January 7, 2025 at 8:30 AM - Operations Committee Meeting

Rationale:  There isn't any unfinished business to consider.

Rationale:  Nothing to report.

Rationale:  The O & M crew cleaned up some firebreak issues, cleared more trees in the wetland area, cut trees and inspected a couple dams, replaced a rubber seal on a gate valve on Sand/Duck Dam 13.

Rationale:  HDR submitted the Cultural Report to NRCS and made revisions to the plan based on NRCS comments. They anticipate a 90% completion meeting in January.

Rationale:  To get the de-watering process started as soon as possible in the Wanahoo basin, Houston Engineering recommends obtaining 3 -4 bids rather than going through a public bid, which is a lengthy and time-consuming advertising process.

Rationale:  Rieschick Well completed the rehab and testing of 11 relief wells. In summary, all wells showed some improvement; however, wells 17 and 18 did not. The rehab and testing information was sent to Olsson and NDNR Dam Safety for their review.
The Well Driller suggested that in the future, the NRD may want to consider testing a batch of wells and comparing the specific capacities before completing rehabs. Now that you have information on every well, data-based decisions can be made.
We received the final contracted invoice for these 11 wells for $134,244.
 

Rationale:  With the accumulation of trees and stalk debris from the May flood, the tree piles we have created on our prairies, the difficulty of obtaining burn permits and weather issues, we are trying to obtain bids to grind all the piles. We have received one bid from Barcel Enterprises at $16,600 and have another contractor, Hillside Solutions/Soil Dynamics, who may look at the area. Staff would like to proceed with this at the Board meeting, so the work can be accomplished this winter.
We can also post a percentage of this work on our FEMA reimbursement. 

Rationale:  The last hay contractor is making it a priority to remove his bales, weather depending. 

Rationale:  Krivanek Construction finished the repair on December 12. Attached are the before and after photos. The final invoice for the work is $11,500.00. This was approved in November at an estimated price of $14,075.00. A shorter pipe was used to reflect the lower cost.

Rationale:  The revenue the District received from RV camping at Czechland Lake from late February to late November was $13,477. This is from 11 electrical RV sites.

Rationale:  The 2024 M.E. Collins purchased $6,846.60 worth of dirt and sand from the Wanahoo borrow site.

Rationale:  With our move to our new office this year, we need to upgrade our 300-gallon, gravity-fed fuel barrel. We received quotes for a 500-gallon double-walled barrel with an electric pump. Quotes from Opp Oil Inc. and Breunig Supply Co. are $6,348.80 and $7,838.00 respectively. This does not include an electrician to connect power to it.

Rationale:  We have not received any new applications or requests for payment.

Rationale:  For the month of December, the District received $1,283.00 in annual park permit revenue.  This number will likely change once we receive the month of December financial reports.

Rationale:  For the month of December, the District received $4,360.00 in camping revenue.  This number will likely change once we receive the month of December financial reports.

Rationale:  The Clint Johannes Education Building at Lake Wanahoo was rented 20 times in December. Revenue for the month was $1,925. There were 2 NRD rentals.

Rationale:  Review of 2024 recreation season and 2025 budget.

Rationale:  The KTIC radio ads and Wahoo newspaper e-ads for mid-December featured tree sales. The ads for January feature the upcoming nitrogen certification classes. The ads are attached.

Rationale:  The LPNNRD Facebook and X pages, along with the website are some of the fastest ways to get information out to the public. Facebook and X posts range from 12 -18 posts per month. If you are on Facebook or X, please like, follow, share, or retweet the Lower Platte North NRD posts!

Total reach/impressions show how many people saw the post/tweet. Engagements include likes, comments, shares/retweets and link clicks.

Top Posts included:
• Upcoming Groundwater Management plan open houses
• December 15 water use report deadline
• Nitrogen Certification Water Management class list
• Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Act
• Education event flyers

Rationale:  The Winter newsletter will be inserted into local newspapers the week of January 13-17. A digital copy is also available lpnnrd.org/downloads

Rationale:  We have received 1 of the 4 transcripts needed for the Shell Creek Scholarship winners. The students must submit their completed first semester transcript with a GPA of B/3.0 or above to receive the second portion of their scholarship. Once this is received, we will issue the remaining $500 for each student. 

Rationale:  December 16th: Coffee Lakeside (10)
December 16th: Turtles of Nebraska Night (7)
December 17th: St. Wenceslaus Pre-K visit (28)
December 18th: Survival Club everyday carry kits (Postponed).

Rationale:  January 9th: Coffee Lakeside - Recycling.
January 16th: Presentation at Wahoo Senior Center
January 20th: St. Wenceslaus Pre-K visit.
TBD: Classroom dates for Survival Club, Wahoo 1st grade, and Cedar Bluffs 5th grade.

On the horizon:
Bees and Brews
Ice fishing event

 

Rationale:  This committee proposed a grant idea aimed at students (FFA, 4-H, community-based, etc.), who were completing natural resource-based projects in their communities. Attached is the final draft of the grant. Each student will need a statement of need; a description of the project; a detailed budget for the proposed project; a cover letter briefly introducing themselves, the project, and why it's important to them; and one letter of support. Please see the attached document. Any comments or suggestions will be taken at this point. 

We have $1000.00 budgeted towards this grant. As of right now, the allotted amount will be based off of the number of submissions, and further direction from this committee in the coming months. 

I would like to get this out to the schools and communities within our district by the end of January. As we move forward and the need is there, we can add additional funds to support more projects. 

Rationale:  Routine monthly sampling completed, bills mailed 12/31.

Rationale:  Routine monthly sampling completed, bills mailed 12/31.
 

Rationale:  The following request was received from NeDNR regarding a property buyout program.  Discussion is requested to see if LPNNRD would be interested in owning the mentioned property.  Staff will be meeting with DNR on 1-8-25 to discuss further and have questions answered.

A property owner has contacted DNR regarding the FMA Swift Current funding (see our initial communication attached). He would like to pursue a buy-out at 2696 Big Island Rd., Fremont, NE 68025. The property owner qualifies for 100% federal cost share (ie. No local match needed). Could you please give me a call about this potential project? I am wondering if the NRD would be willing to partner with NeDNR.