City Blog

With the forecasted crest of the Red River to reach 38’ on Sunday, Moorhead has substantially completed actions necessary to protect public and private property.

Thanks to a great turnout of volunteers this afternoon (Wednesday), the City of Moorhead has substantially completed construction of sandbag dikes in each of the City’s eight Neighborhood Zones.  The City’s Volunteer Center will remain open until at least 12:00 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday) pending a final assessment by Neighborhood Zone Leaders of any remaining sandbag needs in the City.

The City’s Call Center (218-299-5300) will remain open during normal business hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  The City retains a reserve of filled sandbags and has closed its sandbag operation at the Public Works Facility at 700 15^th Ave. N.

If any City resident is still in need of assistance at this time, they are asked to contact the City’s Call Center on Thursday at 218-299-5300.

The City of Moorhead’s focus will now shift to the monitoring of sandbag dikes, clay levees, and City infrastructure.  City staff, with assistance from the Minnesota National Guard, will be responsible for these activities.

The City remains vigilant and is prepared to resume any aspect of its sandbag operation if circumstances change and need arise.  The City is appreciative of the many homeowners, students, and volunteers who participated in Flood 2010 preparations this week and thanks everyone for their time and efforts.

Volunteers are needed for the final push!

Volunteers are urgently needed today and into the evening, Wednesday March 17^th at MSU-Moorhead Nemzek Hall to complete the final push of sandbagging homes in Moorhead.  Although substantial progress has been made, there is still work to be done. Volunteers are asked to report to the Volunteer Center at MSU-Moorhead (17^th Street and 6^th Avenue) to be dispatched to construct sandbag dikes.

Great Progress! Keep up the Good Work!

Reports coming in from all 8 Zones show that neighborhood residents, students and other volunteers did a tremendous amount of work on Tuesday. Based upon the current NWS forecast, with continued volunteer assistance the City will meet its goal of completing sandbag dike construction for properties along the river within the next day or two.

Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are needed for the final push! Please report to the Volunteer Center at MSU-Moorhead Nemzek Hall (17th Street and 8th Avenue, Moorhead). Volunteers will be dispatched to fill sandbags and construct sandbag dikes.

The Volunteer Center will transport volunteers to and from Nemzek to homes along the river to ensure that resources and volunteers are directed to where they are most needed as well as avoid traffic congestion along the river.

Sandbag Delivery

The City is delivering filled sandbags to vulnerable properties along the river. Homeowners are encouraged to contact any member of their Zone Team to request sandbag delivery and volunteers and may also contact the Call Center at 218-299-5300.

• For empty sandbags, please contact the Call Center at 218-299-5300.
• For sand, homeowners may order loose sand from private sand suppliers and be reimbursed by the City. A City reimbursements form and original invoices are required for reimbursement.
• The City will deliver and place 10 and 20 foot sections of plastic within each zone.

Clay Dike Construction

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues to construct clay dikes in areas throughout the City. Current areas include:

• Heritage Hjemkomst Center
• Horn Park/Rivershore Dr South
• North and South of I-94 at Rivershore Drive South and Dale Avenue South
• Elm Street and 4th Avenue South

 Traffic routing and parking will be disrupted by this effort.

Road Closure

Current road closures are:

• Toll bridge at 15th Avenue North
• 3rd St South from downtown through Woodlawn Park
• Rivershore Drive South under the I-94 bridge.

1st Avenue North will close from approximately 8th St to the Red River bridge at around noon today.

Due to the flooding of the Red River, Moorhead Public Service (MPS) recently made a switch in their water supply source. MPS is now meeting water demands with 50 percent of its water from wells located in the Buffalo Aquifer—east of Dilworth. The remaining 50 percent is still coming from the Red River of the North.

Moorhead’s water supply developed an odor, so a change was made from all river water to a blend of well and river water. MPS’ Water Treatment Plant personnel are working to remove the odor and taste and will have the issue resolved as soon as possible.

