January 8, 2024 at 1:30 PM - Regular Board of Directors Meeting

Rationale: 

NOTE: The agenda is on file at the LPNNRD office and may be changed up to 24 hours prior to the meeting as scheduled.

 

Rationale:  Are there any additions or corrections to the agenda?

Rationale:  Stan Darling - FEVR Bike Trail 

Rationale:  Are there any additions or corrections to the Minutes? If not they will be approved on the consent agenda.

Rationale:  Please let Breunig know if you are interested in attending the Legislative Conference.  The registration deadline is January 5th 

Hilger - Full Registration
Johnson, J. - Full Registration
Saeger - Tuesday Only

Rationale:  Attached find absence requests from Duane Johnson for September (Harvest), October (Covid) and November (Harvest) Board Meetings. 

Absences requests were emailed to the following Directors: Goldsberry, Kavan, Lawrence, Thompson and Yosten.  

Goldsberry responded that he forgot and had no excuse. 

Rationale:  Director Tonnies was informed about the Water Leaders Academy and submitted an application for 2024.  Staff member, Will Brueggemann, was also approved to attend the 2024 academy.  The board has approved one Water Leaders Academy for 2024 and would need to approve an additional one if we were to have two attend in 2024.  The total cost is $ 3,000 per attendee.  

Rationale:  Attached find the one-year retainer agreement for our legal services with Bromm, Lindahl, Freeman-Caddy & Lausterer.  The monthly rate of $500 is the same as last year and will terminate just prior to the first regular meeting in January 2025.

Rationale:  The 2024 Election Certification documents are attached. 

The filing deadlines are: incumbents must file by February 15th and all other candidates must file by March 1st.  All documents must be filed with the Secretary of State.   

Rationale:  Drew Ten Bensel has completed his last four hours to complete his Master's Degree this past semester.  His degree is from the University of Wisconsin where the price per credit hour is $ 800, the cost per hour at UNL is $ 357. Our policy states we will pay up to 6 credit hours per semester.

Rationale:  There are utilities to deal with in the new Round-About area on the Wanahoo dam. These utilities need to be removed, sealed/filtered, diaphragmed to prevent seepage and material movement in the event of a flood event. NDOT is dealing with water, sanitary & storm water utilities that are in the footprint of the construction. The City of Wahoo will deal with electrical & gas. JEO is working with the City of Wahoo. The staff met with John Petersen of JEO to discuss a contract for the remaining utilities. That contract proposal is attached. John Petersen met with DNR Dam Safety to get more clarity on what should be done. He has not spoken to NDOT. Windstream says the District can do design and construction of a diaphragm around their lines.
The bidding & contract aspects can get really messy if it's piggybacked on NDOT's bid package.

The Operations Committee has discussed this issue and will have a recommendation on the JEO proposal.

Rationale:  Noah Franzen - Water Specialist, has accepted a position with the Lincoln Police Department and will be leaving LPNNRD with a last day of January 17, 2024

Bret Schomer - Wanahoo Supervisor/Water Specialist, has accepted a Natural Resource Specialist position with USACE with a last day of service the end of January - Mid February.

Rationale:  Grant will be available to review the November Financial Statement with the Executive Committee. 

Rationale:  Attached find Gottschalk's time and expense sheets. 

Rationale:  There's nothing to consider as unfinished business.

Rationale:  We have established fire breaks for the Wetland Renovation area to burn off the cattails in the work zone. The burn team would like the District staff to burn existing tree piles beforehand. We'll work on that immediately.
The dirt contractor, Pruss, has a tentative start date some time in January/February, weather permitting.
 

Rationale:  The O & M staff continues to cut trees on project areas at Rawhide Ditch, Clear Creek Levee & Wanahoo area. Also, vehicle and equipment maintenance.

Rationale:  Find attached the 30% Progress meeting notes and a Alternatives Screening Matrix from HDR. These are being reviewed by NRCS and NRD staff. Directors are also welcome to read and comment on the progress.

