CORCORAN IRRIGATION DISTRICT
March 08, 2022
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Corcoran Irrigation District was held on Tuesday, March 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: None
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
- Aubrey Mauritson, District Counsel
There were no additions, deletions or announcements.
The Board of Directors, Ms. Mauritson and Mr. Kilgore went into closed session at 9:00 a.m.
Director Rietkerk reconvened open session at 10:00 a.m. No action reportable.
Upon motion of Director Gilkey, seconded by Director Boyett, 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 $575,405.48.
Upon motion of Director Boyett, seconded by Director Gilkey, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the minutes of the February 8, 2022 District Board of Directors meeting with changing P&P in the fourth paragraph to Provost and Pritchard.
Ms. Stephens reported the beginning February 1, 2022 General Fund checking account balance of $2,737,369.59 and ending February 28, 2022 balance of $3,328,865.10.
Ms. Stephens reported on certificate of investments at Kings Federal Credit Union, having a beginning February 1, 2022 balance of $278,258.43 earning interest of $160.09, amounting to an ending balance of $278,418.52. The Kings County Treasurer investments beginning February 1, 2022 balance reported was $4,352,110.02, earning interest of $14,472.05, amounting to an ending balance of $4,366,582.07. The District’s total investments, reported as of February 28, 2022 amounted to $4,645,000.59.
Ms. Stephens reported on the accounts receivable aging summary, with no growers being delinquent.
Mr. Kilgore stated the February 2022 water deliveries totaled 6,113 acre-feet. Canal use totaled 1,832 acre-feet. Total water deliveries and Canal Use to date was 7,945 acre-feet, respectively. February water supplies provided by the well field. There was 0.05 rainfall in February. Rainfall reported to date was 4.21 inches. Kings water entitlement for February to-date was 492 acre-feet. As of February 1, observed water content was 58% of April 1.
Mr. Eagle reported on the state of the District’s well field with 10 wells in need of repairs or current in repairs.
Mr. Kilgore reported the Cost of Operations at $60.00 per acre-foot for the year.
Mr. Kilgore presented the 2022 Budget Variance with no concerns from the Board.
Mr. Kilgore presented the M. Green & Co. Engagement Letter for the 2021 Pension Audit. Upon motion of Director Howard, seconded by Director Hansen and unanimously carried, the Board approved the engagement letter for the 2021 Pension Audit.
Mr. Kilgore presented the Solar Powered Ag, LLC Request to Amend the Solar Power & Services Agreement. The amended agreement defines the footprint for the Solar Project and as-built solar output. Upon motion of Director Hansen, seconded by Director Gilkey and unanimously carried, the Board approved the request to amend the Solar Power & Services Agreement.
Mr. Kilgore presented the Draft Notice of Exemption for the Floatable Solar Project. Exemption was determined to meet all requirements of CEQA and Environmental impact analysis. Upon motion of Director Gilkey, seconded by Director Boyett and unanimously carried, the Board approved the request to adopt the notice of exemption for the floatable solar project.
Mr. Kilgore informed the Board the need to appoint representatives for Corcoran Irrigation Company (CIC). After some discussion, upon motion of Director Hansen, seconded by Director Boyett and unanimously carried, the Board approved keeping Mr. Kilgore and Director Gilkey as the CIC’s representatives.
Mr. Kilgore indicated the Board was required to appoint a representative for Peoples Ditch Company. After some discussion, upon motion of Director Boyett, seconded by Director Hansen and unanimously carried, the Board approved keeping Mr. Kilgore as the Peoples Ditch Company representative.
Mr. Kilgore asked the Board to review and adopt restatement of Corcoran Irrigation District (CID) Money Purchase Pension Plan (MPPP). Hardship Loans had been added to the MPPP. After some discussion and motion of Director Hansen, seconded by Director Boyett and unanimously carried, the Board approved the restatement of CID’s Money Purchase Plan.
Mr. Kilgore updated the Board on Grant Funding. The application for the Pipeline Conveyance Project had been submitted and waiting to see if CID will receive the grant funding for it. The second grant for Salyer Reservoir is also in the process. Project that would increase storage as well as increase the recharge area. Mr. Kilgore also informed the Board; the Land Repurposed Grant would be opening soon. This grant may allow the District to buy farmland and retire the land from farming and repurpose it into a reservoir or other non-agricultural operation.
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. CHSRA still needs have a design for the West Branch Canal so that the design would not impact CID’s upper stream water elevation. Mr. Kilgore also informed the Board that April 1st was the deadline for CHSRA to remove the dams blocking the flow of water at Highway 43 and Nevada Avenue where
the Main Canal intersects with the Sweet Canal.
Mr. Kilgore informed the Board that the 5-megawatt solar on Sec. 23 had received the permit to operate last week and was producing power.
Mr. Kilgore informed the Board that the El Rico meeting scheduled for March 8th had been canceled.
Next Board meeting was set for April 12, 2022.
There being no further business before the Board, meeting was adjourned.