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Flood Diversion Board of Authority—May 14, 2015 2 <br />Ms. Williams reviewed the timeline for the cemetery mitigation study including site visits, <br />cultural surveys and right of entry onto sites, and mitigation alternatives. A mitigation <br />alternatives report was prepared with several options including protective berms, access, debris fencing, anchoring headstones and raising sites. The berm with access alternative for all sites would cost in excess of $14 million. The Federal mitigation plan consists of obtaining <br />flowage easements for cemeteries within the staging area; there would be no mitigation <br />required on sites outside the staging area. The Diversion Authority, as part of the project <br />Operation and Maintenance Plan, may clean up or offer assistance to clean up the staging area after times of project operation. She said the Corps plans to release the draft plan by June 8, 2015, and will ask for comments to be submitted by June 30, 2015. <br /> <br />5. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PRESENTATION <br />Chad Peterson, Chairman of the Cass County Commission, provided a presentation on the regional economic impacts to the area in the event of a catastrophic flood event. He referred to employment data compiled in reports prepared by the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic <br />Development Corporation (GFMEDC). He said the diversion project will not only protect <br />properties in Fargo-Moorhead, but will protect a $15 billion regional economy. He said if the <br />City of Fargo experiences catastrophic flooding, the impacts would be devastating to this area <br />and to the State of North Dakota. He discussed information within the report regarding employment and the percentage of workers that live in other counties besides Cass-Clay that <br />work in this area, who would be adversely affected if the cities of Fargo and Moorhead are <br />destroyed by a flood. <br /> <br />Jim Gartin, President of GFMEDC, described the impact of an event to the numerous private sector industries in the area and said it would be devastating to the market place. Mr. Vanyo <br />agreed that the diversion project is not only about flood protection for the area, but just as <br />importantly, will provide protection to the local and regional economy. <br /> 6. ADMINISTRATIVE/LEGAL UPDATE Lawsuit update <br />Attorney Erik Johnson provided an update regarding lawsuits filed by the Richland-Wilkin Joint <br />Powers Authority. An order was issued by the Federal District Court yesterday on motions <br />filed by both parties. The judge dismissed the claims against the Corps of Engineers, but <br />ordered an injunction to stop construction on the OHB levee. He said the injunction is temporary and is meant to be released once the MN DNR completes its EIS. The injunction <br />applies to physical construction of the levee itself, not to construction of new replacement <br />homes in Oxbow. <br /> 7. TECHNICAL UPDATE Task Orders / Authority Work Directives / Change Orders <br />Mr. Spiller discussed one Authority Work Directive (AWD) with Terracon Consultants, Inc. <br />and one change order with ICS, Inc. totaling $298,555.24 as follows: <br /> <br /> AWD-00048 Rev-0 with Terracon Consultants, Inc.—additional budget for owner’s quality <br />assurance testing on the 4th Street pump station and 2nd Street pump station in the amount <br />of $30,000; <br /> Change Order No. 1 with ICS, Inc.—4th Street pump station changes including Fargo Highrise parking lot modifications, re-route of electrical service for Fargo Park District <br />warming house, and installation of new storm sewer line in the amount of $268,555.24.