December 11, 2013 District No. 2 Meeting Minutes

MINUTES Of the MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS Of the BUFFALO RAPIDS IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 2 Terry, Montana DECEMBER 11, 2013 The Eighth Regular Meeting of the members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 at Terry, Prairie County, Montana, was held on the eleventh day of December, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. There were present and participating at the meeting: Barry Rakes Scott Sackman Lance Kalfell Also present and participating were: Raymond Strasheim, Secretary; Pat Davis, Treasurer. President Barry Rakes 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 Barry Rakes 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 November 13, 2013 and November 15, 2013 Board Meetings were approved without corrections and, or additions, by Lance Kalfell seconded by Scott Sackman. All in Favor. Motion Carried FINANCIAL REPORT: Pat Davis presented current budget figures which included payroll and expenditures for December. A list of invoices to be paid was submitted and forms for the Prairie County Treasurer to transfer funds in the amount of $33,836.84, to cover payroll and invoices were signed. December 15th estimated payroll: $10,768.31; December estimated invoices: $15,659.03; December 31st estimated payroll: $7,409.50. Investment transfer was also signed to invest the remaining monthly District No. 2 cash balances in the amount of $401,257.00 with Prairie County Pool. On a motion made by Scott Sackman and seconded by Lance Kalfell the treasurer’s report was approved. All in Favor. Motion Carried. A 2014 budget was presented to the Board for approval. After some discussion the budget was approved by the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board of Commissioner. On a motion made by Lance Kalfell and seconded by Scott Sackman it was RESOLVED, that the 2014 Budget be approved. All in Favor. Motion carried. The Board discussed the proposed Managers contract. On a motion made by Lance Kalfell and seconded by Scott Sackman is was RESOLVED, To renew the Manager’s contract for a one year term for Mr. Raymond Strasheim with no increase in salary. All in favor. Motion carried. MANAGER’S REPORT: Mr. Strasheim informed the Board that he had received a letter from Mike Ames-Agri Industries that stated he would honor the agreement between Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 and himself. The difference in the cost of repairs was agreed by the Board to be paid. The pumps that were taken out for maintenance were taken to Agri Industries-Prairie Pump & Machine for necessary repairs. Ray Strasheim stated that there has been no response from Michael Laurent of Hydrolox since October. Ray has researched the price of the variable frequency drives and believes that it will cost more than the funds allotted to buy and install. Ray stated that he would like to work with Dave Schwarz to implement a better design to accomplish what is needed to decrease power demand. The Board agreed to have Ray work with Dave Schwarz on this project. Allen Gierke has taken one motor out of the Terry Pumping Plant for maintenance to Prairie Mountain Electric Motor. The Terry Discharge Line Rehabilitation grant and the Shirley Canal Lining Grant are waiting for correspondence to move forward from Performance Engineering. Ray has been working with Steve Davies of the Bureau of Reclamation, concerning a letter received in his office from B.N.S.F. Railroad. B.N.S.F. Railroad is planning to construct a new siding at Terry which would require an extension of a siphon that lies within the right-of-way. After a conference call between B.N.S.F. Railroad, Bureau of Reclamation and Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2, it was made aware that the construction would need to be completed by March of 2014. Steve Davies sent a letter of correspondence to B.N.S.F. Railroad stating that a March 2014 completion date is too accelerated of a time line to construct an extension of the siphon that will meet all necessary requirements for sound construction practices. Ray Strasheim and Bill Tusler, along with representatives from both the Bureau of Reclamation and B.N.S.F. Railroad will meet on site on Friday, December 13, 2013 at 0930. Ray informed the Board that he has received a quote from Cretex for a Hydratite internal joint seal that would alleviate the seepage problems on the discharge lines. The Board reviewed the quote and agreed it would be a viable option. Bill Tusler has cleaned some canals and drains in the Fallon Division. The crew has been busy repairing broken meters for producers. They have built and installed some new walkways for over the canals. The meeting was adjourned on a motion by Scott Sackman, seconded by Lance Kalfell. All in Favor. Motion Carried. ATTESTED: ________________________________ ____________________________________ Raymond Strasheim, Secretary Barry Rakes, President