June 10, 2024 at 6:00 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:  Are there any additions or corrections to the Minutes? If not they will be approved on the consent agenda.

Rationale:  Just a reminder that the GMDA Annual meeting will be in Omaha July 17-19 and the early registration deadline is June 17th. Please let Breunig know if you are interested in attending. 

Rationale:  Attached find Director Saalfeld's excuse of absence from the March and April Board Meetings.

March - Vacationing (Japan)
April - Attending Funeral out of state 

Rationale:  Kelly Thompson has Matt Manning scheduled to attend our June board meeting to discuss the Perkins County project

Rationale:  New building subcommittee met with JEO and Scheele - Kayton on Wednesday May 29th to discuss construction progress and current updates.  
Discussion is needed on all aspects related to the benefits and/or drawbacks of having the new office tract of Wanahoo property annexed into the city of Wahoo.  Issues such as electrical, water and natural gas supplies and how they will affect the project will be among the main topics.

Rationale:  As discussed at the Construction update meeting, developing a process with a maximum dollar amount to deal with potential change orders would benefit the timeliness of change order turnaround.  A recommendation from the subcommittee was to set $5,000 as the max change order amount to be approved without full board approval.  Initial approval would be given by G.M. or Board chair with formal board approval at the next board meeting.

Rationale:  Discussion on the direction for sale of our existing office property. 

Rationale:  Attached find a letter sent to the Secretary of State notifying them of the vacancy in Sub-District 8.  Discussion and possible action on how LPNNRD intends to proceed with the vacancy for the remainder of 2024.

Rationale:  The Financial portion of our General Operating Policies were reviewed at the September Board Meeting and a motion will be needed at Board meeting to approve the changes as attached. 

Rationale:  Gottschalk will updated the committee on the May 21st storm event and district damages.

Rationale:  Drew ten Bensel has resigned his position with the District effective May 24th. The District will need to pay him for his unused annual leave, and he will need to reimburse the District for his tuition assistance ($1,428) for leaving within one year of receiving the assistance.   

A motion will be needed at Board Meeting to pay Drew ten Bensel $1,091.47 of unused leave time less deductions of retirement, taxes and any supplemental insurance.

Rationale:  The NARD Benefits committee met to interview potential health insurance administration companies and has selected Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska as our new health coverage adminstrator.  BCBS will replace Mid America Benefits which the plan has utilized for over 10 years.  This administrator change could provide a substantial savings to the plan an thus, the rates.  The changeover will not take place until 1-1-25.

Due to a very good health-cost experience this past year, it is once again the recommendation of the NARD Benefits committee to have a 0% insurance premium increase for the next fiscal year.  This solid performance helps us as we move into the budget planning for next fiscal year.

Rationale:  Management is currently in the annual staff review/evaluation period as we plan for our cost of living and merit increase to take effect July 1.  Last year the board approved a 5% total district salary increase (3% COLA & 2% merit) to be divided equally between all full-time district employees. 

Each year our district closely monitors the State-wide NRD Salary Survey to insure all our employee are being compensated adequately.  LPNNRD is the 7th largest district in the state (based on valuation) and since I began as general manager, this is my justification to all employees on how their salaries are structured.  In recent years we have continued to keep all positions within this range and this year we have seven positions in need of adjustment to be within the top seven of their specific positions within the NRD system.  An additional $ 33,000 of base salary is requested to accomplish this adjustment.

A recommendation and motion is requested allowing us to budget total salaries for fiscal year 2025.

Rationale:  Direction an possible action requested:
As discussed last month, through discussions with NRCS management, it appears to be beneficial to create and additional job classification for our NRCS office staff.  We currently have one position titled NRCS Field Office Assistant.  We have a couple employees taking on more and more responsibilities within the NRCS office and a position of NRCS Programs Assistant position would more closely describe the work our employee are performing.  Discussion and possible motion to create a position, NRCS Programs Assistant.

Rationale:  Grant will be available to update the Executive Committee on the April Financial Statements. 

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

Rationale:  Discussion is requested if the board is interested in creating a new investment account to place FEMA reimbursement funds. Our current NPAIT and Union accounts appear to be higher than any other area banks and very close to the Nebraska CLASS account discuss at prior meetings.

Rationale:  There is nothing to consider for unfinished business.

Rationale:  In the areas to be hayed this summer, the flooding which occurred may have left logs and heavy residue that will limit the hay contractors.

