May 29, 2025 at 8:30 AM - Operations Committee Meeting
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1. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Rationale:
There is nothing to consider for unfinished business.
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2. WILD NE AND OTHER PROGRAMS
Rationale:
There's nothing to report.
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3. OPERATION & MAINTENANCE & OTHER ITEMS
Rationale:
The O & M crew checked a dozen dams after a 3–4" rain event in the Cottonwood and Sand/Duck Creek watersheds. All dams were functioning well. In preparation for moving the office, we are packing, discarding and removing items from our shop and sheds.
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3.A. Rehabilitaition of Cottonwood 21-A, NRCS & HDR
Rationale:
The 90 percent study report is supposed to be in the hands of the NRCS in Little Rock.
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3.B. Wanahoo Basin Damage & Repair, FEMA & Houston Engineering
Rationale:
Staff met with Mike Sotak to discuss FEMA items and to look at areas that have the potential for mitigation repairs.
Staff met with a FEMA representative to discuss whether we could separate out the joint repair (whether mitigated or repaired) from the basin, breakwater and wetland acces work. They were also asked if they could do a BCA (Benefit Cost Analysis) separate on the joint repair. If they can, we could bid the joint repair out separately from the other repairs. We are waiting for an answer from FEMA, then we will move forward accordingly. |
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3.C. Lower Platte Weed Management Group
Rationale:
The District, along with Lower Platte South and Papio are members of the Lower Platte Weed Management Group. For many years, the Districts have budgeted and contributed $30,000 each, every year to assist the group in controlling noxious and invasive plants on the Platte River and its tributaries. The group has relied heavily on grants through the Dept. of Ag and other agencies. With budget cuts to many agencies, the grants are not available to date. To keep the group proactive, they are asking for $60,000 from each District so they can continue to effectively control the targeted plants.
Recommended Motion(s):
To pay $60,000 to the Lower Platte Weed Management group for the spraying of noxious and invasive plants on the Platte River and its tributaries Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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4. ROCK AND JETTY
Rationale:
Seth McGinn has submitted an invoice for $6,000.00 for jetty maintenance on the Platte River in Dodge County. Cost-share is 50% or $3,000.00.
Recommended Motion(s):
To approve a cost-share payment of $3000.00 for jetty maintenance on the Platte River pending inspection Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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5. LAKE WANAHOO
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5.A. Lake Wanahoo Permit Sales
Rationale:
For the month of April, the District received $7,796.00 in annual park permit revenue.
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5.B. Lake Wanahoo Camping Revenue
Rationale:
For the month of April, the District received $4,348.34 in camping revenue.
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5.C. Primitive Campground Site Upgrade
Rationale:
We purchased 20 pedestals that we were going to use to upgrade camp sites to 50 amps in the main campground. The infracture will not handle 50 amps, so we are looking to add these 20 pedestals to the primitive camping area to create 20 new 50 camp electric sites. We are currently seeking bids for this upgrade. See attached map.
Attachments:
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5.D. Amphitheater at Lake Wanahoo
Rationale:
Chairman Jerry Johnson will give an update.
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5.E. Clint Johannes Education Building
Rationale:
The Clint Johannes Education Building at Lake Wanahoo was rented 21 times in May, with 5 NRD rentals. Revenue for the month was $1,550.
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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 for May featured LPNNRD recreation areas. June will feature the recently upgraded abandoned well commercial featuring Jacob Stover from the Water Resources Department.
The Wahoo newspaper e-ad and print ad for May featured all three recreation areas. In June the ads will change to a reminder for well owners to annually test their wells. The ads are attached. I have been visiting with Kaela Steffensmeier with KTIC about a new opportunity for marketing. We have the option to target ads based on zip codes for display ads. We could even go into more details based on demographics such as age, gender, education, homeownership, and other details. The display ads are served based on user interests and their internet browsing - not specifically by websites they visit. As users engage with certain types of content, they develop interest categories such as agriculture, outdoor activities, local news, weather, etc. This may cover many different websites rather than one specific website like the current Wahoo Newspaper e-ad we have been running that is only displayed on Wahoo-Ashland-Waverly.com. There is also an opportunity to use our current ads produced with KTIC to be added to streaming audio commercials through sites and apps that users listen to live radio, podcasts, or other audio content online. KTIC has worked with other NRDs and have had success with these advertising opportunities. These ads are a subtle but effective way to build awareness and visibility around the NRD’s projects and programs. We will work on narrowing down the demographics and get a better idea of cost to prepare for next fiscal year’s budget.
