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Metro Flood Diversion Authority—December 21, 2017 2 <br />MOTION, passed Mr. Campbell moved and Mr. Peterson seconded to authorize a letter be sent to the Minnesota DNR and adopt a Resolution Requesting the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Continue Working with the Technical Advisory Group on a Proposed Alignment for the Southern Embankment of the FM Diversion Project and Other Matters Related to the Minnesota DNR Permitting of the Project with the inclusion of the 60-day deadline. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. <br />Establish Operations Committee Mr. Campbell suggested an Operations Committee be established to focus on future operations regarding the project design and permitting. MOTION, passed Mr. Campbell moved and Mr. Weyland seconded to establish an Operations Committee to report back to the Diversion Board regarding permitting in Minnesota and North Dakota. Discussion: Mr. Campbell suggested Mr. Shockley work on committee membership for consideration at the next board meeting. There was discussion that the committee include individuals from the Diversion Board, Corps of Engineers, Minnesota DNR and Technical Advisory Group. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 5. DISCUSSION ON UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM MEMBERSHIP Board members discussed the possible addition of an upstream and a downstream member to the Diversion Board. Mr. Piepkorn said as mentioned before there is an unfilled seat on the board for an upstream member. There was discussion about whether they would be voting or non-voting members and that the Joint Powers Agreement would need to be amended and approved by all member entities to address any changes in membership. Mr. Peterson said there seemed to be an implication during the Governors’ Task Force meetings that residents who live upstream have not had a voice in the project, which he said is not true considering the open seat on the board. He feels the only benefit to adding the members is to provide them with plausible deniability because they would need to be present at meetings and <br />listen to information about the project. He believes they should be able to vote if they are appointed to the Diversion Board. <br />Mr. Campbell understands the comments made by Mr. Peterson, however, he is open to listening to the governors’ recommendations regarding a change in membership. Mr. Shockley said the board may have a better direction on how to proceed with this issue after they receive an update during the executive session. 6. MANAGEMENT UPDATE <br />Program management consultant (PMC) report Robert Cowen from CH2M provided an update on activities over the last month which include providing support as the Governor’s Task Force prepares its report; presentation of the FY2018 budget; and continuation OHB home removals. The priorities for next month include starting the flowage easement valuation study and coordinating outreach efforts as the report is released by the Governors’ Task Force. Mr. Cowen provided brief a financial update on the overall program status and said $406 million has been expended to date. He said $73 million has been expended out of the $240 million FY2017 budget.