Highlights of the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Raymond Irrigation District held Monday, April 16, 2012 commencing at 9:00 AM in the RID Board Room.
Attending: Byron Wilde Chairman, John McKeeVice Chairman, Alan Heggie Director, Gordon ZoBell, General Manager and recording clerk, Mark Jensen Operations Manager, Kelvin Kado, Office Manager, attended as required.
IRP Project Update given by Mark Jensen and Gordon ZoBell.
Water Management Special Funding IRP 2146 – The RID is working on this now.
IRP 2218 – Stirling #12 – Mark reviewed the progress of the project. Pump hook ups are nearly complete. Livestock protection guards are also in place now around risers. There is a small amount of fencing to complete.
IRP 2240 – Welling #5 – The Cordierio easement has been completed. Gordon will meet with Seward and Oriold regarding pipeline location in phase 2, very soon.
RID Maintenance report – Mark gave the board an update on maintenance being performed prior to water turn on. Mark is on track to accommodate a mid May water turn on date.
Irrican – Loan payments to the districts were made last month and there are adequate funds on hand to also make the June payments. Power generation will commence within the next few days which will begin a revenue stream for 2012.
RID financial report from Kelvin – Rate Enforcement: Notice letters were sent out on March 7 indicating that payments were due by April 13 or collection procedures were to commence. There are 5 outstanding accounts in Rate Enforcement; with a total of $1986.88 outstanding. Telephone follow up by April 23; Collection letter, double registered, will be sent out this week, indicating that collection proceedings will begin next week. They have until May 5 before Rate Enforcement starts, file submission to the courts on May 18 and court appearance May 22;
Budget and by-laws presented for approval for 2012. Due to no change in irrigation rates for a number of years and expense costs increasing each year, it was noted that there would be a small cash flow shortfall. Recommendation to increase rates 5% this year to absorb the shortfall and balance the budget. Management and staff to monitor expenditures to ensure costs are consistent to previous years.
Raymond Trade Show – The show took place March 24, 2012 in the Raymond Ice arena. A good attendance was reported by those who manned the AIPA/RID booth. It was felt it was a worthwhile activity. Ron McMullin, Byron, Gordon, Mark and Kelvin assisted with manning the booth.
RID Expansion – RID Chairman, Byron Wilde, noted that he would like this item to remain on the agenda each month. This topic was discussed at length by the board and it was determined that an October or November 2012 plebiscite on expansion would be held. The manager was instructed to get all the necessary information together as soon as possible to allow the board time to become very acquainted with the issue.
RID 2012 Budget approval – On motion by Alan Heggie the board approved the 2012 RID budget as presented.
RID 2012 – 1, Bylaw – Being a rate Bylaw – Approved on motion by Alan Heggie and carried.
RID 2012 – 2, Bylaw – Being an Agreements Bylaw – Approved on motion by John McKee and carried.
RID 2012 – 3, Bylaw – Honorarium for Board Members – Approved on motion by John McKee and carried.
RID 2012 – 4, Bylaw – To set the election date – Approved on motion by Alan Heggie and carried.
The current Capital Asset and Other Purposes charges will be reviewed at a later time.
Irrigation Council Irrigation District meetings – Council will meet with the BRID, EID and UID this year. Council also sent a letter to the ID’s noting that it has been 12 years since the last ID Act review. Certain regulations are going to expire on October 31, 2012. They are, Irrigation Forms, Irrigation General, Irrigation Plebiscite, Irrigation Seepage Claims Exemption. Council requested any districts with concerns or suggestions regarding the ID Act, to make them known to Council soon.
RID 5 year Seepage Exemption Plan, 2012 – On motion by Alan Heggie the board approved the revised plan as presented. The motion was carried.
Next meeting date – May 16, 2012 at the RID board room.