November 11, 2019 at 3:45 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 minutes? If not they will be approved on the consent agenda.

Rationale:  The annual NACD Meeting will be held February 8-12 in Las Vegas.  The District normally sends two Staff and two Directors to this out of State Meeting.  Attached find agenda and registration form. 

Rationale:  The Annual GMDA Winter Conference is being held January 12-15 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  We currently have two Staff (Andersen and Oaklund) and one Director (Saalfeld) interested in attending.  Is there any other Director interested in attending?

Rationale:  Attached find the excuse of absence from Nancy Meyer from the September Board Meeting.

Rationale:  The Newman Grove Science Club will give an update on the status of Shell Creek just prior to our November Board Meeting in Newman Grove. 

Rationale:  Attached find the updated Memorandum of Agreement and 1619 (Privacy) attachment with the NRCS.  Please review the Memorandum of Agreement.  At our December Board Meeting we will be have a signing event with Craig Derickson.

Rationale:  In 2017 the Lower Platte North NRD signed a 3-year commitment with AMGL, PC to perform the Annual Audit of our Financial Statements.  We have reached out to AMGL, PC to provide us with a new 3 year proposal (as attached).  Listed below are the fees we paid from 2017-2019 and the proposed fees from 2020 - 2022.
 

	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
Audit June 30	$8,600	$8,900	$9.200	$9,500	$9,800	$10,100
Single Audit	$2,400	$2,500	$2.600	$2,800	$2,975	$3,150

Rationale:  Discussion regarding the December board meeting to be held at the Wanahoo Education Building. The December meeting will begin our winter 1:30 p.m. meetings.

Rationale:  It is time to upgrade our GIS Machine. This machine needs to be significantly more powerful that most of the machines in the office.  Plans are to purchase a refurbished machine from HP that will come with full warranties, but at significantly less price.  These tend to sell quickly and are only available from time to time.

 

Rationale:  As mentioned in the manager's report, Desirae TePoel has submitted her letter of resignation effective January 3, 2020.  
I would like to schedule a Personnel Sub-Committee before the next committee date to discuss our options moving forward with this position.

At motion will be need at Board Meeting -  to accept Desirae TePoel's resignation letter with her last day of employment to be January 3, 2020.

Rationale:  Management and NRCS Staff interviewed two individuals for the vacant NRD/NRCS Technician position and have selected Rob Christian of rural Cedar Bluffs as our new hire.  While not having direct NRCS experience, Rob has an extensive background in computer applied drafting, land appraisal, GIS map production, IT support, ArcView products, easement surveying, layout and design work.
Rob has been contacted and has accepted our salary offer of $ 34,000 per year and can begin immediately.

Rationale:  At time of hire, it was mentioned to Lacey Sabatka, the potential of carrying her years of service (4.5) at the Upper Loup NRD over to our district after six months with our district.  Accumulated annual leave and sick leave would be the only benefits affected and we have done this with other employees who have come to us from another district.

Rationale:  Attached find the September Financial Report. Grant will be available via conference call to go over the financial report with the Executive Committee.

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

Rationale:  Each November we renew our "Line of Credit" with Union Bank.  Attached find the renewal paperwork. The interest rate is 3.5% the same as last year.

Rationale:  There were some major changes to NPAIT and where they have placed their money market accounts and investments.  The affect this will have on our office, effective December 1st, is how our NPAIT funds handled by  Union Bank.  Currently, whenever our account dips below $ 150,000.00, Union Bank automatically sweeps money from NPAIT to our checking account automatically.  After December 1st, Union Bank will not be able to conduct this "Sweep" and our staff will have to do it manually.

A motion will be needed at Board Meeting to authorize Management to open a STFIT account at Union Bank effective December 1st. 

Rationale:  We have no unfinished business.

Rationale:  Nothing to report.

Rationale:  The O & M crew is following up on dam inspections. Keeping up with beaver problems on a couple structures. Continue cutting & spraying trees and Fall spraying problem thistle areas.

Rationale:  LARM Insurance will cover the expense to replace the engine in the Jeep Patriot. LARM has sent a check for $3,017.30.
The Jeep has not been worked on as of the meeting.

