Hermiston Irrigation District

Board of Directors

April 12, 2007

Regular Board Meeting Minutes

CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Miller called the April Regular Board Meeting of the Hermiston Irrigation District (District) Board of Directors to order at 3:37 p.m.  The meeting was held in the District office building.  The meeting was delayed in order to allow for a quorum to be present.  Also present at the meeting were Board Members Mike Bergstrom and John Lybrand; Chuck Wilcox, District Manager; Annette Rambel, Secretary; Robin Harris, Engineer with Anderson-Perry; Dorothy Zinter, District Patron and her guest John Piening; William H. Cramer, a private Hermiston citizen; and Keith Morgan.

GUESTS

DOROTHY ZINTER-DELIVERY SYSTEM:  John Piening spoke on behalf of Dorothy Zinter, District Patron. Mr. Piening explained to the Board that the Zinter property went to sprinklers 12-14 years ago; they installed a box last year and want to water out of that instead of hooking-up to the 4” pipe that the District installed.

Manager Wilcox explained to the Board that the pipe was installed for the Zinter property because they are sprinkling while others beyond them are flooding.  Zinter was informed that the 2006 irrigation season was to be there last season of not being connected to the pipe.

Director Bergstrom suggested that the Board go out and see the Zinter property directly after this meeting.  Chairman Miller told Mrs. Zinter that the District Manager would be in touch regarding the Board’s decision.

Dorothy Zinter and John Piening left the meeting about 4:00 p.m.

BILL CRAMER-HERMISTON BUTTE AREA:  William H. Cramer addressed the Board as a concerned citizen.  He and his wife often walk along the Hermiston Butte (Butte) and have noticed safety issues that he would like to see resolved.  Mr. Cramer’s first issue of concern was the open ditch on the west side of the Butte.  He would like to see it graded and filled in.  He also noted that there appears to be seepage on the north end that is attracting mosquitoes and other fauna.

Mr. Cramer’s second issue of concern is the open ditch on the east side of the Butte.  He has spoken with City of Hermiston employees and learned that there was discussion of piping this area.  Mr. Cramer was interested in learning more about the history of this area, finding out what the District’s future plans are for this area and to find out what he can do to help make the Butte safer for the citizens.

Manager Wilcox gave the group some history of the Butte area.  The City is developing that area and there are federal easements.  The City installed the current fencing at the District’s request.  The District does not have the funds to pipe the Butte area.  It would cost approximately $100,000.  As far as filling in the open ditch, a lot of fill dirt would have to be brought in because the tribes will not let material be graded from the side of the butte.

Mr. Cramer thanked the Board for their time and the information.  He would like to get contact information for the tribes to try to help with this situation.  Chairman Miller asked Mr. Cramer to leave his contact information and told him that Manager Wilcox would look into the matter and would be in contact with him.

Keith Morgan joined the meeting at approximately 4:00 p.m.

William Cramer left the meeting at 4:22 p.m.

The Board discussed the matter further and decided that first we need to look into the potential leak, and that Manager Wilcox will look into to the abandonment of the easement.

KEITH MORGAN-REQUEST FOR DRAIN FIELD:  Keith Morgan addressed the Board about resolving a problem that he is having with meeting DEQ regulations regarding installation of a septic system.  DEQ denied the Morgan’s request to put in a septic system and suggested amongst other things that they talk to the adjoining landowner and request an easement for their septic drain field.  The District is the adjoining landowner and Mr. Morgan is making such a request.  This seems to be the only option for the Morgan’s.  They had sample holes drilled in every other direction and ran into rock every time.  The Board discussed an above ground system with Mr. Morgan.  Mr. Morgan indicated that DEQ did not say where they stood on an above ground system.  It was suggested that Mr. Morgan speak with DEQ about the above ground system and contact Manager Wilcox if that is denied.

Keith Morgan left the meeting at 4:45 p.m.

ROBIN HARRIS, ANDERSON PERRY-DROP STRUCTURE:  Robin Harris reported to the Board that the District did not qualify for any of the grants that Anderson-Perry applied for.  Most of the grant requirements had to show benefits to the fish, wildlife, tribes, conservation, etc.  The only funding source that the District did qualify for was the SDAO Flexlease Program.

