Highlights of the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Raymond Irrigation District held Thursday November 24, 2016 commencing at 9:00 AM in the RID Board Room.
Attending: Byron Wilde Chairman, John McKee Vice Chairman, Craig Palmer Director, Gordon ZoBell, General Manager and recording clerk, and Kelvin Kado, Office Manager as required. Mark Jensen Operations Manager was absent due outside work.
IRP Project Update given by Gordon ZoBell
IRP 2321 W#5 phase #5 – The north county road crossing is being completed today near Oudman.
RID Three Year plan – was presented to the board by the manager. The plan as presented was approved on motion by Craig Palmer and carried.
Maintenance report – Gordon showed the board a slide presentation of work completed under the district’s maintenance and the IRP program over the past month.
Irrican Power – We have received income report for 2016. It is the worst revenue year in our history.
RID financial – by Kelvin Kado – We are collecting accounts, Outstanding A/R $130,312.00 Notices/Statements will be sent out the first week of December to remind of December 31 deadline. We have received the payment from insurance for roof/shingle replacement. Insurance Quotes Western Financial Group $6,857.00, AAMDC $6,388.00 2015 paid $8,545.00. For equipment, buildings and directors liability. On motion by John McKee the board approved the AAMDC quote.
Expansion Plebiscite in the RID – nothing to report
Handcock R/W investigation – The Manager has not talked with Mr. Friesen due to the recent passing of Mr. Hancock.
Moving Forward 2 grant application from RID – The manager noted that an application for funding to assist the RID with an emergency preparedness program was submitted.
Map info – The board authorized the manager to purchase new software for this program if he wishes.
MRRRWQSI – Nov 18, meeting – The manager reported good attendance at the meeting. Several other representatives from the TID and SMRID were in attendance. A full report was given regarding the water quality in Ridge reservoir for the 2016 season. There were no red flags regarding the quality of the water this past season. The management of the reservoir was discussed and the fencing and upslope improvements to the buffer zone were explained.
Mussels – Meeting Nov 8 at Lethbridge research station Re potash – It was noted that Mussels have been detected in the Tiber reservoir east of Shelby Montana some 80 kilometers south of us. This is of grave concern as migratory birds such as geese may carry the veliger’s in our direction. The recreational boat inspection program continues and has expanded. There has been good results from this initiative. The public seem well informed as well. The potash treatment has been studied in the EID in 2016 and is being pursued further for possible commercial application within district pipelines. There is also a product being looked at that has promise called ZM-X Organic Acid Molluscicide. It originates in the USA.
Household Purposes Agreement – plan 9512316 block 1 lot 1 NE-29-6-20-W4 – approved on motion by Craig Palmer and carried.
AIPA annual meeting and conference – Nov 14,15,16 – John, Craig, Gordon and Kelvin attended. The conference was discussed at some length. It was more of a greener theme this year with many speakers focusing on water quality, pollution from storm water, manure, sewage and air born gases from agriculture. It was a good conference held at the Deer Foot Inn in Calgary. The AIPA budget for 2017 is 30 cents per acre.
Next meeting date – Wednesday December 21, 2016 – commencing at 10:00 AM at the RID board room.
Motion to adjourn and time meeting ended. – There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 12:20 on motion by Byron Wilde.
Note: The group ate lunch in Raymond then traveled to the W#5 IRP 2321, road crossing push, to inspect the work.