[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6256915,"mediaKeyId","3155177-a4daeedb1538463c05b254872017d3dd","parentId",3155177,"title","Council approves deposit for eminent-domain actions tied to Metro Flood Diversion properties in Wilkin County","audioSeconds",177,"startMs",3812000,"endMs",3989000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3155177-a4daeedb1538463c05b254872017d3dd&start=3812&end=3989","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3155177-a4daeedb1538463c05b254872017d3dd/thumbnail_3812000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6256915/Moorhead/Clay-County/Minnesota/Council-approves-deposit-for-eminent-domain-actions-tied-to-Metro-Flood-Diversion-properties-in-Wilkin-County","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6256915-ee5fe779c903107c3e5637606953c730/orig.mp4?Expires=1770511676&Signature=UN98cJPBbYV4e9kDDu2wgf6SgAlwDoit~ANWXXY9-4nErG-W5l3OcevT0GcpXkWWFYKuTxxqwWVYVdFEfWtwxbjLlqNNsCysTdhdkeHIkGQT7i1JqX1DQ5lqLowEHHldQBh1vDVeQTJzmTlxgJyvCja59BiAM03wYsauUY5i9JOVKA8w1-trHN7j8lE12Oc4Hdi2J1rvEo4qZfDN1Xvrb60iQB2xtVrVQQ11ltXo7LKlZN1VEomPqaZQ-v8FtWGNl3qcsfsz2EJ2g3fTE9ZQ7FxEqIdsWXIqb4WgGig2ysuPknriad0KBckbWWZLDv71MpmonmPHmL8OScPXPF6yIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-29T12:08:42Z","article","The Moorhead City Council on April 28 authorized deposit of court-ordered appraisal amounts for approximately 20 properties in Wilkin County needed for right-of-way acquisition linked to the Metro Flood Diversion project.

Christopher McShane, project counsel on the diversion work, told the council the deposit amount equals the appraised amounts used during negotiations and is required by statute after a landowner is given the opportunity to contest necessity and public purpose in court. McShane said the David Ness property was removed from the deposit list because it was resolved voluntarily, while two parcel groups (referred to as 5170 and 5174) involve multiple owners and some deceased owners; the parcel funds for those parcels will be deposited with the court until ownership and lender issues are resolved.

McShane explained staff had tried to resolve encumbrances with mortgage holders and landowners in prior months but had not obtained agreements that would allow direct payment; as a result, the city will deposit the funds with the court so lenders or heirs can later claim appropriate shares. He described the fee-of-trust and eminent‑domain sequence and said the deposit process can generate lengthy files, including a preliminary title opinion from the solicitor's office.

Councilmember Chuck Hendrickson moved to approve the deposit authorizations; Councilmember Lisa Borgen seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote with no roll-call tally recorded in the minutes.

Ending: McShane said the deposits should be made promptly so the diversion authority can complete its rulings and proceed; the council’s approval authorizes the administrative step necessary to comply with court orders and the statutory eminent-domain process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Moorhead - City Council Meeting - April 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved deposit of appraisal-based sums required by the court for about 20 Wilkin County properties involved in the Metro Flood Diversion project; one property removed after voluntary settlement and others will have funds deposited with the court due to ownership complications.","taxTitle","Moorhead, Clay County, Minnesota","taxId",56511,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6256919,"Council authorizes next demolition phase at Moorhead Center Mall after receiving $1 million DEED grant",615,4093000,4708000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3155177-a4daeedb1538463c05b254872017d3dd&start=4093&end=4708","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3155177-a4daeedb1538463c05b254872017d3dd/thumbnail_4093000.jpg","/articles/6256919/Moorhead/Clay-County/Minnesota/Council-authorizes-next-demolition-phase-at-Moorhead-Center-Mall-after-receiving-1-million-DEED-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6256919-32a299318c9b90a0fd560c057909adc9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770511676&Signature=P6lEM544TRzcArLRe9na7FIvlOV3m3wd-zwVSJicIqDOuS7EETaUTlnYkgqKwxq9S-AttCLD1np0DesB2pV1ToXYRS6OohVuLdiD6tJpMPEBi5Yw~8wCN3tEc44AP66YxNYy7tyvr6M4jfFCMJbJI1GSxcdtTZE35ETFPhcbhoqMqKwmDzy4cED6UeFfhUbiXr2SP3HDHb2cfPPrAKm4TG2SdYW~9x5etWnQZM883MuEu2fGMVKV68hZtlVWhvxEg2Vdn~Dx~A4X-aLHziehktDRaaWDbsDd843WQWKM8fqBZuUuVKGx5pTXnTaOdqbjRs9T9Cx8eEd9hgUNMz6w1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Moorhead City Council voted April 28 to approve a guaranteed-price contract amendment authorizing additional demolition work at the Moorhead Center Mall, including removal of the United Sugars and Allen Evans sections of the mall, and to use a state DEED redevelopment grant to fund the work.

