Highlights of the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Raymond Irrigation District held Wednesday, November 20, 2019 commencing at 9:00AM in the RID Board Room.
Attending: John McKee Chairman, Craig Palmer Vice Chair, Gordon ZoBell, General Manager and recording clerk, Mark Jensen Operations Manager and Kelvin Kado as needed. Rod Wendorff director was absent due to other commitments.
IRP Project Update – Mark reported that the 845-road bore has been completed. It took longer than planned but worked out very well. The PVC pipe has also been inserted into the conduit and pipe has been installed to get the project completed through the Hwy 845 R/W. Currently the RID crew is installing pipe at the north end of the reach working south.
The board also noted that the collective IRP funding going forward for all Irrigation districts in the Province was announced to be 48 million dollars. Even though the funding is being reduced, it is very much appreciated by the board. Future planning will be tailored over a longer period to reflect the funds available.
Monthly Maintenance report – Mark gave a slide show of the operations and maintenance performed over the past month.
Irrican Power – Irrican year end is in progress. 25% balance of the Deferred Interest Loan payments to the districts were made October 31, 2019
RID Financial –. November 30, month end account statements will be sent out to remind irrigators that payments are due by December 31 and explaining RID office Christmas hours. It was also noted that the district has had a steady inflow of funds from this year’s assessment.
RID code of conduct – Gordon noted that the board can adopt their own code of conduct if they chose. The manager was asked to draft a proposed copy and circulate it to the board.
Forty Mile pumping agreement – The board will study the latest proposed agreement.
Potential RID Manager – Gordon noted that he had interviewed an individual on November 8, 2019 as instructed by the board. He gave a brief report with regard to the individual and his qualifications. The board was interested in meeting with this person and requested the manager to see if it might be possible for the person to attend the December RID board meeting. Gordon will arrange this.
Solar Array – Solar generation at the R7-1 and R8-2 pump sites. Long term this could be a positive income generator for the district. The pipeline (R7-1 and R8-2) irrigators would be paying an energy charge comparable to market costs. After discussing this matter the board requested the manager to look into county permitting, R/W needs to install the array and to discuss the matter with the irrigation secretariat to make sure all legislative matters are in compliance. This information is to brought to the next RID board meeting.
Future employee needs – The board wished to discuss the employee needs going forward and to have a written plan of what will take place. After considerable discussion they outlined the information noted here.
Looking forward 2 years – Cody Heggie will take over Mark Jensen’s position prior to July 2020, Lee Robson will replace Phil Wilde beginning in January, 2020. A new full-time ditch rider will be hired to run the Welling water by the spring of 2020. After the 2020 season Cody and the 2 full time ditch riders will handle most maintenance and be the core IRP workers. It is hoped that one person can replace Gordon ZoBell and Kelvin Kado with a part time employee being hired. Seasonal employees can be hired as needed depending on the season and IRP project load. Total full-time employees after 2021 will be 4. Gordon and Brian Rarick will retire Dec 31, 2020 with Kelvin in December of 2021. It is noted that the 3 outside full time employees need to be very versatile with strong collective skills including the ability to weld, have mechanical knowledge, machine experience, class 1 driver’s license and pesticide applicators license with aquatic and industrial certification. They also need to be good with the public and willing to work the hours required as a district water supervisor. The manager will work toward this information and goals as outlined here.
OWC – thanked the RID for a cash donation.
AIDA – annual meeting for all RID directors – November 28, 2016 at the Sandman Inn, Lethbridge, 10:00 AM.
IRP – Three-year plan draft – 2020 through 2023 – The draft was presented to the board by Gordon. The board was pleased with the plan as presented and will give final approval at the December 2019 regular board meeting giving all board members a chance to review it more.
Alta link – Stirling substation upgrade – It was noted the upgrade will take 3 months to complete.
HPA – Lillian Muise and Lawrence Johnson Box 129 Stirling T0K 2E0 Plan 1510865 Block 1 Lot 3 Linc 0036630382 SE-28-6-19-W4 – Approved on motion by Craig Palmer and carried.
HPA – Daniel Magnan and Michelle Magnan of Raymond. Plan 1413306 Block 1 Lot 9 Linc 0036438521 NE-11-6-21-W4. Approved on motion by Craig Palmer and carried.
Transfer of Irrigation acres Section 26 of ID act – 10 acres To: Jared and Roxanne Heggie Box 1674 Raymond SE 32-5-20-W4 parcel 10011 – From: NE-7-6-20-W4 Jared and Roxanne Heggie.
Transfer of Irrigation acres Section 26 of ID act – 10 acres To: Jared and Roxanne Heggie Box 1674 Raymond N1/2-NE-29-5-20-W4 parcel 10010 – From: NE-7-6-20-W4 Reid and Margaret Heggie customer # 1104.
Next meeting date – Thursday December 11, 2019, to be held at the RID board room commencing at 12 noon.
Motion to adjourn and time meeting ended – Having no further business the board ended the meeting at 3:37 PM on motion by Craig Palmer.