Rationale:  Matt Sillivan harvested 53.64 tons of hay from Czechland and Homestead at  $67.50/ton for a revenue of $3,620.70 to the District.
Meduna Family Farms harvested 349,25 tons of hay from the Wanahoo property at $71/ton for a revenue of $24,759.12.

Rationale:  We have scheduled a pre-construction meeting with M.E. Collins, & John Thorston for Thursday, November 7 at 1:00 pm.

Rationale:  We are still waiting on a temporary construction easement from the homeowner who lost his house to the river at Thomas Lake. An temporary easement was written by Jovan, reviewed and approved by the COE and was sent to the homeowner. As soon as the COE receives this easement, they can start advertising for contractor(s) to rehab the flood damaged levee.

Rationale:  We met with JEO and two of the four landowners on Wednesday, October 30 at 1:30 here at the NRD office. JEO covered the survey, pre-design,access points and concerns from the landowners for the Rawhide Ditch 8 repair. We will establish construction areas and have temporary construction easements developed. We hope to advertise in January and select a contractor in February with construction completed in the summer of 2020.
Find a attached the first invoice of $6,272.50 from JEO for this project, contract total is $39,775.00.

Rationale:  We hope to have an updated bid sheet from Clark Construction for the Fuse Plug Levee repair by Committee meeting. There have been questions on sand/gravel quality, the type and length of the geo-membrane mat and the erosion control mat. Heimann and FYRA have been working with Clark Construction since the last board meeting.
An updated bid (attached) was received from Clark Construction Tuesday, Nov. 5th. The bid to repair the Fuse Plug Levee is $106,574.30. The major changes were in debris cleanup, clay fill (larger quantity), mobilization, change in fill sand, and seeding & erosion mat. Chairmen Ruzicka and Seier were contacted for approval and the contract and bonding information was sent to Clark Const.

We received a signed contract and bonding requirements from Clark Construction and we have authorized them to proceed with the repair of the Fuse Plug Levee.
 
Also, We received an invoice and will pay FYRA Engineering $1,809.25 for engineering services on the Camp Ashland Fuse Plug Repair. The previously approved contract is worth $21,720.00.


A motion will be needed at Board Meeting - To accept the bid from Clark Construction for $106,574.30 to repair the Fuse Plug Levee at the National Guard Camp.

Rationale:  A Wanahoo Stilling Basin pre design kick off meeting took place Tuesday, October 29 here at the NRD office led by the FYRA Engineering. Mike Sotak and Mike Henderson led the presentation. Board members Ruzicka, Hannah, Hilger, Saeger and Johnson were present. Discussion covered design review, alternative developments & potential concerns structurally, and funding considerations. FYRA will write minutes covering the meeting and continue to update any minutes or new information as the study and design moves forward.

Rationale:  Since the Sand/Duck Creek Crediting came up at Board meeting Heimann contacted Bob Mattson with the COE asking if this project was going to be closed out by the end of the year, here is his response; Feel free to discuss my workload or work priority with my supervisor, Kayla Eckert-Uptmor.  With 2 coworkers retiring the past year, and another temporary coworker departing to work the spring flooding, I got dumped on with executing agreements for 8 Rural Montana Environmental Infrastructure Assistance projects totaling $2.1M and getting the funds obligated by last month end of FY19, which consumed and overwhelmed my already full work load the past 6 months, and obligating the $2.1M was deemed a higher priority.
Eric's response; While I appreciate your work load and understand the issues you described, your response to Bob Heimann was unacceptable and you did not answer his question.
Are we to expect our final closeout for the Sand Creek Watershed Project to be complete by December 31, 2019 as per your e-mail dated Feb. 13, 2019?
        Lower Platte North Natural Resources District has been overly patient the past seven years as prior closeout deadlines have come and gone and related documentation reports have been submitted and re-submitted numerous times. Had prior stated deadlines been met, your current workload, staff retires and temporary departing of a coworker would have no impact on the current stated deadline.
        The Sand Creek Watershed Project continues to be an amazingly productive project and is a shining example how local, state and federal partners can work together for the good of the public...All we ask is to come to a final USACE closeout so we can continue our mission throughout our district of;
Protecting lives, Protecting property and Protecting the future.
        Thank you for your time and I look forward to your prompt response.
Eric is waiting for a call from Kayla Eckert-Uptmor.

