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Flood Diversion Board of Authority—October 8, 2015 3 <br />Business Leaders Task Force Mr. Dawson said the task force met two weeks ago. He said members are working on proactive and positive communications regarding the project, which includes TV ads and other marketing strategies. 9. LAND MANAGEMENT UPDATE Mr. Mahoney said the Land Management Committee met on October 7th and heard a presentation on <br />property acquisitions and replacement homes in Oxbow. A few issues were identified as a result, which include costs associated with Oxbow’s covenant regulations, landscaping bids, and revisions to the current Oxbow MOU. Mr. Spiller said the CCJWRD met this morning and based on a suggestion by April Walker, decided to hire a landscaping architect to help determine cost estimates. CCJWRD update Mark Brodshaug referred to the handout regarding land acquisitions completed through September 30, 2015, which includes completed acquisitions, budget figures, and completed negotiations. He said <br />twelve homes are under construction and six homes have been completed in Oxbow; bids were opened for the Park East Apartment demolition project; coordination is underway with the North Dakota State Historic Preservation Office to mitigate the effects of removing five homes in the <br />Mickelson historical district; and critical in-town property negotiations are continuing with Fargo Public Schools, Mid-America Steel, Case Plaza, and Kilborne Group. 10. FINANCE UPDATE <br />Committee report Michael Montplaisir Cass County Auditor, said the Finance Committee met on October 7th. He said currently there is $58 million in unallocated funds available in the FY15 budget. Drawdown Request The committee approved a drawdown request of the final $25 million from the U.S. Bank loan taken out by the City of Fargo. Mr. Montplaisir said the funds are needed for property purchases and home construction in Oxbow and work on the in-town levees. Ms. Sobolik asked if an additional loan will be needed. Mr. Montplaisir said another interim loan or temporary special assessment financing will be necessary for 2016 costs. <br />MOTION, passed Mr. Mahoney moved and Mr. Williams seconded to authorize the City Finance Director to initiate a draw request for loan funds from U.S. Bank in the amount <br />of $25 million to pay for construction and other expenses of the Diversion Board of Authority. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. <br />Voucher approval The bills for the month are with Xcel Energy for utility relocation work; Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. for government relations services; Consolidated Communications for utility relocation work; Terracon for <br />in-town levee work; Erik R. Johnson & Associates, Ltd. for legal services; Dorsey & Whitney, LLP for legal services; CCJWRD for costs associated with right of entry work, in-town levees, OHB ring levee, Diversion Project Assessment Committee (DPAC) work, OHB levee, and Oxbow Country Club golf <br />course construction; and North Dakota State University for services to conduct the Ag Risk Economic Evaluation Study. MOTION, passed Ms. Sobolik moved and Mr. Mahoney seconded to approve the vouchers in the amount of $5,918,684.76 for September, 2015. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 11. OTHER BUSINESS <br />Mr. Campbell said a few months ago the Diversion Board authorized staff to talk with the Minnesota DNR about a hardship property in Minnesota before moving forward with the acquisition process. A letter was received from the DNR stating their agency would not confirm one way or the other whether <br />the property could be acquired and directed the Diversion Authority to confer with its legal counsel.