ECA Review 2021-07-29

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ECA REVIEW HANNA/CORONATION/STETTLER, AB July 29'21 3
KNEEHILL COUNCIL
Kneehill County councillor says residents
want Horseshoe Canyon on ballot
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism
Initiative reporter
ECA Review
A Kneehill County councillor
told his peers that residents
want a question about the
future of Horseshoe Canyon on
the upcoming municipal election
ballot. The issue was
discussed at the July 20 regular
meeting of council.
Coun. Jim Hugo, in the
agenda memo for this item,
stated, “I have been asked by
residents to bring forward a
‘request for decision’ for a referendum
question on our future
involvement in Horseshoe
Canyon to be on the ballot for
this fall’s municipal elections.”
“I was asked to bring this forward
by certain residents,” said
Hugo.
Coun. Ken King noted
COUNTY OF STETTLER
councillors heard a detailed
report in May from the
Horseshoe Canyon focus group
about plans for the attraction,
the county appears to be
moving forward with plans and
wondered what the referendum
question would be?
Hugo answered that residents
want a moratorium on local tax
money being spent on the
attraction until a complete
financial disclosure is made on
Unkempt property is
responsibility of owner
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism
Initiative reporter
ECA Review
Stettler County council
turned down a request from a
property owner who was sent a
$1,200 bill after the municipality
had to cut tall, unkempt
grass. Councillors made the
decision at their July 14 regular
meeting.
Tax and Assessment Clerk
Sharon Larsen stated the
county billed a property owner
in Buffalo Sands Estates for
cutting unkempt grass and the
property owner, whose name
was removed from documents,
requested councillors waive
those charges.
“On June 22nd, 2020 several
unsightly property complaints
were filed with Protective
Services located at lots: 49, 51,
53 and 55 on Buffalo Lane in
Buffalo Sands Estates,” stated
Larsen.
Larsen stated county staff
inspected the lots in question
and they did have tall uncut
grass which violated the
Nuisance bylaw. “The owner of
the four lots in question belong
to the same person residing in
Calgary,” stated Larsen.
When the county contacted
the property owner, noted
Larsen, it was revealed the
ratepayer was unable to clean
up the lots due to health
problems.
She stated the county
arranged to have the lots
cleaned up Nov. 4, 2020 and
sent the bill to the property
owner, totalling $1,278.90.
Coun. James Nibourg asked
how much time the property
owners had to arrange the
grass cutting and Director of
Municipal Services Andrew
Brysiuk answered the county
usually handles tall grass complaints
fairly quickly.
However, he also noted the
county contacted the property
owner, the property owner
refused to cut the grass and the
enforcement order was
approved four months later.
Nibourg stated property
owners are responsible for
maintaining their properties.
Coun. Ernie Gendre asked if
council waived the bill, who
ends up paying it? Nibourg
answered that question by
saying the rest of the county
taxpayers.
Councillors defeated the
property owner’s request by a 1
to 6 vote.
Taxes forgiven
Councillors granted tax forgiveness
on a request from a
resident who had a building
destroyed by fire.
Council read a report filed by
Larsen stating a property
owner had a fire that destroyed
a building and the owner subsequently
asked that they not
have the building on their tax
bill.
“On April 15, 2021 the ratepayers
had a fire on their
property where they lost a large
truck shop (8,200 sq ft),” stated
Larsen’s report. “The ratepayer
has asked if the county would
consider a reduction in the
taxes by prorating the value. As
a result of the fire and insurance
dealings they have lost
their building, renters and sale
of the property.”
Larsen explained the property
was properly assessed at
the time the building was still
in existence, and only council
has the authority to forgive a
tax bill.
Councillors unanimously
approved forgiving $1,801.58 in
tax revenue on the destroyed
building from the unknown
property owner’s tax roll. “I
Innovation Strategy
We will be leaders and partners acting as catalysts for transformation
in order
think
to meet
that’s
the needs
fair,”
of those we
said
serve.
Coun.
Catholic Nibourg.
Leadership Strategy
We will leverage the legacy and strength of Catholic healthcare
nationally and internationally to be of greater service.
Acute Care Optimization and Expansion Strategy
We will transform and expand care and service in acute care to
respond about to growing the populations after school and changing program
demographics.
Community before Care they Integration made and a Expansion decision, Strategy
We will expand our community care capacity to transform care
delivery,
including
and address
the
gaps in
program’s
service, growing populations
cur-
and
changing demographics.
Strategic Objectives
“Been a life changer for many”
Cont’d from Pg 1
for school-aged childcare. funding is indeed getting cut.
