May 30, 2019 at 8:00 AM - Operations Committee Meeting

Rationale:  We have nothing to consider.

Rationale:  We have a Corners For Wildlife contract to pay to Stuart Gerhold, (Gerhold Inc.) in Butler County, $3,820.00.  This is the first of five payments for this contract.  Pheasants Forever will reimburse the District 100%.

Rationale:  The O & M crew continues to plant trees between the rain. We have cut volunteer trees from the Rawhide Ditch and removed beaver dams. Maintenance items on vehicles, equipment and the office. Inspected Clear Creek, Cottonwood and Sand/Duck Creek Dams after the heavy rainfall.

Rationale:  As requested, Heimann is attempting to get two more quotes on repairing the face of the  Swedeburg Thorston Dam. Heimann has met with one and has another lined up. It's unknown as to whether the quotes would be in by Board meeting.

Rationale:  At the previous Board meeting there were concerns regarding a diagram on the "As Built" blueprints in which concrete was removed to repair leaks around the elastic water stops. Those items were addressed at the time of construction and the engineers signed off on those repairs. The Dept. of Natural Resources Dam Safety engineers have not found any concerns regarding these locations in their inspections.
Heimann met again with the Peerless Heartland Contractors representative to re-evaluate the joints and give a revised quote to fill the joints. He responded Wednesday, May 29 with this email, "We met with the manufacturer yesterday in regards to your project at the Wanahoo Dam.  He agrees with my logic and approach to treating the joints with Strata Tech ST-591 as we previously recommended.  Further, there does not seem to be any need with applying any topical cover over the ST-591.
We went back over the construction drawings and calculated approximately 350-400 LF of treatment.  This will require the removal of the current material and pressure washing to remove any of the algae growth in the area.  Based on these factors we estimate 5 days of work and a budgetary estimate of $28,000.00". 
The committee ask for an endorsement from Olsson's on the ST-591 product. Mike Placke P.E. with Olsson's sent Heimann an email stating "the use of ST-591 Hydrotite for the joints on the Wanahoo Dam looks like an acceptable product." Mike asked "How will the contractor fill the joint because of the depth"? The contractor responded " the joint will be filled with ST-591 to just below the surface".
During the inspection another problem was discovered, a large crack and chunk of concrete has become loose at one of the joints (see pictures). Heimann has contacted Olssons and DNR Dam Safety for their opinions.

It's believed that the maintenance of these conduit joints will be an going maintenance item that will occur again in 3 to 15 years.
At the National Dam Safety Conference in Seattle last September the subject of filling joints was brought up and it was stated that there is not a full proof way to date in keeping joints filled for an extended period of time.

Rationale:  Mountford, Pool and Heimann met with FEMA representatives Thursday, May 23rd to discuss the District's damaged projects, Rawhide Ditch 8, Wanahoo Breakwater, Wanahoo plunge pool (picture attached), Dan Wolfe Jetty Project in Colfax County, and the High Ground tie-off to the Federal levee at Thomas Lakes.
A scheduled inspection for the Wanahoo plunge pool and Rawhide Ditch 8 will be Monday, June 3 at 9:00. On Tuesday, June 11 an inspection of the Dan Wolfe Jetty Project will occur. Five individuals will be involved from FEMA.
FEMA indicated that they were satisfied with the emergency repair on the Wanahoo breakwater since it was on a public recreation area. Staff will have to put paper work together for reimbursement.
We are unsure about an inspection regarding the Thomas Lakes area.

Rationale:  We have received a request for assistance from Kay Poppe to repair her levee along Skull Creek. Her field adjacent is full of sand and trees. We assisted in a repair on this same levee in 2017 at a cost of $2,050. The existing damage is larger than the past and she has a rough estimate of $15,000 to repair.
On the previous repair the District used Rock & Jetty funds. The District will receive numerous request for assistance on streams, rivers and levees. How does the District want to proceed or prioritize in all the request?

Rationale:  An email was received on Friday, May 24th from Project Manager, Chris Fassaro, with the Corps of Engineers that a meeting was going to take place with the City of Fremont at 2:00 pm that same day regarding the Non-Structural 205 Study. Mr. Fassaro said we were welcome to attend but was not necessary.

Rationale:  Attached is the current budgetary line items for Operations & Maintenance through April 30. It's time to think about the budget especially with the flooding disaster that occurred in March.

Rationale:  We are in the process of updating the current Lake Wanahoo video.

Rationale:  Staff has been in contact with Wahoo city officials and plans are to host the 2019 Wahoo fireworks display at Lake Wanahoo.  Fireworks will be set off from the breakwater which will allow viewing from the camping side, the lake and the east, day-use side.

Plans are to require park permits on the west side of the rec area and allow free access all day on the east side.  We hope to have an "Old Time Baseball" game played in the evening and will be inviting food vendors to the park for the day.

Rationale:  The month of May saw the highest number of annual permit sales at 778. This brings the total number of 2019 annual permits sold to 3063. As of 5/29/2019, annual permit sales have generated a gross income of $53,127.50.

