MINUTES
Of the
MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS
Of the
BUFFALO RAPIDS IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 2
Terry, Montana
July 12, 2023
The Third Regular Meeting of the members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 at Terry, Prairie County, Montana, was held on the Twelfth day of July, 2023 at 7:00 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 at 6:58 p.m., 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 June 14, 2023, Regular Board Meeting, and the Minutes and Resolution from the June 29, 2023, Emergency Board Meeting were approved without corrections and, or additions, on a motion made by Jackson Dion seconded by Lance Kalfell at 7:00 p.m. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT:
Jessica Schott presented current budget figures which included payroll and expenditures through July 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 $50,212.20, to cover payroll and invoices were signed. July 15th estimated payroll: $14,889.84, July invoices $19,601.14, July 31st estimated payroll: $15,721.22. Investment transfer was signed to invest the remaining monthly District No. 2 cash balances in the amount of $491,119.94 with the Prairie County Pool. Warrant numbers from June 16, 2023, to July 13, 2023 range from 27713-27784.
The treasurer's report was approved at 7:18 p.m. on a motion by Jackson Dion, seconded by Lance Kalfell. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
Jessica
Schott presented to the Board Assessment projection worksheets to assist the
Buffalo Rapids Board in their review of the financials for the 2024 water
season assessments. After much discussion and consideration, the 2024
Operating Year assessments are set as follows. The amount per acre will remain
at $59.00 per acre.
O&M = $52.00
EQUIP RESERVE = $3.00
SYSTEM REHAB = $4.00
TOTAL = $59.00
At 7:41 p.m., on a motion made by Lance Kalfell made a motion to
accept the 2024 operating year assessments, seconded by Jackson Dion, it was
RESOLVED,
To assess $59.00 per acre for the 2024 Operating Year
Assessments for Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2.
The 2024 Water Overage rate is set
as follows: for the Overage Fee of $22.00 per acre foot. At 7:42 p.m., on a motion made by Lance
Kalfell and seconded by Jackson Dion, it was RESOLVED,
That the 2024 Water Overage Fee for Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 will be a fee of $22.00 per acre foot. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
MANAGER’S REPORT:
Tim Kortum informed the members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board that he had received a response from Chris Gomer, the Bureau of Reclamation representative in Billings, regarding the Bureau’s position on the Airport Authority’s engineering proposal for the construction of a new wildlife fence. Mr. Kortum advised that Mr. Gomer’s response indicated that Alternative 2 outlined in the engineering firm’s proposal appeared to be the least impactful to the existing irrigation infrastructure and would be the more preferable option. Mr. Gomer also stated that if the canal was relocated as indicated in Alternative 2, the existing easement there would need to be abandoned and a new one would need to be acquired from the landowner, Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2, and the Bureau of Reclamation, and that the Airport Authority or consultant would be wholly responsible for acquiring the new easement. After further and thorough discussion, and on a motion made by Jackson Dion, seconded by Lance Kalfell at 8:03 p.m., it was RESOLVED,
That Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 conditionally grants permission to KLJ Engineering, on behalf of Prairie County Airport Authority, to pursue Alternative No. 2 of the Wildlife Fence Project with partial Terry Main Canal relocation, as outlined in the November, 2022 proposal. The conditions defined by the members of the Buffalo Rapids District No. 2 Board are that any necessary land acquisitions be made first, after which a new easement be acquired from the landowner, Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2, and the Bureau of Reclamation to grant access to the canal for use, maintenance, seasonal preparations, and any necessary future rehabilitation or improvements. Land and easement acquisition, as well as any costs associated with the relocation and construction of the outlined section of the irrigation canal, shall be the sole responsibility of Prairie County Airport Authority. Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 expressly does not commit any funds or in-kind labor to this project at this time. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
Tim Kortum further reported to the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board that the pump motor that was taken to Prairie Mountain in Bowman, ND for the replacement of bearings and sleeve endbells was finished and fully operational and would be picked up by District employees when scheduling allows.
Mr. Kortum also reported that there was an ongoing electrical issue with Pump No. 2 at Shirley, and that Dustin Gundlach from K & S Electric was on-site at the present moment in Shirley to diagnose the issue. Mr. Kortum stated that he would report the findings to the board at the subsequent meeting.
Tim Kortum additionally informed the board that Jareth was currently working on repainting all pumphouse floors due to their deterioration and minor damage from ice. He stated that the project was about 50% complete and would continue over the next couple of weeks. Mr. Kortum also mentioned that asphalt millings had been received by the District from Martin Construction, the contractors replacing portions of the interstate and highway in and around Prairie County, that will be shared with the Prairie County Road Department. Mr. Kortum stated that the millings will be stored at the Prairie County Fairgrounds, and he plans to use the material to fill in the graveled areas at the main office and shop location, as well as re-gravel the roadway at Shirley.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m. on a motion by Jackson Dion, seconded by Lance Kalfell. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
ATTESTED:
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