 The water supply in Moorhead is safe. MPS staff tests the water on a regular basis and, although there is an odor in the water, the water is safe for use.

Volunteers Needed Now!

Volunteers are urged to report immediately and throughout the day to the Volunteer Center at MSU-Moorhead Nemzek Hall (17^th Street and 8^th Avenue, Moorhead). Volunteers will be dispatched to fill sandbags and construct sandbag dikes at flood-prone homes throughout the City. 

The Volunteer Center will transport volunteers to and from Nemzek to homes along the river to ensure that resources and volunteers are directed to where they are most needed as well as avoid traffic congestion along the river. 

Sandbag Delivery

The City is delivering filled sandbags to vulnerable properties along the river. Homeowners are encouraged to contact any member of their Zone Team to request sandbag delivery and volunteers and may also contact the Call Center at 218-299-5300.

• For empty sandbags, please contact the Call Center at 218-299-5300.
• For sand, homeowners may order loose sand from private sand suppliers and be reimbursed by the City. A City reimbursements form and original invoices are required for reimbursement.
• The City will deliver and place 10 and 20 foot sections of plastic within each zone.

Clay Dike Construction

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues to construct clay dikes in areas throughout the City. Current areas include:

• Heritage Hjemkomst Center,
• North and South of I-94 at Rivershore Drive South and Dale Avenue South and
• Elm Street and 4^th Avenue South.

Traffic routing and parking will be disrupted by this effort.

Road Closure

Current road closures are:

·         Toll bridge at 15^th Avenue North,

·         3^rd St South from downtown through Woodlawn Park and

·         Rivershore Drive South under the I-94 bridge. 

It is anticipated that 1^st Avenue North will close from approximately 8^th St to the Red River bridge sometime on Wednesday, March 17^th.

Please visit www.cityofmoorhead.com/flood for further information.

Cable One, for the duration of the flood event, will be broadcasting Fargo's government channel on cahnnel 19 in Moorhead and will be broadcasting Moorhead's government channel on channel 20 in Fargo.

The Moorhead City Council will meet in a Special City Council Meeting on Tuesday,
March 16th at 3:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, Moorhead City Hall, 500 Center
Ave.

The purpose of the Special City Council Meeting is for the City Council to consider a
resolution requesting flood emergency assistance and authorize a cooperation
agreement with the US Army Corps of Engineers to construct clay contingency levees in
the City of Moorhead for the Spring 2010 Flood Event.

Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (218) 299-5304 with questions regarding the
Special City Council Meeting.

Concordia College cancels classes for Tuesday so that students may assist with City of
Moorhead sandbagging efforts. Moorhead Area Public Schools also encourages
students to participate in City sandbagging efforts.

Concordia College has announced that classes for Tuesday, March 16th have been
cancelled so that students, faculty, and staff may assist with sandbagging efforts in the
City of Moorhead.

Concordia students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to report to the Volunteer Center
located at Alex Nemzek Hall on the Minnesota State University Moorhead campus from
8:00 a.m. to midnight on Tuesday to participate in volunteer sandbag efforts. All
Concordia College classes will resume on Wednesday, March 17th.

Moorhead Area Public Schools will provide transportation for students to the Volunteer
Center Nemzek Hall following the end of the school day tomorrow, Tuesday, March 16th.
Students under the age of 18 must have a signed Volunteer Waiver Form to participate
in sandbag efforts. A copy of the form can be found on the City of Moorhead Flood
Website, located at www.cityofmoorhead.com/flood.

Governor Tim Pawlenty today issued Executive Order 10-04 declaring a State of Emergency in Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Clay, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Kittson, Lac Qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lyon, Marshall, Nicollet, Norman, Polk, Ramsey, Redwood, Renville, Scott, Sibley, Swift, Traverse, Washington, Wilkin, Wright, and Yellow Medicine to protect property and infrastructure from damage due to flooding.

By his executive order, the Governor is activating the Minnesota National Guard to assist in flood preparations and to provide emergency relief services.

