June 11, 2018 at 6:00 PM - Regular Board of Directors Meeting

Rationale: 

NOTE: The agenda is on file at the LPNNRD office and may be changed up to 24 hours prior to the meeting as scheduled.

 

Rationale:  Are there any additions or corrections to the agenda?

Rationale:  Are there any additions or corrections to the mintues? If not they will be approved on the consent agenda.

Rationale:  No unfinished business to address.

Rationale:  There have been no new developments to discuss. 

Rationale:  No new developments to discuss. 

Rationale:  The Annual SWCS Meeting is scheduled for July 29 - August 1 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. See attached for agenda and registration information. 

Rationale:  The 2018 Annual Recognition Picnic will be held Sunday, June 24th at Czechland Lake.  Social hour will begin at 5:00 p.m., dinner at 6:00 p.m. followed by awards at 7:00 p.m.  Please RSVP by Friday, June 15th.

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  Desirae will take this time to review and showoff our updated website.

Rationale:  The COE has performed an interim accounting of the design and implementation phase since the project is scheduled for closeout this Fiscal Year.  The NRD was issued a refund of  $28,000 from the COE.  Once the Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) portion of the project is complete the COE will close out the entire project and any remaining non-Federal funds will be returned to the City of Schuyler and NRD. See attached letter for cash and in-kind contributions from the City of Schuyler and NRD.

Rationale:  The NARD intergovernmental Risk Management Pool Association Loss Control Committee Meet on May 22nd and are forwarding the following recommendations to the NARD Board for consideration.  

1. Propose a 5% increase on Medical Rates and 0% on Dental Rates.
2. To increase the preventative care benefit from $500 to $1,000 per calendar year with a starting date of January 1, 2019.
3. Increase the Retail Prescription rates as follows: Generic from $5 to $10, Brand from $20 to $25 and Non Formulary from $35 to $45. 
4. Increase the Mail in (90 day) Prescription rates as follows: Generic from $10 to $20, Brand from $40 to $50 and Non Formulary from $70 to $90.

None of these changes will affect our "Grandfather Status" of our health insurance plan.

 

Rationale:  Request for Proposals for construction of a steel framed education/recreation building at Lake Wanahoo are due by 8:00 a.m. on Monday, June 11th at the NRD office.  A motion may be needed at board meeting. 

Rationale:  As reported at Board Meeting the NRD received $69,767.47 from Department of Natural Resources.  We will make payment in the same amount to Union Bank to pay down our Lake Wanahoo Note. 

Also attached is Amendment No. 5 to our original contract.  Which reduces our total allocation by $53,419.07 (which is our current hay and dirt sales). DNR also added $205,000 for the recreation/education building at Wanahoo. 

Rationale:  The General Manager is requesting budgeting a 2%  total potential salary increase for 2019.  While the 2% reflects the cost of living increase, individual increases will be on to based on merit and not on an automatic percentage of salary.

Rationale:  Over the past month and a half we have had three new employees start working for the District.  Kristin Miller was hired as the NRD/NRCS Field Office Assistant in Colfax County and her first day of work was April 25th.  Skye Sabatka was hired as the NRD Conservation Technician and is stationed out the Saunders County NRCS Office.  Skye's first day of work was May 7th.  Kimberly Piitz was hired as the NRD/NRCS Field Office Assistant in Butler County and her first day of work was May 24th.  

Rationale:  The Operation and Maintenance Technician position has been advertised with resumes due on May 21st.  

Rationale:  Grant Nuttelmann, HBE, was available for a conference call at 8:45 a.m. to review the Draft May Financial Statements.

Rationale:  Attached find Manager Gottschalk's time and expense sheets.

Rationale:  The committee reviewed accounts payable and receivable over 90 days as attached.

Rationale:  We will have an interest payment due June 15th on our Lake Wanahoo Note.  See details as attached. 

Rationale:  There is nothing on the table.

Rationale:  Dan Ourada is almost finished reseeding the grass land area of Czechland.  We should have the billing for his services by Board meeting. This is cost-shared through Wild NE and Game & Parks.

