The Twin Platte Natural Resources District Board of Directors meeting was held at the
United Nebraska Bank Center Meeting Room, Second Floor, West Wing, 111 South Dewey Street, North Platte, Nebraska on Feburary 11, 1999.
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Boyer at 7:40 p.m. CST (6:40 p.m. MST). A legal notice of the meeting
was published in the NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH. A news release containing the
agenda for the meeting and including the time and place was sent to the news media in
the District.
| BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT | BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT & EXCUSED | NRCS PERS PRESENT | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff Baldridge | Dave Cotton | Mary Reece, Dist Cons | |
| Kent Boyer | Todd Kramer | Jeff Nicholas, Rng Mgm | |
| Robert Fear | James Meismer | Kristen Miller, Rng Mgm | |
| Roric Paulman | Lee Morse, Eng,Tech | ||
| Jim Rubenthaler | |||
| Doug Stack | |||
| Frank Svoboda | |||
| Jerry Weaver | BOARD MEMBERS | OTHERS PRESENT | |
| ABSENT | |||
| STAFF PRESENT | |||
| Kent O. Miller, Gen Mgr | |||
| Glen Bowers, Wtr P Cor | |||
| Bill Carhart, Rge P Cor | |||
| Dave Slattery, Cons P Cor | |||
| Ardis Lehmkuhler, Adm Asst |
The Public Forum of the meeting was opened. There were no comments, and the Public
Forum was closed.
Mr. Boyer reported that Mr. Cotton, Mr. Kramer, and Mr. Meismer were excused.
Directors Notebooks Containing Information Items Available for Handout - Mr. Boyer
reported that each Director has a notebook containing information items that are available
for handouts for others attending the meeting. Mr. Boyer reported that the handouts are
on a table at the back of the room.
Documents for Review Prior to Action Scheduled Later on the Agenda - Mr. Boyer reported that a booklet of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Plans Schedules of Operations Agreements for the Conservation Reserve Program was available for review, that the booklet would be passed around the Board table for review by each member of the Board of Directors present, and that later in the meeting the Conservation Plans Schedules of Operations Agreements for the Conservation Reserve Program would be considered for approval. Mr. Boyer reported that a booklet of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Plans for Highly Erodible Lands was available for information, that the booklet would be passed around the Board table for review by each member of the Board of Directors present, and that later in the meeting the Conservation Plans for Highly Erodible Lands would be considered for approval. Mr. Boyer reported that a booklet of the Cooperative Agreements with the State of Nebraska Board of Educational Lands and Funds for Conservation Plans was available for information, that the booklet would be passed around the Board table for review by each member of the Board of Directors present, and that later in the meeting the Cooperative Agreements for Conservation Plans would be considered for approval.
None presented.
None presented
Minutes for Feburary 11, 1999 Meeting - Mr. Boyer reported that the Minutes were in the
Directors' packet, and he asked if there were corrections or additions to the Minutes.
Mr. Fear moved that the Minutes of the Feburary 11, 1999 Board of Directors meeting
be approved. Mr. Svoboda seconded the motion, and it carried.(Motion #1)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Fear, Paulman, Rubenthaler, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver
NAY: None
ABSTAIN: Boyer
ABSENT: Cooton, Kramer, Meismer
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - Monthly Report -Mrs. Reece reported that in the Directors' Packet for information was a narrative report prepared by her and she reviewed her report. Mrs. Reece reported on the range fires in the district and the assistance being provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - Programs - Environmental Quality Incentive Program - Mrs. Reece reported on the Environmental Trust Grant that had been approved recently that provides funds for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program. Mrs. Reece reported that the availability of the Trust Funds would allow for funding of the Twin Platte Natural Resources District priority area for 1999, 2000, and 2001. Mrs. Reece reviewed the information in the Directors' packet and in the Directors notebook and available as a handout and she reported that the application submitted by the District was for $275,000.00 per year and that 70% of the application, $192,500.00 per year, was approved. Mrs. Reece reminded the Board that the Twin Platte Natural Resources District priority area was Keith County north of the South Platte River and Arthur County.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - Programs - Conservation Reserve Program - Mr. Boyer reported that each member of the Board of Directors present had reviewed the booklet containing the Conservation Plans Schedules of Operations Agreements for the Conservation Reserve Program.
