TWIN PLATTE NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT Board of Directors Meeting December 13, 2018

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1 Board of Directors Meeting December 13, 2018 The Twin Platte Natural Resources District (TPNRD) Board of Directors meeting was held at the Figure Four Traditions, Haythorn Ranch, 193 Haythorn Drive, located four miles north of the intersection of Highways 61 & 92, Keith County, Nebraska on December 13, Mr. Schilz called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm MT. A legal notice of the meeting was published in the NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH. A news release containing the agenda for the meeting and including the time and place was sent to the news media in the District. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT David Colvin Eric S Hansen Judy Pederson Dennis Schilz Shane Storer Joe Wahlgren Jerry Weaver Robert Wiseman BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT James Meismer Robert L Petersen Douglas L Stack NRCS PERSONNEL PRESENT Miles Anderson, NP NRCS Jan Brestel, District Secretary Nick Coffey, Range Technician Nick Giger, Ogallala NRCS Tim Griffin, Ogallala NRCS Eryn Rapp, District Secretary Mary Reece, District Conservationist Isaac Young, NP NRCS STAFF PRESENT Kent O Miller, General Manager Amy Oberst, Administrative Assistant OTHERS PRESENT ANNOUNCEMENTS Nebraska Open Meeting Act Mr. Schilz reported the Nebraska Open Meeting Act requires public bodies to make available the current Open Meeting Act which is available for viewing by the public in the meeting room. Mr. Schilz reported that the legal notice for the meeting was published in the North Platte Telegraph on December 4,

2 Report of Directors Excused Mr. Schilz reported the TPNRD Operating Policy Number 4 provides that a Director will be considered excused if the Director notifies the office prior to the meeting that they will be absent. Mr. Schilz reported Mr. Meismer, Mr. Petersen, and Mr. Stack had notified the office they would be absent and are therefore excused. Information Available for the Public Mr. Schilz reported that each Board member has a hard copy of the information they will need during the Board meeting and that the members ipads would not be needed during the Board meeting. Mr. Schilz reported that the other items on Dropbox are for the members information and will not be needed during the Board meeting. Mr. Schilz reported that on a table in the meeting room is the information that each Board member has and is available for viewing by the public attending the Board of Directors meeting. Mr. Schilz reported that this information is also available on the TPNRD website. Board of Directors Elections 2018 Mr. Schilz reported that available for the Directors was the official TPNRD Board of Directors Election Results that were available on December 3, Mr. Schilz reported that the At Large seat did not have a recount. Mr. Schilz reported that the State Canvasing Board met on December 3, 2018 and determined that a recount was not needed as the difference in the vote count was not less than 1%. Mr. Schilz reported that Ann Dimmitt, Mr. Miller, and he has scheduled an orientation for December 19, 2018 for the two new Directors, Jake Tiedeman and Eric Brown. Other Announcements presented. Mr. Schilz opened the Public Forum. PUBLIC FORUM Mr. Schilz stated that the public is provided an opportunity to speak to the Board during the public forum at the beginning of each Board meeting and the public is only allowed to speak during the Public Forum. Mr. Schilz stated that the Chairman may limit the time for each person speaking to the Board. There were no comments. Mr. Schilz closed the Public Forum. presented. REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE COOPERATING AGENCIES REPORT USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) District Conservationist Report 2

