September 2, 2021 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  There is no unfinished business to address.

Rationale:  No application approvals presented.

Rationale:  No payments presented.

Rationale:  No application cancelations presented.

Rationale:  No applications presented.

Rationale:  As previously reported, Pruss Construction has completed tree removal on the Shell Creek South Channel Improvement/Benching Project and will finish the project work after fall harvest. U.P. Railroad has completed their bridge replacement project near Country Road 15. 

 As part of the Shell Creek Watershed Water Quality Plan Phase II, JEO continues to work with NDEE on the Plan update. Attached is JEO's $6,953 invoice and  progress report.  After this payment, $15,317.50 will remain under our $31,630 contract. We are requesting NDEE reimbursement for this expense.

Rationale: 

KEITH RUNGE

$4,800.00

Rationale:  Janel Kaufman reports that state NRCS economist (Doug Christensen) has reviewed the economic write-up for the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan and didn’t have any comments. FYRA has finished removing Site 83 and finalizing the other comment responses in the document and submitted it to NRCS.   She mentioned there were a ton of comments and changes between updated econ and the site removal, so there will be some clean up that will need to happen after NRCS reviews the additions/changes. Attached is JEO 8/23/21 invoice totaling $6,791.25. After this payment, $24,355.25 will remain under contract.

Rationale:  Attached is JEO's August 27, 2021, $710 invoice and progress report for work completed on the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan update. This expense will be reimbursed by NDEE. After this payment, $15,560.50 will remain under contract.

A project that is being supported by NET and NDEE grant funding is the  Czechland Lake Shoreline/Railroad Road Stabilization Project. Attached is a $174,763.07 invoice from Saunders County for our portion of the project expense. Also attached is the county's contribution toward the construction and pictures of the completed project.  The county is also contributing their engineering expenses, and that amount is forthcoming. The committee is asked for a recommendation for payment.

Rationale:  No new information to report. Olsson remained on hold for completing Dam designs until the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan is approved by NRCS.

Rationale:  At our joint Partner Zoom Meeting on August 13th, the participants reviewed options for establishing cameras and sensors along the Platte River later this year (November 2021 is the goal).  After much discussion, it was decided that the best long-term option was to work with USGS for providing this service.  While there will more initial local expense for equipment and for continued monitoring, the big advantage is USGS would handle everything without requiring LPNNRD to coordinate with two or more vendors to provide the same services (equipment purchase, operation & maintenance of equipment, website establishment & upkeep, etc.).  There is also peace of mind that USGS has proven experience and an excellent track record for quickly taking care of problems when they arise.  Since the initial equipment costs will be higher, PMRNRD has offered to provide additional monetary assistance towards the equipment purchase to bring costs down for the other local partners. 

Jason Lambrecht and Ben Dietsch, USGS, joined the LPNNRD’s Projects Committee meeting (Zoom) to discuss their proposal for moving forward. Attached is a draft USGS agreement and a draft Interlocal Agreement between LPNNRD, PMRNRD, Dodge County and City of Fremont to share the local expenses.   

Rationale:  This project has been substantially completed and a project walkthrough was held on August 20th. JEO is working with the contractor on a few remaining items. LPNNRD has committed up to $50,000 toward the local project expense.

Rationale:  As reported last month, the Dodge County Attorney recommended not to accept the Burns and McDonnell proposal and readvertise for new Requests for Proposals (RFP's).  Dodge County, LPNNRD and Fremont representatives met on August 17 to discuss RFP proposals received for completing the Wateshed Plan Environmental Assessment for the Rawhide Creek Watershed. Two firms submitted proposals (FYRA, &JEO) as attached. Burns & McDonnell decided not to resubmit a proposal. The review committee acknowledged that both firms are highly qualified to complete the work.  After much discussion and weighting the strengths of both firms and their project approach, the group recommendation was for Dodge County to consider hiring  JEO to complete the watershed assessment.  

As mentioned,  NRCS has obligated funds for planning and conceptual design costs for surveys and investigations, environmental studies, evaluation of alternatives, and preparation of plans and design prior to the authorization of assistance for the installation of works of improvement.  The assessment will evaluate feasible flood reduction projects that can hopefully be eligible for future federal Watershed Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) program. While LPNNRD is a participating partner, this planning effort is 100% funded by NRCS, so we have not obligated any funding at this point.

Rationale:  Becky Appleford, JEO, sent a adoption resolution from the Linwood Fire Department as part of the Lower Platte North NRD Hazard Mitigation Plan (passed August 24, 2021). It is her understanding that the final day for jurisdictions to adopt this plan was August 25, 2021. As such, we have collected and sent 54 of the 55 possible jurisdictional adoption resolutions. Please note the East Central District Health Department is the only jurisdiction that has not provided a resolution to us. However, they are now participating in the Lower Loup NRD Hazard Mitigation Plan.

As reported a few months ago, our HMP plan update has been approved by NEMA/FEMA with the next HMP update being required in five years.  
 
 

Rationale:  Attached is SID No. 8 latest project assistance request for a new bank stabilization project at Woodcliff Lakes.  Their request is for up to 50% of the total project cost of $216,185, or $108,092.50.  Jake Miyosky, JEO,  joined the meeting to discuss SID No. 8's request. The committee took no action, but plans to visit the Woodciff Project area on September 9th, starting at 3:30p.m. 

Rationale:  The LPNNRD was notified that Drew Wolfe is nearing completion of a sediment removal contract with FSA in relation to the 2019 flood.  Elliott and Bailey updated the committee on this project. While we have no objection to this work, the LPNNRD is not involved and does not have any official jurisdiction over the work. However, we may be asked to send a letter explaining this to FSA. 

Rationale:  It is that time again to approve our Long Range Plan which is updated annually. The plan, which is a State requirement, outlines what we accomplished in FY 2021 and what our plans are looking forward from FY 2022 to F Y 2027.  Please review the attached draft and give input by the September 13th Board Meeting where Board approval will be requested. 

Rationale:  The Projects Committee adjourned at 9:15 a.m.