October 29, 2015 at 9:30 AM - Executive Committtee Meeting

Rationale: 

All directors are reminded that the November 9 board meeting will be held in Newman Grove at the High School.  Director Seier has made arrangements as follows:

  4:45 Begin serving dinner for students, LPNNRD board and staff members

  5:00 Begin serving dinner for invited guests

  5:30 Presentation by Newman Grove Science Students

  6:00 LPNNRD board meeting begins (advertised time)

Mark is not sure of the number of people who may show up for the presentation and asks all directors to be present early to be sure to get dinner. 

Rationale: 

The Nebraska League of Conservation Voters 2015 Summit will highlight "Water Challenges and Solutions in Nebraska".  The Summit will be held on December 7 at the Scott Conference Center located at Aksarben Village in Omaha.

Attached find information on the Summit that includes a very creditable list of speakers and an agenda that looks at all water uses in Nebraska.  The program begins at 1:00 pm and concludes with networking at 7:45 pm.

 The cost is $40 for the full program or $25 for a partial day if registered by October 31.  Prices will go up for those registering after November 1, although the information does not say what the late registration fee is.

 Please let Jill or John know if you wish to attend.

Rationale:  The NACD Annual Conference is January 30 - February 3 in Reno Nevada.

Rationale:  Attached find Mountford's NRD/NARD Benefits Committee and Intergovernmental Risk Management Control Meeting Minutes from the October 26th Meeting.  

Rationale:  The October Weaver Conference Call will be scheduled the first week of November.

Rationale:  Attached find a copy of Weaver's October billing.

Rationale:  Prior to the start of our November 9th at Board Meeting we will hear from the Shell Creek students.

Rationale: 

Our 2016 National Association of Conservation Districts dues statement is attached.  For the past 10 plus years our dues have been $1,775.  This year there is a 69% increase to $3,001.  In the past NACD has requested districts to pay 1% of there budget as dues with a cap of $1,775 (1% of our current budget is $67,978).

With only 23 districts in Nebraska we have always been one of the lower contributing states to NACD.

 

Rationale:  Jovan asked if there is any reason for him to make the trip to Newman Grove for our November Board Meeting?  The only matter we see is Lickteig and the only response Jovan has received is that Register and Lickteig are reviewing Jovan's proposal.

Rationale:  Immediately following the last board meeting Lausterer forwarded a draft agreement to Richard Register.  The only contact Jovan has received is that the agreement was received and is being reviewed.  The night prior to Executive Committee Jovan received a list of suggested changes to the original draft. He will attempt to have a draft to present at the next Executive Committee Meeting.

Rationale: 

We have received our final bill from HBE for work completed on the Annual Audit.

Total Contract Price $20,780

Less Billed 8/14/15  ($15,855)

Current Due Amount     $5,195

 

Rationale:  A new computer has been ordered with specifications attached.  This is a laptop workstation for Schomer that is capable of running all of the ARC GIS products as well as Rock Works.  This computer has a fast i7 quad processor, 16 gig of ram and 1 terabyte of solid state memory. Schomer and Poole will be receiving ARC Hydro training next week at Lower Loup NRD in Ord.

Rationale:  As approved last month Cassi Deerson was hired to fill our vacant Accounting position.  Cassi began work for the district on October 28 and lives with her husband near Mead.  Please take time to meet Cassi and welcome her to the LPNNRD staff.

Rationale: 

We had 18 applications for our vacant Information and Education Specialist position.  On Monday, November 2nd we will interview our top four candidates.  We will bring forward a recommendation at our November 9 board meeting where a motion will be needed to approve filling the position.

The suggested motion is: "To approve hiring Desirae TePoel to fill our vacant Information and Education position at a starting salary of 93% of the mid-point".

Rationale:  We have received our quarterly Natural Resources Development Fund reimbursement in the amount of 112,470.65 for Sand Creek. The committee agreed that the payment could be made immediately following the Executive Committee Meeting.

Rationale:  Our $400,000 Line of Credit with Union Bank expires in November.

Rationale:  The accounts receivable over 90 days is attached to the Executive Committee Meeting Minutes.

Rationale:  The district has three employees who could retire within the next 5 years that could leave the district with a large payment for leave balances.  Discussion took place on planning ahead for this by starting a sinking fund for at the next budget cycle.  Staff will prepare a spreadsheet with portential leave payouts for review at the next Executive Committee Meeting.

Rationale:  The August Financial Report has been completed by Cassi with assistance from Mike Almond and distributed to all directors.  A suggested motion approve this report is; "To approve the August Financial Report as distributed to all board members".