Office of the Secretary Manager

Kittitas Reclamation District Board of Directors Meeting

December 8, 2017 Minutes

The Board of Directors of the Kittitas Reclamation District (KRD) met in Regular Session on December 8, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. Attending the meeting were Division One Director and Chairman Mark Hansen, Division Four Director and Vice Chairman Larry Bland, Division Two Director Ed Wakkuri, Division Three Director Fred Schnebly, Division Five Director Paul Weaver,  Secretary Manager Urban Eberhart, Assistant Manager Kevin Eslinger, Treasurer Stacy Berg, GIS IT / Water Quality Specialist Roger Satnik, Lands Clerk & RRA Specialist Keli Bender and Legal Counsel Jeff Slothower. Also attending were Consultant Walter Larrick and land owner Janeice Jump.

Director Weaver made a motion to open the Board of Equalization. The second was made by Director Bland. The motion passed unanimously. The audience was polled to see if there was anyone who was requesting equalization, which there was not. Legal Counsel Slothower suggested that it remain open for the duration of the meeting in case someone came in later. 

The agenda was approved with the addition of an executive session for reasons consistent with RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) and RCW 42.30.110(1)(i):(i). The motion was made by Director Wakkuri and the second was made by Director Schnebly. The motion passed unanimously.

The minutes of the November 7, 2017 Board Meeting were approved with a motion made by Director Weaver and the second made by Director Bland. The motion passed unanimously.

Public Comment: No comments were noted.

Water Master Report: Mr. Eberhart reported that as of December 7, 2017 the inflow to the five reservoirs was at 87% which is 99% of average. Precipitation for December 1 to date was 1.47 inches, 20% of average and year to date was 89.68 inches, or 137% of average.

Maintenance Report: Mr. Eslinger reported on behalf of Field Supervisor Bob Main who was out in the field. Work on structures and weir gates continue. Concrete was poured on an animal ramp near Little Creek today. The piping for Lateral 33.5 to Prater Rd is almost complete.

Secretary Manager’s Activity Report: Mr. Eberhart requested permission to close the KRD office from December 20, 2017 to December 27, 2017. The board approved the request.

Mr. Eberhart gave a presentation to the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee and top national marine fisheries service leadership on the work by the Columbia Basin Partnership, the Yakima Integrated Plan and the KRD tributary supplementation program on November 28, 2017 in Silver Springs, MD.

On November 30, 2017 there was a United States House of Representatives Hearing on H.R. 4419. Mr. Eberhart testified on behalf of the KRD and the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan Working Group.  

Mr. Eberhart attended the Marine Fisheries Advisory Group, Columbia Basin Partnership in Spokane on December 4-5, 2017.

The Idaho Water Users Association requested Mr. Eberhart give a presentation on the KRD Tributary Supplementation Program and the Manastash Project in Boise, ID on January 25, 2017. Director Wakkuri made a motion to approve the travel for Mr. Eberhart to go to Boise, a second was made by Director Weaver. The motion passed unanimously.

Extreme Access went down into the pressure tunnel in mid-November. The cost was approximately $26,500.00 for their service. Mr. Eberhart requested approval to develop a KRD Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRT) team. This will give the KRD the ability to enter all of the KRD facilities. Mr. Eberhart asked for approval for employees, Urban Eberhart, Bob Main, Steve Matthews, Josh Weyand and Robby Main to go to high angle rope training. Director Weaver made a motion to approve the training and a second was made by Director Bland. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Eberhart requested approval for Field Supervisor Bob Main to go to a Water Management Workshop in Denver, CO on February 12-15, 2018. Director Bland made a motion to approve the travel, a second was made by Director Wakkuri. The motion passed unanimously.

There is a Dam Tender School in Pasco, WA on December 12-13, 2017. Mr. Eberhart requested approval to send employees to the training. Director Wakkuri made a motion to approve the training, a second was made by Director Schnebly. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Eberhart reported that Robby Main and Steve Matthews would be attending Canal Operator Training in Pasco on December 13, 2017.

