Office of Secretary
Minutes of Regular Meeting
May 6, 1997
The Board of Directors of the Kittitas Reclamation District met in Regular Session on May 1, 1997. Directors in attendance were Chairman John Scott, Vice Chairman Laurin Mellergaard, Urban Eberhart, Paul Weaver and Jim Schnebly. Also in attendance were Jack Carpenter, Barbara Pettit, Ben George, Paul Harrel, Gerry Dodge, Don Dyk, Don Rairdan, Janeice Jump, Loretta Ogilvie and Legal Counsel John Gilreath.
The agenda was approved with the addition of an Executive Session by a motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Urban Eberhart. The motion passed unanimously.
The minutes of the April 1, 1997 meeting were approved by a motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Laurin Mellergaard. The motion passed unanimously.
Deviating to New Business Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board Mr. Rairdan has questions concerning the billing procedure regarding his property. Mr. Rairdan explained his property is located in Alpine Estates and consists of 1 ½ lots for a total of .40 acres and is billed as two separate parcels of 1 acre each. Mr. Rairdan continued explaining he believes the Board policy regarding subdivisions, as adopted in 1964, needs to be amended and/or changed to read per parcel instead of per tract explaining the Kittitas County Treasurer assesses it as one tax parcel.
Legal Counsel John Gilreath apprised the Board Mr. Rairdan’s tax parcel includes Lot 4 and the N ½ of Lot 3 and the Kittitas County Treasurer’s office will send one statement per tax parcel and will not include multiple tax parcels on one statement. Mr. Gilreath continued explaining each tax parcel has it’s own identity making it difficult to sell a portion without going through a segregation or platting procedure and it appears Mr. Rairdan has combined two separate legal descriptions into one tax parcel. Discussion continued with a motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Paul Weaver Mr. Rairdan’s records be combined to reflect one parcel and one billing which includes Lot 4 and the N ½ of Lot 3 with a refund to Mr. Rairdan for one of the 1997 one acre minimum billings. The motion passed unanimously. Discussion followed with the recommendation the Kittitas County Assessors Office be contacted and requested to notify KRD whenever separate legal descriptions are combined into one tax parcel. Mr. Rairdan left the meeting at this time.
Continuing under New Business Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board of a slide on April 24th located along the Taneum Ditch downstream of Sisters road that took out 3/4 of the O & M road explaining water was shut off as soon as the slide was reported. Mr. Carpenter explained in an effort to expedite repairs he dispatched KRD equipment and personnel and contacted Smith Excavating to assist with the repairs with cost sharing to be discussed with the Taneum Board.
Mr. Carpenter presented and discussed the Taneum Contract regarding responsibility for operation and maintenance of the Taneum Ditch explaining KRD water was turned on in Easton on April 24th and there was no KRD water in the Taneum Ditch at the time of the slide. Mr. Carpenter further explained the check boards were in causing the water level to be very high contributing to the slide. Mr. Carpenter explained the estimated cost of repairs including KRD equipment and labor and Smith excavating is $7,400.00. Paul Harrel addressed the Board explaining everything was wet even where the ditch was not checked up. Don Dyk addressed the Board explaining the ditch was running higher than usual and that the KRD ditch rider was aware of the level. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board there was no monitoring of the Taneum Ditch by the KRD ditch rider from April 12 - 24th. Lengthy discussion followed regarding the Taneum Contract and responsibility for operation and maintenance and repair costs for the April 24th slide. A motion from Laurin Mellergaard and seconded by Jim Schnebly authorized KRD pay ½ and Taneum Canal Co. pay ½ of the Smith Excavating costs and representatives from the Taneum and KRD Boards meet to review and clarify the Taneum Contract. The motion passed unanimously.
Returning to the agenda Mr. Carpenter presented a water update explaining the TWSA is scheduled for May 9, 1997 with no changes expected in the 100% water year forecast with possible record carry-overs. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board there are no major flooding problems to date.
Moving to Meeting Review Mr. Carpenter presented information from the following meetings he attended during the month of April explaining April 7, 1997 he attended the TWSA meeting at the USBR in Yakima. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board April 8, 1997 a representative from FEMA reviewed records and did a final field inspection where it was determined the cost for two cattle guards would not be allowed and a final payment should be released. April 9, 1997 Mr. Carpenter toured the lower straight wall with Ken Green, CH2MHill, and requested a letter stating everything looks good to run water. April 9, 1997 Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board he, Urban Eberhart and John Scott attended a meeting with Joe Mentor to discuss upcoming
Trendwest issues. April 11, 1997 Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board he and Barbara Pettit attended the USBR Budget Review explaining a credit in 1997 is anticipated. April 21, 1997 the final site inspection was held on the South Branch Liner Project. April 25, 1997 Joint Board was scheduled in Yakima. April 30, 1997 Mr. Carpenter met with State Parks representatives. May 3, 1997 Chris Sandvig participated in the Watershed Stewardship Tour of Easton Dam.
