LINCOLN, Nebraska – The Lower Platte South Natural Resources District (LPSNRD) Board of Directors elected Deborah Eagan its Board chair for 2021 Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. Board members are elected each January. Eagan served the last two years as vice-chair and has been on the LPSNRD Board since 2015.

“I’m excited to be working with our Board and staff to meet the challenges of protecting the natural resources of our district,” said Eagan.

David Landis was elected the new vice-chair. Bob Andersen is the new treasurer and Chelsea Johnson was elected secretary. The Board also elected a representative and alternate to serve on the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts Board. Luke Peterson, who served as the alternate last year, was elected the Board’s representative and Tom Green is the new alternate.

Director Karen Amen announced her resignation from the Board, effective Jan. 31. She called her service on the Board, “a wonderful experience,” and she said she is, “looking forward to watching you [LPSNRD], as you move ahead through some complicated issues in the coming year or two.” Amen began her service on the Board in 2010.

The Board awarded a $399,000 construction contract to High Plains Enterprises of Martell for the Beal Slough Stream Stabilization Project, from 70th Street to Pine Lake Road in Lincoln. An agreement for construction observation services by engineering firm Intuition and Logic was also approved. Construction is expected to begin this winter and the project is being funded 50 percent by the City of Lincoln and 50 percent by LPSNRD.

The Board also approved two applications for funds under the district’s Community Assistance Program. The Village of Malcolm will receive 50 percent from LPSNRD cost-sharing for the design and construction of an erosion control project adjacent to the municipal ballfield in Malcolm at a cost to LPSNRD of not more than $24,118.

The Edenton North Homeowners Association in Lincoln will also receive Community Assistance Program cost-sharing for repairs along the banks of two stormwater detention ponds and to a spillway pipe. LPSNRD 50 percent funding is not to exceed $19,470.

In other action the Board:

• Approved an application under the district’s Rain-Ready Landscapes Program for cost-sharing on a rain garden to be created on property owned by Dan and Rebecca Heun in Louisville. The approval is for the program’s annual maximum of $2,000.
• Authorized the General Manager to sign certain USDA/Farm Service Agency documents.
• Approved several agreements and actions related to providing additional administrative and financial services.

Discussed the need to update the Open Meetings Act. The Board voted 17-2 to support Legislative Bill 83, which would make changes to Nebraska’s Open Meetings Act, including provisions for virtual conferencing by NRDs and other political subdivisions.