REGULAR BOARD MEETING
APRIL 10, 2007, 10:00 A.M.
TUMALO IRRIGATION DISTRICT
64697 COOK AVENUE
BEND, OREGON 97701
BOARD: Bob Morrow, Steve Putnam, Patricia Gainsforth, Ronald Cochran
STAFF: Elmer McDaniels, Cyndi Presnell, Jan Wickham, Ken Rieck, Bob Varco
ATTORNEY: Bill Hopp
ENGINEERS: Kevin Crew, Jon Burgi
GUESTS: Rick Williamson, Greg Mohnen, Rick Silver, Monte Dahlman
Vice-Chairman Morrow called the meeting to order at 10:00 A.M. and appointed Cyndi Presnell scribe.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Director Putnam made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 13, 2007 Regular Board Meeting and March 13, 2007 Executive Board Meeting, seconded by Director Gainsforth, motion carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF VOUCHER LIST
Director Putnam made a motion to approve the April 2007 Voucher List, seconded by Director Gainsforth, motion carried unanimously.
CRESCENT LAKE WATER REPORT
Manager McDaniels said that Crescent Lake has 46724 acre-feet and is 54% full. Manager McDaniels said that he would expect to see another 15000 to 20000 acre feet over April, May and June. Assistant Manager Ken Rieck agreed, saying that it could get up to 55,000 to 60,000 acre feet.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Manager McDaniels said the Deschutes County Historical Landmarks Commission rescheduled the public hearing for April 19, 2007 at 7:00pm at the Des Chutes Historical Center, 129 NW Idaho Ave., Bend, OR 97701. Director Cochran questioned the historical significance to this area. Attorney Hopp explained that this is mainly a question of getting the permit. All removal of historical objects, located in this area, has been approved. Engineer Kevin Crew added that he found an OAR that requires fencing to prevent vandalism. He said that OAR will be included in DEA’s packet to Sharon Smith of Bryant, Lovlien & Jarvis. He also said that once the old objects were removed, nothing remaining would be old enough (50 years or older) to constitute it being a historical site.
PONDS AT DESCHUTES RIVER RANCH
Manager McDaniels said he had an opportunity to get Weekly Bros. onsite as of April 2, 2007. They will be completing the Tail Water ponds, located at the entrance of Gary Blake’s property. Estimated completion date is April 12, 2007. Director Putnam asked if there was an existing county road easement across that property.
Assistant Manager Ken Rieck said there was no easement on the county records. Attorney Hopp suggested that the District secure an easement for access and utilization. Manager McDaniels said that it has been discussed with Mr. Blake. Assistant Manager Ken Rieck said these pond areas have irrigation rights over them. The purpose of these ponds is to allow the tail water to seep into the ground and not go into the river. He said that if everything goes as planned these ponds will never actually have water in them.
MEETING WITH DRC & OWRD
Manager McDaniels, Kevin Crew and Jon Burgi met with Scott Macaulou and Andy Fisher of the DRC and Jonathan LaMarche of the OWRD. Manager McDaniels said the DRC is offering $1,500,000 to $2,000,000 to pipe the Bend Feed Canal this winter. He added that the DRC is interested in piping the entire district in exchange for the water from Tumalo Creek. The DRC is interested in the water from Tumalo Creek because the cold water temperatures would be beneficial to the Deschutes River. Kevin Crew said that he suggested they write it all down and present the District with something to look at. Mr. Crew does not believe the DRC currently has enough rights to offer the District in exchange for Tumalo Creek. The money DRC is offering is State Lottery money and can match against the 25% Federal funding. Manager McDaniel said the reauthorization for this “lottery money” is approaching and they are looking for some big projects to show their progress and how the money was spent.
LONG RANGE PLANNING SESSION
Manager McDaniels suggested having a Long Range Planning session immediately following the May 8th Board Meeting. This meeting would be to discuss Operation & Maintenance, and Capital spending. Manager McDaniels said the District would bring in lunch for this meeting.
SENATE BILL S 1037
Manager McDaniels said this Bill was introduced in the Senate and is identical to the House Bill. Manager McDaniels and Attorney Hopp agreed that the testimony for the House Bill should be sufficient, and they should not need further testimony from the District for the Senate Bill.
OTHER BUSINESS
Report on Piping - Director Cochran suggested that the District present a report to the water users showing the true benefits of our piping projects. He would like to see charts and graphs showing the water conservation efforts.
Tumalo Reservoir Cleanup - Rick Silver said that he and a group of water users are interested in implementing a clean-up effort at Tumalo Reservoir. They would also be willing to post any signs that need replacing. They are willing to use their own vehicles and gas, but asked if the District would reimburse them for the landfill charges. Manager McDaniels told him to let him or Assistant Manager Ken Rieck know when and the District would provide them with a letter granting them permission to be in the no trespass area. A phone call will be made to the Sheriff Department alerting them to the fact that permission has been given to this group.
NEXT MEETING DATE
The next Regular Board Meeting will be Tuesday, May 8, 2007, at 10:00 A.M., at the District Office.
ADJOURNMENT
Director Putnam made a motion that the Regular Board Meeting be adjourned at 11:00 A.M., seconded by Director Gainsforth, motion carried unanimously.