Diversion Authority hears settlement-project updates; multiple levee and cemetery projects moving to construction
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Summary
Staff updated the committee on settlement-agreement projects: Wolverton levee scheduled for 2026, Georgetown for 2027, Christine and Comstock projects advancing this year, and several cemetery-protection projects (Clare to start this summer, Eagle completed, North Pleasant bid awarded).
The Diversion Authority Finance Committee received a settlement-agreement update on March 25 that outlined schedules and next steps for multiple levee, city-led and cemetery-protection projects.
Chris Bockergard reviewed the slate of projects: the Buffalo-Red Watershed District plans to begin construction on the Wolverton levee in 2026 and the Georgetown levee in 2027. The city-led Christine (Lehi) project is advancing land acquisition and expects to submit final construction permits within weeks and begin construction later this year. Comstock projects—lagoon repair and assistance with Clay County Road 2 paving—are moving toward land closings and bidding, with paving expected to finish this summer.
Cemetery protection work was covered in detail. Bockergard said the Clare Cemetery mitigation project (the item awarded during the contracting actions) will start after Memorial Day with construction continuing through fall. Eagle Cemetery work was completed last summer and is now in turf/landscaping establishment with only a few tree replacements expected this spring. North Pleasant was bid this winter and is slated for construction this summer. Bockergard explained that Hemnes and Rowan are privately owned cemeteries handled via easements or Corps of Engineers historic-process documentation; Saint Benedict’s, Lower Wild Rice and Red River were described as having viewshed impacts the Corps is addressing with the State Historic Preservation Office and vegetation planning through NEPA processes.
Bockergard said staff expects all but the Georgetown project to start this summer and that Georgetown will begin in 2027 to meet settlement-agreement commitments.
Jason Benson earlier reported revenues through February showing Fargo and Cass County sales taxes slightly above projections and noted a WIPA draw of $47,000,000 that will appear on the next report; he also described milestone payments to the developer totaling about $52,000,000 for the year-to-date planning. Susan Thompson had earlier summarized year-to-date financial results, reporting total assets of $219,679,144, liabilities including retainage and rent deposits listed at about $128,115, and a net position of $219,551,029; the finance report and cash position ($180,733,254 cited) were approved by the committee.
The committee scheduled its next regular meeting for April 22 at 4:00 p.m.
