October 2, 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:
We will be contracting with the NRCS to prescribe burn our WRP (Snitily Wetland) next year.
We are also preparing for a prescribed burn on a large parcel on the east side of Lake Wanahoo with Pheasants Forever & Game & Parks. |
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3. OPERATION & MAINTENANCE & OTHER ITEMS
Rationale:
The O & M staff finished the mowing circuit. We have been spraying trees on different project areas and also had a drone spray large and hard to get to areas. Regular maintenance on vehicles & equipment. Dug holes for land judging.
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3.A. Rehabilitation of Cottonwood 21-A, NRCS & HDR
Rationale:
HDR is working with NRCS (NWMC) on the Revised Watershed Plan EA for Programmatic Review and a preliminary scope and fee estimate for the various tasks needed to complete design services for the rehabilitation of Cottonwood 21-A. Their assumption is that, based on funding, they identify the tasks that can be completed and refine the scope and fee. The design cost estimate is attached. The average cost of the fee ranges for the eight tasks is $710,750.
Attachments:
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3.B. Wanahoo Basin Damage & Repair, FEMA, & Houston Engineering
Rationale:
Houston Engineering will be present via Zoom.
The attached scope of services covers Spillway Joint repairs and Stilling Basin mitigation through Phase II - FY26 (Final Design, Permitting, Construction Documents, and FEMA Coordination) and Phase III FY-27 (Bidding and Construction Phase). Phase II generally applies to FY-26 -- $175k and Phase III applies to FY-27 --- $100k. The TM used a general 15% fee for engineering and permitting which was broken out for the stilling basin mitigation. For clarity, this fee is somewhat higher than the TM estimate for that portion (Tasks 3, 4.1, 4.3, and 4.4) of the scope, 130k vs 110k. There is an additional permitting task for completion of a no-rise and floodplain development permit which likely won't be able to be avoided if significant grading on the downstream overbanks is part of the project. The rest of what's in the scope that didn't have a cost estimate in the TM is the BCA reporting, 408 coordination, joint repair design and reporting, and the construction phase services. Early coordination with USACE 408 reviewers is included to make progress towards future effort on repair/mitigation on the Breakwater and Mile 3 trail. If there is a decision to proceed on these, the early coordination will give some clarity on USACE requirements for design/permitting/construction phase for those areas. The preparation for FEMA BCA will require some back-and-forth communication with FEMA/NEMA. Given the evolving nature of how FEMA reviews and accepts mitigation work, it's challenging to predict the exact requirements. However, our current coordination time and reporting/analysis tasks should cover what is anticipated now. The Construction Phase is included with some assumption on time in the field that will be required, which probably isn't perfect given that the details of the construction plans/schedule aren't defined. Staff will send this information to all board members for their review before the board meeting, so a decision can be made.
Attachments:
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3.C. Fuel Barrel for Gasoline
Rationale:
Staff has asked for price quotes for a gasoline fuel barrel similar to the diesel barrel we purchased and installed. Otte Oil quoted a price of $6,332.95. The committee asked for another quote(s).
Breunig Supply Company quoted $8,157.00 Sapp Bros. Petroleum (Adam Oil Inc.) $5,565.00 |
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3.D. Air Compressor for the NRD Shop
Rationale:
Staff would like to purchase a 60 gallon, 5 hp air compressor for the shop. Prices range from $1,400 to $2,200.
Recommended Motion(s):
To purchase an air compressor for the NRD shop in the price range of $1,400 - $2,200 Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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3.E. Amphitheater
Rationale:
Attached is a letter for your information from the Grandview Neighbors Group regarding questions and concerns about the amphitheater potentially being placed across the road from their development.
Attachments:
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4. ROCK AND JETTY
Rationale:
We have not received any requests or applications.
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5. LAKE WANAHOO
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5.A. Lake Wanahoo Permit Sales
Rationale:
For the month of August, the District received $4,657.00 in annual park permit revenue.
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5.B. Lake Wanahoo Camping Revenue
Rationale:
For the month of August, the District received $14,453.35 in camping revenue.
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5.C. Clint Johannes Education Building
Rationale:
The Clint Johannes Education Building at Lake Wanahoo was rented 14 times in September, with 1 NRD event. Revenue for the month was $1,625
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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 September featured environmental education opportunities with the NRD. The ad for October will feature the availability to rent no-till drills. These ads are attached.
The new digital display ads began on September 8. The topic for September featured environmental education opportunities and fall outdoor recreation opportunities. Attached is a breakdown of the demographics and zip codes we are targeting for these ads, along with a report from September
Attachments:
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6.A.2. Analytics
Rationale:
Top Posts for Facebook and X during September included:
• Amphitheater public meeting (reached 3,227, 50 comments on September 2 post) • Wahoo Creek Watershed picture update with staff and directors’ tour • Starry Night event flyer (and cancelation notice) • Village of Colon New Community Park flyer • Reminder for variance requests due For the website we had an increase in traffic (348 views) to the education page which shows people have been looking at the KTIC digital ads and viewing more information on our website! Many of these ads were shown through Fox News contributing to the increase in traffic from the targeted ads. Additional traffic was received from NARD (17), Facebook (61), X page (1), Nebraska Game and Parks (1), Nebraska tourism (8), Fox News (14), and KETV (8 - Bob’s interview). The full reports are attached.
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:
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6.B.3. Watchable Wildlife Grant
Rationale:
This granting opportunity seeks to help develop Watchable Wildlife Grants, funded through the Wildlife Conservation Fund and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, to help develop wildlife-viewing and nature-based experiences in Nebraska. The intent of these grants is to help the public build appreciation and stewardship for natural resources through an experience. We are applying for a bird feeding structure at Lake Wanahoo with a live viewing camera; wildlife signage for bird ID and more; and game cameras to be placed around our recreation areas. We plan to work with a local school to have their shop class build the bird feeding structure. The Wahoo Birding Club has also pledged $350 in match towards this project. The grant is due October 3rd, with projects being awarded in late November to early December. Projects must be completed by May 4th.
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7. RURAL WATER SYSTEMS
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7.A. Colon System
Rationale:
The RWD staff installed a meter and yard hydrant at the new park in Colon. The Village plans to keep the hydrant locked during the offseason and use it primarily for irrigation.
Routine monthly sampling completed, bills mailed 10/1. |
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7.B. Bruno System
Rationale:
JEO provided a scope of services to update the study for extending the Bruno RWD to include the Village of Abie (attached). We plan to have a representative from both Abie and JEO at our next committee meeting.
Routine monthly sampling completed, bills mailed 10/1. |
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7.C. Other
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