June 2, 2016 at 8:00 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  Attached is the June SWCP spreadsheet for Board review.

Rationale: 

SUMMER 2016 SWCP APPROVALS:

Doris E. Treptow Rev. Trust     Terraces/Tile     $   6,812.72

Glen Treptow                          Terraces/Tile     $ 12,500.00

                                               TOTAL:            $ 19,312.72

Rationale: 

15-S-18 & 19     Norman Lindgren     Terraces/Tile/Basins     $   1,037.53  (25%)

15-S-4               Rudolph Houfek        Terraces/Tile/Basins     $ 12,500.00  (75%)

14-SD-4             Michael Swanson      Terraces/Tile/Basins     $   7,441.80  (75%)

15-S-1               Kenneth Polacek       Terraces/Tile/Basins     $ 12,442.49  (75%)

                                                         TOTAL PAYMENTS:       $ 33,421.82

Rationale: 

LANDS FOR CONSERVATION APPROVALS:

Frances Kastl                  8 acres     $ 1,472.00

 

 

Rationale: 

LANDS FOR CONSERVATION:

  MaryJo Spicka/Lierman     50.6 acres     $ 11,132.00

 

CONSERVATION WORK: 

  Donald Blazek   Terraces/Tile     $ 185.38  (10%)

Rationale: 

Ken Polacek has completed an LPNNRD approved terrace/tile outlet/ basin project on his land.  After the project was complete, Mr. Polacek is requesting changes to the terrace lines and basins so they are 100% parallel to each other as he originally understood.  There were various challenges in designing this project to provide what the landowner requested and meet standards and specifications.  While the NRCS engineers have reviewed the completed work and declared that it meets NRCS standards and specifications, Mr. Polacek desires to make further alterations so that exactly two passes with a 16 row planter can be made in between as he perceived would be the outcome.  As it stand now, in places, the project is four rows wider then expected, which requires an additional pass for field operations. 

Mr. Polacek has obtained an $3,180 estimate for the desired project alterations, as attached, to be completed after fall harvest.  The NRCS initially believes that the alterations should not negatively alter the project and that this work could be done to make things more desirable to the landowner.  If the NRCS makes a final determination that this work can be done without negatively impacting the project design, Mr. Polacek is asking LPNNRD to consider some additional cost-share assistance for these alterations.  Kelly Bartek, LPNNRD Conservation Technician, who designed the project, discussed this issue.  The committee made no recommendation and will again be review this issue after Mr. Polacek's field is harvested this fall. 

Rationale: 

At the December 30, 2015, Projects Committee Meeting, Dennis and Karen Waak were present to discuss concerns about his private dam.   Director Bailey presented some pictures to show the dam issues ( as attached).  The vertical overflow tube is rusted through, causing the erosion. The concern is that the erosion will continue and ruin the horizontal drain tube as well.  Their structure is close to the start of the Neiman ditch that goes along the north side of Schuyler and drains into it directly via county road ditches.  

The Waak's hired an engineer to evaluate the structure damage (see attachment) and has a contractor estimate for the repair.  While Mr. Waak was not in attendance, it is anticipated that a cost estimate and other information may be presented at the June 13th Board Meeting. 

While the committee acknowlegded the benefits of this project, it was mentioned that it would be desirable to review detailed engineer plans with a detailed cost estimate for the repair.

 

 

Rationale:  The Board has an established sinking fund for the Shell Creek Watershed and authorized keeping a balance of $100,000 for future projects.  The major commitment from this fund is $76,380 remaining for the Bailey Levee Project which may see construction in FY17.   To keep the balance at $100,000 the Board has transferred unused budgeted Shell Creek land treatment funds.  There are $15,000 of unused funds in the Shell Creek land treatment budget line (405-204) and the committee is asked to recommend transferring $13,040 from this line into the Shell Creek Sinking fund to bring the total back to $100,000.

Rationale: 

Mountford reviewed the below information with the Projects committee:

At the May Board Meeting, a motion that LPNNRD not be a member in the LPRCA was tabled.  

The following Projects Committee recommendation that was approved at the April 28th Projects Committee Meeting was brought to the full Board with no action being taken was as follows: " To approve the LPRCA 2017 selected budget project and program items (as attached to the Projects Committee Minutes) totaling $51,200 (as shown in black) and to budget an additional $34,167 for projects and programs (50% of the total shown in red) that will require Board approval before moving forward".   

