ECA Review 2020-03-04

ECA REVIEW HANNA/CORONATION/STETTLER, AB March 5'20 5
Castor council ponders summer student quandary
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
Town of Castor council found out
during their regular meeting Feb. 24
that questions still remain around
grant funding for summer student
positions.
Councillors heard a report from
Chief Administrative Officer(CAO)
Christopher Robblee that the municipality
requires $30,000 in grant
Questions around summer student grants remain
funding to cover two full or four parttime
summer student positions. If the
town doesn’t receive that much in
funding, then, Robblee said, councillors
will face a decision.
The options facing council over the
funding included full grants, meaning
they receive the $30,000, partial,
meaning they receive part of the
$30,000 but not all of it, none, meaning
the grants weren’t received at all and,
lastly, a tax increase to cover the
summer student funding. It was stated
at the meeting a one per cent tax
increase would be needed to cover the
funding.
Councillors were given a presentation
by staff on what duties summer
students cover, which is considerable.
Summer students work as lifeguards
at the swimming pool, perform upkeep
and maintenance at the ball diamonds,
water plants around town, spray
weeds, paint handicap spaces and
curbs and tree trimming, among many
other duties.
Council may tweak utility billing
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism
Initiative reporter
ECA Review
Big Valley village council
may tweak the way it handles
utility billing. The issue
was discussed at the Feb. 27
regular meeting of council.
Chief Administrative
Officer (CAO) Sandra Schell
stated councillors noted that
they feel the current system
for dealing with delinquent
utility accounts may not be
the most efficient way.
Currently, bills must pass
a 90-day “unpaid” term,
when they are then transferred
to the property
owner’s tax bill. After
another 90 days pass with
no payment, utilities are
then shut off.
Schell stated councillors
want to examine how other
jurisdictions handle this
issue and that information
will b presented at a future
council meeting.
Delegation
Canadian Northern
BIG VALLEY COUNCIL
representative Rich
Graydon spoke to council
about a couple of items.
Graydon was interested in a
study on possible improvements
to the village’s
roundhouse and the possible
purchase of railroad
property.
Councillors accepted the
presentation for
information.
Traffic bylaw
Councillors examined the
village’s traffic bylaw, which
hasn’t been updated in some
time.
CAO Schell noted it dates
back to 1962.
She stated nothing is particularly
vital but the bylaw
does contain some old information
that’s no longer
applicable.
Councillors made certain
amendments and staff will
bring back the proposed
bylaw to a future council
meeting.
Snow removal
Councillors examined the
Village of Big Valley snow
removal bylaw to see if it needs
updating.
They directed staff to investigate
how other municipalities handle snow
removal and bring that information
back to them at a future meeting.
Improvement
Councillors discussed the
Continuous Improvement workshop.
This program is related to developing
a vision for the future of the
village, especially pertaining to
growth.
This item will be discussed again at
a future meeting.
Village lots
Schell noted councillors discussed
lots owned by the village which are or
could be available for sale.
Councillors were keen to get certain
lots available for sale and ensure the
public is aware of this.
They decided to advertise at least
one lot, leave it open for offers for six
months and get a report back later on
the results.
Transfer to taxes
Councillors agreed to pass unpaid
utility bills onto the landowner tax
roll. When necessary, this is done on a
monthly basis.
Schell wanted to ensure residents
know the village office is always open
for those who are having trouble with
their bills.
Drop by the office and talk to the
staff to develop a plan that benefits
everyone.
Lead testing
The provincial government has
made it mandatory for municipalities
to test water systems for lead levels.
School said the village has developed
a plan to test 10 times this year
through a lottery draw, including both
older areas, pre-1965, and likely some
newer areas. This will give an accurate
picture of the entire village.
All tests will be done this year.
Dirt Road Angels
COUNTRY ROCK QUARTET
Funding
quandary
Councillors
voiced concern
over emergency
management
funding billing
forwarded from
Stettler County.
Typically, the
village budgets
about $1,500 for
this, but this
year the bill was
“significantly
higher,” noted
Schell.
Apparently
the county
wasn’t aware
the cost would
be higher either.
Concession
STETTLER VARIETY SHOWCASE PRESENTS
STETTLER VARIETY SHOWCASE PRESENTS
MAYA
RAE
It was noted that if no summer students
are available, town staff will
have to add the seasonal work such as
cutting grass to their regular
workload.
Robblee noted some jobs, like crackfilling
on paved roads, must be
performed as liability is involved; this
means other jobs, such as grass cutting,
could be bumped down the
priority list.
The CAO said the town won’t know
until about May whether grants were
approved, which is frustrating
because the jobs are usually advertised
beginning in March.
He said the report was mostly for
council to keep in mind, as reduced
funding for summer student positions
will mean lower service levels this
summer.
Come celebrate
110 YEARS
with Erskine Lodge #58
Serving
Spaghetti Supper
Fri., March 21
4:30 - 7:30 at Erskine
IOOF Hall
b
Pay
as you
May
!!!!
Youngstown Curling Club
2020 BONSPIELS
March 12, 13 & 14
$160 per team
Contact Mark Johnson 403-854-1907
or Blaine Laughlin 403-854-1279
BAR
50/50
Prizes
Snowy weather didn’t stop music-lovers from attending the open
jam Mar. 1 in Bashaw. From the left, Carrol Gordon, Bruce Phillips,
Harold Schneider, Marlene Phillips and Dave Cartwright.
ECA Review/S. Salkeld
Sat., Apr. 4
7:30 pm at Coronation Community Centre
Cocktails 5:30 - 6:00 • Supper 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Join us for an unforgettable performance with one of the most exciting
young performers in jazz today. Maya’s soulful rhythms
in jazz, pop, & folk are sure to thrill all music lovers.
MAYA Sunday, March RAE 8, 2020
Per
2:00pm & 7:30pm Stettler Performing Arts Centre, 5909-50 Ave
540
Tickets $40, Available at L&C Bookkeeping 403-578-3838 Join us for an unforgettable Tickets: performance Adults $30, Students with $15 one of the most exciting Tic
WIS
Available at WISH Kitchen & Gift or at the door
Meal Ticket (Optional) $20.00 per person (2 weeks notice young prior to
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performers in jazz today! Maya Rae's soulful rhythms are sure to
each performance must be given to purchase or cancel meal tickets.)
thrill www.stettlershowcase.com
jazz lovers and novices alike.
Fo
Sunday, March 8, 2020
2:00pm and 7:30pm
Thank you!
Allergy Alert
Please refrain from using
scented products.
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