September 28, 2023 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  A Notice of Intent to apply for federal grant funds was submitted to NEMA (Nebraska Emergency Management Agency).  The federal grant announcement has yet to be published due to FEMA's (Federal Emergency Management Agency) financial issues.

Rationale:  A progress meeting occurred on September 14 at Fremont City Council Chambers.  Structural and nonstructural alternatives were discussed.  Coincident flow maps and rough costs area attached. 

Rationale:  A public open house was held on September 6th at the Fremont Extension office.  A good turnout of approximately 40 showed up with good questions and feedback.  The official summary document will be shared with projects committee once it is completed.

Rationale:  A SCWIG meeting occurred on September 19th at the Columbus NRCS office.  As a reminder, the kids will present at our November Board meeting located in Newman Grove.  A request was made from Newman Grove to provide consumable supplies needed by the students to continue analyzing groundwater samples.  Project coordinator Bill Bos continues to make progress on implementing BMPs and staff are working on plans to rehabilitate six existing billboards and producing other promotional items including flyers and signs.  The next SCWIG meeting is scheduled for December 5th at the Columbus NRCs office.

Rationale:  Bill Bos submitted paperwork (attachment) for project certification and payment for Tom Sprunk's grade stabilization project along Shell Creek.  The final cost of the project came in at $24,444.60, approved application cost was $19,144.60.  Cost overruns are due to cost of trucking in the fill material to meet compaction specs.  Reimbursement for this project will come through the Shell Creek NET grant.

Rationale:  Multiple meetings the past month regarding delays; USACE is requesting a further review by FWS for impacts related to Northern Long-eared bat, which is newly listed as endangered.  Initial review by NRCS shows no impact to these species, but will require concurrence from FWS.
USACE will allow a Nationwide Permit (NWP) for the first 3 sites which will expedite the process by eliminating the alternative analysis and public comment period.
Design update: initially Olsson was operating that Nebraska DNR would supply edits to site 26A and any comments should be applied to further site designs and NRCS conducted reviews.  Now, DNR will be reviewing all sites which will add to total review time.
Olsson invoice for $63,439.25 is attached along with a progress report.

Rationale:  Olsson Real Estate invoice is attached for $1,436.81.
Most work over the past month involved agency meeting and coordination with Great Plains appraisal scheduling.  Overall work has slowed due to permitting delays.

Rationale:  FEMA requested a few clarifications regarding our grant application for updating the HMP.  JEO is submitting those on our behalf.  This grant is also affected by FEMA's financial issues.

Rationale:  Our annual NeBSP (listed below) contract payments are due to be dispersed.  Funding for the contracts comes from Nebraska Dept of Agriculture, while the NRD holds the contracts and performs status reviews.  The NRD is reimbursed $40.00 per status review.

Contract Holder	Acres	NDA #	Annual Payment
Janice Wilke Trust	2.98	99400a	$190.16
Mary Theresa Norton Trust	8	20062	$1,757.44
Mary Theresa Norton Trust	13.7	20062	$3,009.62
Mary Theresa Norton Trust	11.2	20059	$2,399.04
Mark Wilke	4.81	99400b	$457.91
Charles Barjenbruch	9.5	100	$2,033.00
Randall Brabec	1	22010	$250.00
James Barjenbruch	2.5	23015	$595.88
James Barjenbruch	8.2	362	$1,661.98
Ed Luetkenhaus	4.5	10058	$967.50
Larry Bruhn	4.7	21007	$876.36
Tom Sprunk	13.3		$2,992.50
Tom Sprunk	2.8		$630.00
Tom Sprunk	2.1		$472.50
Dean Klug Family Trust	6.3	99074a	$232.72
Norman Lindgren	2.1	20027	$83.16
Rod Julsen*	23.1	451	$5,197.50
Kaye Lidolph	7.8	20037	$1,381.30
Rezac Farms Inc	4.7		$1,057.50
Rezac Farms Inc	3.6		$786.96
Rezac Farms Inc	1		$218.60
Rezac Farms Inc	1.4		$306.04
Rezac Farms Inc	1.7		$371.62
Rezac Farms Inc	3.5		$787.50
Dan Gehring/Arlis Plummer	8.9	21020	$2,148.46
Reece/Beau Klug	11.7	21024	$2,632.50
David Luckey	12.7	21022	$2,818.89
Diann Svatora	5.5	21023	$1,327.70
Sam Welch	4.9	21025	$1,050.32
River Road Land INC	13	00143a	$3,250.00
Craig Foltz	27.3	00574a	$6,825.00
Dry Creek Farms (Vavricek)	11.7		$2,925.00
Charlene Klug (Welch)	2.1	23016	$467.10
Total	228.49		$52,161.76

Rationale:  The Village of Colon is planning on building a new park.  Representatives from the Village will be present to discuss the project.