REGULAR BOARD MEETING
DECEMBER 13, 2005, 10:00 A.M.
TUMALO IRRIGATION DISTRICT
64697 COOK AVENUE
BEND, OREGON 97701
BOARD: Bill Martin, Bob Morrow, Steve Putnam, Jim Schlueter, Shirley DeMaris
STAFF: Elmer McDaniels, Shelby Smith, Jan Wickham, Ken Rieck, Bob Varco
ATTORNEY: Bill Hopp
ENGINEER: Kevin Crew
GUESTS: Greg Mohnen, Danielle MacBain, Patricia Gainsforth, Jeff Rola
Chairman Martin called the meeting to order at 10:00 A.M. and appointed Shelby Smith scribe.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Vice-Chairman Morrow made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 8, 2005 Regular Board Meeting and November 8, 2005 Executive Board Meeting, seconded by Director Putnam, motion carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF VOUCHER LIST
Director Putnam made a motion to approve the December 2005 Voucher List, seconded by Director Schlueter, motion carried unanimously.
CRESCENT LAKE WATER REPORT
Manager McDaniels said that Crescent Lake has 13,886 acre-feet.
TUMALO FEED CANAL FISH SCREEN
Manager McDaniels said the weather has slowed down work on the fish screen. The crew is forming the east wall on the creek side.
TUMALO FEED CANAL – CONSERVED WATER LETTER RESPONSE
We have had tremendous response to the conserved water letter which was mailed on November 9, 2005 (see attached copy). The option closes on December 9, 2005. At this time no one has offered to buy any of the conserved water.
PATRICIA GAINSFORTH
Patricia Gainsforth was given the Certificate of Election for Division #2.
DESCHUTES SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
Jeff Rola has submitted a revised proposal (see attached copy). The cost of the proposal has not been included in the Budget, and the Board felt that the District could not afford it at this time.
-2- Minutes of Regular Board Meeting, December 13, 2005
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN TUMALO IRRIGATION DISTRICT AND DESCHUTES COUNTY
See attached copy of Intergovernmental Agreement between the District and Deschutes County, signed by the Board of County Commissioners. The agreement will allow the District to pursue a dedication of a County road to provide access to the District properties named in the Agreement, and also allow access to the County property. Director Putnam made a motion to approve this Agreement, seconded by Director DeMaris, motion carried unanimously. Attorney Hopp said Sharon Smith will need a check for Deschutes County to file the lot line adjustment applications on these properties, between $5,000 and $8,000. Director Schlueter made a motion to approve this check for the amount of the filing fees to be cut as soon as the amount is known, seconded by Director Putnam, motion carried unanimously.
CONSERVATION PLAN – FIVE YEAR UPDATE
Manager McDaniels said the Conservation Plan update has been completed and is out for public comment.
DESCHUTES RIVER CONSERVANCY MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
Danielle MacBain said she did not make any changes, other than dates, from last year’s MOU (see attached copy). Ms. Smith asked that the “5 year opt out lease” option be deleted, because the Board has agreed to only do annual leases (except for Bend Metro Park & Recreation District). Attorney Hopp suggested that E. Roles and Responsibilities, Paragraph 5, DRC responsibilities, be deleted, since it contradicts F. Payments Paragraph 2, District responsibilities. The District will disburse the individual checks to the water users as soon as DRC pays the District. All of the money the DRC pays the District is disbursed to the participating water users. Mr. Rieck said we have four or five water rights holder who will have water rights in jeopardy next year.
Director Putnam made a motion that the Memorandum of Understanding, with the suggested changes, be approved, seconded by Director Schlueter, motion carried unanimously.
OREGON WATER RESOURCES CONGRESS ANNUAL MEETING
Attorney Hopp reported on changing land use patterns and their impact on agriculture, and building relationships with cities, counties, and developers. He suggested that, because Central Oregon Irrigation District has been developing a policy to deal with these issues, we ask Steve Johnson, COID’s Manager, to attend a Special Board Meeting to discuss these issues. Manager McDaniels will contact him.
The Regular Board Meeting was recessed at 11:05 A.M.
The Regular Board Meeting was reconvened at 12:05 P.M.
2006 OPERATING BUDGET AND CAPITAL BUDGET
Ms. Smith said that the changes requested in the Budget Workshop have been made (see attached copies of revised Operating & Capital Budgets). In addition, the following changes were made: (1) because we have not sold the old Suburban, the new pickup has been deleted from the Capital Budget. Ken Rieck will drive the old Suburban, and his pickup will be given to Mick Ingram, and (2) the Board agreed that the employees’ medical premium contributions would increase at the same rate as the District’s on June 1, 2006, when the contract increase goes into effect..
-3- Minutes of Regular Board Meeting, December 13, 2005
Ken Rieck, Assistant District Manager, and Bob Varco, Field Supervisor, have asked for increases of $2.50 and $1.83 per hour respectively, in addition to the 4% across the board already requested (see Attachment A). The reason they gave for the request is that their positions and the work they are doing warrants it. They also feel that Glen Cartwright, the former Assistant District Manager/Field Supervisor, should not be making more money than them. When Mr. Cartwright’s position was changed from Assistant District Manager/Field Supervisor to Ditchrider, he was told that his wages would not be decreased. The total cost of the requested increases would be approximately $10,000 per year. Mr. Rieck suggested that the Emergency Fund of $12,000 be used to cover the additional cost. The Board discussed eliminating one employee. Mr. Rieck said that there is more than enough work for the employees we have. Manager McDaniels asked, if he had to terminate someone, what would the District offer as a severance package. The Board agreed to a “non-cause” severance package of three months salary, including benefits. Director Putnam made a motion that a three-month severance package be offered to an employee terminated for non-cause, seconded by Vice-Chairman Morrow, motion carried unanimously. Attorney Hopp will write this into the Employee Policy. Michael Williams suffered an illness last year, and has been slow to recover. Mick Ingram was hired to take over Mr. Williams ride, and Mr. Williams has been working on equipment. Manager McDaniels suggested that attrition could possibly eliminate one employee in the next year. The Board agreed to leave the elimination of one employee alone for now. Director Putnam suggested that these requested increases be implemented incrementally over a period of two or three years. Director Putnam made a motion that the Operating Budget be approved, with an additional $1.00 per hour each for Mr. Rieck and Mr. Varco, seconded by Director DeMaris, ayes- Director Putnam and Director DeMaris, nay – Vice-Chairman Morrow, motion carried. Vice-Chairman Morrow made a motion that the Capital Budget be approved, seconded by Director DeMaris, motion carried unanimously. Vice-Chairman Morrow said that the Board would need to make some hard decisions regarding employees and salaries in the near future.
NEXT MEETING DATE
The next Regular Board Meeting will be Tuesday, January 10, 2006, at 10:00 A.M., at the District Office. This will also be the Annual Board Meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Director Putnam made a motion that the Regular Board Meeting be adjourned at 1:25 P.M., seconded by Vice-Chairman Morrow, motion carried unanimously.