July 3, 2025 at 8:30 AM - Operations Committee Meeting

Rationale:  We have no unfinished business to address.

Rationale:  There is nothing to report.

Rationale:  The O & M crew have spent the majority of our time moving the office and continue organizing the shop and sheds. We have completed O & M and inspections on a dozen dams.

Rationale:  The NRCS has sent an amendment for design to their Grants and Agreements Division for review and processing.  It took a bit longer as they had to create an independent government cost estimate for design services as well as some additional context for inclusion in the agreement. They hope to have an amendment before the end of July. 

In terms of starting the "design phase" of this project, after all the reviews by the sponsor, consultants & NRCS it may be possible to start the design phase at the beginning of December.  As we build to that date, the LPNNRD can/should be conversing internally to determine who and how to contract for design services.  

Included in the design amendment will be a time extension of one (1) year. The new agreement expiration date will be 12/15/2026. Assuming no major hick-ups, Allen Gehring feels confident the design can be completed easily by 12/15/2026.

Rationale:  Houston Engineering will discuss repair and mitigation recommendations and associated costs for the spillway joints, the downstream channel and basin, the breakwater and the 3rd mile access path to the wetland weir. We will provide conceptual drawings and cost estimates to aid in the selection of repair and mitigation options.

We will cover potential alternatives and costs for the following spillway repairs:
- Joint repair recommendations/costs
- Left bank and adjacent pressure relief well repair.
- HDPE gabion basket protection (including chain link fence repair/replacement).
- Apron draining and cleaning.
- Cleaning and regrading the basin.

We have assessed several mitigation scenarios, including:
- Improvements to HDPE gabion basket protection.
- Altered grading of the downstream channel and overbank.
- Impact on required rock size and spillway energy dissipation.

For the breakwater, we have developed cost estimates for its repair and various mitigation options, including:
- Flattening the downstream armored slope.
- Raising the breakwater
- Widening the bridge area
- Adding an additional bridge
- Creating a preferential overtopping area with additional erosion protection.
We have also considered combinations of these options that work together effectively.

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

Rationale:  For the month of May, the District received $11,195.57 in annual park permit revenue.

Rationale:  For the month of May, the District received $15,555.46 in camping revenue.

Rationale:  We received bids from multiple electrical contractors to complete the addition of 20 new 50/30 amp camper pad sites using the pedestals we purchased last year.  Our recommendation is to award the project to Schutt Electric.  Schutt was originally chosen for the upgrade project last year, is familiar with Lake Wanahoo's campground electrical system, and had the most reasonable bid at $56,145.20.

Rationale:  The Clint Johannes Education Building at Lake Wanahoo was rented 17 times in June, with 2 NRD rentals. Revenue for the month was $1,800. 

Rationale:  The KTIC radio ads for June featured the abandoned well commercial featuring Jacob Stover from the Water Resources Department. He is also in July’s commercial with Lacey for a reminder for annual well water testing. Those ads are both attached.

The Wahoo newspaper e-ad and print ad for June featured a reminder for well owners to annually test their wells. July’s ads will feature variances.

The ads are attached.

Rationale:  Top Posts for Facebook and X included:
• Moving/new address/office closed moving day
• Nocturnal nights flyer
• Summer education events flyer
• Natural Resources Camp flyer
• Pheasants Forever prairie strips event flyer (shared)

On the LPNNRD website, we received traffic from NARD (19), Facebook (18), Nebraska tourism (11), Wahoo newspaper e-ad (1), X (0).

The full reports are attached. 

Rationale:  The LPNNRD website needs updates to be more mobile-friendly. Redthread is the company that first created the website in 2018. They have proposed up to 25 hours of website design or development for $5000. They have also proposed a website rebuild between $20,000 – $50,000. Full proposal is attached.

Rationale:  A special congratulations to Director, Mark Seier! Mark was nominated and selected as Nebraska’s Director of the Year this year! Attached is a copy of the nomination Lacey sent in for Mark. He will be recognized at the NRD Annual Conference Awards Luncheon on Monday, September 29.

Rationale:  June 12th: Coffee Lakeside: Bird Feathers 9 adults, 1 child
June 12th: Birding at the Wahoo Public Library/Wahoo (26)
June 12th Nocturnal Night (7)
June 14th: Lions Club Youth Fishing Derby (45)
June 18th: St. Wenceslaus summer program - owl pellet dissection (28)
June 19th: Dip netting at Lake Wanahoo (10)
June 20th: North Bend Library (15 kids, 7 adults)
June 24th: Girl Scout Meeting - Tree and Bench grand opening (16 kids, 5 adults)
June 25th: St. Wenceslaus summer care program - prairie plants and insects - (40)
June 26th: Wildflowers and insects - (2 kids, 4 adults)
Education opportunities at the Lake TBD

Rationale:  July 7-11: NRD Nature Camp
July 10th: Nocturnal Night
July 17th: Coffee Lakeside
Happy Hearts field trip
Other Education events

Rationale:  Numbers: 

• Students: 4,064
• Adults: 317
• Schools:
  • Columbus Lakeview HS
  • David City Aquinas MS
  • East Butler MS & HS
  • North Bend Elementary
  • Wahoo Elementary and MS
  • St. Wenceslaus Elementary
  • Platte Center Elementary*
  • Newman Grove Elementary
  • Fremont MS, Linden Elementary, Archbishop Bergan ECC, Fremont HS*
  • Ashland Greenwood MS
  • Bishop Neumann MS*
  • Yutan Highschool Special Education*
  • Cedar Bluffs Elementary*
• 1st annual NRD grant - 3 projects awarded
• Presented at:
  • NACD Salt Lake City, UT "Unexpected Partnerships."
  • NACEE Mahoney State Park, NE "Being uncomfortable is more than ok, it's necessary."
• 8 Coffee lakesides
• 7 NRD events
• 2 visits to Wahoo Senior Center

Rationale:  Routine monthly sampling completed, bills mailed 6/30.

Rationale:  The Bruno RWD is due to complete its tri-annual Lead and Copper testing; 5 separate households are required to submit samples.  Once completed, each household will receive a report detailing testing results.
A resident contacted the NRD about hooking onto the Bruno RWD; the location of the property was just over one mile away from the transmission main, therefore, the $3000 "hook-up fee" didn't apply and the customer would be required to pay the difference to connect the residential property to the RWD main.  After contacting a couple contractors they decided to go with a domestic well.
The Village of Abie is interested in extending the Bruno RWD to connect with the Village's water system.  Elliott has been in contact with the Village water operator and explained what will be needed from the Village to start the process.  
Routine monthly sampling completed, bills mailed 6/30.