Minutes

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

MARCH 13, 2001, 10:00 A.M.

DISTRICT OFFICE

BOARD:                Bob Morrow, Steve Putnam, Jim Schlueter

STAFF:                  Elmer McDaniels, Jan Wickham, Shelby Smith, Ken Rieck

ATTORNEY:          Bill Hopp

GUESTS:                Kevin Crew, Jim Carnahan, Kyle Gorman, Betsy Menefee 

Vice-Chairman Morrow called the meeting to order at 10:00 A.M. and appointed Shelby Smith scribe. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Director Putnam made a motion that the minutes of the February 13, 2001 Regular Board Meeting and February 13, 2001 Executive Board Meeting be approved, seconded by Director Schlueter, motion carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF VOUCHER LIST

Director Putnam made a motion that the March 2001 Voucher List be approved, seconded by Director Schlueter, motion carried unanimously.

CRESCENT LAKE WATER REPORT

Manager McDaniels reported that Crescent Lake has 71,655 acre-feet, we are spilling 6 second feet.    

1992 FORD PICKUP

Manager McDaniels said there has been no response to the advertisements in the Bulletin and the Web Page.  The Board said to advertise it again in the Bulletin at $3,500 OBO. 

SNOWCAT – KYLE GORMAN

See attached copy of letter from Kyle Gorman, Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD), dated January 29, 2001.  This subject was discussed at the February 13, 2001 Regular Board Meeting.  Mr. Gorman said that the OWRD needs a new snowcat (to replace their 30-year old snowcat) to serve the gauging stations around Crescent Lake, Crane Prairie, Wickiup, and Snow Creek.  He suggested that, since the entire cost of the snowcat is not included in their budget this year, and other sources have not been forthcoming, the Districts that would benefit might participate in the cost.  The proposed cost to this District would be $1,500.  Director Schlueter made a motion that the District contribute $1,500 toward the cost of a snowcat, seconded by Director Putnam, motion carried unanimously. 

DISTRICT PROJECTS – KEVIN CREW

Mr. Carnahan with David Evans & Associates presented a large plaque to the District from the Consulting Engineers Council of Oregon for the Engineering Excellence Honor Award for our Bend Feed Canal Project.

-2- Minutes of Regular Board Meeting, March 13, 2001

Mr. Crew said he and Manager McDaniels have submitted grant applications to the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board for Flume #4.  $200,000 has already been approved for Project 3B.  This $200,000 could possibly be transferred to Flume #4.   

Mr. Crew said he is finalizing the plans for Flume #4, which should be ready for bid by May 2001; the project should start in September 2001.  Project 3B should be ready for bid by this fall.   

CRESCENT LAKE – RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

See attached copies of letters from Terrald E. Kent, Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), dated February 14, 2001, and John Falk, Oregon Water Resources Department, dated March 2, 2001.  Manager McDaniels said that Leo Busch with the BOR said they will still try to protect the withdrawn land boundaries, and are putting money in the budget for the erosion problem.  Attorney Hopp said we are trying to get Peter Carlson to get Senator Smith’s office to get Federal legislation to keep the BOR involved in Crescent Lake. 

REPORT ON WASHINGTON DC TRIP

Attorney Hopp reported that his and Manager McDaniels’ meetings with Senators Smith and Wyden were promising.  They requested a reprogramming of $500,000 for this year for Flume #4. 

Manager McDaniels said he approved the District paying for Attorney Hopp’s long distance phone calls from Washington, DC to his office in Bend.  The Board agreed.     

WATERSHED CONSERVATION AWARD 2001

The District received the Watershed Conservation Award for 2001 from the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council. 

SET DATE FOR START OF IRRIGATION SEASON

Manager McDaniels said the 2001 irrigation season will start Monday, April 16.  See attached postcard, which will be mailed this week. 

ANNUAL IN-STREAM LEASES

See attached copy of Short-Term Leases.  For the District, forty-two accounts are leasing 562.47 water right acres (411.17 acres are in jeopardy), for a total of 1835.84 acre-feet.  For the Bend Feed Canal exchange water, two accounts are leasing 4.00 water right acres, for a total of 22.28 acre-feet.  This does not include the 105.00 water right acres that Bend Metro Parks has been leasing in-stream every year.  Director Putnam made a motion that these in-stream leases be approved, seconded by Director Schlueter, motion carried unanimously.  Manager McDaniels said that the in-stream water will be prorated according to the water supply this year.        

-3- Minutes of Regular Board Meeting, March 13, 2001

DISTRICT EMPLOYEE MEDICAL PREMIUM

Ms. Smith reported that Jan Wickham has been researching the District’s medical coverage and premium rates. The District’s current coverage and premium rates are the best available at this time. 

NEXT MEETING DATE

The next Regular Board Meeting will be Tuesday, April 10, 2001, at 10:00 A.M., in the District office.

ADJOURNMENT

Director Putnam made a motion that the Regular Board Meeting be adjourned at 11:30 A.M., seconded by Director Schlueter, motion carried unanimously.