July 31, 2015 at 9:00 AM - Executive Committtee Meeting

Rationale:  The Groundwater Foundation Annual Meeting will be in Lincoln on October 20-22.  This is the first time in recent history that the meeting will be in Nebraska and we hope for a large turnout from local residents and members.  LPNNRD contributed $250 and is listed as a conference sponsor in the program.  We encourage directors to attend.  Registration is $355 with a $60 discount if registered by September 1 so we encourage early registration.  There are also tour choices before and following the conference for those wishing to participate.

Rationale: 

Directors are reminded that NARD Fall Conference is September 28-29 in Kearney.  Please let Jill know if you wish to attend so that registration and rooms reservations can be made.

For those wishing to attend there are two events that occur on September 27: 1.) the Ron Bishop Memorial Golf Tournament and 2.) the NARD Fall Conference Shoot (trap shoot).  Information brochures have been emailed to all directors.

Rationale:  Attached find Excuse of Absence forms from Directors Birkel and McDermott for the June Board Meeting.

Rationale:  Bob is planning to be in Nebraska the first week of August and we will conduct our monthly call/meeting at that time.  He is planning to spend time in each of the three NRDs to view projects, in our case Wanahoo, Schuyler, Fremont and Clear Creek. Attached is his monthly report.

Rationale:  Simone Rock from HDR will give the education program that is an update on the Basin Water Plan.

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Attached find the Renewal Coverage Proposal for our 2015-16 Pool Year with LARM that begins October !.  To formalize acceptance of the proposal we need to approve the attached resolution, however two major decisions need to be made along with this acceptance.  1.) Do we want to have our notice of termination be 90 or 180 days and 2.) Do we want to commit to LARM for one, two or three years.  There are financial incentives to lengthen both these, see attached LARM Discount Spreadsheet.  

LARM has been very accommodating and we have had no problems, however we have not had any major claims in the past year to judge against this.  What we do know is comparing 2014 to 2016 our premium is $26,000 less (30%).

Clausen (our LARM representative) and Miyoshi have reviewed the proposal and recommend the 180 day termination notice and either a two or three year contract length.

Rationale:  In the past we have supported the NARD Foundation Auction with an item costing $100- $150.  As the benefit auction continues to expand we should consider increasing our donated item to $250.  We can do this by motion or the Executive Committee can direct management to carry this out if an increase is desired.

Rationale:  Attached find a note from Lausterer that CCEI is pressing for recovery of interest lost during appeal of the case in the amount of $8,558.  His suggestion is to pay this amount with the stipulation that no other fees or charges will be asked for.

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Last month our education program was on our election costs.  The cost for the 2014 general election was $28,473.13 and would have been reduced by $19,017.91 if we voted by sub-district instead at large.  There would also be savings at the primary election.  

Unfortunately to vote by sub-district would require us to be at a one to one ratio, meaning the population of our smallest to largest sub-district would need to be within 10% (1 - 1.1 ratio).  At the 2010 census we were at a 1 - 2.73 ratio (state statute allows up to a 1 - 3 ratio.

 If we maintain a 19 member board going 1 to 1 would require us to have a third subdistrict in Fremont (currently two) with the remaining six (currently seven) each becoming geographically larger.  The largest change would occur in Colfax County where most of the county would join Platte, Boone and Madison and smaller areas divided between rural Dodge and Butler Counties.

The Executive Committee felt we should make no changes to way we currently elect board members.

Rationale:  It is time to pay our annual Dues to NWRA (National Water Resources Association) that are $1,950.

Rationale:  We should receive our first quarter NRDF payment for our Sand Creek Project that should go towards our Union Bank Note that is expected to be just over $150,000.

Rationale:  Jeff Fassett the new Director of DNR is set to begin work on August 3.  Jeff comes from Wyoming and has an impressive resume in the water arena.

Rationale:  We previously approved the Nebraska Educational Television NRD Video Project that is being coordinated by NARD.  Attached find a letter from Dean Edson with more detail on the project and to inform us that the cost has gone up from $3,000 to $3,710 per NRD.

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At the last board meeting a question came up concerning electronic voting at board meetings.  Lausterer checked with the Nebraska Attorney General's Office who continues to maintain their current opinion that NRD boards cannot utilize electronic voting at board meetings.  Nebraska statutes contain a section that allows such voting by a municipality, a county, a learning community, a joint entity pursuant to the Interlocal Cooperation Act ...  The statute does not specifically name NRDs, even though the intent appears to be there to allow all political sub-divisions this option.  Lausterer's recommendation is that we do not use electronic voting.  If we are serious about this option we could send a resolution to NARD asking for legislation to include NRDs on the list for those who can vote electronically at board meetings.

 

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The Yutan Volunteer Fire Department mans a Water Rescue Team.  Through Mutual Aid this team is available to many of the Fire and Rescue Departments in this portion of the state.  Our staff meets with this team and local law enforcement agencies on a bi-annual basis to prepare for water emergencies.  The team has used Lake Wanahoo as a practice area to be better prepared if they are ever called for assistance.  Attached find a letter of request asking for assistance to purchase a water rescue boat.  The cost of the boat is $49,750.

The Executive Committee asked staff to find out who Yutan has mutual aid agreements with and see if a water rescue boat would qualify for use of hazard mitigation funds.

Rationale:  Update from Legal Counsel.

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Over the past six months we have worked to make the Shell Creek Watershed Improvement Group (SWIG) a sub-committee advisory group to LPNNRD.  If the board approves the Projects Committee recommendation this will occur in August.  One of the key needs is to continue the SWIG Coordinator position.  SWIG established a Coordinator position several years ago to organizing meetings, provide grant and program administration along with a host of other management and clerical duties. LPNNRD has effectively teamed with the coordinator to organize and advance SCWIG activities and needs.  

The position has been funded by NDEQ and NET grants and has proven to be an effective means to help accomplish SCWIG business.  LPNNRD has accepted management and responsibility for SCWIG's existing NET grants and would like to continue the coordinator position to assist with SWIG activities and grant administration.  Melissa Foreman has been the coordinator for several years (housed at the Columbus NRCS office) and our desire is to establish a part-time Shell Creek Coordinator position at LPNNRD and hire her to continue with these duties.  The part-time position will average about 20 hours per month (up to a maximum of 40 hours) and our intention is to continue funding the position through existing grants.

A draft LPNNRD "Shell Creek Watershed Coordinator" Job Description is attached that was modeled from the SWIG Position Description.

Rationale: 

The previous agenda item created the Shell Creek Coordinator Position and explained how Melissa Foreman has been a key person to make SWIG successful. SWIG members have stressed the importance of keeping Melissa as part of the team to smooth the transition of SWIG to an LPNNRD Advisory Group.

Melissa's current rate of pay is $19 per hour with no benefits.  Management supports the SWIG recommendation to hire Melissa.

Rationale:  The June Financial Report will not be finished until completion of our annual audit with the field work portion of the audit occurring the first week of August.

Rationale:  The Budget workshop is set for Wednesday, August 5th at 5:00 p.m. and Budget Hearing for Monday, August 10th at 5:00 p.m.  (one hour prior to Board Meeting).  If there are no major changes to the budget that come forward at the budget hearing it would be proper to approve the FY16 LPNNRD Budget pending setting the tax rate that will occur in September.