Highlights of the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Raymond Irrigation District held Thursday, May 15, 2019 commencing at 9:00 AM in the RID Board Room.
Attending: Craig Palmer vice Chair, Rod Wendorff director, Gordon ZoBell, General Manager and recording clerk, Cody Heggie Operations Manager in training and Kelvin Kado as needed. John McKee, Chairman and Mark Jensen Operations Manager, were excused due to work related matters.
IRP Project Update – Cody noted that the Raymond Main IRP 2341 project is completed for the 2019 winter season but will commence again in the fall of 2019. There is still a few culvert crossings and a structure to be completed before the project is totally complete.
Monthly Maintenance report – Cody Heggie gave a verbal report of the operations and maintenance performed over the past month.
Irrican Power – We will be updating financial software, Curtis Start will be doing this in the next month. Bank Balance to start the year is $4,814,067.00 ICPC next board meeting date May 22, 2019
RID Financial – Kelvin Kado – Will be sending out the RID newsletter today and tomorrow regarding the water situation. I will note in the newsletter, “All future newsletters and notices will be noted on our website and sent out via email and/or text only, please provide updated contact information to the RID office” (kelvin@raymondirrigationdistrict.ca) The cost to send out printed newsletters is around $600.00. I am following up on Alternate Parcel Agreement and Annual Agreements, as per approvals. List has been provided to the ditch riders for their reference.
In the process of replacing our DDIT computer. Curtis Start will doing this in the next month. I would suggest that we provide the ditch riders with an iPad that they can use to maintain their crop report and system use usage report.
I have sent 2 letters of interest regarding 2 grant prospects for solar projects; (1) Community Generation Project Incubator (CGPI) and (2) the AIDA and ATCO Solar project grant.
Raymond 8-2 pump and pipeline – Gordon noted that staff has reviewed the energy billing process which includes minimum fee for non-irrigation by a user in a given year and an energy fee for domestic users. A list of users has been compiled and they will be billed beginning in 2019. The investigation of the cost to install 3 meters, 1 for each motor is ongoing and more information is required. Gordon hopes by next meeting to have a further report. A proposed solar array is also being investigated for use here to perhaps help offset energy costs. In the absence of the Chairman, management was asked to bring this forward in the June RID board meeting.
Directors Items – There were no directors items.
RID R/W – Offer to purchase a 155-acre portion of an unused RID R/W located in NE-27-5-20-W4. The board did not accept the offer.
Irrigation Secretariat – It was noted that there is no word regarding IRP funding for the 2019 season. The new government will announce their new budget when ready.
AEP Snow Pack report – It was noted that the snow pack is at the lower level quartile as at this date. Due to cooler conditions the snowpack is just now beginning to come down into the reservoirs.
Chautauqua – Saddle up events – 2019 in Stirling – A donation of $500.00 toward the event was approved by the board on motion by Craig Palmer.
Household purposes Agreement (HPA) – Jennifer Collins Box 1845 Raymond AB T0K 2S0 Plan 0410483 Block 1 Lot 8 SW-16-6-20-W4 – Approved by the board on motion by Rod Wendorff.
Craddock Dam – fence due to cattle concerns – Gordon and Cody explained a situation at the dam where adjacent cattle have damaged the slopes of the dam in the past. The damage was repaired in the 2018 fall. It is felt that a fence to keep livestock off the dam is necessary to prevent further damage occurring. On motion by Rod Wendorff the board approved a new fence to be built in the local area of the dam to be shared 50/50 with the adjacent landowner, carried.
AIPA – March 28 – GZ report – Gordon reported on the AIPA directors meeting as noted.
Meeting with Municipalities Friday May 10 – Gordon attended another meeting with this group on the date noted. It is hoped that the good working relationship the RID has with the Counties of Warner and Cardston will be made even better due to these meetings.
Water ration formula – Gordon went over how the formula works for individual on farm systems, with the board and staff present using a 12-inch allotment per acre at the farm gate.
Next meeting date – Friday June 21, 2019 at the RID board room.
Motion to adjourn and time meeting ended – Having no further business the board ended the meeting at 12:45 AM PM on motion by Craig Palmer.