January 12, 2015 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:  The annual NARD Washington DC Conference is March 21-25.  In the past we have sent two directors and two staff to the event.

Rationale:  The NARD Legislative Conference will be January 27-28 at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln.  The following Directors are registered to attend: Kavan, Hilger, McDermott, Hannah, Johannes and Clausen.  Registration deadline is January 12th, Please let Breunig know if you would like to attend.

Rationale:  Attached find Director Gibney's excuse of absence from the November Board Meeting.

Rationale: 

Rationale:  The December Weaver Report is attached to the Executive Committee to the minutes.

The December Weaver conference call will be held Friday, January 9th.

Rationale:  No new information.

Rationale:  Election of our four officers (Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer) and NARD representative will take place at our January 12 Board Meeting.  Chair Hilger has appointed a Nominating Committee that includes all past Chairs.  For each office the Nominating Committee will nominate at least one candidate, then the Chair will open the floor for additional nominations.  If only one candidate is nominated voting may occur by roll call.  If more than one nomination is made then voting will take place by written ballot.

Rationale:  At the December board meeting our E-Meeting software did not keep up with the speed of the meeting.  Our internet provider has asked that he be contacted during the meeting if it occurs again this month so he can see where the bottleneck is occurring.  

Rationale:  Attached find a bill from the Summit Group in the amount of $2,200 this if for our yearly upgrade on our accounting software.

Rationale:  Chair Hilger has asked that we discuss purchasing a Microphone system for the boardroom.  We looked at this over 10 years ago and decided the cost was too high.  Since that time digital technology has made quality sound systems more affordable. 

Rationale:  We have advertised for the Rural Water Manager position with resumes being due by close of business on December 29.  As of noon on December 28 we have five applicants.  As directed at last month's board meeting the Executive Committee needs to look at options for filling the position.  A handout has been prepared that looks at:
Filling the postion as it currently is
Filling the position with an operator rather than a manager
Contracting or hiring part-time management of the system and adding an O&M technician

Considerable discussion occurred during the committee meeting.  Director Ruzicka strongly felt we needed a Rural Water Manager that would have ownership of the system and be responsible for the 24-7 coverage that the system requires.

Rationale:  The November Financial Statements have been distributed to all Directors.

Rationale:  The committee reviewed the accounts receivable that are more than 90 day old.  A copy of the list is attached to the Executive Committee Minutes.

Rationale:  The O & M Crew continues to do maintenance on equipment, vehicles and the office building.  Also burned more tree piles on recreation sites.

Rationale:  The District should rent a tractor from Dinkel Implement via the State contract at the $11.80/hr rate w/ the minimum hours of usage at 300 for 2015.
Dinkel Implement informed the District via email that they are unable to provide the District with a tractor next season due to cutbacks in New Hollands program.

Rationale:  On the Czechland Lake Improvements project we are currently advertising for three weeks. JEO is handling the distribution of the Plans, Specifications and Bid Documents.  Bids are due by contractors on January 7, 2015 at 1:00 pm at which they will be opened.  Bids will be reviewed and taken to the Board at the regular meeting January 12, 2015.

Rationale: 

The $24,753 received from the NRD will be used to scope the completion of the study and prepare the FCSA.  We plan to provide the scope and cost estimate to complete the Feasibility Study to you for your review in the spring.

The bulk of the work to complete the feasibility study and transition to design and construction will begin in 2016, based on our current information on the arrival of new Federal Funding designated for the Fremont Project.  The present project funding remaining does not allow us to move forward to complete the feasibility study until then, so the majority of the work in 2015 will be setting the stage for that work yet to come.  Most of the work will be directed towards developing the scopes of work and cost estimates needed to secure the Federal funds and matching funds from our local sponsors.  The scoping work will include meetings with all partners to verify that we are on the same page with the scope and cost of the effort to finish feasibility, which is needed to advance the project to design.  (From Mark Nelson, COE)

Rationale:  Rezac Seed sent the District $895.56 for the grass drill rental for the second half of 2014.

Rationale:  A spreadsheet with the 2014 Wanahoo SRA NRD expenses is attached, made available by Mike Almond.
A meeting is scheduled between the District and Game & Parks on Tuesday, February 17th at 10:00 a.m. at the NRD office.  Discussion will involve finances and potential improvements for the Wanahoo SRA.