Rationale:  The O & M staff have been planting trees and, with the heavy rain and flooding, checked 30 dams in the heavy rainfall zones. We had at least 6 dams in which the auxiliary spillway operated at low flows with no indication of damage. When the water receded, we went back to the structures that had their principal spillways submerged to clear debris. We also assisted with removing debris from the face of the Wanahoo Dam.

Rationale:  The soil mechanics report was completed by NRCS and forwarded to our engineers. HDR was also finalizing the economics and researching flowage easement questions. A 60% completion meeting should be coming soon.

Rationale:  Half of the intersection of 77 & 109 is closed for Round-About construction. The electrical contractor has completed most of their work re-routing power lines and filling conduits with flowable grout.
As construction progresses, the contractor will install the filter systems around the utilities.

Rationale:  The District experienced extreme rainfall amounts in many of our watersheds. We have damage on the Wanahoo property and in the stilling basin of the dam (pictures attached). The extent is unknown. As mentioned previously, staff have been out on approximately 30 watershed dams looking for damage, making sure we have water flow and clearing debris from principal spillways.
Also, we received other issues or complaints regarding flood damage.

Rationale:  Vance and Heidi Behren were present at the committee meeting. The Behren's residence is at 648 S. River Road, Thomas Lakes (see aerial attached). He presented a rendering of their plan to rebuild their home on Lot 47, which is on the high ground that ties into the Clear Creek Levee.
In a letter from the COE, it states that it's the District's decision.
Mr. Behren's stated that he would do a Geotechnical study to see if the ground is stable enough to rebuild the house on pillars above the Base Flood Elevation. 

Rationale:  We have not received any applications or request for payments.

Rationale:   For the month of April, the District received $10,101.75 in annual park permit revenue. 

 

Rationale:  For the month of April, the District received $10,603.29 in camping revenue. 

The year to date total is $24,224.65. 


Lake Wanahoo was fully booked for memorial weekend in both Reserve sites and all walk-up for electric hook-ups. Set Your Sites has been live and is getting a good response from people camping. 
 

Rationale:  With the work needed on Pork Chop Island and routine work around the lake, a pontoon boat appears to provide better serviceability to Wanahoo staff.  Staff is looking into the potential of selling our current Wanahoo boat and purchasing a 20+ foot pontoon.

Rationale:  The Clint Johannes Education Building at Lake Wanahoo was rented 21 times with 6 NRD/education events. Revenue for the month was $1,975.
 

Rationale:  The KTIC radio ads and Wahoo newspaper e-ads during May featured the upcoming chemigation permits deadline. The ads for June will highlight the availability of cost-share for abandoned wells.

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
May 1-28	9475	10,264	1,614
April 1-29	7,565	8,361	1,592
March	8,024	9,151	1,557
February	8,395	8,208	1,531
January 2024	13,669	1,078	1,513
December 2023	2,381	135	1,501

 

TWITTER	Total impressions	Engagements	Followers
May 1-28	7637	697	427
April	810	59	423
March	803	75	426
February	1,033	34	416
January 2024	1528	86	417
December 2023	711	51	411

Top Posts on Facebook and Twitter:
• District Flooding update from May 21 (over 8,000)
• Notice of road closure near office/Wanahoo
• Set Your Sites instructions
• Natural Resources Camp flyer
• Nocturnal Night flyer

 

WEBSITE	Users	Traffic Channel Changes	Top Pages	Devices
May 1-28	2,721	Organic 40.51% Direct 17.95% Referral 63.64% Social -33%	Lake Wanahoo Home Czechland Flood Damage Reduction Staff	Mobile 62.8% Desktop 35.5% Tablet 1.7%
April	2,012	Organic 6.3% Direct -2.35% Referral -6.73% Social 0%	Lake Wanahoo Home Czechland Outdoor Recreation Forestry	Mobile 56.4% Desktop 42.1% Tablet 1.5%
March	1,489	Organic -8.51% Direct -32.94% Referral -47.5% Social -16.67%	Lake Wanahoo Home Czechland Forestry Staff	Desktop 48.9% Mobile 48.8% Tablet 2.3%
February	1,838	Organic 0.8% Direct -9.6% Referral 64.3% Social -61.8%	Home Lake Wanahoo Forestry Downloads Czechland	Desktop 52% Mobile 45.8% Tablet 2.2%
January 2024	1,718	Organic 51.06% Direct 1.06% Referral 63.3% Social 937.5%	Home Lake Wanahoo Downloads Czechland Staff	Desktop 51.4% Mobile 47.3% Tablet 1.3%
December 2023	1,075	Organic -20.26% Direct 3.1% Referral -2.27% Social -81.58%	Home Lake Wanahoo Downloads Staff Czechland	No data

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: nrdnet.org 20, visitnebraska.com 24, Wahoo newspaper website (LPNNRD digital ad) 0.
Clicks from Facebook: 24.
Clicks from Twitter: 0.
 

