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Flood Sales Tax Committee—August 15, 2022 1 <br /> <br />FLOOD SALES TAX COMMITTEE <br />AUGUST 15, 2022—1:00 PM <br />1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER <br />Commissioner Mary Scherling called a meeting of the Flood Sales Tax Committee to order on <br />Monday, August 15, 2022, at 1:01 PM in the Commission Room, Cass County Courthouse. The <br />following members were present: Commissioner Rick Steen; County Finance Director, Brandy <br />Madrigga; County Administrator, Robert Wilson; County Engineer, Jason Benson; Water Resource <br />District Representative, Rodger Olson, and Commissioner Mary Scherling via Microsoft Teams. Also <br />present was Assistant County Engineer, Tom Soucy; Commissioner Duane Breitling; and Senior <br />Accountant, Sarah Heinle. <br /> <br />2. MINUTES APPROVED <br />MOTION, passed <br />Mr. Steen moved and Mr. Olson seconded that the minutes of the previous <br />meeting be approved as written. Motion carried. <br /> <br />3. FLOOD SALES TAX FUND UPDATE <br />Ms. Madrigga said the Flood Sales Tax Fund has $9.68 million in approved projects with $4.34 million <br />left to pay and an unencumbered balance of $5.88 million. <br /> <br />4. PROJECT REQUESTS <br />Cass Highway 81 Slide Repair <br />Mr. Benson said the Highway Department is requesting a 75% cost share, or $950,287 to repair a <br />slide on the west side of Cass Highway 81 approximately 300 feet south of 88th Avenue South along <br />the Wild Rice River. He said this project was discussed at the last Flood Sales Tax Committee <br />meeting in April and since then the State Water Commission (SWC) has approved $732,950 for the <br />project. He said the final design plans for the repair will be completed in the next few weeks. He said <br />the repair has various factors including geotechnical issues and will require a repair that combines <br />riprap and steel wall sheet pile. <br /> <br />Mr. Steen asked if the City of Fargo and Cass Rural Water, who have utilities in the slide, will <br />participate in the cost share. Mr. Benson said the cost to the City of Fargo and Cass Rural Water are <br />small and both entities will be asked to cost share. Mr. Benson discussed the line repairs needed to <br />the Fargo and Cass Rural Water utilities. <br /> <br />Mrs. Scherling said bank stabilization has failed in other parts of the County such as on Cass Highway <br />31, she asked how this project is different. Mr. Soucy said Cass Highway 31 was a deeper slide on <br />the Red River and started due to a leaking pipe. He said the County has seen similar successful bank <br />stabilization on 100th Avenue along the Wild Rice River. <br /> <br />Mr. Olson asked if this area will be affected by the Metro Flood Diversion being constructed. Mr. <br />Benson said the sliding issue is not due to flooding and the diversion will not affect the slide. Mr. <br />Olson asked how the 75% cost share request fits into the Flood Sales Tax Policy. Mr. Benson said <br />the policy is that projects can be requested at 50% or more for non-retention projects based on the <br />funding levels of the Flood Sales Tax Fund. He said the request is for 75% due to the current high <br />funding levels of the Flood Sales Tax Fund. <br /> <br />Mr. Steen said he struggles to support Sales Tax Funding for projects done by the Highway <br />Department. Mr. Benson said he understands the concern and said the Highway Department has