Minutes of Regular Meeting
March 4, 2003
The Board of Directors of the Kittitas Reclamation District met in Regular Session on March 4, 2003. Directors in attendance were Chairman Brad Haberman, Vice Chairman Urban Eberhart, Jim Schnebly, Ed Wakkuri and Larry Bland. Also in attendance were Ben George, Janeice Jump, Dave Gerth, Jack Wheatley, Carol Ready, Jack Carpenter, Barbara Pettit and Legal Counsel John Gilreath.
A motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Ed Wakkuri approved the Agenda with the addition of Executive Session. The motion passed unanimously.
Deviating to New Business David Gerth addressed the Board regarding the City of Roslyn draft White Paper and the priority water right date of 1908. Mr. Gerth requested the Kittitas Reclamation District support the City of Roslyn’s request to be exempted from the upcoming cease and desist order expected to be filed. Mr. Gerth explained the actual paper right quantity of water is 2.6 CFS, which comes out of Domerie Creek and is not part of storage control, as it does not empty into a reservoir. The purpose of the use of the water is to supply municipal water to the City of Roslyn, outlying areas of Water District #2 and the school campus. Mr. Gerth continued explaining they are good stewards of water resource and are doing their part in using the water in conservation minded way.
Mr. Gerth suggested the City and Roslyn and Kittitas Reclamation District work in a collaborative way down a path of cooperation.
Urban Eberhart asked if the City of Roslyn is supportive of constructing storage in the Yakima Basin to help solve some of the needs and problems now existing. Mr. Gerth explained the City of Roslyn is supportive and understands especially with the Keechelus Dam repairs and supports the repairs going forward and supports the Black Rock Project.
Returning to the agenda the minutes of the March 4, 2003 meeting were approved as presented by a motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Ed Wakkuri. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented a water update explaining the USBR Bureau Status reports with the first 2003 TWSA meeting scheduled for March 6, 2003. Mr. Carpenter suggested the April board meeting be scheduled as soon as possible following the April TWSA meeting. Mr. Carpenter requested authorization for Ditchriders to work on Saturdays as necessary and allow landowners to transfer water throughout the District including Upper County to Lower County within capacity limits. It was the consensus that as is consistent in past drought years, Ditchriders be authorized to work on Saturdays as necessary and that water transfers be authorized throughout the District including Upper County to Lower County within capacity limits. Mr. Carpenter requested guidance on purchasing outside water and at what price. It was the consensus Mr. Carpenter contact sources used in previous years and let them know KRD is interested. Mr. Carpenter presented information on House Bill 1640 with the recommendation comments be submitted to Legal Counsel John Gilreath. Mr. Carpenter requested guidance on implementation of withholding water from land divisions with incomplete water plans. Discussion followed with the consensus that the policy be implemented to withhold water from land divisions with incomplete water plans. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the costs for Keechelus Dam repairs are exceeding estimates therefore KRD will be responsible for a portion of the additional costs.
Moving to KCWP Update Carol Ready apprised the Board House Bill 1113 with language, which would allow KCWP to form as a Joint Board of Control was submitted. Carol further explained there are concerns with the language regarding public and private entities and in working through the process it was resolved by addressing the concern in the KCWP By-Laws. Carol explained the YTAHP funding is through 2004 with continued funding hopeful. The Olsen Ditch 2003 Inter Local Agreement was presented for signatures. Carol apprised the Board she is submitting a $300,000.00 grant application for DOE funding from 2004-2007.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board two CD’s were rolled over for 60 days @ 1.35% with another CD due March 8th and Barbara Pettit would call with rates.
Mr. Carpenter presented information on the Biological Opinion Update explaining Pat Monk has been working with agencies explaining NMFS and U.S. Fish and Wildlife have been asking for more detailed information on Irrigation District O&M impacts on listed species. Mr. Carpenter distributed the packet of information he prepared on KRD O&M explaining it has been provided to Pat Monk but has not been submitted to the agencies as yet.
Moving to Kittitas County Subdivision Code Rewrite Mr. Carpenter distributed comments on the Draft Code rewrite submitted to Kittitas County.
Moving to New Business Mr. Carpenter presented the Norm and Tom Ruiz Turnout Request Sec. 21 Twn. 16 Rng. 20. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Ed Wakkuri approved the Norma and Tom Ruiz Turnout Request subject to final approval. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented the John Harris segregation Sec. 26, Twn. 18, Rng. 19 for pre-approval subject to meeting the general guidelines. A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Larry Bland approved the John Harris segregation subject to meeting the general guidelines. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the Easton Dam Comprehensive Facilty Review has been received with several items identified for completion. Mr. Carpenter requested authorization for Dick Haapala, CH2Mhill, to address the Easton Dam O & M category 2 recommendation. It was the consensus Dick Haapala be authorized to work on the Easton Dam O&M category 2 recommendations.
Upcoming Meetings:
March 5th Joint Board Bios Yakima
March 6th TWSA/River Ops. Yakima
Public Safety 1146
Yakima Pressure Tunnel
March 19th WSWRA Wenatchee
March 20th Ag Day Lunch Ellensburg
March 25th KCWP Board Meeting Ellensburg
March 25th-26th YB Aquatic Science and
Management Conf.
March 28th Joint Board Yakima
Moving to Other Business Mr. Carpenter requested Board Members review water plans of pre-approved segregations for final approval.
With a motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Ed Wakkuri the Board adjourned to Executive Session at 1:58 p.m. for 30 minutes to discuss legal and personnel issues. Chairman Brad Haberman announced a 10- minute extension at 2:28 p.m. The Board returned to Regular Session with a motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Ed Wakkuri. The motion passed unanimously.
The Directors monthly payroll vouchers were presented for signatures and checks distributed accordingly.
The Summary Vouchers for January expenses Vouchers #22073-22161 &22199 in the sum of $225,473.88 were presented for approval. A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Ed Wakkuri approved the Summary Vouchers as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
All Business having been concluded the meeting adjourned.
Bradley W. Haberman – Chairman
Jack W. Carpenter – Secretary-Manager