GUESTS 

Russ Greene addressed the Board regarding a request for an alternate fencing proposal along the easement bordering his property. The Greene’s own property located at 4N2814AB 2700. The Greene’s would like to install a vinyl privacy fence instead of the cyclone fencing required by the District’s fencing policy. The Greene’s are proposing to have the fence located an additional 5’ from the edge of the easement. They are also proposing that the 5’ x 245’ sterile strip would maintained by the landowner. They are willing to have an agreement drawn up, recorded and attached to the title of the land.

After some discussion, Director Bergstrom moved to approve the Request for a Variance of the Fencing Policy for the Greene’s, allowing a 5’x 245’ sterile strip to be maintained by the landowner. Director Jeppeson seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously. Mr. Greene indicated that he would have the agreement drawn up and would have it forwarded to the District for approval.

Mr. Greene left the meeting at 4:27 p.m.

MINUTES 

The Board reviewed the minutes of the May 21, 2009, Regular Board Meeting and the minutes of the June 18, 2009, Regular Board Meeting (cancelled). Director Bergstrom moved to approve the minutes as presented. Director Jeppeson seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS & VOUCHERS

The Board reviewed the Profit & Loss Reports for May and June 2009. The Board reviewed and signed the May/June 2009 Vouchers Report and the June/July 2009 Vouchers Report. Vouchers Numbered 35921 through 35980 and 35981 through 36035 were reviewed and approved. The Board also signed expense checks.

OLD BUSINESS

EXCHANGE AGREEMENT: Manager Wilcox reported that there has been no progress in this matter.

CAMPBELL MOTORS-EASEMENT ENCROACHMENT: Manager Wilcox reported that the Bureau of Reclamation sent a letter to Campbell’s attorney George Anderson that served as written notice that the existing use of the easement is unauthorized and is thereby a trespass against the United States. The Notice requires Campbell Motors to remove all fencing located within the Reclamation’s easement and within 10-feet of the southerly edge of the North Hermiston Drain Pipeline and to submit an application requesting use of the Reclamation’s easement for all other remaining improvements within 30 days. Manager Wilcox noted that it is his understanding that Campbell gave his intention to comply with the Notice.

SURPLUS PROPERTY BIDS: Three bids were received for the 1997 Chevy S-10 that was advertised for sale. One was from Buwalda for $550, one from Dedlow for $952 and the third was from Geddes for $830. Director Bergstrom moved to accept the highest bid, being from Dedlow for $952. Director Locke seconded the motion and it carried, with Director Jeppeson abstaining from the vote.

POTENTIAL ELM STREET PROPERTY LAND SALE: Manager Wilcox reported that he was contacted by Jari Boechter from the Hermiston FFA Resource Center, Inc. (HFRC). Mr. Boechter expressed that the HFRC was again interested in purchasing the property and wanted to know if the District would be willing to agree to the same conditions discussed in previous negotiations. Mr. Boechter indicated that it is HFRC’s intention to pay HID more than half of the assessed price by the end of 2009 and pay the balance by the end of 2010, with the condition that if they were unable to secure the funds they would return the property to the District.

The land will have to be reappraised. The Hermiston School District will not be a partner in this agreement. The Board agreed to allow Manager Wilcox to move forward in negotiations of this potential land sale.

NEW BUSINESS

GREENE FENCING REQUEST: See Guests.

KONTUR EASEMENT REQUEST: Frank & Wanda Kontur own property located at 5N2828A 701. In 1998 the District agreed to a Reciprocal Access Easement between the District and Stuart Bonney. The easement was increased from 20’ to 30’ for mutual access and benefit of the landowner and the District and included three properties. The Kontur’s are requesting to be added to the recorded agreement, to gain access to parts of their property. Bonney’s three properties have been sold and the landowners agree to allow Kontur to be added to the agreement.

Director Bergstrom moved to approve Kontur’s request, with the same terms as are listed in Umatilla County Document No. 1998-3330002. Director Jeppeson seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously.

MANAGER’S REPORT

WATER REPORT: There is currently 13,204 af in CSR. We are currently running 149 cfs through CSAO. ALTO is running at about 20 cfs and the Maxwell canal is running at about 34 cfs. Live flow from the river through the MAXO is 14 cfs. The District has about 13,500 af in exchange credits.

UMATILLA BASIN COALITION UPDATE: Manager Wilcox reported that HB3369 was passed by the legislature. It was suggested that the Coalition write a letter of appreciation for support of the bill. The Coalition is a consensus, and since not all members were in support of the bill the Coalition will not be sending a letter of appreciation.

There is a meeting scheduled for July 17, 2009, between Manager Wilcox for HID, Mike Wick for Westland Irrigation District, Ray Kopacz for Stanfield Irrigation District and Chet Prior to discuss a letter that was sent from the Coalition requesting the use of the excess capacity of the Phase II infrastructure for recharge projects. To date the BOR has not acknowledged receipt of this letter.

COLD SPRINGS DAM INSPECTION: Manager Wilcox reported that there were no major concerns listed in the inspection report from the BOR. There may be a request to update the piers holding up the bridge leading to the tower and the house on the tower will need to be replaced eventually, it is beyond repair.

DROP STRUCTURE: Manager Wilcox reported that the District received a letter from CPR Group, Inc, the insurance company representing Swaggart Bros, Inc (SBI). In this letter CPR indicated that SBI was not responsible for the repairs that need to be made to the sloughing banks of the structure. Jeremy Morris with Anderson-Perry responded to the letter on behalf of the District explaining the terms of the contract with SBI.

A site visit will be necessary after the water in the reservoir recedes, which will probably be in late August to mid-September.

TVID TOUR: Manager Wilcox attended the Tualatin Valley Irrigation District tour. TVID was the last Bureau of Reclamation project authorized in the Pacific Northwest. The principal features of the Tualatin Project include Scoggins Dam, Henry Hagg Lake, Patton Valley Pumping Plant, Spring Hill Pumping Plant, and more than 120 miles of a piped distribution system.

PERSONNEL CHANGE: The west side ditch rider has been replaced with another employee through Barrett’s temp agency.

FYI-AUGUST MEETING DATE CHANGE: Due to conflicts with the August meeting date the meeting was rescheduled for Wednesday, August 19, 2009. Notices will be posted.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by Chairman Miller at 5:25 p.m.