MINUTES
Of the
MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS
Of the
BUFFALO RAPIDS IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 2
Terry, Montana
May 10, 2023
Before the meeting could be called to order, the following nominations, elections and appointments needed to be made:
At 7:02 p.m., the meeting was turned over to Jackson Dion who declared nominations or appointments open for President of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2. Barry Rakes was nominated by Lance Kalfell. Lance Kalfell made a motion, seconded by Jackson Dion, that all nominations cease, and a unanimous ballot be cast for Barry Rakes.
A unanimous ballot was cast for Barry Rakes, and it was,
RESOLVED, that Barry Rakes be and is hereby elected and appointed to the position of President of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2, to hold office until the twelfth regular meeting to be held in April of 2024, and/or until his successor is elected and qualified.
Mr. Rakes accepts his position.
At 7:03 p.m., the meeting was turned back to President Barry Rakes. President Barry Rakes declared nominations open for Vice President of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 with Jackson Dion being nominated by Lance Kalfell. Lance Kalfell made a motion, seconded by Barry Rakes, that all nominations cease, and a unanimous ballot be cast for Jackson Dion.
A unanimous ballot was cast for Jackson Dion, and it was,
RESOLVED,
that Jackson Dion be and is hereby elected and appointed to the position of
Vice President of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2, to hold office
until the twelfth regular meeting to be held in April of 2024, and/or until his
successor is elected and qualified.
Mr. Dion accepts his position.
At 7:04 p.m., nominations were open for Secretary of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 with Tim Kortum being nominated by Jackson Dion. Jackson Dion made a motion, seconded by Lance Kalfell, that all nominations cease, and a unanimous ballot be cast for Tim Kortum.
A unanimous ballot was cast for Tim Kortum, and it was,
RESOLVED, that Tim Kortum be and is hereby elected to the position of Secretary of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2, to hold office until the twelfth regular meeting to be held in April of 2024, and/or until his successor is elected and qualified.
Mr. Kortum accepts his position.
At 7:05 p.m., nominations were open for Treasurer of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2, with Jessica Schott being nominated by Lance Kalfell. Lance Kalfell made a motion, seconded by Jackson Dion, that all nominations cease, and a unanimous ballot be cast for Jessica Schott.
A unanimous ballot was cast for Jessica Schott, and it was,
RESOLVED, that Jessica Schott be and is hereby elected to the position of Treasurer of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2, to hold office until the twelfth regular meeting to be held in April of 2024, and/or until her successor is elected and qualified.
Ms. Schott accepts her position.
At 7:06 p.m., Barry Rakes declared nominations or appointments open for Commissioner of Shirley Division of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2, with Lance Kalfell having filed a nominating petition. Mr. Lance Kalfell's commission was uncontested by any other opponent for the three-year term. Jackson Dion made a motion to declare Lance Kalfell’s election by acclamation, seconded by Barry Rakes, and that a unanimous ballot be cast for Lance Kalfell.
A unanimous ballot was cast for Lance Kalfell, and it was,
RESOLVED, that Lance Kalfell be and is hereby elected and appointed to the position of Commissioner of Shirley Division of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2, to hold office until the twelfth regular meeting to be held in April of 2026 and/or until his successor is elected and qualified.
Mr. Kalfell accepts his position.
All nominations being made and accepted, the First Regular Meeting of the Members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2, at Terry, Prairie County, Montana, was called to order, held on the 10th day of May, 2023, at 7:08 p.m.
There were present and participating at the meeting:
Barry Rakes
Jackson Dion
Lance Kalfell
Also present and participating were: Tim Kortum, Manager, 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 April 12, 2023, Board Meeting, were approved without corrections and, or additions, by Lance Kalfell, seconded by Jackson Dion at 7:09 p.m. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT:
Jessica Schott presented current budget figures which included payroll and expenditures through May 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 $101,362.59, to cover payroll and invoices were signed at 7:17 p.m. May 15th estimated payroll: $23,415.51, May estimated invoices $53,820.22 May 31st estimated payroll: $24,126.86. An investment transfer was signed to invest the remaining monthly District No. 2 cash balances in the amount of $450,387.82 with the Prairie County Investment Pool. Warrant numbers from April 14, 2023 to May 11, 2023 range from 27588 to 27648.
The treasurer's report was approved at 7:18 p.m. on a motion made by Lance Kalfell, seconded by Jackson Dion. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
The members of the Board discussed and agreed to maintain the list of authorized signors for Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 until the twelfth regular meeting to be held in April of 2024. On a motion made by Lance Kalfell and seconded by Jackson Dion at 7:19 p.m., it was,
RESOLVED, that the Buffalo Rapids Project Irrigation District No. 2 Commissioners,
be authorized to sign on all Buffalo Rapids accounts, including the Secretary of
the Board, Mr. Tim Kortum, who is acting manager of the District. Resolution to
be effective May 10, 2023. Authorized signors are as listed: Fallon Division
Commissioner, Barry Rakes; Terry Division Commissioner, Jackson Dion; Shirley Division
Commissioner, Lance Kalfell; District Secretary, Tim Kortum.
All in Favor. Motion Carried.
MANAGER’S REPORT:
Mr. Tim Kortum informed all present that ditch burning, along with some vent and valve replacements for producers have been completed, and preparations for the 2023 water season are almost finished. He stated that they are tentatively planning to begin turning water on for the season on Tuesday, May 16th.
Tim Kortum reported that the surge tubes in Fallon had been removed/reassembled after the concrete had been patched to remedy the existing leak. Mr. Kortum also informed the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board that a hole in the canal liner at Jenny Reach in Shirley had been repaired. Tim Kortum then stated that the last of the preparations for the 2023 water season included the installation of the SensaPhone at the Shirley pump house, as well as checking the Williams Creek siphon for any obstructions that could be causing slow movement of water.
Lastly, Mr. Kortum provided an update on the Lateral 1.6 project, stating that Phase I was nearly complete, with the last few joints of pipe to lay, and backfill and cleanup left to finish.
An involved discussion was held regarding the upcoming insurance package with MACo expiring on June 30th. It was ultimately decided to reach out to local legislative representatives to request assistance in forming a cooperative or joint-risk pool for irrigation districts, and to the District’s legal representation, regarding the lack of response from the Bureau of Reclamation and their obligation to the District to ensure its’ assets are properly insured. Those present also posed the possible need for a special meeting with the District’s producers if insurance isn’t attainable or the cost is such that a consideration of further raising the assessment rates in order to offset the unbudgeted cost is necessary.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m. on a motion by Jackson Dion, seconded by Lance Kalfell. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
ATTESTED:
________________________________ ____________________________________
Tim Kortum,
Secretary Barry Rakes, President
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