02-03-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes—February 3, 2014 4259 8. VOUCHERS, Approved MOTION, passed Mrs. Scherling moved and Mr. Bennett seconded to approve Voucher No. 276,023 through Voucher No. 276,271. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 9. FLOOD DIVERSION MINNESOTA FUNDING; FLOOD PRONE PROPERTIES MEETING; FLOOD INSURANCE RATES; FLOOD DIVERSION UPDATE; FLOOD BUYOUT AUCTION; FLOOD PRONE LOT PURCHASE; CORONER VEHICLE, Committee reports Keith Berndt, County Administrator, discussed past references made at meetings about Minnesota funding for the Flood Diversion project. He said no funds to date have been committed by the State of Minnesota. Those involved with the project are aware that Minnesota bonding funds must be spent on diversion components that are physically located in Minnesota, such as river and tieback levees, Drayton Dam improvements, and the Red River closure structure, which will be located in Minnesota. Therefore, he would like the record to correct an erroneous statement and motion made at the December 16, 2013, commission meeting regarding Minnesota funding 10% of the Oxbow land purchase. He said Minnesota dollars were never going to be used to fund land or any other costs associated with the Oxbow/Hickson/Bakke ring levee project. Mr. Berndt said a public meeting will be hosted by county officials on February 5th at Bennett Elementary School beginning at 7:00 PM. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss potential home buyouts in flood prone areas of the county. Mr. Berndt said last week the United States Senate passed the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, legislation that would delay flood insurance rate increases outlined in a flood insurance reform bill passed in 2012. The House of Representatives will now consider the legislation. Mr. Vanyo said Brigadier General Duke DeLuca from the Mississippi Valley Division of the Corps of Engineers attended meetings today with Flood Diversion board members and program management staff. The general will also take a tour of flood control projects in the area. Mrs. Scherling attended a Flood Diversion Project Assessment Committee (DPAC) meeting last week. She said the committee plans to meet one more time and will then give a presentation to the Finance Committee regarding special assessment options for the diversion project. Mr. Montplaisir said an auction of flood buyout homes will be held on Friday, February 7th beginning at 1:00 PM at Steffes Auctioneers in West Fargo. He said buyers will have until April 1st to either salvage or remove structures. Mr. Montplaisir said the commission approved a policy that authorizes the county to purchase vacant lots connected to flood-prone homes at a cost not to exceed $5,000. He received a call from a resident who lives on Northwood Drive and wants to sell a vacant lot. Board members did not object to the offer, so Mr. Montplaisir will prepare a purchase agreement to buy the lot for$5,000.