March 3, 2017

 CALL TO ORDER

The Board meeting of the Columbia Irrigation District was called to order by President Shawver at 1:00 pm.  Present at the meeting were:

Guests: None

President Shawver read a letter addressed to him from Sheila Thackham informing him she would not be at this Board Meeting. In her letter she reiterated she did not think the valve installed on her property in 2014 was done so legally.

Per the minutes of February 3, 2017, Manager Ellison gave President Shawver a definition from the Open Public Meetings Act titled “What is a Meeting?” President Shawver read the definition and discussion followed.  Definition is attached to these minutes.

CONSENT AGENDA

Minutes, February 3, 2017

The minutes of February 3, 2017 were presented to the Board. Director Ayde made a motion to approve the minutes and Director Martin seconded the motion.  Motion approved.

 February Vouchers

The February Vouchers were reviewed and discussed by the Board. Director Morrell made a motion to approve the Vouchers and Director Gose seconded the motion. Motion approved.

January Financial Statement

The January Financial Statement was reviewed and discussed by the Board.

OLD BUSINESS

Duportail Bridge

Manager Ellison presented the final Easement Agreement for the City of Richland’s Dupertail Bridge for signature. The project is estimated to begin in 2018.

Elite Sod Gates

Manager Ellison presented a picture presentation of changes and improvements made to the Elite Sod Spillway.  The cement work is finished and the new gates and actuators will be installed soon.

Aquavella

No new information to present.

LID 04 – Valve Placement

Manager Ellison reported Marc Antonietti from Enduris who was scheduled to be at this meeting cancelled at the last minute due to emergency circumstances. He stated Mr. Antonietti is scheduled to be here Thursday, March 9th, to check on the completion of placing the fill dirt on Sheila Thackham’s property.

Manager Ellison, with the use of a white board and photographs, explained the pipeline layout of LID 4 and the importance of the valve located in the easement on Sheila Thackham’s property. A discussion was held pertaining to moving the valve per Mrs. Thackham’s request.  Manager Ellison stated all the valves in the LID are located in easements.  By law, CID has the right to maintain infrastructures contained in CID easements. The easement on her property is no different.  By law, CID has the right to have it there.

Ellison stated in all good conscience he cannot recommend moving the valve as it is an essential element in isolating flooding issues within the LID. Director Morrell made a motion to keep the valve in its present location for the good of all patrons in the LID, work with Mrs. Thackham the best we can and be good stewards to her. Director Ayde seconded the motion.  Director’s Morrell, Ayde and Shawver affirmed the motion and Director’s Martin and Gose opposed.  Motion passed.

Work Orders by Division

The Board reviewed and discussed the work orders in their respective divisions.

NEW BUSINESS 

Operations Report

Operations Foreman, Pat Loftus reported a meeting with the Clean Air Authority was held and crew members have started burning tumbleweeds. The wet-wells have been vacuumed, pump stations are currently being prepared for operation and the cleaning of the Settling Basin is scheduled to begin Monday, March 6th.  The head gates will be opened on March 20, 2017.

Other Business

President Shawver requested Manager Ellison take him on a tour of his division and reminded the other board members they could do the same.  He stated it would be a paid tour and thought it would be especially beneficial to Director Ayde as a new member of the Board.

Manager Ellison reported the hearing for unemployment benefits for Joel Teeley was held and benefits were denied. Teeley is appealing the decision because the state did not give him an attorney for the hearing. Manager Ellison reported he and Enduris Attorney, Keller Allen and the Chief Risk Officer, Cheryl Brandt met in  Attorney David Hevel’s office for Depositions in the wrongful termination suit against CID by former manager Joel Teeley.

Manager Ellison reported all employee evaluations have been done and CID has current job descriptions on file.

Ellison showed the Board pictures of the canal lining installed by contractors for the Cascade Natural Gas line project near Tapteal and Belfair Streets. He also mentioned he stopped to talk to a work crew in the vicinity of the Dermatology Center on Columbia Drive where ponding of water has occurred.  He was informed they were installing a drain pipe to remove the overflow from the CID canal.  Mr. Ellison explained to them the water was not coming from the canal.

Director Martin asked Manager Ellison about the area in East Kennewick where he and Director Gose were examining the canal at Oak Street and Fairway Lane. It is an area where the city has the potential for storm water to build up and cause problems to the CID canal.  Ellison stated he will talk to the City again to make sure it is understood that CID cannot take storm water into its canals or ditches. Ellison stated it is a reoccurring problem and wants the city to know they will be charged cleanup fees if it continues to happen.  Director Gose commented that he was not aware it was a reoccurring problem and asked why the Director’s hadn’t been informed. Ellison stated the situation fell under the normal everyday operations of the District, nothing the Director’s would be involved with.

Open Public Meetings Act

Information for this action was read at the beginning of the meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

President Shawver adjourned the meeting at 3:15 pm.