The Family Farm Alliance Conference will be held in Reno, NV on February 21-23, 2018. Mr. Eberhart asked for volunteers from the board who would be willing to attend. Director Wakkuri made a motion to approve the travel for Secretary Manager Urban Eberhart and any director who might be available. The second was made by Director Schnebly and the motion passed unanimously.

Washington State is requiring all employers to provide paid sick leave for all employees, including temporary employees. CompuTech has estimated the programing costs to be between $1,170.00 and $1,900.00 to update the payroll system to comply. Director Bland made a motion to pay the service fee to CompuTech. The second was made by Director Wakkuri. The motion passed by majority.

Mr. Eberhart requested authorization to purchase a Canon 5550 Copier for $7,040.57 with a five-year maintenance agreement of approximately $136.50 per month. Director Wakkuri made a motion to approve the purchase and maintenance agreement for the copy machine. The second was made by Director Bland. The motion passed unanimously.

The board was updated on the status of the vehicle surplus. There were two vehicles which were not paid for at the auction. They were offered to the second and third bidders as well but were not purchased. The 2002 Chevrolet S10 pick-up will be taken to a wrecking yard as junk and the 1961 Ford flatbed pick-up will be put on the market through a company such as Craigslist in an attempt to sell it.

Mr. Eberhart asked the board for authorization to purchase a 1999 Ford F350 flatbed pick-up from Roza Irrigation District for $3,000.00. Director Bland made a motion to approve the purchase of the vehicle. The second was made by Director Weaver. The motion passed unanimously. There was also a 1989 Ford Tractor with a side and rear mower that was being surplused by Roza Irrigation District for $8,000.00. Director Bland made a motion to purchase the tractor. The second was made by Director Wakkuri. The motion passed unanimously.

KRD would like to assist in the funding of an outreach position through American Rivers. Mr. Eberhart is requested authorization to pay $2,500.00 to help fund the position. Director Wakkuri made a motion to pay $2,500.00 to American Rivers. The second was made by Director Bland. The motion passed unanimously.

Walter Larrick has been working with Joel Hubble and Roger Satnik to provide information to the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) regarding the tributary supplementation program.

A landowner has requested KRD split the cost of replacing the South Branch 14.3 Bridge. The landowner is proposing that he buy an approved state highway bridge kit for $60,000.00 and KRD would pay $30,000.00. If the landowner was ever denied access to use the bridge that he be reimbursed the $30,000.00 that he paid into the bridge. The board determined that the existing bridge is adequate for KRD use in its current state and they would not be in favor of this proposal.

Funding for the Upper Yakima Storage Assessment Phase II is being applied for through the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN). The KRD is exploring alternative options if this source of funding is not available. The USBR has a budget line item for finding new storage options. There is funding for a geological team who is in the area next summer. Discussions with the USBR to arrange for this team to assist in the Upper Yakima Storage Assessment Phase II work continue.  

KRD has been told that the Water Smart Water Market Study Application has been approved, and KRD is waiting for the documentation.

Discussions continue with the Kittitas County Conservation District (KCCD), USBR and KRD regarding the tributary supplementation program and Manastash.

Manastash Ridge Trail is still an ongoing issue.

KRD and USBR will continue to meet to determine the best access for the Taneum Heart K.

A change order for the North Branch Canal Lining Project Phase II was submitted for Tetra Tech and Aspect to add $200,000.00 and $500,000.00 to continue with additional construction. The remaining $400,000.00 2018 Federal Fiscal Year money to be allocated to KRD is scheduled to be available in the first quarter of 2018. There is also an additional $300,000.00 of Salmon Recovery funds. Director Wakkuri made a motion to approve change order number one of $500,000.00 for Reclaim Company. The second was made by Director Schnebly. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Eberhart asked for authorization to approve a $9,700.00 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the historical and cultural work for the South Branch Canal Lining Project. Director Weaver made a motion to approve the MOA of $9,700.00. The second was made by Director Bland. The motion passed unanimously.

