January 11, 2018 District No. 2 Meeting Minutes

MINUTES Of the MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS Of the BUFFALO RAPIDS IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 2 Terry, Montana January 11, 2018 The ninth 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 January, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. There were present and participating at the meeting: Barry Rakes Lance Kalfell Scott Sackman Also present and participating were: Tim Kortum, Manager, and 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 December 13, 2017 Board Meeting 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 through January to all Board members for their review. A list of invoices to be paid was submitted and forms for the Prairie County Treasurer to transfer funds in the amount of $53,214.78, to cover payroll and invoices were signed. January 15th estimated payroll: $14,687.29; January estimated invoices $29,892.54; January 31st estimated payroll: $8,634.95. Investment transfer was also signed to invest the remaining monthly District No. 2 cash balances in the amount of $571,135.00 with Prairie County Pool. System Rehab Reserve Funds were also transferred to District 2 Cash O & M account, in the amount of $17,732.01, for annual Stockman Bank payment for Loan# 2340054230. Warrant numbers from December 15, 2017 to January 12, 2018 range from 24282 to 24333, no voided warrants. On a motion made by Scott Sackman and seconded by Lance Kalfell the treasurer’s report was approved. All in Favor. Motion Carried. Pat informed the members of the Board of the estimated annual carry over for the 2017 operating year. On a motion made by Lance Kalfell and seconded by Scott Sackman it was RESOLVED, To transfer $12,624.59 into System Rehab reserve account to reflect the estimated 2017 net income. All in favor. Motion carried. Pat also reported that she had completed and distributed all w-2's to employees and completed all required reporting for the 2017 year that is required at the time. She spoke with the members of the Board about the upcoming annual meeting. Everyone present agreed that the February meeting and the Annual meeting will be held on February 14, 2018 at 1:30 and 3:00. Pat will mail out notice to all producers in early February. A 2018 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 2018 Budget be approved. All in Favor. Motion carried. Pat presented quotes for a new copier and finisher for the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 office. The current copier unit has become obsolete and parts for the unit can no longer be purchased. The Star Printing & Supply Co. quoted a copier and finishing unit for the District that surpassed any other quotes submitted and it was RESOLVED, That Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 will authorize Tim Kortum, and Pat Davis to purchase a Kyocera Taskalfa 3252ci copier from Star Printing & Supply Co. for the amount of $7,200.00. All in Favor. Motion carried. Petition for Nomination was given to Mr. Scott Sackman who is up for nomination in the Terry Division. MANAGER’S REPORT: Mr. Tim Kortum spoke to the members of the Board about a letter received in the District No. 2 office from Morrison Sherwood Wilson Deola PLLP, attorneys at law, representing McAulay Ranch, concerning the excavation of a drain in Units 219 and 219-1. Mr. Kortum has contacted the Bureau of Reclamation, Billings area office, for some assistance with the issue. Tim stated that he is waiting to gather more information before he responds to the letter, but has in the interim spoke with the attorney representing McAulay Ranch and told him as such. The Board and Mr. Kortum spoke at length on the issue. Mr. Tim Kortum informed the District No. 2 members of the Board that the crew has been busy working in the shop, cleaning line shafts and lube tubes, along with changing bearing in lube tubes in preparation for installing pumps as the weather permits. Tim also informed all members present that K & S Electric will do some electrical work at the Shirley Pumping Plant and also some electrical work in the machine shop before the beginning of the water season. Tim Kortum and Pat Davis reported to the members of the Board that they have researched and marked all the lands on the maps sent by WGM Group that pertain to the water rights of the District. They are waiting to hear back if more information is needed and how to proceed. Tim Kortum informed the District No. 2 Board that he met with the area Montana Highway Department and the engineers from Dowl that are working in conjunction to determine the best way to proceed with the deuteriation of a culvert that runs under the interstate highway. The culvert in question supplies irrigation water for the Fallon Division and is instrumental in the operation of water delivery for Fallon. Tim stated that they will also be looking into modifying or bypassing a syphon that supplies water for the ROOR Lateral in the Fallon Division. The engineers along with Tim Kortum and Pat will work to supply information for water flow, and to ensure the District is not restricted during the irrigation season. Tim stated to all members present the they had received notice from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation that the funding for the Shirley Main Canal Lining grant will have to wait for further legislative action before it can be fully funded, due to revenue projection errors and historical wildfire suppression costs for the state. Tim informed the Board that he would still like to continue working on the canals and laterals throughout the next year in areas that also need improvement. The meeting was adjourned on a motion by Scott Sackman, seconded by Lance Kalfell. All in Favor. Motion Carried. ATTESTED: ________________________________ ____________________________________ Tim Kortum, Secretary Barry Rakes, President