CORCORAN IRRIGATION DISTRICT
January 9, 2024
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Corcoran Irrigation District was held on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at the office of the District, 1150 6 ½ Avenue, Corcoran, California at 9:00 a.m.
Directors Present:
- Matthew Gilkey
- Beau Howard
- Michael Boyett
- Erik Hansen
- Frederick Holt
Others Present:
- Devin Eagle, General Manager
- Misty Vasquez, Financial Officer
- Mike Martinez, Operations Manager
- John Gaugel, Wonderful Orchards
- Austin Williams, Farmland Management
There were no additions or deletions.
There were no announcements.
Upon motion of Director Hansen, seconded by Director Howard, and unanimously carried, the Board approved and authorized Mrs. Vasquez to draw Warrants on the Treasury of the District to pay invoices in the Warrant Register amounting to $390,769.15.
Upon motion of Director Howard, seconded by Director Gilkey, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the minutes of the December 12, 2023 District Board of Directors meeting as presented, but with the addition of “John Gaugel, Wonderful Orchards” and “Peter Nelson, Wonderful Orchards” to the list of attendees in the “Others Present” section.
Mr. Eagle reported the General Fund checking account balance of $231,535.68 beginning December 1, 2023 and $608,138.07 ending December 31, 2023.
Mr. Eagle reported on certificate of investments at Kings Federal Credit Union, having a December 1, 2023 balance of $285.469.64, earning interest of $533.40, resulting in ending balance of $286.469.64. The Kings County Treasurer investments balance beginning December 1, 2023 was $3,493,302.48, gaining no interest. $500,000.00 was transferred from the account to the District General Fund, resulting in an ending balance of $2,993,302.48 in the investment account. The District’s total investments, reported as of December 31, 2023, amounted to $4,033,491.14.
Mr. Eagle reported on the accounts receivable aging summary, with three growers delinquent.
Mr. Eagle reported December 2023 water deliveries of 1,491 acre-feet and canal use of 739 acre-feet. Combined water deliveries and canal use for December totaled 2,230 acre-feet. December water supplies were provided by surface water from the Kings and Kaweah River systems. December rainfall totaled 1.51 inches. 2023-2024 Water Year-to-date rainfall totaled 2.37 inches.
Mr. Eagle reported on the state of the District’s well field, with two wells in need of repairs. The current total well production was 0 CFS, with a potential of 122 CFS.
Mr. Eagle reported the Cost of Operations at $111.00 per acre-foot for the year.
Mr. Eagle asked the Board to consider adjusting the water toll rate to reflect current water conditions. The Board took no action. The current water toll rate remains at $100.00 per acre-foot.
Mr. Eagle informed the Board that the District had received an easement agreement request from Lakeside Pipeline, LLC (Lakeside). The agreement would grant Lakeside a nonexclusive, perpetual right of way and easement to construct and maintain a biogas pipeline under the District’s Highline canal south of Kansas Avenue. Mr. Eagle recommended the District require Lakeside to reimburse the District for necessary costs associated with a legal review of the agreement and an engineering review of the proposed project design. The board engaged in a thorough discussion on the proposal and, after careful consideration, advised Mr. Eagle to proceed with drafting an agreement between Lakeside Pipeline, LLC, and Corcoran Irrigation District stipulating that Lakeside would bear the costs associated with the review of their easement agreement and their project’s design, irrespective of the District’s decision to grant the requested easement.
Mr. Eagle provided a copy of a certified letter that the District’s legal counsel had sent to Mr. Villa of the Kings County Elections Department advising him of Director Holt’s appointment on December 12, 2023 to serve as Corcoran Irrigation District’s director for Division 2.
Mr. Eagle reported on Corcoran Irrigation District’s standing investment policy, and recommended the Board officially reaffirm the policy. Upon motion of Director Boyett, seconded by Director Holt, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the investment policy as presented.
Mr. Eagle informed the Board that there was no new information on Solar Projects.
Mr. Eagle informed the Board that there was no new information on California High Speed Rail.
Mr. Eagle informed the Board that the January El Rico GSA Board Meeting was cancelled. The Board discussed District policies and how new policies may need to be implemented to direct District operations within El Rico GSA. Upon motion of Director Gilkey, seconded by Director Boyett, and unanimously carried, the Board established an ad hoc committee to recommend District policy and procedural changes to the Board. Director Hansen, Director Howard, Mr. Eagle, and Mr. Gaugel were selected to the committee. The first meeting of the committee was scheduled to be held on February 7.
Mr. Eagle informed the Board that the District was working with FEMA on DR-4699-CA.
Next Board meeting was set for February 13, 2024.
There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:23 a.m.