August 31, 2016 at 8:30 AM - Operations & Education Committee Meeting

Rationale: 

We are preparing for the Grassland Renovations at Homestead and Czechland Lakes.  Homestead has been hayed and will be sprayed after the first freeze then inter-seeded in the spring.  At Czechland we are proposing to start tree removal on the 100 acre tract this fall/winter.  We need to advertise and solicit bids for this tree removal.  Bids would be opened prior to the October Board meeting to then be approved.

The following year we will then spray the grassland and inter-seed in the spring of 2018.

Rationale:  We have started our mowing circuit and completed Clear Creek Levee, Rawhide Ditch. Ames and Cottrell Levees.  Czechland and Homestead will follow.  Maintaining equipment as needed.

Rationale: 

Meduna Family Farms hayed the Wanahoo property and took 231 bales which was 160 tons.  The District received payment of $7,229.70.  The next fields to be hayed will be after September 1.

Chuck Andel hayed Homestead Lake and took 133 bales which was 96.7 tons. The District received $3,967.

Dan Ourada has not completed the haying at Czechland Lake.

Rationale: 

The District received payment from Schuyler Co-op for grass drill rental for the first half of the year at $1,678. Schuyler Co-op has never deducted any cost for repairs.

Rosendahl Farms Seed & Feed in Platte County sent a report of income at $1,496 with expenses of parts and repair of $1,476.48.  The District owes Rosendahl $728.48 for those parts and repairs.  The previous rental cooperator Mueller Sod Farms did very little repair to the grass drill during their time of renting the drill which explains why Rosendahl put many repairs into the drill.

A comparison report of the grass drills in Colfax and Platte Counties is attached.

Rationale:  The U.S. Forest Service at Bessey Nursery has increased their tree seedling prices.  For 2 year conifer and hardwood seedlings the price has increased from $0.63 to $0.70 and for 1 year hardwood seedlings from $0.58 to $0.65. The District currently charges $0.75 for seedlings and $1.35 for the seedling, planting and herbicide. Is there consideration for increasing our prices?

Rationale: 

Heimann contacted Thompson Construction for an estimate to repair Rawhide Ditch (attached). Thompson did the previous work putting in sheet pile at this location.  Thompson's estimate to put in 12 sheet pile, we have on hand, is $3,700 with some finish grading.  To repair the low water crossing opposite the sheet pile is $6,800 but, there is some unknown until it is cleaned out.  This part of the project could be less than quoted.  The total for both is $10,500.  Work would start after harvest. Budgeted for Rawhide Channel repair is $15,000.

Heimann is also working with Fresno Valves to replace one of four gate valves that is frozen on one of the storage cells along Rawhide Ditch. 

Staff will be meeting with Fyra Engineering on Friday, September 2 at 8:30 to discussion what can be done regarding mitigation of the flood water storage cell in which the new highway 30 expressway will occupy.

Rationale: 

The Family of Eldon Miller in his memory purchased and established the flag pole in the camp ground of Lake Wanahoo. We are having difficulty lighting the flag properly. We received an estimate from Power D Inc.  The estimate depends on the number of lights used, the lights mount on their own pedestal in the ground. If two lights are used the estimated price would be $1,550, if three are used $1,865. The District would assist in trenching in the wire and pouring concrete bases for the lights.

We also have an estimate from SECO Electric INC., Scott Roumph for $1,100.

RV Dump Station professional services contract with JEO is $25,920. We have spent $20,579.25 of that contract.

Revenue comparison at this time, 2015 Camping & Shower Income was $25,379 - 2016 Camping & Shower is $36,459.18.

Rationale:  The Corps of Engineers will organize with the City of Fremont a public meeting for the Fremont GI Study on Tuesday, October 18 starting at 5:30 or 6:00 pm possibly at the Fremont Middle School.

Rationale:  The aerial spraying of noxious and invasive weeds on the Platte River will tentatively occur the week of September 5. Provine Helicopters will also spray areas of Wanahoo as discussed last meeting.

Rationale: 

To date the Czechland Lake RV camping revenue is at $5,624.70.

Department of Roads has placed brown directional recreation signs on the Bruno Highway spur for Homestead Lake. This topic was brought to our attention from Director Saalfeld.

Rationale:  As a request of Director McDermott, in the past our NRD had two O & M Technicians, a few years ago this was reduced to one person. With the addition of the Sand/Duck Creek and Western Sarpy-Clear Creek projects and loosing the assistance of Mike Murren more O & M staffing is needed. 

Rationale: 

The Legislature required changes to the Erosion and Sediment Control Act. Mike Onnen, General Manager of Little Blue NRD took the lead with help from a few others in making the required changes to the Act and developed  a template for all District's to follow. Find attached a revised Erosion & Sediment Control Rules & Regulations policy for our District for your review. In approving the draft, we can then send it on to the Natural Resources Commission for their approval.

We also need to have a public hearing for the new regulations.  A public hearing can occur before and during our next committee meeting, Wednesday, September 28th.  The hearing will start at 8:15 a.m.

Rationale: 

WasteCap Nebraska has sent a sponsorship request for their Annual Awards Luncheon & Workshops.  The sponsorship levels are attached.

WasteCap Nebraska is a 501©3 whose mission is “To partner with business and community leaders to eliminate waste in Nebraska using strategies that improve profitability, community goodwill and employee pride”. 

Rationale: 

The East Central Region Land Judging Contest is hosted by Lower Platte North every other year with Lower Platte South.  The last 3 times that Lower Platte South has hosted the event they have paid the registration costs for students.  This has been around $600.  Lower Platte North will host the 2016 contest on October 12^th.  Registration fees are $2.00 per student and typically there are around 200 registered students.

Rationale: 

The LPNNRD received a request for a scholarship opportunity for a sophomore in college that is considering a Water Science degree.  Currently, our scholarship program includes two $1,000 scholarships for high school seniors from Schuyler Central High School or Newman Grove High School involved with the Shell Creek Watershed Monitoring Program.  

Rationale: 

The first Test Your Well Night has been scheduled for September 29^th from 6-8 pm at David City High School.  Students from the natural resources class will use colorimeters to test the nitrate levels of well samples from the public.  

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

We are continuing to work with Phoenix Group to integrate a new meter reading radio system.  They have established the needed file format and will be meeting with us in the near future with a proposal.

Cross connection surveys have been sent to all customers.  These forms are collected and kept on file per state requirement.

Rationale: 

Bills were sent out this week for August usage.  Monthly samples were collected and submitted to the State. We will be conducting our scheduled Lead and Copper testing in the next week at the five, predetermined sites in Colon.

I have met with Colon VFD regarding potential site for new Firehouse and the availability of needed flow rates for building fire sprinkler system.

Wahoo Utilities contacted me yesterday informing us of successive coliform hits during the month of August.  Because of these hits our Colon line will be chlorinated for the duration of this week and possibly through the upcoming weekend. Wahoo chlorinates annually this time of year and this will fulfill the scheduled chlorination for the 2016.

 

 

Rationale:  Bills were sent out this week for August usage.  Monthly samples were collected and submitted to the State.