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 7:42 p.m. CST (6:42
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 | None | Mary Reece, Dist Cons | |
| Kent Boyer | Jennifer Sunberg, Student | ||
| Bob Fear | |||
| Todd Kramer | OTHERS PRESENT | ||
| James Meismer | BOARD MEMBERS | Jim Goeke, UN-Con&Sur | |
| Jim Rubenthaler | ABSENT | STAFF PRESENT | |
| Doug Stack | Dave Cotton | Kent O. Miller, Gen Mgr | |
| Frank Svoboda | Roric Paulman | Glen Bowers, Wtr P Cor | |
| Jerry Weaver | Ardis Lehmkuhler, Adm Asst | ||
| Bill Carhart, Range P Coor | |||
| Ann Fisher, Water P Tech |
The Public Forum of the meeting was opened. There were no comments, and the Public
Forum was closed.
Mr. Boyer reported that no Directors 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 - None were presented.
Request for Information - Mr. Miller reported that the Nebraska Association of Resources District's Insurance Committee had requested information from Directors of Natural Resources Districts and that a sheet listing the information requested would be passed around the Board table for each member of the Board of Directors present to provide the information requested.
None presented.
No report presented.
Minutes for May 13, 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. Stack moved that the Minutes of the May 13, 1999 Board of Directors meeting
be approved. Mr.Rubenthaler seconded the motion, and it carried.(Motion #1)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Kramer, Meismer, Rubenthaler, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver,
NAY: None
ABSTAIN: Fear
ABSENT: Cotton, Paulman,
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 that in the Directors' Packet for information was the Natural Resources Conservation Service report to the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission and the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts for May, 1999.
Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet was information in regard to the Resources Inventory prepared by the Natural Resources Conservation Service for the Bayside Development at Lake McConaughy and Mrs. Reece reviewed the inventory. Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet was information in regard to McPherson County considering development of a Comprehensive Plan and the inclusion of a requirement for a Resources Inventory prepared by the Natural Resources Conservation Service similar to the requirement in the Lincoln County and Keith County Comprehensive Plans.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - Programs - Environmental Quality Incentive Program - No report presented.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - Programs - Conservation Reserve Program - No repot presented.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - Programs - Highly Erodible Lands Requirements - Mr. Boyer reported that in the Directors' packet for information were the listings of completed Highly Erodible Lands determinations.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - Programs - Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program - No report presented.
Nebraska Board of Educational Lands and Funds - - No report presented.
Other Agencies - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout for information was the National Association of Conservation District's newsletter "The District Leader" for May, 1999.
No report presented.
Mr. Meismer, Subcommittee Chairperson, presented the report.
Ground Water Program - Natural Resources Enhancement Fund - Special Programs and/or Projects - Monitoring Wells - Mr. Meismer reported on the status of the Natural Resources Enhancement Funds that were allocated for cost-share for soil testing, soybean drip oil and wellhead buffer demonstration plots. Mr. Goeke and Mr. Bowers reported on the six monitoring wells that were installed by the District in the Target Areas in southwestern Keith County and the monitoring wells installed by the U.S. Geological Survey along the South Platte River. Mr. Miller reported that Natural Resources Enhancement Funds must be spent within the fiscal year of July 1 to June 30. Mr. Meismer reported that the staff suggested to the Water Resources Subcommittee that the District consider alternative methods for spending Natural Resources Enhancement Funds this fiscal year due to the small amount of Natural Resources Enhancement Funds that will be spent this fiscal year for cost-share programs. Mr. Meismer reported that Mr. Goeke and Mr. Gosselin had previously recommended that the District also establish monitoring wells within the Target area in eastern Lincoln County to determine the extent and the movement of the Nitrate contamination and that the members of the Subcommittee agreed during the January 22, 1999 meeting of the Subcommittee that the Water Resources Subcommittee would consider for the 2000 Fiscal Year installing additional monitoring wells throughout the South Platte River valley and the Platte River valley within the District including the Target Area located in eastern Lincoln County. Mr. Meismer reported that the Water Resources Subcommittee was recommending that the District add additional monitoring wells at this time in the South Platte River valley, the North Platte River valley and the Platte River valley with Natural Resources Enhancement Funds. Mr. Bowers distributed a map of the District showing the locations for installing six monitoring wells and showing the locations for existing wells that would also be monitored that was prepared by Mr. Goeke and the District staff. Mr. Meismer reported that the Sargent Well Drilling Company had installed the monitoring wells in southwestern Keith County having been selected as the low bidder that met the specifications. Mr. Bowers reported that he had contacted Sargent Well Drilling Company and that they estimated the cost for installing the six additional monitoring wells would be approximately $5,000.00 and he reported that Sargent Well Drilling Company could install the monitoring wells prior to July 1, 1999.