Assistant City Manager Mike Reetz told the council that amendment number two covers the next demolition phase and that the contractor was already ahead of schedule. Reetz said the amendment “amounts to dollars ... about $741,000” and that the expenditure will be paid from a $1,000,000 grant the city received from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). He said the signed grant agreement arrived that day.

Councilmember Lisa Borgen asked whether the $1,000,000 grant was anticipated and whether it had been included in the demolition budget. Reetz said the city had applied for the grant in early February and that although demolition had been budgeted, the grant replaces some city funding. Councilmember Batson said she had not seen the amended contract language and asked for time to review it; the council took a short recess so members could examine the material and returned to vote.

After reconvening, Councilmember Chuck Hendrickson moved to approve the amendment and Councilmember Sebastian McDougall seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote; the minutes record “aye” and “that motion carries.”

Ending: Reetz said approving the amendment now preserves the contractor’s momentum and allows the next demolition phase to proceed while the signed DEED grant agreement covers the work. The city did not adopt detailed expenditure line items on the floor; staff will implement contract and grant requirements per standard procurement and grant-administration procedures.","Council approved a guaranteed-price amendment to continue demolition of the Moorhead Center Mall, funded by a $1,000,000 DEED grant; council recessed briefly so members could review new paperwork before voting.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6256924,"Moorhead council approves cannabis retail business registration ordinance with hours clarified for low‑potency hemp sales",179,3612000,3791000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3155177-a4daeedb1538463c05b254872017d3dd&start=3612&end=3791","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3155177-a4daeedb1538463c05b254872017d3dd/thumbnail_3612000.jpg","/articles/6256924/Moorhead/Clay-County/Minnesota/Moorhead-council-approves-cannabis-retail-business-registration-ordinance-with-hours-clarified-for-lowpotency-hemp-sales","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6256924-5b02030d6c0de08f0271fcfac0739e64/orig.mp4?Expires=1770511676&Signature=PwUt46Yt0fTn6ou71yujDNL52PJ9IMBez9hgA22n~PmCMUB4yJcS3kQJT2sGi-MMi0MXh2Yivss9-w8kGnCSMXb4ZSnYwi7ibQ8zbvcku4viZ~I3pou0fJ6Ru-O4qvOhyZm-jIlynrgf7lfA18rPBDLypajcVoohlJKQWGRZverzJao1TdHIJ~FWXj3~5MWpmDc90f6AJib6MiK5fEIEBnHxluypq-BnpYINO4tu7stoG-N-5TZei1DduSns5ffDoG8J~NGFtl49J4PspvLkOL4iEHpsPwbmghFrNJgA9FArNhoQGhHd-MB9GaM7dy3nVsNrDHtkwur16rNBZ0Se3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Moorhead City Council voted April 28 to adopt a cannabis retail business registration ordinance that implements state requirements for businesses selling cannabis and certain low‑potency hemp products.

City Planner Robin Houston presented the ordinance at second reading and described a staff amendment clarifying hours of operation for retailers selling low‑potency hemp edibles. Houston said the adjustment was needed because “those 10AM to 10PM hours of operation, those don't work and they're not really enforceable for those bars that are selling those edible drinks already.” The revised hours for low‑potency hemp edible retail sales were set to align with liquor-licensed operations: 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sunday, with exceptions for bars that lack a 2 a.m. liquor license.

Houston also told council that state statute prohibits on‑premise sales of full‑potency cannabis drinks where alcohol is sold. “So we won't ever have a bar in Moorhead that sells both cannabis and alcohol,” she said.

Councilmember Heather Niesemeyer moved to approve the ordinance and Councilmember Madsen seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote with no roll-call tally recorded in the minutes.

Ending: The ordinance replaces an earlier 2022 city ordinance addressing low‑potency hemp products and establishes registration fees and fines for violations; staff said the changes are intended to align city rules with 2023 state cannabis law requirements and to make enforcement practicable.","Council adopted a city ordinance requiring registration of cannabis retail businesses and set operating-hour clarifications for low‑potency hemp edibles; on-premise sales of cannabis where alcohol is served remain prohibited.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6256928,"White Earth Nation asks Moorhead for support as it explores placing 288-acre site into trust for casino-resort project",2380,1176000,3556000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3155177-a4daeedb1538463c05b254872017d3dd&start=1176&end=3556","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3155177-a4daeedb1538463c05b254872017d3dd/thumbnail_1176000.jpg","/articles/6256928/Moorhead/Clay-County/Minnesota/White-Earth-Nation-asks-Moorhead-for-support-as-it-explores-placing-288-acre-site-into-trust-for-casino-resort-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6256928-4692a8cf8de829f1a36e4b62c97ce712/orig.mp4?Expires=1770511676&Signature=i4lKKAGjQAs71sj04vq30HrCjkmF9joPb8GWTXS05F7IoG7orUkKyMics6f8gb30IB-kTief-IqNc7uD3MMgriCPvuGx0P5ZHGsyy4trImsBiWS9aDI-N9tDiBtuAh6GQyGhItK4Iebppyd0qWDLqQ2HQJujELKvtUiX8bHUMGbJhOlEp88C694b2JlElgkQGlP59KFTs730w4~zlIi1-1ohDvSK48JX7fhZoICEClpdjjGiafyTrwGYHHs68fHqRLKudB3hS1gQDtYEuJZa7cRZcdAsjhKbzJYMOXUV6udD8el~0ufwz8eGaoHYuOt80k~5s4m7NZSAOXYAxqEs-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","White Earth Nation representatives told the Moorhead City Council on April 28 that the tribe has purchased roughly 288 acres near the city and is seeking a letter of support as a first step toward applying to place the land into federal trust to enable a Class III casino-resort.

