- The agenda for the meeting was approved on motion by Rod Wendorff and carried.
- The Minutes of the August 18, 2024 board meeting were approved on motion by Rod Wendorff and carried.
Business Arising
- O&M Report and AIM Project Update:
Cody shared a slideshow of pictures taken over the last month of repairs & maintenance and pipelining activities. Jason reported on the status of each project as follows:
9 Mile & North (IRP) – We are in the process of getting the easements in place for the project to commence at the end of October/beginning of November. We have already received most of the pipe and fittings for the project from Ipex. Over the next few weeks as crops are harvested, we will be hydrovacing utilities, setting up the road crossings and exploring the option of having Lexcon install the shallow, smaller sections of the project.
Gravity Pressure Pipeline System (“GPS”) (AIM) – We received the Stantec proposal to peer review Wilde Brothers Engineering design and to complete a transient wave analysis for the project. Their proposal totals $60,000 and will be completed by the end of October.
On motion made by Craig Palmer and carried, the RID Board approves the Stantec proposal for review and analysis of the RID GPS Wellling Phase design.
New Dayton CPR Crossing (IRP 2393) – The project is scheduled for the week of October 21.
8-2 (Internally Funded Project) – We made it through the 2024 season without using the recently installed line. Due to the abundance of rain and the lower water allocation there was reduced demand and pressure on the 8-2 pumps. We have ordered fittings for the next portion of the project in the event that we finish the 9 Mile project sooner than expected this winter, which would enable us to work on the 8-2 project. Triple W has reached out to the RID and will be installing a natural gas service line adjacent to the new 8-2 line. This will make the transition for irrigators from the 8-2 centralized pump site to their own pumps easier.
Chin Chute Rehabilitation (IRP 2392) – The project is going well. The coffer dam is now fully removed and the contractor is working quickly on pouring the rest of the structure. The canal will then need to be realigned from the old chute to the new chute.
Aerial Photos – The aerial photos should now be completed. We expect to receive the finished photos in late fall.
Maintenance – We have completed many maintenance projects already this fall and have several more scheduled. Some of the bigger projects that we have completed or that have been scheduled in the next few weeks include replacing culverts by the Hirsche Farms homestead on Range Road 64, fixing the syphon along the main canal at NE 1-7-21-W4, culvert replacement at Wilde’s feedlot, and installing a line to replace Jack Salmon’s open ditch delivery.
- Snowpack Report / Water Supply Forecast / RID Diversions:
The Board reviewed the most recent GOA reservoir report, GOA water supply forecast, and internal RID diversion report. Reservoirs are doing better than expected. Irrigation demand is very minimal. We are currently running approximately 70 cfs daily. We anticipate this will continue until shut down on October 4.
- Irrican Update:
The Chin plant is still down. The part that failed is not readily available, but a company in Saskatchewan is refurbishing the broken part. It is scheduled to be installed back in the plant on Octobert 7 – just after water shut down. The Raymond plant and Drop 4,5,6 plant have both been curtailed very frequently this season. This will have a big impact on Irrican’s bottom line this year.
SMRID has been working with MPE to install radio towers to improve the reliability of communication at the plants for the Scada system. During the installation MPE investigated installing a fiber optic cable to the plants and determined that installing fiber optic line from Raymond to the RID office, which is part way to Drop 4,5,6 plant, would only cost between $14-20K. Close to the RID office the RID has right of way that runs to Drop 4,5,6. SMRID has ask RID if we are willing to pay for a portion of the cost to have the line installed to the RID office so that in the future Irrican could run the fiber line to the plants.
The Board discussed this proposal, including the future possibility of requiring more reliable internet for a Scada system for the new Gravity Pressure System – Welling Phase.
On motion made by John McKee and carried, the RID Board approves installing fiber optic to the RID office at a cost share arrange of 50/50 with Irrican Power Company.
The annual billings have been sent out and we have started to receive payments.
We have hired our seasonal employees for our winter pipelining, with the exception of 1 trench laborer position.
New Business
- Directors’ Items:
John shared that he has an exchange student from Switzerland helping on his farm this year. Her parents, who farm in Switzerland, are in Alberta visiting her. John expressed how amazed they are with irrigation in Southern Alberta.
- Office Copier Replacement:
Jason reported that the office photocopier broke down last week. Digitec inspected the copier and reported that it cannot be repair. Digitec provide the RID with a quote for a new copier that has the same specifications as the current copier. The quote was for $5,800 plus GST, plus monthly service contract, plus a per paper copy charge. Jason estimated that over 5 years the copier, excluding paper, would cost approximately $9,000. The RID office is in the process of becoming more digital therefore going forward we expect to do less printing. An alternative printer was found at Staples for $600 that has the same capabilities, including scanning and printing ledger size paper. The printer is manufactured by Brother and requires 4 ink cartridges, which cost $100 each for 5,000 copies. Jason estimates that over 5 years the Brother copier and toner would cost $2,600.
On motion made by Rod Wendorff and carried, the RID Board approves purchasing the Brother printer from Staples for approximately $600 plus related toner.
- Gravity Pressure System (“GPS”) – Welling Phase – Wilde Brothers Engineering Presentation:
Darin Wilde and Dave Long from Wilde Brothers Engineering presented an overview of the GPS design that will be submitted to Stantec for their review.
- 2025 – RID’s 100th Anniversary Celebration:
In March 2025 the RID will turn 100 years old. An anniversary book, in the format of a coffee table history book is being prepared. The Board also discussed hosting a celebratory lunch for our irrigators and updating the exterior RID office, including the RID main sign.
On motion by John McKee and carried, the RID Board approves updating the exterior of the RID office and shop.
- Irrigation Acre Transfers:
The following permanent acre transfer requests have been received:
- 12 acres from SE 17-6-19-W4 to SE 18-6-19-W4
On motion made by Rod Wendorff and carried, the RID Board approves the transfer of 12 irrigation acres from SE 17-6-19-W4 to SE 18-6-19-W4.
- Next Meeting Date
The next meeting is set for October 30, 2024.
Motion to adjourn – There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 2:00 pm on motion by Craig Palmer.