Mr. Paulman moved to approve the Conservation Plans Schedules of Operations Agreements for the USDA Conservation Reserve Program for Monte & Twila Madsen (Modification) and to authorize the General Manager to sign each Conservation Plan as the District representative. Mr. Weaver seconded the motion and it carried. (Motion #2)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Fear, Paulman, Rubenthaler, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver
NAY: None
ABSENT: Cotton, Kramer, Meismer
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - Programs - Highly Erodible Lands Requirements - - Mr. Boyer reported that in the Directors' packet for information were the December listings of completed Highly Erodible Lands determinations. Mr. Boyer reported that the booklet containing the Conservation Plans for Highly Erodible Lands had been reviewed by each member of the Board of Directors present.
Mr. Rubenthaler moved to approve the Conservation Plans for Highly Erodible Lands for Lee Roy & Lorrena Kay Becker (129.0 acres) and Winkenwerder Heirs (4.7 acres) as adequate to meet the requirements for Highly Erodible Lands under the USDA Food Security Act and to authorize the General Manager to sign each Conservation Plan as the District representative. Mr. Paulman seconded the motion and it carried. (Motion #3)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Fear, Paulman, Rubenthaler, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver
NAY: None
ABSENT: Cotton, Kramer, Meismer
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - Programs - Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program - No report presented.
Nebraska Board of Educational Lands and Funds - Cooperative Agreements - No report presented.
Nebraska Natural Resources Commission - Digital Photos - Mr. Miller reported that the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission had recently approved his request to provide the District digital aerial photos of the District on CDs at the cost of a blank CD. Mr. Miller reviewed the information in the Directors' packet and he reported that approximately 40 CDs will be required which will cost the District approximately $1.00 per CD rather than the normal charge of $20.00 per CD.
Nebraska Natural Resources Commission - Miscellaneous Information - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout for information were the minutes for the Nebraska Natural Resources Commissions' January 27, 1999 meeting.
Other Agencies - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout for information was the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission's newsletter for Winter, 1999, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Water Center's newsletter for February, 1999, and the Central Nebraska Public Power & Irrigation District's newsletter for January/February, 1999.
Mr. Rubenthaler, Land Resources Subcommittee Chairperson, reported that the Subcommittee met prior to the Board meeting.
Range Program - Interseeder - Mr. Rubenthaler reported on the Buffalo Range Interseeder machine that was purchased by the District in 1972. Mr. Rubenthaler reported that the interseeder offers land managers the option of re-introducing productive pasture grasses to a depleted pasture or old farm fields without the risk of soil erosion associated with conventional seedings. Mr. Rubenthaler reported that the District's staff provided the service of range interseeding until 1993 when the District began leasing the range interseeder machine to Melvin Bayne who provided the service of range interseeding. Mr. Rubenthaler reported that Mr. Carhart and Mr. Nichols reported on the use of the interseeder in recent years and that the number of acres interseeded can vary from year to year. Mr. Rubenthaler reported that the staff had prepared a list of options for consideration by the Subcommittee for the use of the District's interseeder machine. Mr. Rubenthaler reported that the Subcommittee agreed that the District should again provide an interseeding service. Mr. Rubenthaler reported that the staff had prepared estimated costs for the District providing the interseeding service for consideration by the Subcommittee and he reported that the estimated costs were based on salary plus benefits and on two times salary for the Range Programs Coordinator for interseeding 15 acres and 100 acres in the North Platte area, the Paxton area and the Arthur area, with the producer providing the seed. Mr. Rubenthaler reported that the Subcommittee agreed to determine a charge based on the producer providing the seed, on the estimated costs for 100 acres interseeded in the Paxton area, and using the salary plus benefits for the Range Programs Coordinator.
Mr. Rubenthaler moved the Land Resources Subcommittee's recommendation to the Board of Directors that the District provide an interseeding service, that the amount charged for the interseeding service be based on the producer providing the seed, on estimated costs for 100 acres interseeded in the Paxton area and using the salary plus benefits for the Range Programs Coordinator, and that the charge for providing the interseeding service for 1999 be $15.00 per acre. Mr. Svoboda seconded the motion and it carried. (Motion #4)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Paulman, Rubenthaler, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver
NAY: Fear
ABSENT: Cotton, Kramer, Meismer
No report presented.
No report Presented.
Executive Subcommittee
No report presented.
Mr. Boyer reported that Mr. Meismer was absent and excused and he asked Mr. Miller to present the report.
Financial Statement - Mr. Miller reported that the Financial Statement for Februarury,
1999 was in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout for information.
Accounts Payable - Mr. Miller reported that the Accounts Payable report was in the
Directors' notebook and available as a handout, and that he had reviewed the Accounts
Payable and found the report to be in order.
