Office of Secretary
Minutes of Regular Meeting
April 9, 2002
The Board of Directors of the Kittitas Reclamation District met in Regular Session on April 9, 2002. Directors in attendance were Chairman Ed Wakkuri, Vice Chairman Brad Haberman, Larry Bland, Urban Eberhart and Jim Schnebly. Also in attendance were Jack Carpenter, Barbara Pettit, Carol Ready, Roger Satnik, Ben George, Janeice Jump and Legal Counsel John Gilreath.
A motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Brad Haberman approved the agenda as presented with the addition of Executive Session for legal and personnel matters. The motion passed unanimously.
The minutes of the March 5, 2002 meeting were approved by a motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Urban Eberhart. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented a water update explaining information received at the USBR TWSA meeting held yesterday indicates the snow pack and precipitation is above normal with below normal runoff and KRD will receive 100% entitlement this year. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Larry Bland set the 2002 water allotment at 2 cubic feet per second (cfs) per irrigable acre based on the District receiving 100% entitlement. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Carpenter further explained maintenance is going as quickly as possible and Lake Easton is filled. Mr. Carpenter suggested April 19th for turning water into the system with ditch-riders scheduled to start taking water orders on April 22nd for delivery as soon as possible. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the Yakima Training Center is leasing 176 acres of their KRD water this year and bid packets are available in the KRD office. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board Taneum Board will be submitting a letter to the Bureau of Reclamation regarding Taneum operations explaining the anticipated operation of Taneum is to operate as Taneum’s needs are and if National Marine Fisheries Service wants something different they will need to make the request in writing.
Carol Ready presented a KCWP water update explaining KCCD has PAM booklets available for the PAM cost share program through KCCD. Carol apprised the Board there are Phase III monies being made available from Bonneville Power Administration to the State of Washington to fund water quality and fish enhancement explaining there will be $730,000.00 available for use by September 30, 2002. Carol further explained there will be $750,000.00 per year for the following two years (2003-2004). Carol apprised the Board KRD/KCWP was awarded $245,123.00 from DOE to continue water quality for 2002-2003. Carol explained she is working on the final report for the KRD/KCWP water quality grant ending March 31, 2002.
Mr. Carpenter distributed Inter Local Agreements from Olsen Ditch 2001 & 2002, Bull Ditch 2002 for Board signature.
Moving to Tri-County update Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board Tri County received funding for storage studies at the Wymer site. Mr. Carpenter further apprised the Board there was discussion regarding the December, 2002 submission of completed documents to the County for adoption and the future of Tri County.
Moving to 1999-2000 Audit Chairman Ed Wakkuri extended a thank you from the Board of Directors to Barbara Pettit for the excellent audit report. A motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Brad Haberman approved payment of the State Auditor’s Office Invoice in the sum of $5,944.41. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board one of the repeat recommendations is for the KRD to adopt a travel policy explaining a draft Travel Policy and Credit Card Policy was distributed for review. A motion from Brad Haberman and seconded by Larry Bland approved the Travel and Credit Card Policy as presented. The motion passed unanimously. Barbara Pettit apprised the Board there was a recommendation that the District comply with the RCW on unclaimed properties.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board an agreement has been reached with P&H Morris Material Handling explaining P&H will, at their cost, line the crane up over the electric motor and the I beam will be removed explaining the work is completed and operational.
Mr. Carpenter distributed a trespass letter from the USBR to Puget Sound Energy regarding crossing permits for Mark Lewis, Cascade View Estates and Tacoma Cycle Club explaining the letter has been submitted to Legal Counsel for review.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the Skyhook Pipe authorized for purchase with funds from the DOE Drought Program has been purchased and is being stored until installation. Mr. Carpenter further explained the insurance company has been notified and the pipe is insured. Mr. Carpenter further explained it has been suggested that information on a better quality trash rack with a finer screen for the inlet end of the pipe should be investigated.
Moving to YRBWEP Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board Roger Satnik completed and submitted the SEPA application for the Conservation Plan and the 60 day review and comment period will expired on April 3, 2002 with no comments as of this date. Mr. Carpenter continued explaining the process following the review and comment period includes negotiating an assistance agreement with USBR and DOE for CH2MHill to prepare a Scope of Work for doing a Feasibility Study. Mr. Carpenter requested approval to continue the process and negotiate an assistance agreement for the preparation of the Scope of Work by CH2Mhill at an estimated cost of $2,000.00. Discussion followed with the consensus Mr. Carpenter negotiates an assistance agreement for the Scope of Work.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board Cascade Irrigation District is looking at options to reduce their pumping power costs explaining a small re-regulating pond and small hydro power plant are options being studied. Mr. Carpenter further explained the Cascade Irrigation District Board is considering a feasibility study utilizing either KRD laterals NB4.2 or NB 7.4 to transport up to 20 CFS of CID water and, based on the results of the feasibility study, Cascade Irrigation District has requested KRD recommend YRBWEP consider funding for their project. Legal Counsel John Gilreath requested further discussion be moved to Executive Session.
Mr. Carpenter presented updated information on the NPDES Permit Process explaining an e-mail received today from EPA states if you have 100% agricultural return flows the permit is not required. Mr. Carpenter continued explaining WSWRA is working on this issue and recommends KRD complete the permit application and wait for clarification from WSWRA prior to submitting it to DOE.
