June 29, 2016 at 8:30 AM - Operations & Education Committee Meeting

Rationale: 

Wanahoo RV Dump Station JEO Contract update - Contract with JEO is $25,920, to date the District has paid $14,703.50 as of July 11, 2016.

We are currently advertising for bids on the Dump Station.  Bids are due Friday, August 5th at 11:00 a.m. at which they will be read aloud. It is anticipated that a bid will be accepted during the August Board Meeting August 8th.

Rationale: 

Wanahoo RV Dump Station JEO Contract update - Contract with JEO is $25,920, to date the District has paid $14,703.50 as of July 11, 2016.

We are currently advertising for bids on the Dump Station.  Bids are due Friday, August 5th at 11:00 a.m. at which they will be read aloud. It is anticipated that a bid will be accepted during the August Board Meeting August 8th.

Rationale: 

Wanahoo RV Dump Station JEO Contract update - Contract with JEO is $25,920, to date the District has paid $14,703.50 as of July 11, 2016.

We are currently advertising for bids on the Dump Station.  Bids are due Friday, August 5th at 11:00 a.m. at which they will be read aloud. It is anticipated that a bid will be accepted during the August Board Meeting August 8th.

Rationale: 

Wanahoo RV Dump Station JEO Contract update - Contract with JEO is $25,920, to date the District has paid $14,703.50 as of July 11, 2016.

We are currently advertising for bids on the Dump Station.  Bids are due Friday, August 5th at 11:00 a.m. at which they will be read aloud. It is anticipated that a bid will be accepted during the August Board Meeting August 8th.

Rationale:  Rezac Seed has provided the District a check for $1,587.94 for grass drill rental for the first half of 2016.  There were 17 cooperators that used the grass drill.

Rationale:  Rezac Seed has provided the District a check for $1,587.94 for grass drill rental for the first half of 2016.  There were 17 cooperators that used the grass drill.

Rationale:  There are no payments due.

Rationale:  The O & M Crew continues to inspect our watershed dams and are just about complete.  Assisting in forming park bench sites. Maintenance on vehicles. The interns are in full swing with Chemigation inspections led by Tyler Benal.

Rationale:  The Papio-Missouri NRD has sent an invoice for $1,723.60 for our District's portion in keeping the Ice Jam Inter-local agreement fund blaance at $150,000.  The expenses took place in 2015 and 2016. See attached letter.

Rationale: 

Lake Level Discussion

 

Testimony was received during the May 9 board meeting concerning the flooding in Wahoo Creek and unhappiness on flood damage reduction from Lake Wanahoo.  Most of those testifying asked that the lake level be dropped to provide additional flood damage reduction.

 

Mike Sotak from FYRA Engineering presented information on the Hydrology and Hydraulics for Lake Wanahoo (copy attached).  The information provided shows that the annual flood damage savings from Lake Wanahoo is $335,199.  He also explained that the height of the dam is set by Todd Valley to the east and more specifically the elevation of the Wahoo Airport runway.  Tabular and graphic data showed the inflow and outflow for Lake Wanahoo at various storm events that reduce flow in Sand Creek between 36% and 60% depending on the event.

 

Sotak went on to show the rainfall for the May 10-11, 2016 event and how the highest rainfall occurred over Wahoo Creek.  By 7:00 a.m. on May 11 the entire Wahoo Creek flood plain south, east and west of Wahoo was covered by floodwater.  Sand Creek flooded over old highway 77-92 for close to two hours beginning at 4:00 p.m. on May 11.

 

Sotak explained and graphically showed the difference that operating Lake Wanahoo at a lower conservation pool would make on a five year storm event.  Lowering the Lake one foot would reduce outflows 130 cfs (5%) and lowering the Lake two feet would reduce outflows 305 cfs (13%).

 

Those present were invited to attend the O, E & RW Committee Meeting on June 29 if they wish to have a dialogue concerning operation of Lake Wanahoo.  Those that wish to discuss additional dams in the Wahoo Creek Watershed were invited to attend the Projects Committee on June 30.

