August 1, 2024 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  As of 7/31, DNR has not informed the NRDs (statewide) of our FY25 SWCP allocation.  Early indications is that we were to expect the same allocation as last year, $86,748.17.  Listed below are the current eligible applications for FY25 SWCP application approval:
 

24-S-1	DON ANDERSON	$                       2,735.50	Grass waterway
24-S-2	MICHAEL ANDERSON	$                     15,000.00	Grass waterway
24-S-3	TERRY KUBIK	$                     15,000.00	Terraces with tile outlet

24-B-1

DONALD KREJCI

$                     15,000.00

WASCB/tile outlet

Rationale:  No updates.  The partners have a meeting set for August 6th to get direction from the City of Fremont.

Rationale:  State NRCS is backlogged and the plan has not been sent to National.  There will not be much happening until comments come back from the National Watershed Management Center.

Rationale:  Regarding the North Bend Drainage Ditch Improvement project that the NRD committed $100,000 for in 2020 and then State funds (CDBG-DR) came through to pick up the remainder.
Recently Houston Engineering submitted a revised agreement amendment for the Drainage Districts approval.  The amendment is for an additional $56,915 ($94,321 to $151,236) and in Houston Engineering words includes:

1. All plan completion, FEMA coordination, DNR/NDOT/RR coordination, and USACE coordination to complete plans incurred since our last invoice in December of 2022.  This time is included in Task 4.1 in the fee spreadsheet.
2. All land rights coordination, discussion, easement preparation to date and through delivery of the easement documents to Mr. Johnson.  All of the time is included as Task 4.2
3. Preparation, coordination, attendance and conducting of bid phase.  We are anticipating the bid opening will be at Dodge County or somewhere around Fremont.
4. Construction observation and project closeout phase.

The Amendment is attached.

Rationale:  It is time to renew our agreement with USGS for 5 cameras on the Platte River (Columbus, North Bend, Schuyler, Leshara, Fremont) with two stage-only sites (Fremont and Schuyler).  We currently have a 3-year agreement.  USGS suggests a 3 or 5 year agreement, NRD staff prefer a longer agreement and will reach out to the partners for their input.

Rationale:  SCWIG had a meeting on July 16th.  Logistics for the Celebration scheduled for August 12th were the primary focus.  The Final Bend project should be completed for the Celebration.  Bill has several projects in the works with septic approvals below.  Next meeting is scheduled for August 13th.  SCWIG is recommending a residential irrigation sensor rebate program modeled off of MUDs program (attached) with these requirements:

• Valid January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
• Smart predictive controller, soil moisture probes, or rain shutoff
• $100 (not to exceed actual costs)
• email or mail: form, copy of receipt, picture of product installed, W9
  • form: name, address, private well or Public Water Supply, date purchased, cost
• Withing the Shell Creek watershed (including small areas outside of LPNNRD)
• Allow up to 45 days for payment and processing

Staff will certify rebates to be paid on bills pending as they are submitted and will report regularly.

Rationale:  Listed are two completed septic system upgrades that are certified and ready to be paid:
                                Approved amt                   Final cost                Board app

Jesse Labenz

$11,500

$11,108.01

8/12/2024

Mike Dvorak

$4,800

$8,131.05

8/12/2024

Rationale:  A new application for a septic system upgrade was submitted by Bill Bos with estimated 60% cost-share at $5,500.00
                                Approved c/s                                                    Board app

Dawn Schulz

$5,500

8/12/2024

Rationale:  On 7/9 Gottshcalk and Elliott presented to the Saunder Co Supervisors in regards to our Conditional Use Permit for construction of the first three sites.  The permit is tied to the County's floodplain management duties and is required anytime fill is moved/placed within the 100 year floodplain.  The applications were approved and are attached.

Rationale:  The plan for construction of the first three Wahoo Creek sites (26A, 26B, 27) stands to begin 11/1 as that ends the Northern Long-Eared Bat roosting season and we will be able to start with land clearing and site prep without any need for additional surveys.  With that expected start date we will need to advertise for construction bids within the month to allow for site showing(s) and timely preparation.  Andrew Philips will be present to discuss projected timeline.
Olsson progress report and invoices attached.

Rationale:  Danielle Allen and staff have reached out to all landowners on sites 84 and 66 and met, or have set up, preliminary land right acquisition meetings with all interested parties.  Several parcel owners do not want to meet until we have offers ready.
Introductory letters to landowners on sites 86 and 55 went out the week of 7/22 and Danielle will begin to set-up landowner meetings with interested parties starting in the next couple of weeks.
Olsson invoice attached.

Rationale:  Reimbursement requests were sent to NeDNR for $364,197.56 and NRCS for $55,805.96 on July 25th.  We received NeDNR JEDI payment on July 31st.

Rationale:  NRCS informed us that our PIFR submittal to National will be delayed a bit as they are short-staffed.

Rationale:  The NRD was contacted by Steve Beyers who owns property east of Linwood along Skull Creek and experienced flood damage during the spring storms.  The property had an existing levee that protected the farmground that was damaged.  The levee is a private structure and is not operated/managed by any entity.  Mr. Beyers will be present to discuss his concerns.

Rationale:  Larry Ruzicka, North Bend Drainage District, contacted the NRD about repair work needed on the Central Cutoff Ditch.  The last segment of the ditch sustained damage during the 2019 flood and didn't meet FEMA standards for assistance.  Larry will be present to discuss the project.. 

Rationale:  JEO invoice and progress report attached.

Rationale:  The Loess Hill RC&D is coordinating Household Hazardous Waste collections in three communities, one being North Bend.  Due to unforeseen circumstances, they are requesting additional support from NRDs.  Deb Ward will be on zoom to discuss.