Office of Secretary
Minutes of Regular Meeting
April 1, 1997
The Board of Directors of the Kittitas Reclamation District met in Regular Session on April 1, 1997. Directors in attendance were Chairman John Scott, Vice Chairman Laurin Mellergaard, Urban Eberhart, and Jim Schnebly. Also in attendance were Jack Carpenter, Barbara Pettit, Ben George, Janeice Jump. Henry Peruchini, Sandro Westermeyer, Ed Sullivan and Pete Garvin.
The agenda was approved with the addition of an executive session by a motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Laurin Mellergaard. The motion passed unanimously.
The minutes of the March 4, 1997 meeting were approved as corrected by a motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Laurin Mellergaard. The motion passed unanimously.
Henry Peruchini addressed the Board regarding the Trendwest project stating he is totally opposed to giving up any stored water. Mr. Peruchini further addressed the Board regarding the assessment increase explaining he would have preferred the maintenance be done yearly and assessments increased accordingly instead of a large increase in assessments in one year. Mr. Eberhart responded by explaining an effort was made to keep the assessment rate increases as low as possible during the drought years which created a larger increase in 1997. Mr. Eberhart addressed the Trendwest project explaining discussions are being held with Trendwest and other entities involved. All scenarios will be reviewed and discussed in-depth to prevent any negative impacts. Mr. Eberhart further explained there are serious concerns regarding Trendwest taking storage water from Lake Cle Elum. Mr. Carpenter distributed a draft letter and apprised the Board the Kittitas County deadline for submitting a letter in response to the Trendwest EIS process is April 7, 1997. Discussion followed with the recommendation comments should be submitted to Mr. Carpenter in a timely manner to meet the submittal date.
Moving to water update Mr. Carpenter presented a water supply scenario from the March TWSA meeting indicating even with 50% of subsequent precipitation a 100% water supply is forecast with a TWSA meeting scheduled for April 7, 1997. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the heavy snow this winter is preventing maintenance access in the Upper County with 5 feet of snow remaining at Easton on March 18, 1997. Mr. Carpenter further explained contractors have been hired to plow maintenance roads with the canal still covered with snow with no estimated turn on date at this time. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the Southbranch liner project should be completed with 14 days of good working weather with Mike Forman aware of the urgency for the completion of the project. Mr. Carpenter suggested as soon as a turn on date can be determined the Daily Record and KXLE be contacted to get the information to the landowners.
Moving to Southbranch 9.6 Pipeline Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board Mr. Sandro Westermeyer requested to talk with the Board regarding the 9.6 pipeline. Mr. Carpenter further explained the 9.6 pipeline was engineered and installed by the previous manager and did not meet the pressure and requirements at the tail end with modifications made early by purchasing and installing a valve to reduce pressure as recommended by Mr. Westermeyer as a temporary solution to allow him to get water in 1996. Mr. Carpenter further explained Pete Garvin has been hired to assess the 9.6 Pipeline and recommend a permanent solution. Both phone and site meetings have been facilitated between Mr. Westermeyer, Mr. Garvin and Mr. Carpenter in addition to engineering information provided by Onni Perrala, Roza Irrigation District Engineer. Based on the above information Mr. Garvin has provided KRD with a solution to the problem. Mr. Westermeyer addressed the Board and expressed great concerns regarding the original engineering, installation and the proposed solution and cost engineered by Pete Garvin. Mr. Westermeyer further explained when KRD cleaned the Taneum Ditch damage was done to his fence and property and needs to be repaired. Mr. Carpenter then addressed the Board explaining Taneum is aware of Mr. Westermeyer’s claim regarding his fence and property and suggested the 9.6 pipeline discussion continue when Pete Garvin arrives. Pete Garvin entered the meeting at this time. Mr. Carpenter apprised Mr. Garvin that Mr. Westermeyer addressed the Board regarding his concerns on the design and costs of the proposed solution for the 9.6 pipeline. Mr. Westermeyer summarized his concerns. Mr. Garvin addressed Mr. Westermeyer’s concerns explaining the solution he proposes is designed to meet the objectives of reducing pressure while still meeting delivery needs and reducing ramifications from any possible failure explaining the proposed valve is designed with a self cleaning screen and the addition of a 4 inch clean out. Discussion continued with the recommendation the information be taken into consideration. Mr. Westermeyer and Henry Peruchini left the meeting at this time. Lengthy discussion continued giving consideration to information presented with the consensus Mr. Westermeyer’s fence damage claim will be reviewed by the Taneum Board and KRD. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board he is very comfortable with Mr. Garvin’s design with the recommendation Mr. Garvin be authorized to continue as proposed. Discussion followed with the consensus Mr. Garvin be authorized to proceed with the proposal as presented.
