Office of Secretary
Minutes of Regular Meeting
September 1, 2015

The Board of Directors of the Kittitas Reclamation District met in Regular Session September 1, 2015. Directors in attendance were Chairman Ed Wakkuri, Vice Chairman Fred Schnebly, Larry Bland, Mark Hansen and Paul Weaver attending on the telephonbe conference call. Also in attendance were Legal Counsel Jeff Slothower, Urban Eberhart, Barbara Pettit, Keli Bender, Ken Hasbrouck, Jack Clerf, Mark Charlton and Janeice Jump.

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 Fred Schnebly and the second by Larry Bland. The motion passed unanimously. Ken Hasbrouck left the meeting at this time.
The minutes of the July 14, 2015 and August 11, 2015 meetings were approved as amended with a motion from Larry Bland and the second by Fred Schnebly. The motion passed unanimously

Urban Eberhart presented system status report explaining that the flip flop switch over began phasing in approximately 10 days before this meeting. Urban Eberhart continued explaining pulse flows have been recently used to affect fish. This was done using conserved waters not water from the irrigators supply.

Moving to Public Comments Jack Clerf, President, Cascade Irrigation District, thanked the Board for the cooperative operations in 2015. Jack Clerf left the meeting at this time. Mark Charlton expressed support for the cooperative operations of the Kittitas Reclamation District.

Kevin Eslinger presented a maintenance update explaining the USBR Easton Dam Inspection was completed on August 25, 2015. The inspectors were complimentary of the work KRD crews performed. Supplementation and monitoring of the five siphons Big Creek, Little Creek, Spexarth Creek, Tucker Creek and Tillman Creek continues. Kevin continued explaining cattle guards are being repaired and replaced and ditch cleaning continues. Kevin further explained no temporary labor will be hired for fall work due to the early water shut off.

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 the consensus further foreclosure action be tabled and moved to the October, 2015 Board Meeting.

Urban Eberhart presented updated information on the Integrated Plan. Urban Eberhart requested a letter of support for S1694 from the Kittitas Reclamation District. Discussion followed with a motion from Fred Schnebly and seconded by Larry Bland authorizing submitting a letter of support for S1694 from Kittitas Reclamation District.

Urban Eberhart presented updated information on the Tributary Drought Supplementation explaining the project continues to be very successful. Urban Eberhart apprised the Board an amendment for reimbursement from the state drought monies is being submitted to cover additional costs.

Moving to New Business Taylor Bridge Fire discussion was moved to Executive Session.

Kevin Eslinger presented information on the Easton Drum Gate Corrosion Control explaining two bids were received August 21, 2015. The Easton Drum Gate Corrosion Control project was awarded to Belsaas and Smith for $39,538.

Urban Eberhart apprised the Board of a Pendente Lite order request for Ben Kern to pump Cascade Irrigation water to KRD lands explaining it was approved as submitted and requested.

Urban Eberhart presented leave transfer requests for Paul Keith and Dave Hosmer in accordance to the current policy. A motion from Paul Weaver and the second by Fred Schnebly approved the leave transfer as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Moving to Other Business Urban Eberhart apprised the Board KRD employee ID badges were prepared to attend the Cle Elum Dam Fish Passage Ceremony.

Urban Eberhart requested approval for Urban Eberhart, Paul Weaver and Mark Hansen to travel to Stanford University to attend the Public- Private Partnership for Water Sector Program on October 28 and 29, 2015. A motion from Larry Bland and the second by Fred Schnebly approved the travel request as presented. The motion passed unanimously.

Urban Eberhart requested approval for Urban Eberhart to attend the panel presenting information on the KRD conservation improvements and tributary enhancement program in Gleenwood Springs, Colorado on October 7 and 8, 2015. A motion from Fred Schnebly and the second by Mark Hansen approved the travel request as presented. The motion passed unanimously.

Urban Eberhart requested authorization to submit a letter to the USBR to look into emergency floating pumps to access some of the inactive Kachess storage jointly with Roza Irrigation District. Discussion followed with a motion from Mark Hansen and the second by Larry Bland approved the request as presented. The motion passed unanimously.

With a motion from Larry Bland and the second by Fred Schnebly the Board adjourned to Executive Session at 1:53 p.m. for 30 minutes to discuss ongoing litigation and legal matters. The motion passed unanimously. Chairman Ed Wakkuri announced a 30 minute extension at 2:23 p.m. Chairman Ed Wakkuri announced a 10 minute extension at 2:53. The Board returned to Regular Session at 3:03 p.m. with a motion from Larry Bland and the second by Paul Weaver. The motion passed unanimously.

Returning to Other Business Urban Eberhart presented information on the Emergency Drought Kachees Pumping Plant Project. With a motion from Larry Bland and the second by Paul Weaver the Kittitas Reclamation Board of Directors Pursuant to RCW 40.30.090 adjourned its regular monthly board meeting, which commenced at 1:00 p.m. on September 1, 2015 to 9:00 a.m. September 15, 2015 at the offices of the Roza Irrigation District at 125 S. 13th St. Sunnyside, Washington 98944. Items to be discussed will include any further business that comes before the Board, which may include executive session for any of the reasons provided in RCW 42.30.110 (i)(iii).

The Summary Vouchers for July, 2015 expenses vouchers #39447-39521 & 9900728-9900742 in the sum of $194,635.72 were approved with a motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Fred Schnebly. 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 B. Eberhart - Secretary Manager

Return to Board Meeting Page

Return to KRD Homepage