08-05-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--August 5, 1997 1681 DEPARTMENT HEADS--PLEASE POST IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE FOR STAFF TO READ SPECIAL MEETING OF CASS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HOLIDAY INN, FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA AUGUST 5, 1997 MEETING TO ORDER Chairman Alon Wieland called the special meeting to order at 1:30 PM at the Holiday Inn, Fargo, North Dakota, with all members present as follows: Donna Schneider, Paul Koenig, John Meyer, Roberta Quick and Alon Wieland. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn following a meeting Cass County Commissioners attended with Fargo and West Fargo City Commissioners. The purpose of this special meeting is to review any new information concerning the Hazard Mitigation Program and funding sources for potential buy-outs from discussion which began at yesterday's regular County Commission meeting. FLOOD AID, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) meeting in Grand Fork~ Bonnie Johnson, County Coordinator, reported that she made several telephone calls this morning, and fielded a number of calls to her office, in an effort to compare funding sources to other entities to determine if Cass County is on a level playing field. She said it appears Cass County is not at the same level of funding at this time. Mrs. Johnson learned the State of North Dakota has obtained a waiver of the Iow-income requirement for CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funding, and she requested $300,000 of the $1.5 million allocated for the State of North Dakota in order to fill the gap which the residents of flooded homes in Cass County would have paid. She also received a telephone call indicating HUD Secretary, Andrew Cuomo, will be meeting in Grand Forks, North Dakota, tomorrow at Noon for a ceremonial issuance of HUD funds. No promise was made that Cass County would receive a check for additional flood aid, but she was told it would be important for Cass County to be in attendance at that meeting. A telephone call was also received from an aide to U.S. Senator Kent Conrad, working on behalf of the other members of North Dakota's congressional delegation also, to obtain additional funding for Cass County to receive the same appropriation for their citizens as the City of Fargo and other entities are receiving. Mrs. Johnson said it appears that Cass County homeowners may receive 100% funding for homes included in the Phase I application. Recognizing the importance of attending the meeting in Grand Forks tomorrow, four commissioners and the County Coordinator will go to the meeting with HUD officials. Commissioner Quick has a conflict and cannot go to Grand Forks. Irv Rustad, Lake Agassiz Regional Council, was present at today's meeting but indicated he is unable to go to Grand Forks tomorrow. RESOLUTION #1997-23, Local matching fund sources Mr. Rustad said the Cass County Commission should adopt a resolution indicating the funding source for the 15% local match. He will need that information immediately upon notification the county's application is approved.