ECA Review 2022-09-15

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4 S eptember 15'22 HANNA/CORONATION/STETTLER, AB. ECA REVIEW BIG VALLEY COUNCIL Councillor resigns, by-election set for Oct. 24 Stu Salkeld Local Journalism Initiative reporter ECA Review Less than one year after the last province-wide municipal election the Village of Big Valley will be holding a by-election to fill a vacant council seat. The councillor resignation was discussed at the Sept. 8 regular meeting of council. Mayor Dan Houle began the discussion regarding the resignation of Coun. Gail Knudson, saying everyone in town probably already knows that Knudson resigned on Aug. 15. Houle asked staff if the election had to be held on Dec. 13. Village Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Elaine Macdonald responded by providing a number of by-election date options to choose from, noting that certain laws apply to by-elections. She noted elections are usually held on Mondays as the results need four more days to make them official which would be the following Friday. Macdonald also noted nomination day must be four weeks before election day, and councillors had to keep in mind statutory holidays such as Thanksgiving coming up. Coun. Amber Hoogenberg suggested Oct. 24, and Macdonald added that would mean nomination day would fall on Sept. 26 while the by-election could be publicly advertised on Sept. 12 and 19. Hoogenberg stated she would like to see a new councillor elected as soon as possible. Mayor Houle agreed. CAO Macdonald was appointed returning officer. She noted there will be costs associated with the by-election, including printing, staff time and advertising but $1,500 had been budgeted for elections. On the morning of Sept. 9 the village posted a message on its social media page thanking Knudson for her service to the community. Water tower blues Councillors read two staff reports about problematic leaks that continue to plague the municipal water tower despite the fact a contractor worked on the tower recently. In her regular report Public Works Foreman Amanda Valente stated, “Have got ahold of Knibbs June 27 regarding the leaks in the tower. He finally came down July 17 with the line installer and put in a spray foam (did not work, it’s still leaking). Have called (Knibbs) numerous times to tell him and still haven’t heard back on a definite date to fix this issue and to start the cladding.” In her regular report to council CAO Macdonald followed up on that by stating, “I...have asked for a concrete timeline as it’s getting into fall now and we need this work completed.” Macdonald stated Knibbs promised to respond soon. CLIVE COUNCIL Council hears province has heart set on provincial police Stu Salkeld Local Journalism Initiative reporter ECA Review Clive village council heard that the provincial government is now in “sell” mode on a provincial police force, rather than “engagement” mode. The report was made at the Sept. 12 regular meeting of council. Village Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Carla Kenney stated she’d recently participated in a virtual engagement with Justice Minister Tyler Shandro, along with other municipalities including Blackfalds and Ponoka County. “Each municipality was given time to state their concerns, Minister Shandro was well prepared with answers to all concerns raised,” stated Kenney’s report. During discussion the CAO stated the province isn’t really engaging with municipalities anymore on a proposed provincial police force, “...they’re selling a provincial police force. I think it’s kind of futile (to disagree or question the proposal).” Kenney stated that during the session Minister Shandro quickly had a response for any concern or disagreement that was brought up. Tax time Kenney reported property taxes were due Aug. 31. “Penalties totalling $4,185.30 were applied to 25 properties owing 2022 property taxes on Sept. 1, 5.8 per cent of the total property tax bill,” stated Kenney in her summary. “This compares to $3,295.25 of penalties and 26 properties in 2021, $6,480.12 of penalties and 37 properties in 2019 and $6,690.89 of penalties and 37 properties in 2018.” Your problem now During her report Kenney mentioned another session she took part in where a scholarly research paper was presented on how the provincial government may or may not transfer certain grants to municipalities. “The rationale for capital transfers” stated villages like Clive could fund their own capital projects rather than receive provincial capital transfers or grants if the project only benefits the municipality and not the province. Capital projects include things like sewage lagoons, new roads and other infrastructure that easily run into the millions of dollars. Kenney reported that the researchers suggested municipalities pay for such projects out of their tax base. No news is good news The CAO also reported the Hwy. #12/21 Water Commission pipeline to Clive is not in service yet. She said the village is waiting to see what’s going on as it’s “...still in limbo.” She noted it’s expected to be completed sometime this fall. The line has been delayed for months and at previous council meetings the supply chain issue was blamed. Turn to Nuisance, Pg 11 During discussion councillors and staff stated Knibbs is being called to work on the water tower as warranty work. Macdonald noted that Knibbs, during one of their visits, found “...a couple of holes in the (water tower) liner” and also had a couple of boots made for the bottom. The CAO stated it’s hoped the contractor can then start filling to address the saturation. Macdonald also noted the contractor told her they don’t think there will be a problem with freezing this winter as loose water should dry naturally if the leaks are sealed. When asked where the holes came • Hearing Tests • Medical Referrals • Hearing Aid Fittings & Ongoing Support • No Obligation Hearing Aid Trials • Custom Ear Plugs • All makes and models of Hearing Aids • Batteries and Accessories • Vendor for AADL, DVA • Vendor for WCB AB and SK,Work Safe BC • L.A.C.E – (Listening & Communication Enhancement) training 413 Main Street Three Hills, Alberta 119 2nd Ave. West, Hanna, Alberta (403) 443-2288 1 (888) 536-MAXX (6299) hello@maximumhearing.ca STARTS NOW! ELECTRONICS USED OIL MATERIALS albertarecycling.ca from, Macdonald responded it doesn’t appear the contractor is to blame and while she said there is some speculation about what caused the holes she was not free to discuss that topic during the open meeting. The mayor stated council would discuss that topic in closed session later. Coun. Hoogenberg seemed frustrated by the ongoing warranty work and repairs on the water tower. “At this cost we could have just put up a new one,” she said. “Maybe, maybe not.” Councillors accepted the reports for information. PAINT HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE PLEASE BRING YOUR RECYCLABLE ITEMS TO: Maxine Williams-Herbert, Owner Registered Hearing Aid Practitioner, BC HIS HOURS: THREE HILLS: M-W 9 am - 4:30 pm HANNA: Th 9 am - 4:30 pm; F 9 am - 3 pm www.maximumhearing.ca Follow and like us on CONSORT OYEN HANNA Friday Sept. 23, 2022 Sat. Sept. 24, 2022 Sat. Sept. 24, 2022 4 PM to 7 PM 9 AM to 12 PM 2 PM to 6 PM Public Works Yard Recycle Area Transfer Station 4640 - 49A Avenue Behind UFA 4 St. East NW-16-31-14-W4 Max. size of paint and HHW accepted is 19L (5 gallon paint). BCWMC SERVICING SPECIAL AREAS 2, 3, 4 (PH: 403-779-3890)
ECA REVIEW HANNA/CORONATION/STETTLER, AB September 15'22 5 ALIX COUNCIL Residents ask for village’s help with encroaching garage Stu Salkeld Local Journalism initiative reporter ECA Review A pair of property owners in the Village of Alix have a few issues with selling their property and they’re hoping the municipality can help them out. The pair made a presentation at the Sept. 7 regular meeting of council. Larry Garrett and Kari Latendre spoke directly to council to ask for help with their property located at 5303 47th Street in Alix. Garrett told councillors the pair is trying to sell their house but there is a problem: there’s an encroachment on village property. Garrett also noted the house is closer to the property line than it’s supposed to be. Garrett stated they’ve had interest in the property from buyers, but no one wants to buy a property with the encroachment issue. Village Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Michelle White stated the garage appears to be sitting on an undeveloped road right-of-way that’s listed as 45th street on village maps. White presented a real property report to councillors illustrating the issue. The CAO stated the setback issue on the house may have been caused by the lot’s unusual shape and possibly at the time it was allowed. However, White noted the house’s rear yard setback doesn’t meet the Village of Alix’ current land-use bylaw. White stated she looked through the village’s files and found the land file in question from 1977 and there was nothing in the file stating the rear yard setback was allowed a variance. Latendre stated that 45 years ago the Village of Alix staff approved the foundation placement for the house. Garrett added that he was told that when the garage was placed about 40 years ago the Village of Alix had stakes in the ground and there was no problem. Latendre noted Alix already has two streets there and the undeveloped right-of-way would be a third. Coun. Barb Gilliat noted she went over to see the location in person on Sept. 7. Latendre stated that Garrett’s father moved the house in from Lacombe and back then the right-of-way was called an alley, not a road. “They didn’t have real property reports back in 1977,” said Latendre. White stated the undeveloped road allowance could be important in the future as property next to 45th Street is earmarked for future growth. Coun. Ed Cole noted the garage was placed five years after the house and wanted to know what the garage’s development permit said. The CAO stated there is no development permit on file for that garage. The CAO further stated she contacted Parkland Community Planning Services (PCPS), professional development consultants, and asked their opinion. PCPS suggested a license to occupy which would allow the garage to encroach until the road allowance is developed. Latendre responded that wasn’t a useful suggestion when trying to sell a house. At this point Garrett referred to the village’s comments as, “...I dotting and T crossing.” Coun. Tim Besuijen stated if the road allowance is closed and sold, it’s closed forever which he balked at because, if the eastern lands are developed in the future, it would be nice to have two entrances to them. He wondered if there were any other options Larry Garrett and Kari Latendre spoke directly to council to ask for help with their property located at 5303 47th Street in Alix, Alta. Garrett told councillors the pair is trying to sell their house but the garage encroaches on a road allowance. ECA Review/Submitted available. White stated she could contact PCPS again and do more investigation before councillors make a decision. Mayor Rob Fehr stated he wanted to explore all possible options and told the property owners he understood where they were coming from. Coun. Janice Besuijen stated she would like more information and added she didn’t want to make a decision that hamstrings a future council. Fehr added the village was making no guarantees to Garrett and Latendre but wanted to ensure every option was presented before a decision was made. The CAO stated she would plan to have an update for the next regular council meeting. 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ECA Review/S.Salkeld Wed. | Sept. 21 | 2022 Pop by The Stettler Learning Centre 4911-51 Street, Stettler between 3 pm-6pm TO MEET, GREET & EAT Hot Dogs, Refreshments, Door Prizes, Tours and Learn about our Program!
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ECA Review 2022-09-15

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