The KRD was granted the permit for Naneum Headworks Flood Protection Project. Work continues on the bridge and the creek to allow better flow of water. The KRD is in discussions with Kittitas County to purchase a rail car bridge that would allow KRD to access the area to clean out debris. Director Bland made a motion to approve the task for $23,852.09 to pay Jacobs for the Naneum Flood Protection Project. The second was made by Director Schnebly. The motion passed unanimously.

Easton Drum Gate Carthodic Protection is an ongoing project without any immediate concerns.

On the Main Canal in the Tillman area there is a land slide that has shifted some concrete panels. There is approximately 300 feet in length of the concrete panels that need to be repaired. The KRD crews will be able to make the repairs without having to contract the work out. The biggest concern will be removing snow in the canal. The KRD will need to purchase a snow blower.

Yakima Pressure Tunnel Inspection Report revealed some critical issues that require an emergency declaration to do the repairs. The steel is worn out in places. Jacobs has prioritized the repair work and the Level One Repairs are recommended to be done without delay. The Level One Repairs are critical to the use of this system and qualify as an emergent situation. Director Bland made a motion to accept the Emergency Repairs Resolution 2017-6. A second was made by Director Wakkuri. The motion passed unanimously.  

The Directors’ monthly payroll vouchers were presented for signatures. Summary Vouchers for the October 2017 expenses and the November 2017 payroll which included check numbers 41612 through 41617 and 41694-41767, direct deposit numbers 9901273 through 9901290 in the sum of $258,629.36 were approved with a motion made by Director Schnebly and the second made by Director Wakkuri. The motion passed unanimously.

Legal Counsel Slothower advised that there are two delinquent accounts remaining. One subject is making payments and only has the legal fees remaining. The other subject has not made any contact with KRD or Legal Counsel. The delinquent account process is continuing.

Work on the agreement with Kittitas County continues. Legal Counsel Slothower is continuing to work with the Prosecuting Attorney.

The Procurement Committee prepared a Delegation of Authority for KRD. Director Weaver made a motion to approve the Resolution 2017-7 for the Delegation of Authority. The second was made by Director Bland. The motion passed unanimously.

New Business:

The 2017 USBR Construction Debt Repayment 2^nd half payment for $54,602.77 was presented. Director Bland made a motion to pay the bill. The second was made by Director Schnebly. The motion passed unanimously.

The Cities Insurance Association of Washington (CIAW) Insurance Renewal was presented in the amount of $83,552.00 and an agent fee of $5,000.00. Director Weaver made a motion to pay the renewal fee and agent fee. The second was made by Director Schnebly. The motion passed unanimously.

The 2018 Board Meeting Dates Resolution 2017-8 was presented. Director Weaver made a motion to accept the resolution with the only change being the July 10^th Meeting. The second was made by Director Schnebly. The motion passed unanimously.

A KRD Budget Meeting was set for December 19, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. Director Bland made a motion to accept the date for the meeting. A second was made by Director Weaver. The motion passed unanimously.  

Other Business:

The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 2:40 p.m. for 30 minutes per RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) and RCW 42.30.110(1)(i):(i) there was a motion made by Director Weaver and a second made by Director Schnebly. The motion passed unanimously. The Executive Session was extended by 20 minutes. The Board returned to Regular Session at 3:30 p.m. with a motion made by Director Weaver and the second was made by Director Schnebly. The motion passed unanimously.

Other Business:

The audience was polled and no one was present to discuss the Board of Equalization. Director Schnebly made a motion to close the Board of Equalization Resolution 2017-9. The second was made by Director Bland. The motion passed unanimously.

All business having been concluded the meeting was adjourned.

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Mr. Larry Bland KRD Board of Directors Chairman

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Mr. Eberhart KRD Secretary Manager