Dec 21, 2016 Board meeting Highlights

Highlights of the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Raymond Irrigation District held Thursday December 21, 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, Mark Jensen Operations Manager and Kelvin Kado, Office Manager as required.

IRP Project Update given by Mark Jensen

IRP 2321 W#5 phase #5 – We have heard nothing from Meyer. Project is continuing.

RID Three Year plan – was submitted.

Maintenance report – Mark showed the board a slide presentation of work completed under the district’s maintenance and the IRP program over the past month.

Irrican Power – Nothing new to report. Auditors are working on year-end report, expected around the 10th of January 2017. SMRID office closed from December 23, 2016 to January 2, 2017. There was a board meeting held December 8th where URICA was discussed. The Irrican board recommends to continue using URICA as there was a positive financial benefit realized last season as well as significant staff assistance in time not spent responding to after hour problems.The RID board agreed with Irrican board’s recommendation.

RID financial – We are collecting accounts. Office to be closed December 23, 2016 (noon) to December 28, 2016 and January 2, 2017. Voice mail has been changed to notify in coming callers. Notices/Statements were sent out the first week of December to remind of December 31 deadline. Auditing assessment roll to correctness for year-end. Map Info installed and working. Liability insurance has been changed from WFG to AAMDC effective December 11, 2016

Expansion Plebiscite in the RID – The board requested modeling be completed showing 10, 15, 20 and 25% expansion levels.

Moving Forward 2 grant application from RID – The manager noted that we have heard nothing back to date regarding the application.

2017 budget items – equipment and light vehicles – Discussion – GZ and MJ – It was noted that there are a few equipment items that need to be considered for replacement or upgrade. They include a light truck, telehandler, hoe pack, mini excavator. The board was requested to consider these items and that a further review will be conducted early in 2017.

Irrican Annual meeting – It was noted that this meeting will be held Wednesday February 1, 2017 commencing at 9:30 AM at the SMRID Lethbridge office, all RID directors are invited.

Terminable Irrigation agreements – The board would like to see a map showing where all the terminable areas are located and how many acres are served per parcel and in total. This item will be discussed in the January 2017 board meeting. Consideration will be given to cancelling the terminable agreements in favor of yearly agreements. The terminable acres would then be put to use in areas where permanent application can be offered. These potential areas will also be shown to the board in the next meeting.

Yuma Tour – NWIO – February 27 to March 3, 2017 – John McKee is interested in attending this tour. Craig Palmer will check his personal schedule and might also be interested.

Next meeting date – Wednesday, January 25, 2017 commencing at 9:00 AM in the RID board room.

Motion to adjourn and time meeting ended. – There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 12:25 PM on motion by Craig Palmer.

Note: The group ate lunch with the RID crew in the RID shop, following the meeting. Christmas greetings were exchanged.