MD Council notes, April 24 meeting

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

The Municipal District of Pincher Creek No. 9 Council met on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 24.  Reeve Rod Zielinski was absent.  Deputy Reeve Terry Yagos chaired the meeting.  Also in attendance were councillors Bjorn Berg, Helen Cyr, Rod Cyr, and CAO Wendy Kay.

Related story: Final Mile Rural Connectivity Initiative gets go-ahead from MD Council

Texas Gate Policy adopted 
The draft of Texas Gate Policy 302 came back from the Agricultural Service Board with slight changes.  It was then fine-tuned for wording by Council
With the amendments, the Policy was unanimously approved by Council.

Search and Rescue trailer insurance coverage under MD's policy denied
At their April 10 meeting Council received a request from Search and Rescue to include a recently purchased storage trailer under the MD's insurance policy.
The trailer is intended for storage and hauling equipment.  The MD's insurer advised that they are not able to insure the vehicle under the MD's policy.

Elected Officials Training Policy passes
After some rewording, the Elected Officials Training Policy was passed unanimously by Council.
The Policy supports any MD resident who wishes to take the Elected Officials Education Program (EOEP) courses offered by the Alberta Elected Officials Education Program Corporation at their own expense.  If that person was to become elected in a future local government election the MD would reimburse their registration costs, on confirmation of a passing grade.

Grader purchase passes 
With Councillor Helen Cyr opposed, MD Council okayed the purchase of a new grader.

Out of four bids, Director of Operations Leo Reedyk recommended the purchase of a Cat 160M AWD from Finning, which he said was the only bid that met all of the specifications.  The quoted price was $424,450, considerably higher than the $399,280 originally budgeted for the purchase.

Councillors Helen Cyr and Bjorn Berg expressed their dissatisfaction at the discrepancy between the Public Works estimate and the actual price. "I'm not very happy with this, staying with one company when there is so much difference in price," said Councillor Helen Cyr.  "I don't like dealing with them over a barrel with this kind of increase."

The $25,170 upwards discrepancy in price will come out of the  Public Works Capital Reserve.

Castle Crown Wilderness Coalition weed-pull funding approved
Weed pull funding in the amount of $1,000 was unanimously approved for the Castle Crown Wilderness Association's 5th annual weed-pull, which is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, July 25.
Council directed that future funding requests by Castle Crown will be directed to Joint Funding.

Cowley Lions request for gravel approved
The Cowley Lions' request for gravel to finish work on 5 new campsites and a newly buried electrical line at Lundbreck Falls was approved unanimously by council, up to 150 cubic metres.  The Cowley Lions have arranged for the trucking.

Council funds UFA Safety Smarts Program 
Council approved a $1,449 funding request for the UFA Safety Smarts Program, and directed that future requests will be directed to Joint Funding.  The program educates students about the hazards associated with rural living.

Dust Control Policy 307 amended
Dust Control Policy 307 Schedule A amendments passed unanimously.  The amendments are updated annually to provide a list of areas to be included in dust suppression efforts.

Council to request reconvening the Oldman River Dam Environmental Advisory Committee

With several members of Council mentioning weed and mussel concerns near the Oldman River Dam, it was unanimously decided to ask the Minister of Alberta Environment to reconvene the Oldman River Dam Environmental Advisory Committee.  In the committee's final report, released in 2010, it suggested it should be revived in ten-year's time to review the "success of further mitigation and implementation of the recommendations".

Landfill road paving tender approved in principle
Central City Asphalt Ltd. submitted the lowest bid for paving of the landfill road at $2,997,638.20.  Genivar reviewed the tenders and projected a total project cost of $3,609,273.53, significantly less than the $3,655,00 budgeted.  The Landfill Association has indicated it is willing to cost-share in the project.

Director of Operations Leo Reedyk said the MD should now have discussions with the Landfill Association prior to signing the contract.

The MD's share of the funding would come out of the Roads Reserve

Council unanimously approved, providing the MD's portion of the funding does not exceed $3,000,000.  The project could start as soon as May 7 of this year.

New MD Building moves forward
Council directed Administration to prepare a rezoning application for the  site of the proposed new MD Administration building.   A Public Hearing to consider rezoning  will be required by the Town of Pincher Creek.
(See correction at the bottom of this article)

Ladies Social Club of Cowley to celebrate a century of service
In a letter to Councillor Bjorn Berg, Jo Anne Elliott recounted the Ladies Social Club's long history and inquired if there would be any funding available for their upcoming celebrations.

According to Elliott, the club was formed in 1913 as a social club for local farm women.

Excerpt from Jo Anne Elliott's letter:

"Over the years we have knitted socks for soldiers and raised funds for the Red Cross.  In 1924 we took over the job of looking after the Livingstone Cemetary. In the forties we catered to auction sales.  In 1988 or 1989 we installed a large rock at the Livingstone Cemetary and we have raised a flag there ever since.  In 1993 we planted a crabapple tree at the cemetary.  We provide lunches for funerals in Cowley when asked.  We have also catered to other functions when asked.
Every year in November we donate excess funds to different groups sucha as Search and Rescue, Stars, the Pincher Creek Women's Shelter, and others depending on how much money we have."

The Ladies Social Club of Cowley will be holding a special celebration and tea at Cowley Hall on Friday, June 1 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. and the public will be welcome to attend.

(My favourite quote from this meeting: "It might be gavel time" - Deputy Reeve Terry Yagos)