ECA Review - 2024-04-18

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8 A pril 18'24 HANNA/CORONATION/STETTLER, AB. ECA REVIEW FORESTBURG COUNCIL Reduced funding for healthcare attraction and retention committee Cheryl Bowman Multimedia reporter ECA Review Forestburg village council council moved to approve funding to the Flagstaff Healthcare, Attraction and Retention (FIHAR) committee of a reduced amount of $600 from the requested amount of $1,210.50 at their regular meeting April 11. It was noted by Coun. Robert Frizzell that in the previous year the event did not showcase Forestburg and the program was disappointing and not comprehensive. It was also noted that the 2023 FIHAR budget had not been spent to date with funds remaining of $9,042.12. Funding support for FIHAR would be allocated from the approved community development budget. Area 53 raceway Forestburg village council moved to approve silver level sponsorship support for Area 53 Raceway. The silver level costs $2,500 as opposed to $1,000 for bronze as originally recommended by council, but as noted by Coun. Frizzell, “It is a big draw into town,” adding he has “Seen on those weekend events an increase in traffic, which is always welcome.” Council also noted an increase in visitors to gas stations and restaurants when races were on. Silver level sponsorship includes 2 ft. by 5 ft. signage at the track, a 8 ft. barrier length sponsorship on the track and acknowledgement on race days. The approved sponsorship level will be drawn from the approved budget for community development. Community enhancement fund The village was pleased to receive a donation through the community enhancement fund in the amount of $4,050 which was larger than the original anticipated disbursement of $3,500. The money would be distributed to the Friends of the Forestburg Fire Department and designated to be used for the Friends of Forestburg FRESS ceremony on April 20. An amendment to the Community Enhancement Fund will be made by administration. Junior golf lessons Sixteen junior golfers will participate in lessons at a reduced rate of $30 with the help of a $500 grant approved by council. The application from the Forestburg Recreation, Arts and Culture Grant (FRACCA) was submitted by the Forestburg golf club in the amount of $480. Council approved the request in the amount of $500 after Coun. Elaine Fossen moved to approve the new amount which would require the golf course to pay less. Recreational space New additional capital spending to be drawn from the parks and recreation reserve was proposed for a recreational space. Several ideas were put forward including a splash park, pickleball court or a combination of basketball and pickleball. Coun. Frizzell noted that this would give kids more things to do and would continue “to invest in the community”. Council moved to further discuss a proposed recreational space. Dog Park A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Dwayne Giroux and approved to add discussion of a dog park to the agenda. Several locations were discussed with one of the ball diamonds that had not been fully utilized last year as a possible site. It was noted that the ball diamond perimeter is almost completely fenced and was suggested that public works may be able to put up temporary fencing where lacking as long as a mower could still access it. Deputy Mayor Dwayne Giroux directed administration to look into formal options for discussion at a future meeting. 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CSLB 1082165 NSCB 0082999 0083445 Deadline Fri. April 26 Contact: Judy 403-740-2492 marketing@ECAreview.com Discover the east country magazine Over 10,000 copies picked up at Tourist Information Booths and businesses. Featuring our Free Shower Package Call Today for Your Free Shower Package 1-866-578-8074 FINANCING AVAILABLE WITH APPROVED CREDIT Cheryl 403-650-2644 News1@ECAreview.com SPECIAL OFFER PORTABLE OXYGEN FOR YOUR ON-THE-GO LIFESTYLE Call us toll-free at 1-833-755-1668 CLAIM YOUR 14-DAY RISK-FREE TRIAL 1 1 14-day risk-free trial- Return within 30 days of purchase for a full refund of purchase price. Terry Nolte putts a hole in one at the Stettler Golf & Country Club booth at the Stettler Trade show on April 12. ECA Review/C.Bowman PM230469 EN_EX_USA Rx Only. © 2023 Inogen, Inc. 301 Coromar Drive, Goleta, CA 93117 Inogen® is a trademark of Inogen, Inc. The usage of any Inogen, Inc. trademark is strictly forbidden without the prior consent of Inogen, Inc. 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ECA REVIEW HANNA/CORONATION/STETTLER, AB April 18'24 9 BASHAW COUNCIL Water conservation and pricing discussed Stu Salkeld Local Journalism Initiative reporter ECA Review Bashaw town council discussed water pricing and conservation at their regular meeting April 10. Councillors heard a report on water pricing from Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Theresa Fuller, who noted in her summary that the Town of Bashaw was also looking at how much water they wished to requisition from the Hwy. 12/21 Water Commission this year. Fuller noted town staff are estimating Bashaw will requisition 90,000 metres cubed from the commission, down substantially from last year’s roughly 97,000. The CAO noted the substantial effort the Town of Bashaw has made over the past year to locate and stop water leaks in infrastructure are having an effect on this drop. Fuller also told councillors that in 2023 the town water department expenses were greater than the revenues it brought in. Again, the CAO suggested stopping of leaks may have a significant effect on this deficit. Coun. Kyle McIntosh noted the Government of Alberta is encouraging municipalities to cut their water use by 10 per cent in 2024, as fears of drought loom; McIntosh stated Bashaw appears well on its way to doing that. Political Parties on local councils Councillors, as part of their consent agenda items, read a letter from Alberta Municipalities (AM) President Tyler Gandam regarding the Government of Alberta’s proposal to introduce political parties into municipal politics. “During dialogue with the Minister and Premier at our recent spring municipal leaders caucus, they confirmed their intention to bring in legislation that would pave the way for political parties to formally participate in local elections,” stated Gandam’s April 3 letter. He went on to explain Premier Danielle Smith noted the provincial government was collecting alternate ideas as well. He added Alberta Municipalities opposes political parties in local elections for several reasons, including the idea may increase divisiveness and take decision-making authority out of local hands and give it to parties instead. “It will contribute to a more adversarial and combative environment on council in which councillors will vote along party lines,” stated the AM letter. Gandam’s letter suggested town councils contact their MLA, discuss this proposal openly with the public and pass a resolution in council opposing political parties in municipal politics. Arena availability to public Councillors also read a staff report regarding a March 26 meeting between the Town of Bashaw and Bashaw Minor Hockey to discuss the local arena. “The arena operation costs continue to increase and staff are looking to implement an administrative/operational change,” stated the report. “We are exploring the possibility of contracting a caretaker for the 2024-25 season. This is an effort to reduce operating costs.” The report noted several options were being looked at to reduce costs at the arena, including hiking user fees for out-of-town groups who want to book ice time, advertising available ice time and approaching other stakeholders about increased funding. The report included a breakdown of net financial losses at the arena, with 2023 seeing a $124,025.70 loss with the 2024 loss estimated at $132,968.60. DJ DIRECTIONAL DRILLING LTD Hydrovacs Stone Slinger More clarity needed Councillors decided to request more information from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs regarding a proposed joint-use agreement between the municipality and Battle River School Division. Before discussion, Coun. McIntosh declared a pecuniary interest and excused himself from the meeting. While examining the draft agreement several councillors stated they didn’t understand why this was necessary. Mayor McDonald noted it wasn’t clear to him how some students who don’t attend school facilities, such as homeschooled kids, would fit under this agreement. Councillors passed a resolution for town staff to request clarification about this draft agreement from the provincial government. Backhoes Directional Drills Serving Central Alberta Office: 201 2013 3 St. St. S. S. Three Hills Rob Munchinsky 403-443-1651 Curtis Wideman 403-506-5500 24043dg0
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ECA Review - 2024-04-18

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