Rationale:  The City of North Bend has submitted invoices for work accomplished on the North Bend levee totaling $5,435. The work accomplished were tree and brush removal and dirt work on the levee. The City is requesting Dodge County assist at $2,000 which will make the difference $3,435.  The District can cost-share at 50% making the assistance to North Bend $1,717.50.

Rationale:  Heimann has looked into two drainage complaints, one in the Swedeburg area and the other near Linwood.  We are being assisted by the NRCS and Saunders County.  Both sites involve the drainage exiting into county road ditches.

Rationale:  This month we'll be running ads on the Nitrogen/Water certification classes starting in January. 

Rationale:  A draft copy of the Long Range Plan (attached) was emailed to all directors earlier this month and will be on the agenda for all December committee meetings for directors to provide input.

Rationale:  October 7 has been set as the date for the 2015 East Central Land Judging Contest. Lower Platte South will host and our office will assist. 


The State Land Judging Committee annual meeting is being held today (Dec. 29) in Grand Island. it was a very successful year for Land Judging with record overall participation and a record number of teams at the state contest.

Rationale:  Attached is the invoice for the eMeeting service for 2015. The cost is $2,500 for the year.

Rationale:  The 2.0 versions of the NRD Rec Areas and NRD Trees apps for iOS have been beta tested and submitted to Apple for approval. They should be available on the App Store by New Year's Day or shortly after. 

Rationale:  Our Great Plains accounting software was upgraded to a new version earlier this month.

Rationale:  The hard drive in Mike Almond's computer failed in mid-December and was replaced. No data was lost. 

Rationale:  Sampling and meter reading will be performed on December 29th, sampling results should be known by board meeting.

Rationale:  Sampling and meter reading will be completed on December 29th.  Sampling results will be known by board meeting.
Staff has spent a considerable amount of time this month with request to help find leaks and phone calls dealing with collecting monies.
Three customers are due for receiving their $100 deposit back.  These customers are John Ell, Dennis Else, and Brian Kucera.  Recommendation is needed.

Rationale:  The Brainard/Dwight Study has been completed and is attached.  A joint meeting between LPNNRD, LPSNRD, LBBNRD, Village of Brainard, and the Village of Dwight will be scheduled in January to discuss the report.  

A breakdown of cost can be seen for various projects below.

Description	Capital Cost	Debt Service	O&M cost	Total cost per user
	$	($/yr.)	($/yr.)	($/mo.)
Existing system	$0	$0	$63,785	$14.93
Brainard/Dwight RWD	$3,272,085	$251,623	$149,785	$103.36
Brainard RWD	$1,570,335	$120,759	$112,785	$101.94
Trans. Main and Well field	$2,373,520	$182,524	$76,285	$66.64
Trans. Main and WTP	$3,259,120	$250,626	$93,785	$88.68

Rationale:  No new updates.

Rationale:  No new updates

Rationale:  No new updates

Rationale: 

Mr. Diffey has submitted a supplemental irrigation well application for 80 acres in the W½SW¼ of Section 5-T17N-R6E Dodge County (North Bend Subarea).  These acres are currently irrigated with two registered wells using gated pipe. Diffey plans to purchase a center pivot and wipe ½-circle.  The two current wells would be used to irrigated the “corners”.  Due to the gas lines that are located beneath a portion of this “80” and their easements it is too costly to trench an underground line from one of the existing wells to the proposed pivot point location.  Neither Ralph Diffey nor Harold Diffey has a Nitrogen & Water Management (NRD) certification and Oaklund told Harold Diffey that the well permit could not be approved until the certification is obtained.  Harold Diffey related that he intends to go to the first certification class on January 8, 2015, in Fremont, following the Corn Expo.  This would be prior to the January 12, 2015 Board meeting.

Rationale:  Wells Permits Approved: Six as of December 29, 2014

Landowner	Number of Wells	Number of New Irrigated Acres	Type of Well	County	Subarea
Robert Newsham	1	130	new	Saunders	Todd Valley
Timothy Mueller	1	38	new	Platte	Lower Shell Creek
Jane Stara Revocable Trust	1	0	replacement	Butler	David City
Douglas Ritthaler	1	125	new	Saunders	Leshara Uplands
Goedeken Farms	1	0	replacement	Platte	Lower Shell Creek
Gary Nelson	1	155	new	Boone	Upper Newman Grove

 

The total number of approved permits for 2014 is 75.  This does not count the Ralph Diffey request.