Rationale:  We have discussed and budgeted the addition of a vestibule to be built at the front entrance of our office.  Management would like to request bids for construction of the entry area to include two additional glass doors and a false ceiling.  We believe this addition will greatly increase our office's energy efficiency and create an air break upon entering the office.
At the time of construction we would also like to update our failing security system and install a keyless entry system for the front entrance.  

Rationale:  We have not received any new inquiries.
 

Rationale:  The camping season has begun to slow for 2019. Annual park permit sales totaled $457.50 in October while day pass sales totaled approximately $1600. Annual stickers for 2020 have been ordered and the District plans to begin sales the first week of December. 

Annual Park Permit gross revenue for 2019 totals $82,085.00
As of 10/30/2019, total Park Permit gross revenue for 2019 totals $102,863.27
(see attachment for details)

Rationale:  The District received $4,899.60 in net camping revenue for the month of October. This brings the year to date total to $90,794.74.

Rationale:  Staff has begun the winterization process in preparation for winter. The shower building plumbing has been filled with an antifreeze solution and the doors have been locked. The dump station towers have been removed to avoid any freezing issues, And finally, staff hours are being cut with Grounds Foreman Rich Mullen leaving November 8th, and Sharon Kremlacek's hours being limited until ice fishing season later in the winter. 

Total shower building revenue for the 2019 season totaled $2117.25

Staff also purchased a blade that fits onto the District's John Deere 1050 to help with road and trail maintenance throughout the spring, summer, and fall months. The blade was purchased from a local landowner for $100.

Rationale:  Last month the bid amount of $ 4,655.00 was approved and paid to McAtee Concrete for the sidewalk work completed at the Lake Wanahoo Building.  An additional $ 128.00 is due as the finished sidewalk was 38'x6' rather than 50'x4' as described in the original bid.  The additional 28 sq. ft. represents the additional amount due.

Rationale:  The original plan for the building was to simply seal the concrete floor.  Discussion is requested as to the potential of staining the floor prior to sealing to create a more uniform finish.

BOARD MEETING UPDATE:
Staff has received one bid, McAtee Concrete Construction in the amount of $8,400.  This price includes acid staining, crack filling and sealing of the entire 40'x60' building floor. (BOARD MOTION IS REQUIRED)

Rationale:  Staff is planning an open house for the Lake Wanahoo Education Building on November 21st from 4-8 pm.  The purpose of this event is to thank the Donors, contractors and LPNNRD board members for their work and support to make this project happen.  While there is still some work remaining to be done, we believe it is time to recognize the efforts of those individuals who helped make this project a reality.

Rationale:  The winter of 2018-19 provided many challenges for staff in terms of road maintenance at Lake Wanahoo. The lake is very popular with ice fisherman, and the park can see 100+ vehicles per day during winter weekends. Last winter, staff used the District's Bobcat for all snow removal. The process was very time consuming and provided excess wear and tear on an important piece of equipment. Staff is proposing the purchase of a 8'2" XT Steel BOSS V-Blade, mounted on the 2007 Dodge 2500, to speed up snow removal at Lake Wanahoo and the District Office as well as increase the safety and accessibility of the park.

Attached is the government discount quote from Ty's Outdoor Power.

Rationale:  Our plan is to rock the parking lot across from the building yet this year.  We have contacted the city of Wahoo regarding the Saunders County Lodging Tax Grant (which we pay approx. $ 10,000 per year from our camping revenue) to assist in our total cost of approximately $ 3,000.  If granted, nearly all of the cost of the rock will be covered.

Rationale:  The current KTIC radio ad and Wahoo Newspaper eAd promote the December 15th deadline for Water Use Reports and Fertilizer Application Reports in Phases 2 & 3.  These ads will run from November 1^st to December 15^th.  The ads are attached.
 

Rationale:  Sabatka started tracking analytics for our website and social media pages.  This was started on September 18^th, so we currently have about 5.5 weeks of data.
 

Website Data
Dates	Users	Sessions	Bounce Rate	Traffic Channel 1	Traffic Channel 2	Traffic Channel 3	Traffic Channel 4	Top Page	Views	Devices	Percent
September 18-30	450	546	54.03%	Organic 63.96%	Direct 23.6%	Referral 11.1%	Social 1.4%	Home	306	Desktop	54.20%
								Lake Wanahoo	287	Mobile	36.40%
								Staff	58	Tablet	9.3%
								Czechland Lake	56
								Downloads	45
October 1-27	667	842	56.77%	Organic 58.8%	Direct 24.2%	Referral 13.7%	Social 3.3%	Home	476	Desktop	56.20%
								Lake Wanahoo	337	Mobile	39.20%
								Staff	108	Tablet	4.6%
								Czechland Lake	96
								Contact	84

Facebook Data
Shown through October 27, 2019
Date/Post	Total Views/Impressions	Total Reach	Total Engaged Users	Followers
July 2019	9892	6721	562	747
Top Post: Wanahoo best bass fishing	4664	3555	173
Top Post: July 4th festivities	2970	1721	217
Top Post: July 4th fireworks	1792	1131	136
August 2019	54800	31575	4019	824
Top Post: GIT Up Video	33757	17547	2273
Top Post: Pork Chop Island Open	10344	6814	1114
Top Post: Trip on a Tank Channel 8	2811	1847	199
September 2019	7535	5533	347	843
Top Post: Education Programs	1521	1,036	163
Top Post: HMP meeting dates	649	450	25
Top Post: Lake Wanahoo/Wahoo Newspaper	578	423	27
October 2019	9446	6772	1273	873
Top Post: Wanahoo Ed Building Available	6732	4,551	1150
Top Post: Shared picture from Pork Chop Island	538	434	36
Top Post: Area Land Judging NARD article	529	407	24

 

Twitter Data
Shown through October 27, 2019
Date/Post	Impressions (# of times users saw tweet)	Engagements  (# of times users interacted)	Followers
July 2019	2,123	37	287
Top Post: Wanahoo top 10 bass fishing	799	19
Top Post: July 4th fireworks	379	18
Top Post:
August 2019	2,900	37	290
Top Post: Pork Chop Island Open	353	15
Top Post: NRD booth at State Fair	218	3
Top Post: HMP Meetings	207	6
September 2019	5,219	182	294
Top Post: Nathan Mather/Wahoo CEO program	957	98
Top Post: 85% Nebraska drinking groundwater	446	10
Top Post: National wildlife day/state bird	419	7
October 2019	2,643		300
Top Post: order trees	507	5
Top Post: image from Wanahoo/nature quote	248	8
Top Post: PCI shared picture	199	4

Rationale:  Staff are currently working on the LPNNRD Master Plan.  This plan is updated every 10 years.  The current draft of the plan is attached. Additional working drafts demonstrating changes/edits are attached.  A final draft will be available at the November Board of Directors Meeting. 

A motion will be needed at Board Meeting to accept and approve the Lower Platte North NRD Master Plan 2019 - 2029.
 

Rationale: 

Date	School/Group	Grade/Age	# of students	Topic	Staff
Tuesday, October 8	Howard Elementary (Fremont)	Pre-K-4th Grade	400	Wildlife	TePoel/Sabatka/Breunig
Wednesday, October 9	Land Judging (LPSNRD)	High School FFA		Soil judging	TePoel/Sabatka/Breunig/Mountford/Elliott/Schomer
Wednesday, October 23	Logan View	7th, 8th	85	Geocaching, careers, water quality/quantity	TePoel/Sabatka/Andersen/Benal
Monday, October 28	Cub Scouts (Wahoo)	5-6 year olds	8	Wildlife-Camouflage	TePoel
Tuesday, October 29	Survival Club (WPS)	8th grade	18	Outdoor recreation	Gottschalk/TePoel/Sabatka
Monday, November 4	Butler Co. Government Day	High School		LPNNRD	TePoel
Tuesday, November 5	St. Wenceslaus	Pre-K		Trees	TePoel/Sabatka
Wednesday, November 5	St. Wenceslaus	Pre-K		Trees	TePoel/Sabatka
Wednesday, November 20	Wahoo	High School		Mock interviews- careers	TePoel