Rationale:  Rieschick Drilling has accomplished the first flow test on the eleven wells that will be cleaned. We don't know the schedule now because of the holidays and recent weather change. 

Rationale:  There are utilities to deal with in the new Round-About area on the Wanahoo dam. These utilities need to be removed, sealed/filtered, diaphragmed to prevent seepage and material movement in the event of a flood event. NDOT is dealing with water, sanitary & storm water utilities that are in the footprint of the construction. The City of Wahoo will deal with electrical & gas. JEO is working with the City of Wahoo. The staff met with John Petersen of JEO to discuss a contract for the remaining utilities. That contract proposal of $33,560 is attached. John Petersen met with DNR Dam Safety to get more clarity on what should be done. He has not spoken to NDOT. Windstream says the District can do design and construction of a diaphragm around their lines.
The bidding & contract aspects can get really messy if it's piggybacked on NDOT's bid package. This will take some coordination between all entities and contractors.

Rationale:  The staff is working with M.E. Collins on a contract to clean out the cat paw sediment basins in the wetland area of Wanahoo. Their quote is to excavate 10,000 CYDS and haul the dirt to the borrow pit area. Their estimated price is $90,200 with the proposal to purchase the 10,000 yds back for their use at 0.50/yd (see attached). The staff is negotiating this buy-back price.

Rationale:  We have picked up the F-350 extended cab chassis and now will have the flatbed and running boards put on by Klute Truck Equipment. This truck is being subsidized by a FEMA grant.
We also purchased a 2023 Chevy Colorado Crew Cab from Husker Auto. The Water Dept. staff preferred the midsize truck over the full-size truck. We paid $35,402.

Rationale:  Jason Fiala is asking for assistance in repairing a portion of levee/berm on Skull Creek in Saunders County. See attached photos. No action was taken for the reason that no preventative maintenance was done on this berm in the past.

The City of North Bend has done maintenance on the North Bend Levee on the Platte River. There are two invoices, $2,775 and $6,333.50 for a total of $9,108.50. This invoice is divided equally between the City  Dodge County and the District with each entity paying $3,036.17 (see attached). This site has not been inspected by NRD staff.

 

Rationale:  For the month of November, the District received $0.00 in annual park permit revenue. This closes out the 2023 annual permit sales season.  The year by year break down is listed below. 
 

Month	Monthly Total	YTD
November 2023	$0.00	$73017.50
November 2022	$15.00	$75262.50
November 2021	$25.00	$85681.85
November 2020	$360.00	$96317.50
November 2019	$52.50	$82252.50

Rationale:  For the month of November, the District received $2795.04 in camping revenue. The year by year comparison is listed below.
 

Month	Month Total	YTD
November 2023	$2795.04	$126421.26
November 2022	$1641.37	$127645.88
November 2021	$1074.00	$115714.08
November 2020	$1404.78	$132541.81
November 2019	$1234.20	$92176.80

Rationale:  During the month of December, the building was rented 17 times with two NRD events. Revenue for the month was $1,325.

Rationale:  The KTIC radio ads and Wahoo newspaper e-ads during December featured the water reports deadline for mid-December. The January ads will feature the upcoming nitrogen certification classes.

Rationale:  The LPNNRD Facebook/Twitter pages, and the website are some of the fastest ways to get information out to the public. Tracking analytics are a way to see how many people are seeing the information. Sometimes a decrease in reach or impressions can mean there is an error with the Facebook/Twitter pages or the website. Facebook and Twitter posts range from 10 - 15 posts per month. If you are on Facebook or Twitter, please like, follow, share, or retweet the Lower Platte North NRD posts!

Total reach/impressions show how many people saw the post/tweet. Engagements include likes, comments, shares/retweets and link clicks.
 

