Minutes of Regular Meeting
April 5, 2016
The Board of Directors of the
Kittitas Reclamation District met in Regular Session April 5, 2016.
Directors in attendance were Chairman Fred Schnebly, Vice Chairman Paul
Weaver, Larry Bland, Mark Hansen and Ed Wakkuri. Also in attendance were Legal
Counsel Jeff Slothower, Urban Eberhart, Barbara Pettit, Keli Bender, Kevin
Eslinger, Bob Main, Mark Charlton and Janeice Jump.
The Agenda was approved as
presented with the addition of Executive Session through a motion made by Paul
Weaver and a second made by Ed Wakkuri. The motion passed unanimously.
The minutes of the March 1,
2016 meeting were approved with a motion made by Mark Hansen and a second made
by Larry Bland. The motion passed unanimously.
Bob Main presented information on the USBR system status report explaining
storage is at 83% of capacity.
Precipitation was 120% of normal.
Bob reported that the snotel sites are measuring 97% on the upper Yakima Basin
and 120% on the lower Yakima Basin watershed. Bob continued explaining that the
KRD water diversion started on April 1, 2016 with everything running smoothly.
Moving to public comments
Janeice Jump questioned why Executive Session is scheduled before New Business.
Legal Counsel Jeff Slothower explained the reason is to allow for discussion
during Executive Session and then after executive session the information that
may be of interest to the public can be presented in the public session and then
acted on by the Board if necessary.
Urban Eberhart presented a
Manager’s activity report regarding meetings and activities he participated in
the Month of March, 2016.
Kevin Eslinger presented a
maintenance update explaining KRD installed a 1,400 foot long pipeline on NB
lateral 33.5 with the landowner purchasing the pipe and KRD providing the
installation. Kevin continued explaining that head gates have been repaired and
three North Branch bridges have been temporarily repaired and are scheduled to
be removed at a later date.
Moving to KCWP update Urban
Eberhart apprised the Board the 2016 water quality sampling begins tomorrow.
Urban Eberhart apprised the
Board Kevin Eslinger and Randy Wyman traveled to Olympia to witness the opening
of the votes for the Union decertification election.
Urban continued explaining a letter was received from The Washington
State Public Employment Relations Commission stating effective March 31, 2016
KRD employees have voted for no Union representation. Legal Counsel Jeff
Slothower suggested the employment handbook be updated to reflect the changes.
Discussion followed with the consensus Bob Weaver review and update the
employee handbook. A motion from Mark Hansen and seconded by Ed Wakkuri
approved all employees previously covered
by the Union contract receive a 2% cost of living increase retroactive to
January 1, 2016 and all other language and benefits remain the same. The motion
passed unanimously
Urban Eberhart presented
updated information on Integrated Plan S1694 explaining work continues.
Kevin Eslinger presented
updated information on SB 13.6 & 13.8 explaining work is going well and on
schedule.
Urban Eberhart presented the
IAA NO C1600156 with Washington State Department of Ecology for approval and
signatures. A motion made by Mark
Hansen and second made by Ed Wakkuri authorized signing the IAA NO C1600156 as
presented. The motion passed unanimously.
The Board adjourned to
Executive Session at 1:45 p.m. for 30 minutes per RCW 42.30.110 (1) (i) and
(iii) to discuss potential litigation with a motion made by Ed Wakkuri and a
second made by Larry Bland. The
motion passed unanimously. Chairman Fred
Schnebly announced a 15 minute extension at 2:15 p.m. Chairman Fred Schnebly
announced an additional 15 minute extension at 2:30 p.m.
The Board returned to Regular Session at 2:45 p.m. with a motion made by
Paul Weaver and a second made by Larry Bland. The motion passed unanimously.
Moving to New Business the 2016
water allotment a motion made by Paul Weaver and a second made by Ed Wakkuri set
the 2016 water allotment at 2.5 cfs per irrigable acre subject to a 100% water
from the USBR. The motion passed unanimously.
A motion made by Mark Hansen
and a second made by Paul Weaver set
April 1, 2016 as the water turn
on date. The motion passed unanimously.
Moving to Other Business water
delivery to delinquent accounts was presented for review and discussion. Lengthy
discussion followed with the consensus water may not be delivered to accounts
delinquent from a previous year.
The Summary Vouchers for
February, 2016 expenses vouchers #40011-40101 in the sum of $ 204,507.61 were
approved with a motion made by Ed Wakkuri and a second made by Mark Hansen. 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.
___________________________________________
Fred Schnebly - Chairman
___________________________________________
Urban B. Eberhart – Secretary
Manager