Rationale:  The O & M staff has been planting trees and should finish it week. Started watershed dam inspections and maintenance on the Swedeburg and Cottonwood dams and Rawhide Ditch. Cleaned out beaver dams at the Rawhide Ditch Diagonal, the silt dam at the tail end of Czechland Lake and below Cottonwood 6-E. Also routine vehicle maintenance.

Rationale:  The weekend camping at Lake Wanahoo is going well as most all camps sites are full. The lake level has been held one foot down (1209) or slightly lower all spring. All the over head lights are working properly, a previously report stated some were out or blinking.

Rationale:  Peerless Compaction Grouting has sent three options to which the joints in the spillway can be sealed;
Option #1
 Pressure wash and prep joint with bonding agent

• Fill bottom of joint with pea gravel to use as void filler and support for fill material
• Apply Fill material to top of joint (it should be understood fill material will lose adhesion from one side of joint during movement of culvert)
• Grout joint below fill material with ST-504 per manufacturer’s instructions (see attached)

 
Option #2
 Pressure wash and prep joint

• Install a polyethylene closed cell backer rod
• Apply self leveling caulk

 
Option #3
 Pressure wash and prep joint

• Install 2 layers of ST-591 per manufacturer’s instructions (see attached)
• It should be understood this process will remain below surface level
• A topical layer of filler material (hydraulic cement) can be added if requested

The DNR Dam Safety Engineers are recommending Option 2 or 3.
The cost for these options are; Option #2 - 300 LF of joint repair at $48.00 per LF - $14,400.00
Option #3 - 300 LF of joint repair at $64.00 per LF - $19,200.00
Peerless Compaction recommends Option 3 with this statement "We have had great success with Option 3 and this would be the one we recommend.   We install ST-591 on a regular basis in wet conditions, we would actually have to wet the surface if it was dry to promote adhesion.  This repair method was the process we used for Devin Biesecker and the LPSNRD". Also - "We can propose to install one or both on location and have you or the appropriate representative make the determination.
We do not offer any warranties on these processes above a 1 year workmanship, however, we have used the ST-591 for many years and have not been called back due to failure".
The Committee would like staff to inquire to other Engineering firms and concrete companies for possible solutions.

 

Rationale:  Letters were sent to our partners for reimbursement for this final Section 205 Study for non-structural planning. Inglewood has paid and the request is on the City of Fremont's agenda.

Rationale:  Tree planting should be completed this week.  We planted at 13 different sites in five counties a total of 7,100 trees and shrubs.

Rationale:  John Thorson contacted the NRD with concerns regarding shoreline erosion on the face of the dam on his property.  Mr. Thorson was also present for the Committee meeting. This dam is Swedeburg Site B-2.  Heimann has inspected the dam and will be in contact with DNR Dam Safety to discuss this issue and others involving Swedeburg Dams.

Rationale:  The end of the fiscal year is approaching, the Bank Stabilization budget is $10,000.  We have spent $2,000 on Kay Poppe, $2,000 on Country Bros. LLC, withholding $1,566.13 for North Bend.  If we assist North Bend, the spent budget would be $5,566.13 with $4,433.87 remaining.
Recommend paying Poppe an additional $50 to get it to 50% cost share, pay North Bend, pay Country Bros. LLC $4,383.87 to spend the Bank Stabilization budget.

Rationale:  The KTIC Radio Ad and Wahoo Newspaper eAd for June will feature the importance of having valid permits to chemigate.
 

Rationale:  The annual Recognition Banquet will be held on Sunday, June 24^th at Czechland Lake Recreation Area.  Social hour will begin at 5 pm, dinner at 6 pm, followed by awards at 7 pm.   

Please RSVP by Friday, June 15^th. 
 

Rationale:  The Wachiska Audubon Society has invited the Lower Platte North NRD to a special open house event on the Fertig Prairie.  The event will be on Saturday, June 30^th from 2-4 pm.  At 2:15 there will be an informal presentation with introductions and discussion.  The official invitation letter is attached. 
 

