The meeting began with the LMPOA Board President calling the meeting to order. The previous minutes were read and the treasurer report was given with a report about membership dues collected so far, funds that have been collected for the Jack Harkreader Memorial fund, the fall trashwalk, and the annual NPPD reimbursement. 

A report about Phase II of the trail was given by Jim States. Jim reported that Brent Burklund from TC Engineering reported that the phase is complete with the exception of the netting for the fence on Hole #5 at the Lake Maloney Golf course. In addition, signage still needs to be put in place. Burklund will submit completion letter to the Department of Roads and the Lincoln County Visitor Bureau since they were providing some grant funds for assistance with Phase II. It was also discussed to place more fencing around the parking area by the Trail Shelter and the utility road that was closed. Ned Mack made a motion to spend up to $500 for fencing for those areas. All approved. 

A discussion was also made regarding the excellent workmanship and cooperation from Paulsen Construction during the Phase II Trail construction. The crew couldn’t have been more professional, cooperative, and easy to work with. They did many things that weren’t part of the bid such as places where it was evident drainage would be needed. The process was 100% favorable. The Board also hired Paulsen Construction to complete and increase the size of the retaining wall on Hole #5, pavement for the parking lot, and removal of more trees. The Board spent an additional $8,835.52 for those projects which they will be reimbursed for in the early months of 2018. As long as the Board completes a project a year up to a pre-determined dollar amount, NPPD will reimburse the board for that project. The Board felt that these items were necessary to be completed for Phase II.

The funding for Phase II construction came from the following: 

-Grant from Nebraska Game & Parks in the amount of 

$250,000 

-Grant from Twin Platte NRD in the amount of $14,000 

-Grant from Lincoln County Visitors Center in the amount 

of $10,000 

-Donations from the private sector and business sector. 

The Board is genuinely appreciative of everyone who has contributed to the Trail Construction so far. Without “you”, this trail would not be possible. 

Next was the discussion of moving the trail along to Phase III. Phase III will begin where Phase II left off on North Lake Rd and continue to the Inlet Flower Garden a total of .3 miles. Paulsen has provided a bid for Phase III and it will cost between $70,000-$75,000. They are putting it on their schedule for Fall or possibly between other summer projects. Funding for Phase III will come from the following: 

-Private donations already collected and being held at Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation and the money that we will get paid for from Twin Platte NRD, and Lincoln County Visitors Center. After Phase III is complete, the money will have run out. If there is to be a Phase IV, then the Board and the Trail Committee we will need to raise more funds and apply for more grants. 

The next item on the Board’s agenda was Jack’s Pond. It is at the request of Patti Harkreader and her family that a determination be made regarding refilling Jack’s Pond which is located at the Lake Maloney Inlet near the Kansas Point Campground. With the passing of Jack Harkreader, which is who Jack’s Pond was named after, the Harkreaders were receiving memorial funds and they wanted to use their memorial funds for reopening Jack’s Pond. Jack’s Pond was built by Nebraska Game and Parks in the early 

2000’s, however, the pond did not hold water and the pump had to continually run, therefore, it became cost prohibitive to let the pump run continually so the pond dried up. Brian Hope from NPPD visited with the Nebraska Game and Parks about the possibility of refilling it. The Games and Parks did not want to take this project on again. They did give a rough estimate that it would cost anywhere from $500,000 to $750,000 to redo the pond. Therefore, it was discussed on what we could do to honor Jack’s memory and Patti and her family’s request. It was discussed to “move” Jack’s pond to what is now called the Woodman of the World pond which is located behind the Trail Shelter across from 619 S Maloney Drive. The Jack’s Pond sign that is currently located at the dried up pond is being looked at to move to the Woodman of the World Pond. The Board is hopeful that they can stock fish in there to encourage a place for fishing and toad hunting for the younger kids. 

The last item discussed at the quarterly Board meeting was about the water in the lake that was lowered. As many of you probably saw in the news that it was lowered for a time period due to a pickup that went into the canal near Keystone, NE. The pickup was not able to be removed until the water was down allowing access for the tow truck to get to the vehicle. 

The next Board meeting will be July 18, 2017.