Rationale: 

• May 1st: Spring Conservation Sensation. Close to 300 kids from 8 different schools came out to enjoy the day. Big thank you to all the staff and extra speakers, especially Mark and his 9 students who came down for the day to run the drone station.
• May 2nd: St. Wenceslaus Pre-K field trip. 30 students enjoyed a rainy morning at the lake with indoor activities, disc golf, nature walk, and lunch.
• May 6th: Wahoo 4th graders (64) came out to the lake for afternoon of birding, disc golf, nature walks, and other outdoor time.
• May 7th: Wahoo 3rd graders (88) learned about aquifers and ground water with model building and nitrate testing (AM). North Bend 2nd graders (46) learned about seed dispersal (thank you, Andrew Tonies, for your help!). 
• May 8th: North Bend 1st graders learned about owls of Nebraska and were able to dissect owl pellets (44). 
• May 9th: Coffee Lakeside - Postponed
• May 13th: Wahoo 2nd graders (72) learned about pollinators and pollination.
• May 14th: Ashland Greenwood Water Day. LPNNRD in partnership with UNL Extension put on a 3/4 day water learning event for 66 middle school students. Students met at ENREC where they discussed topics such as cover crops, groundwater, nitrates, wells (flow meters, pumping, measuring, etc.) and more. 
• May 17th: Survival Club camp out at Lake Wanahoo - overnight - CANCELLED
• May 18th: Bob Bruner Memorial Fishing Derby at Fremont State Lakes. Over 300 kids came through (registered for fishing) with both kids and adults stopping by our booth to grab a free tree, go birding, and try different activities. Thank you to John Goldsberry for helping out on this day!
• May 31st: Nocturnal night

Rationale: 

• June 3rd: Kid's Summer Institute, Dip Netting
• June 5th: KSI - Bird Watching
• June 6th: Coffee Lakeside, Calling all caretakers! & Cedar Bluffs summer school program PM.
• June 10th-14th: NRD CAMP 
• June 11th: Schuyler 4H night at Czechland Lake
• June 15th: Lion's Club Fishing Derby at Lake Wanahoo
• June 17th: KSI Nature Journaling 
• June 18th: Wildflower Bouquets KSI AM and Wildflowers and Wine Night PM.
• June 19th: Happy Hearts Daycare Morning at the Lake 
• June 20th: KSI Disc golf AM & Cedar Bluffs summer school program field trip PM

Have a baby.

Rationale:  The RWD has been busy with reporting the last month; USDA-RD financial (Colon RWD), NDEE: Consumer Confidence Report, Emergency Response Plan, and continued work on the Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI).
The RWD has had multiple contacts about upgrading/replacing our current meter reading/billing software package.  
 

Rationale:  Routine sampling completed, meters read bills will be mailed 5/31.

Rationale:  David City water replaced the two 4" meters in the master meter pit on 5/16.
Routine sampling completed, meters read bills will be mailed 5/31.

Rationale:  The V-IMP was adopted jointly by NeDNR and LPNNRD in June 2018.  The plan goes through annual reviews with a more extensive evaluation planned for every 5 years.  The NeDNR has reached out and is wanting to do extensive review of the goals and objectives of the plan.   A letter is attached to start the process along with the 2018 V-IMP plan.  
Staff recommends reviewing the plan with NeDNR.  

Rationale:  Nothing new to report.

Rationale: 

As of May 29, 2024, we have 424 renewals and 18 new permit applications for a current total of 442.  Inspections for 1 new permit have been completed. In 2023, the NRD had 701 permits with the deadline for renewal being June 1. 

