March 3, 2022 at 8:30 AM - Operations Committee Meeting

Rationale:  Nothing to consider for unfinished business.

Rationale:  The tree removal contractor, Standing C Excavating, is putting the finishing touches on the Wanahoo wildlife areas and may be finished by Committee meeting.
The Big Game Conservation group would like to place another elevated deer stand on the Wanahoo wildlife area. Staff is working with them on a location and updating an agreement.

Rationale:  The O & M crew removed trees from the back property of Sand/Duck Dam 2 east of Prague, finished at Bellwood Ditch 4 and continue to do the same at Homestead. Perform maintenance on vehicles and equipment.

Rationale:  Valley Corp has moved out since the project is substantially complete. The final walk through was Monday, February 28th. Here's a list of items Valley must complete 1) east access gate was damaged (has been fixed), 2) access just east of the gate needs rock (has been completed), 3) kids swimming pool w/ excess concrete needs to be removed from parking lot (complete) 4) Excess rock needs to be removed on both sides in the work areas because it's used as hay, 5) There are some undulations in the disturbed area that need to be leveled out 6) the cap to inclinometer #6 was broken off from the PVC casing, this needs to be located and repaired. 
Valley will be back to work and level the area for seeding before May 15.
We've noticed that since the dewatering wells have been shut down, one relief well on the dam has not started to flow, and others seem slower. Olsson and FYRA are going to monitor this.

Rationale:  Bids from Well Drilling Companies were due Tuesday, March 1 for the reconditioning of 3-7 relief wells on the Wanahoo Dam.
We received two bids for cleaning 7 wells (attached) from, Rieschick Drilling Co., Falls City, $63,600 and Griffin Dewatering, $56,000. Their bids to do 3 wells are $32,400 and $25,000 respectfully, that is if it is not successful, and we have to find another solution.
Griffen's bid sheet was misinterpreted, their bid for reconditioning 7 wells is actually $81,000. A motion was made with the wrong bid quoted, and will not be on the consent agenda, leaving it open to approve either bid by the Board. 

Rationale:  Bids were due Tuesday, March 1 from concrete repair specialist for repairing cracks in the RCC auxiliary spillway.
We received three bids (attached) from, McGill Restoration $122,450, Western Specialty Contractors $71,950, Fisher Building Services $46,490.
Fisher would start the work in September and estimates 6-8 weeks.
All three companies were asked to use the same products recommended by Brandon Carter of Sika Corporation. They could also contact Brandon in regard to other products if they felt there was something better they have used in the past. We need a motion to proceed.

Rationale:  RFP/RFQ's from Engineering Consultants were due Friday, February 18 for the engineering cost to repair the stilling basin apron floor. We received  proposals from FYRA Engineering and Olsson Associates.
Proposals were emailed to the Board for review, light discussion took place at the Directors Retreat. Each firm will be interviewed after the Operations Committee meeting starting at 9:30, second interview is at 10:15. After the interviews the Operation Committee and other directors made a recommendation.

Rationale:  Staff has cleared the trees from Bellwood Ditch 4. We now have an estimate to repair a breach on the west bank (see picture attached). Also see Krivanek Constructions estimate of $4,700.
Staff repaired the pipe flared end problem so $200 can be deducted from the bid making it $4,500.

Rationale:  We received grass drill revenue of $706.25 from Schuyler Coop. Ten cooperators used the grass drill.

Rationale:  There has been any active.

Rationale:  A poor ice fishing season due to unstable ice conditions has lead to slow permit sales. For the month of February, the District received $3,825.00 in annual park permit revenue. The year by year breakdown for annual permits sold during the month of February is listed below. 
 

Month	Monthly Total	YTD Total
February 2022	3,825.00	21,707.50
February 2021	7,935.00	24,937.50
February 2020	6,070.00	22,185.00
February 2019	9,677.50	24,635.00

Rationale:  The annual meeting of the Friends of Lake Wanahoo group was held Wednesday, March 2nd. The group discussed the new additions in 2021 and planned upgrades for 2022. New ideas brought forth include.

• May is Migratory Bird Month. On the first Saturday of May, the Wahoo Bird Club will be meeting at Lake Wanahoo and walking the trails. We will assist them in advertising their bird walk via our Facebook and Twitter.
• The trails that run through the PATH hunting areas are great for runners and walkers all times of the year. It was discussed how we can satisfy both the hunters and those that would like to use the trails during the hunting season.
• Military Recognition days happen once a month from May through September. Dave Ruder from Live Well Go Fish will be planning events for Korean War Veterans Day on July 27th and on September 11th. He will be using the Clint Johannes Education Building, giving pontoon rides, and is looking to involve local high school bands and potentially bringing in a caterer. 
• It was suggested to hold a nocturnal education night. Families will come out to the lake to have a nature walk at night to see what they can find, and use the fire pit by the building, with the goal of helping to make kids more comfortable with being outside at night.

Rationale:  During the month of February, the building was rented 12 times, with 4 NRD events. Revenue for the month was $500. February 13-19 the building was closed for the floor to be refinished.

Rationale:  February’s KTIC Radio ad featured the remaining Nitrogen certification classes. The Wahoo Newspaper e-ad also shared the remaining Nitrogen certification classes and to visit our website for full details.

Rationale: 

FACEBOOK	Total Reach	Engagements	Followers
February	4,253	345	1,330
January	31,463	2,550	1,325
December	2,159	95	1,299

 

TWITTER	Total impressions	Engagements	Followers
February	1,755	85	357
January	5,527	333	353
December	2,024	114	348

Top Posts on Facebook and Twitter:
• Progress pictures on the Lake Wanahoo stilling basin
• Thank you and pictures from Nitrogen and Water Management Workshop in Schuyler
• Accepting tree and shrub orders
• February’s Coffee Lakeside flyer
• Pictures from East Butler "Test Your Well" event
 

WEBSITE	Users	Traffic Channel	Top Pages	Devices
February	1,239	Organic 58.1% Direct 28% Referral 11.1% Social 2.8%	Home Lake Wanahoo Forestry Downloads Staff	Desktop 55.04% Mobile 4197% Tablet 2.99%
January	1,598	Organic 57% Direct 27.1% Referral 13.1% Social 2.9%	Home Lake Wanahoo Downloads Forestry Staff	Desktop 55.63% Mobile 41.30% Tablet 3.07%
December	954	Organic 53% Direct 33% Referral 10.7% Social 3.3%	Home Lake Wanahoo Downloads Staff Contact	Desktop 59.75% Mobile 38.36% Tablet 1.89%

50 from NARD’s website.
14 clicks from our ad on Wahoo-Ashland-Waverly newspaper website.
34 clicks from Facebook to our website and 2 clicks from Twitter to our website.
 

Rationale:  We have been sharing the 60-second I&E video through January and February with News Channel Nebraska. The video was shared 28 times. You can view the times of day it was shared in the attached.

Rationale:  With the threat of nitrates in drinking water, the LPNNRD continues to encourage well water testing. Since last fall, we have been working with FFA chapters across the district to conduct "Test Your Well" events. The events are usually held in conjunction with a school event to help bring in more samples. FFA students have tested over 130 samples. The EPA's standard for safe drinking water is 10 parts per million (ppm). The results from the events held so far range from 0 ppm to over 35 ppm. We have 2 more events in March and will provide an update after those events.

Rationale: 

• March 2nd: Friends of Lake Wanahoo Meeting - discuss the park - current and future projects - suggestions - etc.
• Potential Burn Day Thursday or Friday.
• March 8th: Northern Pike Sampling with NGPC.
• March 10th: Coffee, Lakeside: Trees - ID, common diseases, rusts, blights, etc.
• March 14th: Test your well night event with Mead.
• March 23rd: Science and Scenes with Thori Nelson - Learn about pollination and paint a landscape scene.
• March 25th: Test your well night in Platte Center.
• March 29th-30th: I & E Meeting in Holdredge. 

Seth Anderson is a Environmental Studies Major and Psych minor that is job shadowing with us for 30 hours this semester.

TBD: Survival club, St. Wenceslaus Pre-K, other classroom visits.

 

Rationale:  The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIWHAP) "went live" on 3/1.  This program is administered through DHHS and provides one-time direct payments to utilities to keep delinquent, or disconnected, accounts active.  The RWD has submitted all requisite paperwork to qualify to receive direct payments if any customers apply.  

Elliott completed, and submitted to NDEE, required updates to our Sample Site Plans and Emergency Action Plan for both Colon and Bruno RWDs.
Elliott participated in Wellhead Development Area discussion with both David City and Wahoo as both RWDs purchase water from the respective municpalities.  

Rationale:  The Colon RWD completed its biennial sanitary survey w/ NDEE.  No deficiencies or violations were noted.  Attached is the write up from the state.
Routine monthly sampling completed, meters read and bills mailed 3/1.
 

Rationale:  Routine monthly sampling completed, meters read and bills mailed 3/1.