Return to Board Meeting Updates
| Nemaha NRD June
2010 Board Meeting Report Tecumseh – Nemaha Natural Resources District Directors met Thursday night, June 10, for their regular meeting in Tecumseh. Watershed and construction projects dominated the action items on the agenda starting with selection of an engineering firm to design three grade control structures located within the Buck and Duck Watersheds near Peru. Five engineering firms submitted proposals with JEO Consulting of Lincoln/Omaha selected by the board. Their proposed fee was lowest of the five though the final contract amount must be negotiated and brought back to the board for final approval. These three grade control projects are part of a watershed management program that is designed to reduce and control future sedimentation within the two flood control dams planned in the area. Funding for the projects is being provided through a combination of state, local, federal, and landowner contributions. Following a presentation last month on the Eastern Nebraska Water Resources Assessment (ENWRA), the board reviewed an amendment to an interlocal agreement with five other NRDs for administering and implementing the program. This amendment would extend the current agreement from 2012 to 2017 thus allowing the group to apply for multi-year grants that extend beyond 2012. The long-term goal of the project is to develop a geologic framework and water budget for the previously glaciated portion of eastern Nebraska. More information about ENWRA is available at their website: www.enwra.org. Bids were considered for the last two grade control structures planned on private land as part of the Muddy Creek Watershed project. The board approved the low bids that were submitted by Morris Tiling Services, Auburn, for both projects: Davis Gerdes structure southwest of Auburn-$25,599.89; and Don Mathers structure south of Johnson-$23,141.26. Both bids were below the engineer’s estimates, and the projects are set for completion this summer. Bids were also sought to perform repair work on the Speckmann-Ottemann special project northeast of Elk Creek. Only two bids were received with B.A.B., Inc., Adams, submitting the low bid of $20,867.24 that was approved by the board. The work involves replacing a 30-inch tube, the riser, and trash rack. More action was required to try and bring the Ray Caspers Muddy Creek road structure to a construction start. Though the project was bid out a year ago, construction has not started yet due to issues with obtaining a Corps of Engineers 404 permit. As part of a proposed mitigation plan for the project, the board voted to purchase mitigation credits from a wetland bank if it is determined that this will satisfy the mitigation requirements of the 404 permit. Board action also approved the proposed mitigation plan presented for the project. In related action a new agreement with Nemaha County for the construction of the Ray Caspers road dam was required to extend the completion date of the project from June 1, 2010, to June 1, 2011. The County will pay roughly 25 percent of the total cost of the project. A new agreement for irrigating from Spring Creek dam 9-A located three miles east of Tecumseh was approved by the board. Duane & Rosemary Sugden’s previous agreement expired, and this action renews the agreement for another 10 years. Iron Horse Trail Lake is currently undergoing a major renovation of the lake, and soon more improvements will follow. The board approved a proposal from OPPD to bring electricity to the park at an estimated cost of $15,213 after rebates. The board further approved installation of up to 12 electrical RV hookups as well as development of a separate, primitive RV and tent camping area for those not needing or desiring electricity while camping. Additional grading of trails throughout the park may also be accomplished if funding is available after the RV areas are completed. Look for these improvements to be in place by next year, when the park should be ready to reopen to the public. At Kirkman’s Cove the District has been battling the now noxious weed, sericea lespedeza, for the past few years. An intensive grazing project has attempted to control the spread of the weed, but spraying is still required once the cattle have been removed. The board approved contracting with Chem-Trol, Inc., from Wilber to spray approximately 100 acres around the recreation area. In preparation for the FY2010-11 budget, the board’s Executive Committee reviewed personnel salaries and benefits. It’s estimated health insurance rates will increase about 3.5 percent as of July 1, and the District pays 100 percent of employee coverage and shares in the cost of dependent coverage. The board voted to increase staff salaries two percent for the upcoming fiscal year keeping the total increase to the District for all salaries and benefits at about $21,000 next year. Some review and discussion of other preliminary budget figures also took place though many figures will be better known after June 30, the end of this fiscal year. With several large projects yet to be completed next year, it looks like the FY2010-11 budget could be just above $6 million. The next meeting of the Nemaha Natural Resources District Board of Directors will be held Thursday, July 8, 2010, beginning at 8:00 p.m. at the NRD headquarters in Tecumseh. Committees will meet prior to the regular meeting. |