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| Nemaha NRD July
2007 Board Meeting Report Tecumseh – Nemaha NRD board members enjoyed a short agenda for their regular meeting on Thursday, July 12. One item carried over from the previous month was the selection of an engineering firm to provide an economic and technical feasibility analysis of a potential sediment basin above the reservoir at Iron Horse Trail Lake near DuBois. Three firms had been interviewed prior to last month’s meeting; however, the board delayed action to select a firm and asked for fee estimates from each before making their decision. Two of the firms provided estimates with the board selecting The Flatwater Group from Lincoln to provide the analysis. Their estimated fee was around $23,000; however, the final contract amount may vary and will require additional board action to approve it. Following action by Nemaha County to approve an inter-local agreement for the construction of a road dam and six sheet pile weirs in the Muddy Creek Watershed, the NRD board also approved the agreement. The County agreed to help with engineering and construction costs by providing $132,500 in cash and in-kind services toward the project. The total cost is estimated at $457,850, and the NRD will provide the balance of the cost with help from the Nebraska Environmental Trust. Due to the heavy rainfall received in May, particularly in the vicinity of the Steamboat Trace trail, the NRD is in the process of applying for FEMA disaster funds to help recover some of the costs for repairs. In order to facilitate the application, the board authorized the General Manager to act as the District’s authorized representative for working with FEMA to obtain the funding. Most repairs have already been made, but it appears up to 85% of the costs may be eligible for reimbursement. The board reviewed a first draft of the 2007-2008 budget; however, it was noted that many figures are not final yet. Property tax figures won’t be available until August, so the final budget will be presented for approval in September. No action was taken on a proposed policy for selecting and hiring firms to provide professional services. Similarly no action was taken at this time regarding two overdue accounts for collection. The board’s Programs and Projects Committee was updated on a drainage issue as it relates to the Craig Hemje Turkey Creek dam, but no board discussion took place; and no action was required. The next regular meeting of the Nemaha Natural Resources District board of directors will be on Thursday, August 9, 2007, beginning at 8:00 p.m. at the NRD headquarters, 62161 Highway 136, Tecumseh. |