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Commission Minutes-April 6, 2009 3499 <br />Mr. Nofziger said the disaster declaration has not yet been signed by the President, but <br />suggested the county continue to collect names, addresses and phone numbers of <br />individuals who may be interested in buyouts. <br />Mr. Wagner is concerned about the mitigation process and how it may be expedited to help <br />county residents get their lives back on track. Mr. Nofziger said temporary housing is <br />available for short-term needs through the individual assistance program. <br />Colette Blumeister, FEMA Community Liaison, said preliminary damage assessments have <br />been conducted. Individual assessments will be completed today and submitted to the <br />state. <br />Highway Department <br />Keith Berndt, County Engineer, provided an update on the flood forecast and a second river <br />crest. The National Weather Service is predicting a 50% chance the Red River will crest at <br />41.7 feet during the week of April 15-22. He said in the last few weeks, four miles of <br />emergency levees were constructed by the Corps of Engineers; 2'/2 to 3 million sand bags <br />were issued to county residents; and numerous public meetings have been held. <br />Mr. Berndt discussed the mitigation process and suggested the county not purchase any <br />properties protected by the Southside Flood Control project. He also recommends buyouts <br />of entire neighborhoods be considered rather than individual homes. <br />Mr. Berndt said the Village of Hickson and Bakke Subdivision both requested the county to <br />consider construction of emergency levees through the Corps of Engineers. If the <br />commission approves the request, a ring dike would be done first in Hickson and would be <br />connected to a dike system in the City of Oxbow. He said the biggest threat in Bakke <br />Subdivision is from the west and if approved, the Corps would construct a levy on the west <br />side since the county already has an easement in this location. <br />Mr. Berndt said last month the board approved a policy to provide sandbags at no cost to <br />rural Cass County residents and to pay 50% of the cost for sand. He is asking the <br />commission to consider covering 100% of the cost and anticipates recovery of these <br />expenses through FEMA. <br />Mr. Wagner asked about access to both areas if levees are constructed. Mr. Berndt said <br />one lane of the road will remain open to allow access to residents. Mr. Wagner also asked <br />about re-fortifying the existing sand bag dikes. Mr. Berndt said engineers are walking <br />through at-risk neighborhoods to encourage residents to build up existing sand bag dikes. <br />MOTION, passed <br />Mr. Wagner moved and Mr. Bennett seconded to authorize the Corps of <br />Engineers construct emergency levees in the Village of Hickson and <br />Bakke Subdivision. Discussion: Mr. Pawluk asked about water levels on <br />the Red River and Sheyenne River. Jeff Volk, Moore Engineering, <br />discussed the effect of water released from Bald Hill Dam and the snow <br />melt on river levels. Craig Nelson, resident of Round Hill Subdivision, <br />asked about the current levee in their neighborhood and said his home <br />was flooded last week. Mr. Pawluk said emergency levees are built to <br />maximize the benefit to specific areas and said the board sympathizes <br />with Mr. Nelson. County Auditor Michael Montplaisir said 116 volunteers <br />