NIOBRARA COUNCIL

May Meeting Minutes

280 North Main Street

P.O. Box 206

Valentine, Nebraska 69201

 

(402) 376-2793 voice, (402) 376-1331 fax

info@niobraracouncil.org

Niobrara Council MINUTES from the May 15, 2008 meeting

 

1.  Call to Order / Excused Absences.  Chair Frauen called the Niobrara Council meeting to order at 1:08 p.m.  The meeting was held at the Cherry County Courthouse Meeting Room, 365 North Main Street, Valentine, Nebraska.

Present:  Dave Beck, Monte Frauen, Todd Frerichs, Twyla Graham, Joel Klammer, Kerry Krueger, Mike Murphy, Roland Paddock, John Ravenscroft, Dave Sands, Pete Sawle, Wayne Werkmeister.

Not Present (Excused Absent):  Jason Appelt, Betty Hall, Lance Kuck, Jim Schoenberg.

 

2.  Public Meeting Business.

A.  Statement regarding Open Meetings Act.  Chair Frauen noted that the Nebraska Open Meetings Act was posted and available, and he pointed out the location on the meeting room wall.

 

B.  Adoption of May 15, 2008 Agenda.  Ravenscroft made a motion to adopt the May 15, 2008 Agenda.  Graham second.

Roll Call Vote:   10 Ayes – Beck, Frauen, Graham, Klammer, Krueger, Murphy, Paddock, Ravenscroft, Sands, Sawle.

2 No Answer – Frerichs, Werkmeister.

4 Not Present – Hall, Kuck, Schoenberg, Appelt.

Motion carried 10 ayes to 0 nays.

 

C.  Statement of Publication for May 15, 2008 meeting. Kieborz stated public meeting notices were published in area newspapers (Ainsworth Star-Journal, Valentine Midland News, Springview Herald, Rock County Leader) and were available at the Council office.  Original were available for inspection. 

 

D.  Incorporation of Affidavit/Proof of Publication into Minutes from April 17, 2008 meeting.  Chair Frauen directed Kieborz to incorporate the original affidavit/proof of publications into the minutes from the April 17, 2008 meeting. 

 

E.  Approval of April 17, 2008 Minutes.  Paddock made a motion to approve the April 17, 2008 Minutes.  Klammer second. 

Roll Call Vote:   10 Ayes – Frauen, Graham, Klammer, Krueger, Murphy, Paddock, Ravenscroft, Sands, Sawle, Beck.

2 No Answer – Frerichs, Werkmeister.

4 Not Present – Hall, Kuck, Schoenberg, Appelt.

Motion carried 10 ayes to 0 nays.

 

F. Discussion/action regarding details for July 2008 River Day and Nebraska Legislature Float Trip.  Kieborz stated there aren’t any events or interim studies that would bring the legislative members out this way currently scheduled.  There was some discussion about having a council member canoe trip.

 

3.  Treasurer’s Report and Claims.  Approval of monthly claims for the May 15, 2008 meeting.  Frauen made a motion that the claims for May 15, 2008 in the amount of $10,353.09 be approved.  Ravenscroft second. 

Roll Call Vote:   10 Ayes – Graham, Klammer, Krueger, Murphy, Paddock, Ravenscroft, Sands, Sawle, Beck, Frauen.

2 No Answer – Werkmeister, Frerichs.

4 Not Present – Hall, Kuck, Schoenberg, Appelt.

Motion carried 10 ayes to 0 nays.

 

4.  Agency/Organization Reports.

A.  NPS - Visitor Management & Project Updates.  Werkmeister reported that there was nothing new to report in regards to the Niobrara Superintendent position.  He stated that the Missouri Recreational River Superintendent position was recently filled.  There was some discussion about a possible culturally scarred tree in the Niobrara Valley.

 

B.  USF & WS - Visitor Management & Project Updates.  Frerichs reported that Steve Hicks, the new complex manager at Ft. Niobrara NWR is on board.   

 

C.  NG&PC – Update (Niobrara River - Instream flow process).  Report from Dr. Steven Schultz on Niobrara Economic Study.  Klammer reported that he recently accepted a position with the North Central RC&D Office in Bassett and will be leaving the NG&PC Office. 

 

Dr. Steven Schultz was present to discuss the basics behind the ongoing economic study he is conducting.   

 

D.  NRD – Middle Niobrara and Lower Niobrara Updates.  Murphy stated that the gauge at Spencer Dam is online.

 

E.  Niobrara Council Monthly Staff Report.  The report was available to council members and there were no additional questions. 

 

5.  Water Issues on the Niobrara River.  There was no action taken on this item.   

 

6.  Programs/Projects.

A.  Report from Niobrara Council participation in the “18th Annual Great Nebraska Trash Off.”  Council staff and a couple of other volunteers cleaned the two mile stretch of Highway 7 adopted by the Niobrara Council north of Bassett crossing the Niobrara River. 

 

B. Discussion/action/report on details for Niobrara Council Spring River Cleanup to be held Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 9:00 a.m.  Kieborz stated that everything is set for cleanup day.  There are about sixty-five people pre-registered for the event.  The council received financial donations to help with the cost of supplies for the meal from Steven and Suzanne Schultz and the Friends of the Niobrara.  All the beef for the meal is being donated by Monte Frauen and John Ravenscroft.  The canoes are being supplied by the Niobrara River Ranch and Graham Canoe Outfitters and Smith Falls State Park is donating the use of the picnic shelter at the park. 

