ECA Review 2021-02-04

2 F ebruary 4'21 HANNA/CORONATION/STETTLer, AB. ECA REVIEW
Trochu requests backing on $20 million project
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
The County of Kneehill will develop
a list of conditions to ponder after
municipal neighbours asked for help
with a $20 million seniors housing
project.
The decision was made after a
lengthy presentation and debate at the
Cont’d from Pg 1
“My gut says I’d like to see it open for
the kids but the other side of it is it’s
not feasible for us,” said Dep. Mayor
Mark Stannard. “It’s a tough one. We
all like to see the kids out and active.
They are not all happy sitting at home.
They are struggling too.”
Tax penalty incentive
With $176,546 in unpaid municipal
taxes for the 2020 year, administration
has become concerned that some residents
are severely being affected by the
municipal tax penalties on their yearly
taxes.
After some research, the current
projections show that a larger number
of residents who usually pay their
annual taxes are defaulting due to
unemployment or restrictions hindering
them from working more
frequently.
Administration has been monitoring
payments and was hopeful that most
taxes would be paid within 2020 year.
However, due to COVID-19, the
number of residents that did provide
payment has continued to decline.
The municipal utility has also seen a
decrease in payments, as more residents
are focusing their money on
paying taxes instead of utility bills.
The plausible reason is that the
municipality offers more leniency on
utility bills not being paid than the
taxes.
As part of looking for new and creative
ways to support residents and to
provide as much financial relief as possible,
staff proposed waiving the tax
penalties for 2020/2021 to all residents
which would mean residents will only
be obligated to pay for their principal
amount of taxes.
By eliminating the tax penalty for
the 2020 and 2021 years, it may be
enough relief to some residents who
KNEEHILL COUNTY COUNCIL
Jan. 26 regular meeting of council held
via YouTube.
Councillors heard a presentation
from the Town of Trochu Mayor Barry
Kletke and Trochu Housing
Authority’s Sam Smalldon.
Kletke submitted a letter and
Smalldon appeared via video.
Kletke’s letter read, “...our specific
ask is for a letter of support based on
the following Kneehill County
Penalties waived if requested
cannot currently afford their municipal
taxes and utilities.
It would also possibly provide all residents
with a chance to get caught up
on their prior year’s taxes.
Administration also stated that residents
can enter into a monthly
payment plan versus paying all in one
lump sum.
“It does work for a lot of individuals.
It’s a little less intrusive to their bank
accounts as well,” said Chief
Administrative Officer (CAO) Quinton
Flint.
He mentioned this action does work
with the Municipal Government Act
and that they have done this type of
relief before as a new business tax
incentive.
A third round of letters is expected
to go out soon so council suggested
adding a portion stating there are payment
plans available and waived
penalties by simply talking to
administration.
Council gave the CAO a direction to
bring back this third letter once it was
ready and then have it approved before
sending out.
Coun. Shelly Cook also mentioned
that removing the cost for business
licenses may help.
Council agreed to have anyone with
a business in town to apply for the
license and waive the associated fee.
Requisition request
CEO/Director of Planning, Devin
Diano, provided administration information
regarding the municipal
planning services done by Palliser
Regional Municipal Services to
Coronation.
“The need for planning experts is to
ensure we follow our municipal bylaws
and all provincial legislation is followed.
While also providing our
residents with calculated building and
resolution; That Kneehill County
council provide financial backing to
the Town of Trochu for borrowing $20
million for up to five years as project
financing for the construction of the
Trochu Seniors Supportive Living
Facility Project.”
During Smalldon’s presentation to
council it was mentioned a major
grant, up to $19 million, is apparently
available for this project.
Brearly new Coronation fire chief
Terri Huxley
ECA Review
It was ‘highly recommended’
by both the former
fire chief and administration
to accept Chris Brearly
as Coronation’s newest fire
chief.
He previously served as
the deputy fire chief for
over six years.
On Dec. 7, 2020, former
Coronation fire chief Keith Brearly
Rindal, provided his letter
of resignation to the town.
Administration was comfortable
accepting Brearley for a number of
reasons including appropriate
training, credentials and has worked
well with administration in the past,
especially during emergencies.
“When issues arise, Mr. Brearley
pays attention to detail and diligently
acquires the correct information and
resolves the problems quickly
and professionally,” stated the
administration report.
“Mr. Brearley primarily
focuses on the department’s
relationship within the community
and has gone above
and beyond to ensure public
safety measures are in place to
protect our residents.
