August 25, 2008 -- 8:00 P.M.
O’Neill, Nebraska
CALL TO ORDER, STATEMENT OF ADVERTISEMENT AND OPEN MEETING LAW
NOTIFICATION:
The
regular meeting of the Board of Directors was called to order at 8:10 P.M. by
Chairman Dale Wiles.
DIRECTORS
PRESENT:
Jerry
Childers
Chris Dierks
James Dvorak
Gregg Felker
Curtis Gotschall
Reg
Green
Jerry Heithoff
Ted Hughes
Tim Knuth
Jeff Krebs
Mike
Russman
Dale Wiles
DIRECTORS
ABSENT:
Jim
Keller
Janet Koinzan
Roy Stewart
STAFF
PRESENT:
Dennis
Schueth, General Manager
Beth
Walsh, Information & Education Coordinator
Tylr
Naprstek, Water Resources Manager
Marsha
Hart, Administrative Secretary
GUESTS
PRESENT:
Craig
Gottschalk – CES
AGENDA:
The
Agenda was reviewed by the Directors. ]It
was moved by Jerry Childers and seconded by Chris Dierks to adopt the Agenda.
AYE: Childers, Dierks,
Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall,
Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs, Russman & Wiles.
NAY: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: Keller,
Koinzan & Stewart. MOTION
CARRIED.
MINUTES:
The
minutes of the July Meeting were reviewed by the Directors.
]It
was moved by Reg Green and seconded by Jeff Krebs to approve the minutes of the
July Meeting. AYE:
Dierks, Felker, Gotschall,
Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs, Russman & Wiles.
NAY: None.
ABSTAIN: Childers
& Dvorak. ABSENT:
Keller, Koinzan & Stewart. MOTION
CARRIED.
TREASURERS
REPORT:
]It
was moved by Curtis Gotschall and seconded by Ted Hughes to approve the July
Treasurers Report. AYE:
Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall,
Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs, Russman & Wiles.
NAY: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: Keller,
Koinzan & Stewart. MOTION
CARRIED.
PUBLIC
FORUM-INPUT:
Craig Gottschalk, Sr. Scientist, Cascade Earth Sciences(CES), attended
the meeting to discuss the services CES has to offer.
They feature: engineering
design and construction; land use and natural resource planning; land
application of process water; industrial and municipal solid waste management;
soil and groundwater investigations and management; freshwater conservation
management; innovative sewage system design; environmental site assessments;
remediation and reclamation of contaminated sites; emergency response
management; aquifer characterization; statistical analysis; risk assessment;
sustainable yield determination; and, GIS management.
AGENCY
& STAFF REPORTS:
NARD Report:
Ted Hughes reported that the Association has been
asked to support an Environmental Trust Grant to produce a website to try and
answer questions regarding groundwater and surface water issues.
The project is being spearheaded by Ann Bleed and Don Krause with the
help of The Groundwater Foundation. It
was discussed and the NARD is not interested at this time.
Ted reported that the NARD has hired Jed Wagner to fill the Program
Coordinator position. He has a
natural resources background and should be an asset to the Association.
Fall Conference – September 28-30,
·
Voting Delegate &
Alternate: ]It
was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Chris Dierks to appoint Dale Wiles as
the voting delegate for the NARD Annual Conference and Tim Knuth as the
Alternate. AYE:
Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall,
Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs, Russman & Wiles.
NAY: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: Keller,
Koinzan & Stewart. MOTION
CARRIED.
·
I&E Campaign: Dennis Schueth explained that
he attended a meeting regarding the I&E efforts across the state.
It is believed that the NRD image could be improved statewide.
Dean Edson, NARD, discussed some different issues facing the NRD’s and
announced that the Association will be spearheading a campaign to improve the
NRD’s image and promote awareness of NRD activities.
·
Interim Studies:
A schedule of the interim study hearings was included in the Directors
packets. Dennis Schueth discussed
the water transfer study and removing the engineering provision from the
Department of Natural Resources Director job requirements.
DNR Report:
Garry
NRCS Report:
Jerry Kovarik’s report was handed out to the Directors.
It was noted that the recommendation for the RC position in the Neligh
office has been sent to Steve Chick; however, there has been no word from his
office on a replacement. Jerry also
attached the 2008 farm bill changes for the Directors information.
RC&D Report:
North Central RC&D:
Included in Directors packet.
Northeast RC&D:
Included in Directors packet.
Information & Education Report:
Beth Walsh’s report was
mailed out in the Director’s packets. Beth
confirmed NARD Fall Conference attendees: Jerry
Childers, Chris Dierks, Gregg Felker, Curtis Gotschall, Reg Green, Jerry
Heithoff, Ted Hughes, Tim Knuth, Janet Koinzan, Mike Russman, Roy Stewart and
Dale Wiles. Information regarding
lodging will be mailed out in the next board packet.
Water Resources Report:
Tylr Naprstek’s report was mailed out in the
Director’s packets. Tylr reviewed
his report with the Directors and highlighted the flowmeter readings, which
included some discrepancies possibly due to inexperience of collecting the data
by the summer employees. He
also reported on the ELM project, historical photos from Dr. Boken and well
registrations. As part of the ELM
project, Conservation and Survey Division drilled a test hole in southwestern
EBVC
Update: Dennis
Schueth handed out a copy of an article from the Omaha World Herald regarding
the EBVC project.
