Office of the Secretary Manager
Kittitas Reclamation District Board of
Directors Meeting
July 10, 2018 Minutes
The Board of Directors of
the Kittitas Reclamation District (KRD) met in Regular Session on July 10, 2018
at 1:00 p.m. Attending the meeting were Division Four Director and Chairman
Larry Bland, Division Two Director and Vice Chairman Ed Wakkuri, Division One
Director Mark Hansen, Division Three Director Fred Schnebly,
Secretary Manager Urban Eberhart,
Assistant Manager Kevin Eslinger, Field Supervisor Bob Main, Treasurer Stacy
Berg, Lands Clerk & RRA Specialist Keli Bender, and Legal Counsel Jeff
Slothower. Also, in attendance were KRD land owners Janeice Jump and Mark
Charlton.
The agenda was approved with
the addition of an executive session for reasons consistent with RCW
42.30.110(1)(g) and RCW 42.30.110(1)(i):(i). The motion was made by Director
Hansen and the second was made by Director Schnebly. The motion passed
unanimously.
The minutes for the June 5,
2018 Board Meeting were approved as corrected with a motion made by Director
Schnebly and the second was made by Director Wakkuri. The motion passed
unanimously.
Public Comment: Land Owner
Mark Charlton asked the board to be aware of innovative options to conserve
water and research water conservation practices that are being done throughout
the industry.
Water Master Report: As
of July 10, 2018, the reservoirs storage is 101% of average. Precipitation for
the water year to date is 238.68 inches, or 111% of average. The next River
Operations Meeting is scheduled for August 2, 2018.
Washington Department of
Ecology (DOE) sent out curtailment letters to post 1905 water users when the
United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) reduced proration to 96%.
Maintenance Report: Mr.
Eberhart announced the new maintenance employee Jeff Laukala who has expertise
with concrete and construction.
Secretary Manager’s Activity
Report: Mr. Eberhart presented at the Yakima Basin Science & Management
Conference that was held on June 13th & 14th.
The Marine Fisheries
Advisory Committee Columbia Basin Partnership Meeting in Hood River, OR was held
on June 19 & 20th. During the
upcoming months the members will be working with the constituents to further the
project.
USBR Field Office Manager
Chad Stuart is hosting Reverse John Keys on July 12th. During the
tour there will be stops throughout Kittitas County.
The John Keys Tour is
scheduled for July 17 & 18th at KRD.
On July 25th, Mr.
Eberhart is scheduled to meet Kittitas County Commissioner Wright and introduce
him to the KRD.
In order for KRD to meet the
drilling window that is currently scheduled for the storage study, it is
necessary for the KRD to assist with some of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) Processes. The USBR has limited resources in this area and in order
to meet the time commitment Mr. Eberhart requested approval of a change order of
$30,000.00 for helping with the KRD Water Infrastructure Improvements for the
Nation (WIIN) Act Storage Study. A motion was made by Director Hansen to approve
the $30,000.00 to assist with the NEPA processes. A second was made by Director
Wakkuri, the motion passed unanimously.
The 2018 WaterSmart Water
Market Program contract discussions with the USBR are ongoing. Once they
conclude, the KRD will work with DOE to obtain the additional funding for the
study.
The North Branch Canal
Lining Project Phase II has been operating at approximately one foot lower than
it was before the canal was lined. There will be additional work that will need
to be done on the spillway before the project is complete. There will be further
reports forthcoming.
Legal Counsel Slothower
presented a resolution for the North Branch Canal Lining Project Phase III. The
resolution proposes a sole source approach to the project. If the sole source
resolution is approved the staff will begin discussions with the contractor to
form an agreeable contract. If a mutual agreement is not met the KRD will bid
the project as its been done in the past. Director Schnebly made a motion to
approve Resolution 2018-05. A second was made by Director Wakkuri, the motion
passed unanimously.
The KRD has received a grant
for the South Branch Canal Lining Phase I Construction project in the amount of
$2,107,000.00. The grant will cover a portion of the construction phase for the
South Branch Canal Lining Project and the connection from the South Branch 13.8
to Manastash Water Diversion Association (MWDA) pipeline. Director Wakkuri made
a motion to sign the contract with the Washington State DOE for $2,107,000.00. A
second was made by Director Hansen, the motion passed unanimously.
Jacobs Engineering is
preparing the Contract and Bid Package for the South Branch 13.8 / MWDA
Connection. The bid announcement is expected in mid-August.
A scope of work and
engineering costs for the South Branch Canal Lining Phase II Engineering Design
is being developed by Jacobs Engineering.
The Yakima Pressure Tunnel
Inspection Report was received by KRD.
Mr. Eberhart requested
permission to ask the DOE Ground Water Storage Committee for a proposed budget
of $67,450.00 for the Aquifer Recharge Scope of Work. The KRD board approved the
request.
Aspect Consulting provided a
scope of work in the amount of $8,700.00 to evaluate the soil stability in the
area of Mohar Rd. The KRD chose to take a proactive approach to the ground
instability problem that Kittitas County Public Works is dealing with in the
area. Director Hansen made a motion to approve the scope of work with Aspect
Consulting. The second was made by Director Wakkuri, the motion passed
unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report: The
Directors’ monthly payroll vouchers were presented for signatures. Summary
Vouchers for the May 2018 expenses and the June 2018 payroll which included
check numbers 42332-42421, direct deposit numbers 9901419 through 9901434 in the
sum of $889,735.67 were approved with a motion made by Director Hansen and the
second was made by Director Wakkuri. The motion passed unanimously.
Old Business: Treasurer Berg
reported that the 2015 Delinquent Accounts have been forwarded to Legal Counsel
Slothower and collection letters have been sent out to the remaining 7 accounts.
Legal Counsel Slothower reported that the affected land owners were given the
option of paying the 2015 assessment and legal fees in any payment they liked as
long as it was paid by September 14th. If the funding was not
received by that time KRD would continue with the foreclosure process.
Mr. Eberhart reported that
the state auditor is in the process of performing the 2017 Federal Grant and
Financial Audit.
New Business: Legal Counsel
Slothower provided a letter that was written to the land owners on Sunrise
Drive. There was also a resolution that revokes the use of the access road to
the local land owners. Director Hansen made a motion to approve the letter to
the landowners as well as Resolution 2018-06. A second was made by Director
Wakkuri, the motion passed unanimously.
Legal Counsel Slothower
reported that Washington State Legislature put an automatic increase for
Irrigation District Director Compensation. Director Wakkuri made a motion to
approve resolution 2018-07 which approves the hourly increase and wage cap for
the Irrigation Directors. The second was made by Director Schnebly, the motion
passed unanimously.
Legal Counsel Slothower
presented an article regarding a case that Washington State Department of
Transportation was required to replace the culverts that they manage and are not
to current standards to allow fish to pass with ease. It is suspected that in
the future all culverts will be required to be replaced to the current
specifications.
Other Business: The Board
adjourned to Executive Session at 1:58 p.m. for 20 minutes per RCW
42.30.110(1)(g) and RCW 42.30.110(1)(i):(i) there was a motion made by Director
Wakkuri and a second made by Director Hansen. The motion passed unanimously.
Executive session was extended for 10 minutes. The Board returned to Regular
Session at 2:28 p.m. with a motion made by Director Hansen and the second was
made by Director Schnebly. The motion passed unanimously.
All business having been
concluded the meeting was adjourned.
______________________________________
Mr. Bland KRD Board of
Directors Chairman
______________________________________
Mr. Eberhart KRD Secretary
Manager