“Mr. Brearley is actively
involved with recruiting new
members and has also been
highly engaged with all fire department
members’ training.”
He came to the fire department with
a background of firefighting in
Australia and is well versed in the
requirements of structure fires, overland
grass fires, and is certified to
assist on medical assist calls.
“Mr. Brearley is eager to help build
on stronger community ties, help to
influence membership growth and to
build on future fundraising events to
ensure that all volunteer members are
adequately equipped to complete their
task at hand.
“The town administration is eager to
make a new path forward with the
leadership of Mr. Brearley at the helm
of our department.”
At the regular meeting on Dec. 21,
2020, council discussed the vital matter
of appointing a new fire chief in a
closed session.
Requests from the administration to
nominate a new fire chief to the
Coronation Fire Department were
accepted and reviewed.
It was then moved by Coun. Brigley
to appoint a new fire chief at the Jan.
25, 2021 regular meeting.
planning advice.
Palliser Regional Municipal Services
is also here to assist the administration
with development permitting
applications and the issuance of development
permits,” said the
administration report.
In summary, the total increase for
the Town of Coronation came to a
three per cent overall increase.
In 2020, the town paid $10,585.04 but
with the increase the new amount for
2021 is $10,956.80.
Council agreed to pay.
Snow sanding
The town has been receiving a larger
than average volume of sand and salt
and has also been requested of more
than usual to spread sand and salt to
local business parking lots.
This service has never had a cost to
it but administration has since calculated
a total cost to the municipality for
providing the municipal businesses
with sand and salt on their properties.
This cost analysis ensured that the
service would be affordable and calculate
the total over cost recovery of
providing such a service.
No service would be available to the
local business until all priority routes
and snow removal areas are cleared.
Council was curious to know how
much sand and salt would be used on a
regular property as well as parking
lots before moving forward.
Prices will be further examined
before implementation.
Bylaw officer appointed
Out of the six applications received,
administration felt one was ‘suitable’ to
the position.
Council approved the appointment of
Annette Allen as bylaw officer who
began her role Feb. 1.
Coun. Ken King asked how the
county would know there would be no
further funding requests if this one
was approved.
Smalldon answered there is enough
demand for seniors housing of this
kind there shouldn’t be any need for
more money.
Coun. Faye McGhee asked if seniors
facilities have seen residents withdrawing,
and Smalldon stated even
with the pandemic the Trochu organization
has seen very few withdrawals,
maybe three or four out of 300
residents.
Later, councillors debated the
request.
Coun. King noted he would like to
see the county support the Town of
Trochu with some conditions,
including the grant must be received
and ratepayers consulted through the
bylaw process.
King noted there is risk in this
project like there is in any project.
“There’s no such thing as no risk,”
said King.
Coun. Wade Christie agreed with
King, noting it may not be as risky as
it appears because it depends greatly
on whether the large grant is received.
McGhee noted ratepayers in the past
have told her they don’t want the
county going into debt, that she also
had doubts about the need for this
facility especially in her division and
that public consultation is necessary.
“I have some really huge concerns
about us doing it,” said McGhee.
Reeve Wittstock stated he sees the
pandemic causing changes to the way
seniors housing is handled and he saw
more risk in this project than what the
ratepayers should be exposed to.
Coun. Debbie Penner stated she
wanted to work with Kneehill’s municipal
partners but also noted conditions
for Kneehill’s help were needed.
King moved a motion that administration
develop a list of possible
conditions that could allow Kneehill
County to support the Town of
Trochu’s request, and bring them back
to the first regular council meeting in
February.
However, Coun. Glen Keiver stated
he didn’t feel it was necessary to wait
until February and felt that council
had enough information to vote on
Trochu’s request immediately.
The motion passed apparently by a 5
to 1 vote, with Keiver opposed.
Readers should note it appeared to
youTube viewers Coun. Jim Hugo was
not participating in the meeting.
48 th
Annual Meeting
of Paintearth Gas
Co-op Ltd.
Mon., March 22/21
Beef on a bun 12 noon -
Meeting 1pm
Castor Community Hall
Those attending Annual Meeting
will be eligible for Door Prize Draw
2021 Board of Directors - Nomination Committee
are filling three (3) open Director Positions.
Currently the committee has received
three nominations - Vic Carey (incumbent),
Gary Waltham (incumbent) & Tim Wilson (Incumbent)
Nominations forms can be picked up at
Paintearth Gas Co-op Ltd., completed forms
must be received no later than 4:30pm
Feb 22, 2021 back at the office.