November 11, 2021 District No. 2 Board Meeting Minutes

 

MINUTES

Of the

MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS

Of the

BUFFALO RAPIDS IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 2

Terry, Montana 

November 11, 2021

 

The Seventh 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 November 2021 at 1:30 p.m.

 

            There were present and participating at the meeting: 

Barry Rakes

Lance Kalfell

Jackson Dion

 Also present and participating were Tim Kortum, Secretary, Pat Davis, Treasurer, Josh Hadley, Shirley Ditch Rider.

 

            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 September 14, 2021 and October 13, 2021, Board Meetings, were approved without corrections and, or additions, by Lance Kalfell, seconded by Jackson Dion.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried

           

            FINANCIAL REPORT: 

            Pat Davis presented current budget figures which included payroll and expenditures through November 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 $50,789.60, to cover payroll and invoices were signed. November 15^th estimated payroll: $17,343.31, November estimated invoices $18,942.30, November 30^th estimated payroll: $14,503.99.    Investment transfer was signed to invest the remaining monthly District No. 2 cash balances in the amount of $332,691.35 with Prairie County Pool. In addition, transfers authorization sheet was signed for the purchase of: Fire Fighting Rig, JD Mower, and Pumping Plant Walkway materials. Funds were transferred from Equip & Emergency Reserve account to District 2 Cash O & M, for above stated expenses, in the total amount of $12,713.62.  Warrant numbers from September 16, 2021, to November 12, 2021 range from 26610 to 26695. 

 The treasurer's report was approved on a motion by Jackson Dion, seconded by Lance Kalfell.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried.

 

MANAGER’S REPORT: 

            Mr. Kortum stated to the members of the Board that he had received two bids for materials for the Lateral 1.6 Pipeline Project and is waiting for the final bid before ordering materials for the project.  

            Tim reported to the members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board that they have pulled pumps to perform maintenance during the off season.  They have pulled two pumps at the Fallon Relift Station, one pump at the Shirley Pumping Plant, and one at the Fallon Pumping Plant.  They will inspect, and if needed install, internal seals in the Shirley Discharge Lines to alleviate leakage.  The Fallon Relift Discharge Lines will be inspected as well while the pumps are out for maintenance.  All pipelines have been pumped out for the season.  The Heavy Equipment operator has been cleaning ditches and canals starting in the Fallon Division and moving across the District as needed.  Tim stated that they will have a plan to alleviate moss in the canal starting in the spring when the water season begins.  The members of the Board discussed the issues concerning the cleaning of the canals/laterals/drains with limited qualified employees, and how to deal with the issue in the years to come.  The crew is continuing to build and install new metal walkways in the pumping plants to help ensure safety.  

            Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 hosted the Bureau of Reclamation for an environmental compliance audit of the District on November 04, 2021.  After the on-site inspection was complete, they stated that all went very well. 

            Tim stated that they were waiting for the finalization documentation for the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 water rights.  No updates were available from the attorneys concerning the settlement agreement between the District and the McAulay Ranch Co. 

            Tim Kortum and the Board discussed the proposed employee contract.  Tim stated that he would like to speak with the employees about revisions to the contract.  On a motion made by Lance Kalfell and seconded by Jackson Dion, it was resolved to extend the contract date to December 31, 2021, between Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 and the Employees of Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2.  All in Favor, Motion Carried. 

            RESOLVED, To extend the contract agreement between Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 and the Employees of Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 to December 31, 2021.  All in Favor, Motion Carried. 

The Board discussed the proposed Managers contract for Mr. Timothy Kortum.  Mr. Kortum stated that he would like to change the contract terms and would present it at the next Board Meeting in December.  The Board agreed to table the proposed Managers contract until the next regularly scheduled Board Meeting. 

            The meeting was adjourned on a motion by Jackson Dion, seconded by Lance Kalfell. All in Favor.  Motion Carried. 

            ATTESTED:

 

________________________________                    ____________________________________

Tim Kortum, Secretary                                                                       Barry Rakes, President