Office of Secretary
Minutes of Regular Meeting
November 13, 1997
The Board of Directors of the Kittitas Reclamation District met in Regular Session on October 13, 1997. Directors in attendance were Chairman John Scott, Vice Chairman Laurin Mellergaard, Urban Eberhart, Jim Schnebly and Paul Weaver. Also in attendance were Jack Carpenter, Barbara Pettit, Ed Sullivan, Loretta Ogilvie, Phil Bloom and Legal Counsel John Gilreath.
A motion from Paul Weaver and seconded by Jim Schnebly approved the agenda with the addition of an Executive Session. The motion passed unanimously.
The minutes of the October 7, 1997 and October 22, 1997 meetings were approved by a motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Urban Eberhart. The motion passed unanimously.
Moving to Columbia Northwest Engineering Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board he invited Phil Bloom of Columbia Northwest Engineering to attend the meeting and he will be moved onto the agenda when he arrives.
Deviating to New Business Mr. Ed Sullivan addressed the Board presenting Mr. Carpenter with a letter regarding his concerns. Mr. Sullivan was requested to read his letter. Mr. Carpenter distributed copies of Mr. Sullivan’s letter to each Board member and Legal Counsel. . Mr. Sullivan requested a written response to his letter and Mr. Carpenter apprised Mr. Sullivan he would send a written response as requested.
Returning to Old Business Mr. Carpenter presented a water update explaining storage is near a second historical carry over level with precipitation above normal. Mr. Carpenter further explained USBR will address how they operate the reservoirs in relationship to the room remaining to the elevation where releases will be made for flood control. Discussion followed with the recommendation the USBR be encouraged to maintain minimum stream flows and retain storage water with this being an El Nino weather pattern and the snow pack unknown at this time.
Mr. Carpenter presented information from meetings attended. October 8, 1997 Mr. Carpenter met with Morris Uebelacker, CWU Geography/Lands Department regarding Taneum Creek rating programs and a graduate student funded through the USBR. October 9, 1997 Mr. Carpenter met with Mr. Clark on field video camera equipment. October 9, 1997 Mr. Carpenter and USBR personnel toured the Vance property at the Bristol Slide site. October 15,1997 River Operations meeting. October 23, 1997 Mr. Carpenter attended the Joint Board Tour. October 3l, 1997 Mr. Carpenter attended Joint Board. November 4-7, 1997 Mr. Carpenter attended the NWRA Conference explaining issues being experienced by this drainage basin are being experienced West wide. November 11, 1997 Mr. Carpenter met with Berney Tafoya and Dick Haapala to discuss safety issues in the operation of 1146.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the extension for a construction start date on the Taneum Chute Hydro Project has been granted by FERC and the information has been forwarded to Cascade Power.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the project specifications are being prepared and suggested right-of-way agreements with the Wallace Family prior to construction. The construction of the drain will probably be moved to the fall of 1998 which will give more time for the right-of-way agreements and cost estimates.
Moving to Comp. Plan Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board is very near completion. Discussion followed regarding the Comp. Plan implementation and funding percentages.
Phil Bloom entered the meeting at this time. Mr. Bloom distributed a portfolio on Columbia Northwest Engineering and presented information on his education and experience in engineering. Discussion followed with the consensus a consulting agreement be presented for review at the December 2, 1997 meeting.
Moving to New Business Mr. Carpenter presented a Crossing Agreement from Sun Country explaining they are requesting to place a new water tower on the KRD main canal right-of-way.
Mr. Carpenter has viewed the site with East Side Consultants. Construction will cause no visible impact to KRD operations. Lengthy discussion followed with Paul Weaver expressing concern regarding setting a precedent to allow construction on KRD right-of-way. A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Urban Eberhart approved the Sun Country Crossing permit with the addition of a containment berm to prevent spillage damage to KRD facilities. The motion passed with Paul Weaver opposing.