Mr. Meismer moved the Water Resources Subcommittee's recommendation to the Board of Directors that the District install during June, 1999 six monitoring wells at 5 sites in the South Platte, the North Platte and the Platte River valleys in Keith and Lincoln Counties to be funded by Natural Resources Enhancement Funds and to authorize the General Manager to execute a contract with Sargent Well Drilling Company to install the six monitoring wells. Mr. Stack seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #2)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Kramer, Meismer, Rubenthaler, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver,
NAY: None
ABSENT: Cotton, Paulman,
Mr. Meismer reported that the members of the Water Resources Subcommittee discussed the need for additional monitoring wells in transects crossing the South Platte River valley, the North Platte River valley and the Platte River valley and utilizing the Natural Resources Enhancement Funds this fiscal year for the additional monitoring wells. Mr. Meismer reported that the members of the Water Resources Subcommittee agreed to recommend to the Board of Directors that the District install during the summer of 1999 monitoring wells in transects crossing the South Platte River valley, the North Platte River valley and the Platte River valley and that the Board of Directors authorize prepayment of the estimated cost to utilize Natural Resources Enhancement Funds prior to June 30, 1999. Mr. Goeke and Mr. Bowers presented a proposal for installing 15 monitoring wells at 12 sites in a transect along Highway 83 from a point 4 miles south of North Platte, NE to a point 4 miles north of North Platte, NE. Mr. Bowers reported that he had contacted Sargent Well Drilling Company and and he reported that Sargent Well Drilling Company could install the monitoring wells in July or August.
Mr. Meismer moved that the District install during the summer of 1999 15 monitoring wells at 12 sites in a transect along Highway 83 from a point 4 miles south of North Platte, NE to a point 4 miles north of North Platte, NE to be funded by Natural Resources Enhancement Funds, to authorize the General Manager to execute an agreement with Sargent Well Drilling Company to install the monitoring wells and to authorize the Treasurer or the Chairperson to pay Sargent Well Drilling Company prior to July 1, 1999 the estimated cost for installing the monitoring wells. Mr. Kramer seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #3)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Kramer, Meismer, Rubenthaler, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver,
NAY: None
ABSENT: Cotton, Paulman,
Ground Water Program - Natural Resources Enhancement Fund - Special Programs and/or Project - Cost-Share Programs - Mr. Meismer reported on the District's soil sampling cost-share program that provides $10,000.00 for the 1999 Fiscal Year, the District's Soybean Drip Oil cost-share program that provides $4,000.00 for the 1999 Fiscal Year, and the District's cost-share program for five demonstration sites for a buffer area at irrigation wells that provides $1,000.00 for the 1999 Fiscal Year. Mr. Meismer reported that the members of the Water Resources Subcommittee agreed they would like to consider at a future meeting of the Subcommittee a cost-share program for water quality in the District during the 2000 Fiscal Year.
Regulatory Program - Chemigation - Mr. Meismer reported that the Subcommittee considered a Chemigation Program policy in regard to irrigation water, that has been injected with a chemical, that could be discharged into surface waters of the state with surface waters of the state including natural streams, irrigation canals, and irrigation laterals.
Mr. Meismer moved the Water Resources Subcommittee's recommendation that the Board of Directors approve the following Chemigation Program Policy (Current policy is in normal print, additions are underlined and deletions have a strikethrough line):
The Twin Platte Natural Resources District shall deny an application for a Chemigation permit for an irrigation system in which any portion of the equipment passes directly over flowing waters of the state.
Mr. Kramer seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #4)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Kramer, Meismer, Rubenthaler, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver,
NAY: None
ABSENT: Cotton, Paulman,
No report Presented.
Executive Subcommittee
Mr. Boyer, Subcommittee Chairperson, presented the report.
