MINUTES
of the
MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS
of the
BUFFALO RAPIDS BOARD OF CONTROL
Terry, Montana
February 10, 2009
The Tenth Regular Meeting of the members of the Buffalo Rapids Project Board of Control, at Terry, Prairie County, Montana, was held on the Tenth day of February, 2009, at 3:00p.m.
There were present and participating at the meeting:
Ray Roethle
Jim Finneman
James Whitmer
Brian Wittmayer
Ray Strasheim
Barry Rakes
Also present and participating were David Schwarz, Secretary, and Pat Davis, Assistant Secretary, and Machine Shop foreman Allen Gierke.
President Roethle called the meeting to order, stating that all necessary and advisable business be conducted during this time and that notice had been received by each Board Member.
Thereupon, President Roethle announced that legal notice had been given and a quorum was present so that the meeting was legally and lawfully ready to transact business.
The Minutes from the January 14, 2009 meeting were approved as corrected. Resolutions were approved as distributed.
FINANCIAL REPORT:
Pat Davis presented current budget figures which included payroll and expenditures for February. A list of invoices to be paid was submitted and forms for the Prairie County Treasurer to transfer funds to cover payroll and invoices were signed. S.T.I.P. investment transfers were also signed to invest the remaining monthly District I and District II cash balances.
Brian Wittmayer made a motion, seconded by James Whitmer, to approve the Treasurer’s report and the transfer of $45,517.46 for District I. Jim Finneman made a motion, seconded by Ray Strasheim, that the Treasurer’s report and the transfer of $32,290.16 for District II be approved. Motions carried. A transfer sheet was also signed for District I to transfer funds of $8,785.53 for the payment of pipe purchased due on Stockman Bank Loan.
Pat Davis advised the Board that Jamie Larsen, the water books secretary, had resigned in January. Pat will be assuming the position in addition to her other duties.
Pat spoke with the Board about three separate crossing agreements that Buffalo Rapids Project has with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. BNSF has subcontracted the collection for payment on these crossings to Railroad Management Systems. The original contract was for a ten year period of $150.00 per crossing paid up until 2014. Railroad Management Systems has now invoiced Buffalo Rapids for $150.00 per year per crossing. They have also informed us that the cost per crossing will increase to $500.00 per year per crossing in 2012. Dave will try to acquire an original crossing agreement with Buffalo Rapids Project and BNSF when the project was originally built. Pat is trying to contact Railroad Management Systems to talk with them concerning the increase, but has had no success to date. The Board recommended that the bill go unpaid and to acquire any finance charges until the subject can be discussed further with BNSF.
MANAGER’S REPORT:
Allen Gierke reported from the machine shop that they had Terry pumps number one, two, and three done. Fallon River pump would probably be done on Friday of this week. They would probably have the Fallon relift done next week. Glendive number two would be the only one left to work on, and work will progress later in the year. Allen stated that they had four pumps from Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project to work that came in on Monday.
Dave informed the members of the Board that he is to meet with Brent Mefford in Billings for the Fish Screening Project. The screens are ready to order. When weather permits and it has dried out they will pour the concrete for the apron at the Shirley plant.
The crew is working in the shop. They have been replacing the tracks on the 120 excavator. The instillation is close to completion.
Dave talked with the Board about Lateral 19.3. There seemed to have been a problem with not being able to deliver enough water down the lateral for the producers. Dave looked at the flow rates for the turnouts for the lateral for the last year, and spoke to the NRCS office on the original design of the pipeline. According to the water records there has been more water ran through the turnouts than the pipeline was ever designed for.
Dave informed the Board that he had been approached about putting in for the economic stimulus money that is available to Buffalo Rapids. Dave has put in for the four million dollars in funds that are available to the Project. Buffalo Rapids is one of the few irrigation districts that got on the funding list. Dave hopes to acquire funds to help with the Fish Screening Project, Canal Lining Project, repair of siphons, and other pipeline projects.
Tim Kortum and Dave Schwarz were present for a meeting at the Dawson County NRCS office. They discussed with the NRCS the thirteen pipelines that are scheduled for District I.
