Former Metro Flood Diversion Director Joel Paulsen says his resignation was forced

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — In texts obtained by KVRR Local News, former Executive Director of the Metro Flood Diversion Authority Joel Paulsen said he believes that Board Chair Shelly Carlson and Chief Counsel John Shockley violated the Joint Powers Agreement, governance policies, and North Dakota law when they attempted to place him on administrative leave prior to his resignation.

In texts between Paulsen and Board Member John Strand, Paulsen said that his attorney had informed him that Carlson did not have the power to give him an administrative leave ultimatum without the approval of the board

Paulsen described his resignation as “forced,” and “not in good faith.”

“The resignation is null, she never had the power,” Paulsen wrote.

Paulsen also confirmed that 8 of the 13 board members had not been informed about any potential action being taken against him by Carlson.

Paulsen said that the discussions that he believes lead to the administrative leave ultimatum were had in the planning committee meeting.

He wrote that Carlson, Tim Mahoney, Bernie Dardis, Tony Grindberg, Kevin Campbell, and Rodger Olson were the only members involved in the discussion before the ultimatum.

“The six members wouldn’t accept my calls prior to the planning committee,” Paulsen said.

Paulsen said his attorney believes this was inconsistent with the Joint Powers Agreement, the governance policies, and North Dakota Law.

“And all at the direction of our legal counsel. I think we all know who should be terminated,” Paulsen wrote.

Paulsen also claimed in the text messages that prior to his resignation, he had been working with Shockley to help the Diversion Authority avoid litigation with Red River Valley Alliance.

The Red River Valley Alliance is a consortium of developers charged with developing, designing, construction, operating and maintaining the Fargo Moorhead Area Diversion project.

“I did everything to try to compromise with RRVA to avoid litigation. Everything was communicated to Shockley along the way. I was terminated because I did my job too well.” Paulsen said.

In an earlier statement, Paulsen said that he resigned over a disagreement in contract language relating to the use of epoxy-coated rebar in the project.

A spokesperson for the MFDA said that Carlson’s actions were in line with Paulsen’s employment contract, and that Carlson did not ask for Paulsen’s resignation.

We left messages seeking comment from Paulsen’s attorney but have not received a response.