03-03-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--March 3, 2003 2567 8. FARGODOME, 10th Anniversary Report Russell B. Johnson, President of the Fa~o Dome Authority, reported to the board on the 10-year history of the FargoDome on 19 Avenue North in Fargo. He said the mission of the facility is to provide a diversity of events to enhance the quality of life and prosperity of the region, and he discussed a 2002 expansion project and the recent technology enhancements. The FargoDome has produced an operating profit every year of its existence, however, there may be some challenging issues ahead because their profit margin was lower last year than ever before, according to Mr. Johnson. A number of reasons for this include decreased attendance at events, increased competition for personal entertainment dollars, a reduction in rent revenue from NDSU due to a renegotiated lease agreement, and other expenses. He said revenue from the one-half cent sales tax, which will end in 2009, has lagged behind expected projections also. A project under way now is the Fargo Dome Authority's economic impact study of the facility's effect on the community. Final results of the study will be released this summer, he said. According to Mr. Johnson, Fargo Dome Authority board members are eligible to serve two terms, and he is completing his first full term as Cass County's representative. He is interested and willing to serve a second term, if that is the wishes of the board when his term expires in April 2003. 9. ROAD DEPARTMENT, Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan approved Keith Berndt, County Engineer, asked to move this item from consent to the regular agenda for a presentation by Curt Williams from the Energy and Environmental Research Center in Grand Forks. His agency prepared the Cass County Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan, a copy of which was provided to commissioners bye-mail. There are a number of permit issues county government will need to meet in order to be in compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency's Storm Water Phase II requirements, one of which is to have a Storm Water Prevention Plan submitted to the State Health Department by March 10,2003. Mr. Berndt will be the person responsible for implementation and/or coordination of the minimum control measures outlined in the plan. MOTION, passed Mr. Vanyo moved and Mr. Bennett seconded to approve the Cass County Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan, as submitted by County Engineer Keith Berndt and the Energy and Environmental Research Center. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 10. JAIUSHERIFF'S RESIDENCE, Update bv Attornev Robert Hoy Attorney Robert Hoy was present to update the board on the former jail/sheriffs residence demolition. He said it appears a letter to the County Commission from Merlan Paaverud, Director of the State Historical Society, dated February 6, 2003, has been interpreted in two ways. Mr. Hoy said the county interprets the letter in an advisory way because the February 6th letter said the State Historical Society does not object to the removal of the old jail, but it is the recommendation of the State Historical Society of North Dakota that the sheriffs residence be retained and reused.