 

Mike Sotak has been asked to attend the June 29 committee meeting to be part of the discussion as well as Kent Zimmerman from the Department of Natural Resources Representing the Natural Resources Commission ($12.3 million funding sponsor).

 

Zimmerman has forwarded the resolution passed by the NRC in September of 2011 that allowed us to lower the lake elevation by one foot for the year 2012.

 

Attachments:

            Sotak Presentation

            NRC Resolution – 9-27-11

            NRC Minutes 9-27-11

Rationale:  Several landowners along Sand and Wahoo Creeks southwest of Wahoo complained of excess stream bank erosion. 

Rationale:  Max Hohn completed his Eagle Scout Park Bench installation at Lake Wanahoo.  He and his Troop constructed four park benches.  He found four sponsors to help pay for the benches, 3 at $300 and 1 at $350.  The District will cover construction expense incurred by him and his family which is $169.84.  See attache spreadsheet by Max Hohn.

Rationale:  Bob Schmit is asking for assistance in repairing a dam in the Bellwood watershed built in 1974.  His dam is located between two NRD PL-566 structures 6-G and 6-E, see attached aerial photo.  Mr. Schmit's estimate is from Krivanek Construction at $10,130.00. This structure is due south of Bellwood, if it breaches and is not repaired the silt load damages downstream landowners.

Rationale: 

Early morning Saturday June 18th portions of Dodge County had large rainfall amounts ranging from 5-7 inches. Trouble Creek dam was at a record level, see photo.  All creeks, ditches, storage cells and fields were covered with water.  On Monday Heimann and Miyoshi inspected the area and opened two of four gates of one storage cell that had 4 feet of water, two gates are froze shut and need to be worked on to open.  There are areas of bank erosion on Ditch 8 that may need repaired.

Below Trouble Creek dam the water washed out a low water crossing at Ditch 8 and caused severe erosion on Ditch 8 below the sheet pile wall we put in 3-4 years ago, see picture. We will need add to the Rawhide budget line.

Water from the dam may have also caused damage to Gary Kremlacek's 48" concrete culvert water crossing by plugging with trees and over topping, this is his only access to a field. See aerial photo. We are not sure what Mr. Kremlacek wants as far as repair.  He is also asking for assistance to fill sink holes in his field along Ditch 8 in which he claims trees were buried when the Ditch was constructed.  Work on these problems can occur after harvest.  Staff will ask Mr. Kremlacek for an estimate to be presented at a later date. 

Rationale: 

It was requested at the last Board Meeting to get an estimate in placing bollards around the five electrical panels and transformers at the Lake Wanahoo SRA.  Mike Murren has put together an estimate of approximately $4,825 for materials and labor, see attachment.  The Committee discussed the situation and felt it unnecessary to place bollards around each electrical panel and transformer because the distance from the roads to these structure is substantial and they are insured.

It was brought to attention that the insurance cost of $2,700 for insuring 75 electrical camper pedestals was out of line and that the District self insure these pedestals. A motion was made to self insure the 75 electrical pedestals, however it was discovered that the cost for the insurance is actually $393 per year.  Director Gibney that made the motion asked that it be withdrawn.

Rationale:  Staff would like to replace our current 2008 ATV and trailer with a Side by Side Utility vehicle.  The current ATV is narrow 44" and becomes top heavy with a 20 gallon sprayer tank on board when spraying dams and ditch berms.  Mitch O'Reilly has researched the side by side utility vehicles and trailers and reviewed his findings. (See attachment). Staff would recommend selling the ATV and trailer and replace it with wider utility vehicle and trailer therefore budgeting $15,000.

Rationale:  North and South of County Road O in the wetlands of Lake Wanahoo many people bird watch.  There is not an adequate area to park and we would like to keep parked vehicles off of the County Roads. Staff suggest developing a five vehicle parking area at the old farmstead north of County Road O on Co. Rd 17.  This parking lot could also be used by the hunters who use the Ducks Unlimited Blind.  Limestone will be used as the base.