Dave has researched a way to possibly save Buffalo Rapids money on fuel costs through hydrogen supplemented fuel. The hydrolyser that converts water to useable hydrogen gas for fuel has been reported to work very well on many types of motors, and has changed fuel consumption up to 120 miles per gallon. Dave is designing one himself to use on one of Buffalo Rapids vehicles. If the system works, he will try and convert the entire fleet over to hydrogen supplemented fuel.
Pat informed the Board that Mr. Peplinski’s overage had been taken care of. The meter that was on that particular parcel of land had been calculating incorrectly. Through some research of Allen Gierke’s and Dave Schwarz along with Pat they determined that the meter was an acre foot meter and not a gallon meter.
James Whitmer asked Dave if Mr. Peplinski could return some fitting that would not fit correctly on his pipe. Mr. Peplinski stated that the fittings were slightly off from the dimensions ordered. Dave will ask Bill Fleckenstein and inquire into the possibility.
Dave spoke with the Board about a gas leak that was detected at the office in January. There was a faint odor of gas in the office and MDU was notified. They responded and confirmed a leak in the pipe next to the office. All employees were vacated from the building until the leak could be located and stopped. The repairs were made and Buffalo Rapids will be billed for any costs incurred. MDU stated that any costs of repairs were the customer’s responsibility if they were found past the meter.
Ray Strasheim questioned Ray Roethle on information that he had heard regarding his conduct while he was president of the Board of Control.
Jim Finneman had questions concerning an overage bill that was incurred by Mr. Bill Dolatta. The overage bill is still outstanding. Dave informed him that Mr. Dolatta had sold the land after the overage was incurred and that Buffalo Rapids was not aware of the sale of the land until too late to file a claim.
Next meeting will be held on March 11, 2009, at 3:00p.m.
There being no further business to be considered, and no objection, the said meeting of the Commissioners of the Buffalo Rapids Project Board of Control adjourned.
ATTESTED:
________________________________ ____________________________________David J. Schwarz, Secretary Ray Roethle,
of the
MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS
of the
BUFFALO RAPIDS BOARD OF CONTROL
Terry, Montana
February 10, 2009
The Tenth Regular Meeting of the members of the Buffalo Rapids Project Board of Control, at Terry, Prairie County, Montana, was held on the Tenth day of February, 2009, at 3:00p.m.
There were present and participating at the meeting:
Ray Roethle
Jim Finneman
James Whitmer
Brian Wittmayer
Ray Strasheim
Barry Rakes
Also present and participating were David Schwarz, Secretary, and Pat Davis, Assistant Secretary, and Machine Shop foreman Allen Gierke.
President Roethle called the meeting to order, stating that all necessary and advisable business be conducted during this time and that notice had been received by each Board Member.
Thereupon, President Roethle announced that legal notice had been given and a quorum was present so that the meeting was legally and lawfully ready to transact business.
The Minutes from the January 14, 2009 meeting were approved as corrected. Resolutions were approved as distributed.
FINANCIAL REPORT:
Pat Davis presented current budget figures which included payroll and expenditures for February. A list of invoices to be paid was submitted and forms for the Prairie County Treasurer to transfer funds to cover payroll and invoices were signed. S.T.I.P. investment transfers were also signed to invest the remaining monthly District I and District II cash balances.
Brian Wittmayer made a motion, seconded by James Whitmer, to approve the Treasurer’s report and the transfer of $45,517.46 for District I. Jim Finneman made a motion, seconded by Ray Strasheim, that the Treasurer’s report and the transfer of $32,290.16 for District II be approved. Motions carried. A transfer sheet was also signed for District I to transfer funds of $8,785.53 for the payment of pipe purchased due on Stockman Bank Loan.
Pat Davis advised the Board that Jamie Larsen, the water books secretary, had resigned in January. Pat will be assuming the position in addition to her other duties.
