Minutes of Regular Meeting
January 8, 2002
The Board of Directors of the Kittitas Reclamation District met in Regular Session on January 8, 2002. Directors in attendance were Chairman Larry Bland, Vice Chairman Ed Wakkuri, Urban Eberhart, Jim Schnebly and Brad Haberman. Also in attendance were Ben George, Janeice Jump, Roger Satnik, Carol Ready, Jeff Slothower, Barbara Pettit, Jack Carpenter and Legal Counsel John Gilreath.
The Agenda was approved as presented with the addition of Executive Session.
Directors Ed Wakkuri, Brad Haberman and Urban Eberhart executed their Oath of Office and Bond.
This being the time for reorganization of the Board Ed Wakkuri was elected Chairman and Brad Haberman Vice Chairman with a motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Urban Eberhart. The motion passed unanimously.
A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Urban Eberhart appointed Jack Carpenter Secretary-Manager and John Gilreath Legal Counsel for 2002. The motion passed unanimously.
A motion from Brad Haberman and seconded by Larry Bland approved the minutes of the December 4, 2001 and December 13, 2001 minutes as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Moving to water update Mr. Carpenter distributed the USBR Water Storage status report explaining the snow pack is 115% of normal with good inflows. Mr. Carpenter continued explaining the precipitation needs to continue at normal or above normal to provide a chance of 100% supply for 2002 water season.
Carol Ready presented a Kittitas County Water Purveyors update explaining a grant agreement for $243,000.00 is being finalized with the Washington State Department of Ecology and will allow for additional staff to assist with the TMDL water monitoring. Carol explained she would like to establish procedures and criteria for what and where monitoring is done explaining she will give a presentation of the monitoring data at a future meeting. Carol further explained the BPA funding process is continuing. Roger Satnik presented information on sediment data indicating Cherry and Wilson Creek show significant sediment. Roger Satnik presented a proposal to establish a buffer strip along the Wipple Wasteway right-of-way with Department of Ecology grant monies and evaluate the benefit for future projects. Roger continued explaining Department of Ecology grant monies may be available for purchasing fencing materials to help establish buffer strips. Discussion followed with the consensus the KRD supports the proposed buffer strips and fencing and the proposal be forwarded to other irrigation entities in Kittitas County.
Moving to Tri County update Urban Eberhart apprised the Board Nancy Lilquist was appointed to replace John Perry representing the City of Ellensburg.
Mr. Carpenter presented a draft letter to the Kittitas County Water Conservancy Board on the Trendwest Resort water right change of location application for review and comments. It was the consensus of the Board the letter be submitted as presented.
Mr. Carpenter presented information on the USDA Farm Service Agency Drought Mitigation monies explaining a master name and address list of classified irrigable acres and mailing labels for the Kittitas Reclamation District were provided to assist them with distribution.
Moving to P&H Morris Material Handling Mr. Carpenter distributed a letter of response from P&H Morris. Ed Wakkuri presented information from Morris Steel explaining it was their opinion a 45 ft. I beam laying on a pallet could lay there forever and never bend and there is no way the I beam in question could have bent after arrival at the jobsite without help. Ed further explained the cost estimates of the jib crane from W.W. Grainger are comparable to those of P&H Morris. Discussion followed with the consensus a meeting be scheduled with P&H Morris.
Mr. Carpenter presented a request from the Bureau of Reclamation for 1146/Yakima Siphon operations information. Mr. Carpenter continued explaining the impact on the KRD maintenance and suggested opening discussions on compensation for the use of the canal.
Moving to New Business Mr. Carpenter presented the Symbiotics LLC request for information on power production at Easton Dam. It was the consensus of the Board no response was necessary.
Mr. Carpenter presented the following segregation for pre approval subject to meeting the general guidelines from James Finely, Jr. Sec. 29 Twn. 17 Rng. 20; Dennis Jensen Sec. 8 Twn. 16 Rng. 20; Wilson/Chini Sec. 12 Twn 17 Rng. 17; Columbia Cascade/DR & UA Eberhart Sec 12 Twn 16 Rng 19. A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Larry Bland approved the segregations subject to meeting the general guidelines. The motion passed with Urban Eberhart abstaining.
Mr. Carpenter presented the 2002 WSWRA Dues in the sum of $22,174.99. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Brad Haberman approved the WSWRA due as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
The 2002 fist half USBR O& M payment in the sum of $203,500.00 was approved by a motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Brad Haberman. The motion passed unanimously.
The Yakima River Basin Coalition Dues in the sum of $41,539.40 was approved by a motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Urban Eberhart. The motion passed unanimously.
The Yakima River Basin Joint Board Dues in the sum of $16,000.00 was approved by a motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Brad Haberman. The motion passed unanimously.
A motion from Brad Haberman and seconded by Urban Eberhart approved Jack Carpenter attend the NW Irrigation Operators Conference in Boise February 19th –21st.
The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board a Certificate of Deposit will be maturing on January 13th explaining Board members will be contacted with new rates.
Mr. Carpenter presented the Plaszynski Fencing Request. Discussion followed with the consensus the fence cannot impact KRD’s normal operation and maintenance program and any installation and maintenance costs of fencing would be the responsibility of the owner.
Jeff Slothower entered the meeting at this time.
Upcoming Meetings:
January 11th Grant County PUD Ellensburg
January 16th WSWRA Yakima
January 17th NPDES Yakima
January 25th Joint Board Yakima
With a motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Brad Haberman the Board adjourned to Executive Session at 2:01 p.m. for 30 minutes to discuss Legal Issues. The motion passed unanimously. With a motion from Brad Haberman and seconded by Larry Bland the Board adjourned to Regular Session at 2:31 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Jeff Slotherower left the meeting at this time.
Moving to Other Business Mr. Carpenter distributed a draft of the Black Rock Reservoir Reconnaissance Study for review.
Urban Eberhart discussed the possible eligibility of Director coverage under the District Group Health Insurance Plan.
The Summary Vouchers for November expenses Voucher #20175-20195 & 20198 & 20301-20376 in the sum of $166,519.43 were presented for approval. A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Brad Haberman approved the Summary Vouchers as presented. 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.
Edward R. Wakkuri – Chairman
Jack W. Carpenter – Secretary-Manager
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