A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Butte-Meade Sanitary Water District was held at the District Office on November 13, 2024, at 8:00 a.m., led by the Pledge of Allegiance.  The meeting was called to order by the President of the Board, Bob Lewis at 8:00 a.m.

Unless otherwise noted, all Board action was by unanimous decision.

Members Present: Bob Lewis, Gary Velder, Penny Oedekoven, Judy Heisler, Richard Harmon, Mike Wolff, Dallas Conner, Todd Williamson and Dwight Gubbrud.  

Motion by Penny Oedekoven, second by Judy Heisler to adopt the agenda.  Motion carried.

The Minutes of the regular October 9, 2024, meeting was presented and approved on a motion by Richard Harmon, second by Gary Velder.  Motion carried. 

The Treasurer’s Report and bills were approved on a motion by Judy Heisler, second Penny Oedekoven.  Motion carried.

Old Business:

• Executive Session – Motion by Richard Harmon, second by Judy Heisler to enter Executive Session. Motion carried.
• Motion by Gary Velder, second by Richard Harmon to authorize the District’s attorney to commence a civil action against MJ Drilling Inc for failure to enter into the contract for the Water System Improvements 2024 – New Madison Well.  Motion carried.
• Motion by Richard Harmon, seconded by Gary Velder to approve the Contract for Legal Services with Bennett Main Gubbrud and Willert PC for a civil action against MJ Drilling Inc on the blended fee.  Motion carried.
• Well Update – Well is 3443’ deep.  The acid procedure has been completed and the well has been flushed.  Flow started at 1400 gpm and slowed to 950 gpm after 2 hours.

New Business:

• Christmas Party – The board agreed that January works best for the Christmas Party.  Dallas will contact High Plains and will get a date set.
• Parade of Lights – Newell is having a Parade of Lights December 13.  The board agreed to having an entry in the parade.  Dallas will get this organized.
• Insurance Renewal – The insurance policy is set to be renewed November 15 and the new policy is about $6,000 higher than 2024.  It is an increase of about 15%.  Motion by Penny Oedekoven, seconded by Judy Heisler to approve the new policy.  Motion carried.

Office Manager Report:

• Paya online billing system is up and running.  Several people are already using the system.  We have had a few issues but for the most part, it has been a smooth transition.
• Blackburn is scheduled to come relevel the building in December.  The building has settled and needs to be releveled.  

Manager Report:

• Valves set at the Junction, will continue to go south with 2” line.
• Fixed a leak on Viken Road.
• Gave the county an estimate for the bridge on Viken Road. Butte County will help with the cost.
• Game, Fish & Parks would like to move their pit up Fisherman’s Road and have Butte-Meade take over the line from Highway 212 to the pay area.  There is a possibility of adding a few new taps in that area.
• Several new taps installed in October with a few more yet to do this month.

Motion by Judy Heisler, second Richard Harmon, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 am.