Jon Skidmore

The Board meeting addressed significant public concerns during the Open Forum, where residents protested COID land being considered for a landfill, citing issues with water rights, noise, dust, and agricultural land diminution. The Board decided to add the landfill matter to the August meeting agenda for further discussion. A request to switch a patron's water from temporary to permanent status was also suggested for the August meeting. The Board approved water right transfers as presented. Reports were given on Watermaster activities noting decreased natural flow due to high temperatures, Operations and Maintenance including updates on the CO intake project timeline expected in August, Hydro Report concerning Power Purchase Agreement negotiations, Internal Operations, and Finance budget standings. Old Business included updates on the Merkley PL 566 public meetings timeline, Grant Funding status, ongoing DBWC involvement, and confirming the Central Oregon Canal Future Intake Project will be a capital ask in August. New Business involved updating the fee schedule for OWRD transactions due to state fee increases. An Executive Session was held to deliberate on real property transactions and consult with counsel regarding litigation.

The meeting included Open Forum discussions where patrons requested improvements in communication regarding water delivery data and discussed the implementation of the water bank bill. A request was made by Desert Meadows HOA to waive assessments to fund system updates to eliminate cross-contamination, which was deferred pending a written request. Reports covered updates on reservoir levels and canal leak detection, progress on over 30 maintenance projects, negotiations for extending the hydro interconnection agreement, commitment to improved patron communication via newsletters and website, and a presentation on draft 2026 budgets, including scenarios for rate increases and investment performance analysis. Old Business covered progress on the Merkley PL 566 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and associated public meetings, confirmation of expected grant funding, updates on DBWC chapter reviews, and approval for emergency repairs to the Central Oregon Canal Intake Project. Resolution 2025-6 concerning the Patron Call Out Fee was approved. The board also addressed election matters, confirming the election for Division 2 and noting that Division 3 will be filled by appointment. New Business included an investment fund performance review and a discussion on water pricing due to state transfer fee increases. The board convened in Executive Session to deliberate on real property transactions and consult with counsel regarding litigation.

The meeting began with the organization of the COID Board, which included administering the Oath of Office to Jeff Larkin for Division 2 and appointing Jim Fields to Division 3, followed by his Oath of Office. Board officers and committee assignments were unanimously kept the same as the previous year. The Board unanimously approved four resolutions for District Business for 2026: Financial and Investment Transactions, Public Meetings, General Administration, and Water Rights Exit Policy Annual Calculation Approval. During the Open Forum, the Board heard concerns regarding less than one acre service fees and issues related to Brasada Ranch horseback riders accessing a COID easement, which were scheduled for further discussion. The Board approved water rights transfers and the purchase of Central Oregon Canal water for $15,000. Reports were provided on Watermaster activities, Operations and Maintenance, Hydro generation, Internal Operations, and Finance. In Old Business, updates were given on the Merkley PL 566 project, with the EIS public meeting planned for early March, and approval was granted to use $500,000 of the RCPP Grant for technical assistance. Staff updates were provided on the DBWC and the Central Oregon Canal Intake Project. New Business included a request from Desert Meadows HOA to forgive the 2025 season assessment due to cross-contamination issues, and a patron matter from Marla Gibson regarding water rights transfers and fee waivers, both scheduled for Executive Session discussion. The Board unanimously approved the 2026 Memorandum of Action to Foreclose. The session included an Executive Session to consult on real property transactions and potential litigation. Finally, the Board unanimously re-established the Pleasant Ridge Property as Surplus/Excess property.

The meeting included reports and discussions on several operational matters. The Watermaster Report covered current reservoir levels, river flows, and issues with the Central Oregon Canal gage. The Operations and Maintenance Report addressed season startup issues, repairs, and a homeless camp on district property. The Hydro Report noted well-operating conditions and upcoming repair projects for the headgate structure, with a potential capital ask later in the year, and planned a field trip board meeting for the fall. The Internal Operations & Communications update covered the quarterly newsletter launch and the testing phase of the new WINN replacement program. Finance reviewed billings and payroll. Under Old Business, updates were provided on the Merkley PL 566 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process, stating hope for final sign-off soon to begin public meetings, and noted that USDA Water Savings Grant Program funds remain on hold, while BOR Grant Awards are expected to begin releasing funds in late spring/early summer. The Board recessed to Executive Session to deliberate on real property transactions and consult with counsel regarding current or likely litigation. The regular session concluded with the unanimous approval of Billings and Payroll.

The meeting addressed several patron concerns during the open forum, including issues regarding property access, bridge repair needs, water rights transfer information, and unresolved ditch cleaning requests. Additionally, the Board discussed cross-contamination issues with a local Homeowners Association and proposed meeting with staff to resolve water rights removal options. Reports were presented on Watermaster activities, including expected stock water runs contingent on canal repairs, and Operations and Maintenance, noting sink hole repairs and research into a $35,000 emergency sleeve repair kit. The Finance report indicated loan payoffs were completed under budget. Old Business included updates on the Merkley PL 566 draft EIS review timeline, SPP Property updates, and technical assistant funding availability from the USDA Water Savings Grant Program. New Business involved agreement to grant a temporary construction easement to NUID for facilities access and agreement to proceed with the 2024 audit. Patron matters concerning a bridge replacement request and a Public Information Request fee waiver from OPB were scheduled for executive session deliberation.