November 3, 2016 at 9:30 AM - Executive Committtee Meeting

Rationale: 

Tabled motion from 9-12-16 - To offer tiling and Wetland Reserve Program options to landowners impacted by the Wanahoo Wetland contingent on receiving a hold harmless agreement before exploring other options.

Lausterer was asked to contact the three landowners (Gaughen, Murren and Stoeber) asking for a formal claim with a listing of damages they feel they are receiving.

Rationale: 

The Groundwater Management District Winter Conference will be in Ft. Worth Texas January 9-11 with a copy of the agenda attached to the Executive Committee Agenda.  In the past we have sent up to two directors and two staff the conference.

Rationale:  The National Association of Conservation Districts Annual Meeting will be held in Denver January 28 to February 1.  We normally allow attendance of up to two directors and two staff for conference.

Rationale:  The jointly held Nebraska Water Resources Association and Nebraska State Irrigation Association Annual Conference and Trade Show is November 20-22 in Kearney. See attached list of topics.  Please let staff know if you wish to attend so arrangements can be made.

Rationale:  The Newman Grove Science Class will give an update on the status of Shell Creek just prior to our November Board Meeting in Newman Grove.

Rationale:  The Great Plains RC&D is dissolving and has funds left in their treasury.  They would like LPNNRD to designate a 501(c)(3) group to receive close to $1,000 on our behalf.  The three groups that came to mind are; the Groundwater Foundation, Nebraska Land Trust and Lower Platte River Corridor Alliance.  We ask that the board designate where we would like these funds to go.

Rationale:  Attached find a request for dues from the National Association of Conservation Districts.  Most of the NRDs are paying $1,776 per year.

Rationale: 

Beginning October 15, 2016 Water Strategies is officially representing our needs in Washington D.C., a copy of the signed agreement is attached.  We held our first conference call on October 31 to review past projects and where each of the districts is headed with new projects.  We also received an update on the status of WRDA.

WRDA passed both the House and Senate just prior to the election break.  The versions were vastly different with the Senate approving a $10 billion plan (over the next 10 years) and the House a $3 billion plan.  No one is sure if a conference committee can agree on a final plan that must be approved prior to congress adjourning the session in December.

Also attached find the announcement of the addition of Steve Stockton to Water Strategies as an advisor on Corps issues.  We have worked with Stockton for several years as the Director of Civil Works at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (top civilian position at the Corps).  See attachment.

We have received the first billings from Water Strategies that need to be paid

Rationale:  Our last Recognition Banquet was held in June of 2015.  We need to make a decision if we wish to have a formal winter banquet, a summer picnic or not conduct a recognition ceremony.  The Executive Committee instructed that we have a recognition picnic similar to two years ago.  Plans will be made for a Sunday, June 4 recognition event with all past directors and staff being invited.

Rationale:  Attached find information from Cathy Dill the Dodge Count Treasurer informing us of a Tax Roll Correction.  The correction is for Shiv Hospitality Inc, was ordered by the TERC Board and will cost LPNNRD $234.35.

Rationale:  November 15 is the final day to register for the 2017 Water Leaders Academy.  We would need to know by the November board meeting if anyone is interested in attending.

Rationale: 

The two year retainer agreement for legal counsel expires just prior to our January 2017 board meeting.  (Copy attached)  Attached find a proposal for renewing the agreement.  The only noted change is an increase in monthly retainer fee from $450 to $500.  The remainder of the agreement is the same as the previous two year agreement.

Jovan noted to allow this submission to serve as the firms proposal should the district issue an RFP for legal services.

Rationale:  Attached find a comparison of Nebraska property taxes and Valuations between 2005 and 2015.

Rationale:  The Personnel sub-Committee is scheduled to meet immediately following the Executive Committee meeting on November 3.

Rationale:  We will not have financial reports to approve until after HBE 360 has entered all of our FY17 financial information in their system.

Rationale:  Each November we renew our $400,000 "Line of Credit" with Union Bank.

Rationale:  As part of the 2016 Annual Audit HBE has recommended that we update our Capitalization Policy by increasing the amounts.  These increases will have us expensing small expenditures rather than carrying them on a depreciation schedule. See attached draft policy.

Rationale:  We have received a bill from HBE for performing our June 30, 2016 Annual Audit in the amount of $21,410