Rationale: 

The KTIC Radio ad this month focused on Chemigation.  The recording is attached.  The Wahoo Newspaper eAd continued this month with promotion for Czechland Lake Recreation Area.

Rationale: 

The summer issue of the Viaduct and 2015 Annual Report has been sent to Suburban Newspapers for printing and distribution.  Distribution is planned for the following area newspapers: Fremont Tribune, David City Banner Press, Schuyler Sun, Columbus Telegram, Albion News, Newman Grove Reporter, Humphrey Democrat, Wahoo Newspaper, North Bend Eagle and the Ashland Gazette.

Rationale: 

NARD is looking for volunteers during Husker Harvest Days on September 13^th-15^th.  The deadline to sign up is Friday, July 29^th.  The shifts are 3 hours and the roles are tree give-a-ways, greeters, floaters (answer questions and retrieve trees from cooler), and Native Prairie Outreach Display.  The current sign-up sheet is attached.  Please let Desirae know if you are interested in signing up to volunteer.

Rationale: 

This project was launched by photographer Michael Forsbert and NET Special Projects Director Michael Farrell to provide an unprecedented look at the Platte Basin and the importance of agriculture as it relates to the Platte Basin.  The Platte River Time-lapse Project will provide educational materials for the general public, classrooms, and out-of-school programs. The project will also create STEM curricula, meeting Nebraska state standards, for elementary, middle, and high school students. 

Currently, NARD and 13 NRDs are considering participation in the project.   The cost of participation in the Platte River Time-lapse Project is $1,800 a year for three years.  This financial partnership will support the development of:

• Identify location/partner for time-lapse cameras
• Install image-gathering technologies on ag location
• Assemble team of corn/agriculture experts and educator advisors
• Identify best STEM themes that align to Nebraska State Standards
• Create storyboards and wireframes for content

Rationale: 

A proposed project for FY2017 is the addition of a nature education trail/disc golf course at Lake Wanahoo State Recreation Area.  The 9-hole disc golf course will include environmental education that is specific to the local area.

Tee signs will include traditional tee sign information, disc golf pro tips, and educational information of our choosing (Lake Wanahoo, the Saunders County Poor Farm, bald eagles, prairie grasses, etc.). We will choose 9 themes for the tee signs.  There are 3 themes for scorecards: birds, trees, greens.  These will include species specific to the area.

Kids in Parks is a national company that will develop artwork, signage, and scorecards. This company will also administer the rewards program for visitors that connects disc golf courses across the country that are a part of this organization.  LPNNRD staff have researched cost-effective materials to utilize in the building and installation of the disc golf course. 

Estimated costs through Kids in Parks is $7,600.  The design and development of the disc golf course is estimated at $5,000.  The total estimated project cost is $12,600.  There is a little less than $15,000 remaining in the NRDF grant funds- making the cost share for the project approximately $5,040.

Cost break down per hole is $790.

• Signage: $250
• Building Materials: $140
• Basket: $400

To help alleviate costs, we have developed a sponsorship plan. There has been strong interest and positive responses from potential sponsors.   Community sponsors could support the project at the following levels:

• Basket Sponsorship: $400 (Would include decal of company logo/business name along top of basket)
• Tee Sign Sponsorship: $250 (Would include company plaque)
• Full Hole Sponsorship: $500 (Would include both plaque and decal)

 

Rationale: 

State required Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR's) have been completed, mailed to customers and all reporting information submitted to DHHS.

Continue to work with Phoenix Group moving forward on radio read system for both Colon and Bruno.

Rationale: 

Service leak on Oak street was isolated and repaired.

Replaced one defective service meter.

Coordinating new rural service customer on Browning drive.  Once connection fee ($3,000) is paid work will begin installing meter pit, trenching line and tapping main.

Meters were read 6-28-16 and monthly samples collected.  Bills will be sent out 6-29-16.

Rationale: 

Meters were read 6-28-16 and monthly samples collected.  Bills will be sent out 6-29-16.

Conducted air relief inspections along system.