Office of Secretary
Minutes of Regular Meeting
March 7, 2000
The Board of Directors of the Kittitas Reclamation District met in Regular Session on Tuesday, March 7, 2000. Directors in attendance were Chairman Jim Schnebly, Vice Chairman Larry Bland, Paul Weaver, Ed Wakkuri and Urban Eberhart. Also in attendance were Jack Carpenter, Barbara Pettit, Roger Satnik, Carol Ready-Dompier, Paul Harrel, Ben George, Janeice Jump and legal Counsel John Gilreath.
A motion from Ed Wakkuri and seconded by Larry Bland approved the agenda with the addition of an Executive Session. The motion passed unanimously.
The minutes of February 1, 2000 were approved as amended with a motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Paul Weaver. The motion passed unanimously.
Deviating to Kittitas County Water Purveyors Mr. Carpenter introduced Carol Ready-Dompier. Carol Ready and Roger Satnik presented information from the February KCWP meeting explaining Joe Joy, Department of Ecology, presented and distributed data from test site samples from last year to be used in setting the TMDL for the Upper Yakima River. Roger Satnik left the meeting at this time. Mr. Carpenter presented an Inter Local Agreement from the Bull Ditch Co. for signatures.
Returning to Water Update Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board of the many personnel changes at the Bureau of Reclamation Yakima Office and the sudden and unexpected death of Pat Shurtleff in the Hydrology Office. Mr. Carpenter explained no water status report was received today and the BOR is scheduled to fly Irrigation District Managers to Boise on March 9th where the construction plans will be presented on Keechelus Dam.
Moving to staff meeting review Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board he participated in the Adjudication Mediation on February 2nd. February 10th he participated in the USBR River Ops., met with Jim Esget, USBR, about YRBWEP and ESA relationships in dealings with NMFS issues and attended the KCCD Annual Dinner and Meeting. February 11th Mr. Carpenter participated in Adjudication Mediation. February 15th Mr. Carpenter appeared in Court on the Lewis vs. Elliason hearing. February 16th Mr. Carpenter attended the WSWRA meeting in Sunnyside and Keli Bender attended the RRA training at the BOR office in Yakima. February 17th Mr. Carpenter participated in the AFW Work Group. February 18th Mr. Carpenter participated in the KCWP agenda workshop. February 22nd-25th Mr. Carpenter attended the Northwest Irrigation Operators Conference in Boise. February 24th Roger Satnik, Carol Ready, Barbara Pettit, Jim Schnebly and Urban Eberhart attended the Kittitas County Water Purveyors Meeting. March 2nd and 3rd Mr. Carpenter participated in Adjudication Mediation. March 4th Mr. Carpenter, Carol Ready and Pat Monk attended the Taneum Canal Co. Shareholder Meeting. March 6th Mr. Carpenter attended an AFW meeting in Olympia.
Mr. Carpenter presented the Adjudication Mediation mediator fee for KRD’s share in the sum of $4,055.55. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Larry Bland approved the payment as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter distributed a payment request from Boss Construction in the sum of $3,757.98. Discussions followed with Mr. Carpenter explaining subcontractors on the project have contacted him explaining they have not received payment from Boss Construction. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Paul Weaver approved the payment to Boss Construction in the sum of $3,757.98 with the stipulation payment be made after completion of the project and all subcontractors on the project are paid by Boss Construction. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented the Level III Fiber Optic USBR Master Crossing Agreement explaining Level III is bringing fiber optic conduit through the valley and has multiple crossing on the KRD and Taneum. Mr. Carpenter suggested additional protection language be added to the agreement. Following lengthy discussion it was the consensus additional protection language be drafted by Legal Counsel and added to the USBR Master Crossing Agreement and presented for review.
Mr. Carpenter distributed Water Conservancy Board By-Laws for review and comments explaining comments should be submitted to the Kittitas County Commissioners.
Moving to USBR Yakima Pressure Tunnel Inspection Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the Bureau of Reclamation has removed the Yakima Pressure Tunnel from the inspection list explaining the Yakima Pressure Tunnel will be inspected by Columbia Northwest Engineering and KRD employees trained in rappelling for inspection of the tunnel.
Mr. Carpenter presented information on the Comprehensive Plan explaining a $30,000.00 addendum for studies of the major tributaries that bisect KRD for transportation of waters to feed creek water rights in exchange for creek water left in stream if enough conservation were done has been approved and signed. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board USBR has approved and signed a $50,000.00 grant with a 50% matching for small pipeline conservation projects with no stipulations. Mr. Carpenter further apprised the Board we have received five (5) surplus Stevens AF loggers and supplies from the Bureau of Reclamation. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board Rick Parker and Bernie Tafoya have accepted new position and locations within the Bureau of Reclamation.
Moving to CH2Mhill payment request Mr. Carpenter presented a bill in the sum of $12, 009.00 for 1999 work on the Comprehensive Plan explaining the completed Comprehensive Plan was submitted in February 1999. Mr. Carpenter further explained the CH2Mhill contract for the Comprehensive Plan has a ceiling price of $100,000.00 with $98,441.58 expended through 1998. Discussion followed with the recommendation the Bureau of Reclamation be requested to amend the contract to include the $12,009.00.