Rationale:  Elliott has been in contact with USDA Rural Development in regards to our Colon RWD loan status.  The "restrictions" that we were operating under don't exist as they did with our Bruno RWD loan, so we are able to raise the rates without any potential negative repurcussions on our RD loan.  Our rate study that was conducted by NeRWA concluded that our rates on the Colon RWD should be:
Service/meter fee: $40.25 
Per 1000 gallon rate: $4.50
Our current rates:
Service/meter fee: $29.19 (village rate) $43.20(rural)
Per 1000 gallon rate: $2.43 (both)
The recommended increases are substantial enough that the RWD would prefer to phase the increases over a two year period.  The attachment highlights the suggested rates for 2020.
The Colon system had a repeat coliform positive hit this month.  Level one assessment conducted and filed with DHHS.  Wahoo began its annual chlorination the following week.
Meters read and bills have been mailed.

A motion will be needed at Board Meeting - To approve rate increase for the Colon Rural Water District to the following rates Effective 2/1/2020:
Village customers:
Meter/service fee:          $35.00 - ¾" meter
                                            $160.00 - 2" meter
Quantity/rate fee:           $3.25/1000 gallons

Rural customers:
Meter/service fee:          $43.20 - ¾" meter
                                           $267.00 - 2" meter
Quantity/service fee:     $3.25/1000 gallons


 

Rationale:  Elliott performed the required annual testing of the five backflow prevention devices on the Bruno line.  All units passed and required documentation will be sent to David City as required by law.
Routine water samples completed and bills have been mailed.

Rationale:  Derek Brazka with Metos presented information on soil moisture sensors and data loggers. 

Rationale:  Gary Miester and Ken Pestal is interested in pursuing a variance and have contacted staff at the NRD office.  No response from Jerry Kobza.

Committee was Ok in letting this be delayed for a month

Rationale:  Ken Meister is asking for approval of a livestock well permit for a poultry operation in the NW1/4 NE1/4 Section 2-15N-1E, Butler County.  Attached is some information from AEM flights along with a NDNR map showing well locations.  The one irrigation well in this section is registered as a 1000 GPM well.  

Committee discussed the possibility of receiving water levels from one of the new wells.  Staff mentioned this is an area that more water levels would be helpful.  Committee felt that a PVC tube be installed with a data logger would be appropriate. 

Rationale:  At last Committee meeting, staff brought to the attention to the Committee on a situation which the new bypass around Fremont will be dividing an irrigated field.  Sweetwater Inc. is asking for a new well permit and will not be adding any new acres.  An application has been submitted to the District for approval.  Attached is a map showing the scenario.  

Rationale:  The technical group will be meeting on December 3rd at Lower Elkhorn NRD.  Tentative agenda will include Database Update, Insight procedure update, Lower Platte/Missouri Tribs Model Update, NRD new irrigation acre allocation and next increment discussion.

Rationale: 

2018 is the sixteenth year for this Phase 2 Area. 

Year	Nitrate-nitrogen Range	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 0 to 8.0 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 8.01 to 10.00 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen greater than 10 ppm
2004	0 to 25 ppm	46.3% (44 of 95)	8.4% (8 of 95)	45.3% (43 of 95)
2005	0 to 25 ppm	47% (44 of 94)	15% (14 of 94)	38% (36 of 94)
2006	0 to 24 ppm	41% (29 of 71)	14% (10 of 71)	45% (32 of 71)
2007	0 to 31 ppm	48% (48 of 100)	9% (9 of 100)	43% (43 of 100)
2008	0 to 28 ppm	53.75% (43 of 80)	7.5% (6 of 80)	38.75% (31 of 80)
2009	0 to 22 ppm	45.5% (41 of 90)	15.5% (14 of 90)	39% (35 of 90)
2010	0 to 35.7 ppm	48.65% (54 of 111)	11.71% (13 of 111)	39.64% (44 of 111)
2011	0 to 26.6 ppm	51% (56 of 110)	6% (7 of 110)	43% (47 of 110)
2012	0 to 28.9 ppm	57% (61 of 107)	9% (10 of 107)	34% (36 of 107)
2013	0 to 25.8 ppm	50% (53 of 107)	9% (10 of 107)	41% (44 of 107)
2014	0 to 22.3 ppm	51% (55 of 108)	13% (14 of 108)	36% (39 of 108)
2015	0 to 32.3 ppm	43% (31 of 72)	8% (6 of 72)	49% (35 of 72)
2016	0 to 35.1 ppm	34% (25 of 74)	11% (8 of 74)	55% (41 of 74)
2017	0 to 23.5 ppm	36% (27 of 74)	15% (11 of 74)	49% (36 of 74)
2018	0 to 30.9 ppm	40% (25 of 63)	11% (7 of 63)	49% (31 of 63)
2019	0 to 24.5	48% (22 of 46)	9% (4 of 46)	43% (20 of 46)