Mr. Carpenter requested approval to send two personnel to the 1998 Water Management Workshop. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Paul Weaver approved sending two KRD personnel to the 1998 Water Management Workshop. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented the notice for the Board of Equalization. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Jim Schnebly authorized the Board of Equalization be held on December 15, 1997 at 1:00 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board Paul Weaver was the only petition for nomination received for Director Division #5 and contained the appropriate signatures and was submitted within the time specified. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Jim Schnebly declaring Paul Weaver elected as Director for Division #5. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board petitions of nomination for Director Division #4 were received from John P. Wheatley Jr., Larry Bland and Dale Dyk explaining the petitions contained appropriate signatures and were submitted within the time specified. A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Urban Eberhart authorized the Secretary/Manager to appoint a qualified election board of one inspector and two judges and set the election date of December 9, 1997 with the KRD business office designated as the polling place. The motion passed unanimously.
Mrs. Pettit apprised the Board the State Auditors Office called to notify the District is will be performing the financial audit for 1994, 1995 and 1996 and should be completed by December 31,1997.
Mr. Carpenter presented a crossing permit from Joe and Marsha Weyand as they have made an offer on the Merle Berge property explaining it is the only access to the property and request it be formalized with a crossing permit. A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Laurin Mellergaard approved the crossing permit for single residential access. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented information on the Steve Willard Short Plat explaining Mr. Willard received approval at an earlier date and the boundary lines have been changed creating 6 additional lots with no increase in water turnouts. Mr. Carpenter further explained Mr. Willard has paid the lot fee on the additional lots.
Mr. Carpenter presented a crossing permit from Judith Pierce 460l Manastash Road explaining the request is to install a 22 ft. wide culvert crossing on the lateral along Manastash Road. A motion from Laurin Mellergaard and seconded by Paul Weaver approved the crossing permit.
The motion passed unanimously.
Upcoming Meetings: November 18 Tom Chini KRD
November 18 River Op. Mtg. Yakima
November 20-21 WSWRA Leavenworth
December 2 Trendwest Courthouse
December 9 KRD Election KRD
December 12 Joint Board Yakima
Moving to Other Business Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the Yakima Pressure Tunnel was inspected on October 30, 1997 utilizing the Spider Unit #1 vertical access unit explaining he went into the tunnel on the unit and was able to inspect the tunnel with minor recommendations to complete Unit #1. Mr. Carpenter distributed pictures from the inspection explaining the condition of the tunnel is comparable to the last inspection with exposed rebar in the same location as before with no structural impact but should be addressed as soon as feasibly possible. Discussion followed regarding Spider Unit #2 incline access unit with Mr. Carpenter explaining he is working with the Bureau to borrow a unit for the inspection and suggests no action be taken with Spider #2 unit at this time.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board of the fall maintenance explaining two animal escape ramps have been placed. A retaining wall has been poured at the slide site of the lower straight wall with drain pipe and backfill scheduled. Mr. Carpenter further explained deteriorating panels are being replaced as time allows with crews doing mastic work and burning slash piles. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board a 7 ft. people and animal safety gate has been installed at the outlet of the Morrison Siphon.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the office be closed from December 22 - 26, 1997 as has been done in past years.
Mr. Carpenter is exploring information on possible locations for settling ponds to address water quality issues in Wippel Wasteway. Lengthy discussion followed.
Returning to New Business the 1998 Budget proposal update was distributed for review and discussion. Discussion followed with the recommendation the proposal be reviewed and presented for discussion at the December 2, 1997 meeting. Mrs. Pettit distributed financial information for 1997 to date for review and discussion explaining a CD with U.S. Bank will mature on November 18, 1997 and requested guidance on reinvestment. Discussion continued with the consensus the CD be reinvested for 90 days at the highest interest rate available in an approved banking institution. Mr. Weaver requested information on authorized investments for the District. Mrs. Pettit apprised the Board she will provide information from the State Auditor’s and State Treasurer’s Offices regarding authorized investments.
Summary Vouchers for the month of September, 1997 Vouchers #13188 & 13738 & 13804- 13858 & 13936-13956 &13958 in the sum of $146,643.50 were presented for approval. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Paul Weaver approved the Summary Vouchers. 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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Jack W. Carpenter - Secretary/Manager
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John Scott - Chairman