April 2, 2020 at 8:00 AM - Operations Committee Meeting

Rationale:  We have nothing to address.

Rationale:  We have nothing to address.

Rationale:  The O & M crew has been moving rock on to Wanahoo camper pads and assisting with the cabin pads. Doing routine maintenance of vehicles and other equipment. Checking recreation area restrooms and garbage. Also, continue to cut & treat volunteer trees on all properties. We continue to have beaver problems on two of our Cottonwood Dams.
We have since closed the restrooms at all of our recreation areas.
One of the water level gate towers on the Wanahoo Dam is broken. A roller bearing exploded which also damaged a beveled gear. All parts are on order but the supplier is on a two week shut down because of Covid 19. We are operating the water level using the other two gates.

Rationale:  Several weeks ago management and staff began planning for altered office procedures due to the growing concern over COVID-19.  The following is a listing of some of the changes that have been made over the past several weeks:
- Office staff has been divided into two work groups, each working 3 days in the office and 3 days remotely from home.
- Staff members who can continue to work outside will do so when work is needed however they will not be permitted to enter any portion of the office.
- While working from home, staff will be available for phone and e-mail communications and understand all job related responsibilities remain.
- Management and staff are conducting daily conference calls at 10 am and 2 pm to maintain aggressive communication lines and insure all staff is up to date with ongoing District workloads.
- Sick leave will not be utilized while staff is working from home.
- The office doors have been locked and the general public is not allowed into the building without an appointment.
- If a walk-up customer needs to drop off paperwork, payment or any other correspondence, staff will go to their vehicle and take care of business outside of the office.
- All staff is being asked to follow generally accepted CDC recommendations when it comes to washing hands, disinfecting equipment and operating as safely as possible in our current working environment.
- Office cleaning crew is disinfecting all solid surfaces, light switches, door handles and public spaces during their regular cleaning and staff is doing the same at the end of the 3 day shifts.
- All staff will remain home and not come into the office if they have any of the variety of COVID-19 symptoms.
- Our NRD recreation areas remain open however we have closed down the Wanahoo playgrounds and all of our recreation site toilets.
- While we can never guarantee the absolute safety to all our employees, we believe these steps and any future steps, will help us achieve our greatest goal, that of protecting the health and well-being of our staff and the general public.

Rationale:  Work slowed down the previous two weeks because wet weather, permitting from BN RR and how rock (rip-rap) was going to be delivered. Last week again was the delay with the rock and the Corona Virus.
All the fill has been placed at the breach just north of Co.Rd F and they are waiting for rock, the Fuse Plug flood way is complete except for the large concrete outlet culvert in the NW corner and the entire shoulder along the BN RR (still waiting on a permit). The Fuse Plug flood way at the Lyman Richey lake just north of Co. Rd E will be finished this week. Rip-rap will now be shipped in by UPRR to Mead and then hauled via truck to the project site. On order are four trains each carrying 100 cars of rock.
If the rock can be shipped in a timely manner and weather cooperates, this project may be completed by June 1.

Rationale:  The Contractor, Husker Grading, is on site.
We have obtained 2 of 4 Temporary Construction Easements, waiting for the other two.
The NRD & JEO are scheduling a site visit with the contractor for the end of this week.
We continue to pay invoices for JEO's work on this project. Their contract is $45,765.00 and the District has been billed to date $30,237.50.

Rationale:  The Yutan Dive Team inspected the scour hole on Saturday, March 14. Conditions were not ideal, 32 degrees, snow, NE wind 15-20 mph. The scour hole is a little right of center looking down stream, up to 15' deep with some rock in the hole, the scour under the basin floor is what the engineers anticipated, scoured back approx. 15' (the same as the depth of the hole). Imagine the entire hole to look something like an egg (outside and under the basin floor). They had estimated that it would be that approximate size regarding the estimated price to repair.
FYRA is meeting with NDNR Dam Safety on Friday to discuss an approach to the design. If anyone has any questions please forward them to Bob Heimann and he can then forward to Mike Sotek or send your questions directly to him. 
Scuba picture attached.

Rationale:  A) We have received a signed Interlocal Agreement from Clear Creek Drainage District regarding O & M on a portion Ditch 1 from Thomas Lakes Road bridge to the Clear Creek Levee. This document was written/reviewed by the both District's legal counsels. This agreement allows the NRD to assist  Clear Creek DD with O & M on this portion of Ditch 1 either financially or mechanically to avoid it from being abandon or taken over by the NRD. (See attached) Will need a motion.

