October 31, 2018 at 8:30 AM - Operations & Education Committee Meeting

Rationale:  There is nothing to consider.

Rationale:  There is nothing to report on Wild NE or CREP.

Rationale:  The O & M crew continues to monitor beaver dam problems on Rawhide Ditch, the silt dam at Czechalnd Lake and Cottonwood 6-E. We used the Bobcat to remove two large dams at Rawhide and Czechland. We assisted with the Regional and State Land Judging, mowing, digging & refilling pits. We did some fall spraying for thistle and problem weeds. Continue to cut and treat volunteer trees in many locations. Keeping up with vehicle and equipment maintenance.

Rationale:  October 15th the NE Game & Parks Commission moved out from the Lake Wanahoo area. They took all their equipment and emptied the south side of the Wanahoo building. They removed all signage with the Game & Parks name and/or logo from the area, took 3 of the 4 iron rangers and will take the 4th after the first of the year. They did winterize the shower building.
The Wanahoo building was broke into late October 26th or early morning October 27th. They pried open and damaged a walk in door and stole varies cordless tools, a power washer, air compressor and a container of gas. The door will be replaced and dead bolts installed. The sheriffs department is investigating.

Rationale:  Here's an update from Chris Fassero, COE Project Manager on the Fremont 205 Non-Structural Study, received October 5, 2018.
Frankly, we haven't made a whole lot of progress since spring time when we executed the FCSA amendment.  At that time, we were working with our division and USACE headquarters to try to get some clarification of the USACE policies for formulating nonstructural flood risk reduction plans.  Because USACE hasn't implemented very many nonstructural plans, the policies regarding them aren't very clear or well established.  As a result, we've been trying to learn from the few nonstructural plans that have been implemented, as well as several currently ongoing nonstructural studies, what criteria will be important for plan approval.  In that effort, we've developed five different nonstructural plans that are really just different permutations of the plan we had developed in the spring time.  Each one is based on slightly different criteria - two are based on the individual benefit-cost ratios of the included structures, and three are based on floodplain boundaries.

We have an internal meeting next week to discuss these five plans and decide which one to recommend to our division.  My plan was to update you on the recommended plan once we discuss it with our division, but it has taken me longer than expected to get to this point.  After our internal meeting next week, I expect us to have a meeting with our division sometime before the middle of November.  If it's okay with you, I'll still plan to update you on the recommended plan, as well as the expected study completion and approval schedule, after that division meeting.

You haven't received a report on the previous GI study regarding levee feasibility.  Our plan is to incorporate the findings of the GI study, as well as the previous work done under the CAP study, into the final report of the current CAP study.  That way we'll document everything in one report.

Rationale:  Heimann is still working with the Corps of Engineers on issues brought up during  a Clear Creek Levee inspection. A Corps representative has stated that we need the O & M Manual to address specific items and hopes a draft of the O & M Manual will be available in the next couple weeks.
At Thomas Lakes, representatives of the Home Owners Assoc. have concerns regarding erosion that is occurring on a trail along the north shore of the lake and of which a "Gray Water Line" lies under the trail. They insist that since the Corps completed the Clear Creek Levee renovation and elevated the adjoining ground, more water from heavy rainfall comes onto their trail and causes more erosion. The Corps visited the site on April 20, 2018 and in a report declared that the erosion was occurring before the project and the renovations have minimal effect on the trail. This item will also be revisited after the O & M Manual is published and reviewed.

Rationale:  Heimann sent letters to three landowners regarding their farming practices encroaching onto and over the District's easement area adjacent to Rawhide Ditch 8. We have not received any comments. Staff will mark the easement area boundary after harvest and the landowners were asked to reseed the area they have been farming.

Rationale:  The Wahoo Chapter Ducks Unlimited added a third duck blind on the Wanahoo Path Program area. There are now blinds on Path areas 3, 6 and 7 for youth mentor hunting. The agreement we have with the Wahoo Chapter was amended to state "three blinds".

