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 July 8, 1999.
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Boyer at 4:05 p.m. CDT (3:05 p.m. MDT). 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 | Roric Paulman | Mary Reece, Dist Cons | |
| Kent Boyer | Jim Rubenthaler | Jeff Nicholas, R Mgt Spec | |
| Bob Fear | Jim Lott, Soil Cons | ||
| James Meismer | OTHERS PRESENT | ||
| Doug Stack | BOARD MEMBERS | ||
| Frank Svoboda | ABSENT | STAFF PRESENT | |
| Jerry Weaver | Dave Cotton | Kent O. Miller, Gen Mgr | |
| Todd Kramer | Bill Carhart, Rge P Coor | ||
| Glen Bowers, Wtr P Coor | |||
| Ardis Lehmkuhler, Adm Asst | |||
| Ann Fisher, Wtr P Tech |
The Public Forum of the meeting was opened. There were no comments, and the Public
Forum was closed.
Mr. Boyer reported that Mr. Paulman was excused. Mr. Rubenthaler were excused. . Mr. Boyer reported that Mr. Paulman missed the August 12, 1999 Board meeting due to his daughter having unscheduled surgery while they were in Lincoln, NE and that he did not have an opportunity to call the office prior to the Board meeting to report that he would be unable to attend the Board meeting. The Board agreed that Mr. Paulman's absence for the August 12, 1999 Board meeting should be an excused absence.
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 notebooks of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service containing Conservation Plans for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program and the Conservation Reserve Program were available for review, that the notebooks 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 would be considered for approval.
An Informal Public Hearing relating to the proposed Twin Platte Natural Resources District 1999-2000 Fiscal Year Budget was held. Minutes were prepared and may be referenced for information.
Restricted Funds Authority - Mr. Miller reported that the Nebraska Statutes provide that the Twin Platte Natural Resources District may exceed the budget limit for the 1999-2000 Fiscal Year by an additional one percent and to carry forward to future budget years the full amount of the increase as unused restricted funds authority upon the affirmative vote of at least seventy-five percent of the Board of Directors. No action was considered, as seven members of the Board of Directors were present which would not allow for the opportunity for at least seventy-five percent of the Board of Directors to approve exceeding the budget limit for the 1999-2000 Fiscal Year by an additional one percent.
Final Approval -
Mr. Stack moved to approve the following resolution:
WHEREAS, a legal notice of budget hearing and budget summary was published in the North Platte Telegraph on August 26, 1999 for a hearing scheduled for September 2, 1999 by the Board of Directors of the Twin Platte Natural Resources District for the purpose of hearing support, opposition, criticism, suggestions and observations of taxpayers relating to the proposed budget; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Twin Platte Natural Resources District on September 2, 1999 held a public hearing in compliance with the provisions of State Statute Sections 13-501 to 13-515 for the purpose of hearing support, opposition, criticism, suggestions and observations of taxpayers relating to the proposed budget;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Twin Platte Natural Resources District Board of Directors approves the 1999-2000 Fiscal Year Budget as presented for public hearing.
Mr. Meismer seconded the motion and it carried. (Motion #1)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Fear, Meismer, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver
NAY: None
ABSENT: Cotton, Kramer, Paulman, Rubenthaler
Set Property Tax Request -
Mr. Stack moved to approve the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the 1998-99 Fiscal Year property tax request for the Twin Platte Natural Resources Districts was $283,303.00; and
WHEREAS, the 1999-2000 Fiscal Year Budget requires a property tax request for the Twin Platte Natural Resources Districts of $283,303.00; and
WHEREAS, the property tax request for the 1999-2000 Fiscal Year will be the same as the property tax request for the 1998-99 Fiscal Year, a special hearing by the Board of Directors of the Twin Platte Natural Resources District to hear support, opposition, criticism, suggestions and observations of taxpayers relating to setting the final tax request at a different amount than the prior year tax request was not needed; and
WHEREAS, the tax request is in compliance with the provisions of State Statutes Sections 13-518 through 13-522 for budget limitations; and
WHEREAS, the provisions of State Statutes Section 77-3442 provides Natural Resources Districts a maximum levy of 0.04500 per one hundred dollars of taxable valuation of property and the taxable valuation of property for the Twin Platte Natural Resources District per the County Assessors of Arthur, Keith Lincoln and McPherson Counties is $2,103,233,632.00 which would provide for a calculated levy for the Twin Platte Natural Resources District for the 1999-2000 Fiscal Year of 0.01347 per one hundred dollars of taxable valuation of property for the property tax request for the Twin Platte Natural Resources Districts of $283,303.00;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Twin Platte Natural Resources District Board of Directors sets the final property tax request for the 1999-2000 Fiscal Year Budget at $283,303.00.
