September 12, 2011 -- 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 Tim Knuth.
DIRECTORS PRESENT:
Scott Beckman Jerry Childers Chris Dierks James Dvorak Gregg Felker
Curtis Gotschall Reg Green Jerry Heithoff Ted Hughes Jim Keller
Tim Knuth Jeff Krebs Mike Russman Roy Stewart Dale Wiles
DIRECTORS ABSENT:
None
STAFF PRESENT:
Dennis Schueth, General Manager
Tom Riley, Water Resources Manager
Marsha Hart, Administrative Secretary
Beth Walsh, Information & Education Coordinator
Kelly Kloppenborg, Water Resources Technician
Don Caouette, Assistant Manager
GUESTS PRESENT:
John Ludwig - NRCS - O’Neill
AGENDA:
]It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Jim Keller to adopt the agenda. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. MOTION CARRIED.
AUGUST 17th BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES:
The minutes of the August Budget Workshop were reviewed by the Directors. ]It was moved by Chris Dierks and seconded by Dale Wiles to approve the minutes of the August 17, 2011 Budget Workshop Meeting. AYE: Beckman, Dierks, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Childers, Dvorak, Felker & Krebs. ABSENT: None. MOTION CARRIED.
AUGUST BOARD MEETING MINUTES:
]It was moved by Jim Keller and seconded by Chris Dierks to approve the minutes of the August 22, 2011 Board Meeting. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Felker & Gotschall. ABSENT: None. MOTION CARRIED.
TREASURERS REPORT:
]It was moved by Jeff Krebs and seconded by Jerry Childers to approve the July Treasurers Report. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. MOTION CARRIED.
PUBLIC FORUM:
None
CONSIDERATION AND ACTION ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE DISTRICTS RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE NE GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION ACT INCLUDING NEW OR AMENDED CONTROLS:
As a result of the Public Hearing held at 4:00 PM September 12, 2011 regarding the proposed amendments to the UENRD Rules and Regulations, the UENRD Board considered the next phase of implementation. ]It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Jake Dvorak to approve the proposed changes to rule #23 and #24 of the UENRD Rules and Regulations for the enforcement of the Nebraska Ground Water Management Plan. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dvorak, Gotschall, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: Dierks, Felker, Green & Russman. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. MOTION CARRIED. ]It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Jerry Heithoff to approve the Order of Designation. The Order of Designation adopts the proposed modifications to the Districts rules and regulations for the enforcement of the Nebraska Ground Water Management and Protection Act. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: Dierks, Green & Russman. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. MOTION CARRIED.
FY 11-12 BUDGET HEARING:
Open FY 11-12 Budget Hearing: Jeff Krebs, director of the Upper Elkhorn NRD, officially opened the 2011-2012 Fiscal Year Budget Hearing at 8:15 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 2011-2012 proposed budget.
AGENCY & STAFF REPORTS:
NARD Report:
· Fall Conference and Voting Delegates: The annual conference is scheduled for September 25-27. ]It was moved by Chris Dierks and seconded by Jeff Krebs to appoint Tim Knuth as voting delegate for the NARD Annual Conference and Jerry Childers as the alternate. AYE: Beckman, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Childers & Knuth. ABSENT: None. MOTION CARRIED.
· NARD Resolutions & Interim Studies: Dennis Schueth reported on the proposed resolutions concerning the Water Well Decommissioning Fund and a clarification on variances.
· Basin Meeting @ Fall Conference: Dennis Schueth reported that the Basin Meeting will be held on Tuesday morning, September 27 around 7:30 am and be hosted by the Papio-Missouri River NRD.
DNR Report: No Report. The Commission will be meeting following the NARD Annual Conference.
RC&D Reports:
North Central RC&D: No Report.
Loup Basin RC&D: No Report.
Northeast RC&D: No Report.
FY 11-12 BUDGET HEARING (Closing and Action):
Closing of FY 11-12 Budget Hearing and Action: There being no further testimony regarding the 2011-2012 fiscal budget for the Upper Elkhorn NRD, the Budget Hearing was closed at 8:35 P.M. by Reg Green, director of the Upper Elkhorn NRD. District Action on FY 11-12 Budget: ]It was moved by Jeff Krebs and seconded by Ted Hughes to adopt the FY 11-12 Budget. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. MOTION CARRIED.
AGENCY & STAFF REPORTS continued:
NRCS Report: John Ludwig reported that they have been busy completing contract modifications and have also been busy with EQIP annual contract reviews and planning for the new applications.
Information & Education Report: Beth Walsh’s report was mailed out in the Director’s packets. Beth reviewed the annual conference reservations with the Directors.
Water Resources Report: Tom Riley’s report was mailed out in the Directors packet. Tom reported that the irrigation season is winding down; however, they are trying to collect a few more water samples. Tom handed out information regarding the atrazine tests performed on the monitoring wells and a copy of the water quality results from the CAFO sites.
FY 11-12 SPECIAL BUDGET HEARING:
Open Special Hearing – Setting of FY 2010-2011 Tax Asking & Mill-Levy: Jeff Krebs, director of the Upper Elkhorn NRD, officially opened the 2011-2012 Fiscal Year Special Hearing at 8:50 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 10-11.
EBVC Update: The final report is being completed.
ELM Update: No Report.
EXCUSED ABSENCES:
None
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Legislative, Finance and Planning: The Legislative, Finance and Planning Committee met prior to the Board meeting and reviewed all the bills. ]It was moved by Jeff Krebs and seconded by Scott Beckman to approve the current bills for payment. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Russman. MOTION CARRIED.
Water Quality and Watershed: The Committee met prior to the board meeting. Gregg Felker reported that representatives from NDEQ will be attending the October board meeting to discuss the water quality issues in Northern Antelope County. The committee also discussed the Willow Creek Watershed Proposal.
COALITION/TASK FORCE UPDATE:
Nebraska Habitat Conservation Coalition (Piping Plover): No Report.
Nebraska Ground Water Management Coalition: No Report.
Lower Platte Basin Coalition: No Report.
NIOBRARA RIVER FULLY APPROPRIATED DESIGNATION – ACTION:
No Report
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.
UENRD FY 11-12 SPECIAL BUDGET HEARING:
Closing of Special Hearing: There being no further testimony regarding setting the 2011-2012 Tax Asking & Mill-levy different than FY 2010-2011 for the Upper Elkhorn NRD, the Special Hearing was closed at 9:10 P.M. by Jeff Krebs, Director of the Upper Elkhorn NRD.
Setting of FY 11-12 Tax Asking & Mill Levy: ]It was moved by Jeff Krebs and seconded by Scott Beckman to adopt the resolution motion to set the mill-levy at 0.021304 per $100 of valuation and tax asking of $546,836. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. MOTION CARRIED.
The next Upper Elkhorn NRD will be scheduled for October 24, 2011.
]It was moved by Scott Beckman and seconded by Jake Dvorak to adjourn the Board meeting at 9:10 PM. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. MOTION CARRIED.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 P.M.