IRRIGATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

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Video Conference
A link to the live webcasting of this meeting will appear here once the meeting is live.
Members Present:
  • Kevin Buis - Chair, 
  • Michael Kauzlaric, 
  • Kurt Neumann, 
  • Rob Enns, 
  • George Lepp, 
  • and Aaron Oppenlander 
Members Absent:
  • Erwin Wiens - Vice Chair 
Staff Present:
  • Brandon Enns - Irrigation & Drainage Superintendent 
  • and Cheryl Lootsma - Administrative Assistant - Operations 
Others Present:

  • Evan Pilkington, Vineland Research Centre

    Amy Bowen, Vineland Research Centre

    Sarah Marshall, Ontario Tender Fruit

     

1.
CALL TO ORDER

 

This meeting was called to order by Kevin Buis, Chair at 2:35 p.m.

2.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA

 

Chair Kevin Buis requested to add phragmites to New Business.

Moved by Rob Enns that the agenda be adopted as amended.

APPROVED.

3.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST

 

There were none.

4.
PREVIOUS MINUTES

This item has attachments. 
1.Post-Meeting Minutes - IC_Apr10_2024 - English.pdf

Moved by Aaron Oppenlander that the April 10, 2024, minutes be received.

 

5.
PRESENTATIONS

 

Amy Bowen from the Vineland Research Centre presented a proposed metering research study along with costs associated with it.

The Committee agreed to shelve this proposal due to the cost.

The Committee agreed to conduct a survey of irrigators themselves with the intent to ensure irrigators are reporting their water usage.

Staff will advise the Vineland Research Centre of the Committee's decision.

Reporting usage is a condition of the permit. Staff will send out reminder emails to all irrigators.

 

 

Michael Kauzlaric joined the meeting at 2:43 PM.

6.
ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

There were none.

7.
CORRESPONDENCE

 

There were none.

8.
BUSINESS

 

8.1
Pump Status Update

 

Staff provided an update:

  • Dee Road - opened May 6 without issue
  • Eastchester - opened May 14
  • Carlton - no issues to report

8.2
NPCA MOU Update

 

Staff advised the Committee that the annual costs associated with operating the upper and lower dams are primarily the replacement of the dam boards.

8.3
CIB Update

 

The  Committee deferred this item until next meeting.

8.4
All Growers Meeting - Debrief

 

Staff noted that metering and reporting were the main topics of the All Growers Meeting.

9.
NEW BUSINESS

 

9.1
Phragmites

 

Staff mentioned a new funding opportunity for up to $25,000 for controlling phragmites.

Staff will gather further information. The application is due May 30, 2024.

Sarah Marshall will send contact information to Chair Kevin Buis and Staff regarding a product being used successfully in Alberta.

10.
NEXT MEETING DATE

 

Wednesday, June 12, 2024, @ 1:00 p.m.

11.
ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 3:58 p.m.

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