September 2, 2021 at 8:30 AM - Operations Committee Meeting

Rationale:  We have no unfinished business to consider.

Rationale:  In July, it was mentioned that Staff and Game & Parks would like to pursue a NAWCA Grant through Ducks Unlimited for the renovation/development of the wetland on the Wanahoo property just west of the dirt burrow site. DU will be applying for the grant to the Fish & Wildlife Service in February with the rankings come out in May. The NAWCA grant would cover 50%, NRD 40% and potentially G & P 10%. Funds could be available in late 2022. If the May ranking is favorable, we can also apply for a NET grant to assist in this project. A letter of support maybe requested of the District in January.

Rationale:  The O & M staff has started the mowing circuit. We have just finished the Rawhide Ditch system. We will move to Ames and Cotterell Levees.
We continue to go over watershed dams after rainfall events and annual inspections. We have sprayed Phragmites along Clear Creek Levee, five dams and on Wanahoo property.

Rationale:  We are currently waiting for Valley Corp to provide us with a Water Management/Dewatering Plan for the basin project. Their sub-contractor Griffin Dewatering did a pump test on one relief well on August 13. Their report (attached) recommends a system of 6 deep wells capable of pumping significantly more volumes of water. A well profile from Griffin is also attached. We do not know how they plan to proceed.
We may not be able to proceed immediately until FEMA give us direction. We need to know if this plan is part of the original contract or if this is a change of scope.

Attached find FYRA invoice 022-064 in the amount of $12,713.36 for services through July 23, 2021 and invoice 022-066 in the amount of $2,501.25 for services through August 13, 2021.

Rationale:  Saunders County Hwy Dept. has completed the Railroad Ave/Czechland shoreline project. (see attached pictures) Staff is asking for invoices from Saunders County with the hope of approving this at the September Board meeting.  Mountford will forward the needed invoices and information to NEDEE 319 for reimbursement. The Projects Committee will handle this item.

Rationale:  Schuyler Coop rented the grass drill to 9 cooperators for $1,155.50 of revenue of which $577.75 was sent to the District. This revenue period is for the first half of the year.

Rationale:  Wanahoo Dirt Sales via M.E. Collins
To date in 2021, we have received $14,062.85. The total since June 2012 is $281,140.85.
The agreement shall renew automatically for an additional two-year term unless written notice is given by either party on or before July 1st of the final year of the term. If renewal occurs then this agreement shall terminate automatically as of  December 31, 2021.

Rationale:  For 2021 the camping revenue at Czechland Lake is $11,082.00.

Rationale:  We have received a request for payment from Don Medinger for Platte River bank stabilization in Butler County. The invoice amount is $8,975.00. The District can reimburse at 50% or up to $4,000.00. The District can pick up the rest at the end of the fiscal year if funds still exist.

Rationale:  For the month of August, the District received $2,700.00 in annual park permit revenue. Year to date, as of 8/17, annual permit and day pass revenue total equals $93,411.84. The year by year breakdown for annual permits sold during the month of August is listed below. We are currently having some issues with our accounting software, but we'll have a more accurate total by the September 13th Board Meeting.
 

Month	Monthly Total	YTD Total
August 2021	2,700.00	82,282.50
August 2020	5,035.00	92,507.50
August 2019	4,302.50	79,612.50

Rationale:  For the month of August as of 8/17, the District received $7,093.94 in camping revenue at Lake Wanahoo. For the calendar year, as of 8/17, camping revenue totals $87,304.76. A more accurate update will be provided by the September 13th Board Meeting.

Rationale:  During the month of August, the building was rented 16 times. This number includes 2 NRD-involved meetings. Revenue for month of $1,120

Rationale:  The August KTIC Radio ad and Wahoo Newspaper e-Ad are attached. These ads featured the upcoming deadlines for variances - Restricted Development Areas: August 15, Hydrologically Connected Ares: September 15. Early September, the ads will switch to cost-share assistance available to upgrade septic systems with open discharge in Shell Creek and Wahoo Creek Watersheds.
 

Rationale:  LPNNRD Website: We continue to see traffic directed to our website from Game and Parks website, NARDs website and visitnebraska.com. Our top pages continue to remain nearly the same.