Rationale:  The Face or the upstream slope of the Swedeburg B-2 dam has some severe erosion. Heimann assisted Ken Kotera in taking survey shots on the dam. Ken will figure what needs to be done to renovate the face of the dam. This work will likely take place next summer because the lake needs to be partially drained and potentially some drying time in this area.

Rationale:  For 2018 M.E. Collins has paid the District $10,280.  They will reshape and reseed some or all of the Phase I area this Fall.

Rationale:  To date we have received $9,906 from RV camping at Czechland Lake.

Last month the District Park Regulations were attached for review and comments. Staff has been reviewing the regulations and need to put together a draft revision. 

Rationale:  We have nothing to consider at this time.

Rationale:  The current KTIC radio ad and Wahoo Newspaper eAd will promote the availability for grass drill rentals.  The ad will run through November 30^th.  The ads are attached.
 

Rationale:  Staff is currently making updates and providing additions to the FY2019 Long Range Plan.  The final draft will be available prior to the November 12^th Board of Directors meeting. 

A motion will be needed at Board Meeting to approve and adopt the FY 2019 Long Range Plan.
 

Rationale:  Dr. Jodi Sangster will be in attendance to present information on the citizen scientist water testing program.
 

Rationale:  The East Central Region Land Judging Competition was held on October 10^th at the ENREC Facility.  197 students from 12 different FFA Chapters participated in the event.  The State Land Judging Competition was held on October 17^th at the Lake Wanahoo NRD Recreation Area.  151 students from 39 different FFA chapters from across the state participated in the event.

The top 5 teams from the state contest advance to the national competition in Oklahoma next Spring.  A team from the Crete FFA Chapter placed 5^th at the state competition and advances to the national contest.  Crete is part of the East Central Region.   

We are very appreciative to all of the volunteers, staff, & directors that assisted with both events. 
 

Rationale:  LPNNRD has partnered with Wahoo Public Schools to create a year-long outdoor skills education program for 8^th grade students called "Survival Club".  TePoel and Gottschalk will meet with the students once a month and coordinate/present a program on a variety of topics.  The program will end with an overnight camping experience at the Lake Wanahoo NRD Recreation Area at the end of the school year.

LPNNRD has partnered with the St. Wenceslaus Pre-Kindergarten Class to provide a year-long environmental education program.  TePoel will visit the class every other month and provide a presentation on a variety of topics.  The program will end with a field trip to Lake Wanahoo NRD Recreation Area at the end of the school year. 
 

Rationale: 

• Monday, November 12^th:  TePoel will present a wildlife program to Humphrey Public School’s 6^th Grade Class
• Survival Club (Wahoo Public Schools): Tentative plans include a presentation on hiking/backpacking.

Rationale:  Elliott met with Neil Johnson of Phoenix Web Group (PWG) to discuss his proposal for remote reading of meters and software package.  This proposal includes installation of three remote reading antennas (two for Colon RWD and one for Bruno RWD), billing/monitoring software and continued support. 
This system would allow for a seamless transition of acquiring meter readings in house (fuel saving) and uploading into billing software.  Currently we have to manually enter all readings into our billing software.
The remote reading software will also continuously monitor the system and alarm if it detects any leaks. 
For FY19 the RWD has $12,500.00 budgeted for meter reader/software and $1200.00 for billing software.
The total package bid from PWG is $14,000.00 (bid is attached).

Rationale:  Meters read with bills going out 10/31.
Monthly testing completed as normal.

Rationale:  On 10/3 Elliott accompanied Bob Byrkit of Nebraska Dept. Health and Human Services for the mandatory Sanitary Survey of the Bruno RWD.  It was noted that two of the air relief valve vents had cracked and needed repair.  Elliott repaired vents as needed.
Elliott completed yearly testing of backflow devices.  Everything checked out normal and reports will be filed with DHHS.
Meters read and bills will go out 10/31.
Monthly testing completed.