February 27, 2025 at 8:30 AM - Operations Committee Meeting
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1. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Rationale:
We have nothing to address for unfinished business.
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2. WILD NE AND OTHER PROGRAMS
Rationale:
The prescribed burn we were anticipating having through NRCS on our Snitly/Pheasants Forever property (most northern parcel) can not happen through their "Stewardship Funding" on floodplain easements.
NRCS contacted the Rainwater Basin Joint Venture, and they said they would do it. They will set an appointment for a site visit and write the burn plan. We hope the weather cooperates this Spring. We are still anticipating burning our other parcels with Pheasant Forever and Game & Parks also this Spring. |
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3. OPERATION & MAINTENANCE & OTHER ITEMS
Rationale:
The O & M crew consolidated some of the mulch piles. They burned a couple of tree piles, did maintenance on equipment and are always cutting trees somewhere.
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3.A. Rehabilitation of Cottonwood 21-A, NRCS & HDR
Rationale:
Staff met virtually with HDR and NRCS on Tuesday, February 18 for a 90% progress report on the Watershed Plan & Environmental Assessment for Cottonwood 21-A. It does not look like we will need flowage easements below the new Aux. Spillway. Funding for the construction phase can't start until this phase is complete. This study will be sent to Little Rock, AR in early April for a 30-day review. By Mid-July there will be a 30-day submittal for public review. Then another 30 days for final public review. The plan may be final in September or early October.
The Dept. of Natural Resources Dam Safety has been updated on this progress, letting them know we are working to improve the dam. |
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3.B. Wanahoo Basin Damage & Repair, FEMA
Rationale:
A contract with M.E. Collins has been signed and a Notice to Proceed has also been signed to start the Wanahoo basin de-watering process for inspection of the basin. Collins did mobilize before the Notice to Proceed was signed and was asked to stop.
Staff met and toured with FEMA and NEMA on Tuesday, February 25th. We covered the Wanahoo dam, basin, breakwater, jetties, wetland weir area, trail bridge, and debris removal. Staff will send more information they are requesting. |
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3.C. Nebraska Environmental Trust Grant - Native Grass Drill
Rationale:
Our NET grant application for a native grass drill was accepted. Six quotes were received for the grant. A couple of the quotes were for 2024 models which may not be available when it comes time to order a drill just before our new fiscal year. The grant is worth $27,960 or approximately 60% of the cost of a drill. This drill will replace the one in Platte County.
We contacted NET on how to proceed with our old grass drill they helped purchase in 2008. NET replied saying "the drill had a 7-year service life issued, and we are free to sell it". A motion was made at last month's Board meeting to sell the grass drill. |
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3.D. Landowner Access Bridge Request of Rawhide Ditch 8
Rationale:
Legal counsel has written a revocable ingress/egress easement for the Dave Heller request to place a UTV/Foot bridge over Rawhide Ditch 8 (see attached). Also, we would ask Mr. Heller to use the footing specs developed by JEO for the irrigation bridge that was replaced after the 2019 flood event downstream (diagram attached).
Recommended Motion(s):
To approve Dave Heller be allowed to construct a UTV/Foot bridge over Rawhide Ditch 8 to access his property according to the Revocable Easement Agreement and construction specifications made by the District Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
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3.E. Hay Harvest on NRD Recreation Areas
Rationale:
The final hay contractor made his payment on Area C of Wanahoo.
Skylar Ratkovec had 53 bales on the Reed Canary field and 142 bales on the native grass fields. It totaled 135.8 T, and he paid $5,245.77. |
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4. ROCK AND JETTY
Rationale:
We have not received any applications or requests for payment.
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5. LAKE WANAHOO
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5.A. Lake Wanahoo Permit Sales
Rationale:
For the month of January, the District received $3,971.00 in annual park permit revenue.
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5.B. Lake Wanahoo Camping Revenue
Rationale:
For the month of January, the District received $4,526.68 in camping revenue.
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5.C. Lake Wanahoo New Mower Bids
Rationale:
The Lower Platte North NRD - Lake Wanahoo is seeking approval for the purchase of new mowers. Over the past years, the custom has been to replace existing mowers with new ones once the factory warranty expires.
The District is seeking approval for the following: (3) - John Deere Z950M Ztrak mowers Cost per mower is $14,270.58 for a total of $42,811.74. In addition to purchasing three new mowers, we are looking at selling four old mowers(2 - Hustler zero-turns; Grasshopper zero-turn; John Deere 1445 front mount). The hope is to get roughly $9,000 - $11,000 per mower. We would like to first advertise them on Marketplace and other local media sites. If they don't sell there, we will put them up for auction with set reserve amounts on each mower.
Recommended Motion(s):
To approve the purchasing of 3 new John Deere Z950M Ztrak mowers, and the selling of 4 old mowers by the Lower Platte North NRD. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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5.D. Clint Johannes Education Building
Rationale:
The Clint Johannes Education Building at Lake Wanahoo was rented 11 times in February, with 1 NRD rental. Revenue for the month was $1100.
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6. INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
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6.A. Information
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6.A.1. Radio & eAds
Rationale:
The KTIC radio ads February featured the upcoming nitrogen certification classes. The monthly ad for March will feature tree sales.
Also in March we are sponsoring National Agriculture Month with KTIC. There will be 40 tagged messages with LPNNRD on 840 AM and 107.9 FM. The Wahoo newspaper e-ad for February the remaining nitrogen certification classes. This will be updated to tree sales for March. The Wahoo newspaper print ad for featured tree sales and this will run again in March. The ads are attached.
Attachments:
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6.A.2. Analytics
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 14 -20 posts per month. If you are on Facebook or X, please like, follow, share, or retweet the Lower Platte North NRD posts!
If you ever notice on issues on the LPNNRD please let us know so we can get it corrected. Total reach/impressions show how many people saw the post/tweet. Engagements include likes, comments, shares/retweets and link clicks. Top posts included: • LPNNRD Natural Resources Grant info • Stay off the ice • February Coffee Lakeside • Pork Chop Island • Nitrogen certification classes
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6.B. Education
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6.B.1. Past events
Rationale:
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6.B.2. Upcoming events
Rationale:
St. Wenceslaus TBD Upcoming classroom visits TBD Spring Conservation Sensation Planning and Prep Arbor Day & Earth Day scheduling Field trips Fremont Ecofair |
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7. RURAL WATER SYSTEMS
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7.A. Colon System
Rationale:
The plumbing sub-contractor has contacted the RWD about meter installation for new office building.
Routine monthly sampling completed, bills to be mailed 2/28. |
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7.B. Bruno System
Rationale:
The RWD was notified of a leak on one of the Butler county landfill's service line. Elliott had to replace a gasket that had failed.
Elliott has been in contact with NeRWA circuit riders in regards to the automatic control valve in the Bruno meter pit; it's due for service. Staff is working with NDEE on cyber-security checklist. Routine sampling completed, bills to be mailed 2/28. |
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7.C. Other
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