FACEBOOK	Total Reach	Engagements	Followers
December 1-26	2,381	135	1,501
November	4,072	138	1,501
October	3,103	137	1,499
September	4,517	215	1,493

Twitter is in the process of updating analytics. Some of this data may not be measured the same as it was in the previous months.

TWITTER	Total impressions	Engagements	Followers
December 1-26	711	51	411
November	682	16	411
October	1,148	54	411
September 2023	1,490	69	406

Top Posts on Facebook and Twitter:
• Coffee, Lakeside flyer
• RFP for tree clearing site viewing
• Docks taken out at Wanahoo
• Wanahoo Permits available
• Upcoming Nitrogen Certification classes

 

WEBSITE	Users	Traffic Channel	Top Pages	Devices
December 1-26	925	Organic -20.26% Direct 3.1% Referral -2.27% Social -81.58%	Home Lake Wanahoo Downloads Staff Czechland	No data
November	1,332	Organic -32.42% Direct -25.96% Referral -42.86% Social -81.58%	Lake Wanahoo Home Czechland Lake Staff Downloads	Desktop -11.03% Mobile -30.91 Tablet -53.13%
October	1,328	Organic -31.36% Direct -0.54% Referral -21.79% Social +245.45%	Lake Wanahoo Home Czechland Lake Staff Downloads	Mobile -33.66% Desktop -8.26% Tablet +3.45%
September	1,726	Organic 75% Direct 20.1% Referral 4.1% Social 0.8%	Lake Wanahoo Home Czechland Lake Outdoor Recreation Staff	Mobile 59.9% Desktop 38.4% Tablet 1.7%

Traffic channels: organic traffic means they use a search engine then choose an option that includes lpnnrd.org, direct traffic means they type in lpnnrd.org directly (or have it bookmarked), and referral traffic is any other traffic not from a search engine or social (such as a link from another site). As of mid-September changes for traffic channels and devices will show increase or decrease for the month.

Top referral clicks from: visitnebraska.com 4, nrdnet.org 19, Wahoo newspaper website (LPNNRD digital ad) 0
Clicks from Facebook: 7.
Clicks from Twitter: 0.
 

Rationale: 

• December 7th: Lindsay Elementary 1st grade classroom visit. 13 students learned about animal adaptations. 
• December 13th: Survival Club met with 14 students to teach them different knot tying techniques. 
• December 14th: Coffee Lakeside hosted 22 attendees and gathered 11 water samples that were sent off to be tested. 
• December 18th: St. Wenceslaus Classroom Visit--28 students went 'ice fishing' in the classroom. Pictures attached.
• December 19th: Wahoo High School Careers Class, interview 1 student for their mock job interview final. 
• December 20th: Science and Scenes Night: Nature Journaling and Phenology. 10 people attended, pictures attached. 

Rationale:  January 11th: Coffee Lakeside, Renewable and Non-renewable Energy Sources. Flyer attached.
January 21st: Ice Fishing Event - flyer attached. 

TBD: Survival Club, St. Wenceslaus, other classroom visits. 

Rationale:  Routine monthly sampling completed, meters read and bills mailed 12/29.

Rationale:  Routine monthly sampling completed, meters read and bills mailed 12/29.

Rationale: 

The total number of approved permits for 2023 is 40

Location of Approved Well Permits for 2023

County	Irrigation - New	Irrigation - Replacement	Stock	Commercial	Municipal	Other	Total
Butler	2	7	0	0	0	0	9
Colfax	1	4	0	0	0	0	5
Dodge	2	0	0	0	0	0	2
Boone	3	1	0	0	0	0	4
Madison	0	1	0	0	0	0	1
Platte	0	1	0	0	0	0	1
Saunders	11	6	0	0	0	1	18
Total	19	20	0	0	0	1	40

 

Rationale:  Notices were put in local newspaper and the NRD website asking firms for proposals to update the 1995 groundwater management plan.  The deadline was Wednesday, December 27, 2023, with the committee reviewing the proposals to determine which firms to interview the week of January 1, 2024. 
The Lower Platte North NRD received 4 proposals to update the Groundwater Management Plan.  

