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 13^th & 14th.

The Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee Columbia Basin Partnership Meeting in Hood River, OR was held on June 19 & 20^th.  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 12^th. During the tour there will be stops throughout Kittitas County.

The John Keys Tour is scheduled for July 17 & 18^th at KRD.

On July 25^th, 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 14^th. 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.

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Mr. Bland KRD Board of Directors Chairman

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Mr. Eberhart KRD Secretary Manager