January 31, 2019 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  No unfinished business to address. 

Rationale:  The committee was asked to appoint Project Chair and Vice Chair.  Matt Bailey is finishing a two year term.  Don Veskerna is the current Vice Chair and that position does not have a two year consecutive term limit. 

Joe Birkel nominated Kelly Thompson for Projects Chair,seconded by Don Veskerna
Joe Birkel nominated Don Veskerna, seconded by Matt Bailey for Project Committee Vice Chair

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Rationale:  The SCWIG met on January 24, 2019, and the Projects Committee discussed upcoming Shell Creek projects and priorities as outlined in the attached SCWIG meeting minutes .  

Rationale:  Attached are spreadsheets for remaining Shell Creek grant banked funds ($5,405.31) and remaining NDEQ 319 grant funds ($76,960.54).  There are no remaining Nebraska Environmental Trust (NET) funds from the 2015 grant, which totaled $155,000.  The Tom Spunk Wetlands Project and several other water quality projects are planned to be completed this summer and use much of the remaining 319 funding. 
 
Looking ahead, NDEQ has told us that they have approved another $300,000 of 319 funds that will be available for Shell Creek later this year and the NET grant review committee is recommending approval of an additional $104,688 NET funds in 2019 (see attached NET 2019 grant recommendations).  NET ranked the Shell Creek grant very high.  We will still need to complete an agreement with NDEQ and NET’s recommendation will be considered for preliminarily approval in February and then a final approval will occur in April.
It was a noted that NET is also recommending approval for $91,199 toward our Aquifer Vulnerability Mapping and Analysis Projects which was reported at the Water Committee Meeting.  
 

Rationale:  This project (SW1/4, Section 22, T18N, R1W) has received a 404 permit (attachment) and we anticipate project completion this coming summer.  Ken Kotera has a rough estimated cost estimate of $32,065, at this time, but the final project could be higher (attachment).  We (LPNNRD & SCWIG) will be assisting Mr. Sprunk with obtaining contactor bids in the coming months,  At the January 24, 2019, SCWIG meeting, the group passed a recommendation for the Projects Committee's consideration, to approve 75% up to $40,000 assistance toward the the project. 

Rationale:  At the January 24th SCWIG Meeting, an application from Carol Goering was presented to repair an existing dam (Section 16, T18, R1W) that failed from the principal spillway pipe rusting out.  Bill Bos, NRCS, has inspected the site and feels that the remaining embankment is sound and warrants this repair at a relatively low cost for the benefit. The repair will involve installing an 80 foot, 18" PVC pipe along with 600 cubic yards of earth fill.  The total estimated cost for this repair is $7,250 (attachment).  Based on the water quality benefits to Shell Creek, SCWIG is recommending to provide  75% cost share assistance up to a maximum of $6,000 assistance.  Our plan will be to submit this project expense to NDEQ for 319 grant reimbursement. 

Rationale:  At the January 24th SCWIG meeting, Bill Bos, NRCS, presented several potential projects that may come forward in the future.   One is a grade stabilization structure for Larry Muhle that has been preliminary designed this a total cost estimate of $23,390. In addition, there are three other landowner sediment basin projects in the Shell Creek Watershed that may come forward for next fall construction.  No committee action is requested at this time.  

Rationale:  The Newman Grove School (Shell Creek Research Group) is requesting $1,413.25 for water testing supplies and equipment (attachment).  This has been a great program that has been supported by LPNNRD for many years.  Our plan is to submit this eventual expense to NDEQ for 319 grant reimbursement. 

Rationale:  Attached is FYRA's update and invoice for work completed on the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan.  After payment of this $12,089.37 invoice, $230,960.48 will remain on our $574,990 total contract. 

FYRA has been working toward completing the watershed plan, but much needs to be decided on cultural resource options, particularly on Site 83, before the plan can be finalized.  The hope is still to complete the plan by April 1, 2019, but this could be delayed depending on requirements determined for dan site 83. 