Rationale:  There are several education programs scheduled for June-July at Lake Wanahoo State Recreation Area. 

The following event has been coordinated in partnership with Saunders County 4-H.

• June 1^st: Outdoor Recreation Workshop (Saunders County 4-H, Desirae TePoel, LPNNRD Summer Interns)

The following events have been coordinated in partnership with the Wahoo Kids Summer Institute.

• June 7th: Water Workshop (Daryl Anderson/Water Department, Desirae TePoel)
• June 14th: Water Workshop (Daryl Anderson/Water Department, Desirae TePoel)
• June 15th: Disc Golf Workshop (Bret Schomer, Sean Elliott, Desirae TePoel)
• June 22nd: Disc Golf Workshop (Bret Schomer, Sean Elliott, Desirae TePoel)

Rationale:  On 5/15 Elliott, Benal and Doukulil repaired the leak on the 4" main south of well.  On 5/21 the same crew repaired a leak from an abandoned service line at the Johnson residence on Oak street.
Bills and testing completed as normal.
 

Rationale:  Bills and testing completed as normal.

Rationale:  John Hannah visited with Dale Dicke (Dale Dicke Feeders) and reports that Dale had contacted a well company to install a flow meter.  Staff has not heard from Dale to confirm if the meter has been installed.  Staff would like to set the date of June 14, 2018 for the completion of the installation of the flow meter on well G-111561 in NE NE of Section 8-19N-1E (Platte County). If installation has not been completed without proper justification on why not, a hearing will be scheduled right before the Water Committee on June 27, 2018  The hearing will recommend issuing a Cease and Desist and to proceed to County Court.  

Rationale:  At this time we have 3 individuals who are making a request.  
1. John Wotipka has 135 previous certified acres and will be adding an additional 59 acres from well G-095822.  The well is located in NW NW 25-14-6E and will be transferring water to the E NE 26-14-6E.  There will a consumption use of a 27 inches rolling allocation over a 3 year period with a flow meter  and annual report required. This should relate to a 6.3 acre inches per year.
2. John Wotipka has 67 previous certified acres and will be adding an additional 83 irrigated acres from well G-136546.  The well is located in the SW SE 24-14-6E and will be transferring water to the NE 25-14-6E.  There will be a consumptive use of 27 inch rolling allocation for 3 years with a flow meter and annual report required. This would relate to a 4.0 acre inch per year.
3.  Arnie Stuthman has 130 previous certified acres and will be adding an additional 40 irrigated acres from well G-161854.  The well is located in the NW SW 6-18-2E and will be transferring water to the N NW 7-18-2E. This would be in SQS#2 area with a consumptive use of 27 inch rolling allocation,  A flow meter is already attached with annual reporting,  This would relate to 6.9 acre inches per year.
 

Rationale:  A well permit for a poultry operations for John Kobza in the NW SW 13-16-2E Butler County with estimated pumping capacity of 160 GPM.  Three wells are being drilled in a series, so only 1 approved well permit is needed. This well is in the Blue Area and should have enough water for this operation.  Attached is the permit which will supply water for 2,000,000 birds with the peak season depletion being 8 Acre/Feet.

Rationale:  In-Situ Quote for loggers and cables [attachment] - these to be put in gravel pack tubes in SQS #2 for monitoring water levels at producer wells.  UNL-C&SD and DNR are also looking to purchase loggers and cables for additional sites in SQS #2. Graduate student at UNL, Jacqueline Polasek, is doing her study thesis on the area.  DNR is also interested in data from this area for modeling. The plan is to develop a network with UNL- &SD and NeDNR in setting up about 20 sites.  This is part of the Platte-Colfax Study Area proposed through ENWRA.  After the study the plan is that the LPNNRD will assume ownership of these sites for assistance in management for this area.  The remote reads for these sites are not available at this time but the plan is to keep working in this direction. 
One of the old loggers from 2006 has quit working.  There are still two loggers from 2006 and one from 2007 in wells.  These old loggers are in wells closer to the office.