Mr. Meismer seconded the motion and it carried. (Motion #2)
(Nebraska Statutes Section 77-1601.02 requires that the Board of Directors pass by a majority vote a resolution setting the tax request at a different amount from the property tax request for the prior year. The State Auditors office has interpreted a majority vote to be a majority of the Board of Directors.)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Fear, Meismer, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver
NAY: None
ABSENT: Cotton, Kramer, Paulman, Rubenthaler
None presented.
None presented.
Minutes for August 12, 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 August 12, 1999 Board of Directors meeting
be approved. Mr. Meismer seconded the motion, and it carried.(Motion #3)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Fear, Meismer, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver
NAY: None
ABSENT: Cotton, Kramer, Paulman, Rubenthaler
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. . Mr. Nichols reported on the Twin Platte Natural Resources District Ranch Tour scheduled for September 21, 1999 at the Fear Ranch and the Rancher's Forum scheduled for October 6, 1999 in Lincoln County. Mr. Lott reported on the storm damage that occurred in southern Keith County.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - Programs - Environmental Quality Incentive Program - Mrs. Reece reported that the Cooperative Agreement between the Twin Platte Natural Resources District and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service approved by the Board of Directors during the August 12, 1999 Board meeting to develop and deliver educational opportunities to achieve conservation and environmental goals of the Environmental Quality Incentive Program has been approved by the Natural Resources Conservation Service that provides up to $1,000.00 of Environmental Quality Incentive Program funds for the District to purchase a portable display board.
Mr. Boyer reported that each member of the Board of Directors present had reviewed the notebook containing the Conservation Plans for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program.
Mr. Meismer moved to approve the Conservation Plans for the USDA Environmental Quality Incentive Program presented to and reviewed by each member of the Board of Directors present and to authorize the General Manager to sign the Conservation Plans as the District representative. Mr. Baldridge seconded the motion and it carried. (Motion #4)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Fear, Meismer, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver
NAY: None
ABSENT: Cotton, Kramer, Paulman, Rubenthaler
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - Programs - Conservation Reserve Program - No report 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. Mr. Boyer reported that each member of the Board of Directors present had reviewed the notebook containing the Conservation Plans for the Highly Erodible Lands Program.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - Programs - Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program - Mr. Boyer reported that each member of the Board of Directors present had reviewed the notebook containing the Conservation Plans for the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program.
Mr. Stack moved to approve the Conservation Plans for the USDA Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program presented to and reviewed by each member of the Board of Directors present and to authorize the General Manager to sign the Conservation Plans as the District representative. Mr. Fear seconded the motion and it carried. (Motion #5)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Fear, Meismer, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver
NAY: None
ABSENT: Cotton, Kramer, Paulman, Rubenthaler
Nebraska Board of Educational Lands and Funds - Mr. Boyer reported that the booklet containing the Cooperative Agreements with the State of Nebraska Board of Educational Lands and Funds for Conservation Plans had been reviewed by each member of the Board of Directors present.
Mr. Svoboda moved to approve the Cooperative Agreements between the Nebraska Board of Educational Lands and Funds and the Twin Platte Natural Resources District presented to and reviewed by each member of the Board of Directors present to assist in the development and the application of a complete resource conservation plan for Educational Lands Leases with the assistance provided by the District dependent upon the amount of assistance available by the District and to authorize the General Manager to sign each Cooperative Agreement as the District representative. Mr. Meismer seconded the motion and it carried. (Motion #6)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Fear, Meismer, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver
NAY: None
ABSENT: Cotton, Kramer, Paulman, Rubenthaler
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 August 1999.
No Report Presented.
No Report Presented.
No report Presented.
Executive Subcommittee
No report Presented.
Financial Statement - Mr. Meismer reported that the Financial Statement for August 1999 was not available and that it would be available during the October 1999 Board meeting.
Accounts Payable - Mr. Meismer 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 August, 1999 be received and
placed on file for audit and that the Accounts Payable in the amount of $7,7770.28 be
paid. Mr. Baldridge seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #7)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Fear, Meismer, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver
NAY: None
ABSENT: Cotton, Kramer, Paulman, Rubenthaler
Budget Status - No report presented.
Bids/Proposals - No report presented.