The Governor’s executive order also directs the Department of Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to activate the Minnesota Emergency Operations Plan and to continue on-site support and assistance to the affected local governments. In addition, all state agencies, in cooperation with appropriate federal agencies, are directed to provide the assistance necessary to help respond to and recover from this emergency.

The following is the text of the Governor’s order:

EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDER 10-04

DECLARING A STATE OF EMERGENCY

IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA

I, TIM PAWLENTY, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the applicable statutes, including Minnesota Statutes 2009, Chapter 12, do hereby issue this Executive Order:

WHEREAS, hydrologic conditions indicating a strong potential for severe spring flooding exist in the Red River of the North Basin, Minnesota River Basin, Crow River Basin, St. Croix River Basin, and Upper and Lower Mississippi River Basins; and

WHEREAS, the National Weather Service reports that points along the Red River of the North are experiencing minor to moderate flooding and are forecast to reach major flood stage within days and points along the Minnesota River are experiencing intermittent ice jams and increased risk of flooding; and

WHEREAS, such conditions contributing to the threat of flooding and inundation include excessive precipitation throughout the fall and winter seasons causing saturated soil conditions, high water equivalency in the current snowpack, full wetlands and ditches that result in minimal available surface storage, and the prospects of additional moisture and ice jams through the spring snowmelt; and

WHEREAS, the closure of secondary roads, sandbagging operations, and other emergency measures is required in response to flooding conditions; and

WHEREAS, counties’ emergency operations plans are activated, cities and counties have declared local emergencies, and local jurisdictions have begun requesting state and federal assistance and resources; and

WHEREAS, the resources of local, county, and state governments must be fully utilized to ensure immediate response to protect the life and safety of persons in the affected area, including the tribal nation of Upper Sioux Agency and the following counties: Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Clay, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Kittson, Lac Qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lyon, Marshall, Nicollet, Norman, Polk, Ramsey, Redwood, Renville, Scott, Sibley, Swift, Traverse, Washington, Wilkin, Wright, and Yellow Medicine, and to protect property and infrastructure from additional damage; and

WHEREAS, emergency assistance of motor carriers is needed to transport supplies and materials to affected areas of the state.

NOW, THEREFORE, I hereby order that:

1.      A State of Emergency pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 2009, Section 12.31 exists.

2.      The Department of Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will activate the Minnesota Emergency Operations Plan, continue the provision of on-site support and assistance to the affected local governments, and determine the need for supplementary emergency assistance.

3.      All state agencies, in cooperation with appropriate federal agencies, are directed to provide the assistance necessary to help local units of government respond to and recover from this emergency.

4.      The Adjutant General of Minnesota will order to state active duty on or about March 15, 2010, in the service of the State, such personnel and equipment of the military forces of the State as required to provide assistance in preparing for the emergency and in providing emergency relief services.

5.      The Adjutant General is authorized to purchase, lease, or contract goods or services necessary to accomplish the mission. The cost of subsistence, transportation, fuel, pay and allowances of said individuals shall by defrayed from the general fund of the State, as provided for in Minnesota Statutes 2009, Sections 192.49, 192.52 and 192.54.

6.      A state of emergency exists that requires relief from motor carrier registration and fuel trip permit and fee requirements incorporated in Minnesota Statutes 2009, section 168.187, and Minnesota Statutes chapter 168D, for carriers that are providing direct assistance to the emergency by transporting supplies and equipment used to construct and maintain dikes, and other supplies required during this emergency.

7.      Vehicles used to provide direct assistance to the emergency are exempted from the seasonal load restrictions on local and state highways and streets imposed under Minnesota Statutes 2009, Section 169.87.

8.      The regulations incorporated in Minnesota Statutes 2009, Section 221.0314, Subdivision 9, pertaining to hours of service for carriers and drivers of commercial motor vehicles shall not apply while those carrier or drivers are providing direct assistance for flood relief.

