Office of Secretary Manager

Kittitas Reclamation District Board of Directors Meeting

January 10, 2017 Minutes

The Board of Directors of the Kittitas Reclamation District met in Regular Session on January10, 2017. Attending the meeting were Division Three Director and Chairman Fred Schnebly, Division Five Director and Vice Chairman Paul Weaver, Division Four Director Larry Bland, Division One Director Mark Hansen,  Division Two Director Ed Wakkuri by phone, Secretary Manager Urban Eberhart, Legal Counsel Jeff Slothower, Assistant Manager Kevin Eslinger, Office Manager & Treasurer Barbara Pettit, Lands Clerk & RRA Specialist Keli Bender, Field Supervisor & Water Master Bob Main, GIS IT & Water Quality Specialist Roger Satnik and landowner Janeice Jump.

The Agenda was approved with the addition of Executive Session for reasons consistent with RCW 42.30.110(1)(i):(i) through a motion made by Director Hansen and a second made by Director Bland. The motion passed.

This being the time for reorganization of the Board, Director Bland made a motion and the second made by Director Weaver approving of  Director Hansen as Chairman and Director Bland as Vice Chairman for 2017. The motion passed.

Mr. Eberhart was appointed Secretary-Manager for 2017 with a motion made by Director Weaver and a second made by Director Bland.  The motion passed.

Mr. Slothower was appointed Legal Counsel for 2017 with a motion made by Director Bland and a second made by Director Weaver.  The motion passed.

The minutes of the December 6, 2016 meeting and the December 15, 2016 Special meeting were approved with a motion made by Director Bland and the second made by Director Hansen. The motion passed unanimously.

Under Water Update, Mr. Main presented information on the USBR system status. Storage is currently 46% of capacity which is 103.6% of average. The precipitation in the Yakima Basin, as measured by the USBR is 37% of average for the month and 91.2% of average year to date. Snotel sites are 97% at the Lower Basin sites and 80% at the Upper Basin sites.

On the agenda item Maintenance Update, Mr. Main reported that a vehicle exhaust system is being installed in the shop and personnel are working on preventative maintenance on all the vehicles. Five employees are clearing the right of way upstream of Big Creek.

There were no public comments presented under that Agenda item.

The Secretary Manager’s Activity Report covered meetings that occurred during the month of December 2016. Updated information was presented on the Integrated Plan.

Mr. Eberhart presented information on the area of the South Branch Canal leading up to the Manastash Ridge Trail. The KRD is currently in discussions with Kittitas County, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Piping a portion of the South Branch lateral is being considered.

Mr. Eberhart presented information on the recent successful Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) application that was submitted by the Kittitas County Conservation District and the Yakama Nation.

Mr. Eberhart apprised the Board that work on the Rock Trap Project has shut down temporarily due to inclement weather.

Mr. Eberhart presented information on the award of the South Branch Canal Lining Design Contract to Jacobs Engineering. A motion made by Director Bland and a second made by Director Weaver authorizing the signing of a Limited Notice to Proceed and the contract with Jacobs Engineering when language is acceptable. The motion passed. 

Mr. Eberhart requested approval of a Resolution to match the Salmon Recovery Funding Board amount of $240,000.00 in an application to the 2017 Water Smart Program to be utilized on the North Branch Canal Lining Project Phase II. Resolution 2017-1 was approved with a motion made by Director Hansen and a second made by Director Weaver. The motion passed.

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The Draft Personnel Practices and Procedures Manual was presented for approval.  A motion made by Director Weaver and a second made by Director Bland approving the Personnel Practices and Procedures Manual dated January 10, 2017 as presented. The motion passed.

Mr. Eberhart requested approval for employees to transfer sick leave to an employee needing additional hours. A motion made by Director Bland and a second made by Director Hansen approved the sick leave transfer as presented.  The motion passed.

Mr. Slothower gave an update on delinquent accounts meeting the foreclosure criteria explaining the Treasures Sale will be held for properties not paid by the scheduled date.

Moving to New Business the first half USBR Operation and Maintenance payment in the amount of $168,500.00 was approved by a motion from Director Weaver and a second made by Director Bland. The motion passed.

Segregations for Jeff Strole Sec. 35 Twn. 19 Rng. 18; Thelma Niles Sec. 7 Twn. 18 Rng. 19; Steve Willard Sec. 25 Twn. 18 Rng. 18 and Double K Ranch Sec. 5 Twn. 16 Rng. 20 were presented for approval. A motion made by Director Weaver and a second made by Director Bland approving the Segregations for Jeff Strole, Thelma Niles and Steve Willard with additional information requested on Double K Ranch. The motion passed.

The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 1:50 p.m. for 15 minutes Per RCW 42.30.110(1)(i):(i) with a motion made by Director Bland and the second made by Director Weaver. The motion passed. The Board returned to Regular Session at 2:05 p.m. with a motion made by Director Weaver and the second made by Director Bland. The motion passed.

Summary Vouchers for the November 2016 expenses and the December 2016 payroll that included check numbers 40753 through 40837 and Direct Deposit numbers 9901023 through 9901037 in the sum of $468,370.42 were approved with a motion made by Director Bland and the second made by Director Weaver. The motion passed unanimously.

The Directors monthly payroll vouchers were presented for signatures and checks distributed accordingly.

All Business having been concluded the meeting adjourned.

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Mr. Hansen KRD Board of Directors Chairman

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Mr. Eberhart KRD Secretary Manager