Rationale: 

2018 is the third year of this Phase 2 Area.  

Year	Nitrate-nitrogen Range	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 0 to 8.0 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 8.01 to 10.00 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen greater than 10 ppm
2016	1.47 to 41.8 ppm	29% (10 of 34)	9% (3 of 34)	62% (21 of 34)
2017	2.44 to 25.4 ppm	23% (8 of 35)	(0 of 35)	77% (27 of 35)
2018	1.75 to 29.3 ppm	25% (5 of 20)	10% (2 of 20)	65% (13 of 20)
2019	0.80 to 35.9	7% (2 of 30)	13% (4 of 30)	80% (24 of 30)

 

Rationale: 

2018 is the third year of this Phase 3 Area.  

Year	Nitrate-nitrogen Range	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 0 to 8.0 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 8.01 to 10.00 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen greater than 10 ppm
2004	0 to 47 ppm	30% (42 of 139)	10% (14 of 139)	60% (83 of 139)
2005	0 to 120 ppm	31.3% (74 of 236)	10.2% (24 of 236)	58.5% (138 of 236)
2006	0 to 53 ppm	28% (50 of 181)	14% (26 of 181)	58% (105 of 181)
2007	0 to 99 ppm	32% (75 of 231)	10% (22 of 231)	58% (134 of 227)
2008	0 to 46 ppm	28% (53 of 190)	12% (23 of 190)	60% (114 of 190)
2009	0 to 57 ppm	33% (72 of 216)	6% (13 of 216)	61% (131 of 216)
2010	0 to 57.5 ppm	31% (70 of 229)	7% (15 of 229)	62% (142 of 229)
2011	0 to 65.8 ppm	28% (67 of 241)	9% (21 of 241)	63% (153 of 241)
2012	0 to 52.6 ppm	29% (70 of 241)	9% (21 of 241)	62% (150 of 241)
2013	0 to 94.0 ppm	25% (63 of 252)	9% (23 of 252)	66% (166 of 252)
2014	0 to 101.0 ppm	27% (68 of 251)	9% (22 of 251)	64% (161 of 251)
2015	0 to 53.3 ppm	23% (55 of 238)	12% (29 of 238)	65% (154 of 238)
2016	0 to 50.5 ppm	25% (58 of 228)	10% (22 of 228)	65% (148 of 228)
2017	0 to 53.4 ppm	25% (60 of 238)	6% (14 of 238)	69% (164 of 238)
2018	0 to 56.9 ppm	26.5% (50 of 189)	6.3% (12 of 189)	67.2% (127 of 189)
2019	0 to 39.4	26% (52 of 199)	11% (22 of 199)	63% (125 of 199)

 

Rationale: 

The LPNNRD has received # 0 livestock permit applications from DEE since the last Water Committee meeting.

Name	Livestock	Type of Permit	Legal Description	County

 

 

 Description of permit application

 

Rationale: 

# 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

Rationale:  As the NRD has received more data since setting the triggers, is this something that should be investigated?  For example PV-1A initial elevation was 1415 with the lidar information showing 1421.1.  Most of the wells are within 0.5 feet, but probably should review them all.   

Committee thought staff could proceed on looking at the trigger levels.  

