Dry Year Effects Crop Yeilds

Little snow pack and virtually no spring precipitation has left most farmers in a similar situation of not enough water to maximize crop yields. The situation has been complicated by unusual temperature extremes early on in the season with isolated incidences of frost damaged hay and cereal grain crops. The unseasonal heat the past few weeks has also taken its toll on corn and alfalfa yields. Some farmers are reporting up to 30% reduction in tonages harvested to date. With little relief in sight many people are deciding which crops to use their remaining water on to get the best return. This weather pattern is so different from last year in both water precipitation as well as temperature. All across the U.S. similar situations exist. Individual canal companies are evaluating the necessity of allocating additional stored water from the strawberry bank to supplement the low snow pack.

July Board Agenda

STRAWBERRY WATER USERS ASSOCIATION

Board of Director’s Meeting – Wednesday, July 11, 2012 7:00 p.m.

AGENDA

1.     Welcome and Introductions                                                                                7:00

2.     Approval of Minutes – June 13, 2012   

3.     POWER                                                                                                                     7:10

a.    Lobbyist Report

b.    Generation

c.    Spanish Fork Flow Control Structure Power Plant

4.     IRRIGATION COMMITTEE

                                                                                                                                    7:30

a.    River Commissioner’s Report

b.    Change of Place of Use Requests

c.    Signed Water Dedication Agreements (WDA)

a.        Reconsider Public Officials Bar B Que

5.     FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE                                            7:50                                       

a.    Disbursements & Expenses

b.    Financial Reports & Investment

c.    Insurance Review

6.     WATER POLICIES COMMITTEE                                                                                    8:10

a.    Streamline Office Hourly Billing Rate

b.    Springville Irrigation exchange application

7.     PROPERTIES & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE                                            8:30   

a.    Maintenance & Water Conservation Projects – Status Report

b.    Large Warehouse Report

c.    Properties Report

a.        Nephi Property Proposal

d.    Friends of Strawberry – Kelly Lewis

8.     PUBLIC AFFAIRS                                                                                                   8:50

9.     EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE                                                                                               9:10

Rehabilitation Projects

June Board Minutes

STRAWBERRY WATER USERS ASSOCIATION

REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

June 13, 2012

The Strawberry Water Users Association Board of Directors held a regular board meeting in the Association’s office at Payson, Utah, Wednesday, June 13, 2012, at 7:00 p.m.

Thirteen directors were present with Dan Ellsworth, Scott Phillips and J. Merrill Hallam being absent.  Shawn Thomas was in attendance and recorded the minutes.

Vice President Quentin Francom conducted the meeting. Guy Larson offered the invocation and Quentin Francom led the group in the pledge of allegiance. Vice President Francom welcomed Debbie Vanoy from Central Utah Water Conservancy District and Alan Christensen with the Bureau of Reclamation to the meeting.

Approval of the Minutes 

Robert McMullin made a motion, seconded by Dale Rowley, approving the minutes of the regular board meeting held May 9, 2012.  It was unanimously approved.

Properties and Development Committee

Maintenance & Water Conservation Projects       Chairman Quentin Francom reported on the Maintenance & Water Conservation Projects and photos of the projects were shown.

Large Warehouse     Chairman Quentin Francom reported that Zion’s Bank came and moved the stuff they had rights to out of the warehouse. SWUA will try and sell the remaining inventory because Zion’s Bank signed it over to us. We will make attempts to sell the items leftover in the warehouse to make a partial payment on rent, repairs, and cleaning.  The construction foreman is getting bids for these items.

Small Warehouse     Kevin Anderson asked what is going on with Hathaway it appears they have more trucks here all the time I am concerned about damage to the asphalt. Are they being allowed to do more than what is in their agreement? Chairman Francom responded and reported that they are just about caught up on their rent.

Nephi Property          Chairman Francom reported that Greenline Equipment Group that was interested in SWUA’s Nephi property cancelled the meeting they had scheduled with us.

Chairman Francom suggested that we pursue selling the land.

Robert McMullin made a motion, seconded by Blair Hamilton, approving the General Manager discusses with realtor/agent listing the Nephi property and bring a proposal back to the board for review. It was unanimously approved.

Calvin Crandall arrived to the meeting at 7:18 p.m.

Vice President Francom turned the meeting over to President Crandall.

Other

Robert McMullin reported that individuals at IFA have had people approach them about possibly putting a rail head at the site near SWUA’s IFA property. Robert suggested the committee spend some time and research this.