9.      Nothing herein shall be construed to relieve commercial motor carriers and drivers from regulations pertaining to driver qualifications, driving of commercial motor vehicles, commercial driver's licenses, and drug and alcohol testing for drivers.

10.  No commercial carrier operating under terms of this order shall require or allow an ill or fatigued driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle.

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 2009, Section 4.035, Subdivision 2, this Order is effective immediately and shall remain in effect until the emergency status no longer requires emergency response. The peacetime emergency can be extended by the Executive Council or the Legislature in accordance with Minnesota Statutes 2009, Section 12.31, Subdivision 2. The portion of this order activating the National Guard is not subject to any time limitation contained in Minnesota Statutes 2009, Chapter 12.

The Volunteer Center at MSUM (17th St & 8th Ave) is now open. Volunteers will be dispatched to fill sandbags and construct dikes.

The City will deliver filled sandbags to vulnerable properties along the river. Contact the Call Center at 218-299-5300 to request delivery.

The meeting scheduled for tonight at 6:00 p.m. in the Moorhead High School Auditorium for Zones 3, 4, 5 and 8 has been cancelled in order to direct all available neighborhood and City resources to the flood fight.

City Zone Teams consisting of Engineering, Public Safety, and other City staff have
been dispatched to each of the City’s 8 Neighborhood Zones. Team Leaders are
presently working to identify key neighborhood liaisons to coordinate meetings within
each zone.

Zone 3 - From Center Ave. to 10 Ave. N.
Zone 4 - From 12 Ave. S. to Center Ave
Zone 5 - From I-94 to 12 Ave. S.
Zone 8 - From 50 Ave. S. to 40 Ave. S.

The City is currently delivering sandbags and other resources to Zones. To request
sandbags and volunteers, please contact the City of Moorhead Call Center at 218-299-
5300.

Please visit the City’s website at www.cityofmoorhead.com/flood for additional
information.

Tonight's flood meeting at Moorhead High School auditorium will be broadcast live on Moorhead cable channel 12, both Cable One and Midcontinent.   MCAT will rebroadcast the meeting later this week.  Check their schedule for times - http://www.moorheadaccess.tv/schedule/12

Volunteers will be needed today and throughout the week to fill sandbags and to assist in sandbag dike construction.

Volunteers are now needed to fill sandbags at the City’s Public Works Facility at 700 15th Avenue North in Moorhead.

The Volunteer Center at MSU-Moorhead Nemzek Hall (17th Street and 8th Avenue, Moorhead) will open at 3:00 p.m today. Volunteers will be dispatched to fill sandbags and construct sandbag dikes at flood-prone homes throughout the City. 

Volunteers are asked to report to either the Public Works Facility or Nemzek Hall and they will be transported to where they are needed.

Sandbag Delivery

The City will begin to deliver filled sandbags today to vulnerable properties along the river. Contact the Call Center at 218-299-5300 to request delivery of filled sandbags to your property.

For full sandbags, please contact the Call Center at 218-299-5300.
For empty sandbags, please contact the Call Center at 218-299-5300.
For sand, homeowners may order loose sand from private sand suppliers and be reimbursed by the City.  A City reimbursements for and original invoices are required for reimbursement.
The City will deliver and place 10 and 20 foot sections of plastic within each zone.

Clay Dike Construction

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin constructing clay dikes today in areas throughout the City.  Traffic routing and parking will be disrupted by this effort.

Flood 2010 Neighborhood Zone Meetings previously scheduled for Monday, March 15th at 6:00 p.m. (Zone 8) and 7:30 p.m. (Zone 5); and Tuesday, March 16th at 6:00 p.m. (Zone 3) and 7:30 p.m. (Zone 4), have all been rescheduled to a single combined meeting that will take place on Monday, March 15th at 6:00 p.m.

Zones 3, 4, 5 and 8 will meet at 6:00 pm Monday, March 15th at the Moorhead High School Auditorium (2300 4th Avenue South)

Residents who received postcards notifying them of the Zone Meetings are encouraged to attend the rescheduled meeting on Monday evening at 6:00 p.m. at Moorhead High School.

The City of Moorhead will begin daily Flood 2010 News Conferences on Monday, March
15th at 10:00 a.m. in the City of Moorhead’s Flood 2010 Press Room, which is located in
the Moorhead Center Mall in the former GoMoorhead store.
The following topics will be addressed in the March 15th Flood 2010 News Conference:
• Filled Sandbag Distribution Plan
• Volunteer Efforts
The City of Moorhead’s Flood 2010 News Conferences will continue on a daily basis at
10:00 a.m. in the Press Room until further notice. News Conferences will be carried live on the web at http://www.cityofmoorhead.com/flood and live on Moorhead cable channel 12.

City of Moorhead homeowners who have been granted a seasonal waiver to discharge sump pumps to the sanitary sewer system are asked to redirect sump pump discharge to the outside.  Discharge should remain directed to the outside until approximately November 1, 2010.  The City will notify homeowners when discharge may again be directed to the sanitary sewer.

The City of Moorhead is also requesting volunteers to assist with sandbagging efforts this weekend at the City’s Public Works Facility located at 700 15th Ave. N.  Hours for voluntary sandbagging are as follows:

•    Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

•    Sunday from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Sandbagging takes place indoors in the heated Public Works Facility.  Volunteers may park adjacent to the building or on streets immediately to the south of the building.  Please enter the facility through the main door and complete a Volunteer Waiver Form.  Those under 18 years of age must have parental or guardian consent to participate in the sandbagging effort.

The City will provide shovels and bottled water.  Volunteers are asked to bring gloves.  The sandbag site is supervised by City of Moorhead staff.

Mayor Mark Voxland and Clay County Board Chairman Kevin Campbell will announce State of Emergency Declarations for the City of Moorhead and Clay County, respectively, on Tuesday, March 9th at 11:00 a.m. in the City of Moorhead’s Flood 2010 Press Room, which is located in the Moorhead Center Mall in the former GoMoorhead store.

Mayor Voxland and Chairman Campbell will discuss 2010 Flood Event preparations and answer questions from the media regarding the State of Emergency Declarations for the City of Moorhead and Clay County.

For one night only, any sandbagger can work to earn funds for their favorite college or university student organization.

Every member of the public who sandbags on Wednesday, March 10th between 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. may pledge a $15 donation to the college or university student organization of their choice. The City of Moorhead will honor these pledges on behalf of citizens. Donations are limited to recognized student organizations from area colleges and universities. A list of eligible student organizations will be available at the sandbagging site.

Each participant will receive a free T-shirt and be eligible for door prizes.

Sandbagging is being conducted at the City’s Public Works Facility, located at 700 15th Ave. N. Overflow parking is available at the Moorhead Armory, 1002 15th Ave N. Volunteers are asked to bring gloves.

By the powers vested in me as Mayor of the City of Moorhead, Minnesota, I do herby declare the City of Moorhead to be in a State of Emergency for the Spring 2010 Flood Event, effective March 8, 2010.  This State of Emergency Declaration is made to prepare for the flood event and take appropriate advance measures to protect the City of Moorhead.

Signed: Mark Voxland
Mayor, City of Moorhead, Minnesota
3/8/2010

The March 4, 2010 meeting of the Metro Flood Planning Group with the Corps of Engineers may be viewed at http://media.cityofmoorhead.com/  The video is about 1.5 hours long.

Moorhead college students can earn gift cards to their College or University bookstore by sandbagging.

The City of Moorhead is offering a sandbagging incentive to local college students in conjunction with Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM), Concordia College, and Minnesota State Community and Technical College (MSCTC).

For every two hours of sandbagging, students will receive a $10 gift card. This promotion will be offered the week of March 8–14 during normal sandbagging hours (while supplies last).  Students will be required to present their student ID at check-in and check-out.

Sandbagging is being conducted at the City’s Public Works Facility, located at 700 15^th Ave. N. Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m. The City will provide shovels and bottled water. Volunteers are asked to bring gloves.

City of Moorhead and Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) are working in cooperation to provide FREE childcare for parents who wish to sandbag this Friday, March 5 and Tuesday, March 9 from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm.

MSUM’s Athletic Department has organized a “Kids Night Out” event for youth ages 7–12 at the following sites:

•    Friday, March 5: Nemzek Fieldhouse located at the corner of 6th Ave. S. and 17th St. S. 
•    Tuesday, March 9: MSUM’s Wellness Center on 14th Street (Northbound, one-way), halfway between 9th Ave. and 6th Ave. South on the west side of the street.

Youth are encouraged to come with tennis shoes. Swimming is an option for kids on Friday only.

Normally there is a $20 fee for these events; however, parents who sandbag can utilize this service for FREE. Vouchers will be provided to parents at the City of Moorhead sandbag site so the “Kids Night Out” fee can be reimbursed. Sandbagging is being conducted at the City’s Public Works Facility, located at 700 15th Ave. N.

For more information on “Kids Night Out” or to get the registration form, visit www.msumdragons.com  and click on the “Kids Night Out” ad or the camps/clinics link. For more details or questions please contact: Jacob Topp, at 218-477-2647 or topp@mnstate.edu. Coach Topp will be available for questions at the Moorhead Public Works building while some Dragon athletes will be sandbagging from 4:30-5:30 p.m. tonight.

To help prepare for flooding in Moorhead, city officials have created eight “neighborhood zones.”

City personnel will be assigned to each zone, working closely with residents of that neighborhood providing information and coordinating activities.  The city has scheduled the following zone meetings for residents living in these areas:

Zone 1:  From Caddy Ave to 43 Ave N, March 9 at 6:00 pm at the Moorhead Country Club

Zone 2: From 10 Ave N to Caddy Ave , March 9 at 7:30 pm at the Moorhead Country Club

Zone 3: From Center Ave to 10 Ave N, March 16 at 6:00 pm at Moorhead City Hall Council Chambers (first floor)

Zone 4: From 12 Ave S to Center Ave, March 16 at 7:30 pm at Moorhead City Hall Council Chambers (first floor)

Zone 5: From I-94 to 12 Ave S, March 15 at 7:30 pm at Moorhead City Hall Council Chambers (first floor)

Zone 6: From 32 Ave S to I-94, March 11 at 6:00 pm at AmericInn (600 30 Ave So)

Zone 7: From 40 Ave S to 32 Ave S, March 11 at 7:30 pm at AmericInn (600 30 Ave So)

Zone 8: From 50 Ave S to 40 Ave S, March 15 at 6:00 pm at Moorhead City Hall Council Chambers (first floor)

A video copy of the March 2, 2010 Public Flood Information Meeting is now available on our City web. Please click on this link to find the video - http://media.cityofmoorhead.com/node/60   The video is about 90 minutes long.

The City of Moorhead will host public meetings to discuss flood mitigation projects currently under construction as well as proposed projects for 2010 and beyond.  Staff will provide an overview of the City’s revised/updated flood plan along with an update on implementation of FEMA’s new floodplain maps.  Preparations for possible flooding this spring will also be discussed. 

The next meeting is today, Monday, March 1 for properties between I-94 and Main Avenue and the final meeting is Tuesday, March 2 for properties north of Main Avenue. 

The format of each meeting will be an open house from 5:30-6:30 p.m. with a presentation to start at 6:30.  The meetings will all be held in the Hansen Theater in the Roland Dille Center for the Arts building on MSUM’s campus.  Free parking is available after 4:30 p.m. in Lots A and C located just west of 14th Street South and north of 9th Avenue South.  Overflow parking is available in Lot P located west of 17th Street South and north of 9th Avenue South.  No parking is allowed in residence hall parking Lots S and B.

Mayor Mark Voxland & City Council Members to kick-off sandbag operation on Monday morning, March 1st

The City of Moorhead announces the kick-off of its volunteer sandbagging effort that begins on Monday, March 1, 2010 at 7:00 a.m. at the City’s Public Works Facility, located at 700 15th Ave. N.  Mayor Mark Voxland & City Council Members will kick-off sandbagging efforts in Moorhead at 7:00 a.m. on Monday morning.

Hours for the volunteer sandbag effort at the Public Works Facility are as follows:

Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Sunday from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Sandbagging will take place indoors in the heated Public Works Facility.  Volunteers may park adjacent to the building or on streets immediately to the south of the building.  Please enter the facility through the main door and complete a Volunteer Waiver Form.  Those under 18 years of age must have parental or guardian consent to participate in the sandbagging effort.

The City will provide shovels and bottled water.  Volunteers are asked to bring gloves.  The sandbag site will be supervised by City of Moorhead staff.

Moorhead will start its 2010 flood fight Monday, March 1, 2010 with the opening of a sandbag-filling site on the north side of town.  We need volunteers.

Our goal is to have 300,000 sandbags ready and waiting for a potential flood.

We will open a manual sandbagging operation Monday, March 1, 2010 at a public works facility in the 700 block of 15th Avenue North.  The site will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays.  If you have time and are able to help fill sandbags, please join us.  Thanks.

A Planning Commission / Board of Adjustment meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 5:00 pm. For your convenience, a complete copy of the agenda packet is available at the following link: http://www.cityofmoorhead.com/city_hall/agendaMinutesPlanningComm.asp

Planning Commission meetings are broadcasted on Moorhead Community Access Television (Channel 12). For show times, please visit the following link: http://www.moorheadaccess.tv/schedule

The City of Moorhead Human Resources department is accepting on-line applications for our 2010 Spring/Summer Seasonal Positions. Go to www.cityofmoorhead.com and click on Employment or go direclty with this link - http://www.cityofmoorhead.com/employment/index.asp

This presentation was delivered to Moorhead City Council members on February 22, 2010 by City Manager Mike Redlinger. A video of this presentation can be viewed at http://media.cityofmoorhead.com/.

A Moorhead City Council Meeting is scheduled for 2/22/2010 at 5:30 pm. For your convenience, a complete copy of the agenda packet is available at: http://www.cityofmoorhead.com/city_hall/agendaMinutesCouncil.asp

For the latest on Minnesota's Governor's Supplemental Budget: $125 million in additional 2010 city cuts, go to http://www.cityofmoorhead.com and click on City News or use this link - http://www.cityofmoorhead.com/city_news/index.asp.

The bike/pedestrian bridges will be raised in conjunction with the Fargo Park District on Wednesday or Thursday of this week, weather permitting.  This action is necessary as the US Army Corps of Engineers begins to release water from Lake Traverse starting tomorrow.  The rise in river ice affects the ability of the contractor to access the footings of the Gooseberry bridge to prepare for the crane lift.  This lift normally occurs in the first week of March, so it is a bit earlier this year than usual.

The city hall is closed today in honor of President's Day.

The next city council meeting will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, February 16 at 5:30 pm.  Agenda details may be found at http://www.cityofmoorhead.com/city_hall/agendaMinutesCouncil.asp

The presentation delivered to Moorhead city council members on February 8, 2010 by city manager Mike Redlinger is now available for viewing on the web.  Click on this link to go to the City of Moorhead Video Site - http://media.cityofmoorhead.com/

Cable One channel 12  and Midcontinent channel 12 will have rebroadcasts of the February 9, 2010  City's Flood Information meeting on Saturday February 13th, at 7:00 am & 1:25pm

The City of Moorhead hosted a public meeting to discuss flood mitigation projects currently under construction as well as proposed projects for 2010 and beyond. Staff provided an overview of the City’s revised/updated flood plan along with an update on implementation of FEMA’s new floodplain maps. Preparations for possible flooding this spring was also discussed.

***The first five minutes is audio only due to technical problems. Video will start five minutes into the presentation.***

Video of the Feb 4, 2010 Metro Flood Planning Group will be rebroadcast on Moorhead's Cable One and Midcontinent cable system. Check out channel 12:

• Monday February 8th, at 3:00 am & 8:00pm
• Tuesday February 9th, at 8:00pm
• Thursday February 11th, at 8:00pm
• Sunday February 14th, at 10:30pm

The Feb 4, 2010 meeting of the Metro Flood Planning Group with the Corps of Engineers may be viewed at http://media.cityofmoorhead.com/ The video is about 1.5 hours long.

A video copy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers presentation on the results of their studies on Red River diversion alternatives for Moorhead and Fargo is now available on-line. Click on this link to view the video - http://media.cityofmoorhead.com/ The presentation was made at MSU Moorhead on February 3, 2010.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hosts the second of two public forums tonight, February 3, 2010 to present the results of studies on Red River diversion alternatives for Moorhead and Fargo and to take public input.

When: The meeting is from 6 to 9 p.m.

Where: At the Hansen Theatre in the Minnesota State University Moorhead Center for the Arts, 801 13th St. S.

What: The meeting begins with an open house at 6 p.m., and a presentation at 7 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer period.

Where to watch: Tonight’s meeting will be streamed on the city of Moorhead’s Web site at www.cityofmoorhead.com/flood. Moorhead Community TV will also broadcast the meetings on CableOne Channel 12. See local listings for times.

ST. PAUL, MINN. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, along with the City of Fargo, N.D., and the City of Moorhead, Minn., will hold two public meetings in February to provide preliminary results of the second screening of possible flood damage reduction alternatives and to seek public input for the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan feasibility study.

After studying numerous potential flood damage reduction options for the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan area, the study focus was narrowed to two potential alignments that could greatly reduce the possibility of flooding in the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan area. These two alignment alternatives include a diversion channel through Minnesota and a diversion channel through North Dakota.

The two alternatives have a total of six possible sizes, four in Minnesota and two in North Dakota. The two meetings will be held to present this information and solicit public feedback. The first meeting will be Feb. 2 at the Centennial Hall, 207 4th St. N. in Fargo. The second meeting will be held Feb 3 at the Hanson Theater in the Center for the Arts on the Minnesota State University, Moorhead campus at 801 13th St. S. in Moorhead. Both meetings will begin at 6 p.m. with an open house, followed by a formal presentation at 7 p.m. and a question and answer period ending at 9 p.m. Anyone interested in the study is welcome to attend either meeting.

The Feb. 2 meeting will be available online at the City of Fargo’s Web site at www.cityoffargo.com. For more information on this, please contact Karena Carlson, 701-476-6671. Fargo CableOne Channel Fargo 12 will broadcast the meeting on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 11 a.m.

The Feb. 3 meeting will be available via streaming video on the City of Moorhead’s Web site at www.cityofmoorhead.com/flood. For more information on this, please contact Les Bakke, 218-299-5321. Moorhead Community TV will also broadcast the meetings on CableOne Channel 12. See local listing for times.

The Corps, along with its local sponsors, the cities of Fargo and Moorhead, will continue to study and refine these two options before making a final selection. The selection will undergo both technical and policy reviews prior to public release of the draft report in May 2010.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, serves the American public in the areas of environmental enhancement, navigation, flood damage reduction, water and wetlands regulation, recreation sites and disaster response. It contributes around $175 million to the five-state district economy. The more than 638 employees work at more than 40 sites in five upper-Midwest states. For more information, see www.mvp.usace.army.mil.

Note to reporters: Information presented at the meeting will not be made available until Feb. 1 at the Metro Flood Management Committee meeting, 9 a.m. at the Fargo Civic Center Centennial Hall. Study project managers Craig Evans and Aaron Snyder will be available after the meeting for questions. To interview one of the project managers individually this week, please contact Shannon Bauer at 651-290-5108 or 612-840-9453. Please do not contact Evans and Snyder directly this week or next, as they will be on a tight schedule.