January 14, 2025 District No. 2 Board Meeting Minutes

MINUTES

Of the

MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS

Of the

BUFFALO RAPIDS IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 2

Terry, Montana

January 14, 2025

The Ninth 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 January, 2025 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 1:26 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 Resolution from the December11^th, 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 January 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 $54,624.54, to cover payroll and invoices were signed. January 15^th processed payroll: $14,314.49, January invoices: $24,346.92, and January 31^st estimated payroll: $15,963.13.  This transfer authorization was approved on a motion made by Lance Kalfell, seconded by Jackson Dion at 1:32 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 $762,583.09 with the Prairie County Investment Pool.  Warrant numbers from December 13, 2024 to January 15, 2025 range from 28722-28780.

The treasurer's report was approved at 1:34 p.m. on a motion made by Jackson Dion, seconded by Lance Kalfell.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried.

            MANAGER’S REPORT:

            At 1:35 p.m., Tim Kortum reported to the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board that District employees have been servicing pumps, and all were completed except for the Shirley pump, which is being serviced now.

Mr. Kortum also stated that he had received a quote for a brand-new pump for the Fallon River No. 1 pump being rebuilt at Agri Industries, and the quote came back at $47,000 for just the main pump.  Mr. Kortum also reported that the pump at Agri Industries has been bored, and still needs to have the impeller balanced, and then the work on the lube tubes will begin.  He also mentioned he was still looking for a pump motor frame for the pump motor from Fallon River that is still at Prairie Mountain Electric in Bowman.

Tim Kortum then informed all present that the new overhead furnace in the vehicle shop was installed and working great.

Mr. Kortum reported that Josh was working on building a metal catwalk for the Fallon River pumping plant.  This will be the last catwalk to be completed, and then all pumping plants will have updated metal catwalks.

            Additionally, Mr. Kortum updated all present with recent work of the other employees.  He reported that Jareth and Billy had attempted to burn some trees/branches removed from Lateral 4.7 (just to the southeast of the office), but it was a little too wet and they will need to try again when things dry out.  Mr. Kortum also mentioned that he had a lot of canal/lateral cleaning and reshaping planned for Billy and Gene for the spring.  He also stated that Carlos has been cleaning and organizing in the shops.

            Tim Kortum then reported to the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board that there had been two recent incidents reported to Worker’s Compensation.  Rob slammed his hand in the door of the Bobcat skid steer resulting in 5 stitches on a finger, and Billy slipped and fell on ice, resulting in one visit to a chiropractor as of the present time.

            Jessica Schott then presented a rough draft of the 2025 Proposed Budget.  After much discussion and requests for adjustments and amendments, it was determined at 2:19 p.m. to table the approval of the 2025 Budget on a motion made by Lance Kalfell, seconded by Jackson Dion.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried.

            At 2:31 p.m., Jessica Schott reported that the Fallon Division Commissioner term would be expiring in May, 2025, thus requiring a Call for Election.  On a motion made by Jackson Dion and seconded by Lance Kalfell, it was

RESOLVED, That, pursuant to Section 13-1-504(4) and (5), MCA, Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 shall hold an election to fill the office of the Commissioner of the Fallon Division the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2.  This election shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May, and shall be conducted by mail, in accordance with and as outlined in Section 13-1-502, MCA.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried.

            Following the Call for Election, Jessica Schott informed the members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board that a new appointment for the Buffalo Rapids District No. 2 Election Administrator should be made.  At 2:32 p.m., on a motion made by Lance Kalfell and seconded by Jackson Dion, it was

                        RESOLVED, That Jessica Schott, Bookkeeper and Treasurer of Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2, be appointed to the position of Election Administrator for the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2, under direction of the Prairie County Clerk and Recorder and in accordance with Section 13-1-301, MCA.  The term of this appointment shall be for one (1) year, and/or until her successor is elected, appointed, and qualified.

            Ms. Schott accepts her appointment.

            Jessica Schott spoke briefly with the members of the Board about the upcoming Annual Producer Meeting.  After a scheduling discussion, all present agreed that the regular March meeting and the Annual meeting would be held on March 12, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. respectively.  Notices will be mailed to all producers in early March.

            Barry Rakes suggested the possible addition of a Member-At-Large position to the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board.  There was a brief discussion, but all were agreeable to looking into the process of adding a position to the board.  The matter will be tabled pending further investigation.

Lance Kalfell reported that the Prairie County Museum would be working with a specialist to scan and digitize some of their photographs to make them available publicly on a website in the future.  Mr. Kalfell suggested that Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 find a student volunteer to assist with sorting through the District’s historical photos in order to create an inventory and determine photos with historical significance, in the even that a technology grant is found in the future and can aid with digitizing these photos.  Mr. Kalfell agreed to provide oversight of the project and Jackson Dion offered a suggestion of a student volunteer.  All were in favor of the historical project, and updates will be ongoing.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:43 p.m. on a motion made by Jackson Dion, seconded by Lance Kalfell.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried.

            ATTESTED:

________________________________                    ____________________________________

Tim Kortum, Secretary                                               Barry Rakes, President