- The agenda for the meeting was approved on motion by Rod Wendorff and carried.
- Approval of the Minutes of the April 16, 2025 board meetings 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. Cody and Jason reported on the status of each project as follows:
9 Mile & North (IRP) – This project is completed for this season. We are now planning the fall construction of the final portion of the project – the Sugimoto ditch to pipeline conversion.
Gravity Pressure Pipeline System (“GPS”) (AIM) – All the easements have been signed except for the Keeler and Steed easements. We expect to start receiving pipe within the next 2 weeks. Ipex is prepared to deliver all of the pipe for our 2025 GPS order within June. We are still waiting to receive Stantec’s final report on the project review. We are also waiting to hear back from AGI in response to our application for the structure in the AGI canal.
8-2 (Internally Funded Project) – The first phase of this project will be operational for the 2025 irrigation season. We are working with WBES to finalize the 2nd phase and prepare the pipe order.
- Ditch Maintenance
Cody reported that we have a significant amount of downy brome growing on our canal banks. We usually apply round up to our canal banks to kill all the vegetation. This is generally successful, but without something growing on the canal banks the downy brome is finding it easy to flourish. The downy brome is negatively impacting some of our irrigators. One of those irrigators, Michael Hofer, has helped us by mowing our canal banks to cut down the downy brome before it turns to seed. The Board provided input on how to address the downy brome problem. It was decided the RID staff will adjust our spraying schedule to address the problem.
- Snowpack Report / Water Supply Forecast / RID Diversions:
The Board reviewed the snowpack and reservoir graphs on the Alberta Rivers website. The reservoir levels are looking good, but the snowpack is almost completely gone. May has been a fairly dry month and our water diversions for May will be around 10,000 ac ft. Last year was a rainy May so we only diverted 2,020 ac ft. Average May diversion is around 8,000 ac ft.
The plants are in full operation. The new Chin controls are working great. The new ebar battery is working and has cycled energy to and from the grid. Unfortunately, power pool prices remain around $30/mwh.
Irrican is hosting an ebar ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday June 25.
- RID financial –Jason reported:
The Board reviewed the recent bank, Mastercard and payroll reconciliations. Amanda will be preparing the latest 9 Mile phase 4 progress certificate for the next Board meeting.
We will also be updating the office siding, exterior lights and parking lot in preparation for our 100th anniversary BBQ at the end of June.
- Centennial BBQ – June 27
Jason discussed the centennial BBQ plans with the Board. The BBQ will be held on June 27 from 11:30am – 2:00pm. John McKee will provide some brief remarks at noon. The BBQ will be a drop in, casual event.
New Business
- Directors’ Items:
- IRP Funding Agreement:
Jason presented the annual IRP funding agreement. The RID will receive $768,028 in 2025 (this includes RID’s contribution).
- Enhanced Water Availability Update:
John attended the town hall held in Lethbridge and Jason attended the virtual town hall. John reported that the Lethbridge event went well and that AEPA has listened to districts during the first round of discussions held last fall. AEPAs has updated their engagement report and removed the items that the districts had concerns with. Generally speaking, the districts are supportive of the new report.
- AIDA Inter-District Tour – LNID June 20:
Jason reminded the Board of the LNID tour on June 20. John and Jason are planning on attending.
- Annual Agreements:
Jason presented the following annual agreement requests:
- 42 acres for the Town of Raymond Golf Course
- 180 acres for 1221092 AB Ltd. (NE 17-6-16-W4)
On motion made by John McKee and carried, the RID Board approves the annual agreements noted above.
- Alternate Parcel Agreements:
Jason presented the following alternate parcel requests:
- 40 acres from Lyle Friesen to Michael Hofer
- 54 acres from Ron Pack to HJT Inc.
- 10 acres from Buskirk to O’Donnell
On motion made by Craig Palmer and carried, the RID Board approves the above noted alternate parcel agreements.
- Next Meeting Date:
The next meeting is set for June 18, 2025
Motion to adjourn – There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 am on motion by Craig Palmer.