03-22-2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

Metro Flood Diversion Authority—March 22, 2018 2 Ashurst and Ernst & Young Work Orders Update Attorney John Shockley updated the board regarding task orders with Ashurst, LLP and Ernst & Young Infrastructure Advisors, LLC to extend the period of performance through December 31, 2018. Ashurst has served as the national P3 legal counsel since 2016 and is compensated only for work that is completed. Ernst & Young has served as the P3 financial advisor since 2015 and is compensated only for work that is completed. The Co-Executive Directors approved the task orders, so no action is required by the board; however, Mr. Shockley wanted to present the information because of costs involved. Mr. Shockley said the Diversion Authority has contracts with both companies, and he has been given the discretion by the board to engage them for services that cannot be handled locally. 6. PUBLIC OUTREACH UPDATE Committee report The Public Outreach Committee met on March 21st. Mr. Olson said the committee discussed the importance of informing residents affected by changes to the project under Plan B and considers this to be a top priority at this time. Rocky Schneider from AE2S said a fact sheet has been prepared regarding Plan B, which has been distributed at public informational meetings with area entities over the last few weeks. He distributed a timeline of meetings with the different entities. Business Leaders Task Force Mr. Nisbet said the task force is deeply committed to seeing the project be completed. Business leaders appreciate the work done by the Governors’ Task Force and hope the work to complete the permitting process will be done as quickly as possible by the Minnesota DNR. 7. LAND MANAGEMENT The Land Management Committee met on March 21st. Mrs. Scherling said land acquisition activities are still on hold as a result of the injunction. The committee discussed timelines along with a series of actions needed over the next five years related to land purchases. The committee was presented with an updated property rights and mitigation plan, which is a working document that outlines how properties are acquired for the project. Also, the Cass County Joint Water Resource District is working with WBI, a pipeline company, to acquire land for easements which are in the diversion project footprint. 8. FINANCE UPDATE Committee report The Finance Committee met on March 21st. Mr. Grindberg briefly discussed the financial report and said the net cash position is $70 million. Voucher approval The bills for the month are with Dorsey & Whitney for legal services; City of Fargo for reimbursement of operation/maintenance costs associated with Lift Stations #18 and #23; Cass County Joint Water Resource District (CCJWRD) for costs associated with the Metro Flood Diversion, Diversion Project Assessment District, OHB levee, and in-town levees; Erik R. Johnson & Associates, Ltd. for legal services; Warner and Company for renewal of commercial general liability insurance; and Ohnstad Twichell, P.C. for legal services. MOTION, passed Mr. Grindberg moved and Mr. Hendrickson seconded to approve the vouchers received through March 16, 2018, in the amount of $385,901.09. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously.