July 28, 2022 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  We received our FY22-23 apportionment from the state for our SWCP program.  Our allocation is $86,748.17.
Eligible applications recommended by staff for fall 2022 SWCP total $83,652.00 and one approved summer SWCP application for $10,000.  Our proposed FY23 SWCP allocation would be $93,652.00.
The Board allocated $28,800** for 2022 Lands for Conservation which will be budgeted under local funds.

Rationale:  We have received eight eligible applications for our fall 2022 SWCP program.

B-1-22	CHARLES MEDINEER	$                     10,000.00	TERRACE/TILE OUTLET
S-2-22	GREGG FUJAN	$                     12,500.00	BASINS W/ TO - SITE 26B
S-3-22	JAMES VANEK	$                     12,500.00	BASINS W/ TO - SITE 26A
S-4-22	MICHAEL SWANSON	$                     12,500.00	TERRACE/BASIN W/ TO COTTONWOOD 21-A
S-5-22	NICK SOUSEK	$                     12,500.00	TERRACE/BASIN W/ TO CZECHLAND
S-6-22	JOHN KASPAR	$                       8,852.00	BASINS W/ TO (LOW)
S-7-22	NORM LINDGREN	$                       2,300.00	TERRACE W/ TO (LOW)
S-8-22	GREG DIVIS	$                     12,500.00	TERRACE/BASIN W/ TO WANAHOO

 

Rationale:  Financials are being wrapped up for the current EPA/NDEE Section 319 grant that ends on 10/30/2022.  A final report is due at the same time.
Our new grant is being drafted and will be submitted along with the required update (every 5 years) of our EPA 9-element Watershed Management Plan.

Rationale:  Tom, Sean, Bill, and Ryan visited Tom Sprunk's wetland stabilization and tributary stabilization chute projects.  It appears to be functioning as designed and is a good example for others.  Tom mentioned that he might do a quick grazing and wildflower interseeding this fall/next spring.  The potential to add signage/project recognition was discussed and will be discussed with the SCWIG in the future.  Final invoice is attached for $39,647.56.  We previously reimbursed Tom $6,500 (to clean up NET funds).  Our obligation is 75% of the total project. $39,647.56 + $6,500 = $46,147.56 x 75% = $34,610.67 - $6,500 = $28,110.67 due to Tom Sprunk.

Rationale:  Our current 319 grant has $8,529.28 of grant funds and $159,869.28 of required match remaining.  Tom Sprunk's projects will finish grant funds and several completed activities will complete our required match: Colfax County Shell Creek Benching engineering, design, observation, oversight, excavation/shaping, and land rights, Bill Bos and NRD staff time, and EQIP landowner share.

Rationale:  We are finishing up with the final bills.  As attached Colfax County has provided in kind costs for engineering and land rights along with a final invoice for construction costs of $3,986.00.  Per our interlocal agreement (attached), the NRD has agreed to pay all construction work with the county providing all engineering work.

Rationale:  We received a septic system upgrade application from Earleen Potmesil, for a residence in Platte County, ~1 mile south of Newman Grove.  SCWIG cost-share request is for 60% up to $6,500.

Rationale:  Andrew Phillips, of Olsson, will be available to discuss the status of the design/permitting progress of our Wahoo Creek Flood Reduction plan.
Attachments include:

Progress Report
Invoice 1: $26,023.09
Invoice 2: $39,428.25
Contract breakdown 2 sites
Contract breakdown 7 sites

Rationale:  Received an invoice from USGS for the installation and operation of 5 cameras and 2 stage-only streamgages on the Lower Platte River bridges.  The invoice was for $19,920.00 to be split 4 ways between Dodge County, Fremont, Papio-Missouri River NRD, and LPNNRD at $4,980.00 each.  We plan to pay in full and bill partners via already approved and signed agreements.

Rationale:  1)  JEO was selected by the committee to complete the planning process.
2)  Awareness regarding scope of work verbiage - conceptual vs final design.  We don't know what we are designing yet.  Attached email contains specifics.

