April 2, 2026 at 8:30 AM - Operations Committee Meeting

Rationale:  We have no unfinished business to consider.

Rationale:  NGPC is transitioning to a new web-based reservation system for public access sites in the State. This applies to all PATH sites, including the 7 sites at Lake Wanahoo. The new program is called the "Managed Access Program (MAP)". Significant changes from PATH include the number of days allowed to be reserved at any one time (2), reservations limited to 3-days prior to hunting, and the mandatory post-hunt survey before you can reserve another site. The "MAP" is at least partially built to create public hunting/recreation opportunities in the more populated areas of eastern Nebraska.

Rationale:  The O & M crew continues to remove trees from Clear Creek Levee, Wanahoo and Czechland.
We had to establish a blockade off of County Road E on to the Clear Creek Levee (picture). People are coming off Co. Rd E with vehicles driving up the levee bank to the top. These must be people that don't have the combination to the gate on the levee.

Rationale:  In the Programmatic Review by NRCS, they are asking that a non-structural alternative be added back into the plan. HDR sent a Second Amendment to the agreement with Engineering Services on the afternoon of April 2. This Second Amendment and engineering will cost $27,050, which will be part of the study cost provided by the NRCS (Recommendation needed). This addition will take about 4 weeks to get the Supplement Plan - EA updated, coordinate with NRCS to make sure they are good with the results. Then the document is ready for public review.
Staff is still working with NRCS on developing an RFP for the rehabilitation design of Cottonwood 21-A.

Rationale:  Houston is addressing some updates to reporting following their call with FEMA a couple of months ago. Nothing has happened because FEMA is essentially shut down because of the current DHS funding lapse.
Also, Houston Omaha had a surprise visit by staff out of North Dakota who were completing a LiDAR drone survey of a different project. Because they had that travel time covered, and the equipment was in town, they were able to get Wanahoo included in their data collection, so they now have some great LiDAR scans and aerials of the downstream channel and dam. This is an improvement on the Topo survey they had planned on completing and will be covered by the budget for that task.

Rationale:  The District was notified by NET that our grant for a No-Till Grass drill will be funded.
The drill has been ordered through Benes Service and will not be picked up until July 1. This drill will be stationed at Rezac Seed in Saunders County.

Rationale:  We received an invoice for $60,000 from Papio-Missouri NRD as a partner for the management of invasive vegetation. This amount was increased last year due to the lack of grant funding and budget cuts at the State level. (See Recommendation)
Also, the Interlocal agreement between LPN, LPS, & Papio has been updated with a 2nd amendment (attached). The amendment will redefine the Flood Channels to include "floodplains". For surveys, a survey can now be done by the affected County or NRD by air boat, drone, or helicopter. For spraying, the affected county can use airboats or drones. Lastly, give the contracting NRD's the ability to increase funding if state and/or grant funds are not available. (See motion below).

A motion will be needed at Board Meeting to approve the Second Amendment to the Phragmites Management Interlocal agreement between LPNNRD, LPSNRD and Papio-Missouri NRD as attached.
 

Rationale:  We have not received any applications or requests for payments for bank stabilization.

Rationale:  For the month of February, the District received $4,250.50 in park permit revenue.

Rationale:  For the month of February, the District received $3,051.93 in camping revenue.

Rationale:  Lake Wanahoo has been contacted by two individuals looking to purchase a bench to be installed as a memorial for a loved one.  Currently, we have one bench available for installation.  We would like to purchase 3 benches to meet both current and future requests.  The cost for these benches, including freight, is $3,997.45.  The quote from Outdoor Recreation Products has been attached.

Rationale:  The Clint Johannes Education Building at Lake Wanahoo was rented 16 times in March, with 1 NRD event. Revenue for the month was $1,175. There are only 7 remaining weekend dates available for 2026.

Staff have been discussing adjustments to the rental times and rates. New rates and rental times would begin April 15, 2026. There would not be an adjustment to the deposit of $150. However, both the deposit and rental fee would be required at the time of booking to decrease staff time.

