September 10, 2025 District No. 2 Board Meeting Minutes

 MINUTES

Of the

MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS

Of the

BUFFALO RAPIDS IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 2

Terry, Montana

September 10, 2025

 

The Fifth Regular Meeting of the members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 at Terry, Prairie County, Montana, was held on the Tenth day of September, 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.  Also in attendance were Lorin and Jamie Larsen, Terry Division producers.

            President Barry Rakes called the meeting to order at 1:24 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 August 13^th, 2025, Regular Board Meeting were approved without corrections and, or additions, on a motion made by Lance Kalfell and seconded by Jackson Dion at 1:25 p.m.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried. 

            FINANCIAL REPORT:

Jessica Schott presented current budget figures which included payroll and expenditures through September 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 $60,977.19, to cover payroll and invoices were signed. September 15^th estimated payroll: $20,170.01, September invoices: $26,309.80, and September 30^th estimated payroll: $14,497.38.  This transfer authorization was approved on a motion by Jackson Dion, seconded by Lance Kalfell at 1:33 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 $711,616.58 with the Prairie County Investment Pool.  Warrant numbers from August 15, 2025 to September 11, 2025 range from 29143-29191.

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:

            Tim Kortum reported to the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board that Gene Davis was filling in as the Fallon ditchrider was let go.  Following the District No. 2 Board members meeting together in Fallon and their unanimous approval on August 27^th, a portable pump was rented from Agri Industries and placed at the Yellowstone River to supplement water diversion and temporarily replace the Fallon River No. 1 pump that broke down last month.  The temporary pump and closer management of water delivery have helped to alleviate some of the demand and water shortage issues for the Fallon producers.

            Mr. Kortum informed the all present that S & S Machine and Pump in Billings were working on repairs to the Fallon No. 1 pump and would be billing the District on a monthly basis as work is performed.  He also advised that Steve Tyde at National Pump would be watching for any used/refurbished pumps for the District to possibly purchase in order to keep a spare pump on hand to avoid a pump shortage again in case of another future emergency/need. 

It was suggested and agreed by all present that a checklist for pump installation should be made to make sure all installation steps and action items have been completed and double-checked with spaces for employees to initial as the items are completed and checks have been made to avoid future errors.  Tim Kortum also stated that the District would be looking into reprogramming the parameters of the 777 MotorSavers so they shut down earlier when amperage drops, and also possibly looking into some different pump vibration sensors.

Mr. Kortum then provided an update on the Shirley Main Canal Rehabilitation grant, stating that Performance Engineering had received bids for lining and materials, but that bids received came in over $100,000 over budget, and that bids solicited were for the wrong size/width of material.  Mr. Kortum stated that he had been in contact with Scott Aspenleider at Performance Engineering with concerns about the high bids and incorrect size, and advised that other canal lining material vendors previously used by the District could probably offer much lower pricing for the correct size of material.  Mr. Aspenleider contacted the RRG program administrator at DNRC regarding the possibility of directly soliciting for materials bids, and it was determined that additional bids could be accepted if the vendors submitted bids as a bulk bid for the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2, Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 1, and Huntley Project Irrigation District current canal lining projects, as the Huntley Project bid solicitation was currently the only one still open for receipt of materials bids, which will be closing on September 12, 2025.  More information will follow after that final bid period has closed.

            During Public Comment, Lorin Larsen discussed his plans to have a pivot installed, and requested approval to move one of his turnouts, Turnout 3 on Page 55, further down the Terry canal to the proposed placement point of the pivot.  After a brief discussion and review of Mr. Larsen’s diagram plans, it was determined that moving the turnout would not affect water delivery to any other producers, and the request was approved.

            The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m. on a motion by Lance Kalfell, seconded by Jackson Dion.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried. 

            ATTESTED:

________________________________                    ____________________________________

Tim Kortum, Secretary                                               Barry Rakes, President