November 29, 2018 at 8:00 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  18-S-6     Carl Sousek -   $10,409.87    Terrace w/ Tile outlet

Rationale:  Lands for Conservation (LFC) payment approval:

Ray Urban - 34ac - $6,732.00
James Smaus - 19ac - $3,762.00
Jerome Urban - 7ac - $1,386.00
Patrick Bartek - 11ac - 2,178.00

Rationale:  Ryan Hamilton ( Mainelli Wagner) has reported that seeding operations have been completed on change order No. 2 on the Kramer Bank Stabilization Project (Vavricek). Rock riprap was installed per the change order No. 2 plans and covered with soil just like the original project and the change order No. 1 project.  Attached is the final pay application No. 6 which includes completion of Change order No. 2 ($7,352.93) plus an additional $1,319.90 for retainage that was held on change order No. 1 (Hamata) for a grand total of $8,672.83.  All work has been inspected by LPNNRD staff and elected officials as well.  This amount will be reimbursed to LPNNRD from NDEQ 319 grant funds.
 

Rationale:  Ken Kotera updated the committee on progress with the Tom Sprunk Shell Creek Bank Stabilization/Wetland Project Ken has been assisting Tom Sprunk by providing detailed project design information to the USACE who will be issuing a Section 404 - 43 permit. This particular permit is for creek bank stabilization and flood flood water retention in the creek.  The project is planned to be completed in the summer of 2019. 

Rationale:  Elliott, Mountford and Mike Placke (Olsson) met with NRCS watershed funding personnel in Lincoln on November 30 to start planning future design activities for the 11 sited Wahoo Creek flood reduction dams. Geotechnical soil sampling and analysis efforts have begun on sites 26a, 26b and 27, however design activities on the other eight dam sites needs to be delayed until NRCS approves the final watershed plan which in anticipated by April 1, 2019.   Another meeting is being scheduled on December 11, 2018, with NRCS, Olsson and FYRA to coordinate planning and design activities as we move forward.

Attached is FYRA's recent  $22,945.96 invoice and summary report for your review. Since this work falls under an approved contract, no Board motion for payment is required.  After this payment, $316,219.93 will remain on our $574,990 contract. NRCS will reimburse us the entire amount.

The committee discussed inviting FYRA, Olsson and Buried Past to an upcoming meeting to give verbal progress reports. 

Rationale: 
Buried Past LLC  has begun their cultural resources investigations on the eight remaining Wahoo Creek Dam sites and plan to resume again next week.  before Thanksgiving and will resume next week.  Attached is a report of work completed November 7-16. We we are working closely with FYRA Engineering and NRCS on any potential impacts their findings may have at dam site 83 along with any other possible findings.  Recovery of prehistoric cultural material  was discovered at site 83 so after pinpointing  the exact location and potential impact, we will then evaluate what steps, if any, will be needed at this location. 

Also on November 30, Elliott, Mountford and Mike Placke (Olsson) also met with Elisha Mackling, NRCS State Cultural Resources Specialist, on November 30 review ou Buried Past LLC, findings at site 83 and what might be required if this site shows potential impact to the cultural site,. This could require an extensive geomorphic investigation  to better evaluate the area and what additional steps will be needed to avoid or protect the area. 

Rationale:  There are four Lands for Conservation payments where conservation practices were completed as outlined in 2.D. above. These payments totaling $14,058 will be reimbursed to LPNNRD from approved NDEQ 319 grant funds. 

Rationale:  We have been preparing for requesting a project scope change on Wahoo Creek Dam Sites 26 & 27 to the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) on December 18, 2018.  Since the locations and number of dams has changed, we need to formally get approval from NRC who have approved about $2.3 million from the State Water Sustainability Fund toward these sites.  While there are cost savings and environmental reasons why it is in the best interest of our funding partners to allow this change, we need to provide detailed information to best explain and justify  these changes to NRC.

Rationale:  We have advertised and e-mailed out Requests For Proposals (RFP) for updating our District Wide Hazard Mitigation Plan and completing a flood risk analysis for Fremont and Schuyler as attached, Proposals are due December 19th. The plan is to bring a summary and staff recommendation to the January 3 Projects Committee Meeting. 

Rationale:  Allen Kaspar contacted the NRD to discuss several issues he has with multiple neighbors on his farm north of Prague.  NRD staff met with Allen, and his son Mike, and documented their concerns.  One issue they brought up is in regards to fence location in regards to legally surveyed property line and Elliott recommended legal counsel for that matter.  Elliott recommended Kaspar's first course of action was to pursue USDA Farm Program Compliance check.

Their two other issues are legitimate so Elliott notified the neighbors in question to notify them of the complaint.  Elliott has been in contact with all landowners and explained the concerns that Kaspar expressed to us, as well as, potential solutions that the NRD can assist in providing.  All were receptive to addressing the issues presented and will proceed as field conditions allow.

Rationale:  At the last Executive Committee, there was a discussion on various LPNNRD owned property and potential sales as listed. 

1.  Sand Creek Site #15
2.  Pheasant Forever Wetland
3.  Wahoo Air Park
4.  Thomas Lakes Lots

Project and Executive Committee members present discussed what proprieties we might want to start making plans to sell.  Representatives from Stock Reality were present to discuss their on-line bidding process for selling property. Discussions will continue for planning potential property sales in 2019. 

Rationale:  The Projects Committee adjourned at 9:40 a.m.