At 5:30 p.m. just prior to the June 13th Board Meeting, former Nebraska Congressional Representative Doug Bereuter and other Alliance members will discuss views on the value of the the LPRCA.  

Also at the May meeting, it was requested that we put together dollar figures on what has been spent and what has been received through the LPRCA.  Attached is an e-mail Mountford send out earlier this week outlining estimated federal and State funds that directly and indirectly can be linked to receiving project approvals through the Lower Platte River & Tributaries Authority that was established under the umbrella of LPRCA. Also attached is a spread sheet showing what amounts LPNNRD, LPSNRD, and PMRNRD have contributed to the Alliance since FY 2006.  Also attached is a listing of other grant funding directly secured by the Alliance since 2005.

In a nutshell, all the attached information shows that LPNNRD has contributed $683,667 to the LPRCA since FY 2006.  During the same period, LPSNRD has contributed $1,305,931 and the PMRNRD $1,220,625.  LPNNRD's contribution over this period is 52% of what LPSNRD has contributed and 56% of what PMRNRD has paid. 

As outlined on the attached e-mail that was sent out last week, it is estimated that LPNNRD has received $21.7 million in direct federal project money (Sand Creek Environmental Restoration Project and Western Sarpy Clear Creek Project) that came through the  Lower Platte River & Tributaries Authority established under the umbrella of LPRCA.  While the LPRCA was not directly involved, we have indirectly received about another $20 million of federal and state money that came about because of the approval of the above two large Army COE projects. 

As far as other outside funding recieved, since FY 2005, another $3.1 million has has been directly secured by the LPRCA for a variety of projects and programs for all Alliance partners.

Depending on the Board's action concerning LPNNRD'S future with the LPRCA, the April 28th committee recommendation shown above or some version of it could again be considered by the Board. 

Rationale:  Meghan Sittler was present to review the attached LPRCA Reports and answer committee questions about the Alliance. 

Rationale: 

Colonel Henderson of the COE has signed the Schedule and Cost Change Request for the Fremont Study.  The study cost was lowered $50,000 to $550,000.  The study cost for the Non-federal partners is now LPNNRD $137,500, City of Fremont $66,550, Dodge County $59,675 and Inglewood $11,275.

Changes to design could be ongoing with future development around Fremont.

Rationale:  Attached is an amendment to the Schuyler 205 project which will allow the Army COE to include needed drainage ditch cleaning as part of Schuyler's levee cost-share project.  There is no financial commitment from LPNNRD by signing this amendment. 

Rationale: 

Attached is the City of Schuyler's annual $125,000 project assistance request.  This is in our current budget and we normally wait until the June Board meeting to approve payment.

Upon reviewing all project accounting, when we paid the Army COE their final payment request of $50,000 in 2011 to complete the Shell Creek study, it was discovered that Schuyler was not invoiced their 50% share ($25,000) as outlined in Addendum C in our Interlocal Agreement dated June, 2011.   It is suggested to simply deduct this $25,000 owed from our FY2016 project assistance payment of $125,000 or deduct it from our FY 2017 budgeted assistance.   

Rationale:  Director Bailey said that project plans are complete and they are now waiting for permit approvals. 

Rationale: 

We have been discussing completing a bathymetric survey and sediment analysis of Lake Wanahoo and its wetlands to get an understanding of how quickly the structures are silting in and when we need to complete maintenance.  Mountford has contacted NDEQ to find out how much grant assistance would be available to complete this work.  Attached is a proposal from Lake Tech, Inc., to consider if we decide to move forward.  This issue will be discussed further after more information is received. 

 

 

Rationale:  Miyoshi presented detailed information discussed at the O, E, & RW meeting, about a group of about 25 Saunders County landowners who presented their concerns with flooding below Lake Wanahoo at our office on May 16.  This issue will also be discussed with the Executive Committee as we prepare for a landowner group who will address this issue with the Board at our June 13th meeting.  

Rationale:  This project has been completed.

Rationale:  Attached is Papio Missouri River NRD's $150,000 annual payment request on the Western Sarpy/Clear Creek Project. Also attached is a detailed project summary. After this payment, our project amount owed to PMNNRD will be $428,607.36. While PMRNRD continues to request full payment of the remaining balance owed, we plan to continue to pay $150,000 annually as previously agreed upon. 

Rationale:  With no further action, the Projects Committee adjourned at 9:39 a.m.