Rationale:  It has been brought to staff attention that some water standard might be changing.  Staff talked to DEE and found that lead and copper rule might be changing.  They also commented that a health level for manganese will be established but not enforceable.  For infants it will be 300 ug/l and adults 1000 ug/l.  If the drinking water exceeds these amount they recommend to not consume the water.  Nitrate levels is still 10 PPM (mg/l) with no immediate plan to change this number. 

Rationale:  At last month's Committee meeting the Committee didn't get much of chance to discuss the process of installing flow meters.  Staff continues to investigate funding sources, with another option might be working with the NRCS.
            **Committee would like more information on the grant with NRCS at the November Water Committee.**

More discussion questions:
> Who is going to do the meter installation? 
      -- Staff
      -- Private
      -- Contract
              **Committee thought to continue the meter installation as the District is presently doing.**

> Who is going to handle the meter maintenance? 
             **Committee will like to continue a meter maintenance contract.** 

> If the NRD does the tier cost-share, go district wide, by counties or management areas?
             **Committee thought that after the management areas are completed then proceed by county.**

>What about check valves?  State water standards states that if a hole is cut into the pipe to install a meter, a check valve needs to be in place.  Also if a person is doing meter maintenance on a flow meter, once it is pulled out of the pipe the meter can't be re-installed without a check valve in place. 
             **Committee felt that if check valve is required then cost-share, like $500, should be included for the check valve.** 

The discussion from September's Committee Meeting recommended a tier cost-share with set amounts being explored.  An example would be, if producers install meters in year 1 they would get $1,000, year 2 - $800 and year 3 - $600.  The installation of flow meters should be over a 3 - 5 year period with producers realizing that a date after this time, flow meters would became mandatory.  The purpose of installing flow meters for the LPNNRD is to get a better understanding of sustainable aquifers for future generations.  This will also allow the LPNNRD to be pro-active instead of re-active if water consumption becomes an issue.  A producer can utilize the flow meter on how the well is actually performing and increase irrigation management efficiency.  The Committee recommended to start setting aside funding, like $200,000 a year, into a sinking fund for the purpose of a grant match. 

Staff is in the process of obtaining information on how many meters are actually installed in the District. 

At the NARD conference a presentation was shown on another option not utilizing a water flow meter.  The Twin Platte NRD is working with Ollson and NDNR on getting water consumption by collecting electrical usage from the power company.  The electrical rate number collected is calculated with the pumping rate from the well to provide water usage from the well.  The grower would input irrigation method, crops planted and field operation and then receive a water budget on the field.  The NRD contracted out to the local well drillers to provide the pumping rate from the wells for the producers.  The cost for this project was estimated at $3,500,000.       

Another option that was reviewed at the conference was attaching a sensor to the pivot.  This sensor would relay the amount ot water going through the pivot nozzles and then using a formula with the pumping rate, the water use could be calculated.  The cost of the sensor was about $400.    

Rationale:  Still looking at all options for the Fremont Bridge.

Rationale:  Midwest Cover Crop Conference in Kansas City on February 12, 2020.

GMDA conference January 12-15.

Rationale:  No unfinished business to address.

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  19-B-2  Clinton Vandenburg - (Section 30-15-3, Butler CO) WASCB and TO                      $10,511,41

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  The following participants of the LPNNRD's Lands for Conservation (LFC) program have completed the planned work and seeded their cover crop per our LFC Policy:

Gregg Fujan - 9.0 ac - $1,710.00
Roger Fujan - 32.1 ac - $6,099.00
Raymond Urban - 6.0 ac - $1,140.00
Zach Kastl - 24.0 ac - $4,560.00
Marvin Ptacek - 37.0 ac - $7,030.00

Total acres = 108.1
Total payments ($190/acre) = $20,539.00
 

Rationale:  Still waiting on EPA's review of the Project Implementation Plan and a formal agreement from NDEE for our $250,000 of new 319 grant funds.  Bill Bos was present and reported that he has been contacting many landowners within the watershed about potential projects.

