December 3, 2020 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  No unfinished business to discuss.

Rationale:  None.

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  Construction activiites are underway with the possiblity for a December completion, weather permitting.

Rationale:  No new information.

Rationale:  Allan Zimmerman: Sec 19-18-3E:  Solar Well and Livestock tanks - $12,598.32
Reece Klug: Septic System upgrade: $4,800.00

Rationale:  Jerry Korte - Septic System Upgrade - $4,800.00

Rationale:  Director Bailey reported that Pruss Construction has finished with channel improvements and benching north of the U.P. Railroad Bridge at Colfax county road 15 and is moving toward completing the channel/benching project south of the bridge.  The U.P. is beginning activities to replace their railroad bridge at this location and plans to have the entire replacement complete by April, 2021.  While LPNNRD is not directly involved with U.P.'s replacement of their bridge on county road 14, that project should be completed the week of December 7 - 11.

Rationale:  Attached is FYRA's $4,596.25 invoice for contracted economics work for the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan. After this payment, $73,341.75 will remain under contract.

There was a cultural resource dam site 83 revisit with NRCS and Indian tribe representatives on December 2, but this was canceled due to illness of tribe representatives. 

Rationale:  No new information.

Rationale:  No new information or invoice at this time.

Rationale:  We continue to assist Fremont, Dodge County and other partners with various grant applications. We also learned from NRCS that Dodge County received a $745,000 Watershed Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) federal grant for completing a watershed study to analyze flood reduction opportunities for the Rawhide Creek Drainage, Dodge County.  While Dodge County is the leading entity for completing this plan, LPNNRD will be closely assisting with this effort. Attached is a summary of the status other grant applications.

Rationale:  As reported earlier, our District-wide Hazard Mitigation Plan has been approved by NEMA/FEMA and JEO continues to round up adoption resolutions from participating plan entities. To date, 41 of 55 have approved formal resolutions and JEO will continue to follow-up with the remaining 14 to get this completed (attachment). 

Rationale:  No new information.

Rationale:  As attached, Steven Case, attorney who represents Keystone XL pipeline, is exploring water sources for the pipeline establishment though Butler County in 2021. One source they are looking at is water from one of our Bellwood Watersehd Flood Reduction dams.  Since LPNNRD holds the surface water rights impounded by the 13 Bellwood watershed dams, he is asking if we would consider allowing them to pump an estimated 10.7 million gallons for hydrotesting pipes (checking for leaks) and for dust control from Bellwood dam 5H.  This is the first third party request to pump water from one of our reservoirs and the first for industrial purposes.  While LPNNRD holds the surface water rights for our dams, it was discussed that we would need to be very cautious to allow such an activity by a third party without support of all landowners with the permanent pool on their property.  Another concern is that Bellwood structure 5H, is 50 years old and much of the available permanent pool has been replaced by sedimentation. About 45 years ago, we allowed one landowner at this dam site to pump from the reservoir for irrigation purposed in the past, but it appears this is no longer occurring. Mr. Case is also exploring working with a landowner to use 8.3 million gallons from an irrigation well in the area that was discussed with the Water Committee. 

Mr. Case joined the committee via Zoom to discuss this request and answer questions. The committee will have open discussion at the December 14 Board Meeting and potentially make a decision at that time.
 

Rationale:  As discussed last month, Sanitary & Improvement District No.8 (Woodcliff) has submitted assistance requests for project repair of their existing bank stabilization project and roadway, and also for a new road raise project at the same location (letter attached).  LPNNRD first learned of these projects last month and that construction was nearing completion on portions of the projects.  LPNNRD policy requires that assistance requests need approval prior to work being completed.

S.I.D. No. 8's  first request is for assistance on the local share for repairing 2019 flood damages to their bank stabilization project.  Their letter stated that they are working with FEMA/NEMA to receive up to 87.5% federal/state cost share assistance for damage repairs on the bank stabilization and roadway. Also included in this portion of this effort is additional road protection along an area by their lagoons and emergency protective measures. FEMA/NEMA's estimated contribution is $822,194 toward the repair,with the SID's estimated local 12.5% stated as $137,032.   

The S.I.D.'s second request is for $400,000, which is 50% of an estimated $800,000 for a road raise flood risk reduction project (engineering and construction).  This project is not receiving FEMA/NEMA funding. It was noterd that about 75% of this project is complete and scheduled to be finished in the Spring 2021. Project plans, specifications and bid tabulation can be observed at https://we.tl/t-cwSnCoLVuk. 

Jake Miriovsky, JEO project engineer, and  Lonnie Mart, S.I.D. representative, attended the Projects Committee meeting (Zoom) to provide project details and present their assistance requests. JEO's pdf presentation is attached for review. The committee had much discussion about potential cost share amounts that might be considered by LPNNRD, but requested project plans, specifications and bid tabulations that can be reviewed for open discussion at the December 14 Board meeting. A potential Board motion may possibly be made at that time.

 

Rationale:  At was discussed at the last Project Committee and Board Meeting, Steven Case, attorney who represents Keystone XL pipeline, will again join the Projects Committee Meeting (Zoom) to discuss Keystone's request to pump water from one of the Bellwood Watershed Dam for their pipeline project in 2021. Attached is an email Mountford recently sent to Mr. Case, summing up the situation at hand including questions/comments from staff and Directors. The committee is asked for a recommendation regarding this request. 


 

Rationale:  The Projects Committee adjourned at 9:35 a.m.