February 1, 2017 at 8:30 AM - Operations & Education Committee Meeting

Rationale: 

The committee needs to nominate and elect a committee chair and vice-chair.

Hannah was nominate as Chairman by Kavan, 2nd by Seier, nomination was closed by Folsom and Seier was nominated as Vice-Chairman by Kavan, 2nd by Hannah, nomination was closed by Folsom and a motion was made.

Hannah will be the Chair and Seier the Vice Chair for the O,E & RW Committee for 2017

Rationale: 

There are no contract payments.

The tree removal contractor for Czechland has yet to start.

Rationale:  Staff repaired the flatbed on the 1 ton Dodge, replaced the muffler and tailpipe and rear shocks. Currently doing maintenance and repairs to the dump trailer. Other vehicle maintenance as needed. Periodically checking the recreation area restrooms and garbage.

Rationale: 

Staff met with our non-federal partners ( City of Fremont, Dodge County, Inglewood), the Corps of Engineers and FYRA Engineering on Friday, February 27 in Fremont. As previously stated, to construct a levee around Fremont the COE estimates it at $137 million.  To get it to a 1:1 benefit/cost ratio the price tag needs to be closer to $90 million.  By combining a new SE Beltway into a levee system could reduce the cost by $23-25 million. NDOR still does not look favorably at combining the beltway and levee system but, with some political pressure it may be a possibility but it still does not get us to a 1:1 BC Ratio.

FEMA is currently reviewing hydraulic flow models from NDOR.  NDOR's calculations take the hydraulic flows substantially lower than that of the COE. FEMA has been reviewing this for the past 8-9 months.

FYRA Engineering has found a discrepancy in how the hydraulic flows were calculated by the COE in the Platte River floodplain.  Fyra has not yet come up with a reduced discharge number on flood flows. Even if the discharge is reduced and a levee can be constructed less in length and height there is no guarantee that the BC Ratio would change enough to get it to 1:1. FYRA will have the discharge number soon and may also communicate with the Engineer for NDOR.

Rationale: 

Miyoshi and Brian Newton (acting city administrator for Fremont) have been working with Paul Gifford to resolve placement of the Box Culvert that by contract is owed to Gifford.  LPNNRD has been unwilling to compromise on location of the culvert due to added costs and our understanding of the original contract.  The request is now being made to have LPNNRD pay Fremont to assume the culvert liability.  The attached table shows the informal bids received to preform the work.

The question is what are we willing to pay to buy our way out of the contract.  If we were going to construction, the above quotes show our cost would be $60,000 (the construction cost for the low bid).  Fremont’s cost is engineering and project inspection.

Rationale: 

Heimann and Miyoshi met with the COE on Wednesday, January 18 to review the deficiencies on the Sand/Duck Creek Dams.  The Corps states that a letter from Colonel Henderson dated October 14, 2016 officially closed out the Sediment Trap/Wetland, Breakwater Berm, remaining recreational features, Upstream Structures and Dam Site 15 Outlet Channel Repair and the entire project is officially turned over to the LPN NRD for operations and maintenance, repair, replacement and rehabilitation.

The Corps states that the erosion issues outside the project boundaries were to be handled by the NRD because it would have taken more land acquisition therefore making it more costly. They are looking into the possibility of repairing the terraces and tile outlets on Site 16 because it is within the project boundary.  The Corps estimates there's $31,000 remaining in the account for finishing the O & M Manual and figuring the financial credits on the project. They are declining to help financially with any land treatment next door or take any responsibility for any of the reported deficiencies.

To put land treatment on neighboring properties and repair erosion issues in the emergency spillways NRCS designs and estimates total $37,452. Heimann has met with tenant/contractor Roland Kavan on doing this work and helping persuade landowners to put land treatment on their property. Staff recommends that landowners sign up for cost share assistance through SWCP and that the District budget and cover the other 25%. This process may take a year or two.

JEO has surveyed the west property boundary on Site 15 and placed markers for identification. Heimann assisted with a fence post marker, painted pink, in the clump of trees in the lake.  The fence post was tied to a tree with the original lathe that was tied to the same tree.

 

Rationale:  The District advertised and directly sent RFQ/RFP letters to engineering firms in the area that might have interest in the Section 408 process request to the Army Corp’s of Engineers for permission to lower Lake Wanahoo’s permanent water level. RFQ/RFP's were due at the NRD office by 8:00 a.m Tuesday, January 31. The Lake Level Committee recommended to table/postpone the opening and review of the two RFQ/RFP's that were received. The Committee would like more detailed information from the COE on what will be looked at in the 408 process and whether the engineering firms have enough of this COE information to make a proper bid/proposal.

