UPPER ELKHORN NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT   

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

September 17, 2007 -- 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 8:05 P.M. by Chairman Jerry Heithoff.

DIRECTORS PRESENT:

Jerry Childers               Chris Dierks              James Dvorak             Gregg Felker               Reg Green

Jerry Heithoff               Ted Hughes                Jim Keller                  Tim Knuth                  Janet Koinzan

Jeff Krebs                      Mike Russman           Dale Wiles

DIRECTORS ABSENT:    

Curtis Gotschall            Roy Stewart

STAFF PRESENT:

Dennis Schueth, General Manager

Tylr Naprstek, Water Resources Manager

Marsha Hart, Administrative Secretary

Beth Walsh, Information & Education Coordinator

GUESTS PRESENT:

Jerry Kovarik - NRCS - O’Neill

AGENDA:

]It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Janet Koinzan to amend the agenda and remove #7 the Cedar Creek Dam Project.  AYE:  Childers, Felker, Green, Hughes, Knuth, Krebs, Russman & Wiles.  NAY:  Dierks & Heithoff.  ABSTAIN:  Keller.  ABSENT:  Dvorak, Gotschall, Knuth & Stewart.  MOTION CARRIED.

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

Knuth Arrived

AUGUST BOARD MEETING MINUTES:

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

TREASURERS REPORT:

]It was moved by Jerry Childers and seconded by Ted Hughes to approve the August Treasurers Report.  AYE:  Childers, Dierks, Felker, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Koinzan, Russman & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Dvorak, Gotschall & Stewart.  MOTION CARRIED.

Dvorak Arrived

FY 07-08 BUDGET HEARING:

Open FY 07-08 Budget Hearing:  Reg Green, director of the Upper Elkhorn NRD, officially opened the 2007-2008 Fiscal Year Budget Hearing at 8:18 P.M.  The hearing was to remain open for a minimum of 20 minutes.  The purpose of the hearing is to receive support, opposition, criticism, suggestions or observations of taxpayers relating to the proposed budget and to consider amendments relative to the Upper Elkhorn NRD 2007-2008 proposed budget. 

AGENCY & STAFF REPORTS:

NARD Report:  Ted Hughes reported on the NARD subcommittee conference calls he has participated in since the last meeting.  This included a Husker Harvest Days update where they distributed 3800 seedlings and scheduled meetings.  The November NARD Board meeting is scheduled at the Tri-Basin NRD; the 2008 Legislative Conference will be held February 5-6; and, the Washington DC conference is scheduled to begin on March 8, 2008. 

Fall Conference-NARD Voting Delegate and Alternate:  ]It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Janet Koinzan to appoint Jerry Heithoff voting delegate and Dale Wiles alternate.  AYE:  Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Koinzan, Russman & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Gotschall & Stewart.  MOTION CARRIED.

Resolutions:  Dennis Schueth reviewed the late resolution submitted by the Papio-Missouri River NRD regarding invasive species.   

DNR Report:  No Report.  The Commission will be meeting following the NARD Annual Conference.

NRCS Report:  Jerry Kovarik reported on the EQIP program and special project area.  The Nebraska Game and Parks Legacy Programs and maps were reviewed.  Jerry passed out carbon management information from the Chicago Climate Exchange and reviewed the current continuous sign-up CRP rules. 

RC&D Reports:

North Central RC&D:  No Report.  

Loup Basin RC&D:  No Report.

Northeast RC&D:  No Report.

Information & Education Report:  Beth Walsh’s report was mailed out in the Director’s packets.  Beth reported on the upcoming County Government Day activities and the Wonderful World of Water both occurring on September 19. 

Water Resources Report:  Tylr Naprstek’s report was mailed out in the Directors Packets.  Tylr reported that the Environmental Trust Grant has been submitted regarding cost share on flowmeters.  September 27, there is a tour scheduled at the Zuhlke crop rotation study site.  Tylr attended a meeting September 6 to discuss the ELM model.  The members of the EML group are considering hiring a coordinator for the project and the technical committee reviewed the components they would like addressed in the study.  Tylr also updated the water well permit totals and to date we have received 88 permits.    

EBVC Update:

Dennis Schueth reported that the quarterly report is being compiled.

EXCUSED ABSENCES:  

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

FY 07-08 BUDGET HEARING (Closing):

Closing of FY 07-08 Budget Hearing:  There being no further testimony regarding the 2007-2008 fiscal budget for the Upper Elkhorn NRD, the Budget Hearing was closed at 8:45 P.M. by Reg Green, director of the Upper Elkhorn NRD. 

District Action on FY 07-08 Budget:  ]It was moved by Reg Green and seconded by Chris Dierks to adopt the FY 07-08 Budget.  AYE:  Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Koinzan, Russman & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Gotschall & Stewart.  MOTION CARRIED.

FY 07-08 SPECIAL BUDGET HEARING:

Open Special Hearing – Setting of FY 2007-2008 Tax Asking & Mill-Levy:  Reg Green, director of the Upper Elkhorn NRD, officially opened the 2007-2008 Fiscal Year Special Hearing at 8:46 P.M.  The hearing was to remain open for a minimum of 20 minutes.  The purpose of the hearing is to receive support, opposition, criticism, suggestions or observations of taxpayers relating to setting the Tax Asking & Mill-Levy different from FY 06-07.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Legislative, Finance and Planning:  The Legislative, Finance and Planning Committee met prior to the Board meeting and reviewed all the bills and cost share applications.  ]It was moved by Reg Green and seconded by Jerry Childers to approve the current bills for payment.  AYE:  Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Koinzan, Russman & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Gotschall & Stewart.  MOTION CARRIED.  There were no cost share requests to review.    

Water Quality and Watershed:  The Committee met prior to the board meeting.   Dale Wiles reported that the Committee met September 12 to continue working on the Groundwater Management Plan.  The memorandum of understanding was reviewed regarding the UNL crop rotation study.  This is a four-year study, which the UENRD has allocated $10,000 a year and 2008 would be the last year of the study.  ]It was moved by Dale Wiles and seconded by Jim Keller to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with UNL regarding the crop rotation study at the Zuhlke site.  Following the discussion, Dale Wiles withdrew his motion and the consensus was to wait until after a tour of the study site before entering into the agreement.  A tour at the site of the study will be held September 27.

COALITION/TASK FORCE UPDATE:

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

Pallid Sturgeon/Sturgeon Chub:  No Report. 

Nebraska Ground Water Management Coalition:  No Report.

UENRD FY 07-08 SPECIAL BUDGET HEARING:

Closing of Special Hearing:  There being no further testimony regarding setting the 2007-2008 Tax Asking & Mill-levy different than FY 2006-2007 for the Upper Elkhorn NRD, the Special Hearing was closed at 9:10 P.M. by Reg Green, director of the Upper Elkhorn NRD. 

Setting of FY 07-08 Tax Asking & Mill Levy:  ]It was moved by Reg Green and seconded by Dale Wiles to adopt the resolution motion to set the mill-levy at 0.025419 per $100 of valuation and tax asking of $456,820 as read by Reg Green.  AYE:  Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Koinzan, Russman & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Gotschall & Stewart.  MOTION CARRIED. 

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.  Dennis updated the board members regarding the possibility of a section of the Niobrara River being labeled as fully appropriated and how this could affect the UENRD.  He also updated the board on the insect, which has been killing green ash trees and the fact that it could move into our area.    

The next Upper Elkhorn NRD will be scheduled for October 22, 2007. 

There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:14 P.M.