MINUTES
Of the
MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS
Of the
BUFFALO RAPIDS IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 2
Terry, Montana
November 13, 2024
The Seventh Regular Meeting of the members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 at Terry, Prairie County, Montana, was held on the Thirteenth day of November, 2024 at 1:30 p.m.
There were present and participating at the meeting:
Barry Rakes
Jackson Dion
Lance Kalfell
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 9th, 2024, Regular Board Meeting were approved without corrections and, or additions, on a motion made by Lance Kalfell and seconded by Jackson Dion at 1:26 p.m. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT:
Jessica Schott presented current budget figures which included payroll and expenditures through November to all Board members for their review. A list of invoices to be paid was submitted and a form for the Prairie County Treasurer to transfer funds in the amount of $40,418.17, to cover payroll and invoices were signed. November 15th estimated payroll: $14,515.70, November invoices: $12,370.18, and November 30th estimated payroll: $13,532.29. This transfer authorization was approved on a motion by Jackson Dion, seconded by Lance Kalfell at 1:36 p.m. 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 $522,987.94 with the Prairie County Investment Pool. Warrant numbers from October 11, 2024 to November 14, 2024 range from 28622-28674.
The treasurer's report was approved at 1:39 p.m. on a motion by Lance Kalfell, seconded by Jackson Dion. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
MANAGER’S REPORT:
At 1:40 p.m., Tim Kortum reported to the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board that District employees have been cleaning and reshaping the canals and laterals in Fallon, and that he had been doing the final blading and cleanup on Lateral 1.6.
Mr. Kortum also reported that the Fallon Relift #1 motor would be taken to Prairie Mountain Electric in Bowman, ND for repairs and servicing. He also estimated that the Relift #1 pump would be serviced and reassembled by Thanksgiving. Employees have also been busy in the paint shop, and making mechanical repairs to the Bobcat 7753 skid steer that was purchased through the State Surplus Program.
Tim Kortum then informed all present that a second bid for repairs to the Fallon River #1 pump was received from Agri Industries for $41,606; substantially less than the estimate from Circle T Fabrication for $54,800. He explained that he still had not received pricing on a new replacement pump as requested, but expected to receive that cost estimate soon.
Mr. Kortum reported that he had spoken with Scott Aspenlieder at Performance Engineering regarding the closeout documents for the Lateral 1.6 project and that the as-built drawings still had not been received by the District as previously promised. Mr. Aspenlieder reportedly would be sending the drawings and final closeout reports by tomorrow morning, November 14, 2024, which would effectively finish their portion of the contract and project closeouts.
Mr. Kortum proposed that, in the near future, the District look into DNRC $125,000 RRG grants as they come available to convert Lateral 3.1 (the Hoffer lateral) in Fallon from open-ditch to a pipeline. This lateral conversion would require 4,700 feet of 18 inch PVC pipe, costing roughly $108,000 at today’s price, with no machine rental required and labor again provided by the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 employees. The District No. 2 Board unanimously supported the pursuit of the grant funding for this project, but raised concerns regarding the engineering firm and the lack of support and responsiveness, and discussed the possibility of contracting with a different firm on the new project. Following some discussion, it was agreed by all present that if the current relationship with Performance Engineering were to continue on a new grant project, that a meeting between Scott and the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board would be needed to reestablish good contact and outline the District’s expectations.
At 2:15 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 2024 Employee Christmas/Year-End bonus with the December 15th payroll. Following some discussion, it was proposed by Lance Kalfell that, as a small incentive, all seasonal/part-time employees in good-standing with the District should receive an annual minimum bonus of $25.00, regardless if they worked any hours during the calendar year. At 2:25 p.m., on a motion made by Barry Rakes and seconded by Jackson Dion, it was,
RESOLVED, To implement a minimum year-end annual bonus of $25.00 for all employees who are in good-standing with and eligible to work for Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2, regardless of employment category or if no hours have been worked in the current calendar year. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
Jessica Schott then presented to the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board a draft of Tim Kortum’s proposed Manager’s Contract for the upcoming year. Mr. Kortum requested no additional concessions, nor proposed any changes to the contract from the previous year. With recommendation, and on a motion made by Jackson Dion and seconded by Lance Kalfell at 2:31 p.m., it was
RESOLVED, To accept the proposed Manager’s Contract for Timothy Kortum for a one year term, to expire on November 30, 2025, or until a suitable replacement is found. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
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 brief dialogue, it was ultimately decided to hold the Christmas Party at the BD- in Fallon again this year. Potential dates of December 14th and December 21st were offered. Ms. Schott will discuss the best date and menu options with Delite Dukart and report the details to the Board and employees when plans are finalized.
Finally, Ms. Schott presented to the Board a proposed contract received from Strom & Associates, P.C. for audit services for the 2024 fiscal year, which was drafted for the same rate as the prior year’s services. After some discussion, at 2:44 p.m. on a motion made by Jackson Dion and seconded by Lance Kalfell, the proposed audit contract was approved. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:50 p.m. on a motion made by Lance Kalfell, seconded by Jackson Dion. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
ATTESTED:
________________________________ ____________________________________
Tim Kortum,
Secretary Barry
Rakes, President
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