03-30-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-March 30, 2006 3051 appendices to recover from the situation, develop a detailed damage assessment, reduce hardship and initiate the appropriate relief actions and mitigation measures by departments and agencies of local government to limit the hardships and impact of this emergency upon the citizens of Cass County. Dated at Fargo, North Dakota, this 30th day of March, 2006. 3. EMERGENCY FUNDS, Authorized to use Michael Montplaisir, County Auditor, discussed the Emergency Fund, which currently has a balance of $470,000. The 2006 budget includes $50,000 to cover small emergencies and if a large event occurs, the commission would need to approve a supplemental budget to cover the expenses. He suggested the commission authorize the use of the Emergency Fund to pay for flood fighting costs that the county may incur. MOTION, passed Mrs. Sorum moved and Mr. Pawluk seconded to authorize the use of emergency funds for supplies, equipment, and overtime for flood preparations and to repair damage to county infrastructure. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 4. POLICY ON SAND BAG DISTRIBUTION, Approved Mr. Rogness said in 2001 the county provided 240,000 sand bags and 2,025 cubic yards of sand at no cost to residents outside the metropolitan area. The distribution was determined by the level of risk involved during the flood and was based on a priority system. The county currently has 160,000 sand bags on hand. A meeting was held earlier today with Governor John Hoeven to discuss flooding in the Red River Valley. After the visit, a group representing county staff and commissioners met and are recommending the county adopt a policy to provide sand bags at no charge, to share in 50% of the cost for sand and to base the distribution on the same priority system used in 2001. Mr. Sieg suggested property owners be responsible for ordering sand from local suppliers and that the county will reimburse them for half the cost afterward. He and his staff are working on contour maps, taking into consideration the proposed crest and the areas most likely to be impacted. Mr. Sieg anticipates the maps will be ready tomorrow morning and then the public will be notified on how to contact their department for assistance. Mr. Wagner suggested Mr. Sieg and Mr. Rogness work together to prepare a press release. Mr. Pawluk said county officials do not want to create a panic but want the public to know that the necessary steps are being taken in case of a flood emergency. MOTION, passed Mr. Pawluk moved and Mr. Wagner seconded to adopt a policy, subject to the determination of the distribution area by the county highway superintendent and emergency manager, that during the 2006 spring flood, Cass County will provide sand bags at no cost to rural Cass