UPPER ELKHORN NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

July 28, 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:

Chris Dierks                 Gregg Felker                Curtis Gotschall           Reg Green                     Jerry Heithoff

Ted Hughes                  Tim Knuth                    Jeff Krebs                     Mike Russman               Roy Stewart

Dale Wiles      

DIRECTORS ABSENT:

Jerry Childers               James Dvorak               Jim Keller                    Janet Koinzan

STAFF PRESENT:

Dennis Schueth, General Manager

Beth Walsh, Information & Education Coordinator

Tylr Naprstek, Water Resources Manager

GUESTS PRESENT:

Joel Klammer ~ North Central RC&D ~ Bassett , NE

ADOPTION OF AGENDA:

]It was moved by Curtis Gotschall and seconded by Mike Russman to adopt the agenda.  AYE:  Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Keller & Koinzan.  MOTION CARRIED.

MINUTES:

The minutes of the June Meeting were reviewed by the Directors. ]It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Jerry Heithoff to approve the minutes of the June Meeting.  AYE:  Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Russman & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  Felker, Krebs & Stewart.  ABSENT:  Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Keller& Koinzan.  MOTION CARRIED.

TREASURERS REPORT:

The June treasurers report was reviewed by the Directors. ]It was moved by Curtis Gotschall and seconded by Reg Green to approve the June Treasurers Report.  AYE:  Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Russman, Stewart & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  Felker & Krebs.  ABSENT:  Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Keller& Koinzan.  MOTION CARRIED.

AGENCY & STAFF REPORTS:

NARD Report:  Ted Hughes reported that there appears to be a conflict or lack of communication between the NARD I&E Committee, NARD staff, NRD Managers and statewide I&E group regarding the promotion of NRD’s statewide.  They are working to resolve these issues.       

DNR Report:  No Report.       

NRCS Report:  Jerry Kavorik was unable to attend but his report was handed out at the board meeting.  Dennis Schueth reported on the EQIP program and local workgroup meeting for the 2009 program.  Dennis also reminded the board of the No-Till on the Plains field day, July 30, 2008 near the highway 13-20 junction west of Plainview .      

RC&D Report:

North Central RC&D:  Meeting information included in the Directors folders.  Joel Klammer, new North Central RC&D Director, stopped by the board meeting to introduce himself. 

Loup Basin RC&D:  Minutes passed around. 

Northeast RC&D:  Meeting information included in the Directors folders.  

Information & Education Report: Beth Walsh’s report was mailed out in the Directors packets. 

Water Resources Report: Tylr Naprstek’s report was mailed out in the Directors packets.  Tylr highlighted his report, which contained the computer upgrades, new router and internet access, irrigation hotline, Tech Team update and the return of Dr. Chen to the Neligh area for more stream readings.  Tylr also reported that the NRD is up and running on the NRD mapmaker program.  A tour has been scheduled for August 25, prior to the next board meeting, on the Zuhlke site with Dr. Charles Shapiro and Dr. Bill Kranz regarding the final year of the crop rotation study.  It was suggested that the tour and next board meeting be combined.    

East Branch Verdigris Creek Update:  Dennis Schueth reported that they are working on the quarterly report. 

ELM Update:  It was reported that Sue Lackey will be drilling some test wells in the upcoming week to gather data for the ELM study. 

EXCUSED ABSENCES:

]It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Reg Green to excuse the absence of Jerry Childers, James Dvorak, Jim Keller and Janet Koinzan.  AYE:  Dierks, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Childers, Dvorak, Keller & Koinzan.  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 Roy Stewart to approve the current bills for payment.  AYE:  Dierks, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Childers, Dvorak, Keller & Koinzan.  MOTION CARRIED.  The Committee also reviewed the current cost share applications.  ]It was moved by Reg Green and seconded by Mike Russman to approve the cost share applications pending funding.  AYE:  Dierks, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Childers, Dvorak, Keller & Koinzan.  MOTION CARRIED.   Niobrara River Interlocal Agreement:  Dennis Schueth gave an update on the Niobrara River Interlocal Agreement, which is being reviewed by all the interested parties. 

FY 08-09 Budget Workshop:  The budget workshop will be held August 18 at 7:00 p.m.

Water Resources & Watershed Committee: 

ELM Model Update:  The committee met prior to the board meeting.  Gregg Felker reported that there will be a Water Resources & Watershed Committee meeting for the entire board August 20 at 7:00 PM to discuss the UENRD Groundwater Management Plan Rules and Regulations.   They also discussed groundwater transfers, which may be tabled and pulled from the rules and regulations for now.    

Personnel, Equipment, Promotion and Education Committee:

FY 08-09 Salary Negotiations:  ]It was moved by Ted Hughes 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 8:46 p.m. with Dennis Schueth remaining for a portion of the discussion.  AYE:  Dierks, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Childers, Dvorak, Keller & Koinzan.  MOTION CARRIED.

]It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Jerry Heithoff to come out of executive session at 9:26 p.m.  AYE:  Dierks, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Childers, Dvorak, Keller & Koinzan.  MOTION CARRIED.  ]It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Gregg Felker to approve the salary recommendations FY 08-09.  AYE:  Dierks, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Childers, Dvorak, Keller & Koinzan.  MOTION CARRIED.

COALITION/TASK FORCE UPDATE:

Nebraska Habitat Conservation Coalition (Piping Plover):  No Report.

Nebraska Groundwater Management Coalition:  Dennis Schueth reported that they are still working with Game & Parks to resolve the instream flow issues.  He also reported that they may join forces with another coalition with the same interests. 

Lower Platte Basin Coalition Water Policy Task Force Meetings:  No Report. 

NIOBRARA RIVER BASIN FULLY APPROPRIATED DESIGNATION – ACTION:

]It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Chris Dierks for the Board of Directors to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing the Niobrara River Basin Fully Appropriated Designation at 9:30 p.m.  AYE:  Dierks, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Childers, Dvorak, Keller & Koinzan.  MOTION CARRIED.

]It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Curtis Gotschall to come out of executive session at 9:45 p.m.  AYE:  Dierks, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Childers, Dvorak, Keller & Koinzan.  MOTION CARRIED. 

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 golf outing information for the upcoming NARD Annual Fall Conference in Kearney , September 28.  Dennis also reviewed two complaints in Antelope County , which he has been acting mediator for the landowners.     

The next Board Meeting is scheduled for August 25, 2008 at 8:00 PM.  Committee meetings will be held at 7:00 PM.  The next board meeting will be held in conjunction with the crop rotation tour in Neligh.    

There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:55 P.M.