February 14, 2024 District No. 2 Board Meeting Minutes

 MINUTES

Of the

MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS

Of the

BUFFALO RAPIDS IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 2

Terry, Montana

February 14, 2024

The Tenth Regular Meeting of the members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 at Terry, Prairie County, Montana, was held on the Fourteenth day of February, 2024 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 1:20 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 and Resolutions from the January 10, 2024, Regular Board Meeting were approved without corrections and, or additions, on a motion made by Lance Kalfell and seconded by Jackson Dion at 1:22 p.m.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried.

            FINANCIAL REPORT:

Jessica Schott presented current budget figures which included payroll and expenditures through February 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 $52,287.63, to cover payroll and invoices were signed. February 15^th estimated payroll: $16,136.76, February invoices $19,571.76, February 29^th estimated payroll: $16,579.11.  A second transfer authorization was presented to transfer $36,524.64 from the System Rehab reserve account to District 2 Cash O & M to reflect the estimated 2023 net loss approved on January 10, 2024.  These transfer authorizations were approved on a motion by Jackson Dion, seconded by Lance Kalfell.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried.  Ms. Schott then presented the investment statement, which was signed to invest the remaining monthly District No. 2 cash balances in the amount of $378,739.85 with the Prairie County Investment Pool.  Warrant numbers from January 12, 2024 to February 15, 2024 range from 28113-28163.

The treasurer's report was approved at 1:35 p.m. on a motion by Lance Kalfell, seconded by Jackson Dion.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried.

            MANAGER’S REPORT:

            Tim Kortum reported to the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board that the river ice had gone out from all of the pump bays, and that pumps were tentatively scheduled to be put back in place in mid-March when Allen Gierke is back to help with pre-season preparations.  Mr. Kortum also explained that Ben Benjamin and Bryce Dey would be returning to work on the burn crew in mid-March to early April.  Additionally, he stated that Strad and Rob were nearly finished with pump repairs and maintenance, and that Josh was working on the construction of doglegs for placement in the Lateral 1.6 pipeline project.

            Mr. Kortum then explained that a larger faceplate had been purchased for installation on the Summit Big-Hole lathe in order to have the ability to turn the bowls on the District’s pumps in-house.  The bowl repairs were previously being outsourced to Agri Industries, and this addition will save the District money long-term, as well as adding to the capabilities/services the machine shop can offer to the public.

            Tim Kortum explained to the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board that the Bureau of Reclamation had conducted their periodic bridge inspection on February 7-8 that had originally been scheduled for June, 2024.  This inspection produced three critical findings:

1)      Bridge on private road at Diamond Ring, crossing Shirley Main canal, has rotten wood pilings at both abutments, requiring closure of the bridge within 10 days from notification (February 13, 2024).  Mr. Kortum reported that this bridge does not lead to any District facilities and is not used for operations, and he believes this is a private bridge, which places responsibility of maintenance with the landowner.  Tim Kortum stated that a records search would be done to further verify private ownership of the bridge. 

2)      Pedestrian crossing over Terry Main canal at the end of Hoagland Ave has rotting planks requiring replacement.  Mr. Kortum explained that although he believes this was placed by the landowner, there is a meter on the south side of the canal that is checked for water usage tracking.  Because the Terry ditchrider occasionally uses this pedestrian crossing, it was determined after a brief discussion that Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 would remove the rotten plank crossing and replace it with an expanded metal walkway using materials left over from the pumphouse catwalk installation.

3)      Bridge on private road near River Road, crossing Fallon Main Canal has holes in the bridge deck, heavy pack rust on the box beams, and separation/section loss at the left abutment requiring closure of the bridge within 10 days from notification (February 13, 2024).  Tim Kortum reported that this bridge does not lead to any District facilities and is not used for operations, and he believes this is also a private bridge, placing responsibility of maintenance with the landowner, pending a records search to verify private ownership.

Jessica Schott then reported to the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board that all necessary reports, employee IRS documents, and District No. 2 IRS and State filings have been completed for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.  She also presented the 2023 completed inventory for Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2.

            Ms. Schott presented a renewal proposal from Victory Insurance Company for the April 15, 2024-April 15, 2025 Worker’s Compensation insurance policy, stating that all job classification rates had decreased from the 2023-2024 policy period, and that the total estimated renewal premium was less than what was budgeted for 2024.

            Ms. Schott also reported that the renewal rates for the 2024-2025 Associated Employers Health insurance policy had been received, stating that rates would increase by 6% upon renewal on April 1^st, which was less than the 9% increase that was budgeted.

            Lastly, Jessica Schott announced that the audit for fiscal year 2023 had been scheduled with Strom & Associates to begin on Monday, April 8, 2024.

            The meeting was adjourned at 2:10 p.m. on a motion by Jackson Dion, seconded by Lance Kalfell.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried.

            ATTESTED:

________________________________                    ____________________________________

Tim Kortum, Secretary                                               Barry Rakes, President