Raymond Irrigation District
February 2025 Board Meeting Highlights
  1. The agenda for the meeting was approved on motion by Craig Palmer and carried.
  1. Approval of the Minutes of the January 15, 2025 board meetings were approved on motion by Rod Wendorff and carried.

Business Arising

  1. 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:

9 Mile & North (IRP) – Since the last board meeting, weather has slowed the project down. We have had a lot of very cold days. The forecast indicates there will be another week of cold weather and then dramatically warm up. We will likely have the crew work 9 hour days once the weather becomes warmer to make up for the down time.

Gravity Pressure Pipeline System (“GPS”) (AIM) – Jason presented the board with a draft construction timeline for the GPS project. AIM projects are supposed to be completed by December 2028, but due to shortage of supplies, Irrigating Alberta Inc., is appealing to CIB and GOA to extend the project deadline to December 2029. To complete the project by then we will install the inlet structure this fall and plan to install 1,000-2,000 m of pipe. WBES is continuing to work with Stantec and other consultants to finalize the design of the project. Our goal is to order pipe by March 31, 2025.

New Dayton CPR Crossing (IRP 2393) – This project is completed. We are just waiting on invoices from CPKC.

8-2 (Internally Funded Project) – The first phase of this project is installed, but there are a few tie ins and work to be completed so that irrigators on the first phase can use the new system. By the 2nd week of April we hope to have all the final work completed and the 1st phase ready for the 2025 season.

 

Chin Chute Rehabilitation (IRP 2392) – Nothing to report.

  1. 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 great, but the snowpack is below the average quartile range.

  1. Irrican Update:

The Irrican AGM was held on February 14. John, Craig and Jason were able to attend. Irrican was in a $2.7M loss for 2024. This was mostly due to the Raymond plant being down for repairs. AESO also curtailed plant operations due to the high volume of solar and wind power generation that has come online in the last few years.

  1. RID financial –Jason reported:

We are working on our year end. The audit field work is scheduled for February 25 & 27.

Jason presented the 2024 solar revenue report.

  1. Raymond Director Nomination Results:

Jason reported that Craig Palmer was acclaimed for the Raymond area director position. The Board was happy to have Craig continue with the district and appreciate his insights and contributions to the district.

  1. Seminar and AGM Review:

Jason presented the finalized agenda for the AGM as follows:

9:00   am Welcome – John McKee, RID Chairman
9:05   am Chin Reservoir Expansion Update – Travis Geremia, SMRID
9:20   am Irrican Battery Storage System Overview – David Westwood, SMRID
9:35   am Gravity Pressure System – Welling Phase Update – Darin Wilde, WBES
10:00 am Refreshment Break and Door Prize Draws
10:15 am Technological Advancement in Irrigation Equipment – TBA
10:30 am Commodity Price Outlook – Mark Donegan, Parrish & Heimbecker
11:30 am Water Outlook for 2025 – Jason Shaughnessy, Water Operations Specialist, AGI
11:45 am 100 Years of Irrigation: Service Awards
12:00 pm Roast Beef Lunch and Anniversary Cake
RID ANNUAL MEETING TO FOLLOW THE SEMINAR AT 1:00 PM

The Board discussed the service awards and agreed to give awards to all living past directors and managers and operations managers. This includes Bryon Wilde, Robert Fraiser, Gordon ZoBell and Mark Jensen. The Board decided to present them with an RID coat and a plaque commemorating their service to the district.

  1. 100th Anniversary Update:

Jason reported preparations for the 100th anniversary include:

  • The history/picture book has been ordered and is expected to be here by the 1st week of March
  • Branson Palmer is preparing a video for the seminar
  • The service awards will be given out at the seminar
  • We will be having cake at the seminar
  • Jason has notified the media that the RID is turning 100 and they will likely be at our seminar

 

  1. Annual Agreements:

On motion made by Rod Wendorff and carried, the RID Board approves an annual agreement for the 2025 season in the amount of 40 acres for a parcel located at NE 26-06-21-W4.

New Business

  1. Directors’ Items:

No additional director items were noted.

  1. Land Use Change for Plan 8710315 Block A:

For information Jason presented a notice the RID received from Cardston Country regarding the change of use from agriculture to grouped country residential for the parcel noted as Plan 8710315 Block A. The owners of this parcel currently have an annual agreement with the RID. The owners would like to work with the RID as they develop the subdivision so that it can include HPA turnouts at each lot. As the owners continue with the subdivision, the annual agreement will not be renewed and instead, the acreage owners can apply for household purposes agreements.

  1. Cell Phones:

The office was recently contacted by Telus with a new cell phone plan proposal. The new plan would save approximately $200-400/month. The Board agreed to allow the office staff the flexibility to review and arrange a new phone plan at their discretion.

  1. RID Strategic Plan:

John reported that from the trip to New Zealand one of the big take aways was the need for a strategic plan. CPWL in NZ developed a 100 year strategic plan, which guides their operations and decision making. John noted that the RID is turning 100 years, and that to continue for another 100 years we need to determine our focus and direction. The Board discussed the idea of a formal strategic plan and what it should include. Points discussed include, water conservation and reduction/elimination of our return flows, completion of the gravity pressure system, future expansion, crop changes within the district, government and public relations, maintenance planning, and equipment planning. Over the next few months Jason will draft a strategic plan. The Board will then review and update the draft until a comprehensive plan is created which will help guide the RID through the next century.    

  1. Next Meeting Date

The next meeting is set for March 19, 2025

Motion to adjourn – There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 1:55 pm on motion by Craig Palmer.

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