January 3, 2019 at 9:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  No unfinished business to address.

Rationale:  Elliott presented the SWCP report as attached.

Rationale:  None at this time.

Rationale:  18-B-6   Lazy J Cattle - Terrace/Basin w/ tile outlet - $12,500.00

18-B-7   Dwayne Lanc - Terrace/Basin w/ tile outlet - $12,500.00

 

Rationale:  18-S-10   Ernest Osmera - Grass waterway - $6,346.91

Rationale:  None at this time.

Rationale:  The SCWIG is planning to meet in January to discuss new project priorities for the Shell Creek Watershed.

Rationale:  Mr. Sprunk has received a USACE permit for his Shell Creek Bank Stabilization/Wetland Protection Project.  We plan to assist Mr. Sprunk with securing contractor bids and provide construction observation for this project later this year. Our plan is to use NDEQ grant funding to reimburse LPNNRD for our 75% landowner assistance which is roughly estimated at $30,000 - $50,000 at this time.

Rationale:  Eric Smith, Platte County NRCS, has organized a Cover Crop Management Day to be held January 16, 2019, at Ag Park in Columbus (attachment) . To cover speaker costs he is asking Platte County NRD’s to help sponsor the event  They are charging for the event, but that will cover the meal only.  LPNNRD has been a past sponsor of similar  events.  Eric believes the fees for speaker Dwayne Beck are $600 + expenses, so he is assuming around $800-$900 total  costs.  He has not yet heard from the other NRD’s.  While we have money budgeted for these type of events, our plan is to submit the total contribution to NDEQ for 319 grant reimbursement or use banked Shell Creek funds.

 

Rationale:  Attached is a thank you letter from Mel and Kitty Bailey for LPNNRD's support and assistance with their completed landowner levee project.  LPNNRD provided a total of $125,000 assistance toward this project with our final payment of $45,000 being sent in December, 2018. 

Rationale: 
1. Wahoo Creek Planning Process Update
Janel Kaufman, FYRA, was present to give a current update and answer questions on contract activities to complete the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan. The original schedule  to complete a proposed plan for NRCS review/approval by April 2019, may be delayed depending on additional cultural resource investigations required as a result from Buried Past LLC findings.  Janel has placed all available plan information on a SharePoint sight and will begin working on the draft plan narrative soon,  

2. December 18, 2018, NRC Meeting to Request Project Scope Change
On December 18, 2018, Elliott, Mountford and Janel Kaufman (FYRA), met with the Natural Resources Commission to request a scope change amendment to our approved NRC funding application of about $2.27 million.  The amendment requested moving Wahoo Creek Dam Site 26 west off the county road and replace it with two smaller dams basically capturing the same drainage and environmental benefits. This amendment also requested moving dam site 27 a quarter mile north to avoid an anhydrous ammonia pipeline and to reduce environmental mitigation costs. These changes reduce total cost estimates for both dams by about $1.2 million which also reduces our estimated 60% NRC assistance by $650,000.  After a 45 minute discussion and question/answer period, the commission passed a motion to approve the scope change amendment without reducing our original approved funding assistance.  This occurred after a failed amendment to reduce our allocation based on the reduced estimates.  We asked that the allocation not be reduced at this time until we have a much better idea what the actual final project costs will be.  Commission members Jim Thompson (PMRNRD) and Karen Amen (LPSNRD) initiated strong support of the motion that was eventually approved, which was greatly appreciated.

3. FYRA Wahoo Creek Planning Invoice 
Janel Kaufman reviewed FYRA's December 28, 2018 invoice totaling $43,226.75. This invoice and progress report are attached for committee and Board review. Since this amount falls under an approved contract, no Board motion is required at this time.  After this payment, $243,049.85 will remain unpaid from our initial $574,990 contract.    

Rationale:  Todd and Wendi Bevitt, Buried Past, LLC,  were present to give a current update on their archeological/cultural resources investigations and to answer committee questions. Seven of the eight site investigations have been completed for sites 55, 66, 77. 82. 83. 84 and 85 with only site 86 remaining.  Most of the discussion revolved around site 83 where an ancient earth lodge  could be located in the upper temporary flood pool impoundment of this proposed structure.  This will likely require additional investigations by state and federal entities to determine the magnitude of the findings and if the areas can be protected from potential negative impacts.  There may also be a need for further investigation at site 77 where one or two old pioneer grave sites were reported by a landowner, however nothing official has been discovered as of yet to substantiate this claim.  While it is unknown what further investigations will be required, any additional work and related agency review could delay completion/approval of the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan by several months. In the meantime, NRCS has indicated that design work on sites 26a, 26b. and 27 can proceed as environmental and archeological/cultural resource investigations have been completed.  However, design activities on the other eights sites will likely be delayed until issues are resolved and the final watershed plan is finalized. 

Rationale:  Mike Placke, Andrew Phillips and Sean Parks with Olsson were present to give a current update on geotechnical and design activities on Wahoo Creek Dam sites 26a., 26b. and 27.  Soil bore location maps and profiles (site 27) were shown and explained. While there is more sampling to be completed, no major problems have been found or are anticipated at this time. While NRCS has indicated that work can proceed on these three sites, geotechnical and design activities on the remaining eights sites will likely be delayed until all archeological/cultural resources investigation issues can be resolved and the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan can be finalized. 

Rationale:  We are working with NRCS on wrapping up some Lands for Conservation payments and are still waiting on Saunders County to bring forth a assistance request for some bridge stabilization projects. 

Rationale:  We sent out notices to several firms and advertised for Requests for Qualifications/ Proposals for updating our District-wide Hazard Mitigation Plan and completing floodwater assessments for Fremont and Schuyler. Requests were to be received by noon, December 16, 2018. Only one was received from JEO.  JEO completed our initial plan and completed our last 5 year update.  From what we have learned, most firms do not submit proposals because of JEO's expertise in this area.  They also have or in the process of updating HMP's with our neighboring NRD's that we coordinate efforts.

 Attached is JEO's proposal for updating our Plan ($75,000) and for providing additional services to Fremont , Schuyler and possibly other communities for completing flood risk analyses.  Our approved HMP grant will provide 75% reimbursement ($56,250) on the HMP update, so our local cost would be $18,750.  For the flood risk analysis for Fremont , Schuyler and possibly others, our intention will be to pass on the 75% HMP grant assistance for their analysis and have each community reimburse us for the remaining 25% as outlined through an interlocal agreement.  Staff recommendation at the Projects Committee will be to approve JEO for updating our HMP and Flood Risk Analysis for Fremont, Schuyler and potentially others (contingent on reimbursing us 25% of local costs) and  to present a contract for  approval consideration at the January 14, 2019, Board Meeting. 
JEO representatives will be present at the Projects Committee to discuss their proposal.

Rationale:  No new information to report at this time.

Rationale:  As has been reported earlier, Fremont and Dodge County have been approached about improving internal drainage within the City and improving drainage through several ditches north and east of the city.  As a result, Fremont has asked LPNNRD to meet with City and County officials on how we can work together on this issue.  Earlier indication from a Fremont Tribune News article mentioned that the City and County hoped LPNNRD would take the lead on this issue.  Projects, Water and Operations, Education & Rural Water Committees have begun discussions on our potential future role and participation. The general consensus by the committees has been that while LPNNRD will be a likely partner, Fremont and/or Dodge County should take the lead on an eventual drainage project . At meeting has been scheduled for 9:00 a.m., Thursday, January 17, 2019, at the Fremont City Office.

Attached is a summary of some background information and a few thoughts for discussion purposes. 
 

Rationale:  The Projects Committee Meeting adjourned at 11:46 a.m.