 

C.  Discussion/action/report on Niobrara Council summer educational daycamp opportunities.  Lahman stated the council is on target for the first of many summer outdoor educational opportunities for area youth beginning Monday, May 19, to be help at Riverside Campground for K through 1st Grade.  There was double the children signed up, so additional staff was arranged to accommodate the youth.   

D.  Report on Niobrara Council participation in the Niobrara Adventure Race 2008.  The Niobrara Council triathlon team comprised of Krueger (kayak), Klammer (biking), and Clay Vakiner (running) came in as the champion team for the event. 

 

E.  Discussion/action regarding request for taping of segment of Niobrara Council meeting by the Friends of the Niobrara for an informational Niobrara videotape.  Arganbright instructed the council that according to Nebraska Open meetings laws, all open parts of public meeting can be taped.  The Friends of the Niobrara are producing an educational Niobrara videotape. 

 

7.  Infrastructure Issues.  There was no action taken on this item. 

 

8.  Development Issues.  Discussion/action regarding determination of consistency for Krueger (Rocky Ford Camp) Keya Paha County Building Permit Application.  Paddock made a motion that the Krueger (Rock Ford Camp) Keya Paha County Building Permit Application is consistent with the desired future conditions for the Niobrara National Scenic River. 

Roll Call Vote:   8 Ayes – Graham, Klammer, Murphy, Paddock, Ravenscroft, Sands, Sawle, Beck.

2 Abstain – Krueger, Frauen. 

2 No Answer – Werkmeister, Frerichs.

4 Not Present – Hall, Kuck, Schoenberg, Appelt.

Motion carried 8 ayes to 0 nays.

 

9.  Conservation Easements.

A.  Discussion/action/report from Resources Committee regarding current conservation easement project.  Arganbright reported that no word had been received from the current conservation easement project landowner in terms of moving forward which would indicated the agreement would be terminated.  He would update the Council in June.

 

B.  Discussion/action/report from Resource Committee regarding upcoming conservation easement inspections for prospective landowners.  The Resources Committee plus some additional volunteers are still conducting conservation easement inspections, with the final inspection day scheduled for Friday, May 30, 2008.

 

10.  Resources Management.

A.  Discussion/action regarding determination of consistency for proposed NPS/NDOR informational bridge signs stating “Niobrara National Scenic River” for motorists and river goers crossing the river at US Highway 183, Nebraska Highway 7 and Nebraska Highway 137.  Frauen made a motion that the proposed NPS/NDOR informational bridge signs stating “Niobrara National Scenic River” for motorists and river goers crossing the river at US Highway 183, Nebraska Highway 7 and Nebraska Highway 137 are consistent with the desired future conditions for the Niobrara National Scenic River.  Ravenscroft second. 

Roll Call Vote:   10 Ayes – Klammer, Krueger, Murphy, Paddock, Ravenscroft, Sands, Sawle, Beck, Frauen, Graham. 

2 No Answer – Werkmeister, Frerichs.

4 Not Present – Hall, Kuck, Schoenberg, Appelt.

Motion carried 10 ayes to 0 nays.

 

B.  Discussion/action/information regarding upcoming landowner forest fuel load reduction workshop to be held in Norden, Nebraska on Tuesday, June 24th.  This item was placed on the agenda for informational purposes about the upcoming event at Norden for area landowners. 

 

C.  Discussion/action regarding financial request for lunch (up to $200.00) for upcoming landowner forest fuel load reduction workshop event.  Ravenscroft made a motion that the Niobrara Council contributes $200.00 towards the lunch for the upcoming landowner forest fuel load reduction workshop event.  Frauen second. 

Roll Call Vote:   10 Ayes – Klammer, Krueger, Murphy, Paddock, Ravenscroft, Sands, Sawle, Beck, Frauen, Graham. 

2 No Answer – Werkmeister, Frerichs.

4 Not Present – Kuck, Schoenberg, Appelt, Hall.

Motion carried 10 ayes to 0 nays.

 

11.  Public Comment.  There was some discussion about the new members the council will have in regards to the results to the county elections.  Kieborz and Arganbright will design a “New Member” introduction packet.

 

Arganbright discussed a presentation he gave regarding the Niobrara Council at a Water Law seminar. 

 

12.  Suggestions for June 19, 2008 meeting (North Central RC&D Office – Bassett, NE).  There was no action taken on this item.

 

13.  Adjourn.  The meeting was adjourned at 2:35 p.m.

 

I, the undersigned Secretary of the Niobrara Council hereby certify the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the proceedings conducted by the Niobrara Council on May 15, 2008.  That all subjects included in the foregoing proceedings were contained in the agenda for at least twenty-four hours prior to the meeting.  The minutes were in written form and available for public inspection within ten working days or prior to the next convened meeting of said body, whichever occurs earlier.  All news media requesting notification of the time and place of said meeting and the subjects to be discussed at said meeting were notified.

 

                                                                                                     

Roland Paddock (Secretary)