Personnel Salaries for 2000 Fiscal Year - Mr. Boyer reported that information available for the Executive Subcommittee for preparing a recommendation for the Board of Directors for the personnel salaries for the 2000 Fiscal Year was in the Directors' notebook. Mr. Boyer reported that Mrs. Reece had requested that a salary schedule be available that would provide for a higher level of compensation than is currently available for the temporary secretarial assistance the District provides in the Natural Resources Conservation Service field office in Ogallala, NE. Mr. Boyer reported that the District's policy of providing up to 1,040 hours annually for temporary secretarial assistance for the Natural Resources Conservation Service field offices would not change.
Mr. Boyer, as Chairperson of the Executive Subcommittee, moved the Executive Subcommittee's recommendation to the Board of Directors to authorize a Temporary Secretary II salary schedule that may only be utilized for the secretarial assistance the Twin Platte Natural Resources District provides in the Natural Resources Conservation Service Ogallala field office, that the salary schedule steps for each position be increased 2.0% for the 2000 Fiscal Year in recognition of the cost-of-living to maintain the value of the salary compensation, and that the General Manager's salary be $50,000.00 for the 2000 Fiscal Year. Mr. Meismer seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #5)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Kramer, Meismer, Rubenthaler, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver,
NAY: None
ABSENT: Cotton, Paulman,
Financial Statement - Mr. Miller reported that the Financial Statement for May,
1999 was in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout for information.
Accounts Payable - Mr. Meismr 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. Meismer moved that the Financial Statement for May, 1999 be received and
placed on file for audit and that the Accounts Payable in the amount of $14,661.09 be
paid. Mr. Paulman seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #6)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Cotton, Meismer, Rubenthaler, Weaver,
NAY: None
ABSENT: Fear, Kramer, Paulman, Stack, Svoboda
Budget Status - No report presented.
Bids/Proposals - Insurance - Mr. Miller reported that per the direction of the Board of Directors that the District was seeking proposals for Insurance and that per District policy that he had announced during the May 13, 1999 Board of Directors meeting that proposals for Insurance would be presented during this Board meeting. Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet for information were the Insurance specifications, copy of letters to agencies inviting proposals and copy of the legal notice that was published in the North Platte Telegraph and the Keith County News inviting proposals. Mr. Miller reported that one proposal was received and that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout was the proposal received from the Rosenberg Insurance Agency who is the current provider of insurance for the District.
Mr. Fear moved to increase the Umbrella coverage from $1,000,000.00 to $2,000,000.00. Mr. Kramer seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #7)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Cotton, Meismer, Rubenthaler, Weaver,
NAY: None
ABSENT: Fear, Kramer, Paulman, Stack, Svoboda
Mr. Rubenthaler moved to accept the proposal received from the Rosenberg Insurance Agency to provide insurance for the Twin Platte Natural Resources District. Mr. Meismer seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #8)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Cotton, Meismer, Rubenthaler, Weaver,
NAY: None
ABSENT: Fear, Kramer, Paulman, Stack, Svoboda
Bids/Proposals - Phone System - Mr. Miller reported that per District policy that he had announced during the May 13, 1999 Board of Directors meeting that proposals for a Phone System would be presented during this Board meeting. Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet for information were the Phone System specifications and copy of letters to businesses inviting proposals. Mr. Miller reported that four proposals were received and that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout was a report for the proposals received. Following discussion, the Directors agreed to delay action to the June 10, 1999 Board of Directors meeting and to request the General Manager to obtain additional proposals for Lucent systems.
Bids/Proposals Scheduled To Be Presented for Consideration During the June 10, 1999 Board of Directors Meeting - Mr. Miller reported that bids/proposals for a phone system for the office was scheduled to be presented for consideration during the June 10, 1999 Board of Directors meeting.
Audit for 1999 Fiscal Year - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet for information was the proposal received from Darlene Maline of the accounting firm of McChesney, Martin and Sagehorn to audit the Twin Platte Natural Resources District for the 1999 Fiscal Year. Mr. Miller reported that Darlene Maline would perform the audit for the firm. Mr. Miller reported that the firm had prepared the audit for the District in previous years. Mr. Miller reported that the estimated fee in previous proposals had never been exceeded, and that the estimated fee in the proposal for the 1999 Fiscal Year was $1,945.00.