The new cost estimate for the Drop Structure is approximately $800,000.  The increase, as Mr. Harris explained it, is due to the ever increasing prices of structural concrete.  Mr. Harris can begin work on the engineering plans and have them ready by July 2007.  They will then have to be reviewed by the Bureau of Reclamation.

The Board gave Mr. Harris the approval to get started on the plans.

Robin Harris left the meeting at 5:02 p.m.

MINUTES:  The Board reviewed the minutes of the February 15, 2007 Regular Board Meeting, the February 20, 2007 Annual Meeting, the March 1, 2007 Special Meeting and the March 8, 2007 Regular Board Meeting.  Director Bergstrom moved to approve the minutes of each of these meetings as presented.  Director Lybrand seconded the motion.  There being no further discussion the motion carried unanimously.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS & VOUCHERS:  The Board reviewed the Profit & Loss Report for February 2007 and March 2007.  The Board reviewed and signed the February 2007 Voucher Report.  Voucher Numbers 34187 through 34237 were reviewed and approved. The Board reviewed and signed the March 2007 Voucher Report.  Voucher Numbers 34239 through 34309 were reviewed and approved.

OLD BUSINESS

EXCHANGE AGREEMENT:  There has still been no written progress made on the Agreement.  Manager Wilcox reported that he spoke with Tim Personius with the Bureau of Reclamation at a meeting in Boise, ID. Mr. Personius told Manager Wilcox that Ron Eggers has asked him to take over negotiations of the Exchange Agreement.  Mr. Eggers does not feel that he can make any further progress.

Manager Wilcox told Mr. Personius that the matter has been turned over to the District’s attorney, David Filippi, and that he should first contact Mr. Filippi directly and that we would move forward from there.  Manager Wilcox feels that this could be a productive change.  However, Mr. Filippi is out of the office for a number of weeks due to scheduling and family matters.

ERICKSON EASEMENT:  The District received correspondence from Attorney Doug Hojem advising the District that it should accept the agreement that Mr. Erickson was willing to sign and not to pursue this matter in court.  The Board instructed Manager Wilcox to have Mr. Hojem prepare the agreement and that the agreement be filed with the court’s to record the easement after it is signed.

NEW BUSINESS

OASIS PROJECT:  Nate Rivera with Umatilla Electric Co-Operative gave a presentation on the Oasis Project in March.  The Oasis Project is a bill that would allow withdrawals of additional water to be taken from the Mid Columbia River main stem.  Chairman Miller expressed a couple of concerns he had, but overall the Board did not object to the bill.

Director Lybrand moved that HID support the Oasis Project concept and that they encourage Oregon Water Resources Congress to do the same.  Director Bergstrom seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

2006 AUDITOR’S REPORT:  The District’s auditor, Jensen, Hamilton & Spratling LLP sent a copy of the 2006 Audit Report to each of the directors.  The director’s reviewed the report before this meeting.  Director Bergstrom moved to accept the 2006 Audit Report prepared by Jenson, Hamilton, Spratling, LLP, Certified Public Accountants.  Director Lybrand seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

CELL PHONE CONTRACT AND UPGRADES:  Manager Wilcox informed the Board that HID’s cell phone contract is up for renewal.  He also wanted to know about getting updated phones for the field crew.  US Cellular suggested two choices for possible upgraded phones.  The Board declined the two phones that US Cellular suggested.  Director Bergstrom suggested that the District get Motorola V325 phones because they have better reception out in field and are sturdier.  After some discussion, Director Bergstrom moved to renew the cell phone contract with US Cellular and to upgrade the District’s cell phones to Motorola V325. Director Lybrand seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

MANAGER’S REPORT

WATER REPORT:  Manager Wilcox reported that as of today there is 37,269 af in CSR.  We are currently running 78 cfs through CSAO.  ALTO is running at about 15cfs and the Maxwell canal is running at about 27 cfs.  Live flow from the river through the MAXO is 12 cfs.  Water was turned on April 9, 2007 and things are running smoothly so far.

MAINTENANCE REPORT:  The maintenance crew has installed a mechanical screen at the head of the Maxwell Canal.

ADJOURNMENT:  There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by Chairman Miller at 5:30 p.m.

Charles Miller                                                                    Annette V. Rambel

Chairman                                                                             Recording Secretary

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