• HDR
• JEO
• LRE
• Olsson

The RFQ is attached which explains the requirements needed by State Statues.  The plan is to interview either January 3rd or 4th with a Board motion on January 8 to approve a firm.   

Interviews were conducted with JEO, LRE and Olsson on January 3rd with Committee representatives Bob Hilger, Joe Birkel and Tom McKnight.  NRD staff sitting in on the interviews were Eric Gotttschalk, Ryan Chapman and Daryl Andersen.  All the firms were qualified with each one having their own strengths and weaknesses.   

The Interview Sub-Committee recommends negotiating a contract with LRE to update the Groundwater Management Plan, with the contract not to exceed $54,000.  (Motion needed)

Rationale:  A meeting for SQS#2 individuals is scheduled for the Community Center in Humphrey on Thursday, January 18, starting at 2 pm.   This meeting will give an update on the data that has been collected in this area, including AEM flights, data loggers and water use information.  

Rationale:  One of the requirements of the LPN Groundwater Rules and Regulations is that all producers that irrigate or apply nitrogen are required every 4 years to attend a NRD Operator Certification class. 
 
Classes being held in 2024:
January 16 - Fremont Extension Office
February 1 - ENREEC Mead
Febuary 8 - Lindsay Village Hall
February 16- Ag Park Columbus
February 22 - David City Butler County Event Center
March 14- ENREEC Mead

Rationale:  The technical group met on Tuesday, December 19 to review the database for handling the depletion in the Basin.  The group discovered some issues which will be corrected, and then the data will be uploaded again.  The group discussed the IMP reports, drought scenarios and acres not being accounted for prior to 2016.  

Rationale:  Shown are the Phase 4 rules with discussion bullets for the Committee to review or consider: 

Section I    Groundwater Quality Management Area - Phase Four

Rule 1    Phase Four Criteria
When levels of nitrate-nitrogen exceed 15.01 parts per million, or levels of other human induced non-point source contaminants exceed 100% of the MCL or LHAL, a Phase Four area will be declared.  Within the same aquifer; boundary setting for Phase Four Areas will be initiated when: water quality analytical results within a minimum 9 square mile area are at identified trigger levels for a minimum of 2 sampling events.  The area must contain a minimum of 10 registered wells and contaminant trigger levels must be exceeded in over 50% of the wells. When irrigation wells are not available, other wells may be used. Initial investigation by the District will be to determine if the contamination is a result of point-source or non-point source pollution. If non-point source pollution is found to be the reason, more intensive investigation for boundary setting will ensue. If a Wellhead Protection Area should be established due to non-point source pollution, the District may set boundaries that are less than 9 square miles.  After the establishment of a Phase Four Area, if non-point source contamination levels should decline, two consecutive sampling events below the trigger levels are needed before the Area could be placed in Phase Three, Phase Two or Phase One.

• A map is attached for boundaries to consider, with uranium as a non-point source contaminate.
• The Committee decided to proceed with the map presented which includes the sections with higher uranium. 

Rule 2    Continuation of Phase One, Two and Three Rules
A continuation of Phase One Rules as defined in Section E, Rules 1-6, Section F, Rule 2, Phase Two Rules as defined in Section G, Rules 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 and 11, Phase Three Rules as defined in Section H, Rule 4.

• Reporting dates for dual reporting
• April 1 to make recommendation
• December 15 for year-end report
• Consideration for a January 15 deadline for groundwater rule change
• Consider a one on one discussion with all producers when moving into a Phase Two Management Area.  
• The Committee recommends a 2-step reporting process with March 15th for soil samples and District nitrogen recommendations and December 15th for reporting actual yields and nitrogen applications.  

Rule 3    Fertilizer Application On All Soils
Split application of commercial nitrogen fertilizer is required with 80 pounds maximum applied before May 1.