Online camping reservations have generated $23,573.50, and walkup camping reservations have generated $ , totalling $. 

Rationale:  Exterior construction of the Education/Recreation Building has officially finished. Insulation and ceiling paint has been completed, and Hancock Construction has started work on interior framing.

Rationale:  Dock construction is nearly complete. Wanahoo staff has been working on the clearing of camp sites and will install compost outhouses during the first week of June. 

Gottschalk and Schomer met with Wahoo Fire and Rescue on Wednesday May 15 for a walk through on the island. The rescue team wanted to get familiar with the layout in the event there is an emergency in the future.

Rationale:  Collins Construction completed repairs to the breakwater ahead of the Mother's Day weekend. Park visitors and staff appreciate the speed and quality of the work completed. 

Rationale:  Electrical work on the two new camper pads at Lake Wanahoo have been completed. One has been rocked and is currently occupied by Wanahoo staff member Richard Mullen. 

Rationale:  We currently have two applications of request for bank stabilization/jetty repair on the Platte River. Landowners are allowed to maintain existing structure if it was previously permitted by the COE.
We have had additional request for bank stabilization assistance because of severe bank erosion or loss. These individuals will need a 404 permit on a new project in order for the District to cost-share through the Rock & Jetty Program.
We are expecting more request.

Rationale:  The June KTIC Radio Ad and Wahoo Newspaper eAd are promoting Chemigation permits.  The ads are attached. 
 

Rationale:  There have been a couple of requests for personal contact information to be shared on the website.  In the past, it was asked to list home addresses only.   The website has been updated to include email addresses.  Do we want to include home or cell phone numbers?
 

Rationale:  In recent years, LPNNRD coordinated a Recognition Banquet for staff, directors, and award winners.  The banquet was held for many years during the winter, but during the last few years was changed to a summer banquet in June.  There has been previous discussions about changing the annual banquet to every other year. How do we want to proceed moving forward with 2019? 

Rationale:  The Lower Platte North NRD was contact by the Central Platte NRD in regards to the Prairie Outreach Project at Husker Harvest Days.  Central Platte is applying for a PIE grant and is seeking letters of support from other NRDs that plan to contribute $200 towards the seed project.  Additional information below was sent from Central Platte:

"Central Platte NRD will put in at least $1,500 toward the seed purchase to ensure that there is enough for the event, plus some extra for outreach to Region 4 schools.

In 2018, partnering NRDs provided $1,750 in contributions for seed which was 50% of the total seed purchase and Central Platte NRD provided $2,000.  Additional seed was provided by Prairie Plains Resource Institute as a contribution to the project.  The seed was " high-diversity" mix containing hand-harvested forbs and tall grass species.  In all we gave away over 800 native seed packets.  The seed took up 10 full 55-gallon trash cans.  We also provided native prairie, grazing, and prescribed burning brochures. "
 

Rationale: 

Date	School/Group	Grade/Age	# of students	Topic	Staff
Friday, May 31st	4-H/NRD Outdoor Recreation Day	8-18		Outdoor Recreation	TePoel/Gottschalk/Elliott/Schomer/summer interns
Tuesday, June 4th	Summer Kids Institute	8-18		Disc golf	Schomer/Elliott
Thursday, June 6th	Summer Kids Institute	8-18		Disc golf	Schomer/Elliott
Friday, June 7th	Saunders Co. Youth Ag Tour	7th-12th grade		Agriculture careers and opportunities	TePoel/Elliott
Tuesday, June 18th	Summer Kids Institute	8-18		Water, Nature Hike (NRCS)	Water Department/Skye Rezac/NRCS- Jami Thoene
Thursday, June 27th	Saunders Co. 4-H- Clover Kids	5-7		Fishing	TePoel

Rationale:  The Lower Platte North NRD is partnering with the  Lower Elkhorn NRD and Lower Platte South NRD to host an FFA Advisor Open House on Tuesday, August 6th from 6-7:30 pm at the Lake Wanahoo NRD Recreation Area.  This event includes a meal and the opportunity to visit with the NRD's I&E staff about potential education programs.

Rationale:  The Colon system has a reactivated account with Brian and Tracy Kucera moving into their new home.  There are also two new customers on the horizon; the Colon VFD is building a new fire barn and Leonard Zeleny is planning on putting up a new shed later this summer.
Testing and billing completed as normal.

Rationale:  On 5/2 Elliott responded to a customer questioning water usage on a vacant house.  The customer verified that the house had been vacant for more than two months, therefore, there was "no way" that the bill was correct.  During meter reading the previous week it was noted that the meter indicated there was .15 gallons/minute going through the meter.  Elliott explained to the customer there was either a leak, or a faucet/spigot that was dripping.  Elliott and the customer met at the residence, Elliott pulled the meter so the customer could witness the reading (.15 gall/min still going through), and then proceeded to look for the leak.  It was eventually located at the water softener due to a worn out gasket. 
Monthly testing and bills completed as normal.