MD of Pincher Creek council notes, Summer 2013 meetings

• Pre Election All-Candidates forum planned for October 3*
• Delegation eats metaphorical crow, offers cookies
• Trout Unlimited suggests signage
• Request for Dust Control approved
• Water Treatment Plant contract approved
• Turning garbage into money - SAEWA waste to power plans discussed
• Bed and Breakfast operators express wind development concerns
• Sahra Hancock promotes 'Becoming a Community Builder" project
• Development concerns raised by Susan Casey
• No change to Beaver Mines Fire Hall plan
• Southern Alberta Land Trust Society asks for funding for Rock Creek Corridor project
• No members of the public attend Public Hearing for Bylaw 1238-13
• Road graveling an ongoing concern
• Regional Water update
• Summerview Road Intersection almost complete

Pre Election All-Candidates Forum to be held October 3

At the September 10 meeting of council CAO Wendy Kay informed council that an all-candidates forum was planned for October 3, to be held at the Heritage Inn with FCSS Coordinator David Green once again acting as moderator.  Kay said the Town of Pincher Creek has agreed to pay the costs associated with the event.

Update: The all-candidates forum scheduled for October 3 is for Town of Pincher Creek council aspirants.  A forum for those running for MD of Pincher Creek No. 9 Council will be held on October 10.  Both forums will be held at the Heritage Inn and will start at 7:00 pm.

Delegations:

Delegation eats metaphorical crow, offers cookies

Nancy Barrios appeared before council on September 10 after sending them a letter of concern on September 3.  "I'm here to eat crow," she said.   "I was here to complain about a development south and a bit west of our farm.  I would trespass through southeast corner sometimes to get to my property."

She said she saw a gravel truck that left behind "big white rocks sticking out everywhere."  She said she also saw a motorhome and heard rumours of a campground supposedly being built on the property, which prompted her original complaint.

She said that upon further investigation she discovered a motorhome and quonset and a small gravel bed was the extent of the development, and that instead of a campground it was a family idyll.

"I'm just so over the moon to be wrong, to be a horrible nosy neighbour," she said.

"I have cookies!"

"This is for my humble pie," she said, explaining the cookies. "Being a vegetarian I can't actually eat crow. This is just one person's dream and I wish him the best."

"It's so wonderful to have this forum to be able to express opinions. Thank you."

This reporter exercised true due diligence and can therefore report that the cookies were delicious.

Southern Alberta Land Trust Society asks for funding for Rock Creek Corridor project

Alan Gardner of the Southern Alberta Land Trust Society (SALTS) appeared before council on September 10.  He presented information about the Rock Creek Corridor and said SALTS was working with the Miistakis Institute "To tie down property in this corridor to protect it for wildlife".

"We're looking for easements to connect property for this corridor.  "Miistakis has done a lot of conservation science in this area."

"What we are asking for is a little bit more funding."

"Is there any coordination with the land use plans of the municipalities you're involved with?" asked Reeve Berg.  Gardner said that SALTS deals with a lot of municipalities in southern Alberta, "but we have worked with a lot of landowners. We've tended to work more with the individual landowners instead of the MDs"

"SRD  (Alberta Sustainable Resources Development) may have an impact on this," said Reeve Berg.  One of the biggest impacts I'm anticipating is a requirement for municipalities to conform to certain standards.  We will have to incorporate your findings into our plans."  Gardner suggested it would be a good idea for SALTS "to meet with your planners once or twice a year."

"MX Ranch has a lot of nature conservancy land around it,  are you working with them?" asked Councillor Helen Cyr.  "We corroborate occasionally but not very much, for various reasons," responded Gardner.

"Our community values study says our landowners should have some say as to what goes on with their land... this supports that," said Councillor Yagos.  "Absolutely," responded Gardner.

"We have a long history with the MD of Pincher Creek. We tend to support the landowner."

Trout Unlimited suggests signage

Mike Lamb of Trout Unlimited appeared before council on July 9. Lamb complimented the council, saying "I hope this council runs again, speaking as a ratepayer in the MD."

"As far as the Burmis-Lundbreck corridor is concerned I think this council has done more to correct mistakes made by other councils."

Speaking officially on behalf of Trout Unlimited he said "We've been discussing signage. In a couple of places we'd like to see and are willing to partially or completely fund signage that would show the Burmis-Lundbreck corridor, public access, environmental reserves, environmental easements, and explain the difference between reserves and easements.  We think it would make it easier for people to understand where they can and cannot go."  Reeve Bjorn Berg asked him if a kiosk at the Castle Mountain ski hill would be a good idea.  "Definitely," said Lamb.

Lamb suggested several places where Trout unlimited felt signage would be useful, including the parking area adjacent to the Highway 507 bridge, at Lundbreck Falls, and at Burmis Lake.  He said the organization would need help from the planning commission, particularly to create maps.

"Our biggest efforts go into weed control," he said, briefly discussing the weed pull at Burmis Lake, which he said helped generate a lot of publicity about the issue.