Schaffner stated the program
offers a place for kids to childcare service deficit for Richard Elhard stated they did
“In Castor, there was a Both Robblee MISSION and Mayor
We are called to continue
go after school if their parents children between the ages of 6 not the know healing the ministry answer of Jesus to that
are working. “The purpose of to 12 from 3 to 6 p.m. on school question. by serving with compassion,
our after school care program days,” stated Schaffner, noting Mayor
upholding
Elhard
the sacredness
stated
of
he
life in all stages, and caring
has been to provide a service the current program is
would also like to know why
for the whole person –
for parents in need of care, affordable.
there was body, so mind much and soul. variance
after school, while the students’
“Families pay $10 per child between the number of kids
parents remain at work per day with any additional showing up for programming
or are busy and in need of siblings in a family at a cost of day to day.
care,” stated Schaffner. $5. Our current hope is that Councillors agreed through
“Our after school program the town and county consider
Strategic
resolution
Objectives
to instruct Robblee
has been a life-changer for assisting us financially with to gather more information
many parents, and students. $5,000 respectively, as student
This program strives to meet numbers ebb and flow. Some
the physical, social and emotional
days we have 16 students and
needs of children who other days we have one,” she rent budget, how it’s currently
attend by providing age appropriate
added.
funded, when the after school
activities in a safe and During discussion council-
program last raised its user
caring atmosphere.”
lors wanted to know where the fees and more information
Schaffner stated Castor parents
after school program cur-
about its programming.
don’t have many options rently gets its funding, if
the
the county’s activity at the
canyon.
Reeve Jerry Wittstock
stated the county is currently
running a pilot
project on parking at the
canyon which is showing a
steady clientele, but more
will be known after the
study is complete.
Wittstock stated attractions
often start small and
develop over many years
and a small municipal
investment could attract
much private investment in
years to come.
Coun. Wade Christie
stated recreation is important
to every municipality,
and rarely do such attractions
generate profit.
Christie added he feels the
canyon has a lot of potential,
as Reader’s Digest recently
listed 40 “hot spots” to visit
and Horseshoe Canyon was
on that list.
Coun. King stated the
canyon focus group is public
and anyone concerned about
the canyon could have been
involved in its work.
Also, King pointed out the
focus group and the county’s
strategic plan identify the
canyon’s future, including
the fact Kneehill County is
planning no major development
for it.
Hugo stated residents say
when they look through past
budgets they can’t figure out
what’s being spent at the
canyon. King responded
that if councillors don’t
understand some projects
WEEKEND
ON-CALL HOURS
they are welcome to ask
questions during the budget
process.
Councillors unanimously
accepted Hugo’s presentation
as information.
Horseshoe Canyon
business
Coincidentally, councillors
received a request from
a recreational business near
Horseshoe Canyon asking
for their support in a grant
application.
Kneehill County received
a request from campground
operator Devon Dekeyser
asking for a letter of support
for an application to Travel
Alberta’s investment
program.
“Devan Dekeyser has
received several development
permits from Kneehill
County to establish a campground
at this location. His
latest permit allows him to
add an additional 26 RV
sites, cabins and a car wash.
He is looking to expand further
and will be applying for
this grant,” stated staff.
During discussion it was
stated demand for camping
is growing in the canyon
area and Dekeyser is
responding to that demand.
“It is nice to see a private
entity expanding in that
area,” said Wittstock.
Councillors unanimously
agreed to support
Dekeyser’s grant
application.
For medical emergencies and life-threatening
conditions, call 911.
August 2021
July 31, August 1 & 2 .......... Coronation Hospital
SERVE
August 7 & 8 ...................... We will strengthen our Coronation mission and live our Hospital
values meet the needs of those we serve
August 14 & 15 ..........................Castor through excellence in care, an engaged team,
and wise use of our resources. Hospital
VISION
Inspired by our mission of
For Urgent Medical Problems call:
service, we will be leaders
• CONTRIBUTE 811 for health and advice partners from in transforming a registered
We will leverage our
health care and creating
legacy nurse to maximize 24/7 the
vibrant communities
strategic contribution of
Catholic health care.
of health and
For Routine or Ongoing healing. Medical Issues:
• Schedule an appointment with your
family physician
the strengths and needs of our
Important: Patients communities, are especially advised those to
most vulnerable.
telephone the hospital on-call prior to going
there.
Coronation (403) 578-3803
Castor (403) 882-3434
Visit ahs.ca/knowyouroptions
Sept 2019
TRANSFORM
AND GROW
We will transform the health
system and grow through
integration, innovation, and
shared learnings to respond to
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August 21 & 22 .................. Coronation Hospital
August 28 & 29 .................. Coronation Hospital
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