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Metro Flood Diversion Authority—October 31, 2019 2 <br /> <br />7. LAND MANAGEMENT <br />Committee report <br />The Land Management Committee met on October 30th. Mrs. Scherling said work continues <br />with land acquisitions and appraisals. <br /> <br />Property Acquisition Status Report <br />The Property Acquisition Status Report is updated monthly and shows the status of all parcels <br />required for the project. The information is helpful to understand all the land purchases taking <br />place and to monitor their progress. Eric Dodds from AE2S said 330 parcels have been <br />acquired to date. <br /> <br />Mr. Judd said the Moorhead-Clay County Joint Powers Authority (MCCJPA) approved one <br />land acquisition needed for the project. <br /> <br />Steffes Land Auction in Oxbow-Hickson <br />Mr. Dodds said the committee discussed an upcoming online land auction on November 11th <br />for 10 tracts in Oxbow and Hickson. The bidders will be anonymous since bidding is done <br />online. <br /> <br />There was discussion on how the public would perceive a governmental entity like the <br />Diversion Authority bidding against private parties to purchase land. There is not a current <br />policy in place on how to proceed with private land auctions. <br /> <br />Mrs. Scherling said land will not be needed for flowage easements for some time. Also, land <br />values for flowage easements are still being determined, and Phase II of the NDSU Ag Study <br />still needs to be completed. Mr. Dodds said Phase II will take about a year to complete. <br /> <br />Mr. Campbell is opposed to purchasing land through the auction since there is no policy in <br />place at this time. <br /> <br />Mr. Jacobson said the Cass County Joint Water Resource District would like the ability to <br />pursue purchasing Tracts 4, 5 and 6 because easements will be needed for the I-29 road <br />raise. Mrs. Scherling said this will be disclosed to bidders that the Diversion Authority will <br />need easements in the future for the project. <br />MOTION, passed <br />Mr. Judd moved and Mr. Peterson seconded to not participate in bidding <br />on the upcoming private auction and to develop a policy for private <br />auctions. On roll call vote, the motion carried with Mr. Judd, Mr. <br />Peterson, Mrs. Scherling, Mr. Steen, Mr. Hendrickson, Ms. Carlson, Mr. <br />Grindberg, Mr. Piepkorn, Mr. Mahoney, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Weyland, and <br />Mr. Thorstad voting “Yes”; and Mr. Jacobson voting “No”. <br /> <br />Mrs. Scherling said the public needs to know that the Diversion Authority will not be <br />participating in the auction. Mr. Paulsen said he will convey the message so the public is <br />aware. <br /> <br />8. FINANCE UPDATE <br />Committee report <br />The Finance Committee met on October 30th. Mr. Grindberg referred to the financial report <br />and said the net cash position is $100 million. <br /> <br />