Mr. Paulman moved that the Financial Statement for February, 1999 be received and
placed on file for audit and that the Accounts Payable in the amount of $16,221.12 be
paid. Mr. Kramer seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #5)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Fear, Paulman, Rubenthaler, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver
NAY: None
ABSTAIN: Boyer
ABSENT: Cooton, Kramer, Meismer
Budget Status - No report presented.
Bids/Proposals - None were presented.
Bids/Proposals Scheduled To Be Presented for Consideration During the April 8,
1999 Board of Directors Meeting - Mr. Miller reported that no bids/proposals were
scheduled to be presented for consideration during the April 8, 1999 Board of
Directors meeting.
Mr. Boyer reported that Mr. Meismer was absent and excused and he asked Mr. Miller to present the report.
Board of Directors Meetings - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout for information were the minutes for the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts Board of Directors meeting held on January 27, 1999.
Miscellaneous Information - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout for information was the Nebraska Association of Resources District's newsletter for February, 1999.
Mr. Boyer reported that Mr. Meismer was absent and excused and he asked Mr. Miller to present the report.
Mr. Miller reported that per the request of Mr. Meismer, in the Directors' packet for information was a summary of accomplishments of the Task Force. Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet for information were the minutes for the Oversight Committee meeting held on February 18, 1999.
Requests for Assistance - No requests were presented.
Cost-Share Programs - Nebraska Soil & Water Conservation Program - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout was the monthly report. Mr. Miller reported that $4,469.01 was available.
Mr. Paulman moved to approve the March, 1999 report as presented and to approve the 2 new contracts:
Mr. Rubenthaler seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #6)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Fear, Paulman, Rubenthaler, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver
NAY: None
ABSTAIN: Boyer
ABSENT: Cooton, Kramer, Meismer
Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet was information for changes in the Nebraska Soil & Water Conservation Program rules and regulations approved by the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission in regard to funds approved by Districts that have not been spent by June 30th each year and he reported on the changes.
Cost-Share Programs - District Conservation Program - Sealing Abandoned Wells - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout was the monthly report. Mr. Miller reported taht $1,600.00 was available.
Mr. Rubenthaler moved to approve the March, 1999 report as presented and to approve the 2 new contracts:
Mr. Weaver seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #7)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Fear, Paulman, Rubenthaler, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver
NAY: None
ABSENT: Cotton, Kramer, Meismer
Cost-Share Programs - District Conservation Program - Soil Sampling - Mr. Miller reported that the District's policy provides $10,000.00 for the 1999 Fiscal Year for soil sampling and that a signed Cost-Share application from the producer must be submitted and approved by the District Staff prior to the practice being performed and that the staff will prepare a summary report that will be submitted to the Board of Directors. Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout was a report for the applications approved for soil sampling.
Cost-Share Programs - District Conservation Program - Soybean Drip Oil - Mr. Miller reported that the District's policy provides $4,000.00 for the 1999 Fiscal Year for soybean drip oil and that a signed Cost-Share application from the producer must be submitted and approved by the District Staff prior to the practice being performed and that the staff will prepare a summary report that will be submitted to the Board of Directors. Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout was a report for the applications approved for soybean drip oil.
Cost-Share Programs - District Conservation Program - Irrigation Well Head Buffer Demonstration - Mr. Miller reported that the District's policy provides $1,000.00 for the 1999 Fiscal Year for five demonstration sites for a buffer area at irrigation wells and that a signed Cost-Share application from the producer must be submitted and approved by the District Staff prior to the practice being performed and that the staff will prepare a summary report that will be submitted to the Board of Directors. Mr. Miller reported that no applications have been received for buffer areas at irrigation wells.
Cost-Share Programs - Nebraska Buffer Strip Program - No report presented.
Tree Programs - - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet was a request from Mr. Slattery. Mr. Slattery reviewed his request for assistance for Angie Blake, a temporary employee in the Tree Program the last two years, and her family. Mr. Slattery reported that the Blake's are scheduled to have trees planted this year on their land and that the family is experiencing a lot of medical bills due to a brain tumor in their daughter. Mr. Slattery asked the Board if the District could absorb the costs or a portion of the cost for the trees and the planting charge. No action was taken following extensive discussion. Mr. Paulman commended Mr. Slattery for caring about his employees and for presenting the request.
Range Programs - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout was information received from Terry Enfield, President of the Nebraska Section, Society for Range Management.
Soil Conservation Programs - No report presented.
Wildlife Habitat Programs - No report presented.
Water Programs - Ground Water Program - District Programs - - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet for information was the agreement prepared by the staff to utilize with the landowners for construction of the monitoring wells at the 4 sites in southwestern Keith County.
