November 24, 2014 at 8:30 AM - Operations & Education Committee Meeting

Rationale:  There are no CREP payments.

The WILDNebraska Wildlife Extension agreement for the Homestead Lake enhancement project has not been sent in to the feds.  Game & Parks is still waiting on other Districts to submit their proposals.  NE G & P hopes to have more information by the end of the year. The District's share is 25% not to exceed $5,000 on this project.

Rationale:  Staff put in two additional gates at Sand/Duck site 16 for the landowner.  We took out the docks at Czechland and Wanahoo.  Started maintenance on vehicles, equipment and trailers. Attempted to burn multiple trees piles at Czechland and on Wanahoo since it snowed. Also, shut down the wells and hydrants at the recreation areas.

Rationale:  The Bobcat was back in the repair shop with an issue with the exhaust regeneration system filter.  The filter was all carboned up and wouldn't burn or clean it's self out. The filter was sent out to be cleaned.  Virgl Implement says the previous fire has nothing to do with this problem. 

Rationale:  The "Rooted in Faith" tree planting project by St. Peter Lutheran in North Bend is completed.  A bill from Nielsen Tree Farms for 10 Black Hills Spruce and 10 Douglas Fir was submitted to the District for $1,800.00.  The invoice has been paid by St. Peter Lutheran, they are now requesting 50% cost share which is $900.00.  Staff has not inspected the site.

Rationale:  The District would once again like to purchase 1,000 pre-packaged trees from the Arbor Day Foundation to be given away to students for Earth Day and Arbor Day in April 2015.  The Fremont Eco-Fair will use 500, Conservation Sensation 400 and 100 for other request.  The cost is .92 per tree, with shipping the total will be approximately $970.

Rationale:  Mueller Sod Farm sent the District a check for $472.50 for the rental of the grass drill from July through November.  We have not heard from the other two drill rental cooperators.

Rationale:  Currently the District has been reimbursed by Dodge County for the ongoing study cost on the Fremont 205 Feasibility Study.  There is no new information from the COE.

Rationale:  Josh Barry, landowner below Cottonwood Dam 8-D is requesting cost-share assistance to clean the drainage ditch from Cottonwood 8-D to County Road N, approx. 1,250'.  He claims water does not stay in the ditch during high flows causing water issues in his field.  He has obtained two bids, Rodgers Construction $2,000 and Liermann Excavating $2,500.  Staff would like to require that the operator not farm immediately next the the ditch.  Discussion before a motion.

Rationale:  During the camping season at Czechland Lake the electrical camper pads brought in $1,699.43 from January-June and $4,532.27 from July-October, totaling $6,231.70.  The electric usage charge from Butler Public Power for the year was $1,116.24.

Rationale:  A silt basin located on the south side of Homestead Lake needs to be cleaned out before water starts flowing around it.  The adjacent property to the south is owned by Herman Ostry.  Ostry is interested in implementing 4 - 5 basins on his property to help control the silt from this drainage.  Heimann is working with a contractor from Abie, Lavern Krivanek, and Ostry to use the spoil in our basin to put back on Ostry's property.  Paper work for cost-share assistance has been sent to Ostry.  The estimated price for the combined project is $16,182.  The work timeline is unknown.  See attached aerial.

Rationale:  ME Collins will start on the down stream bank erosion repair Tuesday, November 25.

Rationale:  As of the end of October 2014, our total Lake Wanahoo Park expenses were $20,262, which is less then half of the $41,380 that was projected for 2014.  See the attachment for details.

Rationale:  David Marshall was asking if cost-share assistance is available for bank stabilization maintenance.  His property and cabin/house is on the Platte River Reserve property, formerly known as Tomek Island.  His cabin/house is literally on the bank of the Platte River.  Heimann suggested submitting his invoices and that it may be possible for cost-share next May or June depending on the budget because his request is now a lower priority according to our policy.

Rationale:  There are no complaints.

Rationale:  We are currently running ads promoting tree sales for next spring on KTIC and in the Wahoo newspaper.

Rationale:  Staff have been working on updates for our next Long Range Plan and it is nearing completion.

Rationale:  The district's Tree Planting brochure and online store was updated with new prices and species list. 

Rationale:  The NRD and Saunders County NRCS and Extension have been requested to host a Range Judging Contest in September 2015. We will be talking with NRCS and Extension about this further. We will not be hosting a Land Judging Contest in October 2015 because it's the Lower Platte South's turn to be the lead.

Rationale:  Butler County Government Day was held Monday Nov. 17. Normally Thompson attends to represent the NRD but was unable to go this year due to a funeral. The Butler County NRCS office covered our portion of the presentation.

Rationale:  Thompson attended a free workshop in Omaha from WatchGuard (our firewall vendor). The training covered a number of ways to improve network security using built-in tools in the firewall.

Rationale:  Work is almost complete on major updates to the NRD Trees and NRD Rec Areas apps for iOS. Both apps have been completely rewritten for iOS 8 and Apple's new programming language and include a number of new or improved features. LPN staff and directors and I&E staff from other districts will be asked to help test the apps before release. 

Rationale:  Samples will be taken on November 25th, results should be known by board meeting.  

Peoples Services is currently operating the treatment plant in David City.  Staff has seen a decline in the amount of free chlorine residue at the Bruno mater meter.  We are currently still above the threshold required by the Department of Health and Human Services for chlorine residue.  

Rationale:  Samples will be taken on November 25th.  Results should be known by board meeting.  The initial repeat samples from the previous month failed sample have all been negative which is a positive.  Four additional samples will be taken during our routine monthly sampling schedule.  

Staff has been working with two customers on helping to determine leak problems.  Both leaks are after the meter connection point and will be the responsibility of the customer to fix.  

Staff attended the November Village of Colon board meeting and discussed the history of the rural water system and the process of us collecting sewer fees and reimbursing the Village with the monies we collect.  

As usual the same names remain on the disconnection list and will be given one last chance prior to December 10th to make a payment otherwise water service will be disconnected.  

Rationale:  As of the 21st of November the draft report of the Brainard and Dwight feasibility study has not been received.  Staff has been working with JEO and providing information to incorporate into the report.  This report needs to be completed in the month of December per the requirement of the grant used to pay for it.    

Rationale: 

• Czechland Lake improvement plans have been updated to incorporate the changes made within the last few months dealing with a soil core vs. rock core for the jetties.  The plans and specs are completed and staff has reviewed them.  The next step in the process is to advertise for bids for construction.  The plan is to advertise three consecutive weeks, the weeks of December 15, 22, and 29.  Open bids January 9th for have approval of accepted bid at the January 12th board meeting.  Construction could start as soon as ice is no longer an issue on the lake.  Staff hopes to have construction completed by June 2015.  Recommendation needed.

 

• The $20,000 grant from Game and Parks for the Czechland Lake improvement project needs to be spent before December 31st.  Staff has received a quote for 785 tons of Type C riprap from Kerford Limestone Company.  The price per ton is quoted at $25.50, giving a grand total of $20,017.50.  Language will be incorporated into the bid document informing the contractor that this rock will need to be hauled to the site from the rock quarry.  Recommendation needed.