Rationale:  Liberty Livestock has been contacted by phone concerning their irrigation of acres that were not approved by the LPNNRD.  They plan to attend either the upcoming Board meeting or the next Water Committee meeting.
They will be contacted again after the holidays.

Rationale:  Updates to the GWMA Rules and Regulations are presented for Water Committee review (see attached).  The goal is to get these approved at the January Board meeting and hold a Public Hearing before the February Board meeting. 

Rationale: 

Both classes will be held at Hruska Library in David City.  
Attendance will be required for all irrigators in this SQS.

Rationale: 

• A special Lower Platte Basin meeting is being planned for January 27th at 1:00 pm at the next NARD Legislative Conference in Lincoln.
• The next meeting of the Technical Committee is scheduled for February 2, 2015 at the LLNRD office in Ord at 10:00 am.

Rationale:  The next Stakeholders meeting is scheduled for February 3, 2015 at the LPNNRD office at 2:00 pm.

Rationale: 

A total of 369 kits have been requested and sent (two of these were in mid-December).  The results from 359 of these kits have been received from HHS/Lincoln and sent to the producers; nitrate-nitrogen range is 0.00 to 101.0 ppm.  

Rationale:  No new updates since the last Water Committee

Rationale: 

2014 is the twelfth year of this Phase 2 Area.  108 producer sample results have now been received (nitrate-nitrogen range of 0.00 to 22.3 ppm).  Two additional sample results since last meeting were 4.63 and 11.8 ppm. and have updated in the table below.

Year	Nitrate-nitrogen Range	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 0 to 8.0 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 8.01 to 10.00 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen greater than 10 ppm
2004	0 to 25 ppm	46.3% (44 of 95)	8.4% (8 of 95)	45.3% (43 of 95)
2005	0 to 25 ppm	47% (44 of 94)	15% (14 of 94)	38% (36 of 94)
2006	0 to 24 ppm	41% (29 of 71)	14% (10 of 71)	45% (32 of 71)
2007	0 to 31 ppm	48% (48 of 100)	9% (9 of 100)	43% (43 of 100)
2008	0 to 28 ppm	53.75% (43 of 80)	7.5% (6 of 80)	38.75% (31 of 80)
2009	0 to 22 ppm	45.5% (41 of 90)	15.5% (14 of 90)	39% (35 of 90)
2010	0 to 35.7 ppm	48.65% (54 of 111)	11.71% (13 of 111)	39.64% (44 of 111)
2011	0 to 26.6 ppm	51% (56 of 110)	6% (7 of 110)	43% (47 of 110)
2012	0 to 28.9 ppm	57% (61 of 107)	9% (10 of 107)	34% (36 of 107)
2013	0 to 25.8 ppm	50% (53 of 107)	9% (10 of 107)	41% (44 of 107)
2014	0 to 22.3 ppm	51% (55 of 108)	13% (14 of 108)	36% (39 of 108)

Rationale: 

2014 is the eleventh year of this Phase 2 Area.  251 producer sample results have now been received (nitrate-nitrogen range of 0.00 to 101.0).  One additional result has been received since the last meeting at 8.20 ppm. and has been updated in the table below.

Year	Nitrate-nitrogen Range	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 0 to 8.0 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 8.01 to 10.00 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen greater than 10 ppm
2004	0 to 47 ppm	30% (42 of 139)	10% (14 of 139)	60% (83 of 139)
2005	0 to 120 ppm	31.3% (74 of 236)	10.2% (24 of 236)	58.5% (138 of 236)
2006	0 to 53 ppm	28% (50 of 181)	14% (26 of 181)	58% (105 of 181)
2007	0 to 99 ppm	32% (75 of 231)	10% (22 of 231)	58% (134 of 227)
2008	0 to 46 ppm	28% (53 of 190)	12% (23 of 190)	60% (114 of 190)
2009	0 to 57 ppm	33% (72 of 216)	6% (13 of 216)	61% (131 of 216)
2010	0 to 57.5 ppm	31% (70 of 229)	7% (15 of 229)	62% (142 of 229)
2011	0 to 65.8 ppm	28% (67 of 241)	9% (21 of 241)	63% (153 of 241)
2012	0 to 52.6 ppm	29% (70 of 241)	9% (21 of 241)	62% (150 of 241)
2013	0 to 94.0 ppm	25% (63 of 252)	9% (23 of 252)	66% (166 of 252)
2014	0 to 101.0 ppm	27% (68 of 251)	9% (22 of 251)	64% (161 of 251)

Rationale: 

No on-line tests have been completed since the last committee meeting.  Staff of LPNNRD met with UNL County Extension Educators on Monday, December 1st, to set up classes.  Eleven classes have been scheduled (class schedule attached) and mailed to about 500 producers.