FYRA has available information complied for the Wahoo Creek Watershed plan that can be found on their Wahoo Trello site as follows: https://trello.com/b/nOLUM8G6/wahoo-creek-watershed-plan-ea
 

Rationale:  Attached are invoices totaling $23,600.03 for Wahoo Creek contract work completed.   After this payment, $1,976,377.97 will remain under our $1,999,978 contract.

We have scheduled a meeting with Olsson, FYRA and NRCS on February 13th to discuss 30% design details for dam sites 26a., 26b. and 2 and other issues.  

Rationale:  There has been much communication between LPNNRD, NRCS, FYRA, Buried Past and others in regards to Wahoo Creek Dam Site 83 and 77 and potential impacts from Buried Past's cultural resource investigations and findings.  While it is yet unknown what will be required to proceed, communications have ramped up to sort things out.  Buried past may present an invoice by Board meeting, but nothing has been received to date. We have asked Buried Past to present a final written report no later then February 22, 2019. 

Rationale:  Attached is a flyer promoting the availability of the special federal Wahoo Creek Water Quality Imitative EQIP funds for designated sub-watersheds.  

Rationale:  HDR continues to work on final details on wrapping up the EPA/NDEQ Watershed Water Quality Plan that will capture the most of the remaining LPNNRD area not covered by a plan.  This will open up more funding opportunities for an area that covers the eastern 1/3 of our NRD and  also includes the Skull and Bone Creek watersheds in Butler County,

Rationale:  Attached is a proposed Interlocal Agreement with the Upper Big Blue NRD to include their portion of Butler County including four committees in their district in our Hazard Mitigation Plan Update totaling $6,800 additional expense.  We have included these committees in the original plan and last update and UBBNRD has reimbursed us for that extra cost.  After the HMP grant funds (75%) are applied, UBBNRD will reimburse us 25% or $1,700 (25% x $6,800) of the additional expense.  

Rationale:  Our approved FEMA grant application requested assistance for updating our HMP and additional funds for community flood risk planning.  LPNNRD plan is to pass on the FEMA  assistance which will provide up to 75% of the total estimated $62,500 cost (per community) for flood risk planning, leaving an estimated $15,625 (25%) local cost for each community.  Fremont and Schuyler have indicated their desire to proceed, so attached are proposed interlocal agreements for each community to reimburse LPNNRD the 25% of the flood risk planning costs. Our legal counsel, Jovan Lausterer, has reviewed and offered input to the agreements.

 

Rationale:  Jake Miriovsky, JEO,  was  present to provide a brief overview of the Lake Ventura Bank Stabilization project that they are in the preliminary stages of assisting Dodge County SID No. 3. This would be a prelude to a future request for funding assistance from the SID, and a chance to ask questions about the project. Attached is a map and photo of the project area. 

 

Rationale:  The Local Work Group meeting hosted by LPNNRD and NRCS was held at our office on January 23, 2019, and was very well attended.  While all federal programs were presented, the primary focus was obtaining input on practices and priorities for FY 2020 federal EQIP program. Meeting minutes are attached. 

Rationale:  As has been discussed, 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.  On January 17, 2019, LPNNRD met with Fremont and Dodge County officials to discuss this issue.  Directors Olson, Saalfeld, Pollard, Thompson and Saeger attended along with Heimann, Elliott and Mountford. There was much discussion on the history, issues and possible options to improve drainage in the city and county drainage east of the city (see attachments) . While it was conveyed that LPNNRD would be a likely partner, it was stated that Fremont and/or Dodge County should take the lead on an eventual drainage improvement project.  It was discussed that the next step will be to consider an interlocal agreement to jointly work together to look for potential solutions in the future.  Fremont offered to put together a draft interlocal agreement for our consideration. 
 

Rationale:  The Projects Committee adjourned at 9:14 a.m.