[Editor's Note: This is the entirety of the GBIC minutes as written and sent to the Beat by Secretary B.J. Agnew.]
Minutes
The November 20, 2024, meeting of the Gila Basin Irrigation Commission was called to order by Secretary BJ Agnew per on-line orders of Chair David Ogilvie at 6:00 pm in the Conference Room at Amplified Therapy, Cliff, New Mexico.
Present: Destre Shelley, Rose Shoemaker, Harley Allsup, Esker Mayberry, Gregor Hamilton, Wendel Hann, Peter Russell, BJ Agnew. And, via Zoom, David Ogilvie, Donita Blankenship, Maya Clifford.
A quorum of the Gila Basin Irrigation Commission (GBIC) was determined to be present by the representation of the Upper Gila Irrigation Association, the Fort West Irrigation Association, and the Gila Farms Irrigation Association. And, by proxy, the Gila Hot Springs Irrigation Association, the Riverside Irrigation Association, and the Grandpa Harper Irrigation Association.
The minutes of the October 16, 2024, meeting of the GBIC were approved.
Financial Report
The GBIC bank balance of $435.67 was approved.
Updates
Interstate Stream Commission (ISC) Arizona Water Settlements Act (AWSA) Funding Request Presentation
Destre Shelley presented to the ISC the GBIC Project Proposal for use of Non-New Mexico Unit Fund Monies. Grant County agrees with this Proposal.
National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Representative Donita Blankenship
Blankenship gave a review of the Woodrow and Shoemaker projects. Representative for Woodrow and Shoemaker would appreciate being involved before 100% design completion, i.e. "What are the concepts involved; Could we look at the designs; If there are concepts that the landowners don't like, can the design be changed?" Blankenship replied that the designs are approximately 60% complete. NRCS engineers in Nebraska are working on the designs and plan on a site visit the 15th. The design can be changed. The preferred option is large rock that is armored. It was noted that the GBIC has not really had any interaction with the NRCS since the beginning of the projects. The Gila Farms Irrigation Association does not want to accept the current design of their Headgate Design. They feel that things were overlooked in the site visit for the design. Blankenship offered to do a site visit at the Gila Farms Headgate. It was asked if the Gila Farms Headgate Project were delayed, would that impact on the other Projects? A delay in the Gila Farm Headgate Project will not impede the other Projects. The Gila Farms Irrigation Association does have some other funding options for match dollars. Grant County, who will be the Fiscal Agent for the GBIC, has asked the ISC for a construction extension of one year. Grant County will put out the Request for Proposal (RFP). Destre Shelley will be the GBIC contact for the NRCS. Donita Blankenship will be the NRCS contact for the GBIC.
Resolution of the Grant County Commissioners
ISC Representative Maya Clifford said that the ISC Attorney has sent a Resolution authorizing Grant County to function as Fiscal Agent for the GBIC funding agreement to support Grant County Acequias. The Grant County Manager will be issuing an RFP for a Project Manager sometime next week. Two thresholds that the ISC need done are:
1. Access agreements,
2. NRCS design completion. The ISC can work with a "boilerplate" access agreement. The ISC needs designs that are 100% complete. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) needs to have NRCS plans before they can sign the access agreement for the Gila Farms Headgate. The ISC hopes to be able to fund all five projects. The Gila Farms Headgate design can be changed before ISC funding. There was some discussion on the boundaries of the access agreements. A motion was passed to allow Shelley to move the GBIC Projects forward.
Capital Improvement grant agreements/update.
No further updates currently.
Congreso de las Acequias update: November 15-16, 2024, Las Vegas, New Mexico
The theme seemed to be to alert people to the process in getting NRCS Projects. Others are having challenges in working with the NRCS. The GBIC was represented at this meeting.
Action Items for Consideration
TNC-GBIC Draft Access Agreement
Chair Ogilvie stated that if the ISC is good with the Draft Access Agreement, that he was OK with it. A motion to accept the Draft Access Agreement, with amended changes including the ability to edit, was passed.
GBIC -Other access agreement
A motion to allow other access agreements was passed.
Old Business
A question on the status of the Bear Creek Revetment was asked. The original Fiscal Agent was the Grant Soil and Water Conservation District (GSWCD). They may not be able to function as the Fiscal Agent. The plans are complete.
New Business
None
Next Meeting
December 18
6:00pm
Amplified Therapy Conference Room
Cliff, New Mexico
Adjourn
8:07pm
