January 3, 2019 at 8:00 AM - Executive Committee Meeting

Rationale:  Attached find an agenda and a listing of Directors that are registered to attend the Legislative Conference. Please let Breunig know if you have any questions. 

Rationale:  The Basin Caucus meetings are scheduled as follows:

The Lower Platte Basin, Friday, January 11th 12:00 noon at Lower Platte South
The Big Blue River Basin, Friday, January 11th 10:00 a.m. at Milford Fire Hall

Rationale:  The Annual Director Retreat is scheduled for Wednesday, February 13th at Benedictine Retreat Center near Schuyler.  Please let Gottschalk know of any topics you would like on the agenda.

Rationale:  Let Eric or Jill know if you have any ideas for our monthly education program.
 

Rationale:  We were informed by NRCS they are among the exempt agencies as it relates to the shut down so our staff working out the NRCS centers have not been affected.

Rationale:  Candidate forms are due in the office by 4:00 p.m. Thursday, January 3rd.  See attachment.

Rationale:  Attached find the minutes from the Nomination Sub-Committee.

Rationale:  Attached and in each Directors box is a Committee Survey.  Please take time to fill out the survey so the Chairman can assign new Committees.  With the new committee assignments there may be a need to change Projects Committee and O & M committee meeting date and times. Discussion is needed.

Rationale:  During the budget process there was discussion regarding our current accounting firm and the interest in seeking alternative options.  Discussion is requested on the subject and possible motion to provide staff direction in which to proceed.

Rationale:  Hedges Construction continues their work erecting the building.  There have been a few issues we continue to work through as it relates to proper brackets and building attachments.

Plumbing rough-in is complete.

Bid paperwork is currently being prepared for; Geothermal heating/cooling, interior construction and finish work, finish plumbing, Solar power, electrical, finish grading and landscape, security, audio/visual and appliances.  

Initially when building was bid and purchased, a fiberglass insulation package was included.  After additional discussion and consultation, I am recommending we make a change order and go with spray-on insulation.  McConnell Thermal Services out of Seward has given us a bid that allows for a combination of closed-cell and/or open-cell spray-on insulation.  They will be able to work with our construction schedule and be ready to apply as soon as side and roof tin is complete (mid to late January)


 

Rationale:  - As of 1-1-19, the Lower Platte North NRD has taken over recreation responsibilities at the Park.

- Wanahoo Park permits went on sale December 3rd and as of this morning approximately 350 park permits have been sold generating over $ 5,000 in Wanahoo revenue.

- Park signage has been ordered and essential signs have been put up.  Between now and the opening of our recreation season, all remaining signs will be installed.

- We have partnered with Joe Spicka, owner of Wahoo Corner Market to handle off-site sales of our park permits.  The Corner Market is open 5 am - 11 pm and will provide an excellent options for permit sales outside our regular office hours.  It is my intention for this to be the only off-site sales location.

- On-line camp reservations are up and running.  We are using the same website Game and Parks has used in the past.  This will provide the same look and format as campers have been accustomed to. 

- Staff will be conducting routine park drive through inspections to insure permit and other regulations are being followed. 

-Staff is moving forward to create our new "Friends of Lake Wanahoo" committee.  This new group will serve only as a recommending body to assist Lower Platte North NRD as we move forward managing and developing our Park.  My vision of the group would be to have members from local business, organizations and schools along with fishing, hiking, hunting and camping enthusiasts meet on a regular basis (quarterly) to discuss and make requests for park improvements and developments.

- Due to the expansion of our recreation and parks responsibilities, our District will apply for membership in the Nebraska and National Recreation and Parks Association.  Membership benefits include park development ideas and funding opportunities as well as, the ability to obtain needed assistance in recreation and park related issues and ideas.  

- I was contacted by a district resident as to the availability of honoring the National Park's senior and lifetime passes.  After reviewing the National Parks website and Nebraska parks that honor these passes, it does not appear Wanahoo would fall within their guidelines.  (COE site)
No changes to our current park requirements are planned at this time.

Rationale:  It has been the intention since the decision was made for LPNNRD to manage the recreation component of our Lake Wanahoo property to place the operation responsibilities of management into one of our existing sub committees.  Because of the nature of work and the operation components requiring communication between departments, I am recommending we add Lake Wanahoo Park Recreation to our current O&M/I&E/RW committee.  To help reduce confusion, I am also recommending the name of the sub-committee be reduced to "Operations" committee.  This will allow all District operations (O&M, Information and education, Rural Water and Wanahoo recreation) to report to the same committee.

We will check with legal staff and bylaws to see the exact process and procedures needed to carry out this change.

Rationale:  Grant was available for Conference call at 9:00 a.m. to review the Financial Statement.

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