Attachments:
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6.A.2. Analytics
Rationale:
Top Posts for Facebook and X included:
• Summer events at Wanahoo flyer • Spring Conservation Sensation pictures and press release • Abandoned well cost-share reminder • Bees and Brews event flyer • Natural Resources Camp flyer On the LPNNRD website, we received traffic from NARD (43), Facebook (14), Nebraska tourism (7), Nebraska Game and Parks (3), Wahoo newspaper e-ad (2), X (0). The full reports are attached.
Attachments:
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6.A.3. Water Department Newsletter
Rationale:
On May 20, 2025 we sent out the first "Healthy Water, Healthy Future" email blast to all producer emails we had on file, plus directors. The email included a welcome as to what information will be in the quarterly newsletter; an explanation of chemigation and reminder for the June 1 deadline for chemigation permits; an update of the Groundwater Management Plan; and an update for the spring groundwater levels.
The email was sent to 1,485 users, with an 82% delivery rate. Here are some of the reasons for emails not going through: connection issue with the internet service provider, email user’s mailbox is full or inactive, the domain or IP has been blocked, and other unknown reasons. 42% of users opened the email, with 19 users clicking on links that were provided in the newsletter to different portions of the LPNNRD website. Unfortunately, we did have 6 users unsubscribe from the newsletter. Attached is a copy of the newsletter. |
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6.A.4. Saunders County Fair Sponsorship
Rationale:
The Saunders County Agricultural Society is looking for sponsorships for the 2025 fair to be held July 27 - August 3.
Last year we donated $500. This year, the same recognition would be available at the $500 level - which includes: 3x5 banner displayed at events, logo on the fair website, social media recognition, business name on large pavilion thank you banner, 1 mention during a motorsports event, plus tickets to some of the events. Attached is the list of the sponsorship levels.
Recommended Motion(s):
To donate $500 to the Saunders County Agricultural Society for sponsorship of the 2025 Saunders County Fair Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
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6.A.5. Butler County Fair Sponsorship
Rationale:
The Butler County Fair is looking for sponsorships for the 2025 fair to be held July 15 - 20. Last year we were one of 10 vendors that had a booth ($130). Foot traffic was much slower than in the last few years. As for sponsorships, at the $500 level we would: have business name listed on the back of the schedule flyer, business name listed on the website, business name on large banner in the arena, business name on advertisement poster, plus various tickets to the larger fair events. Attached is a full list of the sponsorship options.
Recommended Motion(s):
To donate $500 to the 2025 Butler County Fair at the "1st in Class" sponsorship level Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
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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:
June 12th: Coffee Lakeside: Bird Feathers
June 12th Nocturnal Night June 14th: Lions Club Youth Fishing Derby June 17th: Yoga at the lake June 20th: North Bend Library Education opportunities at the Lake TBD |
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6.B.3. LPNNRD Natural Resources Grant
Rationale:
Becca Podolak: Senior at Aquinas Catholic HS, currently serving as the president of the Always Busy Clovers 4-H club. Asking for $1,500 to cover the cost of raised beds, grow bag, trellis, season extenders, mulch, seeds, drip irrigation, composting system, and canopy. The produce is donated to the Butler County hospital, Genesis House, and the nursing home located behind the garden. Residents at the nursing home help tend the garden as well.
William Podolak: Junior at Aquinas Catholic HS. The agriculture program was recently added to the school, and the FFA chapter has asked to add a plant science class to the courses offered. Asking for $1,500 to cover the cost of the planting tables, rockwool plugs, germinator, and seedling bundles. The FFA chapter plans to incorporate this new class into their interactions with elementary students, as well as providing lettuce and herbs to the cafeteria. It will also be used for future Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE). Bishop Neumann FFA Chapter: The goal of this project is to add a summer garden to grow additional foods for Saunders County Catholic Schools. Asking for $1283.93 to cover the cost of soil, compost, mulch, raised beds, 5-tier strawberry planter, chicken wire, drip irrigation system, gardening tools, seedling plants, netting, cages, and insect control. Additional expansion of a small hoop house would push the grand total to $1,583.93. The produce will be used for school lunches, the local food pantry, senior center, families in need and religious sisters. The current location of the garden is unused and is not maintained.
Recommended Motion(s):
To award each recipient with $1,500 for their proposed projects, overspending the budgeted line item. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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7. RURAL WATER SYSTEMS
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7.A. Colon System
Rationale:
Routine monthly sampling completed. Bills to be mailed 6/2.
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7.B. Bruno System
Rationale:
Routine monthly sampling completed. Bills to be mailed 6/2.
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7.C. Other
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