Office of Secretary
Minutes of Regular Meeting
February 4, 1997
The Board of Directors of the Kittitas Reclamation District met in Regular Session on February 4, 1997. Directors in attendance were Chairman John Scott, Jim Schnebly and Urban Eberhart. Also in attendance were Jack Carpenter, Barbara Pettit, Ben George, Janeice Jump, Loretta Ogilvie, Pete Garvin and Legal Counsel John Gilreath.
A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Urban Eberhart approved the agenda with the addition of Executive Session. The motion passed unanimously.
The minutes of the January 7, 1997 were approved by a motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Urban Eberhart. The motion passed unanimously.
Moving to water update Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the water scenario is looking good with water releases only to meet fish criteria. Mr. Carpenter presented a Lake Kachess update, distributing pictures from the recent tour, explaining the concrete work is completed to above the high water line with work to be completed on the tower control house with the excavation of the new channel complete with the lake to be on line and functional for this irrigation season.
Continuing to Meeting Review Mr. Carpenter presented information from the River Operations meeting attended on January 10, 1997. January 15, 1997 Mr. Carpenter met with Pete Garvin to review task lists and familiarize him with the district. January 16, 1997 Mr. Carpenter, Dick Haapala and Pete Garvin visited the lower straight wall site to view ground water and discuss maintenance. Mr. Carpenter distributed pictures. Mr. Carpenter and Mrs. Pettit met with Jim Frost, Bell Anderson Insurance Co., on January 22, 1997 to review insurance coverage. January 22, 1997 Mr. Carpenter attended the construction tour of Lake Kachess. January 28, 1997 a RRA information meeting was held in Ephrata and due to road conditions Keli was unable to attend. January 31, 1997 Mr. Carpenter attended the Joint Board Meeting. February 3, 1997 Mr. Carpenter attended a public meeting with FEMA for potential fund of snow damage to the shop roof. Resolution 1997-1 authorizing Jack Carpenter as applicant’s agent for any snow damage claims filed with FEMA was presented for approval and signatures. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Jim Schnebly approved Resolution 1997-1. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented updated information on facilities transfer explaining the cost estimate would be developed if requested. Discussion followed with the consensus there is no interest in pursuing it further at this time.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board KRD purchased a 1992 GMC 4x4 1 ton equipped with tool box and a front mounted PTO hydraulic wench through the State Surplus for $11,739.00. Mr. Carpenter further explained the State Surplus will consign vehicles for sale with a 10% administrative fee. Discussion followed with the recommendation KRD surplus trucks be sold locally.
Moving to Spider Manlift Update Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board he received a letter from the Bureau of Reclamation January 17, 1997 stating they do not have a problem with the cables running on the concrete. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board he sent a letter to Spider regarding the cables and included pictures of the old unit, requesting designs and cost estimates for a unit that could be utilized for maintenance.
Continuing under Old Business Mr. Carpenter presented information received from a phone conversation with Hollis Pope, Bureau of Reclamation, regarding the land purchase for rerouting of the canal resulting from the Bristol Slide explaining he was advised the Bureau of Reclamation will not participate in the purchase making it the District’s responsibility and expense. Discussion continued with the consensus Mr. Carpenter request the Bureau of Reclamation state their position in writing.
Moving to New Business Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board he has received several requests for a tour of the District and requested input. Discussion continued with the consensus due to the weather and workload for spring a tour be tentatively scheduled for August.
Mr. Carpenter suggested the Martin Luther King Holiday be included in the discussion regarding Director’s Handbooks. Discussion followed with the consensus it be placed on the agenda with 1998 budget.
Mr. Carpenter presented information regarding a proposed Upper County Maintenance Reorganization explaining combining the ditch rider/dam tender positions would free up more maintenance time and adding a full-time maintenance position would address more maintenance on the main canal with the 4x4 l ton scheduled for upper county maintenance.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board he received a call from Butlers on January 12, 1997 regarding their bridge starting to deteriorate and requested KRD assistance. Mr. Carpenter explained this is the only access to their property and he agreed to cost share with KRD providing the labor and Butler’s responsible for all materials. Discussion followed regarding bridges with the recommendation the discussion be moved to legal.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board a slide occurred around January 10, 1997 in the lower straight wall just up from the pressure tunnel explaining there are 3 slides in the area with one adjacent to the canal approximately 18 inches back underneath and 6 feet across with no O & M road and a difficult area to access with the exact extent of repairs unknown at this time.
A draft of a Director’s Handbook was distributed for review and will be placed on the agenda at a later date for discussion.
The 1997 bill for membership in the Yakima River Basin Coalition in the sum of $17,802.60 and the 1997 bill for Joint Board in the sum of $11.500.00 were presented for approval. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Jim Schnebly approved the 1997 membership in the Yakima River Basin Coalition in the sum of $17,802.60 and the Joint Board in the sum of $11,500.00. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented a request from Jack Clerf regarding seepage along the North Branch Canal on Stevens Road and has requested assistance with trenching or a drain. Discussion followed with the recommendation it be monitored and may fit the criteria of the comprehensive plan.
Upcoming Meetings:
WSWRW February 12
Joint Board February 28 Yakima
Moving to Other Business Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board he was contacted by Kittitas County regarding repair work scheduled on the Naneum and Lester Roads and will require road closure and diverting of any water in the canal. Mr. Carpenter distributed a letter from Tri-County Resources.
The Summary Vouchers for December expenses Vouchers #12722-12796 in the sum of $269,234.89 were presented for approval and signatures. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Jim Schnebly approved the Summary Vouchers. The motion passed unanimously.
Pete Garvin entered the meeting at this time.
Pete Garvin was introduced to the Board with Mr. Carpenter explaining the Board has received an overview of the engineering tasks. Mr. Garvin addressed the Board regarding state guidelines on bridge ratings explaining he is researching load rating for compliance. Mr. Garvin explained the 12.6 pipeline will require a closer look when weather permits to determine the extensive work required for long term service. Mr. Garvin discussed options available on repairing the lower straight wall slide with the recommendation a referral be made to a geotechnical engineer for a final decision. Mr. Garvin presented an overview of his background explaining his education is in agricultural engineering specializing in hydraulic engineering with experience in pumping stations and pipelines. Mr. Garvin presented a consulting agreement for Board review. The agreement was given to Legal Counsel for review. Mr. Garvin left the meeting at this time.
With a motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Urban Eberhart the Board adjourned to Executive Session for 30 minutes at 2:18 p.m. to discuss legal and personnel issues. The motion passed unanimously. Chairman John Scott announced a 15 min extension at 2:48 p.m.. The Board returned from Executive Session at 3:03 p.m. with a motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Jim Schnebly. The motion passed unanimously.
A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Urban Eberhart authorized increasing the hourly rate for Pete Garvin $5.00 per hour from $35.00 to $40.00 per hour. 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