Rationale:  The Committee asked staff to obtain a hydro-geologist to present information about the current aquifer regions, trigger levels and compare monitoring wells in each area.  LRE made a presentation to address some of these issues.   
**The following tasks have been updated since the Water Committee Meeting:**
Task 1 - Subarea Review and Delineation - $8,000
Task 2 - Review Spring/Fall Wells and Standardize Hydrographs. - $9,000
Task 3 - Quantity Trigger Evaluation - $3,000
Task 4 - Protocols for Evaluating New Well Permit Application Establishing Safe-Yield Thresholds - $4,000
The total for all 4 tasks is $35,000.  

The Committee reviewed Version 1.0 with 62 wells instead of reviewing 200 wells, which Version 2.0 includes.  With the extra wells and additional tasks, the cost is now $35,000 and the Water Committee recommended $25,000 for 3 tasks added to the budget for next year.  If the Board wants to do all 4 tasks, the motion would be for $35,000.

More detailed information is attached explaining what is being proposed.  This would be an amendment to the GWMP update if the Board moves forward.  

Rationale:  An invoice is attached from LRE for $6,701.50 for the GWMP update.  

Rationale:  The staff and committee discussed the cost-sharing policy on Reverse Osmosis Units, which is attached.  The Committee would like a chance to review the policy and get more feedback from other members.  Questions were brought up about the scientific data about choosing 8 PPM as the threshold and expectations on nitrate reduction from the RO unit.  

Rationale:  Staff and LRE had kickoff meetings with Platte Center and Newman Grove on their Source Water Protection Grants.  At the March Board Meeting, the LPN agreed to do a water quality assessment of the Shell Creek Area to fill in the area between these communities.  A map is attached showing the area that will be assessed along with an invoice for $2,203. 

Rationale:  Attached is the Hazard Mitigation Contract Amendment to include a drought plan.  The cost of the plan is $95,000, of which 75% is reimbursed by grant funding.  The NRD share would be $23,750. 
The Committee would like more time to evaluate the proposal and if it should be included in next year's budget.   

Rationale: 

No new wells has been reviewed and approved for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.

 

Rationale: 

No wells have been plugged, reviewed, and ready for cost share payment approval this month.

Well Owner	Type of Well	Cost Share Estimate	County

 

Rationale:  There are no new applications or invoices to approve for the May Water Committee Meeting.  

Rationale:  An invoice is attached from Papio-Missouri River NRD for $23,697.22 for LPN share on this 3-year project for groundwater modeling.  This is year 1 of this project with an update on how the modeling is progressing attached. This model, when completed, will assist in determining the hydrological connected area (HCA) and stream depletion factors.  

Rationale:  The next meeting is scheduled for June 11 as a virtual meeting. 

Rationale:  Attached is an invoice for $3,908.20 from In-Situ for equipment to assist in connecting multiple HydroVus together.  This will allow NRD staff to move equipment to other wells.  This invoice will go against LPN credit at InSitu   

Rationale:  This week's beach Bacteria and Harmful Algal Bloom results are now posted on the NDEE web page (Current Health Alerts and Sampling Results For This Week). 
There will be 0 beaches on Health Alert this week.

Current Lakes on "Health Alert"
Lake	County	Microcystin (ppb)	Sample Date
NONE!!!

When a lake exceeds 8 ppb of microcystin it will be placed on Health Alert. If a lake is under a Health Alert, signs will be posted recommending people avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. 
We have 3 beaches with E.coli testing above 235 colonies/100 ml.

Lakes with High E.coli Bacteria
Lake	County	E.coli (MPN)	Sample Date
Cottonmill Park Swim Lake	Buffalo	>2,420	5/21/2024
Carter Lake (Omaha)	Douglas	>2,420	5/20/2024
Johnson Lake	Gosper	1,986	5/21/2024

When E. coli bacteria levels test above 235 colonies/100 ml a Health Alert is not issued. However, conditions are at a higher risk to human health when swimming. Considering the more rapid changes in bacteria conditions, signs are not posted with these higher levels. Although, we want people to be aware of beach conditions and use their own judgment as to whether they use a listed water body.
 

Rationale:  Water Leader Academy Update

Rationale:  Heimann submitted certification paperwork for the following completed tree planting:

23-B-2

RYAN WOEHL

$                        996.40

Windbreak (530 trees)

 

Rationale:  A virtual progress meeting occurred May 20th, agenda attached.  The bulk of this project deals with floodplain management ordinances and policies through the City.  They are currently seeking permission to assess several private properties to identify future nonstructural mitigation efforts (flood vents, flood proofing, propane tank anchoring, etc.)  The current project will conclude with a FEMA BRIC grant application to likely implement identified ordinances, policies, and several nonstructural projects proposed during the current assessments.

