February 27, 2015 at 9:00 AM - Executive Committtee Meeting

Rationale:  UNL will be hosting the High Plain Aquifer: Sustainability for Food Production and Water Supply Conference on Thursday, March 19th.  The Nebraska Water Law Conference will be held Friday, March 20th.  Draft agendas are attached to the Executive Committee Minuters.  Registration for both days is $290 and March 20th only is $175.  Please let Breunig know by March 3rd if you are interested in attending.

Rationale:  The National Watershed Conference is May 17-20 in Ft. Worth Texas.  This conference is held every two years and we have attended in the past.

Rationale:  It has been over 10 years since the Groundwater Foundation Annual Meeting has been held in Nebraska.  The October 20-22 conference is scheduled for Lincoln and they are looking for sponsors.  Attached find information that was sent.  The lowest level sponsor is $500 although they will accept general support funds.  Is this something we want to be a part of?

Rationale:  Attached find Director McDermott's excuse of absence from the February Board Meeting.

Rationale:  The monthly Weaver Conference Call was held March 6th.

Rationale:  Lausterer gave oral arguments on the CCEI case on February 10.  The Brief can be viewed on line.

Rationale:  The Executive Committee has set the date for our Annual Recognition Picnic for June 7 (June 14 Rain date) to be held at Czechland Lake beginning at 5:00 p.m..  All directors, staff and former board members will be invited to attend along with our award recipients.

Rationale:  The director vacancy committee is tasked with bringing forth a candidate for consideration at our March board meeting.  So far two applications have been received.  

Rationale:  Last year it was found that NWRA was not assessing dues as had been set in their bi-laws.  We have received our annual invoice from them and it is for $2,558.  A group of NRD Managers are working with NWRA to amend the dues structure so that NRD dues are more inline with irrigation districts.  No action is needed at this time.

Rationale:  In February 2014 the Wirka Tract (Sand Creek Site 16) was sold at auction and purchased by Dave Lickteig.  Attached find a request from Lickteig's attorney.  The NRD has always maintained that most of the lake would be on the Wirka tract, however there was no way to be sure of this until until the lake filled.  Unfortunately the auction company placed on the flyer that 100% of the lake would be on the land being sold.  Lickteig's attorney seems to be confused as to what our statement of "no public access" means as there is no public access on this lake.  On the land closing agreement the auction company added a statement that the west end of the dam is on adjacent property.

Rationale:  Mitch O'Reilly is working with audio visual companies and gave a presentation to the committee which are attached to the Executive Committee Minutes. The committee asked for the board room tables to be changed to allow board members to be closer by narrowing the gap between tables and closing the north end (to form an oval). A decision on the sound system and projector will be delayed until the new room layout can be tried.

Rationale:  Attached find the January Financial Statement.