Minutes of Regular Meeting
November 7, 2000
The Board of Directors of the Kittitas Reclamation District met in Regular Session on November 7, 2000. Directors in attendance were Chairman Jim Schnebly, Vice Chairman Larry Bland, Urban Eberhart and Ed Wakkuri. Also in attendance were Janeice Jump, Ben George, Paul Harrel, Jack Carpenter, Barbara Pettit, Carol Ready and Legal Counsel John Gilreath.
A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Ed Wakkuri approved the agenda with the addition of Executive Session. The motion passed unanimously.
The minutes of the October 3, 2000 meeting were approved as presented with a motion from Ed Wakkuri and seconded by Urban Eberhart. The motion passed unanimously.
Moving to Water Update Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the estimated reservoir carryover is 330,000 – 337,000 acre feet which is 32% of capacity with continued monitoring of incubation flows.
Moving to staff meeting review Mr. Carpenter suggested meetings be reviewed as they appear on the agenda and Ben George address the Tanuem Board meeting on Taneum Creek enhanced fish water.
Mr. Carpenter presented petitions of nomination received within the time specified with the required signatures for Larry Bland and Ed Wakkuri. As there were no other petitions submitted the Board declared Larry Bland, Director Division No.4 and Ed Wakkuri, Director Division No. 1 elected. Mr. Carpenter further explained Paul Weaver, Director Division No. 5 did not submit a petition. Ben George entered the meeting at this time.
Returning to staff meeting review, Ben George addressed the Board regarding the Taneum Board ESA issues and Taneum Creek enhanced fish water. Mr. George apprised the Board the Taneum Board is looking at alternative ways of subsidizing Taneum Creek to meet the enhanced fish water requirements. Mr. George continued explaining the Taneum Board is working on mitigating the issue and he is meeting with USBR personnel tomorrow.
Returning to petition of nomination, Chairman Jim Schnebly apprised the Board he just received notification from Paul Weaver explaining he is submitting his resignation from the Board effective immediately as he signed papers on the sale of his property today.
Returning to the agenda and Moving to Kittitas County Water Purveyors Update Carol Ready addressed the Board presenting information on grant funding applications she is preparing including a $40,000. DOE Grant to assist with the TMDL and information for public education and a $25,000. EPA Grant for preliminary assessment and implementation on ESA. Carol apprised the Board KCWP and KRD submitted funding requests to Jim Waldo explaining the announcement on selections of funding requests for presentation by Jim Waldo will be announced November 9th. Carol presented information on a meeting with Dr. Kate Vandemoer, National Marine Fisheries Service, regarding protection and/or coverage under ESA. Carol further explained there was discussion regarding whether a single creek/area can develop their own plan for protection/coverage. Carol reported the Teanaway temperature TMDL workgroup has determined trees will be planted for riparian shade. Carol apprised the Board yesterday and today were the last water quality sampling days for this year. Carol explained she and Roger will be reviewing the data and preparing an interim report for submission to DOE in 2001. Mr. Carpenter requested guidance from the Board on criteria for working with or seeking funding from various sources or agencies. It was felt that it would be OK to work with any agency, including the Yakama Nation, on a case by cases basis. Case in point, being the Tucker Creek Siphon Fish Passage Facility.
Deviating to Tucker Creek Siphon Fish Passage Facilty Crossing Agreement, Mr. Carpenter presented a draft Crossing Agreement for the purpose of reducing paper work and requirements being proposed by the Bureau of Reclamation. KRD should support efforts by the Yakama Nation in eliminating a fish passage barrier within Reclamation right-of-ways on Tucker Creek. Discussion followed with the consensus additional language be added stating the project will have no negative impacts on the Kittitas Reclamation District’s ability to deliver water and then brought back to the Board for final review and approval.
Moving to Tri County Update Jim Schnebly apprised the Board the Habitat Conservation Plan has been presented to the Habitat Committee and will then be presented to Tri County Board for approval.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board there is an AFW workgroup meeting scheduled in Ellensburg on November 17th.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the 1999 USBR O & M Exam billing will be reduced and an amended billing submitted for payment.
Mr. Carpenter presented updated information on the Trendwest Master Plan Resort explaining KRD and the Bureau of Reclamation submitted a response to DOE on the Trendwest Master Plan Resort.
Mr. Carpenter presented the Carl Jensvold pipeline update explaining the request to pipe the lateral would straighten the lateral and cross the draw and help with O & M. Mr. Carpenter further explained KRD does not have the time for installation of similar projects and requested approval to contract from the small works roster. Mr. Carpenter further explained Mark Hansen would like to participate in the lateral piping project and additional information is needed before the final cost estimates would be available on the Jensvold pipeline project with installation in the spring of 2001. Discussion followed with the consensus the Jensvold pipeline project should be presented for final approval when final cost estimates are available. Discussion followed with the recommendation future projects requesting KRD assistance should be presented to the Board for prioritizing and approval subject to funds available on a case by case basis.