The increase in prices would be as follows:

Rental Type	Time Frame	2027 Rate	2028 Rate
Day Rental (Monday - Thursday)	7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.	$150	$175
Full Rental (Any day includes weekends)	7:00 a.m. - midnight	$250	$300

Rationale:  KTIC radio ads schedule:
March: Environmental Education
April: Recreation Areas

Digital display ad schedule:
Recreation Areas now through June
 

Rationale:  Top Posts for Facebook and X during March included:
• New office open house flyer
• March Coffee, Lakeside flyer
• Photos from Ag Literacy Festival in Columbus
• Groundwater Management Plan public hearing notice
• Native Nook program information

Facebook followers: 1,869
X followers: 429

On the LPNNRD website, top pages included the home page, Lake Wanahoo, Forestry, Downloads, and Czechland Lake. We received traffic from Facebook (47), NARD (131).

Rationale:  Dodge County Fair: July 29 - August 2, 2026. Last year we donated $500. The same options are available this year. The Full Pull donation of $500 will include announcer recognition at events, recognition on donation boards at the fairgrounds and on the fair website, a banner with our logo displayed during the fair. 

Saunders County Fair: July 26 - August 2, 2026. Last year we donated $500. Similar options are available this year. The Bronze Sponsorship of $500 will include a 3’x5’ banner displayed at events, logo on the fair website, social media post, Business name on large "Thank You" banner, 1 mention during motorsports event.

Butler County Fair: July 14 - July 19, 2026. Last year we donated $500. The same options are available. First in Class Sponsorship of $500 will include name listed on back of schedule flyer, name listed on website, name on large banner, and name on advertisement poster.
 

Rationale: 

• March 3rd: Platte Co Ag Literacy Festival — Columbus 283 students learned about irrigation and groundwater.
• March 12th: Coffee Lakeside - Education Department Update (13)
• March 19th: North Bend Elementary - Water topics - (43)
• March 20th: Fremont Elementary STEM Day Owl's of Nebraska and Pellets (124)
• March 23rd: St. Wenceslaus - Soil (28) 
• March 25th: FFA Convention — Lincoln - NRD's and careers (200+)
• March 26th: Senior Center - Education Dept. Update (8)
• March 31st: Survival Club - Jeopardy (15)

Rationale:  April 9th: Coffee Lakeside - Mollusks and Crayfish of Nebraska
April 15th: North Bend 4th Grade
April 16th: Wahoo High School
April 20th: Wahoo High School @ Lake Wanahoo
April 21st: Wahoo 2nd grade field trip
April 22nd: North Bend 5th Grade & Grand opening of bird feeding structure
April 28th: Field Trip for St. Wenceslaus Pre-K at Lake Wanahoo

TBD: Earth Day and Arbor Day events in queue

Rationale:  To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must:
• Be a graduating senior at Newman Grove High School, Schuyler Central High School, or Columbus Lakeview High School
• Have completed at least one year as a member of the Shell Creek Watershed Monitoring Program
• Be enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year college or university
• Plan to pursue a major or course of study relating to science and/or natural resources
We have received applications from:

Applicant	School	Years in Shell Creek Watershed testing	College	Program
Hayden Bailey	Schuyler Central	4	Northeast Community College	Utility Line
Kailey Patzel	Newman Grove	6	Midland University	Elementary Education
Aubree Whitaker	Newman Grove	3	Northeast Community College	Nursing

Scholarship recipients will receive ½ of the scholarship upon commencement of their first term, with the remainder being issued upon proof of successful completion of the first term with a GPA of B/3.0 or above. 

Rationale:  Routine monthly sampling completed, meters read, bills mailed 4/1.
Attached is a proposed rate increase for the Colon RWD; new rates would be an average of 6% rate increase on the total bill.  The last rate increase on the Colon RWD was 2021.

Rationale:  The Bruno RWD had to repair the automatic control valve within our Bruno meter pit due to buildup restricting the valve from closing.  This valve is controlled by a pressure transducer that communicates with the Village of Bruno water tower.  The valve wasn't shutting completely and the tower causing the tower to overflow.
Routine sampling completed, meters read, and bills mailed 4/1.
Attached is a proposed rate increase for the Bruno RWD; rate increase would be an average of 8% per customer.  The last rate increase for Bruno RWD was 2022.

Rationale:  Lon Olson would like to donate a 12' Blk Hills Spruce from his yard to the NRD office grounds. He would pay half the cost to transplant the tree. He's looking for a tree spade. He also asked if we would allow others to donate trees for memorials, etc. on the grounds.