Office of Secretary

Minutes of Regular Meeting

February 2, 1999

 

The Board of Directors of the Kittitas Reclamation District met in Regular Session on February 2, 1999. Directors in attendance were Chairman Urban Eberhart, Vice Chairman Jim Schnebly, Larry Bland, John Scott and Paul Weaver. Also in attendance were Jack Carpenter, Barbara Pettit, Paul Harrel, Harvey Dodge, Janeice Jump and Legal Counsel John Gilreath.

A motion from Paul Weaver and seconded by John Scott approved the agenda with the addition of an Executive Session. The motion passed unanimously.

The minutes of the January 5, 1999 meeting were approved by a motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Paul Weaver. The motion passed unanimously.

Moving to water update Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the January precipitation is 99.6% of average with the snow and precipitation above average to date. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board Bureau personnel are managing Keechelus in relationship to potential runoff or flood with continual monitoring. Mr. Carpenter presented information on the Bureau schedules and projects relating to Keechelus Dam. Lengthy discussion followed.

Continuing under Old Business Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board he attended the Water Quality Funding Workshop with Larry Brown and Tony Jantzer on January 7, 1999. January 8, 1999 Jim Seals, Computech, met with KRD staff to discuss computer upgrade. January 12, 1999 Mr. Carpenter met with Larry Brown and Tony Jantzer to work on grants and agenda for the joint board meeting. January 13, 1999 Mr. Carpenter attended a meeting at the Yakima DOE office relating to the IAC State Salmon Recovery Plan grant application. January 14, 1999 Mr. Carpenter attended the RSBOJC water quality workshop, the Yakima River Operations meeting and the TCWRA meeting. January 19, 1999 Mr. Carpenter met with Tony Jantzer and Larry Brown to work on grants and the joint board meeting agenda. January 20, 1999 Mr. Carpenter attended the WSWRA meeting. January 20-21, 1999 KRD personnel attended spray school in Yakima. January 22, 1999 Mr. Carpenter attended the WSWRA sub-committee meeting with Tony Jantzer and Larry Brown. January 25, 1999 Mr. Carpenter met with Tony Jantzer and Larry Brown to work on grants and the joint board agenda. January 27-29, 1999 Mr. Carpenter attended the Water Quality Beyond 2000-Meeting our TMDL Challenge in Boise. January 29, 1999 Chris Sandvig, Marty Haberman and Paul Green attended the Tabletop Exercise in Ellensburg.

Moving to Y2K computer upgrade Roger Satnik presented updated information on the computer upgrade explaining the options have been updated with Option 3 including estimates from Marianne Kreycik on Quick Books software, which, in her opinion, would not meet the needs of the District and state audit standards. The Down To Earth software by Data Associates is currently being used by other Irrigation Districts with an estimated cost of $100,000. or more for the software. Option 2 would make the current AS400 machine year 2000 compliant but not solve current capacity limitations or lockups on keyboards, terminals and printers. Option 1 to purchase a new model 150 AS400 would solve the capacity and lockup issues as well as see us into the foreseeable future (6 years). With Option 1 we would continue use of the current software with an estimated hardware/upgrade cost of $23,022.80. Discussion followed with a motion from Paul Weaver and seconded by John Scott to authorize Option 1. The motion passed unanimously.

Moving to CH2MHill Comp. Plan update Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the comments were submitted to CH2MHill. Mr. Carpenter further apprised the Board 15 copies of the Comp. Plan should be sent to us within two weeks.

Mr. Carpenter presented information on Legislative Senate Bill 5289 explaining WSWRA is requesting comments. Discussion followed with the consensus we continue to monitor and address issues as they arise.

Mr. Carpenter distributed a draft agenda for the February 16,1999 Joint Water Purveyor Board Meeting and requested input/addition to the agenda. Discussion followed regarding formation of a committee to serve on a working committee. Jim Schnebly was appointed to serve on a working committee of the Joint Water Purveyor Board.