Moving to Pete Garvin Contract Mr. Carpenter distributed the contract for review and signatures explaining the contract has been reviewed by Legal Counsel. A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Laurin Mellergaard approved the Pete Garvin Contract as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Returning to water update a motion from Laurin Mellergaard and seconded by Jim Schnebly authorized setting the 1997 water allotment at 2 Cubic Feet Per Second per irrigable acre. The motion passed unanimously.
Moving to Meeting Review Mr. Carpenter presented information from the following meetings he attended during the month of March explaining March 6, 1997 he met with Taneum Board; March 7, 1997 interviewed for Ditchrider and Maintenance positions with Gary Johnson hired for the maintenance position and Mike Minor for the ditchrider position. March 10, 1997 Mr. Carpenter attended the TWSA /Managers meeting; March 11, 1997 Mr. Carpenter, John Scott and Urban Eberhart attended the Roza Irrigation District Board Meeting to discuss the Lake Kachess Augmentation and Trendwest. March 13, 1997 Mr. Carpenter and Urban Eberhart met with Joe Mentor, Trendwest; and Steve Fanciullo, USBR, met with Mr. Carpenter, Dave Hosmer and Chris Sandvig to discuss Lake Easton ramping rates. March 14, 1997 Mr. Carpenter attended the USBR River Operations Meeting and Mr. Carpenter met with Pete Garvin and Fred Skinner to view the KRD shop snow damage which met the City of Ellensburg engineering requirement. March 15, 1997 Paul Green and Bob Main attended the Taneum landowners meeting. March 20, 1997 Mr. Carpenter attended the SVID-Roza Irrigation District Joint Board of Control Water Quality meeting in Sunnyside. Mach 20, 1997 Mr. Carpenter and Roger Satnik met with Bob Johnson and Chris Schmidt to work on the USBR Demo Project explaining Bob Johnson will be scaling down due to other work requirements. Chris Schmidt, Advanced Data Systems, knowledgeable on the Demo Project requirements, will take over technical and field support of KRD’s telemetry program. March 26, 1997 Mr. Carpenter met with Russell Klatt and Scott Nicholi at the Wipple Wasteway regarding a hydraulics permit to address trees. March 28, 1997 a Joint Board Meeting was held in Yakima.
Deviating to New Business Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board one of the USBR requirements is for all bridges to be load rated by an engineer and Pete Garvin has been given the task of rating for landowner and KRD bridges crossing KRD facilities. The Jim Nelson Bridge in Reecer Creek has collapsed and Mr. Carpenter has offered to have KRD remove the remaining bridge for salvage of materials. Mr. Nelson has accepted the offer and asked for assurance that he could replace the bridge in the future and he could utilize the ditchbank road for agricultural purposes. Mr. Carpenter apprised Mr. Nelson both replacing the bridge and use of the ditchbank for agricultural purposes would be approved. Mr. Carpenter distributed pictures of bridges throughout the District with three bridges that need to be signed and posted. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board he will be notifying the three landowners. Lengthy discussion continued with Mr. Carpenter explaining Mr. Garvin will be making a file listing the condition on each bridge crossing KRD facilities.
Returning to Old Business Mr. Carpenter presented a turnout request from Gary Todd explaining Mr. Todd has requested installing a turnout on the Gravity Ditch serving acreage under the Pump Ditch with the plans prepared by Irrigation Sales. A motion from Laurin Mellergaard and seconded by Urban Eberhart approved the Gary Todd turnout request as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter distributed a draft letter to Walt Fite on the Lake Kachess Augmentation. Discussion followed with the recommendation the letter be sent as amended.
Moving to Surplus Equipment Mr. Carpenter presented Resolution 1997-2. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Laurin Mellergaard approved Resolution 1997-2 for Surplusing Equipment. The motion passed unanimously.
Moving to New Business Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board RRA training will be scheduled and requested 2 staff and the Manager be authorized to attend. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Jim Schnebly approved 2 staff members and the Manager to attend RRA training. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented a request from Iron Horse State Park to utilize the KRD Ditchbank in the Boylston area. Discussion followed with the consensus the request from Iron Horse State Park be approved.
