July 27, 2009 -- 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 8:03 P.M. by Chairman Dale Wiles.
DIRECTORS PRESENT:
Jerry Childers Chris Dierks James Dvorak Curtis Gotschall Reg Green
Jerry Heithoff Ted Hughes Jim Keller Tim Knuth Janet Koinzan
Mike Russman Roy Stewart Dale Wiles
DIRECTORS ABSENT:
Gregg Felker Jeff Krebs
STAFF PRESENT:
Dennis Schueth, General Manager
Beth Walsh, Information & Education Coordinator
Marsha Hart, Administrative Secretary
GUESTS PRESENT:
Jerry Kovarik – NRCS, O’Neill
ADOPTION OF AGENDA:
]It was moved by Jerry Childers and seconded by Jim Keller to adopt the amended agenda. AYE: Childers, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Koinzan, Russman & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Dierks, Felker, Krebs & Stewart. MOTION CARRIED.
MINUTES:
The minutes of the June Meeting were reviewed by the Directors. ]It was moved by Mike Russman and seconded by Ted Hughes to approve the minutes of the June Meeting. AYE: Childers, Dvorak, Green, Hughes, Russman & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Gotschall, Heithoff, Keller, Knuth & Koinzan. ABSENT: Dierks, Felker, Krebs & Stewart. MOTION CARRIED.
TREASURERS REPORT:
The June treasurers report was reviewed by the Directors. ]It was moved by Reg Green and seconded by Janet Koinzan to approve the June Treasurers Report. AYE: Childers, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Koinzan, Russman & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Dierks, Felker, Krebs & Stewart. MOTION CARRIED.
Chris Dierks and Roy Stewart arrived.
PUBLIC FORUM:
No public business was brought before the UENRD Board.
AGENCY & STAFF REPORTS:
NARD Report: Ted Hughes reported that Dean Steinkruger has resigned as the NARD Board Chairman due to his new position as head of Nebraska’s Farm Service Agency. This has prompted a by-laws change for the Association and how vacated positions are filled.
DNR Report: Dennis Schueth reported that the Commission met in July. We have received our NSWCP allocation which is approximately $10,000 less than last year. Dennis also reviewed the Kansas –Nebraska ruling that was sent out in the Director’s packets.
NRCS Report: Jerry Kovarik reported that they are still working on EQIP contracts. As additional funding becomes available they are able to write more contacts. Joe Schumacher has been working in the Ainsworth field office as a student trainee. He will have the opportunity to work for the NRCS next year in another area of the state. Jerry also reported that his new supervisor, Britt Weiser – ASTC/West, will be passing through O’Neill on Thursday to meet the staff and see the area resources.
RC&D Report:
North Central RC&D: Meeting information included in the Directors folders.
Loup Basin RC&D: Meeting information included in the Directors folders.
Northeast RC&D: Meeting information included in the Directors folders.
Information & Education Report: Beth Walsh’s report was mailed out in the Directors packets. Beth reported that she just attended the quarterly statewide I&E meeting in Chadron. The group met the new NARD Public Relations/Communications Director who gave an overview of the public relations meetings and what direction the Association would like to pursue. Each District should be working on their information sheets so they can be ready for Husker Harvest Days.
Water Resources Report: Dennis Schueth reported on the changes proposed to the Permit to Construct a Water Well application. The changes are meant to address replacement wells and their historically irrigated acres and not allow a cooperator to increase his irrigated acres when installing a replacement well. ]It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Jim Keller to adopt the changes to the Permit to Construct a Water Well application in section 4 on the front page and section 5a on the back of the application. AYE: Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Koinzan, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Felker & Krebs. MOTION CARRIED. Dennis also reported that he has reviewed three livestock modifications and send comments back to the Department of Environmental Quality.
East Branch Verdigris Creek Update: Dennis Schueth reported that he, Marsha and Phil Steinkamp met with Lisa Beethe, Nebraska Environmental Trust, to review the project and tour some of the practices installed through the grant program.