Rationale:  Mike Sotek of FYRA Engineering was present to propose a "Proactive Flood Management Proposal" in regulating the Wanahoo Lake Level by monitoring the extended weather forecast. The lake level would be managed by opening and closing the gate dependent on the 2-4 day extended weather forecast. Instrumentation such as piezometers would be used to monitor upstream flows to inform us how much water is coming down. FYRA Engineering would develop a step by step management plan based on predicted rainfall events to guide us in regulating the gate level (timing & volume).  We could try this concept for one year manually, if it seems successful, we could work toward automating the system. To help curtail the cost of automation we would apply for funding through NEMA (Hazard Mitigation) and the Water Sustainability Fund.

Rationale: 

Staff is recommending selling the oldest vehicle a 2002 Chevy work truck which is located at Czechland Lake and replacing it with our 2005 Dodge Ram. Purchase a new extended cab 4 x 4 pickup through a State Contract.  Find the availability list for vehicles through the State of Nebraska and UNL.

If the existing topper on the Chevy does not fit the Dodge, a new topper will need to be purchased.

Rationale: 

Staff would like to replace the rear dual tires on our JD 4430. We use this tractor on many slopes and traction has become questionable. We budgeted an extra $3,000 under Equipment Upkeep for this purpose. Heimann would like to purchase tires from Bill's Tire Service in Columbus at a cash price and have Marv Ourada from Prague mount them.  The price estimate is $2,700.  Heimann received tire quotes from Ourada Tire Service, Bill's Tire and Bauer Built in Fremont. Tire prices ranged from $540 to $824 a tire.

Drill Revenue from Rezac Seed for the second half of 2016 was $5,912.23. Fifty percent is $2,956.12 less $176.97 for repairs.  The NRD's  share is $2,779.15.

Revenue from Schuyler Co-op for the second half of 2016 was $3,301.60. Fifty percent is $1,650.80.

Platte County drill at Rosendahl Farms had revenue of $1,233. Fifty percent is $616.50 less $600.00 for repairs.  The NRD's share is $16.50.

Rationale:  Heimann with the assistance and review from the Dept. of Natural Resources Dam Safety Officials has updated the Emergency Action Plans for our high hazard dams, Cottonwood Dams 7A, 21A and Lake Wanahoo. DNR has reviewed and approved them.  All are available to look at in Heimann's office.

Rationale: 

A meeting with Game & Parks to discuss Lake Wanahoo Recreation revenue and expenses is scheduled for Thursday, February 9th at 10:00 here at the NRD office.

The Dump Station contractor has not restarted since the weather has turned on us.

Rationale: 

The KTIC radio ad and the Wahoo Newspaper eAd for January will focus on purchasing 2017 park permits.  

Rationale: 

The 2017 winter edition of the Viaduct was distributed in area newspapers January 18^th-January 28^th.   The online edition was sent on Monday, January 23^rd.  

Rationale: 

Test Your Well Nights have been scheduled with the Bishop Neumann FFA and the East Butler FFA chapters.  East Butler Test Your Well Night, in partnership with the Lower Platte South NRD, will be on February 8^th from 5-7 pm at East Butler High School in the gym.  Bishop Neumann Test Your Well Night will be on February 22^nd from 6:30-7:30 pm at Bishop Neumann High School in the cafeteria.

Rationale: 

The Pheasants Forever Lower Platte Chapter has sent a donation request for their 18th Annual Banquet on March 24^th at the Ashland VFW.  They are requesting $250 for overall banquet package merchandise.  Their request includes that the goal of the banquet is to raise funds that can be used to go back to Saunders County and the state to help with Open Fields and Waters, Wanahoo, Youth Hunts, Pollinator Programs, etc.

In 2016, $250 was donated to the banquet in recognition of the partnership with the Pheasants Forever Lower Platte Chapter.  The 2016 banquet program is attached.

Rationale:  We have been involved in communications with HBE regarding accounting practices for our systems and will continue to work with them regarding billing, accounting and inventory practices.

Rationale: 

Water samples were taken and delivered to our lab on 1-24-17 and bills have been processed and are ready to mail.

I have met with the Wahoo Post Office regarding delivery issues we have been experiencing the past couple months.  We are having water bills returned to us as "unable to deliver"  to addresses we know are active and correct.  They have informed me they are looking into these issues and will keep me informed.

Rationale:  Water samples were taken and delivered to our lab on 1-24-17 and bills have been processed and are ready to mail.