Bed and Breakfast operators express wind development concerns

Bed and Breakfast operators Teri Vidricaire and Janet Casey appeared before council as a delegation on August 27 to offer their support to other user groups who have appeared before council with wind development and power line concerns in the area of their properties, which is south of the town of Pincher Creek near Highway 6, in Division 1 of the MD.  Vidricaire and Casey said they represented several tourism operators between Waterton Lakes and Pincher Creek.  "The Community Values Assessment report and our desire to protect the environment is why we are here," said Casey.  "We're asking for a moratorium and action to protect the Pincher - Waterton corridor," said Vidricaire.

"Council hasn't heard about this, where is this rumour coming from," asked Councillor Terry Yagos.  "We're trying to be proactive as opposed to reactive," said Casey.  Councillor Yagos said there was no current application for any wind development in the area in question, and that transmission lines are not within the MD's jurisdiction.  "If it comes across our desk our hands are tied," affirmed Division 1 Councillor Helen Cyr.

"We would have to be creative," said Reeve Berg.  He suggested Vidricaire and Casey read #619 of Alberta's Municipal Government Act, which states in part "A licence, permit, approval or other authorization granted by the NRCB, ERCB, AER, AEUB or AUC prevails, in accordance with this section, over any statutory plan, land use bylaw, subdivision decision or development decision by a subdivision authority, development authority, subdivision and development appeal board, or the Municipal Government Board or any other authorization under this Part."

"I ask you if you have any ideas about how we can be creative that way.  I welcome them with open arms."  He suggested that trying to protect the viewscape might be a viable idea.  "I could establish a reason for us to appear before a hearing, it's nebulous but it doesn't violate the act."

Casey asked if council would be willing to speak for them at such a hearing.  "We have, and we will," said reeve Berg.  He said that municipal councils didn't always have a powerful voice in such situations.  "We're like the little voice in the wilderness, and they don't want to pay attention to that."

Later during the same meeting council decided to request comments from the Oldman River Regional Services Commission (ORRSC) regarding the idea of a "No Go Zone" and to also ask St. Henry's Church for comment on the issue of the viewscape.

At their September 10 meeting council discussed the issue, as part of their regular process with issues brought forward by delegations.  "We can't put a moratorium on something unless we open it up and hear from all sides," said Councillor Yagos, supporting a statement by Councillor Helen Cyr that as there was no actual existing plans for development at this time it was not the current council's mandate to go any further with the issue with an election coming up.  She suggested forwarding municipal development planning information to those concerned so that they could understand the process more.

Related link: Municipal Government Act

Becoming a Community Builder

Sahra Hancock appeared before council as a delegation to ask for the MD's support for the Becoming a Community Builder project. She said she was appearing as a citizen, not as a Town of Pincher Creek councillor.  "It's focused on building leadership capacity in rural Alberta," she said.  The project is spearheaded by "rock star philanthropist" Ian Hill, well known as the man behind the "Let There Be Kids" initiative that resulted locally in the new playground adjacent to St. Michael's School.

"20 communities will be chosen to participate," said Hancock.  Seven have been chosen so far and Pincher Creek is one of them."

Later during their regular meeting council decided to authorize the use of the MD logo as a sign of support for the Becoming a Community Builder project.

Related story: Becoming A Community Builder in the Pincher Creek region

Turning garbage into money - SAEWA waste to energy process discussed

Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association (SAEWA) Chair Kim Craig appeared before council on August 27 to discuss the viability of the waste to energy process.  Craig is also the Mayor of Coaldale.  SAEWA is a coalition of 72 municipal entities and waste management jurisdictions in southern Alberta, including the Village of Glenwood, Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, Cowley, Town Pincher Creek, and Municipal District of Pincher Creek.  From their website: "SAEWA is committed to
research and implementation of energy recovery from non-recyclable waste materials to reduce
long-term reliance on landfills. Established in 2009, SAEWA is seeking to foster sustainable
waste management practices that contribute to our society’s overall resource efficiency."

Craig explained that SAEWA has a per capita membership fee model.  His powerpoint presentation included a map of the current SAEWA membership, shown below.  He said the newest member was County of Cypress. 

SAEWA membershipmap (click to expand)
source: www.saewa.ca

"There's a lot of interest in what we're doing," Craig said.   "We started in the 90s with Vulcan, and we've really been getting going the  last 5 years."

"The CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) has asked Alberta to find waste solutions.  There's reduce, reuse, and recycle.  The fourth 'r' we  want to focus on is recovering waste  into energy ."

Craig said that finding investment does take a long time.  "For a group like us to work together is important."  He said that a waste to energy plant had a pricetag of about 500 million dollars.

"We had no takers on buying the energy without knowing where the site (of a waste to energy plant) was.  "Now we have six different municipalities that are interested in having this in their back yard."

"2014 will be a busy year, that's when we hope to pick the technology and pick the site."

"Is this still a viable project," asked Councillor Helen Cyr, referring to the length of time the project has been in the planning stages.  "Yes, this is a viable project. Number one is municipal solid waste.  That's what we need to get this started."