The request came in a presentation by Nate Matthews, executive director of the White Earth Tribal Utilities Commission, and Mike LaRocque, secretary-treasurer of the White Earth Nation. Matthews said, “their first step forward in a project is to, is to receive this property into trust status,” and described the plan as being at an early, conceptual phase.

The tribe described a large resort-style facility in broad terms: a 90,000–110,000-square-foot gaming floor with “around 900 to 1,200 state of the art games” and 10–12 table games; a hotel the tribe estimated at 250–300 rooms; and a convention component the tribe placed at roughly 100,000–120,000 square feet. Matthews said the tribe projects “about 500 jobs permanently would be created” and estimated a “projected payroll for a facility like this is around $23,000,000 annually.” He added that the tribe sees opportunities for restaurants, retail and possibly a convenience- or truck-stop on the site.

Why it matters: placing land into federal trust changes the regulatory relationship between local governments and the property and would allow the tribe, under federal law, to operate gaming on off-reservation trust land. That raises questions for local residents and elected officials about water resources, emergency services, traffic, tax base and long-term planning.

Public commenters from Glendon Township told council members they want studies before a trust transfer. John Winter, a Glendon Township supervisor, asked for “an economic impact study” and “an environmental impact study” to evaluate effects on the aquifer and drinking water for Moorhead and surrounding communities. Ed Dorsett, also a township supervisor, said he had seen no clear benefit in a nearby community where gaming expanded and urged caution.

Attorneys and local residents who spoke at the meeting urged council members not to conflate business proposals with tribal sovereignty. Zenith Baer, a Clay County lawyer and Moorhead resident who said she formerly represented the White Earth Band, warned against singling out the tribe for special scrutiny and noted tribal sovereignty under federal law; she asked whether the council would request a crime study for any large commercial development.

Council members used the presentation as a question-and-answer session rather than a decision point. Councilmember Nicole Matson and others pressed the tribe on workforce and housing: Matson asked how the tribe planned to staff 500 positions and whether employee housing would be offered. Matthews said employee housing and the tribe’s own membership were among the likely labor sources and noted the tribe’s stated minimum wage of $19 per hour for some positions.

On process and timeline, Matthews said the tribe is seeking letters of support from Moorhead, Clay County and the city of Dilworth before filing a trust application. He said an application “could be with this year. It could be early next year,” and that the federal review for a gaming-related trust acquisition often takes “18 to 24 months” once the application is complete. Department of the Interior processes including NEPA (the National Environmental Policy Act) reviews were discussed; Matthews said NEPA reviews “typically take anywhere to about a year right now,” while acknowledging federal capacity can extend that timeline.

Matthews and LaRocque emphasized the preliminary nature of the proposal. LaRocque said the tribe has yet to hold internal membership meetings and described the request as “a very, very infancy stage” and as the tribe’s effort to promote economic development for its members and the region.

Council members did not take any formal vote on the tribe’s request during the April 28 meeting. Multiple council members said they expected additional questions and future conversations and noted that local governments will be notified and may comment during the federal review process if and when an application is submitted.

Ending: The presentation concluded with council members thanking the tribe for the briefing and scheduling follow-up discussions. The tribe’s representatives said they would continue meetings with local governments and stakeholders before deciding when to file any trust application.","White Earth Nation presented conceptual plans for a Class III casino-resort on a 288-acre parcel and requested local letters of support for a federal trust application; residents and council members raised questions about environmental, public-safety and fiscal impacts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves deposit for eminent-domain actions tied to Metro Flood Diversion properties in Wilkin County

Council authorizes next demolition phase at Moorhead Center Mall after receiving $1 million DEED grant

Moorhead council approves cannabis retail business registration ordinance with hours clarified for low‑potency hemp sales

White Earth Nation asks Moorhead for support as it explores placing 288-acre site into trust for casino-resort project