10-01-2018 Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

Flood Sales Tax Committee—May 7, 2018 4 Mrs. Scherling asked how the current proposed plan for the F-M Diversion will affect the issue. Mr. Aakre said the diversion would reduce water levels by two to three feet, but the sliding is still an issue as it starts below the lowered threshold. Harwood Mayor Bill Rohrich said the levee needs to be redirected away from the riverbank. Mr. Steen said as the buyout is a part of a previously approved project that is still open and there are enough funds to cover the requested cost share of $201,000, no additional action is needed from this committee. Mr. Aakre asked if commission approval must be granted to proceed with the buyout. Mrs. Scherling said no; the project may proceed immediately as it still falls under the previously approved project and the funds are available. Red River Basin Commission Long Term Flood Solutions Update Project Red River Basin Commission (RRBC) Executive Director Ted Preister said the Long Term Flood Solutions plan was created in 2011. Although it was meant to be a living document, it has not been updated in eight years and much has changed due to the completion of flood damage reduction projects and improved technology. It is now time for a deliberate update to the plan. The update will cost $500,000 and the RRBC is seeking a 42% cost share from the Flood Sales Tax Fund in the amount of $210,000. Mr. Preister described the funding model, which includes contributions from USACE, Minnesota, North Dakota, and joint water resource district boards in North Dakota and Minnesota. Mrs. Scherling asked how the funding for the original plan was distributed in 2011. Mr. Preister said North Dakota and Minnesota each contributed $500,000. Mrs. Scherling said she is supportive of the project as it will be the blueprint for many other projects. Mr. Benson said the 2011 plan was focused up and down the Red River, including the southern valley and up to the Canadian border. Mr. Benson asked if this plan will focus on the southern valley. Mr. Preister said yes. Mr. Benson said the plan will provide valuable retention information and help identify future retention projects. April Walker of A. Walker Consulting is a consultant for the plan. Ms. Walker said there is still a lot of misunderstanding about the numbers from previous floods and much of the information was second-hand. The updated plan will provide a better basis for education and will also look more closely at small communities. Mr. Steen said the funding request is for Cass County alone to fund over 40% of the project and Minnesota to fund only 20%. Mr. Steen asked why there is such a disparity in the funding model.