Rationale:  Final Bend Project: Colfax county awarded the (low) bid to Cech Construction of Clarkson.  Their bid was $67,766 with the engineer's estimate at $106,413.  Work is set to be complete by the end of June.

Working on mailings to producers and homeowners of select watersheds, organizing billboard artwork competition during the next school year,

Reimbursement requests to NET and NDEE were recently submitted and approved.  Our next scheduled SCWIG meeting is June 18th, 10:00 am, Columbus NRCS office.

 

Rationale:  .

Rationale:  The Biological Assessment (BA) for the first 3 sites was submitted to FWS on 5/17 with the expectation that their review will be completed by 6/17.  

Olsson has addressed all comments from DNR and submitted final plans on 5/17.  They also re-assessed the hazard class rating for site 77 and concluded that it should remain classified as a "significant hazard" rating instead of "high hazard".
Olsson has presented the NRD with an amendment (attached) to our existing contract due:

• Tree Bidding Services
• Additional Easement Documents
• Additional 90% Review by NRCS
• Site 55 Geotechnical Investigation
• Site 77: Evaluate Options and Redesign of Principal Spillway
• Additional Environmental Services: Depletion Calculations and Biological Assessments for 2^nd six dams

Progress report and invoice is attached.

Rationale:  As of 5/29, Fujan and Snitily both agreed to final offers from NRD and have the purchase agreements and easement paperwork in hand.  We have yet to hear back from Vanek's or their attorney.  We will need guidance for the next steps.
Attached is the current invoice from Olsson for contracted services.
 

Rationale:  JEDI and NRCS reimbursement requests were submitted the week of May 6th and funds were transferred in less than two weeks.

Rationale:  LPRCA meeting occurred on May 29th, Agenda and minutes from November 29, 2023 meeting are attached.  Also attached for signature is a Joint Funding Agreement for USGS Streamgage Trend Analysis.  Funding obligations in the agreement state $5,843 in FY25 and $4,137 in FY26 for a total of $9,980.  This is less than the $10,686 approved at our May 13, 2024 Board meeting.

Rationale:  Jake Miriovsky of JEO will be present to discuss Phase 2 of this project.

Rationale: 

We are beginning the first phase of our HMP update.  This plan will examine regional and local vulnerabilities to a range of hazards (e.g. flooding, severe winter storms, drought, etc.) and identifies strategies and projects to reduce their impact.  Local jurisdictions are required to attend a meeting in order to participate in the plan.  Once a community, county, or district (School District, Fire District, Drainage District, ect.) is part of an approved plan, they become eligible for up to a 75% cost share from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a variety of projects listed in the plan.  Two in-person and one virtual meeting are scheduled for approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
The first round of planning meetings will be held in:

• Wahoo: Monday, June 17, 2:00 pm at the Clint Johannes (Lake Wanahoo) Education Building, 1655 County Road 16, Wahoo, NE 68066
  • Or Join Online at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83988928199
• David City: Thursday, June 20, 6:30 pm at the Hruska Memorial Library, 399 N 5^th St, David City, NE 68632
  • Or Join Online at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82665220770
• Virtual Option: Wednesday, June 26, 10:00 am
  • Join Online at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89276107971

Rationale:  The LPN experienced a significant rain event 5/21; a large area throughout Saunders, Dodge and Butler counties received between 6"-11" of rain.  This event caused at least 6 of our flood reduction structures to experience flow through the auxiliary spillway for the first documented occurrences.  No structural damage to any embankments/spillways has been observed.  The NRD has been in contact with Emergency Services and reported to governor on potential assistance for any necessary repairs.

The June Projects committee meeting is scheduled for 6/27, both Ryan and Sean will be out of the office that day.  It would be possible to have the meeting on Tuesday, 6/25.  

Rationale:  We have received paperwork for two wells that have been plugged and reviewed since Committee Meeting.

Mike Wolf - $916.73
Eugene Goering - $940.46

A motion will be needed at Board Meeting to approve abandoned well cost-share payments to Mike Wolf - $916.73 and Eugene Goering - $940.46.   

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.