Pat spoke with the Board about three separate crossing agreements that Buffalo Rapids Project has with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. BNSF has subcontracted the collection for payment on these crossings to Railroad Management Systems. The original contract was for a ten year period of $150.00 per crossing paid up until 2014. Railroad Management Systems has now invoiced Buffalo Rapids for $150.00 per year per crossing. They have also informed us that the cost per crossing will increase to $500.00 per year per crossing in 2012. Dave will try to acquire an original crossing agreement with Buffalo Rapids Project and BNSF when the project was originally built. Pat is trying to contact Railroad Management Systems to talk with them concerning the increase, but has had no success to date. The Board recommended that the bill go unpaid and to acquire any finance charges until the subject can be discussed further with BNSF.
MANAGER’S REPORT:
Allen Gierke reported from the machine shop that they had Terry pumps number one, two, and three done. Fallon River pump would probably be done on Friday of this week. They would probably have the Fallon relift done next week. Glendive number two would be the only one left to work on, and work will progress later in the year. Allen stated that they had four pumps from Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project to work that came in on Monday.
Dave informed the members of the Board that he is to meet with Brent Mefford in Billings for the Fish Screening Project. The screens are ready to order. When weather permits and it has dried out they will pour the concrete for the apron at the Shirley plant.
The crew is working in the shop. They have been replacing the tracks on the 120 excavator. The instillation is close to completion.
Dave talked with the Board about Lateral 19.3. There seemed to have been a problem with not being able to deliver enough water down the lateral for the producers. Dave looked at the flow rates for the turnouts for the lateral for the last year, and spoke to the NRCS office on the original design of the pipeline. According to the water records there has been more water ran through the turnouts than the pipeline was ever designed for.
Dave informed the Board that he had been approached about putting in for the economic stimulus money that is available to Buffalo Rapids. Dave has put in for the four million dollars in funds that are available to the Project. Buffalo Rapids is one of the few irrigation districts that got on the funding list. Dave hopes to acquire funds to help with the Fish Screening Project, Canal Lining Project, repair of siphons, and other pipeline projects.
Tim Kortum and Dave Schwarz were present for a meeting at the Dawson County NRCS office. They discussed with the NRCS the thirteen pipelines that are scheduled for District I.
Dave has researched a way to possibly save Buffalo Rapids money on fuel costs through hydrogen supplemented fuel. The hydrolyser that converts water to useable hydrogen gas for fuel has been reported to work very well on many types of motors, and has changed fuel consumption up to 120 miles per gallon. Dave is designing one himself to use on one of Buffalo Rapids vehicles. If the system works, he will try and convert the entire fleet over to hydrogen supplemented fuel.
Pat informed the Board that Mr. Peplinski’s overage had been taken care of. The meter that was on that particular parcel of land had been calculating incorrectly. Through some research of Allen Gierke’s and Dave Schwarz along with Pat they determined that the meter was an acre foot meter and not a gallon meter.
James Whitmer asked Dave if Mr. Peplinski could return some fitting that would not fit correctly on his pipe. Mr. Peplinski stated that the fittings were slightly off from the dimensions ordered. Dave will ask Bill Fleckenstein and inquire into the possibility.
Dave spoke with the Board about a gas leak that was detected at the office in January. There was a faint odor of gas in the office and MDU was notified. They responded and confirmed a leak in the pipe next to the office. All employees were vacated from the building until the leak could be located and stopped. The repairs were made and Buffalo Rapids will be billed for any costs incurred. MDU stated that any costs of repairs were the customer’s responsibility if they were found past the meter.
Ray Strasheim questioned Ray Roethle on information that he had heard regarding his conduct while he was president of the Board of Control.
Jim Finneman had questions concerning an overage bill that was incurred by Mr. Bill Dolatta. The overage bill is still outstanding. Dave informed him that Mr. Dolatta had sold the land after the overage was incurred and that Buffalo Rapids was not aware of the sale of the land until too late to file a claim.
Next meeting will be held on March 11, 2009, at 3:00p.m.
There being no further business to be considered, and no objection, the said meeting of the Commissioners of the Buffalo Rapids Project Board of Control adjourned.
ATTESTED:
________________________________ ____________________________________David J. Schwarz, Secretary Ray Roethle,
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