MD Council notes, May 22 and June 12 meetings

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Regular meetings of the Council of the Municipal District of Pincher Creek No. 9 were held on Tuesday afternoon, May 22 and again on June 12.  In attendance at the May 22 meeting were Reeve Rod Zielinski, Deputy Reeve Terry Yagos, Councillors Helen Cyr, Rodney Cyr, and Bjorn Berg, CAO Wendy Kay, Director of Operations Leo Reedyk, and Development Officer Assistant Tara Cryderman.  Councillor Bjorn Berg was absent from the June 12 meeting.

Castle River Campground update
Earl Johnson of the Cowley Lions Club addressed Council regarding the Castle River Campground, which is owned by the MD and managed by the Cowley Lions.  Mr. Johnson thanked Council for supporting the club's endeavours at the campground.  According to Johnson, the campground now has 72 camping sites, with 42 of them powered.  He said many of the sites are rented ahead of time for the season, and that a considerable number of renters leave their units onsite all year.
                                      
Cowley Lundbreck Regional Water System Contract approved
Council approved the awarding of a contract to MPE Engineering Ltd. to design, manage, and administer the Cowley Lundbreck Regional Water System Project with a total approved cost not to exceed $6,180,000.00.

Way paved for Landfill Road funding
Council decided to draft a bylaw to secure a $3.6 million debenture for the Landfill Road paving project.



Transmission lines continue to be of concern
Council agreed to a motion by Councillor Bjorn Berg to send a letter to the Minister of Energy requesting a meeting with the Minister of Energy, AESO and AUC to discuss the MD’s continuing concerns regarding transmission lines within MD boundaries.

Highways Weed Spraying contract approved for one more year
Council decided to send a letter to Volker Stevin informing them that the MD is prepared to undertake highway weed spraying for 2012, but will be unable to provide this service in 2013.

Jim Cisar appointed Deputy Director to Emergency Management
Council ratified the appointment of Cowley Fire Chief Jim Cisar to the position of Deputy Director to Emergency Management.

Fishburn Community Club allowed to detach from grid
Council agreed to allow the Fishburn Community Club, which is owned by the MD, to disconnect their electrical service for the Fishburn Hall from Epcor and purchase a generator and have an electrician wire the hall for that purpose.  This measure is expected to significantly decrease the expense of maintaining the hall for the Club, which holds one or two events a year there. Reeve Zielinski absented himself form the discussion due to a potential conflict of interest with his employment.

Council wishes to meet with Minister of Environment
Council agreed to a motion by Councillor Rodney Cyr that an invitation be sent to Minister of Environment Diana McQueen to meet with Council to discuss environmental issues of concern to the MD.

MD not willing to assume ownership of Hutterian Fellowship Colony of Brocket Cemetery
Council directed Administration to reply to the Hutterian Fellowship Colony of
Brocket that the municipality is not willing to assume ownership of their cemetery.

Crestview Lodge project receives Council's support
Council agreed to provide a letter to the Pincher Creek Foundation that strongly supports the proposed replacement facility for Crestview Lodge in recognition of "the growing need to provide more adequate facilities for those citizens requiring subsidized seniors housing."
Accordingly, the MD has also decided to work with Municipal Partners and the Provincial Government to "finance and construct a new senior’s Lodge to meet current Seniors Housing Standards and expectations of the residents and their families."

New MD Administration Building moves forward
MD Council has decided to proceed with construction of a new administration building, to "provide adequate working / meeting facilities that meets today’s Building Code requirements and can be accessed by all members of the public."
$200,000 has been earmarked towards the project, which is expected to cost 4 to 4.5 million dollars, with site prep to occur between January and May 2013.  Construction is expected to commence September, 2013 with finalization of the project projected for Spring 2014.

Beaver Mines Fire Hall update
Construction of a new Beaver Mines fire hall is expected to commence September 2013 with finalization of the project expected in Spring 2014.

Some summer meetings cancelled
The regular council meetings scheduled for July 24 and August 14, and the Subdivision Authority and Municipal Planning Commission meeting scheduled for August 7 have been cancelled.
Carried