• Application of manure on fields is allowed before this date.
• The Committee recommends proceeding with rule 3 as presented with manure emphasized as a credit.  

Rule 4    Nitrogen Recommendations
Nitrogen applications must not exceed District Recommendations. Application data may be required to verify the amount of nitrogen that is applied to the field(s) within the management area.
 

• Following LPN formula for nitrogen recommendations
• Reasonable yield goal will be the main criteria in the calculation.  
  • 2022 Yield Information: 
    Irrigated Corn Fields Richland-Schuyler Area - 253
    93 fields were 10% or more off yield goals (37%)
    160 fields were under 10% off yield goals (63%)
• NRD staff will take averages from the last 2 - 10 years to calculate this yield goal and allow a maximum of a 5% increase. 
• Soil sampling correctly will be emphasized as staff have seen samples showing 0-8 and 0–36 inches on the same field.   
• The Committee directed staff to work closely with producers on correct soil sampling protocols and determine an acceptable yield goal when determining nitrogen recommendations.   

Rule 5    Well Metering
Flow meters are required on all high capacity wells.   

• Meters on irrigation wells only or include livestock and other wells. 
• The Committee recommends requiring flow meters only on high capacity irrigation wells.  

Rule 6    Acre-Inch Allocations
A rolling acre-inch allocation, in 3-year increments, will be put into place by the District and will be based on the aquifer subarea, crop planted, irrigation distribution system, percent decline of the aquifer, water use of the aquifer, climatic conditions, net corn crop requirements, and discretionary factors.

• This is a water quality area and not quantity.
• Allocation for 3 or 4 years
• Allocation amount for 3 years 30, 33, 36.
• Allocation amount for 4 years 40, 44, 48.
• Different amounts for irrigation types or soils. 
• The Committee recommends no allocation and evaluating this rule after obtaining water use information for 3 years.   

Rule 7    Staff Assistance
NRD Staff will work directly with individuals on Best Management Practices. Staff may spot check fields before May 1 by collecting a soil sample to monitor Rule 3.

• Nutrient/Irrigation Plan Agreement
• 3-year plan where producers agree to a minium on one of the best management practices
• Practices could include yield goal reduction, cover crops, soil moisture sensors, split application of nitrogen more than 2 times, variable rate nitrogen, variable rate irrigation, gravity conversion, updating irrigation nozzles, grid sampling, taking manure credit for 3 years.  
• After 3 years, a new agreement can be signed and to confirm if practices were implemented.  
• The Committee recommends staff to develop the best management agreement for producers to pledge to adopt a new best management practice.   

The Committee directed staff to make the changes discussed into a working document and present them at the next Water Committee Meeting. The Committee will review the updated changes and boundaries for a potential public meeting in the first part of February and possibly a hearing in the latter part of March with an implementation date of November 1, 2024.  This can still allow for the boundary to be adjusted when additional data is collected and analyzed.  

Rationale: 

# new wells has been reviewed and approved for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.

Rationale: 

# wells have been plugged, reviewed, and ready for cost share payment approval this month.

Well Owner	Type of Well	Cost Share Estimate	County
Osantowski Bros	Irrigation	1122.29	butler

 

Rationale:  Received invoices for 4 water flow meters to be paid for Kracl Implement Inc and Jerold Kracl for $4,000. 

Applications received and will be approved upon NRCS approval:
Erin Peterson - Two gravity to pivot/SDI for $20,000
Dan Wachal - One gravity to pivot/SDI for $10,000.
Erin applied for soil moisture sensor incentives and flow meters for both fields for an additional $3,500.
Dan applied for soil moisture sensors and a flow meter for $1,750.
Additional applications for flow meters have been sent out to producers with more interest in gravity to pivot/SDI conversions.  

Current Budget for the following 2 cost-share items:
Flow Meters - Budgeted $170,000 
Paid 9 invoices for $9,000
Approved application 65 for $65,000

Gravity to Pivot/SDI - Budgeted $100,000
Paid 2 invoices for $20,000
Approved applications 2 for $20,000
3 applications waiting for NRCS approval for $30,000.

