November 8, 2023 District No. 2 Board Meeting Minutes

 MINUTES

Of the

MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS

Of the

BUFFALO RAPIDS IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 2

Terry, Montana

November 8, 2023

The Seventh Regular Meeting of the members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 at Terry, Prairie County, Montana, was held on the Eighth day of November, 2023 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 at 1:25 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 October 11, 2023, Regular Board Meeting were approved without corrections and, or additions, on a motion made by Lance Kalfell and seconded by Jackson Dion at 1:26 p.m.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried.

            FINANCIAL REPORT:

Jessica Schott presented current budget figures which included payroll and expenditures through October 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 $129,871.70, to cover payroll and invoices were signed. November 15^th estimated payroll: $17,034.70, November invoices $97,058.52, November 30^th estimated payroll: $15,778.48.  Additional transfer authorization forms were presented to transfer a total of $118,581.36 of reimbursable funds from Reserve accounts as follows: $66,882.08 from Equipment & Emergency Reserve account to District 2 Cash O & M for the first installment on Loan 2340058856; $11,304.13 from Equipment & Emergency Reserve account to District 2 Cash O & M for expenses incurred for the rental of the CAT 330 excavator from Tractor & Equipment Co. for use in the Lateral 1.6 Pipeline Conversion project; $3,203.75 from Equipment & Emergency Reserve account to District 2 Cash O & M for the expense of the final design plans by Performance Engineering for Phase II of the Lateral 1.6 Pipeline Conversion project; and $37,271.40 from Equipment & Emergency to District 2 Cash O & M for operating expenses, due to unforeseen expenses.  At 1:40 p.m., all transfer authorizations and an investment statement were signed to invest the remaining monthly District No. 2 cash balances in the amount of $205,676.51 with the Prairie County Investment Pool on a motion made by Jackson Dion and seconded by Lance Kalfell.  All in Favor. Motion Carried.  Warrant numbers from October 13, 2023, to November 9, 2023 range from 27944-27993.

The treasurer's report was approved at 1:45 p.m. on a motion by Lance Kalfell, seconded by Jackson Dion.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried.

            MANAGER’S REPORT:

            Tim Kortum informed the members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board that Agri Industries’ boring machine had to be taken to Billings for diagnostics and repairs which has delayed the completion of the bore beneath the railroad tracks for the Lateral 1.6 Pipeline Phase II project.  He stated that Agri Industries was hoping to resume work next week after transporting the boring machine back.

            Mr. Kortum then reported that the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 employees were finishing pumping out discharge lines, and have cleaned, drained, and winterized the pump houses.

            Tim Kortum also stated to the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board that the contract for the $500,000 ARPA had finally been finalized and received.  Jessica Schott informed the Board that the closeout report for the Phase I DNRC grant had been submitted and the remaining $12,500.86 on this grant has been requested for reimbursement.  Ms. Schott also  reported that $28,825.45 had been requested for reimbursement from the Phase II DNRC grant.

            At 1:51 p.m., Jessica Schott presented the members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board with a worksheet outlining the amounts to be paid for the 2023 Employee Christmas/Year-End bonus with the December 15^th payroll.  Following a brief discussion, it was unanimously agreed to pay this bonus as outlined with no changes.

            Mr. Tim Kortum then requested that review and approval of his Manager’s Contract be tabled until December’s Regular Meeting.  All members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 were agreeable to this request, and this agenda item was tabled at 1:53 p.m.

            The members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board then directed discussion to plans for the annual District No. 2 Christmas party.  After a lengthy dialogue, it was ultimately decided to hold the Christmas Party at the BD- in Fallon again this year.  Ms. Schott will discuss available dates and menu options with Delite Dukart and report the details to the Board and employees when plans are finalized.

            The meeting was adjourned at 2:21 p.m. on a motion by Jackson Dion, seconded by Lance Kalfell.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried. 

            ATTESTED:

________________________________                    ____________________________________

Tim Kortum, Secretary                                                                       Barry Rakes, President