October 28, 2021 at 8:30 AM - Operations Committee Meeting

Rationale:  Nothing to consider.

Rationale:  Updated Federal paper work has been completed and turned in to the FSA regarding the Districts properties. We have forwarded a signed contract to NRCS for the prescribed burn that will take place in the Spring of 2022. We were notified that the prescribed burn will be covered 100% by the NRCS, the contract is worth $6,360.

The tree removal contractor will start in November.

Rationale:  The O & M crew is busy removing trees at Czechland and Clear Creek Levee. Removed a mount of mud, provided by beaver, around the principal spillway at the Swedeburg. Finished inspecting the final three dams in the Bellwood Watershed. Hauled rip-rap to Rawhide Ditch as requested by a landowner for an eroded stream bank.

Rationale:  We have not heard from FEMA whether the change of scope is approved or disapproved.
This morning we received this permanent well estimates from Valley Corp see attached.

Rationale:  Platte Valley Drainage District is seeking the remaining allocation of $31,791.90 for their levee repair project. (Letter Attached)  The District allocated $65,000 to Platte Valley D & D after the 2019 flood event. The District paid $33,208.10 in January for completed work and to also help with cash flow for the remaining repairs.

Rationale:  See attached the hay harvest summary for our recreational lands.

The Wanahoo hay revenue is $11,233.87 and Czechland/Homestead is $6,720.15, totaling $17,954.02.

Rationale:  Staff is soliciting trappers for quotes to trap beaver on our watershed dams and ditches. With the lack of fur bearing harvest because of low fur prices we are seeing an increase in beaver activity on our dams and ditches. Staff would like to hire a trapper for year around purposes. Staff and the hired trapper would work with the local Conservation Officer in obtaining a depredation permit. Lower Platte South had a trapper hired before he retired and are currently looking for another. See the attached photo of a mud mound we dug out on a Swedeburg Dam.
We received one quote from Bill Chizek, set up fee whether 1 or 20 traps is $150, will run traps for as long as there is sign of activity, if traps are pulled and within a month there is fresh activity, we will come back and forgo the setup fee. We would like $185/tail. He does have a fur harvest permit.

Rationale:  The Bellwood Ditch 4 system is approximately 4.5 miles in length from the bluffs to the south, to the Platte River. It was proposed by the SCS/NRCS in the mid 60's that the ditches from the Bellwood Watershed Dams be improved and maintained. The only segment that LPNNRD easements were obtained was on a 3/4 mile segment of ditch 4 (see attached map). Landowner Dennis Kucera has reminded us that we have O & M on this 3/4 of a mile. There are numerous trees to be taken out, a breach on the west bank and a large beaver dam that should be removed. The O & M crew is making plans to cut and remove trees this Fall.
Mr. Kucera may make a request for the NRD to clear more of the ditch, specifically the last 1/2 mile to the Platte River.

Rationale:  There wasn't any activity this past month.

Rationale:  Over the past couple of years, there has been quite a bit of discussion regarding the Hwy 77/92 and 109 intersection due to the danger of crossing 4 lanes of traffic and the fatal accidents at that location.  I met with NDOT representatives this past week and was informed they will be making some changes to the highway as it crosses the Wanahoo dam in the near future.
First, within the next few weeks, the location of the 4-lane to 2-lane transition will be moved west to approximately the middle of the dam.  This will allow for the 109 crossing to be a 2-lane crossing rather than a 4-lane crossing.
Next, sometime next year, there are plans to install a roundabout at the current intersection and remove the blinking red/yellow lights.
I will continue to keep the board updated as information is shared with me.

Rationale:  For the month of October, the District received $757.50 in annual park permit revenue. The year by year breakdown for annual permits sold during the month of October is listed below. Year to date annual permit and day pass revenue total equals $104,367.46.
 

Month	Monthly Total	YTD Total
October 2021	757.50	85,546.85
October 2020	512.50	95,957.50
October 2019	572.50	82,200.00

Rationale:  For the month of October (as of 10/26), the District received $4,714.00 in camping revenue at Lake Wanahoo. For the calendar year, camping revenue totals $114,640.11. The year by year breakdown for camping revenue during the month of October is listed below.
 

Month	Monthly Total	YTD Total
October 2021	4,714.00	114,640.11
October 2020	10,236.02	131,137.03
October 2019	4,365.36	90,942.60

Rationale:  During the month of October, the building was rented 17 times. This number includes 1 NRD-involved events. Revenue for month of October is $1,520.
 

Rationale:  The October’s KTIC Radio ad and Wahoo Newspaper e-Ad are attached. These ads shared feature no-till drill rental.
 

Rationale: 

Date	School/Group	Grade/Age	# of students	Topic	Staff
Oct. 4	North Bend Elementary	4th grade	35	Wildlife CSI	SA/LS
Oct. 21	Wahoo Public School	8th grade	8	Survival Club	EG/LS

Rationale:  Elliott participated in a virtual meeting with NeDHHS regarding their Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).  The program is purposed to provide payment to water utilities for customers who have past due balances, or disconnections.  
Elliott has supplied DHHS with the vendor information required to receive any payments from qualifying residents.

Rationale:  Routine monthly sampling completed, meters read and bills will go out 11/1.

Rationale:  Attached is a proposed rate increase for the Bruno RWD.  As per recommendations from auditors, and following guidance from Nebraska Rural Water Associations rate study, the proposed increase:
$6.25/1000 gallons
$47.00 - 3/4" meter service (residential)
$185.00 - 2" meter service (commercial)
$560.00 - 4" meter service (municipal)

Routine monthly sampling completed, meters read, bills out 11/1.