"You will have to decide if you want to be a customer or an owner."

Craig said the project has taken a long time because "You want to be led by science and not fiction when you're doing this stuff."

"Garbage is money.  We're looking at a $57 per tonne fee."

"Why don't we have smaller ones and locate them in three or four municipalities instead of just one," asked Councillor Rod Cyr.  Craig said his preference was one "well monitored and mitigated facility' instead of multiple sites.

At their September 10 meeting council agreed to provide $5000 to SAEWA with the proviso that a final report be delivered.  "This is not an unending stream of money coming from us," said Councillor Helen Cyr.  

Related link: www.saewa.ca

Development concerns raised by Susan Casey

Susan Casey appeared before council on August 27 to speak about her concerns about development occurring adjacent to her property.  She said the septic system for the development was poorly designed and could have a negative effect to her own property.  She had some water she said came from her water supply to show council.  "It looks like clean water, but I can't offer you any because I can't be sure it's safe to drink."

"This recent construction of an access road in a major drainage area interferes with drainage that flows down into my area.'  

"Half the road fell off last year, it fell right off."

"If that road falls off I will have no access to my property."

"There's a septic field right uphill from the slope.  All that drainage from the surrounding hills will flow across that field right into my yard."

Casey said she had a site for a new home on her property that has had services in place for five years.  "I will have to build somewhere else to avoid that runoff."

"Experts won't drink that water."

Casey said she would like a full engineering study of the situation.

Public Hearings:

No members of the public attend Public Hearing for Bylaw 1238-13

Land Use Bylaw Amendment 1238-13 was the subject of a public hearing on July 9.  No members of the public attended.  The Bylaw is to amend Land Use Bylaw 1140-08 by re designating lands from "Hamlet Transitional Agricultural" to "Hamlet Public and Institutional' to allow for the development of a water metering station and reservoir.

Regular Council:

Funding for new fire truck approved

A funding request from Pincher Creek Emergency Services for the purchase of a new fire truck was unanimously approved on August 27.  The MD will pay $225,000 - half of the total cost. "It's a demo truck, we got a good deal," said Councillor Terry Yagos. The truck being replaced is 22 years old.

"We need a new fire hall, that's the next thing," said Deputy Reeve Rod Cyr.

Automatic watering system approved for new MD building

At their August 27 meeting council voted unanimously to approve the installation of an irrigation system for the landscaping at the new MD building currently under construction.  Council approved a project change order to include the irrigation system at a cost of $50,874.30.

Request for Dust Control approved

On July 9 Council granted a dust control request made by George Dowson for the lane at the east side of the hamlet of Lundbreck.

Water Treatment Plant contract approved

On July 9 council approved the awarding of a $2,472,390.90 contract with Everest construction Management Ltd. for 'Contract 2- Water Treatment Plant', a component of the Lundbreck/Cowley Water Supply Project.

No change to Beaver Mines Fire Hall plan

At the August 27 council meeting Councillor Garry Marchuk moved that the proposed locations for the Beaver Mines Fire Hall be disclosed to the residents of Beaver Mines for their comments and their approval, and that should the community determine another location is preferred the land owner be approached to swap land.  Reeve Berg requested a recorded vote.  The motion was defeated with all councillors opposed except for Councillor Marchuk.  Councillor Marchuk owns property adjacent to the decided upon location of the planned new fire hall.

Road graveling an ongoing concern

Director of Operations Leo Reedyk's report on September 10 evolved into a discussion about graveling the roads in the MD.  Deputy Reeve Rod Cyr expressed concerns about whether the graveling was getting done in a timely manner.  Councillor Helen Cyr said she wanted council to meet with Public Works about the issue.  "It would be nice to hear what the staff is thinking too," she said.  Councillor Marchuk concurred with that statement.

 "What do you want to see as an outcome?" asked Reeve Berg.

"Roads are our largest budget, they're what we do the most of and what we should be the best at, but complaints come into this office on a regular basis," said Councillor Marchuk.  He said the inquiries of ratepayers were not being addressed and "They're getting irate."

 "Communication is a problem," said Councillor Yagos.  He said council needs a complaint format that allows complaints to be tracked better.

Reeve Berg suggested bringing it up with Public Works Management first and then "bringing it out into the field," for feedback.

"It's certainly a good time to have that discussion," said Reedyk.

"Something has to change," said Councillor Yagos.  "For a lot of ratepayers it's the number one priority - the roads."

Regional Water update

At their September 10 meeting  updated council about the Cowley/Lundbreck Regional Water construction.  According to Reedyk the piping from Lundbreck to  Cowley is on track and should be completed in "less than a month".  The treatment package for the new plant in Cowley is due to arrive in November of this year and it is anticipated that the treatment plant itself will be installed in Cowley in June 2014.

Summerview Road Intersection almost complete

Director of Operations Leo Reedyk told council at their Septemeber 10 meeting that the Summerview Road Intersection project is almost completed.