Hermiston Irrigation District
Board of Directors
November 18, 2010
Regular Board Meeting Minutes
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Miller called the November 2010 Regular Board Meeting of the Hermiston Irrigation District (District) Board of Directors to order at about 4:00 p.m. The meeting was held in the District office building. Also present at the meeting were Directors Mike Bergstrom, Len Jeppeson, Craig Coleman and Wes Locke; District Manager, Jeremy Bolen; Consultant, Chuck Wilcox; Lanie Paquin, Acting Manager of the Bureau of Reclamation’s Umatilla Field Office and Recorder, Annette Rambel-Kirkpatrick.
GUESTS:
LANIE PAQUIN-ACTING MANAGER OF THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION UMATILLA FIELD OFFICE: Ms. Paquin introduced herself to the BOD. She expects to stand as the Acting Manager at the Umatilla Field Office until mid-December.
MINUTES: The Board reviewed the minutes of the October 14, 2010, Regular Board Meeting. Director Bergstrom moved to approve the minutes as presented. Director Locke seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS & VOUCHERS: The Board reviewed the Profit & Loss Report for October 2010. The District Manager gave a verbal summary of the financials and answered questions from the Board. The Board reviewed and signed the October/November 2010 Vouchers Report. Vouchers Numbered 36926 through 36986 were reviewed and approved. The Board signed expense & payroll checks.
OLD BUSINESS
THEATER LANE LAND SALE & RESOLUTION: District Manager Bolen reported there has been no action on this matter this month.
CERTIFICATION & LIMITED LICENSE: Consultant Wilcox reported that he and the District’s attorney, David Filippi, met with OWRD representatives. They agreed that there should be two separate certificates, one for storage and one for usage. They were going to make some contacts to try to get the storage certificate issued. Once the storage certificate is issued it will help support our position with the limited license.
UMATILLA BASIN COALITION & COMMISSION: Manager Bolen reported that the Coalition is proceeding with the 6,000 af project. They are going to try to get all of the permits to be able to get water on the ground this year. They are going to try to extend out to Boardman Tree Farm. They have contacted the Bureau about being able to use the exchange Feed water for Columbia River water.
ELECTIONS:
Wesley Locke received and accepted his Certificate of Election for sole nomination.EXCHANGE AGREEMENT: There has been no progress in this matter. Consultant Wilcox explained that the water rights certification needs to be resolved before the Agreement can be finalized.
NEW BUSINESS
2011 BUDGET: District Manager Bolen discussed the budget and answered questions from the Board. The Board will have a chance to review the budget further and a final budget will be presented at a future meeting for approval.
SERVICE TRUCK DAMAGE: On October 29, 2010, district vehicle #24, a 1998 Dodge Service Truck, was set on fire after work hours while parked in the shop yard. There was extensive damage to the rear of the truck. The incident has been investigated by Hermiston PD and Fire and a claim has been submitted to SDAO. It would cost approximately $13,000 to repair the vehicle and approximately $15,000 to replace it. District Manager Bolen has negotiated a settlement with SDAO of $9,000 for the truck plus an additional $1500 for the loss of tools and materials. Director Bergstrom moved to accept the settlement from SDAO as negotiated by District Manager Bolen. Director Locke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
MANAGER’S REPORT
WATER REPORT: There is currently 2,467 af in CSR. There is a 4,358 af carryover of exchange credits. The District began building exchange credits on November 2, 2010.
MAINTENANCE REPORT:
Feed Canal maintenance is continuing. The crew is gearing up to begin the 8400’ conservation project on the LA-Line.Dave Skeen has passed all tests and required for permanent employment with the District. His six month probationary period will be met on March 1, 2011.
FYI: Chairman Miller, Director Bergstrom, Director Jeppeson, District Manager Bolen, and Consultant Wilcox will be attending the OWRC Conference being held November 30-December 3, 2010 in Hood River, OR.
Dave Skeen and Wyatt Cleaver will be attending BOR dam tender training being held in Boise, ID on December 6-8, 2010.
SDAO has coordinated a Board Member training to be held in Pendleton, OR at the Red Lion Inn on January 17, 2011. More information will be handed out at the OWRC Conference.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by Chairman Miller at 5:00 p.m.
_______________________________ ________________________________
Charles Miller Annette Rambel-Kirkpatrick
Chairman Recording Secretary