01-21-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes—January 21, 2014 4255 MOTION, passed Mr. Vanyo moved and Mr. Peterson seconded to authorize the Cass County Engineer to coordinate potential flood buyouts with FEMA, North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES), City of Fargo, and Lake Agassiz Regional Council; and to talk with homeowners and provide feedback on this item at a future meeting. Discussion: Mrs. Scherling wanted to clarify that this motion also includes obtaining information to construct a certifiable levee. Mr. Peterson and Mr. Vanyo said the intent of the motion is for the dike option to be part of discussions with the different agencies. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 8. FLOOD DIVERSION LAND PURCHASES, Approved to fund Michael Montplaisir, Cass County Auditor, said the Cass County Joint Water Resource District has been authorized by the Flood Diversion Authority to purchase land on behalf of the Diversion Authority. There are closings in the upcoming weeks to purchase farm land in the path and alongside the diversion channel. In these instances, land owners have approached the water resource district about selling their property. The Flood Diversion Finance Committee met last week and approved funding the land purchases at the time of the closings using Cass County sales tax dollars. He said Fargo sales tax funds are currently being used toward dike construction and other flood control projects. He said the county has sufficient sales tax funds with reserves of $16 million—$2 million of this balance is dedicated to other projects besides the diversion. Mr. Montplaisir said the Finance Committee will be exploring other short-term financing options as more property is purchased and project construction begins in Oxbow and Fargo. MOTION, passed Mr. Vanyo moved and Mr. Peterson seconded to follow the recommendation of the Flood Diversion Finance Committee and fund the land being purchased by the Cass County Joint Water Resource District on behalf of the Flood Diversion Authority. Discussion: Mr. Montplaisir said the land purchases are north of the Maple River in the northern reach of the diversion project. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 9. FLOOD CONTROL, State Water Commission payment to City of Fargo approved During the last three legislative sessions, the state legislature approved a total of $175 million to be spent on flood control costs. Mr. Montplaisir said this is the 24th request from the City of Fargo. The reimbursement claim in the amount of $1,776,282 is the local match on costs associated with Mickelson Field, Drain 53, and Rose Creek dike projects. MOTION, passed Mrs. Scherling moved and Mr. Peterson seconded to authorize the chairman to sign the approval letter for the State Water Commission to distribute funds in the amount of $1,776,282 to the City of Fargo pursuant to the terms and conditions of Senate Bill 2020. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously.