FARGO (KFGO) – The Metro Flood Diversion Authority Board members are supporting their chair’s decision to put Joel Paulsen on administrative leave.
During the board’s Thursday meeting, only Board Members and Fargo City Commissioners John Strand and Dave Piepkorn took issue with Board Chair and Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson’s decision.
Board Member and Clay County Commissioner Kevin Campbell says Board Chair and Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson’s decision to put Paulsen on administrative leave was justified.
“The issue was, was there concern over the direction that was given that nobody talk about this except our attorneys?” Campbell said. “There are several other things that are going on in this process besides epoxy coated rebar that we have significant concerns about and we talked significantly about…”
Paulsen’s independent communication with the Diversion’s developers was seen as concerning to the board. An attorney for the Authority said it’s not typical for the director of a large construction project to be in close contact with the developer.
Attorney’s also said the Authority should enforce their construction material requirements. The developers of the diversion have been found to use standard rebar instead of coated rebar, which is against the construction contract.
In text messages obtained by KFGO, Paulsen said he felt forced out of his position by the board.
Paulsen resigned shortly after being told he would be put on administrative leave on April 9.
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