Office of the Secretary Manager

Kittitas Reclamation District Board of Directors Meeting

February 12, 2019 Minutes

The Board of Directors of the Kittitas Reclamation District (KRD) met in Regular Session on February 12, 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 Four Director Larry Bland, Division Two Director Ed Wakkuri, Division Five Director Paul Weaver, Secretary Manager Urban Eberhart, Assistant Manager Kevin Eslinger, Field Supervisor Bob Main, Treasurer Stacy Berg, Legal Counsel Jeff Slothower. Also, in attendance were KRD land owners Janeice Jump and Mark Charlton.

The agenda was approved with the addition of an executive session for reasons consistent with RCW 42.30.110(1)(d) and 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 January 8, 2019 and January 25, 2019 Board Meetings were approved with a motion made by Director Bland and the second was made by Director Hansen. The motion passed unanimously.

Public Comment: Land Owner Mark Charlton reported that Mr. Eberhart received an award from the Timothy Hay Growers.

Water Master Report: As of February 12, 2019, the five reservoirs are at 46% capacity which is 89.6% of average. Precipitation for the reservoirs from February 1^st to date is 12.44 inches, or 123% of average. The Snotel Sites for the Upper Yakima Basin are reporting 76% of average and the Lower Basin sites are at 93% of average.

Maintenance Report: Mr. Main reported that the crews are in the process of cleaning the canals and laterals, servicing vehicles and snow removal. The rope team has been preparing for work in the Yakima Syphon. 

Secretary Manager’s Activity Report: Mr. Eberhart participated in a presentation about the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan to the Yakima Herald Editorial Board on January 23^rd.

On January 24^th Mr. Eberhart participated in a presentation to representative of Representative Schrier’s Office about the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan.

On January 29^th, Mr. Eberhart and several other Yakima Basin representatives testified to the Washington State Senate on the infrastructure funding package that Senator Honeyford is working on.  

A presentation was given by Mr. Eberhart to the Timothy Hay Growers on February 12^th.

During the week of February 4^th, Mr. Eberhart went to Washington DC to work on Yakima Basin issues with the Yakima Implementation Committee. He reported on S47 and the involvement that KRD and others have had in the process. Currently, the bill has favorable support and is expected to be voted on in the U.S. Senate in the near future. Also, Representative Newhouse and Representative Shrier M.D. are working on a separate bill that will include the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan language in it.

Mr. Eberhart thanked the Directors for all their input and assistance with the Informational Letter that was sent out with the 2019 assessments.

There was a meeting regarding the organizational structure of the Kittitas County Water Purveyors (KCWP). The organization was not incorporated so it was decided to keep it a part of the KRD. A resolution was drafted, and KCWP is expected be able to operate as it has in the past. There were also separate agreements drafted for Districts, Irrigation Companies and Individual Landowners. Director Hansen clarified that this resolution would be something that the KRD Board would reevaluate each year. The contribution is set for 2019 at .76 cents per acre with a minimum of 20 acres for individual land owners. Director Hansen made a motion to accept Resolution 2019-2. A second was made by Director Bland, the motion passed unanimously.  

Department of Ecology notified KRD that they have been awarded up to $2,000,000.00 for the South Branch Lining and Engineering from Robinson Canyon downstream to Manastash.

Upper Yakima System Storage was reported on.

The KRD is planning a roll-out for the WaterSmart Water Marketing Program next month.

The Technology for Trade Advisory Group is ongoing.

The KRD and Kittitas County Conservation District (KCCD) continue to work together on funding operations for the year 2020 and beyond. Further information will be forthcoming.

The recent press regarding Floodplains by Design was premature. The funding awards will be released at a later date.

On the South Branch Canal Lining Phase I, N.A. Degerstrom has completed the installation of 3,000 feet of the impermeable liner. 2,000 ft of that, has concrete in place, and most of the channel excavation is in. There is approximately 1,000 feet of underdrain left to install. Director Bland made a motion to approve Change Order #5 and #6. A second was made by Director Hansen, the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Eberhart asked the board to consider a land lease to allow cattle to be temporarily fenced off while the construction work is being done on the North Branch Canal. Director Bland made a motion to approve Resolution 2019-3. A second was made by Director Hansen, the motion passed unanimously.  

There was a bid opening on February 8^th for South Branch 13.8 Connection to Manastash Water Ditch Association (MWDA). Director Bland made a motion to approve the Notice to Proceed for N.A. Degerstrom in the amount $163,534.00. A second was made by Director Hansen, the motion passed unanimously.

There will be periodic updates in the coming months on the Yakima Basin Focused Aquifer Recharge Assessment.

Treasurer’s Report: The Directors’ monthly payroll vouchers were presented for signatures. Summary Vouchers for the December 2018 expenses and the January 2019 payroll which included check numbers 42925-43014, direct deposit numbers 9901576 through 9901588 in the sum of $1,454,241.94 were approved with a motion made by Director Hansen. The second was made by Director Bland, the motion passed unanimously.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Legal Counsel Slothower reported that there are two accounts in the foreclosure process. Both properties are owned by banks. One bank has indicated that they intend to pay and the other bank is working through the appropriate channels. In the event that the debts are not paid, there is a Treasurer’s Sale schedules for February 22^nd at the Kittitas County Courthouse.   

New Business:  Legal Counsel Slothower presented a draft agreement to Control Vegetation on District Right-of-Ways. The board discussed the document and agreed upon it.

Treasurer Berg presented the approved 2019 budget and requested permission to move the KCWP-Water Quality account from a fully reimbursed account to a general expense account. With the addition of the capital assets policy, those accounts that are used with the depreciation portion of the financial statements were being used differently than in years past. With the direction from Accountant Mark Messner, it was suggested we add an account for purchases that are under $5,000.00 that are not being depreciated. The board was in agreement with the requested changes.

Director Hansen made a motion to approve the payment for the 2019 Family Farm Alliance Dues of $4,163.46 and 2019 Washington State Water Resources Association (WSWRA) Irrigation District Dues of $22,000.00 and the Legislative Contribution of $5,949.10. A second was made by Director Weaver, the motion passed unanimously.

Other Business: Landowner Mark Charlton asked about proposed water transfers. Mr. Eberhart reported that there has been an agreement made with Lobbyist Bill Clark who will be helping to work on State issues and the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan.   

The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 2:07 p.m. for 15 minutes per RCW 42.30.110(1)(d) and RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)(i) there was a motion made by Director Weaver and a second made by Director Bland. The motion passed unanimously. Executive Session was extended for an additional 10 minutes. The Board returned to Regular Session at 2:32 p.m. with a motion made by Director Hansen and 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. Schnebly KRD Board of Directors Chairman

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Mr. Eberhart KRD Secretary Manager