Rationale:  On October 16, we met with the NRCS State Engineer staff and Mike Sotak, FYRA to discuss that more funds would be needed to cover additional work FYRA has done and will need to do as a result of  Little Rock, AK, NRCS requests concerning the completion of the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan. FYRA estimated that they will have about a $10,000 overrun from their present contract to finish the draft plan.  This overrun is due to unanticipated  additional work requested from Little Rock NRCS on how economics is calculated for the Plan. In addition, it is anticipated that there will be many additional hours required on the draft plan upon review from Little Rock and National NRCS.  Based on past experience with NRCS plan review, it could take up to an an additional $38,000 of contract work for this anticipated task.  In addtion, NRCS was initially going to conduct the cultural resource investigations, but later indicated that they only had time to complete investigations at Sites 26a, 26b and 27.  We then needed to hire Buried Past to complete investigations on the other eight remaining sites.  Buried Past's work was approximately $67,000, which was turned in for reimbursement as part of the planning effort .  

Our total agreement with NRCS totals $1,915,630. This amount was segmented for planning ($575,000), design ($1,325,630) and a small amount for administration ($15,000). Originally, NRCS indicated that if we had an overrun in the planning area ($575,000) we could apply the costs to the project design area as long as we stayed within the total agreement amount.  At our October 16 meeting we learned that this was not the case as understood earlier and we needed to request additional funding for overages in the planning area.  

Attached is a letter sent to NRCS requesting an additional $125,000 of assistance.  This request is to cover up to an additional $48,000 of work required of FYRA, Buried Past's cultural resource expense of $67,000 and JEO's $10,000 expense for helping with the Dam Breach Overlay zoning needs for Saunders County, Wahoo and Weston.   

Mike Sotak and Janel Kaufman, FYRA, Allen Gerhing and Arlis Plummer,  NRCS, were present to discuss this situation with the Projects Committee.  FYRA  presented a contract addendum for consideration to cover their anticipated contract overrun.  A committee recommendation is requested. 

NRCS has begun the amendment processing request for additional funding and time.  We have provided all necessary documents to NRCS so the remaining steps all reside with them.  Allen Gerhing  discussed this process with the committee.

On another planning topic, Janel Kaufman, has reported that regarding the cultural resources consultation for the Wahoo Creek Plan-EA,  The NRCS archeologist informed her that they are just now mailing out consultation letters that were delayed for higher priority correspondence.   This means that it will be another month and a half for everything to be wrapped up for cultural resources (mid December).  NRCS specialists have been reviewing plan sections and will have a chance to review all sections prior to this date, so we could still be on-schedule to get the draft to Little Rock at the first of the year. This will, of course, depend on the outcome of the cultural resources consultation and acceptance of the breach zoning requirements from Wahoo and Weston.

Attached is FYRA's latest invoice for contract work totaling $12,829.50.  After this payment $7,731.61 will remain under contract. 

 

Rationale:  No new information to report.

Rationale:  Attached is a $2,736.78  invoice from Olsson for work completed on Wahoo Creek Dam Sites 26A, 26B and 27.  After this payment, $1,813,405.34 remains under contract. 

Rationale:  The next Joint Water Management Advisory Board Meeting has been scheduled for 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 5, at the Fremont City Office. The agenda is attached.

Rationale:  Attached is JEO's invoice and update on contract work completed on our Hazard Mitigation Plan Update.  The invoice totaling $15,212.50 will be reimbursed 75% ($11,409.38) from NEMA/FEMA. In addition, Fremont and Schuyler will reimburse LPNNRD 25% for their share of expenses which are $625 and $1,718.75 respectively.   After this payment, $104,025 remains presently approved under contract with JEO. 

Elliott and Mountford have been working on Mitigation Action Status Update for LPNNRD as attached. Our plan is submit all comments after the November 11th Board meeting. Please review and suggest any action item that may have been missed and should be added.

 

Rationale:  No new complaints to report.

Rationale:  While LPNNRD is not a member, Mountford was asked to attend the LPRCA meeting on October 16th to report on the Clear Creek Levee and fuse plug repairs underway.  Meeting minutes are attached.

Rationale:  Attached find a bill from Penne Screenprinting in the amount of $339.42.  These polos are for Newman Grove Science Club.  Funds will be used from the Shell Creek "banked funds" account.

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.