December 21, 2022 District No. 2 Board Meeting Minutes

 MINUTES

Of the

MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS

Of the

BUFFALO RAPIDS IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 2

Terry, Montana 

December 21, 2022 

The Eighth Regular Meeting of the members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 at Terry, Prairie County, Montana, was held on the Twenty-first day of December, 2022 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, and Jessica Schott, 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 and Resolutions from the November 9, 2022, Board Meeting, were approved without corrections and, or additions, by Jackson Dion seconded by Lance Kalfell.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried.

            FINANCIAL REPORT:

Jessica Schott presented current budget figures which included payroll and expenditures through December 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 $85,139.85, to cover payroll and invoices were signed. December 15^th processed payroll including annual bonus: $22,830.28, December invoices $47,693.69, December 31^st estimated payroll: $14,615.88.  In addition, a transfer authorization sheet was signed for the MDOT Fallon Pipeline MDU Expense for 2022 in the amount of $1,663.38 from the System Rehab Reserve account.  Investment transfer was signed to invest the remaining monthly District No. 2 cash balances in the amount of $629,669.51 with the Prairie County Pool.  Warrant numbers from November 11, 2022, to December 22, 2022 range from 27344-27422.

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

Jessica Schott announced to the Board that she had received notifications from MACo and Watts Insurance Agency that MACo would no longer be providing insurance coverage to special/irrigation districts upon expiration of the current policy term, June 30, 2023.  Ms. Schott stated that she has been in contact with Delite at Watts Insurance to begin applications to receive quotes from other insurance companies.  Mr. Lance Kalfell also suggested she reach out to the Bureau of Reclamation to inquire about possible access to an insurance market.

Ms Schott also stated that she had reached out to Scott Aspenlieder at Performance Engineering regarding grant funding for the GPS mapping of each division, as well as the digitalizing of the District’s original maps and documents.  He will follow up with her regarding funding source options for these projects in January.

Ms. Schott reported to the District No. 2 Board that the application for the boring/crossing permit for Phase II of the Lateral 1.6 Conversion project had been completed and submitted and the District was now awaiting a response.

            MANAGER’S REPORT:

            The Board discussed the proposed Manager’s Contract for Mr. Timothy Kortum.  The contract was presented with no changes, excepting the update to the current term dates.  The Board agreed to accept the proposed Manager’s Contract for Mr. Timothy Kortum for a term of one year, or until a suitable replacement is found.  On a motion made by Jackson Dion and seconded by Lance Kalfell, it was

    RESOLVED, To accept the proposed Manager’s Contract, for a one year term, for Mr. Timothy Kortum.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried.

            Tim Kortum reported staff updates to the District No. 2 Board, including the announcement that Ben Wollman planned to retire from the District following the spring/regular season preparations in April 2023.  Rob Mooney will be promoted to a full-time position beginning January 1^st, and will be trained by Ben on the Fallon ditch.  Bruce Lantis will remain on the Terry ditch, and Josh Hadley will remain on the Shirley ditch.  Mr. Kortum also stated that he may be looking for a few more part-time workers to aid with spring preparations due to the final retirement plans of two seasonal employees.

            Mr. Kortum provided an update regarding the Lateral 1.6 Pipeline Conversion project, stating that about 2,400 feet of pipe had been laid and the headgate had been installed.  Construction has stopped due to the snow and cold weather, but the project will be ready for continuation as soon as the snow has melted.

            Tim Kortum reported to the District No. 2 Board that Jareth Hadley, student of Terry High School, would begin a work-study program with the District in January, as per an approved contract with School District No. 5.  Terry High School will be responsible for the student’s off-site worker’s compensation insurance, and Strad Benjamin will be his supervisor at Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2. 

            Mr. Kortum stated that the Magnum Hydraulic Hammer purchased in October was found by RDO technicians to be fully functional.  The technicians suggested mechanical adjustments that could be made to the District’s excavator for more efficient operation of the hammer, and processed the check for the purchase price of $11,000.00.

            A brief discussion regarding the Wildlife Fence plans for the Prairie County Airport Authority was had, and it was determined that no action was needed from the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board at this time.

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

            ATTESTED:

________________________________                    ____________________________________

Tim Kortum, Secretary                                               Barry Rakes, President