April 29, 2021 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  There is no unfinished business to address.

Rationale:  Listed below are five qualifying applications for our 2021 summer SWCP program.  

21-S-1		HARTMAN FAMILY IRR TRUST	$                     9,492.85	GRASS WW
21-S-2		RANDY/RICK BERANEK	$                  10,000.00	TERRACE/WASCOB/TO
21-S-3		DENNIS BERANEK	$                  10,000.00	WASCOB TO
21-S-4		RUTH WIDMAN	$                  10,000.00	TERRACE TO
21-S-5		DAVID SLOUP	$                  10,000.00	WASCOB TO

Rationale:  Bil Bos submitted paperwork for the emergency repair work that was approved on Jon Gehring's basin project.  To qualify for "emergency repair" the structure damaged must be less than 2 years old and originally built to NRCS standards and specifications. Approved amount was the SWCP policy max for emergency repair (50% of $2000 = $1000.00) and the bill came in at $970.  That would make a claim of $485.00. 

Rationale:  Bill Bos reported that NRCS has reevaluated the Tom Sprunk Wetlands/Stabilization Project and is recommending some additional rock rip-rap that appears should have been included with the original project.  The additional rock has a contractor estimate of $4,150 as attached.  LPNNRD provided 75% toward the original project. Committee consideration for approving assistance is requested. The additional assistance will be reimbursed from our Shell Creek grants.

Rationale:  No new update. NDEE is working on a grant contract addendum to provide an additional $225,000 of EPA 319 funds for the Shell Creek Watershed.

Rationale: 
SEPTIC SYSTEM UPGRADE:

MIKE DVORACK

$4,800.00

LIVESTOCK WATER:

RIVER ROAD INC

$ 14,265.24

SOLAR PUMP/WELL

FILTER STRIP

REECE/BEAU KLUG

$   3,456.48

FILTER STRIP

 

Rationale:  As reported last month, NRCS investigated Wahoo Creek Dam Site 83 for evidence of additional archeological findings on March 30 & 31. FYRA has calculated economics based on 11 dam sites, including Site 83, and is waiting to finalize things until NRCS makes a determination regarding the site. Allen Gerhing and Missy Baier, NRCS, will join the committee at 8:00 p.m. to discuss the findings and possible options for moving forward with completing the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan. Our plan to have Missy also present this information at the May 10th Board Meeting. 

Mike Sotak, FYRA, has outlined two paths moving forward with Site 83 and without. Once NRCS outlines what options are allowable, the Projects Committee and Board will be asked to select a path and move forward.  We have also plan to meet with NRCS at 10 a.m. on May 26th to discuss options and timelines for proceeding.  After the Projects Committee Met, FYRA submited a $833.75 invoice as attached. After this contract payment, $17,052.50 will remain on our $95,469 contract addendum. 

Rationale:  No new information. As reported last meeting, we are working with Saunders County on the Road/lake shoreline stabilization project at Czechland Lake which is anticipated to be completed this summer.  Other tasks underway are JEO is starting to work on the Wahoo Creek Water Quality Plan update, we have approved Lands for Conservation Contacts for conservation work to be completed this summer and we will be working with NDEE on water quality sampling in the watershed.

Attached is JEO's April 29th $5,847.50 invoice for work completed on our Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan Update. After this contract payment, $25,782.50 will remain under our $31,630 contract.

Rationale:  Looking ahead, I asked Andrew Phillips, Olsson, to give his projection on the timelines and expenses for their contract services anticipating that the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan can receive NRCS approval soon. Below are Andrew's comments.
Tom,
Below is the estimated fees sorted by NRD budget year assuming that we would have approval to begin design in May of 2021. I realize that the start date may likely change, but this is current as of the last update we completed to the schedule. We included a 16 month period for obtaining the USACE Section 404 permit but we understand that this may take less time.

Also, please note that the above estimated fees do not include an escalation because of the delays from the original planned start of design date. We would likely request a 3.5% increase per year to account for the delay in the start of design.
If you would like this in another form, more detail, or if you would like the fees presented over a different time frame, please let me know.

Thanks,
Andrew
 

Rationale:  Work continues on moving joint projects forward with Dodge County, Fremont and other JWMAB partners.  Recent updates on a few of the projects are shown below. 

Rationale:  Dodge County has notified us of a 10:00 a.m., May 12, 2021, bid opening for repairing the Platte River Breach Repair Project on Fremont Rod and Gun Club property.  It is anticipated that participants may join in person or by Zoom.  A notice for the Zoom connection has been forwarded to the LPNNRD Board members appointed to serve on JWMAB (Frank Pollard, Bill Saeger, Kelly Thompson, Lon Olson).  Anyone else wanting to participate, please let us know. LPNNRD has committed up to $50,000 toward this portion of the breach repair (Bid documents and Interlocal Agreement attached). 

Rationale:  The East Fremont/Elkhorn Township Project Proposal Review has a scheduled Zoom meeting 2:00-3:00 pm on Tuesday, June 1, 2021.  This proposal is looking at improving the drainage ditch system east of Fremont. Dodge County Emergency Manager Tom Smith said NEMA indicated that this study proposal is approved for federal funding assistance from FEMA.  LPNNRD has committed $66,500 (8%) toward the local contribution. Attached is the draft of the RFP that will be sent out. 

Rationale:  As reported earlier, Dodge County has received funding through NRCS's Watershed Flood Prevention Operation program to evaluate flood reduction opportunities for Dodge County and Fremont.  Since this study is being 100% funded by NRCS, no commitment from LPNNRD was needed. Attached is the draft RFP that will be sent out. 

Rationale:  No new information. JEO continues to contact the few remaining entities that need to pass and submit a formal resolution adopting their portion of the Hazard Mitigation Plan. 

Rationale:  At the April 1st Projects Committee Meeting, the City of Schuyler presented a formal assistance request on their flood risk reduction/drainage improvement project.  The project request involves placing three additional flap gate closure structures on storm sewer outfalls to Lost Creek and channel widening in the southeast part of the city. The gates are to prevent floodwater backflow  into the City. Schuyler originally requested  50% assistance on a $312,000 estimated project, but adjustments has been made as attached.  Kevin Kruse, JEO, and City of Schuyler Administrator William Re Roos, will join the Projects Committee Meeting at 8:30 a.m. to discuss a more detailed description of the project components and cost breakdown. The committee is asked to consider a recommendation toward assisting with project components.  Also attached is Schuyler's Internal Drainage Study Report. 

Rationale:  Other the past 25-30years, LPNNRND has been a cost sharing partner with Platte Center to improve flowage and stabilize Elk Creek as it flows through the Village. We have been notified by a Village representative that they are working on getting a contractor estimate for additional creek bank stabilization north of the bridge on main street. This new project effort may be in the vicinity of a $50,000.  In the past, LPNNRD has provided 50% assistance. After we recieve a formal request, it will be presented for consideration.