Moving to General Guidelines update Mr. Carpenter presented information to be distributed to landowners regarding requirements for division of lands located within KRD boundaries for review and discussion.
Moving to O & M update Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board two animal escape/O & M access ramps and several panels have been cut out and replaced with shotcrete. Mr. Carpenter further explained he has been in contact with a CH2Mhill engineer in Montana experienced in mining. Mr. Carpenter explained they will be here next week to view the Yakima siphon for access units. Mr. Carpenter requested the Board approve increasing the beginning pay rate from $6.50 per hour to $7.50 per hour for temporary labor effective November 1, 2000. Mr. Carpenter further explained it has been difficult to get temporary labor and increasing the beginning pay should increase applicants. A motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Ed Wakkuri authorized increasing the beginning pay rate from $6.50 to $7.50 per hour for temporary labor effective November 1, 2000. The motion passed unanimously.
Continuing under Old Business and moving to budget update Mr. Carpenter presented information from a meeting with KRD union representatives Ron Jarmin and Chris Staloch explaining union negotiations are in progress and a November 28th meeting is scheduled with Union Representative, Don Boxford. Mr. Carpenter suggested scheduling 2001 budget study sessions. Discussion followed with the consensus it be placed on the December agenda.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the CD at Sterling Savings will mature on November 20th. Discussion followed with the consensus rates be checked and Board members contacted at that time.
Moving to New Business Mr. Carpenter presented a notice for the Board of Equalization. Chairman Jim Schnebly announced the Board of Equalization will be held December 5th at 1:00 p.m.
Mr. Carpenter presented the Frank Ragland crossing permit Sec. 4 Twn. 18 Rng. 17. Discussion followed with a motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Larry Bland approved the Frank Ragland crossing permit as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented a temporary-crossing permit from Paul Beiter Sec. 3 Twn. 16 Rng. 19 . Discussion followed with a motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Larry Bland approving the Paul Beiter crossing permit as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented the Gary Kasowski crossing permit and turnout modification Sec. 34 Twn. 20 Rng. 15. A motion from Ed Wakkuri and seconded by Larry Bland approved the Garry Kasowski crossing permit and turnout modification as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented a cost share request from Clarence Harrel on the Flynn Orchard Pipeline Sec. 5 Twn. 17 Rng. 18 explaining Mr. Harrell purchased and installed 300 ft of pipe replacing sections of concrete tile that were leaking and is requesting reimbursement of $ 3,133.21. Mr. Carpenter explained the original discussions with Mr. Harrel were that he purchase the pipe and KRD would do the installation. Mr. Carpenter further explained the estimated cost for KRD installation would be $1,319.32. Discussion followed with the concern expressed regarding the completion of the project prior to Board approval. A motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Ed Wakkuri approved Clarence Harrel be reimbursed $1,319.32. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter requested authorization to send Jon Mengelos to the USBR 2001 Water Management Workshop in Denver. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Larry Bland authorized Jon Mengelos attend the USBR 2001 Water Management Workshop in Denver. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter requested authorization for Barbara Pettit to attend the November 30th SSA/IRS Wage Reporting Seminar in Seattle and Washington Association of Government Accounts training in Yakima on December 13th. A motion from Ed Wakkuri and seconded by Larry Bland authorized Barbara Pettit attend the November 30th and December 13th training. The motion passed unanimously.
Upcoming Meetings:
November 8th Coating Contractors Easton Easton Dam Tour
Wippel Wasteway Tour
November 9th Water Day Yakima
November 13th River Ops. Yakima
November 14th BOJC SVID
November 16th IOP Yakima
WSWRA
November 17th IOP Yakima
AFW Ellensburg
Moving to Other Business Mr. Carpenter presented the Kittitas County Conservation District Water Quality and Conservation Project Report and the KRD/KCWP/DOE 3rd quarter grant report for review.
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 2:30 p.m. for 20 minutes to discuss legal and personnel issues with a motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Ed Wakkuri. The motion passed unanimously. The Board returned to regular session at 2:40 p.m. with a motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Ed Wakkuri. The motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Jim Schnebly presented the 2001 recommended pay scale for Carol Ready: $18.50 per hour for KCWP hours, $15.00 per hour on existing grant and an hourly rate to be determined in new grants. Discussion followed with the consensus this is the recommendation he will present to the Kittitas County Water Purveyors Board of Directors.
The Summary Vouchers for the month of September Vouchers #18199 & 18458-18459 & 18532 & 18540-18597 in the sum of $ 165,291.98 were presented for approval. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Ed Wakkuri approved the Summary Vouchers as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
The Directors Payroll Vouchers were presented for signatures and checks distributed accordingly.
All Business having been concluded the meeting adjourned.
Jack W. Carpenter – Secretary - Manager
Jim Schnebly - Chairman