January 4, 2023 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  On 12/6 a SCWIG meeting was held in the Columbus FO.  Meeting consisted of planning next phase of NDEE 319 grant funding.  Septic systems are still a major item on the budget.  Urban BMPs projects within the watershed (Newman Grove, Schuyler, etc) were discussed and a meeting 1/17 with partners is planned.

Rationale:  Staff are having conversations with Olsson to get a RFP drafted for hiring a land acquisition firm.
Staff have had multiple conversations with landowners, primarily within first three sites (26AB, 27) about additional wetland and stream mitigation work, overall project timeline, and potential land rites negotiations. 

Rationale:  December Invoices and progress report are attached and will be paid per agreement.
On 12/14 Chapman, Elliott, Caleb P (Olsson), and Matt Wray (ACOE) met to discuss mitigation plan as part of the Corps permitting process.  The plan to permit the project through one permit was discussed and ok'ed with the understanding that the first 3 (26AB, 27) will have a firm plan at time of permitting and the second 7 sites will have a plan to be determined before construction.
Current timeline for permitting review/approval from Corps is the March-April timeframe.
When asked about possibility of altering the Corps perpetuity requirement for all permits we could not get a definitive answer either way.  It was suggested, as planned, to seek an amendment or an exception to Executive Order.

Rationale:  We expect Director Riley's signature on the agreement this week.

Rationale:  Spoke with NRCS regarding what is required to update the plans.  A short letter is all that is needed to request WFPO planning funds.  The letter must state the problem(s) - flooding & water quality.  The watershed should be less than 250,000 acres.  Skull Creek watershed is 62,248 acres and Bone Creek watershed is 35,923 acres so we could do both together.  NRCS is pretty backlogged and short on staff at the moment, so it will take roughly a year before planning gets underway.  We are at least 10 years from moving dirt if everything goes perfectly.

Rationale:  Nothing new to report as JEO continues to finalize alternatives analysis and JWMAB partners work out fiscal responsibilities/plans.

Rationale:  Nothing new to report since plan kickoff meeting was held 11/22.

Rationale:  On 12/19 JEO, JWMAB met with NRCS to update on the status of WFPO plan and alternatives analysis.  Previous alternatives review guided JEO, JWMAB from pursuing Platte river flood impacts as those costs exceeded the WFPO limits.  Current plan focuses on Rawhide only impacts and main alternatives are two detention ponds (Merlyn England and Airport) as well as Fremont cut off road raise.
Dodge county (as lead sponsor) also had to request planning extension for WFPO which expires in March '23.
 

Rationale:  On 12/21 a meeting was held to update JWMAB on NBDD repair.  Currently the design is being reviewed by NDOT, at request of NEMA, before NEMA/FEMA will do final review.  Plan is for construction to begin next spring.  FYRA/Houston is the contracted consultant.
Of note: Total project cost estimate: $1,633,357.47
FEMA cost share 75% = $1,225,018.12
Local cost share 25% = $408,339.35

• September 14, 2020, LPNNRD Board voted to budget $100,000 for NRD's local share.  Also approved interlocal agreement between: LPNNRD, City of Fremont, Dodge County, City of North Bend, and North Bend Drainage District (attached)

Rationale:  JEO assisted us with drafting and submitting the grant to NEMA.  After two reviews, the grant was accepted by NEMA and submitted to FEMA on 12/29/2022.  We expect to be awarded funds in approximately one year.

Rationale:  The City of Schuyler has been approached to lead the project and they seem receptive.  Director Bailey and County Commissioner Carl Groteluechen plan to follow up with the City at their next council meeting.

Rationale:  The Village of Leshara received CDBG funds to assist with a drainage project.  At the LPNNRD Board Meeting on 7/12/2021, the NRD approved the motion "To budget $31,000 in FY 2022 and another $31,000 in FY2023 to assist Leshara with their Drainage Improvement Project".  CDBG funds were released in July and the project is underway, consisting of 3 primary efforts:

1. The project will study the drainage of the entire community and identify culvert and ditch sizes throughout
2. The project will include preliminary design of a Phase I designated area starting at the downstream areas, see the attached exhibit
3. The project will construct those designed areas from #2

The Village of Leshara submitted a request for $891.17 of the $62,000 approved, leaving a balance of $61,108.83.  This payment and future payments will be made based on the July 2021 board motion.
 

Rationale:  FY23 LPRCA dues and USGS Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring at Leshara invoice is attached.  The invoices will be paid based on previous Board motions.

2/10/2022 = Recommend to approve and have Board Chainman sign the joint funding agreement for real-time continuous water quality monitoring in Lower Platte River at Leshara for 3 years. Lower Platte North NRD share will be $6,400 in FY23, $5,320 (FY24) and $4,360 (FY25).

6/13/2022 = To discuss with the full Board about becoming a LPRCA contributing member and budget $1,000 for FY23 annual dues.

 

Rationale:  On June 13th, 2022 the LPN Board passed the motion "To approve and budget $4,125 (50% of $8,250 in FY 2023 for additional channel improvement of Elm Creek banks to reduce floodwater erosion, provided a 404 permit is obtained by the Village, if required, prior to construction."  We received an invoice from Platte Center requesting $2,013.00 which is 50% of total projects costs $4,026.00.  Staff spoke with Mark Borchers and he indicated a 404 permit was not required.  The invoice will be paid based on the June 2022 board motion.

Rationale:  Rail with Trail proposal and request from Jason Buss, President of Nebraska Trails Foundation.

Rationale:  Keiser Impoundment