3 Mrs. Reece reported that a written report was available for the Directors and she presented a report. The NRCS staff attending the Board meeting introduced themselves and reported on their job USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Brule Watershed No report presented. Nebraska Natural Resources Commission (NNRC) Mr. Miller reported that available for the Directors was a map of the Nebraska River Basins Boundaries and the NRD Boundaries. Mr. Miller reported that the NNRC is a functioning body within the NE Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Mr. Miller reported that the NNRC advises the NE DNR and performs functions for the Natural Resources Water Quality Fund, the Resources Development Fund, the Small Watersheds Flood Control Fund, the Soil and Water Conservation Program, the Water Sustainability Fund, the Water Well Decommissioning Fund, the Interrelated Water Review Board, and the Erosion and Sediment Control Program. Mr. Miller reported that the NNRC has no jurisdiction over matters pertaining to water rights. Mr. Miller reported that the NNRC has 27 members of which 13 members represent River Basins and are appointed by NRDs, and 14 members are appointed by the Governor. Mr. Miller reported that the members representing River Basins are selected for four-year terms at individual caucuses of the NRD Directors residing in the river basin. Mr. Miller reported that the information available for the Directors has a listing of the TPNRD Directors for each basin they reside. Mr. Miller reported the North Platte Basin & Middle Platte Basin NNRC members terms expire in 2021 and the South Platte Basin member term expires in January Mr. Miller reported that historically, the TPNRD Board members have chosen not to participate in the Basin Caucuses, as the TPNRD Directors are not a majority in any of the Basins the NRD Directors are eligible to participate in the caucuses. Nebraska Natural Resources Commission (NNRC) - South Platte River Basin Caucus Mr. Miller reported the South Platte Basin Caucus is scheduled for January 8, 2019 at 5:15 pm MST at the South Platte Natural Resources District (SPNRD) offices in Sidney, NE, which is the date and time for the SPNRD Board meeting. Mr. Miller reported that the TPNRD Director residing in the South Platte River Basin and eligible to participate in the caucus is Mr. Wiseman. presented. GENERAL INFORMATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS Minutes for November 8, 2018 Mr. Schilz reported the Minutes for the November 8, 2018 Board of Directors meeting were available and he asked if there were any corrections or additions. 3

4 Mrs. Pederson moved the Minutes of the November 8, 2018 Board of Directors meeting be approved. Mr. Weaver seconded the motion. The motion carried. (Motion #1) Colvin, Hansen, Pederson, Schilz, Wahlgren, Weaver, Wiseman Out of Room: Storer FINANCIAL REPORT Financial Statement - Mr. Colvin reported that the Financial Statement for December 2018 was available for the Directors. Accounts Payable - Mr. Colvin reported the Accounts Payable report was available for the Directors. Mr. Colvin moved the Financial Statement for November 2018 be received and placed on file for audit and to approve payment of the invoices presented on December 13, 2018 in the amount of $74, Mr. Wahlgren seconded the motion. The motion carried. (Motion #2) Colvin, Hansen, Pederson, Schilz, Wahlgren, Weaver, Wiseman Out of Room: Storer Budget Status Mr. Colvin reported the Budget Status report was available. Bids presented. Bids to be Presented January 10, 2019 Mr. Miller reported District Policy provides The staff will notify the Board during the Board meeting immediately prior to the Board meeting at which bids will be presented for consideration. Mr. Miller reported no bids will be presented during the January 10, 2019 Board of Directors meeting. DIRECTORS REPORTS Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) Board of Directors No report presented. Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) Interlocal Agreement for the TPNRD Tree Program Mr. Miller reported that available for the Directors was an amended Interlocal Agreement between the NARD and the TPNRD for the TPNRD Tree program. Mr. Miller reported that the NARD coordinates acquiring seedling trees and shrubs from the NE Forest Service at Halsey for NRDs. Mr. Miller reported that an Interlocal Agreement between the NARD and the TPNRD has been in place since 2001 and has worked very well for the NRDs. Mr. Miller reported that this is an amendment to the ongoing agreement to continue 4

