04-20-2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-April 20, 2009 3506 Mrs. Johnson said letters have been drafted to Briarwood and Oxbow regarding their intent to submit applications through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and whether either city wants to be part of the county flood buyout process. MOTION, passed Mr. Wagner moved and Mr. Vanyo seconded to send letters to Briarwood and Oxbow regarding the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Motion carried. 7. PUBLIC COMMENT Mrs. Sorum acknowledged a number of citizens in the audience. She asked if anyone wished to address the commission and the following spoke: Wayne Thuen Wayne Thuen, 7210 Chrisan Boulevard, was present. He and his family had to evacuate their home due to flooding. Before the flood, he was contacted by the City of Fargo regarding a possible buyout as a result of the Southside Flood Control project. He asked about the process used to calculate the purchase price for buyout homes and was concerned about repairing his home if it will be bought out in the future. Mr. Rustad said buyouts are similar to real estate sales and require two independent appraisals, which would be based on pre-flood condition of the homes. Mrs. Johnson said the flood buyout program committee will look at homes not protected by the Southside Flood Control project which may be bought out and homes which may be protected by the project. Mr. Pawluk is sympathetic to the circumstances faced by residents whose homes were damaged. He said the county will do their best to move forward and expedite this process, but many of the factors involved are beyond the county's control. Melissa Dixon Melissa Dixon, 903 Orchard Park Drive, was present. She commended the city and county officials for their work during the flood. She asked about the Southside Flood Control project and the buyouts involved for those homes not protected by the project. Mrs. Sorum said two different buyouts will be considered: flood buyouts and buyouts as a result of the flood control project. Ms. Dixon asked about ordinance changes relating to the raising of house foundations. Mr. Wagner said her property is in the extraterritorial area of Fargo and is under their zoning jurisdiction. County Engineer Keith Berndt said changes to city ordinances have yet to be determined, but he anticipates the city as well as the county will review the standards as a result of this flood. John Grettum John Grettum, Wild Rice River Estates, was present. He briefly discussed the dam built around their subdivision during the flooding and asked if in the future the county could provide better communication to residents. Mr. Berndt agreed to work on improving communication between his department and county citizens during these types of events.