LPNNRD Website	# of Users	Top Pages/views	Viewing Device
June 2021	1,601	Lake Wanahoo 1,305 Home 877 Czechland Lake 346 Outdoor Recreation 208 Downloads 147	Mobile 49.66% Desktop 47.66% Tablet 2.69%
July 2021	1,623	Home 1,516 Lake Wanahoo 1,038 Czechland Lake 275 Outdoor Recreation 179 Downloads 153	Mobile 49.17% Desktop 47.87% Tablet 2.96%
August 2021	1,368	Lake Wanahoo 970 Home 737 Czechland Lake 309 Downloads 180 Outdoor Recreation 171	Desktop 50.99% Mobile 46.24% Tablet 2.78%

Facebook:
Our top posts for July on Facebook included the dedication ceremony and open house of the Clint Johannes Education Building pictures and press release, pictures of Newman Grove students taking samples on Shell Creek, August's coffee Lakeside event and upcoming variance deadlines. Sabatka added pictures of the Clint Johannes Education Building because we continue to get requests of wanting to see it - there were 8,454 views which contributes to the large jump in views and reach for August.

Facebook	Total Views	Total Reach	Followers
June 2021	4,858	4,627	1,273
July 2021	3,951	3,801	1,278
August 2021	12,418	12,326	1,289

Twitter:
Our top posts for July on Twitter included the dedication ceremony and open house of the Clint Johannes Education Building, Newman Grove students testing Shell Creek, reminder of board meeting and budget hearing, and the 2021-2022 school year education flyer. 
We continue to see more traffic to our Twitter page.

 

Twitter	Impressions	Engagements	Followers
June 2021	2,450	83	338
July 2021	2,212	42	342
August 2021	2,742	104	344

Rationale:  The Summer issue of the Viaduct has been shipped from the printer to area newspapers. It went out in some of the area newspapers the week of 8/23 and 8/30. Due to Labor Day holiday and a two-week requirement for some newspapers, the remainder will go out the week of 9/6. It was also sent out to email subscribers on Monday, August 30.

Rationale:  Attached is the first draft of the Long Range Plan. Please review this and address any changes before September 13^th. A final draft will be prepared by board meeting and board approval will be requested.

Rationale:  Education flyer for the 2021-22 school year is attached. Land Judging and Range Judging contests have been canceled for 2021.

Rationale: 

• August 5th: went up to Newman Grove where we got to watch the students do some shell creek water sampling.
• August 8th: Rain Barrel Day. 8 attendees learned about issues facing our watershed, why it's important to harvest rainwater, and then they all made a rainbarrel and took it home that day. 
• August 11th: attended the Nebraska R3 (recruit, retain, reactivate) Summit in Lincoln.
• August 12th: Coffee, Lakeside on Bats of Nebraska. 10 attendees learned about bats: anatomy, common misconceptions, the species found in our state, and how to be bat friendly.
• August 19th: Gave a presentation to the Rotary Club about the NRD and what we are busy doing. 
• August 31st: Attended the state fair and ran the crumpled watershed activity booth. Elementary to middle school aged kids stopped at the booth and learned what a watershed is and then made a model of one. 
• September 1st: District Greenhand Day in Columbus for FFA students. Presenting on NRD's, nitrates, and water testing; expecting roughly 50 kids during our 4 sessions. 

Rationale: 

• September 7th: Coffee, Lakeside talking about Lake Ecosystems (what is a fish kill and why it happens, spring and fall turnover, etc.).
• September 8th: Classroom visits at Newman Grove and Schuyler high school talking about nitrates and running through the water testing kits in preparation for test your well nights. 
• September 9th: Fremont middle school outdoor day. Stations the NRD will be running include: tree planting, drone flying, lake ecosystems, and wildlife CSI. Roughly 350 kids will attend the day.
• September 10th: Region V outdoor day at Lake Wanahoo. 150-200 attendees will be at the lake taking boat rides with Live Well Go Fish, playing disc golf, and going on nature hikes.
• September 15th: Prairie Discovery Day at the Wachiska prairie in Yutan. Fourth graders from DC West Elementary will attend to learn about prairie ecosystems. 
• September 20th: East Butler high school classroom visit to discuss careers in natural resources and prairie ecosystems.
• September 22nd: Test your well nights at both Newman Grove and Columbus Lakeview.
• September 27th: East Butler middle school classroom visit to discuss prairie ecosystems. 
• Planning dates for St. Wenceslaus pre-k program and with Wahoo Middle School for Survival club. 

Rationale:  Meters read, bills mailed 8/31, routine monthly sampling completed.

Rationale:  On August 8th the RWD was notified by Butler county landfill personnel of an apparent leak at the new 2" service connection.  Gottschalk was able to get to the line and locate the cause of the leak; a gasket became dislodged at the flanged joint of the meter.  The issue was temporarily resolved by closing the upstream valve for the meter.  The gasket has been replaced (picture) and service has been restored.
The Bruno RWD was contacted by David City Utilities about our water purchase agreement expiring.  Apparently, it expired 3/31/21.  David City requests that we sign a new agreement.  Attached is the original agreement and, per Jovan's advice, a Second Amendment to the original agreement.
Meters read, bills mailed 8/31, routine monthly sampling completed.