ELM
Update:
Dennis Schueth reported that he has spoken to Steve Peterson regarding
the additional data the UENRD was interested in regarding recharge in the area.
The UENRD Board of Directors has decided not to pursue the additional
data at this time due to the cost. Steve
did make some recommendations as to how the cost could be reduced, for example
an ET grant.
EXCUSED
ABSENCES:
]It
was moved by Mike Russman and seconded by Jerry Childers to excuse the absence
of Jim Keller, Janet Koinzan & Roy Stewart.
AYE:
Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall,
Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs, Russman & Wiles.
NAY: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: Keller,
Koinzan & Stewart. MOTION
CARRIED.
COMMITTEE
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
Legislative,
Budget and Finance: The
Legislative, Finance and Planning Committee met prior to the Board meeting and
reviewed all the bills. ]It
was moved by Reg Green and seconded by Curtis Gotschall to approve the current
bills for payment. AYE:
Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall,
Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs, Russman & Wiles.
NAY: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: Keller,
Koinzan & Stewart. MOTION
CARRIED.
The cost-share applications were also reviewed by the committee.
]It
was moved by Reg Green and seconded by Jeff Krebs to approve cost share
application pending funding. AYE:
Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall,
Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs, Russman & Wiles.
NAY: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: Keller,
Koinzan & Stewart. MOTION
CARRIED.
Update
on the FY 08-09 Proposed Budget (August 18, 2008 Meeting):
Reg Green reported that the
Committee and 4 additional Directors met on August 18th and discussed
per diem, the additional 1% taxing authority, additional staff and reviewed the
proposed budget for FY 08-09. ]It
was moved by Reg Green and seconded by Ted Hughes to raise the Per Diem for
Upper Elkhorn NRD Directors to $65 per day as recommended at the August 18
Budget Workshop. AYE:
Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Krebs,
Russman & Wiles. NAY:
Felker & Knuth. ABSTAIN:
None. ABSENT:
Keller, Koinzan & Stewart. MOTION
CARRIED.
Water
Resources and Watershed Committee Report & Recommendations:
Gregg Felker reported that the Committee and 4
additional Directors met on August 20 to discuss the proposed changes to the
UENRD Rules and Regulations of the Groundwater Management Plan.
Some of the changes included; the definitions portion of the plan, adding
a take home test for nitrogen certification, changing deep soil sampling from 40
to 80 acres with the possibility of requiring 1 sample in 4 years if the soil
samples test under 3 ppm for three consecutive years.
The Committee is also investigating the proper course of action to be
taken regarding the updates and changes to the rules and regulations.
UENRD
FY 08-09 BUDGET PROPOSAL:
Open
Discussion-Update on Proposed Budget: Dennis
Schueth asked if any additional explanation was needed regarding the proposed
budget following the budget workshop held August 18.
Recommendation
on Additional 1% Taxing Authority: Dennis
Schueth passed out a spreadsheet illustrating the additional 1% taxing authority
impacts on the UENRD budget for FY 08-09 and past years.
]It
was moved by Jerry Childers and seconded by Ted Hughes to approve the additional
1% taxing authority for the FY 08-09 UENRD budget.
AYE: Childers, Dvorak,
Felker, Gotschall,
Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs & Wiles.
NAY: Dierks, Green
& Russman. ABSTAIN:
None. ABSENT:
Keller, Koinzan & Stewart. MOTION
FAILED(Needed 75% to pass).
Recommendation
to publish and set FY 08-09 Budget Hearing and Special Hearing to Set Final Tax
Request:
]It
was moved by Reg Green and seconded by Curtis Gotschall to hold the FY 08-09
Budget Hearing and Special Hearing to Set Final Tax Request September 16, 2008
without the additional 1% taxing authority.
AYE: Childers, Dierks,
Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall,
Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs, Russman & Wiles.
NAY: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: Keller,
Koinzan & Stewart. MOTION
CARRIED.
This item was discussed during the NARD report.
]It
was moved by Curtis Gotschall and seconded by Tim Knuth not to support the
Nebraska Water Website. AYE:
Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall,
Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs, Russman & Wiles.
NAY: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: Keller,
Koinzan & Stewart. MOTION
CARRIED.
Dennis Schueth distributed a copy of a map developed
by UNL with various water information, which is scheduled to be handed out at
Husker Harvest Days. NARD has been
asked to support the publication. Dean
Edson, NARD Director, reported that he is not recommending support of the
publication.
COALITION/TASK
FORCE UPDATE:
Dennis Schueth reported that there has been no word
on the challenge from the attorney. There
should be an update at the September meeting.
ADMINISTRATIVE
REPORT:
Dennis
Schueth’s report was mailed out to the directors prior to the board meeting in
their packets. A copy is included
with the official copy of the minutes in the office.
.
The
next board meeting will be held September 16, 2008 at 8:00 pm.
There
being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at
9:50 P.M.