Planning Committee Meeting – November 5, 2024

See full minutes.

A meeting of the Metro Flood Diversion Authority Planning Committee was held on November 5, 2024. The following members were present: Dr. Tim Mahoney, Mayor, City of Fargo;

Kevin Campbell, Clay County Commissioner; Shelly Carlson, Mayor, City of Moorhead; Rick Steen, Cass County Joint Water Resource District and Tony Grindberg, Cass County Commissioner.

Member(s) absent: Bernie Dardis, Mayor, City of West Fargo.

1. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Carlson called the meeting to order at 1:01 PM. Roll call was taken, and a quorum was present.

2. APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 10, 2024, MINUTES

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Grindberg moved to approve the minutes from the September 10, 2024 meeting and Mayor Mahoney seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

3. APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 4, 2024, MINUTES

MOTION PASSED

Mayor Mahoney moved to approve the minutes from the October 4, 2024 meeting and Mr. Steen seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

4. APPROVE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA

MOTION PASSED

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

5. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HIRING UPDATE

Mr. Wilson and Mr. Redlinger reported that they are awaiting Mr. Benson’s formal employment agreement to present to the board in November. Mr. Benson’s anticipated start date is February 1, 2025, and Mr. Wilson and Mr. Redlinger will continue in their co-executive director roles until at least that time.

6. MFDA CLASSIFICATION & COMPENSATION STUDY UPDATE

Mr. Redlinger reported that MRA has been selected to conduct the Diversion Authority compensation study. The standard services agreement will be put into a formal agreement and presented to the MFDA finance committee and board for approval along with the membership fee agreement into the MRA network.

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Grindberg moved to approve the recommended compensation study as presented and Mayor Mahoney seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

7. ND AGRICULTURAL WEATHER NETWORK PRESENTATION

Mr. Daryl Ritchison, director of NDAWN and state climatologist, gave a presentation on the NDAWN capabilities and described how they complement and support the project.

8. CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS UPDATE

Mr. Wilson reported that the sponsorship and award solicitation/procurement policies will be presented at the December planning committee meeting. After dialogue regarding MFDA staff COLAs, it was decided to defer the COLA determination until the compensation study has been completed.

MOTION PASSED

Mayor Mahoney moved to defer the MFDA staff COLA determination until the compensation study has been completed and Mr. Steen seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion passed.

9. OTHER BUSINESS

Letter of Support for Minnesota Funding Request

Mr. Campbell provided handouts and discussed the proposed resolution of support that Clay County and the City of Moorhead will take to Minnesota legislators in hopes of securing $60.4 million in funding for the Moorhead in-town and Clay County flood projects.

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Grindberg moved to approve the resolution in support of the Minnesota entities funding request and Mayor Mahoney seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

10. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be December 3, 2024.

11. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 2:20 PM.