Mr. Carpenter presented and turnout change request from Hubert/Mary Schmitt Sec. 33 Twn. 17

Rng. 20. Discussion followed with a motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by John Scott the request be approved as presented with a notation to the existing permit amending it to include the change request. The motion passed unanimously.

Legal Counsel John Gilreath presented Resolution 1999-1 requiring KRD approval extending coverage and application to all divisions or segregations of irrigable property within KRD boundaries. A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Larry Bland approved Resolution 1999-1. The motion passed unanimously.

Moving to Tri County Water Resource Association update Urban Eberhart presented information explaining an executive committee has been appointed and a consulting firm hired to prepare an assessment and scope of work. Lengthy discussion followed.

Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the Environmental Impact Statement is complete on the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Program with listing on the Federal Register proposed for March, 1999.

Moving to New Business Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the Yakima Indian Nation has requested placing four Coho net pens in Lake Easton. Lengthy discussion followed with Mr. Carpenter directed to request language be included stating there would be no additional or increased demands for water for the project making it water neutral. Mr. Carpenter further requested input from Legal Counsel regarding proposed wording.

Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board he requested the Endangered Species Consultation Handbook.

Discussion continued with a motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Paul Weaver that KRD join with the Yakima Basin Joint Board which is requesting to be treated as an applicant for the purpose of Section 7 Consultation under the Endangered Species Act. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Carpenter presented USBR Draft Policies concerning the impoundment, storage and carriage of non-project water using excess capacity in Reclamation Project Facilities. Mr. Carpenter further explained the Yakima USBR Field Office is of the opinion that there would be no impact to KRD.

Mr. Carpenter presented a Medical Marijuana Policy as recommended by the Cascade Medical Group, Inc. A motion from Paul Weaver and seconded by John Scott approved the Medical Marijuana Policy as presented. The motion passed unanimously.

Moving to Smith/Braucht Short Plat Sec. 8 Twn. 17 Rng. 18. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board all the general guidelines have been met. A motion from Larry Bland and seconded by John Scott approve the Smith/Braucht Short Plat as presented. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Carpenter presented a request from Kittitas County Public Works to participate in a project to improve the KRD O&M road along the Taneum Chute explaining the County will also be doing work on the turnouts for the Elk viewing sites. Discussion followed with a motion from Paul Weaver and seconded by Jim Schnebly authorizing KRD participate in the project to improve the KRD O & M road along the Taneum Chute not to exceed $3,500. with the stipulation KRD monies be designated for improvement of the KRD O&M road only. The motion passed unanimously.

Mrs. Pettit apprised the Board a six month CD will mature at Sterling Savings February 15, 1999 and requested guidance on reinvestment. Discussion followed with the consensus the funds be reinvested at the highest rate for six months.

Mr. Carpenter presented a turnout request for Eleanore Moore Sec. 36 Twn. 18 Rng. 19 explaining the request has been viewed and approved by the field supervisor. A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Paul Weaver approved the Eleanore Moore turnout request as presented. The motion passed unanimously.

Upcoming Meetings:

February 8 Grant Language Mtg. Ellensburg

February 9 DOT Truck Passing Lane Ellensburg

February 11 R/S BOJC Sunnyside

River Ops. USBR

KCCD Annual Mtg. Ellensburg

February 16 Joint Board Mtg. Ellensburg

February 17 USBR Eng. Office USBR

February 18 USBR Eng. Office USBR

February 24 YRWatershed Yakima

The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 2:48 p.m. for 15 minutes to discuss Legal Matters with a motion from Paul Weaver and seconded by John Scott. The motion passed unanimously.

The Board returned to Regular Session at 3:02 p.m. with a motion from Paul Weaver and seconded by John Scott.

The Summary Vouchers for the month of December, 1998 expenses, Vouchers #\ in the sum of $ were presented for approval. A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Paul Weaver approved the Summary Vouchers as presented. The motion passed unanimously.

The Director monthly Payroll Vouchers were presented for signatures and checks distributed accordingly.

All Business having been concluded the meeting adjourned.

____________________________________________

Jack W. Carpenter - Secretary-Manager

______________________________

Urban Eberhart - Chairman

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