5 the arrangement through September 30, Mr. Wiseman moved to approve the amended Interlocal Agreement between the NARD and the TPNRD for the TPNRD Tree program to continue the agreement through September 30, 2021 and authorize the General Manager to execute the Interlocal Agreement for the TPNRD. Mrs. Pederson seconded the motion. The motion carried. (Motion #3) Colvin, Hansen, Pederson, Schilz, Wahlgren, Weaver, Wiseman Out of Room: Storer Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) Legislative Conference, January 29-30, 2019 Mr. Miller reported the NARD annual Legislative Conference will be held January 29-30, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska, and a tentative agenda was available. The Directors present indicated if they plan to attend the Legislative Conference. Mr. Schilz appointed Mr. Weaver to be the Voting Delegate, and Mr. Wahlgren to be the Alternate Voting Delegate. Sandhills Task Force No report presented. Requests for Authorization to Travel No requests presented. DISTRICT REPORT NCORPE Project North Pipeline Mr. Miller reported he has notified Chris Miller, Miller & Associates, that he could release the contractor, BRB, from the one-year warranty which ended on December 12, Mr. Miller reported that for the seeding that occurred during construction of the North Pipeline, Jeff Nichols, Resource Conservationist, NRCS, is continuing to monitor and provide recommendations regarding the seeding that occurred during construction of the North Pipeline. Mr. Miller reported that Mr. Nichols has reported to the TPNRD the stand of seedlings has continued to improve from the previous site visit, excellent timing of moisture events throughout the 2018 growing season contributed significantly to the improvement, and the stand should progress well going into the 2019 growing season. Mr. Miller reported for the pipeline operations, the pipeline has not been used, and is not planned to be used until 2020, when water will be required to be delivered to the Platte River as the TPNRD Integrated Management Plan requires. Mr. Miller reported that a test of the north pipeline was completed on November 19, Mr. Miller reported there was 2.9 Acre-Feet of water pumped to test the valves. Mr. Miller reported wells were added till 10,000 GPM was flowing and the bypass valve opened, and the wells were then shut off till 5

6 the flow was reduced to below 9,000 GPM and the bypass valve closed again. Mr. Miller reported the system worked as designed. NCORPE Project TPNRD News Release Mr. Miller reported available for the Directors was a TPNRD News Release, NCORPE Today The Facts, November 13, 2018, a Sutherland Courier-Times article Twin Platte NRD Issues Fact Sheet About NCORPE, November 15, 2018, a Sutherland Courier-Times article Senator Issues Rebuttal Statement in Answer to NRD NCORPE Press Release, November 22, 2018, a North Platte Bulletin article Groene: Despite NRD Statement, NCORPE land can be sold, November 16, 2018, and a Union Bank & Trust letter, February 8, Mr. Miller reported that the News Release was intended to present facts relating to several items, not just selling the NCORPE land, and the only news media that used the News Release was the Sutherland Courier-Times and the North Platte Bulletin. Cost-Share Programs NE Soil & Water Conservation Program Mr. Miller reported the monthly report was available for the Directors, $28, was available, and there were four new applications to present. Mr. Wiseman moved to approve the December 13, 2018 report and to approve the following new contracts: Cont# Practice Description App Amt Prop Amt to Fund NC-12 Trees $ 1, $ 1, NC-12 Trees $ 1, $ 1, NC-12 Trees $ $ NC-12 Trees $ $ Total Amount of New Contracts $ 4, FUNDS AVAILABLE $ 24, Mrs. Pederson seconded the motion. The motion carried. (Motion #4) Colvin, Hansen, Pederson, Schilz, Storer, Wahlgren, Weaver, Wiseman Cost-Share Programs District Conservation Programs Mr. Miller reported the monthly report was available for the Directors, and $6, was available. Miscellaneous Information Mr. Miller reported various items of information were available for the Directors. Mr. Hansen asked if more producers could be involved in the TPNRD Stakeholders meetings for the TPNRD Integrated Management Plan (IMP) Second Increment. A discussion by the Board occurred regarding the TPNRD IMP Second Increment. 6

7 There was no other business. OTHER BUSINESS NEXT MEETING Mr. Schilz reported that the next Board of Directors meeting would be held on Thursday, January 10, 2019 at 3:00 pm at the TPNRD offices. AWARDS PRESENTATION The TPNRD 2018 Grasslands Award for Keith/Arthur Counties was presented to the Two Bar Two Ranch. Representing the ranch were Mark and Sandi Wilson and their daughters Sheridan and Audrey Wilson. The Award was sponsored by Nebraska Land National Bank. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm MT (8:30 pm CT). Jerry Weaver, Secretary 7