 

Rationale: 

Two flow meter cost-share applications have been received and a register conversion from Gallons to Acre Inch.  The flow meter cost-share is $770 and register conversion is eligible for $225.  

At the June 28, 2017 Water Committee, motion (1) offer cost-share for flow meters to producers within 2 miles of the SQS #2 Boundary with-in LPNNRD and (2)to offer cost-share within the SQS #2 area to convert gallons reading registers to acre-inches. Cost-share for registers conversion will be $225 with producer paying the labor cost. Deadline for invoices will be by March 1.

At the November 30, 2016 Water Committee, motion was made to fund GWEL cooperator wells at $1,000 per 8 inch meters ($770 from WSF and $230 from LPNNRD = $1,000) and at $749 per 6 inch meters ($577 from WSF and $172 from LPNNRD = $749)

 

Water Sustainability Fund (WSF)
8 inch meters	2 x 8" meters or XX x $770 = $1540
6 inch meters	XX x 6" meters or XX x $577 = $0
WSF Total	$1540
	So Running Total WSF Grant = $81,224 of $200,000 grant
	So Remaining Total of WSF Grant = $118,776

 

 

LPNNRD For GWEL Cooperators
8 inch meter	0 x 8" meters or 1 x $230 = $0
6 inch meter	0 x 6" meters or 0 x $172 = $0
Carry over (8 inch meter)	0 x 8" meter or 0 x $230= $0
LPNNRD Total	$0

 

Total For Flow Meter Cost Share Program
WSF & LPNNRD	For approval at May 30, 2018 Board Meeting = $1765

 ==========================================

 

Rationale:  Three online test requests have been received in May.  Each of these had filed Application for Chemigation Permit without valid NRD (Nitrogen Management) certification.  Each passed the test and a certification card was mailed.

Cert #	Cert date	Name	Re-cert	Comments
5875	5/21/2018	Chad Fehringer	Yes
7129	5/25/2018	Jared Rasmussen	New
7130	5/25/2018	John Reese	New

Rationale: 

Currently for 2018 we have received 516 renewals and 13 new permit applications for a total of 529.  There are 639 total chemigation renewal applications.

 

The breakdown by County for the Total Number of Renewals within the LPNNRD.

County	Number of Renewals
Boone	52
Butler	42
Colfax	33
Dodge	94
Madison	6
Platte	93
Saunders	196

 

 

The breakdown by county of the number of renewal inspections completed.

County	Number of Renewal Inspections Completed
Boone	3
Butler
Colfax
Dodge
Madison
Platte
Saunders

 

 

The breakdown, by county for the ## new chemigation permit applications, are listed below:

County	New Chemigation Applications
Boone	1
Butler	0
Colfax	1
Dodge	1
Madison	0
Platte	3
Saunders	7

 

Rationale: 

Tom Christopherson and/or GeoSpec representative attended the  meeting with a proposal for decommissioning of irrigation well, G-040351, in potentially sensitive area  [attachments].  The committee discussed looking into future grant opportunities that might assist with future decommissioning wells as proposed.  No action was taken at this time

# new wells has been reviewed and approved for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.

 

Rationale: 

# wells have been plugged, reviewed, and ready for cost share payment approval this month.

Well Owner	Type of Well	Cost Share Estimate	County
Leonard Cuda	Irrigation	$750.82	Saunders
WMW Family Farms LLC	Irrigation	$915.92	Platte

 

Rationale:  A reminder that a payment for $375,000 will be due July 2018 with a reimbursement of $225,000 received around August 31.   Flights are planned to start June 6 and work south to north.  Additional Flight Lines that is attached is shown in orange, which is an additional 700 km. 

Rationale:  The Lower Platte North, Lower Platte South and Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources Districts, Lincoln Water System, Metropolitan Utilities District of Omaha, and the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (Consortium) are embarking on an effort to develop a Drought Contingency Plan for the Lower Platte River Basin in Nebraska, funded in part by the U.S.
Bureau of Reclamation and the Nebraska Water Sustainability Fund. The plan will offer drought mitigation and response from a regional, integrated perspective, while considering Consortium partners’ existing water resources and assets and exploring alternative and/or new operational
tactics to improve resiliency for droughts.