B) Clear Creek Drainage District is asking the NRD to cost-share on two projects, repair work accomplished on Ditch 1 after the March 2019 flood and the cleaning of another District ditch. Clear Creek DD is asking for cost-share assistance of $4,240.87.  This assistance also helps in their cost to place dirt on the tie-back levee to raise the elevation.

Rationale:  Staff has previously spoken to Kent Merryweather (PVDD Rep.) and Jake Miriovsky with JEO on the Platte Valley Drainage District's damages due to the March 2019 flooding. Platte Valley Drainage District has sent a letter of request for cost-share assistance for their levee repairs. (See attached letter) JEO is working with Platte Valley on the repairs. Estimated Construction and current engineering cost is $1,017,475.00. FEMA/NEMA will cover 87.5 %. Platte Valley's estimated local cost is approximately $130,000, which could be more or less depending on bids.
They are asking for a commitment from the NRD for as much as 50% or $65,000. A letter of support and commitment from the NRD may assist Platte Valley in receiving a loan of smaller scale from a bank because they cannot obtain a loan for a million dollars. Platte Valley is in the FEMA/NEMA portal for assistance. Platte Valley DD has approx. $100K in the bank, they started with approx. $130,000. They have paid for engineering and temporary closures on two breaches. The repairs will be done in phases to allow cost-share funds (cash flow) from FEMA/NEMA and NRD to come in so they can move on to the next phase of repair.

Rationale:  We have a current total order of 6,275 trees with approximately 1,060 left in inventory. We have four machine plantings to do at this time.
Bessey Nursery at Halsey is struggling to find help to dig and package all tree orders and are not taking any more orders. They are hoping to have them packaged and shipped before someone shuts them down.
At this time we don't have a shipping date. We also don't know the status of our own operation due to the restrictions of Covid 19.

Rationale:  Kay Poppe's site was inspected and recommendations were made to her and her tenant.

Rationale:  The following decision was made several weeks ago to provide free access to Wanahoo Recreation Area and distributed throughout our social media presence.  

In these times of uncertainty and social distancing, the Lower Platte North Natural Resources District understands the uneasiness and anxiety associated with the need to limit exposure to others. We believe "Exposure" to the great outdoors and everything nature has to offer is an excellent option for individuals feeling cooped up and wanting to get out.
Lower Platte North NRD wants to help...Effective today, March 16 through Sunday April 5th we are offering free entry to our Lake Wanahoo Recreation Area. Located just north of Wahoo off Highway 77/92, Lake Wanahoo offers camping, no wake boating, fishing, hiking, biking, disc golf as well as the opportunity to simply GET OUT and enjoy the outdoors.
As we all work to find our path through the days and weeks to come, Lower Platte North NRD hopes regular contact with nature will provide, all who desire, an opportunity to relax, unwind and restore some form of "normal" to their daily lives.
Please contact our office at 402-443-4675 or e-mail us; egottschalk@lpnnd.org or lsabatka@lpnnrd.org with any questions

Rationale:  Staff has installed rock foundations and Wright Shed construction crew began on Monday March 30th.  As of Wednesday morning, the first cabin is complete and 2nd is nearing completion.  Photos will be attached to agenda.

Bret is in contact with Butler Power and work to bring electricity to the site will begin soon.

Once Wright Shed is finished with erection of all the cabins, it is our intention to hire Hancock Construction to provide rough finish to interior at approximate cost of $1,850 per cabin. ($ 11,100 total)

Bid for bringing electricity to and throughout the cabins will be ready for approval at the April board meeting.

Rationale:  The District received $2,579.84 in online camping revenue for the month of March. That brings the total year to date revenue to $8,263.23. 

Rationale:  Hancock Construction final billing of $8835 represents final payment for interior construction.  We have conducted final walk through and are very happy with the quality and professionalism of Hancock Construction.  Final billing represents additional electrical and plumbing work needed to satisfy Fire Marshall and City of Wahoo inspector requirements as well as add-ons of ceiling fans, additional cabinets and trim work to enclose steel beams.

The last work we are waiting on from Hancock Construction is the finished 7' rolling buffet which is complete and will be delivered on Friday.

Rationale: 

The KTIC Radio ads and Wahoo Newspaper eAd are attached. The ads promoting the availability of tree and shrub orders from the LPNNRD will continue through the beginning of April. NRD recreation area ads will begin after April 10.

