The Board of Directors of the Kittitas Reclamation District met in Regular Session August 11, 2015. Directors in attendance were Chairman Ed Wakkuri, Vice Chairman Fred Schnebly, Larry Bland, Mark Hansen and Paul Weaver. Also in attendance were Legal Counsel Jeff Slothower, Urban Eberhart, Barbara Pettit, Keli Bender, Roger Satnik, Kathleen Satnik, Bob Main, Well Bartsma and Sietsa Bartsma.

The Agenda was presented for approval. The agenda was approved with the addition of Executive Session to discuss ongoing litigation and the Taylor Bridge Fire with a motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Fred Schnebly. The motion passed unanimously.
The minutes of the July 14, 2015 meeting were tabled for presentation at the September 1, 2015 meeting with a motion from Paul Weaver and seconded by Fred Schnebly. The motion passed unanimously.

Bob Main, Water Master, apprised the Board the KRD water was shut down on Thursday, August 6, 2015. Bob continued explaining the KRD will carry approximately 346 cfs to help protect our canal through the rest of the summer, to provide for tributary flow augmentation and to carry water for other entities if needed. Legal Counsel Jeff Slothower discussed the diversion and delivery of stock water explaining there is no mechanism for diversion or delivery of stock water while KRD is carrying the 346 cfs. Legal Counsel Jeff Slothower continued explaining there is a stipulation allowing stock to drink directly from a natural surface water source.

Moving to Public Comments Well Bartsma addressed the Board regarding the delivery of water on the prorated allotment explaining he has invested in sprinkler and water conservation measures and should have been allowed to use his water as he needed it explaining he has unused water he was saving for later in the season. Secretary Manager Urban Eberhart explained it was well publicized that the KRD would run fairly strong early in the season to facilitate water for a good first cutting which then required reduced flows to get as far into the water season as possible. Lengthy discussion followed.

Bob Main presented a maintenance update explaining the supplementation of the five siphons Big Creek, Little Creek, Spexarth Creek, Tucker Creek and Tillman Creek continues with the assistance from the USBR crane setting ecology blocks. Bob Main continued explaining fall maintenance work has started with crews inspecting weir gages and head gates. Bob Main apprised the Board bid packets for the Easton Dam Corrosion Project were sent out and a pre-construction tour was held.

Moving to KCWP Kathleen Satnik distributed water quality sampling data through July for review and discussion. Kathleen explained KRD had three elevated turbidity sampling events in 2015 compared to 13 in 2012.

Moving to delinquent accounts Legal Counsel Jeff Slothower discussed the flexibility on collections of delinquent accounts until the certificate of delinquency is filed. Discussion followed with a motion from Paul Weaver and seconded by Larry Bland authorizing delinquent accounts paying the third year delinquent assessment, interest and other fees to be removed from the foreclosure proceedings for this year. The motion passed unanimously.

Urban Eberhart presented updated information on the Integrated Plan and those present viewed the recently released informational video.

Urban Eberhart presented updated information on the Tributary Drought Supplementation explaining the project continues to be very successful. Urban Eberhart apprised the Board he accepted an award for the Kittitas Reclamation District for Regional Organization of the Year Award from the Director of the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife in recognition of the KRD drought response efforts this summer.

Moving to New Business Barbara Pettit presented the State of Washington Purchase Card Program authorization for signatures.

Moving to Taylor Bridge Fire Legal Counsel Jeff Slothower presented information explaining it is ongoing litigation with a tentative settlement reached. Legal Counsel Jeff Slothower requested discussion be moved to executive session.

Urban Eberhart presented information on the Easton Drum Gate Corrosion Control explaining bids are being requested. Legal Counsel Jeff Slothower apprised the Board the construction contract was prepared by CH2MHILL.

Moving to Other Business Urban Eberhart presented information on the Manastash Bridge explaining the USBR is requesting KRD repair the bridge and requested approval to explore options including a possible cost share with an adjoining landowner. Discussion followed with the consensus Urban Eberhart work with Legal Counsel Jeff Slothower on possible options.

Urban Eberhart apprised the Board there is a Northwest Irrigation Operators Tour scheduled for August 18, 2015 and requested approval to provide the room and light refreshments. It was the consensus that KRD provide the room and light refreshments for the Northwest Irrigation Operators Tour.

Urban Eberhart requested reimbursement for travel expenses for his trip to Washington D.C. for the Senate Drought Emergency Hearing to discuss S1694 and the drought emergency. A motion from Paul Weaver and seconded by Fred Schnebly approved reimbursement of expenses for the Washington D.C. Senate Drought Emergency Discussions. The motion passed unanimously.

Urban Eberhart distributed a picture of a high lift jack under the Naneum radial arm gate explaining it will be reported to the Kittitas County Sheriff. Legal Counsel Jeff Slothower apprised the Board there was another report of damage to a diversion facility and it was turned over to the Kittitas County Sheriff.

With a motion from Paul Weaver and seconded by Fred Schnebly the Board adjourned to Executive Session at 2:05 p.m. for 15 minutes to discuss ongoing litigation and legal matters. The motion passed unanimously. Chairman Ed Wakkuri announced a 5 minute extension at 2:20 p.m. The Board returned to Regular Session at 2:25 p.m. with a motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Fred Schnebly. The motion passed unanimously.

Returning to Other Business Urban Eberhart presented information on submitting a funding application for the Johnson-Wipple lining project. Discussion followed with the consensus to submit the application.

Upcoming Meetings: Aug. 28th Joint Board
Sept. 3rd River Ops. Yakima

The Summary Vouchers for June, 2015 expenses vouchers #39359-39446 & 9900708-9900722 in the sum of $272,020.95 were approved with a motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Paul Weaver. 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.

Ed Wakkuri - Chairman
Urban Eberhart - Secretary Manager

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