February 1, 2018 at 8:00 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  It is the time of year to select committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs. Terry Sobota is eligible to fill another year of a two year consecutive term.  Don Veskerna is the Vice-Chair. Committee recommendation is requested. 

Rationale:  There is no unfinished business to address.

Rationale:  Sean Elliott reviewed the present status of the SWCP funds.

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  17-B-20 - JAMIE YINDRICK - WASCOB w/ TO:       $12,500.00
17-C-16 - RANDY BRABEC - Grass waterway:        $2187.78

                                                 Total SWCP claim:   $14,687.78

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  Elliott was contacted by Gregg Fujan on 1/10/18 about receiving Lands For Conservation funding for a summer project he completed in 2017.  This project was not completed until second week of October partially due to wet weather/field conditions and also due to participant unwilling to destroy small amount of crop in order to complete earthwork.  Prior to construction Mr. Fujan was informed of NRD's LFC stipulations about completing work by 9/15. 

Of the 16 LFC projects completed last year 6 had to lose crops in order to allow for construction.  Mr. Fujan's total acreage set aside was ~4 acres and amount of cropped ground needed to complete construction by 9/15 was ~0.4 acres.

Attached is a letter from Mr. Fujan.
 

Rationale:  Attached are two documents for review and approval, synopsis below:

• The 2018 DNR Practice Cost List for SWCP cost-share.  The costs would be effective for all NEW approvals (FY 2019)
• The Lands for Conservation (LFC) terms and payment rate for summer 2018.  Proposed rate is $198/acre. 

Rationale:  We have received an $4,963.10 invoice from Larry Formanek for a septic tank replacement in the Shell Creek Watershed.  Mr. Fomanek is eligible for 60% of the total eligible costs (up to a $3,000 maximum payment) minus the $200 Nebraska registration fee: ($4,963.10 - $200 x 60% = $2,857.86). Shell Creek grant funding will be used toward this payment.

Rationale:  As reported last month, the Kramer Shell Creek Bank Stabilization Project is complete.  The Board previously authorized working with Mainelli, Wagner & Associates for project bidding, staking, and construction inspection services since they completed the project design. Attached is their invoice, totaling $12,340.04, for staking the project, pre-construction meeting, and construction inspection of grading, rock placement, seeding and erosion control. This payment will come out of banked Shell Creek grant funds LPNNRD received from the Shell Creek Watershed Improvement Group and the Prairie Land RC&D.  There will be approximately $13,000 of these banked funds remaining after this payment. 

Rationale: 

 As authorized by the Board, Assistant Manager Mountford contacted Mainelli Wagner and Associates on starting the process for completing the next Shell Creek Bank Stabilization Project (Hamata-Vavrecek) as a contract extension to the completed Kramer stabilization project.  The contractor, Kohl Construction, has indicated an interest a contract extension and NDEQ has indicated that this will be allowable with regard to use 319 grant funding as a project extension.  Director Bailey has also been very involved working with Colfax County to get their participation with the project and it looks promising that they will provide the engineering, permitting and construction oversight if LPNNRD provides the construction costs.  While it is not yet know what the construction costs will be, they are roughly guesstimated at $100,000 at this time. The actual cost estimate is expected to be completed soon.  NDEQ grant funds would be used to cover 100% of the construction cost.  While we were not quite ready for a committee recommendation, there is a possibility that we may have enough details by the February 12 Board meeting for a motion to proceed. 

Rationale:  We received the attached $13,821.25 invoice from FYRA for work completed under contract to complete the Wahoo Creek Plan for Sites 26 & 27.  Per Board policy, since the work is under an approved contract, no Board motion for payment is required.  After this payment, $92,569.68 will have been paid on our $135,790 contract ($43,220.32 remains).

Rationale:  Existing LPRCA members have discussed the possibility of keeping the LPRCA functioning at some compactly because of the potential advantages of having a unified group of local and state entities to address future important river issues. It was also discussed that it would be time consuming to reestablish the group if disbanded.  It is unknown if or how the Alliance would continue if the members would decide to stay together. LPNNRD removed itself as a member on June 12, 2017. 

Rationale: 

Rationale:  Attached are pictures of the Woodcliff Platte River Bank Stabilization Project that was inspected by Heimann, Elliott and Mountford with John Peterson, JEO, on January 25, 2018. The work has been going well with about 35% completed.  LPNNRD has committed $300,000 ( to be paid over four years) toward the project.  We have $75,000 for our first payment budgeted this fiscal year which will be paid after all work is done.

Rationale:  The Projects Committee adjourned at 9:20 a.m.