Water Programs - Ground Water Program - Industrial & Agricultural Facilities - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet was information for an application to the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality by Schledewitz & Sons for a permit to construct and operate a livestock waste control facility in Lincoln County. Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet for information was a draft of the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Title 130 Rules and Regulations pertaining to Livestock Waste Control. Mr. Miller reported that Mr. Bowers has met with Gayle Schafer at the Enterprise Partners facility in Arthur County and that Mr. Schafer had tentatively agreed to accept the District's offer to collect the samples and deliver the samples to the laboratory selected by the owners of the facility, from any monitoring wells that the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality require the owners of the facility to establish at the facility. Mr. Miller reported that Mr. Schafer has offered to come to a Board meeting to explain the Enterprise Partners facility in Arthur County. The Board agreed that they did not wish to invite Mr. Schafer to a Board meeting to explain the Enterprise Partners facility in Arthur County.
Water Programs -Watershed Program - No report presented.
Water Programs - Platte River Activities - Cooperative Agreement Relating to Endangered Species - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet and in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout was information for meetings of the Governance Committee. Mr. Miller reported that he attends meetings of the Governance Committee and the Water Management Committee as his schedule allows with a priority for attending meetings of the Water Management Committee which he is a member of and that he is participating in meetings in Nebraska about the issues within Nebraska. Mr. Miller reported that a Basin Meeting has been scheduled for March 17, 1999 in North Platte for Directors for the North Platte, South Platte, Twin Platte, Central Platte and Tri-Basin Natural Resources to discuss the Cooperative Agreement.
Water Programs - Platte River Activities - Cooperative Hydrology Study - No report presented.
Regulatory Programs - Chemigation - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet for information was a letter to Chemigation permitholders.
Regulatory Programs - Erosion and Sediment Control - No report presented.
Regulatory Programs - Ground Water Runoff - No report presented.
Information & Education Programs - Mr. Miller distributed for information the District's Winter, 1999 Newsletter.
Legislation - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet and in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout was information the District has received from the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission and from the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts in regard to current Legislation. Mr. Miller reported that Legislative information could be accessed on the Internet at the District's Web site. (http://dbdec.nrc.state.ne.us/tpnrd)
Insurance - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet for information was the District's Operating Policy Number 49: INSURANCE, which provides that the District will seek proposals for three year periods for insurance for property, equipment and supplies, general liability, vehicles, workers compensation, errors and omissions, bonds and an umbrella. Mr. Miller reported that June 30, 1999 would conclude the current three-year period. Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet were the current insurance specifications, a report of the insurance costs for the 1997FY, 1998FY and 1999FY, a letter from the District's legal counsel dated July 1, 1998 in which Mr. Nielsen recommended additional insurance coverage and a letter to Mr. Nielsen dated July 10, 1998 in which I reported to Mr. Nielsen the Boards decision not to increase the insurance coverage for the District. Mr. Miller asked the Board if they wanted to seek proposals from other agents for the next three year period considering that the cost of insurance for the current three year period had decreased considering that one additional new vehicle was added in the 1998FY and a new vehicle replaced an existing vehicle in the 1999FY.
Mr. Svoboda moved that the District waive for the three year period beginning July 1, 1999 the provision in Operating Policy Number 49: INSURANCE, which provides that the District will seek proposals for three year periods for insurance for property, equipment and supplies, general liability, vehicles, workers compensation, errors and omissions, bonds and an umbrella and that the District maintain the current coverage with Rosenberg Insurance Inc. for the three year period beginning July 1, 1999. Mr. Stack seconded the motion and it failed. (Motion #8)
AYE: Rubenthaler, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver
NAY: Baldridge, Boyer, Fear, Paulman
ABSENT: Cotton, Kramer, Meismer
Weather Modification Program - No report presented.
Requests for Authorization to Travel - No requests were presented.
Personnel Reports - Mr. Miller reported that the staff prepares written reports for all activities that we participate in outside of the District. Mr. Miller reported that the recent reports were in the Directors' packet for information. Mr. Miller reported that the field staff prepares weekly reports of activities, contacts and mileage. Mr. Miller reported that the recent reports were in the Directors' packet for information.
Meetings and Dates of Interest - Mr. Miller reported that various items of information were in the Directors' packet and in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout.
Miscellaneous Information - Mr. Miller reported that various items of information were in the Directors' packet and in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout.
There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. MST (8:15 p.m. MST).
KOM:MSOMIN1:Bmin0399
TWIN PLATTE NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes - March 11, 1999