Moving to Pumping Plant windows update, Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board he is working on 3 bids for the windows and will present information at a later date.
Moving to New Business Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the 2002 Newsletter has been mailed to all District landowners.
Mr. Carpenter presented the Mike Stougard Crossing Permit Sec.18 Twn. 17 Rng. 18 explaining the Public Utility District does not have a Master Crossing Agreement with the USBR and suggested they contact the USBR to apply for a Master Crossing Agreement. Mr. Carpenter further explained Mike Stougard has completed a KRD Crossing Agreement but an agreement has to be approved by the USBR as well. Mr. Carpenter presented the Harold Orr Crossing Permit Sec. 18 Twn. 17 Rng. 18 explaining the Public Utility District and USBR Permit Process and master agreement status.
Mr. Carpenter requested approval for Barbara Pettit to attend the Rocky Mountain Regional Professional Development Conference in Boise, Idaho April 22nd –25th. A motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Brad Haberman authorized Barbara Pettit attend the Rocky Mountain Regional Professional Development Conference in Boise, Idaho. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented an Access Authorization Request for Zilkha Renewable Energy, LLC. Mr. Carpenter explained they are doing wind power generation studies and are requesting the use of KRD ditch banks and maintenance roads in the Hayward Hill area. Mr. Carpenter further explained they have submitted a letter of request and Liability Insurance. Discussion followed with the consensus the Zilkha Renewable Energy, LLC request be authorized for one year.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board a CD matured on March 21st and was renewed at Pacific Northwest Bank for 60 days @2%.
Mr. Carpenter presented the following segregations for preapproval subject to meeting the general guidelines from Ron Crane Sec. 23 Twn. 18 Rng. 17; John D. Williams Sec. 34 & 35 Twn. 18 Rng. 17; Alvia Dunnagan Sec. 21 Twn. 18 Rng. 19. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Larry Bland approved the segregations subject to meeting general guidelines. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the following bids were received for 100 yards for rip rap to be delivered to the Pumping Plant for O & M; Aer Ex $2,692.50; Belsaas & Smith $2,789.43; MRM $3,050.00 and Canyon West $3,123.30. A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Urban Eberhart approved awarding the bid to AerEx for $2,692.50.
Mr. Carpenter presented the Wayne and Bill Hansen Change of Point of Diversion Sec. 31 Twn. 18 Rng. 20 lateral NB 26.l-3.19 to Caribou Creek upstream of their private creek diversion. A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Larry Bland approved the Change of Point of Diversion as requested for Wayne and Bill Hansen. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented the Randy & Joanna Fischer Crossing Permit Sec. 2 Twn. 17 Rng. 17 for an existing private wood bridge. A motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Brad Haberman approved the Randy and Joanna Fischer Crossing Permit as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented the Richard and Tara Catlin Turnout Permit Sec. 34 Twn. 18 Rng. 19. A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Urban Eberhart approved the Richard and Tara Catlin Turnout Permit as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board of damages from Robert M. Turnage for Electrical fencing and Phil Kern for 6 lengths of 6"x20’ gated pipe caused by KRD lateral burning. Mr. Carpenter explained the insurance deductible is $1,000.00 and requested authorization to reimburse claims submitted under the $1,000.00 deductible to landowners that submit a letter itemizing items lost and receipts for replacement. Discussion followed with the consensus claims under the $l,000.00 deductible be reimbursed to landowners submitting a letter itemizing items lost and receipts for replacement.
Mr. Carpenter presented the Geoffrey T. Clark Family LLC Crossing Request Sec. 10 Twn. 19 Rng. 16 explaining they are requesting access to landlocked property utilizing approximately 1 ½ miles of KRD O & M Road. Discussion followed with a motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Brad Haberman that the request is denied. The motion passed unanimously.
Upcoming Meetings:
March 29th Salmon Recovery Program Funding Yakima
April 1st Mediation KRD
April 8th TWSA Yakima
April 9th KRD Board Meeting KRD
April 12th Tri-County Yakima
April 15th Ditchrider/Staff Mtg. KRD
April 17th WSWRA
April 17th NPDES
April 19th Duty Staff Meeting KRD
April 22nd Water Stated/Orders KRD
April 25th Tri-County
April 26th Joint Board Yakima
May 2nd Tri-County Yakima
Moving to Other Business Mr. Carpenter distributed segregations for landowners that have completed the general guidelines.
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 2:17 p.m. for 30 minutes to discuss legal and personnel issues with a motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Brad Haberman. Chairman Ed Wakkuri announced a 10-minute extension at 2:47 p.m. With a motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Brad Haberman the Board returned to Regular Session.
A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Larry Bland declared the debt in the sum of $798.09 from Gene Madden as uncollectible and it be written off as a bad debt. The motion passed unanimously.
A motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Brad Haberman authorized KRD employee may donate annual leave hours to Bob Edwards. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter requested guidance on a response to Cascade Irrigation District’s request. Discussion followed with the recommendation KRD will support their request if possible.
The Directors monthly payroll vouchers were presented for signature and checks distributed accordingly.
The Summary Vouchers for February expenses Vouchers #20584-20721 in the sum of $295,503.37 were presented for approval. A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Larry Bland approved the Summary Vouchers as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
All Business having been concluded the meeting adjourned.
Edward R. Wakkuri – Chairman
Jack W. Carpenter – Secretary-Manager