Office of Secretary
Minutes of Regular Meeting
October 2, 2001
The Board of Directors of the Kittitas Reclamation District met in Regular Session on October 2, 2001. Directors in attendance were Chairman Larry Bland, Vice Chairman Ed Wakkuri, Urban Eberhart, Jim Schnebly and Brad Haberman. Also in attendance were Ben George, Paul Harrel, Janeice Jump, Jack Carpenter, Barbara Pettit and Legal Counsel John Gilreath.
The agenda was approved as presented with the addition of an Executive Session.
The minutes of the September 4, 2001 meeting were approved as presented with a motion from Ed Wakkuri and seconded by Brad Haberman. The motion passed unanimously.
Moving to water update Mr. Carpenter discussed the Keechelus Dam Environmental Impact Statement explaining the USBR has submitted the EIS to the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and it is now up to those two agencies to respond with a Biological Opinion. Mr. Carpenter further explained the USBR is suggesting they will petition Congress for feasibility monies to study fish passage at all USBR Dam facilities in the Yakima Basin. Mr. Carpenter presented the USBR status report, which reflect September came in at 5% of normal precipitation and 58% of normal precipitation for the year to date. The 30-day forecast is for below normal precipitation and above normal temperatures. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board that Taneum Creek is at extreme low levels and stock water is shut off to the Taneum and Bruton Ditches. USBR personnel assessed the situation and National Marine Fisheries were contacted for the decision.
Brad Haberman presented information from the tour hosted by KCWP explaining there was interest and an understanding of the need for water. Mr. Carpenter presented the Ellensburg Water Company Inter Local Agreement for signatures.
Moving To Tri-County Update Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board there is a lot of pressure on Tri-County to do instream flows explaining irrigation districts have not supported the setting of instream flows in the past. An alternative is to do an instream flow on a tributary as a pilot if local landowners are supportive and storage is a component of that instream flow study. Teanaway was suggested as the pilot project tributary but does not have landowner support. The instream flows issue will be further discussed by Tri-County. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board Kittitas County Commissioners supported lead entity status or process when they got a compromise on how to vote and make decisions on that board. A super majority vote will be the format used by the lead entity.
Mr. Carpenter presented updated information on P&H Morris Material Handling explaining they have agreed to have an on site meeting October 8th at 11:00 a.m. to discuss the work needing to be completed and the extraordinary costs. Mr. Carpenter requested Board members to participate in the meeting. Brad Haberman and Ed Wakkuri will participate in the meeting.
Moving to Siphon Access Update Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board he received a letter from Hageman addressing the costs and equipment requirements and forwarded the information to Dick Haapala, CH2Mhill for review.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the CD was reinvested for 6 months at 3. 25%.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board he has received drafts of the Tucker Creek License Agreement form the Bureau of Reclamation explaining the contracts are under review by Legal Counsel.
Moving to New Business Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board and distributed Petitions of Nomination to Directors in Division 1, Urban Eberhart; Division 2, Ed Wakkuri; and Division 5, Brad Haberman explaining completed Petitions of Nomination must be returned no later than the first Monday in November.
Mr. Carpenter presented information on the WSWRA 2001 Annual Conference scheduled for November 14-16th and requested authorization to attend. Mr. Carpenter also requested authorization for Roger Satnik to attend. Discussion followed with the consensus Mr. Carpenter and Mr. Satnik attend the WSWRA Conference.
Mr. Carpenter presented information on the USBR Water Management Workshop in Denver and requested Jeff Nestegaard be authorized to attend. Discussion followed with the consensus Jeff Nestegard be authorized to attend the USBR Workshop.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board 2002 budget preparation is in progress and requested the Board appoint a committee to work on the 2002 budget proposal. Chairman Larry Bland appointed Urban Eberhart and Jim Schnebly to serve on the 2002 budget committee.
Mr. Carpenter presented a Crossing Permit for Anne Nelson Sec. 3 Twn. 16 Rng. 19. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Ed Wakkuri approved the Anne Nelson Crossing Permit as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented Short Plats from Charles McKinney Sec. 8 Twn. 17 Rng. 20 and Jerry Marchel Sec. 4 Twn. 17 Rng. 20 requesting approval. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Jim Schnebly approved the Charles McKinney and Jerry Marchel short plats subject to their meeting the general guidelines. The motion passed unanimously.
Upcoming Meetings:
October 3rd River Ops. Yakima
October 3rd SOAC Yakima
October 4th CAG Yakima
October 9th Joint Board Yakima
October 11th Oversight Hearing Yakima
October 11th KCWP Ellensburg
October 12th SOAC Yakima
October 17th WSWRA Sunnyside
October 18th CWU Driver Ed. Ellensburg
October 23rd Joint Board Tour Upper Kittitas Valley
October 25th Hearing Exceptions Yakima
October 26th Joint Board Yakima
October 26th Tri County Board Yakima
October 29th Tri County Sub Comm. Yakima
November 7th NPDES w/WSWRA/DOE Ellensburg
Moving to Other Business Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the new Columbia Area Office Manager is Eric Glover. Mr. Carpenter explained the Xerox copier lease was ending and KRD purchased the existing copier for $1,200.00 with a one year $16.00 per month maintenance agreement. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the house on the property purchased from Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation by the USBR might be available for rent. Mr. Carpenter distributed a letter from Janeice Jump. Janeice Jump addressed the Board and presented pictures of structures located near or on her property and a private landowner pipe through the field explaining she would like full use and value of her land. Janeice continued explaining the structure was used to transport non-KRD water from Fritz Glover to Tim Mahre. Janeice requested the KRD Board state if she can remove the pipeline through her field, which transports water to Firtz Glover. Dicussion followed with the consensus Janeice contact Fritz Glover regarding the removal of the pipeline. Janeice questioned if KRD knew if Fritz Glover was transporting non-KRD water through the pipeline to Tim Mahre. Mr. Carpenter explained he knew Fritz Glover was helping Tim Mahre in this drought year and approved the use of KRD right-of-ways to help Mr. Mahre get through this drought year. Mr. Carpenter explained Mr. Glover has a point of diversion on the pump ditch and any change in the delivery of water from another location is a decision for Mr. Glover. Janeice Jump requested approval to remove the structures placed on or near her property. Legal Counsel John Gilreath advised Janeice Jump she should consult her attorney.
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 1:50 p.m. for 15 minutes to discuss legal matters with a motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Brad Haberman. The motion passed unanimously. Chairman Larry Bland announced a five-minute extension at 2:05 p.m. and a five-minute extension at 2:10 p.m. The Board returned to Regular Session at 2:15 p.m. with a motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Brad Haberman. The motion passed unanimously.
The Summary Vouchers for August, 2001 expenses Vouchers #19878-20001 in the sum of $116,062.71 were presented for approval. A motion from Ed Wakkuri 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.
Larry Bland – Chairman
Jack W. Carpenter-Secretary-Manager