Diversion finance committee approves $4.59 million in bills; members ask about Wolverton engineering costs

The Metro Flood Diversion Authority Finance Committee on July 23 approved 10 bills totaling $4,594,797, finance staff said, with two of the largest items paying the Cass County Joint Water Resource District for a land acquisition and the City of Fargo for storm lift rehabilitation work. The approval keeps routine payables moving while prompting a brief question about charges tied to the Wolverton project. Susan Thompson, finance director for the City of Fargo, told the committee that "Page 5 reflects the bills that have been received through July 16. There's 10 of them. They total $4,594,797." Thompson identified the largest payments as the Cass County Joint Water Resource District land acquisition and the City of Fargo storm lift rehabilitation projects. Commissioner Grinberg moved to approve the bills as presented; Commissioner Steen seconded the motion. The roll call vote was unanimous in favor. During the discussion, Commissioner Steen asked whether the Wolverton line item was for engineering costs and whether Minnesota would share costs. Jason Benson, executive director for the Metro Flood Diversion Authority, responded that the Wolverton entries were for "engineering services for preliminary design work that's been ongoing" and said the authority has worked with the State of Minnesota on requests for funding and cost share. Benson said the planning work is intended to make the project "shovel ready" if state funds become available. The committee took the vote after that clarification and approved the bills. The action is recorded in the meeting minutes and the packet shows the bills through July 16; the committee did not vote to change payment levels or to authorize additional funds for Wolverton at this session.