UPPER ELKHORN NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
January 28, 2008 -- 2:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER, STATEMENT OF ADVERTISEMENT AND OPEN
MEETING LAW NOTIFICATION:
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors was called
to order at 2:46 P.M. by Chairman Jerry Heithoff.
DIRECTORS
PRESENT:
Jerry Childers
Gregg Felker
Curtis Gotschall
Reg Green
Jerry Heithoff
Ted Hughes
Jim Keller
Tim Knuth
Jeff Krebs
Mike Russman
Roy Stewart
Dale Wiles
DIRECTORS
ABSENT:
Chris Dierks
James Dvorak
Janet Koinzan
STAFF
PRESENT:
Dennis Schueth, General Manager
Tylr Naprstek, Water Resources Manager
Beth Walsh, Information & Education Coordinator
Marsha Hart, Administrative Secretary
GUESTS
PRESENT:
Jerry Kovarik – NRCS – O’Neill
ADOPTION
OF AGENDA:
]It was moved by Curtis Gotschall
and seconded by Jerry Childers to adopt the amended agenda.
AYE: Childers,
Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart &
Wiles. NAY:
None. ABSTAIN:
None. ABSENT: Dierks, Dvorak, Keller & Koinzan. MOTION CARRIED.
ELECTION OF UENRD BOARD OFFICERS & REPRESENTATIVES:
Election of Chairman:
Curtis Gotschall nominated Dale Wiles for Chairman, seconded by Gregg
Felker.
]It
was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Roy Stewart that nominations cease and
Dale Wiles be elected Chairman of the Upper Elkhorn NRD Board of Directors.
AYE:
Childers, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs,
Russman & Stewart. NAY:
None. ABSTAIN:
Wiles. ABSENT:
Dierks, Dvorak, Keller & Koinzan.
MOTION CARRIED. Dale Wiles took over as
Chair and Jerry Heithoff was recognized for his term as Board Chairman.
Election of Vice-Chairman: Reg Green nominated Tim Knuth for Vice-Chairman, seconded
by Jerry Childers. ]It
was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Jerry Heithoff that nominations cease
and Tim Knuth be elected Vice-Chairman of the Upper Elkhorn NRD Board of
Directors. AYE: Childers, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Krebs,
Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY:
None. ABSTAIN:
Knuth. ABSENT: Dierks, Dvorak, Keller & Koinzan. MOTION CARRIED.
]It
was moved by Curtis Gotschall and seconded by Jeff Krebs to have the rest of the
UENRD officers remain the same. AYE:
Childers, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs,
Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY:
None. ABSTAIN:
None. ABSENT:
Dierks, Dvorak, Keller & Koinzan.
MOTION CARRIED.
MINUTES:
The
minutes of the December Meeting were reviewed by the Directors.
]It was moved by Gregg Felker and seconded by Jerry
Childers to approve the minutes of the December Meeting as corrected.
AYE: Childers,
Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart &
Wiles. NAY:
None. ABSTAIN:
None. ABSENT: Dierks, Dvorak, Keller & Koinzan. MOTION CARRIED.
TREASURERS
REPORT:
The
December treasurers report was reviewed by the Directors. ]It was moved by Jerry Childers
and seconded by Curtis Gotschall to approve the December Treasurers Report.
AYE: Childers,
Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart &
Wiles. NAY:
None. ABSTAIN:
None. ABSENT:
Dierks, Dvorak, Keller & Koinzan.
MOTION CARRIED.
PUBLIC FORUM:
None
AGENCY
& STAFF REPORTS:
NARD
Report: Ted Hughes
reported that Kody Schrader has taken another job and will be leaving the NARD
office following the NARD Legislative Conference. NARD is considering splitting this position into two separate
areas to provide Dean with more assistance.
Ted also reviewed the insurance program.
NARD Legislative Conference
& Bills: Dennis Schueth passed out an update of the bills
being considered during the 2008 Legislative session as they pertain to the
NRD’s. Dennis reviewed some of
the bills and explained that these will be acted upon at conference.
DNR
Report: Have not met since last report.
Niobrara River Basin Fully
Appropriated Designation – Action: ]It was moved by Gregg Felker and
seconded by Jeff Krebs to go into executive session at 3:22 pm for the purpose
of discussing the Niobrara River Basin designation.
AYE: Childers,
Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman,
Stewart & Wiles. NAY:
None. ABSTAIN:
None. ABSENT: Dierks, Dvorak & Koinzan.
MOTION CARRIED. ]It was moved by Ted Hughes and
seconded by Jim Keller to come out of executive session at 3:55 pm.
AYE: Childers,
Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman,
Stewart & Wiles. NAY:
None. ABSTAIN:
None. ABSENT: Dierks, Dvorak & Koinzan.
MOTION CARRIED. ]It was moved by Tim Knuth and
seconded by Gregg Felker to give the UENRD staff authority to meet with legal
counsel and investigate a possible appeal to the Niobrara River Basin
designation with the Department of Natural Resources. AYE: Childers,
Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman,
Stewart & Wiles. NAY:
None. ABSTAIN:
None. ABSENT: Dierks, Dvorak & Koinzan.