Rationale:  The 2020 winter issue of the Viaduct was printed and distributed early March. You can view the issue online at https://lpnnrd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2020_Winter_Viaduct_web.pdf

Rationale:  lpnnrd.org

	Users	Sessions	Traffic			Top Pages
October 2019	710	904	Organic	58.4%		Home	543
			Direct	25%		Lake Wanahoo	355
			Referral	13.3%		Staff	121
			Social	3.3%		Czechland Lake	100
						Contact	95
February 2020	952	1214	Organic	58.9%		Home	783
			Direct	23%		Lake Wanahoo	572
			Referral	14.2%		Staff	152
			Social	3.9%		Downloads	147
						Board of Directors	130
March 2020	1,157	1,483	Organic	56.2%		Home	881
			Direct	22.4%		Lake Wanahoo	707
			Referral	17%		Downloads	199
			Social	4.3%		Forestry	162
						Contact	153

facebook.com/lpnnrd

	Total Views/ Impressions	Total Reach	Total Engaged Users	Followers
October 2019	9446	6772	1273	873
Top Post: Wanahoo Ed Building available	6732	4,551	1150
Shared picture from PCI	538	434	36
Area Land Judging NARD article	529	407	24
February 2020	4655	4563	121	907
Top post: HMP second round meetings x3	557	544	42
Accepting tree orders	376	372	21
Shell Creek Scholarship available	318	312	9
March 2020	28,261	27,106	2,641	1035
Top post: Free Access to Lake Wanahoo	23,091	22,305	2,467
Help stop the spread from CDC	498	484	21
Limited LPNNRD office access	366	302	15

twitter.com/lpnnrd

	Impressions	Engagements	Followers
October 2019	3,707	61	300
Top Post: order trees	797	12
Wildflowers/quote	296	8
Soybean sunset picture	252	5
February 2020	11,902	175	315
Top Post: Shell Creek scholarship available	1,748	24
Nebraska Cover Crop/Soil Health Expo	1,417	19
Tree orders available	1,173	7
March 2020	8,652	201	316
Top Post: Shell creek scholarship available	1,438	22
Help slow spread-photo from CDC	913	11
Cancelled nitrogen class	772	17

Rationale:  We plan to work with RedThread on another video in the next few months for two departmental videos. RedThread will produce a 60-second video with a 30-second cut for the purpose of promoting Operations & Maintenance Department.
Price includes concepting, script writing and editing, video production and editing, drone filming, voiceover fees, and travel fees. This price includes 2 RedThread team members filming for 1 day. Locations will be provided by LPNNRD.

Rationale:  We plan to advertise 30-second Lake Wanahoo video to the area in April and May. 

News Channel Nebraska - rate breakdown attached. News sponsorship includes 30-second video during exclusive hour, 5-second name/logo during exclusive hour at $475 per month. Includes 30 commercials per month.

KMTV Channel 3 out of Omaha is also working on a commercial schedule for 15-second and 30-second spots. 

This information was not available at committee meeting and will need a board motion - To approve the advertising contract with KMTV 3NewsNow for TV and digital advertising of the 15-second and 30-second Lake Wanahoo commercial for the amount of $2,200

The following Lake Wanahoo ad https://youtu.be/JrykYLaWzq0 will be featured on KMTV 3 News Now (Omaha) in the We’re Open section of their website https://www.3newsnow.com/open and on air free of charge for the next few weeks. The week of April 27, if approved, will start the paid advertising as attached and continue into June.
 

Rationale:  Early March, we continued with the Wahoo CEO (Career Exploration Opportunities) program - senior student.

Events that were scheduled for March and April that have since been cancelled due to COVID-19:
March 23 - Wahoo Cub Scouts
March 26 - Survival Club, Wahoo Middle School - 8th grade students
April 2 - Mini-Courses at Aquinas Middle School
April 16 - Fremont Eco-Fair
April 21, 22 - St. Wenceslaus Pre-Kindergarten trip to Lake Wanahoo

Currently working on educational activities to distribute to some of these programs since we were not able to have these events.

Rationale:  The Nebraska State Envirothon was to be held at Lake Wanahoo on April 29. State finalists have been announced. The contest has been cancelled. See attached Press Release

Rationale:  DHHS distributed the 2019 Water Quality Reports to all public water systems.  Elliott notified public per DHHS regulations and has posted the reports for both systems on the NRD's website.

Rationale:  The RWD has been formally contacted by the Grandview HOA in regards to installing a fire hydrant along our rural line.  Elliott is currently researching the teh feasibility and expenses.
Windstream is planning on installing fiber optic cable in Colon this summer.  Elliott has been in contact with the engineer in regards to location of our water mains.
Billing has been completed and mailed out.  Normal monthly sampling completed.

Rationale:  Bruno RWD customers were notified about the rate increase that will take effect in May.
Billing has been completed and mailed out.  Normal monthly sampling completed.