ELM Update: Dennis Schueth reported on the meeting held July 10 regarding the DNR/NRD Goals. A copy of the proposed budget for the third grant was also reviewed.
EXCUSED ABSENCES:
]It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Chris Dierks to excuse the absence of Gregg Felker and Jeff Krebs. AYE: Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Koinzan, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Felker & Krebs. MOTION CARRIED.
ACTION ON RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF LB 483
(NEB.REV.STAT. § 46-714(12) (2009)):
]It was moved by Jim Keller and seconded by Jerry Heithoff to adopt the Rules and Regulations for the implementation of LB 483. AYE: Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Koinzan, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Felker & Krebs. MOTION CARRIED.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Legislative, Finance and Planning Committee:
· Action on Current Bills and Cost share Requests: The committee met prior to the board meeting and reviewed the current bills and cost share applications. ]It was moved by Reg Green and seconded by Janet Koinzan to approve the current bills for payment. AYE: Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Koinzan, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Felker & Krebs. MOTION CARRIED. The Committee also reviewed the current cost share application. ]It was moved by Reg Green and seconded by Curtis Gotschall to approve the cost share application pending funding. AYE: Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Koinzan, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Felker & Krebs. MOTION CARRIED.
· FY 08-09 Budget Workshop: The budget workshop will be held August 12.
· Gas-Rite: Tim Johnson, O’Neill, NE: The Committee discussed this proposal and made no recommendation.
· Wild Nebraska-Gene Timperley: There has been a funding request from Gene Timperley for the clearing away of unwanted and volunteer trees. ]It was moved by Curtis Gotschall and seconded by Roy Stewart to deny the request for funding assistance because the District does not cost share on the clearing of volunteer trees. AYE: Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Koinzan, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: Childers & Green. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Felker & Krebs. MOTION CARRIED.
Personnel, Equipment, Promotion and Education Committee:
· FY 09-10 Salary Negotiations: ]It was moved by Jerry Childers and seconded by Chris Dierks for the Board of Directors to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel and salary negotiations at 9:03 p.m. with Dennis Schueth remaining for a portion of the discussion. AYE: Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Koinzan, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Felker & Krebs. MOTION CARRIED. ]It was moved by Jerry Childers and seconded by Chris Dierks to come out of executive session at 9:55 p.m. AYE: Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Koinzan, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Felker & Krebs. MOTION CARRIED. ]It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Chris Dierks to approve the salary recommendations FY 09-10. AYE: Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Koinzan, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Felker & Krebs. MOTION CARRIED.
· Water Resources Technician Position Update: ]It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Jim Keller to offer the Water Resources Technician Position to Nick Hoffman with a salary range of $26,000-$29,000. AYE: Childers, Dvorak, Gotschall, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Koinzan, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: Dierks & Green. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Felker & Krebs. MOTION CARRIED.
· Wellness Program: Dennis Schueth reported that the NARD Benefits Committee has begun a Wellness Program to promote good health throughout the NRDs. This will be discussed further during the budget process.
· Other: Dennis Schueth reported that we have a pickup that is using a lot of oil. This also may be a budgetary item as to whether the District considers replacing it or planning for repairs.
COALITION/TASK FORCE UPDATE:
Nebraska Habitat Conservation Coalition (Piping Plover): No Report.
Nebraska Groundwater Management Coalition: No Report.
Lower Platte Basin Coalition Water Policy Task Force Meetings: No Report.
NIOBRARA RIVER BASIN FULLY APPROPRIATED DESIGNATION – ACTION:
A copy of the Court decision as it relates to the landowners challenge against DNR was included in the Director’s packets.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT:
Dennis Schueth’s report was mailed out in the Director’s packets a copy is kept on file at the NRD office. Dennis passed out the interim study list which has LR 181 fourth on the list followed by LR 124 to examine the use of eminent domain by NRDs. There have been no hearings scheduled at this point but the interim studies will continue to be monitored by the NARD.
The next Board Meeting is scheduled for August 24, 2009 at 8:00 PM.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:20 P.M.