CORCORAN IRRIGATION DISTRICT
February 08, 2022
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Corcoran Irrigation District was held on Tuesday, February 08, 2022, at the office of the District, 1150 6 ½ Avenue, Corcoran, California at 9:00 a.m.
Directors Present:
- Peter Rietkerk
- Matthew Gilkey
- Michael Boyett
- Erik Hansen
- Beau Howard
Directors Absent:
Others Present:
- Gene Kilgore, General Manager
- Misty Vasquez, Human Resources
- Mike Martinez, Operations Manager
- Tammy Stephens, Office Administrator
- Devin Eagle, Operations Technician
- Fred Holt, Landowner
Mr. Kilgore announced the El Rico meeting would take place at 1:00 pm today.
Upon motion of Director Hansen, seconded by Director Howard, and unanimously carried, the Board approved and authorized Mrs. Stephens to draw Warrants on the Treasury of the District to pay invoices in the Warrant Register amounting to $388,590.54.
Upon motion of Director Boyett, seconded by Director Gilkey, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the minutes of the January 11, 2022 District Board of Directors meeting as presented.
Ms. Stephens reported the beginning January 1, 2022 General Fund checking account balance of $2,465,234.03 and ending January 31, 2022 balance of $2,737,457.04.
Ms. Stephens reported on certificate of investments at Kings Federal Credit Union, having a beginning January 1, 2022 balance of $278,081.30 earning interest of $177.13, amounting to an ending balance of $278,258.43. The Kings County Treasurer investments beginning January 1, 2022 balance reported was $4,352,110.02, with no interest reported. The District’s total investments, reported as of January 31, 2022 amounted to $4,630,368.45.
Ms. Stephens reported on the accounts receivable aging summary, with no growers being delinquent.
Mr. Kilgore stated the January 2022 water deliveries totaled 4,757 acre-feet. Canal use totaled 12,356 acre-feet. Total water deliveries and Canal Use to date was 17,113 acre-feet, respectively. January water supplies provided by the well field. There was no rainfall in January, driest on record. Rainfall reported to date was 4.16 inches. Kings water entitlement for January to-date was 494 acre-feet. As of February 1, observed water content was
58% of April 1.
Mr. Kilgore reported on the state of the District’s well field with four wells in need of repairs. Current available production was 65 CFS with a potential of 120 CFS.
Mr. Kilgore presented the Cost of Operations was $106/acre-foot for the year.
Mr. Kilgore presented the current District Investment Policy with no recommended revisions and to approve the policy as stated. Upon motion of Director Gilkey, seconded by Director Howard and unanimously carried, the Board approved the current investment policy as presented.
Mr. Kilgore presented the draft Drought Contingency Plan. The plan provides guidelines on how the District may operate during dry years. Upon motion of Director Hansen, seconded by Director Gilkey, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the Drought Contingency Plan with revision to the Future Drought Prediction and Drought Response Actions sections.
After initial review, Mr. Kilgore stated the pipeline project qualified for a determination under CEQA for a Categorical Exemption defined under Section 15282(k): Short pipeline installation. After discussion, a motion of Director Hansen, seconded by Director Boyett, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the authorization of the Pipeline Conveyance Project Notice of Exemption.
Mr. Kilgore informed the Board that California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) would be moving the System Access structure located on the Sweet Canal adjacent to Nevada Avenue, to the west of the original design, to avoid the overhead transmission powerlines and CHSRA lawsuit against the District that was filed on July 5, 2016 has been settled in favor of District.
Mr. Kilgore informed the Board that there are new grants coming up in the near future and projects should be “shelf” ready. Mr. Kilgore and Provost and Pritchard Engineering are working on the Prop 68 grant in coordination with El Rico GSA and the Drought efficiency grant.
Mr. Kilgore informed the Board that there was no new information regarding Solar Projects.
In coordination with El Rico GSA Prop 68 grant opportunities, Mr. Kilgore presented the Board with Resolution No. 2022-3 Authorizing the Salyer Reservoir Project. This would allow for Corcoran Irrigation District to hold Kaweah water by increasing storage as well as increasing the recharge area. Upon motion of Director Hansen, seconded by Director Gilkey and unanimously carried, the Board approved Resolution No. 2022-3 approving Salyer Reservoir Project.
Mr. Kilgore informed the Board that there were new Proposed Legislation bills:
- AB 1001, which deals with air and water quality impacts
- SB 463, which deals with landowner or water right holders right to modify, repair, or replace jointly used conduits
- SB 832, which deals with measurement of diversion
The Board of Directors and Mr. Kilgore went into closed session.
Reconvened to open session, a motion of Director Gilkey, seconded by Director Howard and unanimously carried, the Board approved payroll increase of 11%, to be allocated by Mr. Kilgore to employees that earned an increase in compensation. The Board raised the manager’s salary to $155,000. The Board also added a $2.00 night differential starting at 1900 hours until 0500 hours. The Board made raises and night differential effective
February 6, 2022.
Mr. Kilgore presented the 2022 Budget and upon motion of Director Hansen, seconded by Director Boyett, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the 2022 Budget as presented.
Next Board meeting was set for March 8, 2022.
There being no further business before the Board, meeting was adjourned.