Rationale:  No new updates.

Rationale: 

At the end of 2014, the District had a  456 chemigation permits.  

Attached are updates to the LPNNRD Chemigation Rules, which includes our new fee schedule.  This is to be reviewed at the Board meeting in January and then advertise for three weeks for review (and hopefully) approval at the February Board meeting.

Rationale:  The LPNNRD has received one new livestock permit application from DEQ since the last Water Committee meeting.

Name	Livestock	Type of Permit	Legal Description	County
Raikes Farm Enterprises	Cattle 10,000 head 10,000 A.U.	Expansion of existing Permit	SW1/4 and SE1/4, Section 16, T13N, R9E	Saunders

Raikes Farm Enterprises wants to modify an existing operation of 6, 000 head (6,000 A.U.) with an addition of 4,000 head for a total of 10,000 head of cattle (10,000 A.U.).

Rationale:  One new well has been reviewed and approved by Gottschalk for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.

 

Rationale:  Three wells have been plugged, reviewed, and ready for cost share payment approval this month (see attached spreadsheet).

Well Owner	Type of Well	Cost Share Estimate	County
Don Yindrick	Irrigation	$870.96	Butler
Jamie Yindrick	2 x Domestic	$854.59	Butler

 

Rationale:  The last training session was held on December 4 and 5, 2014 at the LLNRD in Ord.  Training involves using the completed USGS ground water flow model with GIS applications to develop maps.  The next training session has not yet been scheduled.

Rationale:  Data from the latest helicopter flights (AEM) will be presented at the next NARD conference near the end of January 2015.  The next round of helicopter flights are scheduled for the spring of 2015 and one of these flight lines will go over the Prague subarea.

We have received an invoice from ENWRA for our 2015 dues of $30,000 (invoice is attached).

Rationale:  Staff have been working on updating the hydrographs from the data loggers placed in several of our monitoring wells.  Staff will place several of these in our upcoming SQS and NRD operator certification classes that are to be held over the winter.

Rationale:  Draft copy of LPNNRD Long Range Plan is attached.  This will be voted on at the January 12, 2015 Board meeting.

Rationale:  GMDA Annual Conference will be held January 6 - 8, 2015 in Scottsdale, Arizona.  Directors Lon Olson, Don Veskerna, and Gene Ruzicka plan to attend.  Staff members Bret Schomer and Larry Angle will also attend.

Rationale:  Simone Rock of HDR attended the Water Committee.

Rationale:  Gottschalk presented the attached list and status of our SWCP allocations and payments.

Rationale:          75%     
Herman Ostry Terraces/Tile with Basins Butler Co. $ 13,207.44

This project is located directly above Homestead Lake and would be constructed in conjunction with our basin clean-out project.  Because of the needed protection this project will provide to our Homestead Lake Recreation Area, the committee felt that exceeding our normal policy of approving up to $12,500 per landowner project would be justified. 

Rationale:    APPROVED  ACTUAL
14-C-51 Shirley Johannes Rev. Trust W/S Basins $ 10,337.86 $ 10,329.00
14-P-5 Eugene Wiese Flow Meter $      625.00 $      565.00
14-P-30 Roger Gehring Flow Meter $      625.00      $      625.00
14-P-28 Wilma Loseke Flow Meter $      625.00 $      575.00
14-S-45 BRT Farms/ Robert Bartek Flow Meter $      625.00 $      625.00
14-B-37 Lloyd From Flow Meter $      625.00 $      597.50



SAND & DUCK PAYMENT: 25% 15%

Jerry Soukup Terraces/Tile w/Basins & Waterway      $ 3,109.20

Rationale:  We received a $2,051.73 cost share payment request from John Jones, Jones Family Trust, for conservation work completed in conjunction with a federal EQIP contract located in both the Miller Branch-Wahoo Creek and Cottonwood Creek sub-watersheds. While an SWCP application was completed at the NRCS office in 2012, the application did not get submitted to our office for consideration.  Jami Thoene, NRCS, was present and provided information surrounding the project.  Looking at our 2012 records and policy, this project would have been regarded as high priority for approval.  We did find the Jones Family Trust name and project estimate on a list of anticipated applications for approval, but paperwork was never submitted.  The committee felt that this landowner project payment is warranted based on facts presented.       