Rationale:  Cost overrun discussions are ongoing with Nebraska Department of Economic Development as there may be an opportunity to reallocate unused administration funds to supplement the overrun.  Should this not be a possibility, the NRDs share will be $14,145.19 ($42,435.56 / 3).

Rationale:  On 7/18 JEO updated the JWMAB on the status of the Rawhide Creek WFPO study, highlights:
JEO meets with NRCS (WFPO administrator) on 8/1 for a formal status update.
The "preferred alternative" is due to be finalized 9/22.
Design alternatives:
1. Detention cell creation - airport and Merlon England.
2. Fremont Cut-off road raise as a stand alone project.
3. Fremont Cut-off road raise with a berm/diversion combination to divert overflow towards Merlon England diversion.

JEO believes that the third alternative would provide the best flood reduction benefits and best benefit to cost ratio.
 

Rationale:  On 7/18 JEO updated JWMAB on the status of the E.Fremont/Elkhorn township drainage study being funded through FEMA's advanced assistance program.  Highlights:
JEO has had encouraging meetings with UP Railroad in discussing the need for the UPRR to increase flow (via culvert replacement to bridges) through their right-of-way on the southeast end of Fremont.  Without the possibility of increased capacity at this location the reality of mitigating the stormwater drainage problems in Fremont is limited.

Rationale:  Partners meeting will be scheduled in October.  Our dues will be billed after this meeting in Nov/Dec.  Project ideas should be articulated to the group at the October meeting.

Rationale:  Tom, Sean, and Ryan met with JEO on 6/30/2022 to briefly discuss the status of the NRD's Hazard Mitigation Plan due to expire in August 2025.  JEO suggests plan sponsors begin the grant application process 2.5 to 3 years before the current plan expires to receive 75% federal cost share for the planning process.  This means submitting the grant to NEMA ~December 2022.  JEO is willing to prepare the grant application for us free of charge as long as we go through the federally required procurement (Request for Proposals/Qualifications) process before hand.  As an alternative, the District can prepare and submit the application in-house and complete the procurement process while we are awaiting funding notification.
JEO estimated a basic plan update is roughly $100k with add-ons in the $50k neighborhood.  An example of an add-on is the dam breach inundation mapping completed in 2020.  Should any of the planning partners (counties, communities, etc.) be interested in add-ons, those will need to be included in the application this fall/winter.  For those reasons, we are currently investigating procurement options.

Rationale:  FY23 Budget will be discussed and handouts will be provided.

Rationale:  Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive Grants:

• Recycling systems and equipment - Equipment used in integrated solid waste programs and projects, such as balers, shredders, densifiers, and trucks/trailers to collect recyclables
• Food and yard waste composting - brush chippers, tub grinders, compost turners, and compost screens
• Household hazardous waste, electronic waste, and pharmaceutical collection events
• School chemical cleanouts
• Market development for recycled materials
• Deconstruction of abandoned buildings owned by the city/county (available to cities of the first class, cities of the second class, villages, and counties of five thousand or fewer population

Scrap Tire Grants:

• 50% reimbursement of crumb rubber for rubber modified asphalt, manufacturing, landscaping, or playground mulch
• 25% reimbursement of mats or tiles for playgrounds, poured-in-place playground surfaces, athletic tracks, and artificial turf football, soccer, and baseball fields
• 100% reimbursement of the cost of scrap tire cleanup events (political subdivisions, only)
• 50% reimbursement of capital costs for processing, manufacturing, collection, and transporting scrap tires
• Cost-sharing for civil engineering uses ($20/ton)

Litter Reduction and Recycling Grants:

• Public Education - funding to promote recycling and litter reduction awareness through educational activities and program
• Cleanup - funding for cleanup activities on public spaces and roadways
• Recycling - funding for equipment and operating expenses

Illegal Dumpsite Cleanup Program:

• Available year-round to political subdivisions for illegal dumpsites along a road right-of-way. There are no deadlines for applications. The applications are currently received on paper.