06-06-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--June 6, 2005 2905 12. FLOOD BUYOUT, Lake AQassiz ReQional Development Corporation recommends return of unused funds from 1997 flood Irvin Rustad, Executive Director of the Lake Agassiz Regional Development Corporation, said FEMA is going through the process of closing the Cass County Flood Buyout Project from 1997. He provided a summary of project funds, including FEMNState grant awards and program income. He said the total amount awarded to Cass County was $5,965,033. Mr. Rustad's letter to the commission dated May 26, 2005, indicates the commission should authorize the return of unused amounts totaling $86,130 of grant awards and $74,046 of program income to FEMA. He said the amounts in the letter are approximate, and he has received one more bill to pay from the program income fund. Commissioners asked about the amount of that bill, and he did not have that information with him today. Mr. Pawluk asked if there could be other unpaid bills, and Mr. Rustad said he is not aware of any others. Mr. Montplaisir said remaining county project funds would be deposited in the highway department or the general fund, because of their involvement with flood projects. Those funds would then be used if there are other bills after project close-out. Mr. Wagner suggested that the board approve the actual dollar amounts to be returned, rather than approximate figures. The board addressed the next item on the agenda while Mr. Rustad made a telephone call to his office. Upon returning to the Commission Room, he said the unpaid bill is for $108.00. MOTION, passed Mr. Wagner moved and Mr. Pawluk seconded to authorize the return of the unused 1997 flood buyout grant award in the amount of $86,130 and program income of $73,938 to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Rustad said he has one other request today, and that is for a final administrative draw of $14,000 from the 1997 flood buyout funds. This amount includes work on the greenway project, which was discontinued after policy changes in the FEMA regulations made it impractical for property owners to sell or the county to continue buying greenway property. MOTION, passed Mr. Pawluk moved and Mr. Wagner seconded to authorize Irvin Rustad, Lake Agassiz Regional Development Corporation, to make a final administrative draw of $14,000 from the 1997 flood buyout funds for work on the greenway project. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 13. SALARY PROPOSAL FOR BUDGET PURPOSES, Department head recommendation Frank Klein and Charlotte Sandvik were present representing county department heads to recommend a 3.25% increase for employee salary adjustments for 2006 budget purposes. Mr. Klein said the department head group reviewed April Consumer Price Index statistics published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the March Employment Cost Index statistics to arrive at the percentage increase.