Office of Secretary
Minutes of Regular Meeting
January 7, 1997
The Board of Directors of the Kittitas Reclamation District met in Regular Session on Tuesday, January 7, 1997. Directors present were Chairman Jim Schnebly, Vice Chairman John Scott, Laurin Mellergaard, Urban Eberhart and Paul Weaver. Also in attendance were Jack Carpenter, Barbara Pettit, Paul Green, Ben George, Janeice Jump, Loretta Ogilvie, Pat Monk and Legal Counsel John Gilreath.
A motion from John Scott and seconded by Paul Weaver approved the agenda with the addition of Executive Session. The motion passed unanimously.
Director Jim Schnebly executed his Oath of Office.
This being the time for the reorganization of the Board John Scott was elected Chairman with Laurin Mellergaard as Vice Chairman by a motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Paul Weaver. The motion passed unanimously.
Deviating to New Business Mr. Carpenter introduced Pat Monk, Fish Biologist, representing Joint Board and Yakima River Basin Irrigation districts, who addressed the Board presenting an overview of his 1996 studies and responsibilities including the potential impact on water supply from the Yakima Fisheries Project and apprised the Board of upcoming issues explaining he is currently working on comments in response to the potential listing of bull trout and steel head on the endangered species listing. Mr. Monk discussed incubation and spawning flow information and Flip Flop operations. Discussion followed . The Board thanked Mr. Monk and he left the meeting at this time.
Returning to Old Business the minutes of the December 3, 1996 and December 16,1996 minutes were approved with a motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Paul Weaver. The motion passed unanimously.
Moving to water update Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the latest information from the Bureau of Reclamation indicate the Kachess construction is progressing and the channel should be excavated as planned. Mr. Carpenter continued explaining the 1996 water year shows precipitation ending November with 159.2% of average with the snow water content 224-344% of average.
Moving to Meeting Review Mr. Carpenter presented information he received at the WSWRA Washington/Oregon Joint Conference December 3-5Th in Vancouver, Wash. explaining the various topics and the presenters at the conference. December 9, 1996 Mr. Carpenter met with Northwest Economic Associates addressing financial impacts of the drought. December 10, 1996 Mr. Carpenter and Roger Satnik were on a conference call with Bob Johnson, Steve Fanciullo, Bob Hamilton and Jeff Peterson to discuss the telemetry demo project. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board Lee Henderson submitted his resignation to the WSWRA Board. December 19Th Mr. Carpenter attended the Joint Board meeting.
Moving to District Engineer Mr. Carpenter distributed responses to requests for proposal for engineering services for the District from CH2MHill, Vasey Engineering and P.C. Garvin and Associates with the recommendation Pete Garvin be approved explaining the qualifications and rates are in line with the needs of the district. Discussion followed with the recommendation Mr. Carpenter request a statement of Professional Liability Insurance information from Mr. Garvin. A motion from Jim Schnebly seconded by Laurin Mellergaard approved hiring P. C. Garvin with the stipulation proof of the $l,000,000. Professional Liability Insurance Coverage be provided. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board there have been changes in the RRA reporting threshold of 80 or 240 acres based on the District classification explaining the KRD classification has not been received.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board suggested changes were made to the Comprehensive Plan Application prepared by CH2MHill and has been submitted to YRBWEP.
Continuing under Old Business Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the South Branch Liner Project has exceeded contract costs and a letter of explanation has been sent to Washington State Department of Transportation requesting they participate at 65% of the total cost of the project.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board he sent letters to the Bureau of Reclamation regarding the Yakima Pressure Tunnel man lift and the purchase of land for the Landslide/Debris Flow.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board discussion has taken place with the Bureau of Reclamation and Kittitas County Commissioners regarding a log boom at Lake Easton. Discussion continued regarding an old log boom with it’s purpose being for safety and was never intended as a trash collector boom and has since been replaced with a cable and sign "Safety Device". Mr. Carpenter informed the Bureau of Reclamation of this information.
Paul Green distributed bids for the purchase of a new backhoe including a mechanical thumb for review and discussion explaining based on the needs of the District and bids submitted he would recommend the John Deere 410E. Discussion continued with a motion from Laurin Mellergaard and seconded by Jim Schnebly approving the purchase of the John Deere 410E as specified in the bid proposal including trade in for a total of $63,430. with 2 year financing. The motion passed unanimously.
Moving to New Business Mr. Carpenter distributed a letter from Sunlight Waters requesting KRD address safety concerns at the outlet end of the Morrison Syphon by placing a heavy screen over the opening when the canal is not in use. Discussion followed with the consensus we pursue possible protective coverings.
A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Jim Schnebly reappointed Secretary-Manager Jack Carpenter and Legal Counsel John Gilreath for 1997. The motion passed unanimously.
The first half O & M payment to the Bureau of Reclamation in the sum of $200,937.64 was approved by a motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Laurin Mellergaard. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the first half LID payment to the Department of Ecology in the sum of $14,244.73 will be paid as scheduled explaining all LID payments have been received from landowners.
Upcoming Meetings:
January 9, 1997 Pre-SOAC Yakima
January 10, 1997 SOAC Yakima
January 15, 1997 WSWRA
January 28, 1997 RRA Meeting Ephrata
January 3l, 1997 Joint Board Yakima
Moving to Other Business Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the shop office roofs were shoveled with the shop roof receiving snow damage and may require extensive repairs explaining further inspection will be required to determine necessary repairs but felt the building was safe at this time. Mr. Carpenter distributed a informational flyer prepared by SVID for review and discussion with the recommendation KRD consider something similar. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the well pump at the Wippel Pumping Plant is being replaced.
The Board adjourned to executive session at 2:25 p.m. for 15 minutes to discuss legal matters with a motion from Paul Weaver and seconded by Laurin Mellergaard. The motion passed unanimously. The Board returned from Executive Session at 2:40 p.m. with a motion from Laurin Mellergaard and seconded by Paul Weaver. The motion passed unanimously.
The Summary Vouchers for the month of November, 1996 expenses Vouchers #11760 & 11826 & 12472 - 12532 & 12534 -12542 & 12700-12721 in the sum of $247,195.82 were presented for approval and signatures. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Jim Schnebly were approved as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
The Directors monthly payroll Vouchers were presented for signatures and checks distributed accordingly.
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Jack W. Carpenter - Secretary-Manager
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John Scott - Chairman