Mr. Carpenter presented a Comp. Plan Update explaining the final wording was approved and agreement signed.
Mr. Carpenter distributed KRD By-Laws for review and discussion. Discussion followed with the recommendation the By-Laws be referred to Legal Counsel for review.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board he was contacted by a private firm in Canada interested in developing small hydro projects. Discussion followed with the recommendation more information be obtained.
Moving to New Business Mr. Carpenter distributed a letter from B.J. Lock regarding safety issues of fencing canals and syphons. Mr. Scott explained the location of the Lock home being close to the main canal like other development throughout the district. Discussion followed with the recommendation the Kittitas County Commissioners be contacted regarding making fencing a requirement of developments. Mr. Carpenter explained signs and/or ecology blocks are being placed to prevent private access to ditch banks. Lengthy discussion continued.
The Bell Anderson Insurance bill in the sum of $49,454.00 was presented for approval. A motion from Laurin Mellergaard and seconded by Jim Schnebly approved payment of the Bell Anderson Insurance in the sum of $49,454.00. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented a crossing permit request from Jack Miller explaining the crossing request has been field inspected. A motion from Paul Weaver and seconded by Laurin Mellergaard approved the Jack Miller crossing permit. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the Northwest Economic Association Report is available for review.
Mr. Carpenter presented a request from Ed Bogachus regarding the location of irrigable acres on his property. Keli Bender explained Mr. Bogachus has subdivided a portion of his land into 5 lots. Mr. Bogachus is retaining 52 acres and the location of irrigable acres on the KRD soil maps do not coincide with an aerial map supplied by Mr. Bogachus. Discussion followed with the recommendation Mr. Bogachus be referred to the Bureau of Reclamation.
A bill from Dwayne Lane Chrysler, Plymouth, GMC for the purchase of three ditch rider trucks in the sum of $36,272.94 was presented for approval. A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Urban Eberhart approved payment of the Dwayne Lane. Chrysler, Plymouth, GMC in the sum of $36,272.94. The motion passed unanimously.
The first half payment to John Deere for the 410 Backhoe in the sum of $30,871.80 was presented for payment. A motion from Laurin Mellergaard and seconded by Paul Weaver approved payment to John Deere in the sum of $30,871.80. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented a transfer request from Joe Nierman explaining Mr. Nierman owns property on Ride 5, Turbine Ditch, and acreage in Ride 3 and has requested he be allowed to transfer water from Ride 3 to Ride 5. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Laurin Mellergaard approved the Joel Nierman transfer. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter distributed an updated equipment rental rates schedule explaining KRD equipment is utilized by individual landowners and FEMA work and previous rates need to be updated. A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Paul Weaver approved the updated equipment rental rates as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Upcoming Meetings:
May 7, 1997 Big Creek Inspection- Ray Newkirk - DOE
May 8, 1997 Weed Board Meeting
May 9, 1997 Chamber Ag. Tour
May 13, 1997 Water Quality Meeting
May 30, 1997 Joint Board
Moving to Other Business Mr. Carpenter addressed the Board regarding Pete Garvin explaining he would like to request Pete Garvin to review the wood flume, Wipple Wasteway, all exposed steel throughout the District, the upper and lower straight wall and the Skyhook. Discussion followed with the consensus Mr. Carpenter be authorized to request Pete Garvin to review the flume, wasteway, exposed steel, upper and lower straight wall and Skyhook.
Mr. Carpenter distributed GIS director division maps and requested information on previous directors to be added to the maps.
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 3:15p.m. for 1 hour to discuss legal and personnel with a motion from Paul Weaver and seconded by Urban Eberhart. The motion passed unanimously. The Board returned from Executive Session at 4:15 p.m. with a motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Jim Schnebly. The motion passed unanimously.
Returning to Other Business Mrs. Pettit presented a delinquent accounts report for review and discussion with accounts meeting the RCW foreclosure criteria referred to Legal Counsel John Gilreath.
Mrs. Pettit apprised the Board the we have a large balance in the sweep account and presented information on investments suggesting a portion be moved for 30 days to maximize interest and requested guidance from the Board. Discussion followed with the consensus a portion be moved to the Municipal Investor Account for 30 days.
The Summary Vouchers for March, 1997 expenses Vouchers #13032-13109 & 13139 & 75000 & 13112-13138 & 13140-13182 in the sum of $174,315.99 were presented for approval. A motion from Laurin Mellergaard and seconded by Paul Weaver 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-Manager
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John Scott - Chairman