September 3, 2020 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  No unfinished business to address.

Rationale:  Elliott presented the SWCP spreedsheet for review.

Rationale: 

20-P-3

Merlin Groteluschen*

$                   6,653.05

Livestock well/forage planting

Rationale: 

20-P-2		Jeff Lusche*	$                   7,866.78	Livestock well (solar)
20-S-1		Dennis Beranek	$                   7,866.90	TOT
20-S-2		Randy Beranek	$                   3,850.83	TOT
20-S-3		Rick Beranek	$                   5,961.97	TOT
19-S-5		Hartman Family Trust	$12,500.00	TOT

Rationale:  Attached is an arictle on accomplishments that was sent to area newspapers. 

Rationale: 

JAMES BROCK		$     4,800.00
RANDY BRABEC		$     4,800.00
JOHN SONDERMAN		$     4,800.00
BRANDON GROTELUSCHEN		$     4,800.00

Rationale:  On August 26th, Jim Reedy, Eriic Smith (NRCS) Matt Bailey, Bill Bos, Elliott, Mountford met with Tom Sprunk and contractor Jim Wemhoff at the Columbus NRCS Field Office, to review completed plans and specifications for Mr. Sprunk's grade stabilization/wetlands project, located on a tributary draining directly to Shell Creek.  On January 24, 2019, the Shell Creek Watershed Group (LPNNRD's Advisory Committee), approved a recommendation to provide 75% cost share up to a maximum of $40,000 toward the project.  The engineer's estimate for total project cost is $30,500.00.  The Projects Committee moved this recommendation to the LPNNRD Board that was approved on February 11, 2019. Mr. Sprunk was instructed to get a contractor bid and if within NRCS cost estimates, move forward with the project.  LPNNRD's contribution will be reimbursed from approved EPA/NDEE 319 and NET grant funding.  

Rationale:  No new information.  We have $365,000 of approved EPA/NDEE funds and $90,000 of NET funds available for Shell Creek Projects.

Rationale:  Mountford talked with U.P. Railroad  representative Adam Stutds, who indicated that their plan is to begin bridge replacement work near county road 15 (bridge foundation and grading) this fall and complete the bridge placement early next calendar year. While LPNNRD is not involved with the U.P. Railroad bridge replacement at Colfax County Road 14, that work should be completed soon.

Rationale:  Director Bailey reported that construction work is completed on the Shell Creek north channel/benching project near Colfax County Road 15 with only seeding remaining.  Colfax County is working on final design of for the South Channel work and has been in contact with landowners discussing needed landrights for that portion of the project. 

Rationale:  Tirthankar Roy and Andrea Basche, UNL, joined the Committee by Zoom asking for our thoughts and support for a four year study of the effect of conservation practices on the water quality and quantity in the the Shell Creek Watershed. The next step will be to continue to work with NDEE for potential grant support and meet with the Shell Creek Watershed Improvement Group (LPNNRD's official Advisory Group) to obtain background information on past conservation practices applied. No recommendation was requested at this time.

Rationale: 
Attached is FYRA's August 7, 2020, invoice totaling $6,344.52, which completes our present amended contact for their services for finalizing the  Wahoo Creek Plan. As we have all learned, NRCS is requiring additional work on the economics portion of the Plan.

The Board has approved moving forward with another contract amendment with FYRA for completing additional economic analysis required by NRCS. However, before giving authorization to proceed, it is contingent on NRCS approving addtional funds to cover these costs.  While NRCS has notified us that the funding is approved, we do not have a formal amendment to our funding agreement as of yet.  When that is received and approved by LPNNRD, we will give FYRA the notice to proceed.  Hopefully by Board Meeting.  

 

Rationale:  Attached is the August 24, 2020, invoice from Olsson totaling $14,258.05 for work completed for the Wahoo Creek Watershed Sites 26a, 26b and 27 as attached. Of the total contract amount of $583,825 for those three sites, $272,870.02 (46.7%) will have been expended after this payment, of which most was for geotechnical engineering.  Dam design and permitting activities will continue to be on hold until NRCS approves the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan.

Rationale:   

Name	Acres	Amount
MARVIN PTACEK	24	$     4,752.00
STEVE VASA	16	$     3,168.00
GREGG FUJAN	10	$     1,980.00
ROGER FUJAN	13	$     2,574.00
MARCELLA BARTEK TRUST	16	$     3,168.00
ROBERT POKORNY	42	$     8,316.00
CARL & DOROTHY PETERSON TRUST	38	$     7,524.00
GEORGE CEJKA	5	$        990.00
GARY PROCHASKA	14	$     2,772.00
TOTALS	178	$            12,474.00

Rationale:  Mike Chvatal's dam has been completed.  F&S Excavating from Brainard started work on 8/20 and finished up on 8/26.  We are waiting for bills and final check-out certification from NRCS field personnel.

Rationale:  At the August 11th LPNNRD Board Meeting, the Board approved budgeting $100,000 for the North Bend Drainage Ditch Improvement Project.  Attached is an Interlocal Agreement between LPNNRD, Dodge County, City of Fremont and the North Bend Drainage District outlining the maximum local financial support from each entity. The Committee is asked to recommend Board approval. 

Rationale:  Attached is a proposed Partner Agreement between the City of Fremont, Dodge County, Fremont Rod & Gun Club (Club)) and LPNNRD.  While we already have an approved Interlocal Agreement between Fremont, Dodge County and LPNNRD, this "Agreement" includes the Club and describe the project contracting/payment process and Operation & Maintenance after completion. Jovan Lausterer, our legal counsel, has reviewed the document. 

A Section Committee including representatives from Dodge County, City of Fremont, LPNNRD and the Fremont Rod and Gun Club met on August 21st to review JEO Consulting Group's proposal for providing project engineering services.  They were the only firm submitting a proposal. The next step will be for the Partners to negotiate a contract with JEO.

Rationale:  ur Hazard Mitigation Plan has been officially approved by NEMA/FEMA. We are still working with JEO for proposing Dam Breach Overlay District for 15 of our existing floodwater dams in Saunders County.  Meetings are underway with  Saunders County, Wahoo, Yutan and Prauge.  Flood Risk assessments with Fremont and Schuyler have been completed.  We have a November 10, 2020 deadline to complete all HMP activities.  

Attached is an August 28th JEO invoice for contract work completed totaling $4,491.50.

Rationale:  The Board has approved 50% cost share, up to a maximum of $5,000 assistance toward the Johnson Lake Aeration Project in Fremont.  Attached are the estimates for the project.  Don Cunningham asked if LPNNRD would consider providing our assistance in advance since the Friends of the Fremont Area Parks don't have the upfront funds to pay the total bill and then request our reimbursement as is our usual procedure.  Payment of 50% of the $9,308.50 estimates (attached) is $4,654.25. Don Cunningham joined by Zoom to discuss this situation. Don will talk with other Partners to see if other upfront funding can be provided.  Depending on the outcome of his discussions, the Board may be asked to consider an advance assistance payment to the Friends of Fremont Area Parks so that the aeration system can be purchased.  

Rationale:  Lacey will be sending a copy of our draft FY 2021 Long Range Plan for Board member review and potential approval at the September 14th Board Meeting.  Any input from Directors is requested by September 10th. 

Rationale:  With Projects Committee Vice-Chairman Don Veskerna moving to Operations Committee, there is a vacancy to be filled. 

Rationale:  The Projects Committee Adjourned at 9:02 a.m.