MOTION CARRIED.
NRCS
Report: Jerry
Kovarik’s report was passed out to the Directors at the Board meeting.
Jerry highlighted his report and a discussed the EQIP program, Bob
Atkeson receiving PE license and the WAE hire in Ainsworth.
Jerry also passed out the agreements and memorandums between the NRCS and
UENRD for annual review. The
No-Till Informational meeting is set for February 27 at the Holt County annex.
NRCS has asked the LNNRD and UENRD to consider sponsoring the noon meal.
Jerry reported that the LNNRD has agreed to a $200 contribution.
]It was moved by Reg Green and
seconded by Jim Keller to contribute up to $200 for the No-Till Informational
Meeting. AYE:
Childers, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth,
Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY:
None. ABSTAIN:
None. ABSENT:
Dierks, Dvorak & Koinzan. MOTION
CARRIED. Jerry also explained the federal
cost share changes.
RC&D
Report:
North Central RC&D: Minutes passed around.
Loup Basin RC&D: No Report.
Northeast RC&D: No Report.
Information
& Education Report: Beth
Walsh’s report was mailed out in the Directors packets.
Beth also reviewed legislative conference lodging arrangements.
Water
Resources Report: Tylr
Naprstek’s report was mailed out in the Directors packets.
Tylr reviewed his report with the Directors and made special note the IMP
meeting scheduled for February 11 in Valentine.
EBVC
Update: Dennis
Schueth reported that Phil Steinkamp is continuing his work with the program to
promote cost share programs and best management practices.
ELM
Update: Dennis Schueth reported the work is continuing on the model and
that a request has been made to have Steve Peterson attend a board meeting to
update the Board on the model. Dennis
also reported that they have not hired an ELM coordinator yet and may have to
scale back the criteria for the position.
EXCUSED
ABSENCES:
]It was moved by Jerry Childers
and seconded by Jeff Krebs to excuse the absence of Chris Dierks, James Dvorak
and Janet Koinzan. AYE:
Childers, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth,
Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY:
None. ABSTAIN:
None. ABSENT:
Dierks, Dvorak & Koinzan. MOTION
CARRIED.
COMMITTEE
REPORTS:
Legislative,
Finance and Planning:
Action
on Current bills and Cost Share Requests: The Committee met prior to the Board meeting and reviewed
the bills. Reg Green questioned the
assessment of $200 from the NACD. Ted
Hughes explained that Districts are being asked to contribute to the maintenance
and upkeep of the national office building in Washington DC.
]It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Jerry
Childers to approve the $200 assessment from the NACD.
AYE: Childers,
Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman,
Stewart & Wiles. NAY:
None. ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: Dierks, Dvorak & Koinzan.
MOTION CARRIED.
]It was moved by Reg Green and seconded by Roy
Stewart to approve the current bills for payment. AYE: Childers,
Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman,
Stewart & Wiles. NAY:
None. ABSTAIN:
None. ABSENT: Dierks, Dvorak & Koinzan.
MOTION CARRIED.
The Committee also discussed a request for an
extension of a cost share application. ]It was moved by Reg Green and
seconded by Roy Stewart to approve an extension until May 15.
AYE: Childers,
Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman,
Stewart & Wiles. NAY:
None. ABSTAIN:
None. ABSENT: Dierks, Dvorak & Koinzan.
MOTION CARRIED.
There were no new cost share applications to review.
Water
Resources & Watershed:
Dale Wiles reported that the
committee met prior to the board meeting. They
have instructed staff to keep monitoring the Game and Parks regarding instream
flows on the Niobrara River. The IMP meeting scheduled for February 11 is very important
and Directors should try to attend. There
may also be a WRWS Committee meeting on February 11 following the IMP meeting or
held on February 20. Bill Kranz and
Charles Shapiro have been invited to the February board meeting to report on the
rotational study near Brunswick.
COALITIONS UPDATE:
Nebraska Habitat Conservation Coalition (Piping
Plover): No Report.
Nebraska Ground Water Management Protection Act
Coalition: No
Report.
Lower
Platte River Basin Coalition: A
news release was included in the Directors folders stating that the Lower Platte
River Basin designation for 2008 by DNR will not change.
There is a meeting scheduled for March 19 to discuss the issues further.
Water Policy Task Force:
Dennis Schueth reported that he attended the Surface Water/Ground Water
subcommittee meeting of the WPTF held January 25.
They are in the process of reviewing the hearing schedule process and
corresponding deadlines.
ADMINISTRATIVE
REPORT:
Dennis Schueth’s report was mailed out in the
Director’s packets. A copy is
included with the official copy of the minutes in the office.
WASHINGTON
DC , NWRA AND GMDA MEETINGS:
Dennis Schueth reviewed these meetings and dates with the
Board. They are all very good
meetings and if there are any Directors wishing to attend any of these meetings
they should contact the office. There
are limited funds budgeted for these meetings so it is not possible for everyone
to attend.
FEBRUARY
BOARD MEETING:
The February board meeting will be held on the 25 at 2:30
pm. Committee meetings will begin
at 1:30 pm.
There being no further business to come before the Board
of Directors, the meeting was adjourned at 4:50 PM.