2023 Phase Report Entry:
Reports submitted/approved: 289
Reports started: 95
384 reports either done or started
Missing ~150 reports

Staff will be sending reminder emails/calls this week.

Rationale:  At the January 31, 2024 water committee meeting, an update will be given by Joe Luck on the variable nitrogen applications results on sites within the District.  Shane Ohlde  from VariMax will also discuss their "Crop Based Nitrogen and Irrigation Management."

Rationale:  Equipment cables that will be repaired by In-Situ has been delivered to Fort Collins. 

Rationale:  The next JWMAB meeting is scheduled for January 18th, 10:00 at Fremont City Council Chambers or Microsoft Teams.  Invites were sent to Dodge County Directors.

Rationale:  The City of Fremont is in the process of submitting the FEMA grant application with the help of JEO.  JEO will help prepare a one pager to help with politicking at the federal level.
Attached is an inter-local agreement with the City of Fremont and Dodge County based on the Board's approved motion on June 12, 2023 "The LPNNRD will commit 20% not to exceed $2,216,125.50 and annual mowing for the Elkhorn Township Project excluding the portion that is in the City of Fremont named storm sewer."

A motion will be needed at Board Meeting to approve the attached interlocal agreement with City of Fremont and Dodge County for funding of the Fremont East Drainage Project. 

Rationale:  The monthly update meeting occurred on December 18th.  Field work and associated reports are expected by the end of the year.  The 90% plan completion meeting with NRCS will be scheduled in January.  The project is slightly behind schedule due to field work delays.  Dodge County will work with NRCS on a time extension.   
The Cutoff Ditch road raise project does not significantly affect upgradient strucutres.  Additional survey work will be explored to clarity this along with maps or graphs to communicate risk differences between a Rawhide 1% chance per year event and a Platte River 1% event.
Maps were reviewed showing spoil sites for the detention cells.
Discussions with our partners will need to happen in upcoming months to decide who will lead the project going forward along with funding breakdowns. 

Rationale:  On 12/5 a SCWIG meeting was held in Columbus, topics discussed:

• Expiration date on septic system upgrade has had initial success.
• Potential future partner projects; Runge grade stabilization, Klug grade stabilization, 
• Shell Creek south benching/Colfax county road D bridge
  • Bridge construction underway, completion spring '24.
  • Planned construction for benching set summer '24.  Mainelli/Wagner finalizing designs.  
• Planned SCWIG Projects Field Day September 2024.

Keith Runge completed an onsite wastewater system upgrade with a total cost of $8,472.54.  The NRD receives 60% cost share on septics from NDEE 319 project and passes that same percentage onto system owners.
Bill received an application from Tony Long for an 80 acre pasture grazing system including a well, solar pump, tanks, and cross fencing.  SCWIG costshares these practices at 75% which is estimated at $26,565.97.

Rationale:  On 12/19, Chapman and Elliott met with two interested contractors and Olsson engineering staff on site for the planned tree clearing portion on sites 26AB and 27.  Concerns about required timelines were discussed and how they will effect the bid/contract, other concerns: currently we hold no easements, winter weather interference.
After consultation with Olsson team and NRCS we have decided to forgo a separate tree removal plan and incorporate the tree clearing/grubbing into the dam construction package.  This will allow us to acquire all necessary easements, USACE permits, and likely a better unit price for the project.

Rationale:  November invoice and progress report attached.

Rationale:  Danielle Allen will be available to update committee on status of easement acquisitions.

Rationale:  A partners meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 18th, 7:00 pm at the Old North Bend Bank building.

Rationale:  Stan Darling plans to update the committee regarding the FEVR Bike Trail through Dodge County.

Rationale: 

NOTE: The agenda is on file at the LPNNRD office and may be changed up to 24 hours prior to the meeting as scheduled.