February 2, 2023 at 8:00 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  Director Sabatka nominated Director Olson for Projects Committee Chair appointment.  Appointment passed with all in favor.
Director Sabatka nominated Director Yosten for Projects Committee Vice Chair appointment.  Appointment passed with all in favor.

Rationale:  Attached are three applications for tree planting cost-share.

Derek Simonds - 230 trees - $431.25
Jordan Larsen - 200 trees - $375.00
Seth McGinn - 800 trees - $1,500.00

Rationale:  Attached is the NRD's current SWCP Policy and DNR's updated practice payment cost-list.  Historically the NRD has utilized the cost-list for our SWCP payment calculations.  Please review and be ready to approve at March 13 Board meeting.

Rationale:  The SCWIG group met on January 17th in Columbus with lots of discussion focused on guiding the urban portions of project over the next 3 years.
Our next meeting is scheduled for February 21st, 9:00 am, at the Columbus NRCS office.
Attached is a publication correlating BMPs installed in Shell Creek Watershed with peak stream flows.
The group is requesting to send up to 6 students to the National Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) meeting in Des Moines, August 6-9 to present their volunteer monitoring work.  SWCS has agreed to comp conference registration costs for 2 students.  Grant funds can be used to defray travel costs.

Rationale:  Director Saier submitted a materials order (attached) for the upcoming summer testing.  All costs are reimbursable through upcoming 319 grant.  Total cost for supplies: 

$1,609.75

Rationale:  The RFP for Real Estate Services is available on our website and advertised in the January 19th, 26th, and February 2nd Wahoo paper.  Proposals are due February 7th, 2023 at 12:00 noon.  Proposals will be digitally delivered to the projects committee on the afternoon of the 7th.  Should the committee wish to conduct interviews, firms are on notice to be available on the 8th, 9th, or 10th.  The projects committee will need to meet before the board meeting on Monday, February 13 in order to make a recommendation to the board.
Attached from Olsson are the current Progress Report and Invoices.  Of note: first three (26AB and 27) have passed the 90% design milestone and will be submitted to NRCS 2/3.  We have a sharedrive set up for all pertinent design/documents.

A motion will be needed at Board Meeting to approve hiring Great Plains Appraisal, Inc. of Lincoln and have staff negotiate a contract for General Manager signature.

Rationale:  Olsson progress report and invoices are attached.

Rationale:  Staff have a meeting with NeDNR and NRCS on February 23rd to discuss federal and nonfederal funding sources.
Easement issue is still being discussed.

Rationale:  Stakeholder meeting scheduled for January 18th in Abby was postponed due to phony blizzard.  A new date has not been set at this time.

Rationale:  On January 30 representatives from NRD, Dodge County, City of Fremont, and JEO met for an update on the planning for the Rawhide WFPO plan.  JEO presented an updated economic assessment (costs estimate attached) and advised that the planned alternative for County Rd S ditch improvements should be removed from plan due to lower than expected BCA.  The flood damage reductions tied to this alternative only positively impacted ~85 acres of ag land, and a planned total cost of over $5 million.
JEO plans to proceed with geotechnical surveys (e.g. soil borings) once field conditions allow. A landowner list has been developed for all potentially impacted parcels and plans are for notification letters to be sent out mid-February.
JEO plans to have DRAFT plan submitted to national (NRCS) for review in September.  After plan is approved the JWMAB will need to apply for design/construction funding.  The JWMAB will be responsible for all land rights and permitting costs associated with the project.  Currently there is no interlocal agreement to spell out how those costs would be divided.

Rationale:  We will be discussing funding opportunities for water sources for rural fire protection on February 3rd with the Nebraska Forest Service and JEO.  It will be a hybrid inperson/zoom meeting.  If you are interested in attending, please let staff know.

Rationale:  The Village of Leshara submitted a request #2 (attached) for $428.17 leaving a balance of $60,680.66 of the $62,000 approved at the July 2021 board meeting.  

Rationale:  The Village of Lindsay has formally requested cost-share assistance, up to $50,000, for the village pond rehabilitation project.  See attachment for letter, plan drawing and engineers estimate.
Representatives from JEO (Village consultant) and Lindsay will be present.