Friends of Strawberry           Kelly Lewis reported on the Friends of Strawberry meeting.

Water Policy Committee

Footnote 6     Chairman Garry Brown gave an update on the status of footnote 6.

Old Fields      Chairman Brown reported that a meeting was held concerning old fields. SWUA’s council reinforced that it is our duty to represent the shareholders interest in the matter. The water will go back on the lots (this property previously known as Pages). SWUA has spent many hours on this project by staff. Caren Kirk will attempt to create a historical outline of the old fields and time spent by staff.

Finance Committee

Disbursements and Expenses

Kelly Lewis made a motion, seconded by Guy Larson, approving payment of the invoices, and checks previously written as presented.  It was unanimously approved.

Property & Liability Insurance Renewal Proposal Chairman Anderson reported that the Committee reviewed the proposals for SWUA’s property and liability insurance. The Committee recommends Arch’s proposal with a premium of $78,101 and Utah Workers Compensation Fund with a premium of $8,846

Robert McMullin made a motion, seconded by Kelly Lewis, approving the Arch premium of $78,101 and the $8,846 proposal from the Utah Workers Compensation Fund.  It was unanimously approved.

Financial Reports and Investments Chairman Kevin Anderson reported on SWUA’s investments.

Irrigation Committee

River Commissioner's Report           Chairman Jesse Warren reviewed the Spanish Fork River Commissioner’s written report that is maintained in SWUA’s files.  

Change of Place of Use and Water Deeds          

Robert McMullin made a motion, seconded by Guy Larson, approving:

1.    A Water Deed request made by Margaret J. Backus to Nicholas and Rachel Button Serial No. 624.014 for a total of 1.00 acre foot.

            It was unanimously approved.

Signed Water Dedication Agreements (WDA)     Were not discussed.

Other

Chairman Warren reported that the committee recommends not holding the public officials Bar B Que this fall due to budget issues.

Guy Larson made a motion, seconded by Kevin Anderson, approving that due to budget short falls this year’s Public Officials Bar B Que be cancelled.  It was approved with a vote of 8 in favor and 6 opposed.

Quentin Francom asked what SWUA’s fees are to administer the CUWCD rental water. Staff reviewed some of the fee’s we charge to administer this but to ensure we are giving accurate information I would have to get the breakdown to make sure I am covering all of the costs.

Robert McMullin recommended that the Water Policy committee review this matter and bring back a recommendation.

There was some discussion on canal company losses and delivery of the bank. The water policy committee will continue discussing these matters and bring it back to the board when they have a recommendation.

Power Committee

Lobbyist Report    Chairman Robert McMullin gave a status report on the lobbyist.

Generation     Chairman McMullin reported on the hydro generation for May 2012

Spanish Fork Flow Control Structure Power Plant (SFFCSPP) Chairman McMullin reported that we had a meeting with SESD and CUWCD to discuss the SFFCSPP.  There were three items on the agenda for discussion 1. Optimal location; 2. Optimal sizing; 3. Confirm and refine project financing. It was determined to proceed with these three items would cost approximately $15,000. Our committee determined that we would like to proceed our share would be $5,000.

Quentin Francom made a motion, seconded by Kelly Lewis, approving the funds up to $5,000 to proceed with this phase of the Spanish Fork Flow Control Structure Power Plant engineering.  It was unanimously approved.

Other

Spanish Fork City Dam        Chairman McMullin recently attended a meeting concerning the City Dam after engineering was done it was determined that it is not practical to generate power at the location of the new dam.  SWUA paid $4,000 to have engineering done for a determination on generation.

Public Affairs Committee No report.

Executive Committee        No report.

Other Business                  

Blair Hamilton indicated that Fred Vincent and Wayne Peterson have requested a reduced rate from SESD on a pump that has a demand meter that they will be using. Blair asked if SWUA is willing to reduce their rate. Blair asked if Spanish Fork Southeast Irrigation Company could possible use rehabilitation funds for this.

Garry Brown asked who will be using the water that is pumped. Blair indicated that Spanish Fork City will use the water. Maybe, possibly Spanish Fork Southeast Irrigation Company.

There was much discussion about this issue. Many felt that if you do this for some you need to do it for all.

Recharge Project

Alan Christensen discussed the Spring Creek recharge project and indicated that SWUA may want to become familiar with it.

Garry Brown was directed to check with Jay Franson about this project.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm.