Campbell, Clay County Commissioner.

Guests in attendance: Jim Nyhof, Mayor, City of Oxbow; Andrew Aakre, Moore Engineering and John Altoff, Oxbow City Council.

1. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Mahoney called the meeting to order at 1:11 PM. Roll call was taken, and a quorum was present.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MAY 2023

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Olson moved to approve the minutes from the May 2023 meeting and Mayor Dardis seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.  

3. APPROVE ORDER OF AGENDA

MOTION PASSED

Mrs. Scherling moved to approve the order of the agenda as amended to move item 5., to item 4., and Mayor Carlson seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

4. CITY OF OXBOW REQUEST FOR STORM SEWER

Mayor Nyhof opened the discussion regarding unfinished work in Oxbow, that includes a drainage swale fill at levee 43A and a stockpile site along Highway 81. The group engaged in dialogue and the following next steps were agreed upon:

1. Mr. Shockley will review the MOU to see if the above-referenced items were included
2. Mr. Paulsen will reach out to USACE and inquire if they would be willing to assist with funding

Mr. Shockley and Mr. Paulsen will report their findings at the next meeting and a definitive answer will be relayed to Oxbow within the next 30 days.

5. DISPOSAL OF ABANDONED RAIL PROPERTY & CHS ELEVATOR PROPERTY

Mr. Paulsen provided an overview of the purchase of the CHS Elevator and property rights, Red River Valley & Western Railroad operating rights and a portion of BNSF Railway right of way near Horace and the options to move forward with the disposal of the rail corridor and elevator.

Upon presentation of the options, it was determined that the committee will review the three options and bring their recommendations to the August meeting.

6. OTHER BUSINESS

Mayor Mahoney asked the committee to review the Recreation Task Force recommended representative list and provide any input to Mr. Paulsen.

Item 6., Diversion Inlet Structure O&M Discussion will be on the August agenda.

7. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be August 8, 2023.

8. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 2:15 PM.