Office of the Secretary Manager
Kittitas Reclamation District Board of Directors
Meeting
October 8, 2019 Minutes
The Board of Directors of
the Kittitas Reclamation District (KRD) met in Regular Session on October 8,
2019 at 1:00 p.m. Attending the meeting were Division Three Director and
Chairman Fred Schnebly, Division One Director and Vice Chairman Mark Hansen,
Division Two Director Ed Wakkuri, Division Four Director Larry Bland, Division
Five Director Paul Weaver, Secretary Manager Urban Eberhart, Assistant Manager
Kevin Eslinger, Field Supervisor Bob Main, Treasurer Stacy Berg and Lands Clerk
& RRA Specialist Sara Vickers. Also, in attendance were KRD land owners Janeice
Jump, Bill Stoval and Mark Charlton.
The amended agenda was
approved with the addition of an executive session for reasons consistent with
RCW 42.30.110(1)(i):(i). The motion was made by Director Hansen and the second
was made by Director Bland. The motion passed unanimously.
The minutes for the
September 9, 2019 Board Meeting were approved with a motion made by Director
Bland and the second was made by Director Hansen. The motion passed unanimously.
Public Comment: Mr. Stoval
asked the Board to examine the water delivery system for his and his neighbor’s
properties and ensure that they are within the confines of the existing
contract. The Board listened to Mr. Stoval and advised him that the District
would provide a response no later than December 1, 2019.
Water Master Report: As
of October 7, 2019, the five reservoirs were at 9% capacity which is 57% of
average. At the River Operations Meeting on October 3rd the United
States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) stated that the KRD had 100% of their
October entitlement available. The canal was re-primed starting on October 4th.
Maintenance Report:
Field Supervisor Main reported that the crews are clearing right of ways,
removing some of the larger trees, spraying brush, cleaning laterals and weir
pools. All three of the backhoes are being used at this time. Crews are also
repairing structures and replacing head gates as needed.
Secretary Manager’s
Activity Report: Mr. Eberhart reported that the Washington DC trip on September
22nd - 26th was very successful. There were several
meetings that took place. Mr. Eberhart also presented to the Congressional
Western Caucus.
Consultant Walter Larrick
attended the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee Columbia Basin Partnership Task
Force in Portland, OR on September 25th – 26th.
Mr. Eberhart presented to
the American Water Resource Association Washington State Conference in Seattle,
WA on October 1st.
The Executive Committee and
Implementation Committee met in Easton on October 2nd and spent the
day working on long term planning for the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan.
Assistant Secretary-Manager
Eslinger worked with Guenther Creative to assist in video production. The
initial filming focused on harvest, activities and fish issues.
Mr. Eberhart traveled to
Rogers, AR on October 4th to accept the Trout Unlimited Conservation
Professional of the Year Award.
The Family Farm Alliance
has published a streamlined 2-page Directive and Standard Policy took into
consideration most of the KRDs concerns.
On October 9th –
10th, a diverse group from Oregon will be participating in a Yakama
Tour and discussion.
Mr. Eberhart is presenting
at the AgForestry Columbia River Seminar on October 11th in
Vancouver, WA.
The Ruckelshaus Advisory
Board Fall Meeting will be held in Medina, WA on October 22nd.
Mr. Eberhart will present
to the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife Executive Management
Team on October 23rd.
The Upper Yakima System
Storage Appraisal for Phase II draft is expected within the week.
A draft literature review
has been completed for the WaterSmart Water Marketing project.
Work continues with the
Yakima Basin Focused Managed Aquifer Recharge Assessment project.
Tributary Supplementation
will continue as long as necessary with the exception of Manastash and Taneum
Creeks which will stop on October 15th.
A pre-construction meeting
for the South Branch Phase I Reach 2 Construction is scheduled for October 17th.
The bid was posted for the
Main Branch Conservation FY19 Agreement No. R18AP000254 on October 3rd.
The bid will close on October 18th.
Mr. Eberhart is continuing
to work with USBR on the necessary funding for the North Branch Phase III
Construction project.
Mr. Eberhart brought up the
issue of flip-flop and the integral part that KRD plays in the Yakima Basin
System. The KRD will be working with the Yakima Integrated Plan Partners to
identify issues associated with flip flop and came up with a plan to address
them.
Treasurer’s Report: The
Directors’ monthly payroll vouchers were presented for signatures. Summary
Vouchers for the August 2019 expenses and the September 2019 payroll which
included check numbers 43563-43640, direct deposit numbers 9901738 through
9901753 in the sum of $347,648.74 were approved with a motion made by Director
Wakkuri. The second was made by Director Bland, the motion passed unanimously.
Old Business: Lands Clerk &
RRA Specialist Vickers reported that the State of Washington accepted the KRD
property as part of the Ellensburg Historic District. When and if the annexation
is accepted into the National Historic District, the KRD will be required to
abide by the regulations of the Ellensburg Historic District.
A brief discussion took
place regarding the 2018 audit results. The Washington State Auditor’s Office
personnel were at the KRD office on September 11th for an Audit Exit
Meeting.
The certificate of
delinquency was posted for the remaining two landowners on the 2019 Foreclosure
list. The Treasurer’s Sale is scheduled for January 24th if the
assessments, interest and legal fees are not paid in full.
Mr. Eberhart attended the
Kittitas County Commissioners Meeting in support of the Flood District on
October 7, 2019.
Other Business: The Board
adjourned to Executive Session at 1:54 p.m. for 15 minutes per RCW
42.30.110(1)(i):(i) there was a motion made by Director Wakkuri and a second
made by Director Hansen. The motion passed unanimously. The Board returned to
Regular Session at 2:09 p.m. with a motion made by Director Wakkuri, and the
second was made by Director Hansen. The motion passed unanimously.
All business having been
concluded the meeting was adjourned.
______________________________________
Mr. Schnebly KRD Board of
Directors Chairman
______________________________________
Mr. Eberhart KRD Secretary
Manager