The Consortium is holding two meetings on June 19, 2018 at North Star High School in Lincoln, Nebraska. The first is a technical workshop and the second is a public meeting. You are invited to attend and participate in either meetings.

Consortium Technical Workshop
Goal of Meeting: The workshop is technical in nature. The goal of the workshop is to present
Consortium planning efforts to date including analysis on drought indicators, forecasting analysis, and evaluation of drought triggers.
Date: June 19, 2018 
Time: 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: North Star High School, Cafeteria
5801 N 33rd St
Lincoln, NE 68504

Public Information Meeting
Goal of Meeting: The goal of the meeting is to educate the public on droughts, Consortium planning efforts to date, and receive public feedback.
Date: June 19, 2018 
Doors Open: 5:00 p.m.
Formal Presentation: 5:30 p.m. (preceded and followed by an Open House)
Doors Close: 7:00 p.m.
Location: North Star High School, Cafeteria
5801 N 33rd St
Lincoln, NE 68504

Rationale:  Sue Lackey - UNL CSD along with Downey Irrigation are drilling wells down into the Dakota Aquifer in the SQS # 2 area.  They started on May 21 and plan on being done mid June. A complete update will be given at the committee meeting. An invoice for $136,700 per agreement is attached for payment. 

Rationale:  GWEL Report shows about the equal number of wells static water level increased as decreased.  District wide 177 wells were measured with 2 wells in L2 and 2 wells in L3.  
Graphs are shown 

Rationale:  A tour was held on May 16 in which Larry Feala, Gene Ruzicka and Daryl Andersen attended.  

Rationale:  Harmful Algal Blooms

NO Lakes will be on "Health Alert" this week. NDEQ in conjunction with numerous collaborators monitor public beaches and sample for microcystin, a toxin produced as a result of a Harmful Algal Bloom. A lake that exceeds 20 ppb of microcystin will be placed on "Health Alert". That lake will remain under  "Health Alert" Status until such time that it has tested below 20 ppb for two continuous weeks.
If a lake is under a Health Alert, signs will be posted recommending people avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc.


Bacteria

Lakes that tested high for E. coli bacteria this week are listed below. E. coli  bacteria levels measured above 235 colonies/100 ml of sample are considered a higher risk for illness when swimming.  Considering the more rapid changes in bacteria conditions, signs are not posted with these higher levels although we want people to be aware and use their own judgment on their use.
 
Lakes with High E. coli Bacteria Levels

Lake Name	County	E.coli Bacteria
Pawnee Lake	Lancaster	687

 
This information is updated weekly on our web site, http://deq.ne.gov/NDEQProg.nsf/Beaches2018.xsp . We hope you find this interesting and useful.

 

Rationale:  GMDA Summer Conference is ongoing this week in Savannah, Georgia.  Two directors, John Hannah and Don Kavan, and two staff, Daryl Andersen and Bret Schomer, are attending.
 

Rationale:  No unfinished business to address.

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  Cameron Birkel - Tree planting/spraying         $332.45

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  Attached is a $70,034.33 payment request from Kohl Construction for retainage on the Kramer Project and for work completed on the Hamata Project (which was an approved change order on the Kramer Project).  Because this completed work falls under an approved contact and contact change order, no Board motion is required. 

Since Committee Meeting we have received an interlocal agreement that will need to be approve and authorize Chairman to sign said agreement.  A Board motion will be needed.

Rationale:  Ken Kotera has been working on a final design and Mr. Sprunk has contacted the USACE about a 404 permit. 

Rationale:  The Shell Creek press conference and celebration will be held Friday, June 15 at  to announce the removal of Shell Creek from the List of Impaired Waters due to contamination by Atrazine. This is the first time in history for a successful delisting of a stream for Atrazine contamination resulting from the implementation of a comprehensive watershed management plan. The press conference will be held streamside at 10:30 a.m., followed by a celebration picnic at the Mark Horejsi Farm (951 RD H, Schuyler, NE) starting at 11:00 a.m.