Mr. Stack moved that the proposal received from the accounting firm of McChesney, Martin and Sagehorn to perform the audit for the Twin Platte Natural Resources District for the 1999 Fiscal Year be accepted and to authorize the General Manager to sign the proposal as the District representative. Mr. Meismer seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #9)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Cotton, Meismer, Rubenthaler, Weaver,
NAY: None
ABSENT: Fear, Kramer, Paulman, Stack, Svoboda
Mr. Meismer reported on the June 8, 1999 meeting of the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts Board of Directors. Mr. Meismer reported that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout for information was a report of 1999 Interim Study Resolutions prepared by the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts. Mr. Meismer reported that in the Directors' packet for information were Nebraska Association of Resources Districts updates.
Mr. Meismer reported on the May 25, 1999 meeting of the Central Nebraska Public Power & Irrigation District Water Conservation Task Force.
No requests were presented.
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 $6,382.78 was available.
Mr. Stack moved to approve the June, 1999 report as presented and to approve the 3 new contracts:
Mr. Weaver seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #10)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Cotton, Meismer, Rubenthaler, Weaver,
NAY: None
ABSENT: Fear, Kramer, Paulman, Stack, Svoboda
Cost-Share Programs - District Conservation Program - Sealing Abandoned Wells - No report presented.
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. Mr. Miller reported that the District's policy provides 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. Mr. Miller reported that the District's policy provides 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. Mr. Miller reported that the District's policy provides 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 buffer areas at irrigation wells.
Cost-Share Programs - Nebraska Buffer Strip Program - No report presented.
Tree Programs - No report presented.
Range Programs - No report presented.
Soil Conservation Programs - No report presented.
Wildlife Habitat Programs - No report presented.
Water Programs - Ground Water Program - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet for ininformation was a report of the use of the Water Trailer during the spring of 1999.
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 was information for meetings of the Governance Committee and for meetings of the Water Management 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. Mr. Miller reported that he is participating in meetings in Nebraska about the issues within Nebraska.
Water Programs - Platte River Activities - Cooperative Hydrology Study - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet was information for meetings of the sponsors for the Cooperative Hydrology Study.
Water Programs - Miscellaneous Information - No report presented.
Regulatory Programs - Chemigation - No report presented.
Regulatory Programs - Erosion and Sediment Control - No report presented.
Regulatory Programs - Ground Water Runoff - No report presented.
Information & Education Programs- Scholarship - Mr. Miller reported that the District's policy provides for seven scholarships annually for the Nebraska Range Youth Camp and for three scholarships annually for the Natural Resources Leadership Camp for youth. Mr. Miller reported that the District considers other scholarship as requested and that the Budget provides for miscellaneous scholarships. Mr. Miller reported that Gerald Christensen, a 7th and 8th grade teacher at the Adams Middle School in North Platte, NE has applied for a scholarship to attend the Nebraska Forestry Shortcourse that will be held at Chadron State College in Chadron, NE on August 9-13, 1999. Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout was information for the Nebraska Forestry Shortcourse and the letter from Mr. Christensen requesting a scholarship. Mr. Miller reported that the registration fee is $110.00 and a single room with meals is $129.00.
Mr. Fear moved that the District provide a scholarship in the amount of $239.00 to Gerald Christensen to attend the Nebraska Forestry Shortcourse that will be held at Chadron State College in Chadron, NE on August 9-13, 1999. Mr. Weaver seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #11)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Cotton, Meismer, Rubenthaler, Weaver,
NAY: None
ABSENT: Fear, Kramer, Paulman, Stack, Svoboda
Legislation - 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.
Preparation Schedule - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet for information was the schedule for preparing the 2000 Fiscal Year Budget for the District. Mr. Miller reported that the schedule provides for Board review of the first draft of the Budget during the June Board meeting which is the same schedule followed last year for the 1999 Fiscal Year Budget. Mr. Miller reported that the schedule provides the Board an opportunity to view the first draft of a Budget one-month earlier than the schedule that had been followed in previous years. Mr. Miller reported that the schedule for preparing the 2000 Fiscal Year Budget provides the Board four opportunities to review and discuss the Budget prior to final approval.
First Review - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout was the first draft of a budget for the 2000 fiscal year. Mr. Miller reviewed the information for the proposed budget for the 2000 fiscal year.
There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 10:23 p.m. MST (9:23 p.m. MST).
KOM:MSOMIN1:Bmin0699
TWIN PLATTE NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes - June 10, 1999