Mr. Carpenter presented a turnout request from Leo Oltman explaining that the turnout will be serviced by a lockable gate and flow meter and he authorized Mr. Oltman to proceed with the project as presented.
Mr. Carpenter presented the Rich Corona crossing permit. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Jim Schnebly the Rich Corona crossing permit be approved as presented. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Carpenter further explained information for presentation of the Rich Corona Short Plat has not been received. Lengthy discussion followed with the consensus the Corona Short Plat be tabled for the May meeting.
Mr. Carpenter presented the Brad Price turnout request. A motion from Laurin Mellergaard and seconded by Jim Schnebly approved the Brad Price turnout request as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
The Randy McGee modified turnout request was presented. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Laurin Mellergaard approved the Randy McGee modified turnout as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Moving to Orrion Farms Mr. Carpenter presented a crossing permit request explaining Orrion Farms is installing a fire protection system which includes the installation of six 100,000. gal. tanks . The system of tanks will require a pipe under the Southbranch Extension Lateral. Lengthy discussion followed with a motion from Laurin Mellergaard and seconded by Urban Eberhart approving the crossing permit with the addition of, Grantee shall obtain and provide $1,000,000. per occurrence insurance that provides for loss coverage for incidence arising out of the use of the crossing and storage of water above Grantor’s canal, as recommended by Legal Counsel John Gilreath. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented a request from NWRA for contributions to Special Funds. Discussion followed with the recommendation consideration be given during the 1998 budget planning process.
Mr. Carpenter presented the Fletcher Short Plat explaining crossing permits, a structure with a lockable meterable head gate and a water master need to be addressed. A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Urban Eberhart approved the Fletcher Short Plat with the addition of crossing permits, a lockable meterable head gate and a water master. The motion passed unanimously. Ed Sullivan entered the meeting at this time.
Upcoming Meetings:
April 7, 1997 TWA/Managers Meeting Yakima
April 11, 1997 River Operations Meeting Yakima
April 15, 1997 Joint Board of Control
Water Quality
April 16, 1997 WSWRA
April 25, 1997 Board Meeting
April 21-30, 1997 USBR Pacific NW Regional Office
5- Year Goal
Moving to Other Business Mr. Sullivan addressed the Board regarding the right-of-way adjoining his property explaining in past years he has maintained the right-of-way and during the flood repair KRD crews cleaned the ditch and placed the material on the right-of-way in such a way as he can no longer maintain it and requested the right-of-way be returned to the condition as before or KRD maintain the right-of-way without the use of spray. Mr. Carpenter apprised Mr. Sullivan he will not spray as requested by Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Sullivan will be responsible for the vegetation and KRD would like to see all fences along Lateral SB 14.3 be moved to the North side of the right-of-way. Discussion continued with Mr. Sullivan advised his request would be taken under advisement by the Board. Mr. Sullivan left the meeting at this time.
Continuing under Other Business Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board syphon safety devices have been added to Pete Garvin’s task list. Mr. Carpenter presented information regarding Ellensburg Telephone proposal for a crossing under Bruton Ditch explaining plans will be provided. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board Larry Meilander requested assistance with a chronic weed problem on a portion of the lateral bordering a portion of the Ken McBride property. Discussion followed with the recommendation the weed problem could be controlled with herbicides and replanted to a cover crop but would require more research.
Mrs. Pettit presented a delinquent accounts report for review and discussion. Discussion followed with the recommendation the delinquent accounts meeting the RCW foreclosure time line criteria be presented at the May 6, 1997 Board meeting.
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 4:40 p.m. for 20 minutes to discuss Legal and Personnel with a motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Jim Schnebly. The motion passed unanimously. John Scott announced a 10 minutes extension at 5:00 p.m.. John Scott announced a 15 minutes extension at 5:10 p.m. John Scott announced a 15 minutes extension at 5:25 p.m. The Board returned to Regular Session at 5:40 p.m. with a motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Jim Schnebly. The motion passed unanimously.
Summary Vouchers for February, 1997 expenses Vouchers #12901-12965 & 12971-12993 & 12995-13030 in the sum of $85,686.16 were presented for approval. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Laurin Mellergaard approved the Summary Vouchers. The motion passed unanimously.
The Directors monthly payroll Vouchers were presented for signatures and distributed accordingly.
All Business having been concluded the meeting adjourned.
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Jack W. Carpenter - Secretary-Manger
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John Scott - Chairman