Rationale:  The USACE has performed an interim accounting of the design and implementation phase of the Shell Creek Levee Project and is issuing a $28,000 refund as attached.  LPNNRD contributed equally with Schuyler during the Shell Creek Levee design phase, but we then required Schuyler to take the project lead during the construction phase.  Schuyler provided a total of $2,547,307.50 (cash & in-kind)  during the design and implementation phase and LPNNRD provided $322,000 (cash and in-kind) to USACE.  In addition, LPNNRD paid Schuyler $600,000 over a five year period toward construction costs.

 

Rationale:  On May 22nd, Mountford along with Directors Meduna, Ruzicka and Feala accompanied Mike Sotak & Connor Kelly, FYRA, at the Saunders County Supervisors Meeting to update them on Wahoo Creek dam sites 26 & 27 and on progress being made with siting Wahoo Creek Floodwater reduction dams.  The supervisors were urged to give input on siting future dams and discuss making a funding commitment toward sites 26 & 27 based on county bridge benefits. Mountford reported that he and Elliot will meet with the Saunders County Zoning Board on June 4 to discuss our desire for future zoning restrictions on inhabitable dwellings within the breach inundation areas below future dams.  

Mike Sotak and Janel Kaufman gave the committee an updated presentation and asked for input on preliminary dam site locations that will be presented at the June 12, 2018 Public Scoping Meeting.

Attached is FYRA's $11,962.50 May 23 invoice for work completed on Wahoo Creek Planning.  After this payment, $514,961.42 will remain on our $574,990 contract.  Since the work was completed under a Board approved contract, no motion is required for payment.

Rationale:  We are working with FYRA Engineering to set up an agency and public scoping meetings to discuss our proposed floodwater reduction dams in the Wahoo Creek Watershed.  The agency meeting will be from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Tuesday June 12th following by a public scoping meeting from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.  Both meeting will be held at Union Bank in Wahoo.  Besides sending out a press release and public notice, we have mailed 84 letters to people residing in the Wahoo Creek Watershed and another 14 letters to agency partners. 

Rationale:  Work was completed this spring to treat gully erosion affecting the auxiliary spillway at the Sand Creek Upstream Site 16 adjacent to the Rudie Nemec farm for a total cost of $17,666.60.  NRD budgeted $20,000.00 for this current project and the work that was completed last year at the Stevens-Smid farm which is on the south side of Site 16. The Stevens-Smid project came in at $2521.60.  Total for the two projects is $20,188.20.
The work completed on the Nemec farm exceeded costs due to contractor overbuilding structures to benefit farmability.

Rationale:  While LPNNRD is no longer a member of the Alliance, we are committed to Leshara water quality monitoring, complete a watershed water quality plan and a few smaller items that are under the alliance umbrella.  We already made this fiscal year's payment for the water quality monitoring at Leshara, and are being invoiced for our share of completing the EPA/NDEQWatershed Water Quality Plan as attached.  Completion of this plan will add most of the remaining eastern 1/3 of our District to be covered by a Water Quality Plan.  This opens the door for federal and state grant money to help accomplish conservation practices in this additional area. 

Rationale:  No new updates.

Rationale:  Rodney Juleson - Boone Co. - 23.1ac         $5,197.50  

Payment will be made in October

Rationale:  With no further business, the Projects Committee Adjourned at 11:01 a.m.

Rationale:  Rambour Realty c/o Louie Rambour - Tree planting - 581 shrubs - $209.16

Cameron Birkel - Tree planting - 305 trees - $332.45

Daryl Glodowski - Tree planting - 1200 shrubs - $432.00

Todd Gronenthal - Tree planting/ 200 trees - $218.00

Greg Divis - Storage terrace and underground tile construction - 2048lf terrace 932lf tile -   $7180.39
                                 

 

Rationale: 

NOTE: The agenda is on file at the LPNNRD office and may be changed up to 24 hours prior to the meeting as scheduled.