Minutes of Regular Meeting
July 1, 2003
The Board of Directors of the Kittitas Reclamation District met in Regular Session on July 1, 2003. Directors in attendance were Chairman Brad Haberman, Vice Chairman Urban Eberhart, Jim Schnebly, Ed Wakkuri and Larry Bland. Also in attendance were Ben George, Janeice Jump, Dan Nouwens, Dave Duncan, Jeff Slothower, Roger Satnik, Kathleen Satnik, Carol Ready, Jack Carpenter, Barbara Pettit and Legal Counsel John Gilreath.
A motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Ed Wakkuri approved the Agenda as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Deviating from the Agenda Jeff Slothower distributed a draft letter for review and discussion from KRD/ Manastash Creek Users to the Bureau of Reclamation requesting formal permission to utilize portions of the distributions system on Manastash Creek. Mr. Slothower explained funding has been approved by Washington State Legislature to implement Phase I on Manastash Creek consolidating 5 diversions into 1 and utilizing KRD SB13.8, SB 14.3 & Extension Laterals to deliver water from the combined diversions to various landowners. Discussion followed with the consensus recommendations be submitted to Jack Carpenter by August 5, 2003. A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Urban Eberhart authorized Dick Haapala to review the Manastash Creek Users engineering within KRD right-of-way. The motion passed unanimously. Dave Duncan addressed the Board explaining the funding was obtained through a cooperative effort of all agencies involved.
Dan Nouwens addressed the Board regarding a small lateral running between two parcels of land he owns Sec. 3 Twn.16 Rng.19 explaining he would like to do a boundary line adjustment and attach the two parcels together. Mr. Nouwens explained according to Chuck Cruse of Cruse and Associates the Kittitas County Planning Department would have an issue because there is an intervening ownership. Mr. Nouwens explained after researching the issue he found the lateral to be an easement and is requesting KRD to authorize the Assessors office to attach the lateral to one of the two parcels which would preserve the easement and still allow him to attach the two parcels. Mr. Nouwens provided a letter from the Burueau of Reclamation stating the easement to KRD was not a U.S. fee title right-of-way. Discussion followed with the consensus Mr. Carpenter draft a letter to the Kittitas County Assessors Office stating the lateral is an easement not a right-of-way.
Returning to the Agenda the Minutes of the June 6, 2003 meeting were approved as presented with a motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Larry Bland. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented the KCWP Interlocal Agreements for Packwood Canal Co. and the Cascade Irrigation District Agreements for signature.
Moving to Water Update Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board June, 2003 was 18% of normal precipitation with the 90 day forecast for dry to drier than normal conditions. Storage control was implemented on June 20th and the next TWSA meeting is scheduled for July 7th.
Carol Ready apprised the Board the YTAHP funding will continue with a new funding award of approximately $20,000.00 beginning in September, 2003. Carol apprised the Board KCWP is not listed for grant funding on the DOE schedule for 2004-2007 explaining the current grant ends in 2005. Kathleen Satnik presented information on a water quality sampling on return flows explaining the turbidity in the return flow from a cornfield registered 5,184 NTU with the DOE target at 12 NTU. Kathleen further explaining the return flow of 5,184 flows into the KRD Gravity Ditch with a reading 6 NTU increasing the turbidity in the Gravity Ditch to 151 NTU 1/3 mile down the ditch. Carol apprised the Board the water quality compliance policy has not been finalized and will be discussed at the next KCWP Board Meeting. Kathleen discussed turbidity testing in the field compared to USBR test results explaining there is a substantial difference with the USBR results reading much lower than Department of Ecology. Kathleen discussed the possibility of establishing a certified water quality lab at KRD explaining DOE personnel have viewed the downstairs area and provided specifications for establishing a certified water quality lab. Discussion followed with the consensus KRD would be willing to house the lab in the KRD facility and the proposal should be taken to the KCWP Board.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the USBR has requested information on Unneeded Acquired Lands explaining information is being prepared for submission.
Mr. Carpenter presented information on the Kittitas County Department of Public Works explaining draft comments have been prepared for review and comments.
Mr. Carpenter distributed a draft letter to the Bureau of Reclamation regarding O & M impacts to KRD fish facilities from fish flows for review and comments. Discussion followed with the consensus the letter be sent to the Bureau of Reclamation.
Mr. Carpenter distributed a draft letter to the Bureau of Reclamation regarding utility crossing permits. Discussion followed with the consensus the letter be sent to the Bureau of Reclamation.
Mr. Carpenter presented information received from Department of Transportation regarding the East Bound truck-climbing lane explaining DOT has received the funding for the project.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board the USBR Dive Team performed an inspection on Easton Dam explaining a remote camera and dive team were used. The investigation revealed there is some trash build up but it has no impact on capacity and Dick Haapala’s recommendation was to leave it as is. The Bureau reported overall good condition of the Easton Dam sluce gate and trachracks. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board a USBR exam report will follow.
Moving to Tri-County Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board a letter was received requesting support and implementation of the plan. Discussion followed with the consensus of waiting until the Kittitas County Commissioners hold a public meeting where they would comment on the plan Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board that Joint Board is putting together a formal letter of response addressing economic costs to Senator Crapo.
Moving to New Business Mr. Carpenter presented the following segregations for pre-approval subject to meeting the general guidelines:
Ken McBride Sec. 7 Twn. 18 Rng. 18; Richard Bellis Sec. 17 Twn. 18 Rng. 19; Scott Repp Sec. 28 Twn. 18 Rng. 19. A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Larry Bland approved the Ken McBride, Richard Bellis and Scott Repp segregations as presented subject to meeting the general guidelines. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board Jon Bailey has resigned and David Mayer will be moving to the Pumping Plant and assuming that position. John Bender was hired to replace David Mayer on ride 5 and Kurtis C. Brooks was hired in maintenance to replace Jeff Nestegaard who was promoted to equipment operator when John Steigleder retired.
Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board Gary Johnson will be leaving in September and requested approval to hire a maintenance person to train with Gary before he leaves. It was the consensus of the Board Jack be authorized to hire additional maintenance personnel.
Mr. Carpenter presented information on the Bill Boone/Sam Scott situation in Upper County explaining Sam Scott did significant cleaning and constructed a structure on a ditch on Bill Boone’s property. Discussion followed with the consensus it is a neighbor issue and needs to be talked out.
Mr. Carpenter presented an access request from Henry Fraser to access KRD right-of-ways for flow measurements and water quality sampling on tributaries where they intersect KRD facilities. Mr. Carpenter distributed a draft letter of response for review and comments. Discussion followed with the consensus Legal Counsel John Gilreath review the letter and then approve Mr. Fraser’s request.
Mr. Carpenter presented the Charles and Sonja Dyer Crossing Agreement Sec. Twn. Rng. A motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Ed Wakkuri approved the Charles and Sonja Dyer Crossing Agreement as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented the LID/KRD Drought Payment in the sum of $14,244.73. A motion from Urban Eberhart and seconded by Ed Wakkuri approved the LID/KRD Drought Payment as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Upcoming Meetings:
July 2nd Water Transfer Work Group USBR
July 7th Insurance Audit KRD
July 7th River Ops/Managers Mtg. USBR
July 16th WSWRA Manson
July 21st County Road Standards County
July 25th Joint Board Yakima
Moving to Other Business Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board new Medical Insurance and Retirement Rates will be effective July l, 2003. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board Barbara Pettit has been elected Vice President of the Central Washington Chapter of Association of Government Accountants. Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board a dump truck is available through State Surplus and requested approval for purchase if it is in good condition. A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Ed Wakkuri authorized purchasing the dump truck through State Surplus if it is in good condition. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented a request from Chris Sandvig for a riding lawn mower for the facilities at Easton Dam. Discussion followed with the consensus $300.00 be allocated for the purchase of a lawnmower.
The Directors monthly payroll vouchers were presented for signatures and checks distributed accordingly.
The Summary Vouchers for May expenses Vouchers # 22198 & 22590-22725 In the sum of $ 494,508.02 were presented for approval. A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Urban Eberhart approved the Summary Vouchers as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
All Business having been concluded the meeting adjourned.
Bradley W. Haberman – Chairman
Jack W. Carpenter – Secretary-Manager