Highlights of the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Raymond Irrigation District held Wednesday July 15, 2015 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, Mark Jensen Operations Manager and Kelvin Kado, Offiice Manager as required.
IRP 2280 W#5 phase 3 – some leveling over the pipeline to do this fall.
IRP 2307 – W#5 phase 4 – Darin Wilde entered the meeting at approximately 10:00
AM to discuss a possible new delivery from the last reach of the W#5 project. This
reach will be completed in the 2016/2017 fall and winter. Jake Meyer has requested
that his parcel containing 70 irrigation acres found in the NW-4-7-21-W4 be included
in the W#5 project. Currently the delivery for this parcel comes from the Pothole
Creek. Mr. Meyer is willing to pay for the delivery pipeline required to be installed
across NW-3-7-21-W4 from the proposed RID W#5 pipeline to be installed as noted.
. On motion By Byron Wilde the RID board will allow the 70 irrigation acers found in NW-4-7-21-W4 to be
included in the W#5 project.
IRP 2308 – Ortho Photo’s – New aerial photos are scheduled to be taken this month.
Annual IRP Funding agreement – Gordon noted that the agreement has been signed
and approved by the Minister’s office and a copy returned to the RID.
Maintenance report – Mark showed the board pictures of work completed over the past month by RID staff and equipment. It has been a busy month for water delivery and maintenance of the system.
Irrican Power – All plants are running well and maxed out for production as at this date. Average power pool prices to date this season is 7.9 cetns per kWh which is better than last year, probably due to higher consumer needs, a dry spring for farm pumping needs and home air conditioners in May and June. May had an average power pool price around 5.6 cents/kwh, June was around 8.1 cents/kwh. 2015 income through May 31st is $2.639,609.00
RID Financial – Continuing to update assessment list, locating and fixing any errors, prior to assessment mailing on August 15, 2015.
Directors Items – John McKee cautioned all to be vigilant regarding on farm and district works safety issues. There was a recent injury to a young man in the Stirling area where part of a hand was taken off in a wheel mover unit. Doctors in Calgary were able to reattach and time will tell if the surgery was a success.
Main Canal Advisory Committee Meeting July 14 – Byron and Gordon attended this meeting. Main canal bridges were once again discussed. The RID board noted that they are not willing to make additional payments for the cost of maintenance to the bridges and this also applies to adjacent land owners. Byron and Gordon were assigned to meet with the TID board regarding this issue and then to meet with the SMRID board afterwards. Syphon replacement was also discussed and the group requested that the RID and TID provide a prioritized list of the order the syphons should be replaced. They also requested a condition analysis of each syphon. This information is to be supplied to Trevor at SMRID. There is a good supply of water in the Saint Mary’s system with no concern regarding a water shortage for this season.
Lethbridge Whoop up Days – invitation to Presidents reception. An RID board member will attend this function to be held August 18, 2015 at the west pavilion at the Lethbridge Exhibition Park.
Irrigation Council RID tour and meeting September 22 – Gordon was requested to organize a tour for council and to focus on SMRID main canal bridges and perhaps a power plant tour.
Household Purposes Agreement – Plan 0715123 Block 4 Lot 4 NW-11-6-21-W4. Approved on motion by John McKee and carried.
NW Irrigation Operators tour – August 17 to 21, 2015 Yakima Washington area. Byron and Mark are interested in attending this event.
Form 13 ID Act section 84/85 Application to add a parcel to RID 63 irrigation acres on SW-4-6-21-W4 south of Canal R/W. – Approved on motion by Byron Wilde and carried.
Mussel financial report from EID FYI – total revenues $112,580.00, minus $30,060.00 for sniffer dog related expenses – remaining funds $82,520.00 on April 30, 2015. Mussels have been detected in roadside check stops on recreational boats headed for southern Alberta lakes this season.
Minister of Agriculture – meet and greet – July 22, 12:00 to 2:00 PM at Readymade social Hall. John and Gordon will attend this event on behalf of the RID.
Fortis Open House July 22, after meeting with minister – Location: Coast Lethbridge Hotel, Time – 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. John and Gordon will attend this event on behalf of the RID.
July 29, SMRID MLA irrigation tour – only Wild Rose MLA’s have responded. Byron will attend this event on behalf of the RID.
Next meeting date – Wednesday, August 19, 2015
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 2:15 PM on motion by John McKee.