10-18-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-October 18, 2004 2809 MOTION, failed Mr. Meyer moved that Glenn Ellingsberg, Bonnie Johnson, Birch Burdick and Mike Montplaisir continue to study jail pod expansion to obtain a cost estimate and time estimate for reviewing legislative intent on the alternate bid question, with authorization to proceed when the approval is given. Discussion: Mr. Wagner questioned whether a motion is needed since no expenditure of funds has been mentioned. Mr. Ellingsberg said there could be some expenses depending upon whether or not the group would be authorized to meet with an architectural firm. Chairwoman Sorum stated there is a motion on the floor and not hearing a second, she declared the motion failed for lack of a second. Mrs. Johnson said she and Mr. Ellingsberg could meet with architects to determine if the changes they would suggest are significant and realistic. Mr. Ellingsberg asked when the commission would like him to return to the board, and Mrs. Sorum said she will reschedule this item because she feels the board needs to begin looking at options as soon as possible. 15. ROAD DEPARTMENT, Orchard Glen slide repair The board next discussed embankment failures on the Red River in the Orchard Glen area with Keith Berndt, County Engineer. He prepared a PowerPoint presentation of property in the Orchard Glen Subdivision and focused on a slide area which affects property that Cass County Government acquired after the 1997 flood. An adjacent lot with an existing home is also affected by the embankment failure, which has continued to spread in recent months. Mr. Berndt developed a repair plan consisting of a combination of sheet piling, reshaping of the river bank and adding rock boulders at an estimated cost of $75,000 plus an hourly rate on some of the work that is difficult to quantify. He estimated the total cost at $100,000. Mr. Berndt suggested the use of county emergency funds to pay for repairing the slide area. MOTION, failed Mr. Wagner moved and Mr. Meyer seconded to approve a contract and authorize use of emergency funds to repair the embankment failure in the Orchard Glen Subdivision adjacent to Cass County flood buyout lots. Discussion: Stephanie Thorpe, 7504 Chrisan Way, was present and said she had a similar situation with a natural ravine on the river, and she would suggest resolving erosion problems in a manner that would assist more residents. She believes development of land on 76th Avenue by a Mr. Murphy caused additional runoff and erosion in the ravine on her property. Mr. Berndt said he is familiar with the Thorpe property, and this is an area being looked at by the Southeast Cass Water Resource District. Calvin Kellerman, West Fargo, said he is concerned about the project cost and the removal of trees by the county engineer. Katherine B. Murphy, whose land is also in the slide area, was present and said the erosion affects her property and threatens her home. Mr. Vanyo and Mr. Bennett expressed concerns about legal obligations and setting a precedent on other county flood lots. Mr. Bennett asked if rivers are considered county property and Mr. Berndt said he understands rivers are public land owned by the State. In view of this discussion, Mr. Meyer withdrew his second. Chairwoman Sorum called for a second to the motion and hearing none, declared the motion failed for lack of a second.