Bids/Proposals Scheduled To Be Presented for Consideration During the October 14, 1999 Board of Directors Meeting - Mr. Miller reported that no bids/proposals were scheduled to be presented for consideration during the October 14, 1999 Board of Directors meeting.
Board of Directors Meetings - No Report presented.
Annual Conference, North Platte, NE - Mr. Meismer reported that in the Directors' packet and in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout for information was the program for the annual conference September 27-28, 1999. Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet for information were the resolutions that the office has received that will be considered during the conference. The Board of Directors reviewed each resolution and discussed how the District's five votes should be cast during the conference.
Mr. Stack moved that for the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts 1999 Annual Conference the Twin Platte Natural Resources District's voting delegate be James Meismer. Mr. Weaver seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #8)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Fear, Meismer, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver
NAY: None
ABSENT: Cotton, Kramer, Paulman, Rubenthaler
No report presented.
Mr. Miller reported that the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts is facilitating meetings across Nebraska during the week of October 11-15, 1999 for Directors and staff of Natural Resources Districts to provide information for Long-Term Care insurance and that one of the meetings will be in North Platte on October 14, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. CDT. The Directors agreed to schedule the October 14, 1999 Board meeting to begin at 5:30 p.m. CDT (4:30 p.m. MDT) to allow the Directors and staff an opportunity to attend the Long-Term Care meeting. The Directors agreed to not have a tour this Fall.
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 $52,978.18 was available.
Mr. Fear moved to approve the September, 1999 report as presented and to approve the 5 new contracts:
Mr. weaver seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #9)
AYE: Boyer, Cotton, Fear, Meismer, Rubenthaler, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver
NAY: None
ABSENT: Baldridge, Kramer, Paulman,
Cost-Share Programs - District Conservation Program - Sealing Abandoned Wells - Mr. Miller reported that in the Director's notebook and available as a handout was the monthly report. Mr. miller reported that $2,500 was available.
Mr. Meismer moved to approve the September, 1999 report as presented and to approve the following 2 new contract:
Mr. Baldridge seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #10)
AYE: Boyer, Cotton, Fear, Meismer, Rubenthaler, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver
NAY: None
ABSENT: Baldridge, Kramer, Paulman,
Cost-Share Programs - Nebraska Buffer Strip Program - No report presented.
Tree Programs - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout for information was copy of an Editorial from the September 1, 1999 North Platte Telegraph that included a reference to the District's Urban Forestry Program.
Range Programs - No report presented.
Soil Conservation Programs - No report presented.
Wildlife Habitat Programs - No report presented.
Water Programs - Ground Water Program - Nebraska Environmental Trust Grant Application: Platte River Valley Irrigation Well Census - Tri-Basin Natural Resources District - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet for information was copy of an application submitted by the Tri-Basin Natural Resources District to the Nebraska Environmental Trust for a grant for a project titled "Platte River Valley Irrigation Well Census". Mr. Miller reported that the Tri-Basin Natural Resources District has invited the Natural Resources Districts in the Platte River Basin to join in the application.
Mr. Meismer moved that the Twin Platte Natural Resources District support and co-sponsor the application to the Nebraska Environmental Trust for funding the project titled "Platte River Valley Irrigation Well Census" that is being coordinated by the Tri-Basin Natural Resources District and that the Twin Platte Natural Resources District expects to contribute staff time, in-kind support and input for the project. Mr. Weaver seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #11)
AYE: Boyer, Cotton, Fear, Meismer, Rubenthaler, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver
NAY: None
ABSENT: Baldridge, Kramer, Paulman,
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 - No report presented.
Regulatory Programs - No report presented.
Information & Education Programs- Scholarship - No report presented.
Requests for Authorization to Travel - Mr. Miller requested authorization for Mr. Carhart to attend and participate in the Old West Regional Range Judging Contest in Miles City, MT October 2-3, 1999. Mr. Miller reported that Mr. Carhart is chairperson of the Nebraska Range Judging Committee this year and that the chairperson usually attends and participates in the Old West Regional Range Judging Contest.
Mr. Meismer moved to authorize Mr. Carhart to attend and participate in the Old West Regional Range Judging Contest in Miles City, MT October 2-3, 1999. Mr. Svoboda seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #12)
AYE: Boyer, Cotton, Fear, Meismer, Rubenthaler, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver
NAY: None
ABSENT: Baldridge, Kramer, Paulman,
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 recent reports are included 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 5:20 p.m. MST (4:20 p.m. MST).
KOM:MSOMIN2:Bmin0999
TWIN PLATTE NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes - September 2, 1999