Urban Eberhart presented a Tri-County Update explaining the surface water committee has been working with the consultants preparing their report on water use in the Yakima River Basin using the Conservation Plans from the Irrigation Districts to determine quantity. Mr. Eberhart further explained the consultants were advised by the Steering Committee to use the CFO’s or claims not the quantities in the Conservation Plans for their report. Mr. Eberhart apprised the Board a new Director has been appointed.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the 30-Day CD at Sterling Savings will mature on March 17th and requested guidance on reinvestment. Discussion followed with the consensus the CD remain at 30 days and reinvested with the best rate available.
Moving to AFW Mr. Carpenter presented updated information on the upcoming meetings explaining he and Carol Ready will attend the meetings. Discussion followed regarding the FOTG tour of the Kittitas Valley scheduled for March 22nd and 23rd.
Moving to New Business Mr. Carpenter presented a payment request from Taneum Ditch Company for 1999 office expenses. Discussion followed with a motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Larry Bland approving the 1999 Taneum Ditch Company office expenses in the sum of $500.00. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter distributed letters from Conover Insurance Company and Bell-Anderson Insurance Company requesting consideration for insurance by the Kittitas Reclamation District. Discussion followed with the consensus KRD is satisfied with the current carrier and will not open for bids this year.
Mr. Carpenter presented the Kittitas County PUD/USBR Crossing Agreement Explaining it is an overhead crossing located near the Johnson Wasteway Sec. 14 Twn. 17 Rng. 20. A motion from Ed Wakkuri and seconded by Larry Bland approved the Kittitas County PUD/USBR Crossing Agreement as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter distributed a letter Doug Meyer addressing property he owns in Alpine Estates. Discussion followed with the recommendation Mr. Carpenter send a letter explaining the RCW for irrigation, District policy and options available to him.
Mr. Carpenter presented the William and Marcia Pace Crossing Permit Sec. 12 Twn. 17 Rng. 17. A motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Ed Wakkuri approved the crossing permit as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented the Steve Kiesel Turnout Request Sec. 23 Twn. 18 Rng. 19. A motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Paul Weaver approved the turnout request as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented the Ellensburg Telephone Company Crossing Permit Sec. 33 Twn. 17 Rng. 20. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Larry Bland approved the crossing permit as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented the Tim Alder Crossing Permit Sec. 17 Twn. 17 Rng. 20. A motion from Urban Eberhart approved the crossing permit as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented the Ed Wakkuri Turnout Modification Permit Sec. 35 Twn. 20 Rng. 16. A motion from Paul Weaver and seconded by Larry Bland approved the turnout modification permit as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented the Rob and Molly Deter Amendment to the Crossing Agreement dated 4/7/98 Sec. 22 Twn. 18 Rng. 18. A motion from Paul Weaver and seconded by Urban Eberhart approved the amendment to the crossing permit with the stipulation all delinquent assessments through 1999 be paid.
The motion passed unanimously.
Resolution 2000-2 for cancellation of outstanding accounts payable checks to Tom Norris #8975 for $25.78 and Scott Allen #10040 for $10.51 was presented for approval. A motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Paul Weaver approved Resolution 2000-2. The motion passed unanimously.
Upcoming Meetings:
March 8th USBR Manager’s Mtg. USBR USBR River Ops. Mtg. USBR
March 9th Water Day Yakima
USBR Mtg. Boise
March 13th AFW Tour Yakima
March 14th Jack Stanford USBR
March 15th WSWRA Wenatchee
Jack Stanford DOE-Yakima
March16th Ag Appr. Lunch Ellensburg
March17th Adj. Mediation USBR
March 20th Adj. Mediation USBR March 22nd AFW Work Groups Ellensburg
March 23rd AFW Work Groups Ellensburg March 24th Adj. Mediation USBR
March 29th AFW Work Groups Ellensburg
March 30th Joint Board Biologists Yakima
March 31st Joint Board & Biologists Yakima
Moving to Other Business Mr. Carpenter distributed information on Earthjustice and Department of Ecology; "USBR Cle Elum Dam Preliminary Analysis of Fish Passage Concepts"; Wippel Pumping Plant emergency pump installation cost estimates; ESA related articles; Jim Waldo/Chris Towne letter; USBR Conservation Plans implementation; and the Kennewick Irrigation District Proposal.
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 3:15 p.m. for 45 minutes to discuss legal matters with a motion from Paul Weaver and seconded by Larry Bland. The motion passed unanimously. The Board returned to Regular Session at 4:00 p.m. with a motion from Paul Weaver and seconded by Larry Bland. The motion passed unanimously.
Resolution 2000-3 declaring RRA settlement costs for Jerry Phillips $520.00 and Mike Moeur $780.00 as uncollectible was presented for approval. A motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Paul Weaver approved Resolution 2000-3. The motion passed unanimously.
Summary Vouchers for the month of January, 2000 expenses, Vouchers #17392-17455 & 17462 & 17464-17471 & 17474-17488 in the sum of $104,853.81 were presented for approval. A motion from Paul Weaver and seconded by Larry Bland approved the Summary Vouchers as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
The Directors monthly Payroll Vouchers were presented for signatures and checks distributed accordingly.
The Board discussed the need to decide Adjudication Mediation issues on a very short notice. It was decided the Regular Meeting should remain open to allow for addressing Adjudication Mediation issues in a timely manner.
Jack W. Carpenter – Secretary-Manager
Jim Schnebly - Chairman