Rationale:  No cancellations for approval this month. 

Rationale:  COTTONWOOD CREEK PAYMENT: APPROVED ACTUAL

Kenneth Polacek Terraces/Tile w/Basins $ 7,566.50 $ 7,211.62

Rationale:  No applications for approval this month.

Rationale:     25% 15%
Jerry Soukup Terraces/Tile w/Basins and Waterways $ 5,204.40

Rationale:  No applications for approval this month.

Rationale:  NDEQ is putting the final touches on their review of the Shell Creek Watershed Water Quality Plan and will send it to EPA for comment in January.

Rationale:  We have worked with landowners to allow JEO to inspect and evaluate Dunlap Creek on their property (landowner letter attached). JEO has submitted their most recent invoice for contract work completed as attached. 

Rationale:  Meghan will give the Board an update on recent LPRCA activities at the January 12th Board Meeting.

Rationale:  Heimann gave an update that was presented at the O, E & RW Committee (refer to those minutes for details). 

Rationale: 

Attached is the status report from the Omaha District's Construction Division as of Monday, 15 December 2014.
  
Earthwork is rated at 90 - 98% complete, however the Contractor has missed the completion milestone of 8 December and is now being assessed Liquidated Damages until Substantial Completion is reached.  Substantial Completion is reached when all that remains is seeding, gates and ROW Markers.  

Final seeding may be completed in the spring, dependent upon winter weather, but will be done prior to the Final Inspection and payment to the Contractor.  

Rationale:  Jeff Henson with JEO sent out the attached December 9th e-mail to participating committees outlining the timeline for completing the plan update and to submit projects for future consideration.  JEO is winding down community contacts and despite our best efforts, a very few have not responded so will not be included in the plan update. JEO has submitted an invoice for $10,849.50 for work contract work complected as attached.

 JEO has identified potential HMP projects (see attachment) which will be reviewed at the January 29th Proejcts Committee meeting.  The committee will be asked to select and prioritize projects for further evaluation and analysis.  We have $50,000 of available NEMA/FEMA grant funds to allocate toward project analysis. 

Rationale:  Jeremiah Schutz, NRCS, is requesting LPNNRD to purchase some erosion control fabric to use on existing and new grass waterway construction. While there is not a large demand for grass waterways in our NRD, when they are installed, initial erosion can be a problem until the grass is established (see attachments)   A 3' by 600' of this fabric costs $150 plus tax.  The intent is for LPNNRD to purchase this fabric that will be housed at the Dodge County NRCS for landowners to purchase for their grass waterway projects. 

Rationale:  Directors have been asked to give input to the Long Range Plan (attached), particularly on areas that their committee is responsible.  The O, E & RW Committee is recommending that the Board approve the plan including any changes on January 12. 

Rationale:  Attached are financials for Project Activities as of 11-30-14.  At that time we spent 23.81% of the Projects Budget and 21.54% of the land treatment budget (listed in the Water Financials). 

Rationale:  The NRD has received $8,000 from the Saunders County Tourism Grant.  This money will be used to help defray the costs of the entrance road to the Park.

Rationale:  Work has resumed on Monday, December 29th.  Segment 4B is about 45% complete.  Winter work will continue as weather allows.

Pre-Construction Meeting for Segment 5 on December 23rd. Contractor will start after January 1st.

Attached find an update on the WS/CC Project that was in the PMRNRD Newsletter.

Rationale: 

When an employee terminates service with the district there is a payout on leave balances. Attached find a worksheet for annual and sick leave payouts for Mike Sousek.  The total includes 81.06 hours of annual leave and 229.68 hours (589.68 - 360 = 229.68) of sick leave minus tuition reimbursement that must be returned to the district (any tuition payments received by an employee of the district with-in one year of separation must be returned to the district).  

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.