- The agenda for the meeting was approved on motion by Craig Palmer and carried.
- Minutes of the December 17, 2025 board meeting were approved on motion by John McKee and carried.
- Business arising from the prior month minutes
No business arising from prior minutes.
- Snowpack Report / Water Supply Forecast / RID Diversions:
The Board reviewed the latest reservoir and snowpack graphs.
The Irrican operators have also been performing a lot of maintenance. All of the operators have changed over the last 18 months. This new group of operators seems to be especially competent at performing preventative maintenance themselves.
- RID financial –Jason reported:
The Board reviewed the recent bank, mastercard and payroll reconciliations.
The Board reviewed the outstanding accounts receivable. Jason noted that some late payers asked if the Board would waive the late interest penalties. The Board held firm in their decision to not waive late interest penalties. Jason and Amanda will be working on the year end and arranging the year end audit in the coming weeks.
- Welling Area Director Nominations:
Jason reported that the notice for the Welling area director nominations was put in the Westwind Weekly and on the RID website on January 8. The nomination deadline is February 12, with a March 5 election date, if needed.
- AIDA Executive Report:
John attended the most recent AIDA executive meeting and reported on several items including:
- Ryan Vadnais, manager of the SWID has resigned. Kevin Soper is the new manager.
- Margo and Richard continued to encourage districts to stay on top their correspondence with DFO, including notification of canal dewatering.
- Most districts are continuing to expand.
- Ipex Tour & Summit Valve Tour – January 22 & 23, 2026:
Jason reviewed the itinerary for the upcoming tours with the Board. We will leave for Edmonton tomorrow morning at 7:00am.
- Seminar & AGM – March 19:
The annual seminar and AGM is scheduled for March 19. Joan and Lisa ZoBell have agreed to cater the roast beef luncheon again. The Board discussed various topics to include in the seminar and concluded to have sessions on AI, farm succession, drainage tile, and a commodity report.
- O&M Report and AIM Project Update:
Jason 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:
8-2 (Internally Funded Project) – This project is moving along very well. The crew is averaging installing 200m/day. We have already completed the first 1200m and are crossing township 70 today.
Gravity Pressure Pipeline System (“GPS”) (AIM & IRP) – John, Jason & Darin met with the Irrigation Secretariat, Jennifer Nitschelm and an AGI engineer, Tanner Phillips to review the GPS project and discuss the proposed IRP portion of the project. The meeting went well and Jason will be presenting the project to Irrigation Council on March 3. Jason also reviewed with the Board a cashflow projection for the next 4 years. The RID has sufficient cash on hand (and cash to be collected) over the next 4 years, to fund the AIM and IRP projects scheduled; however, it will use a large amount of cash resources.
Cross Coulee Extension (Irrigator Funded) – When the Cross Coulee pipeline was designed it included a small spur line that would eventually service NW 12-6-20-W4. The owner of that parcel was not prepared at that time to participate in the project. The owner is now prepared so the RID is planning on completing the final installation later this spring. It is likely that a contractor will be hired to complete the construction.
- Directors’ Items:
No items were brought forward.
- Next Meeting Date:
The next meeting is scheduled for February 18, 2026.
Motion to adjourn – There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 2:30 pm on motion by Craig Palmer.