County councillors may become a little more IT savvy in 2011
Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter
Becoming IT savvy
A presentation was made to council by the manager of administration services and representatives IT support. Council has been looking at ways to modernize the offices and a presentation was made discussing what could be done and outlining all of the options. Laptops will be upgraded to newer ones and the current LG ones will either go to other users, or will replace older laptops in the offices. They are also looking at switching all of the councillor’s phones to smart phones so that they may access their email and other important documents, whether at home or on the road. Internet access at his or her homes will also be upgraded to have everyone on high-speed Internet service. The goal is to ensure all of council has the same level of access and compatibility. The presentation was taken as information for now and will be looked at again for the 2011 budget.
Gleichen water tower
Construction on the Gleichen water tower has been delayed due to the weather. Crews have been working on reinforcing the wooden façade and David Churchill, manager of transportation and infrastructure for the county said he predicts the tower will be stable by the end of January.
Safety concerns
Councillors of Wheatland County would like to see the speed limit in Cheadle and Highway 24 lowered or a crosswalk put in. There are safety concerns since Canada Post moved all of the mailboxes across the highway. Councillor Bernice Bland said even though she has not personally seen it, she has heard sometimes children cross the highway to collect the mail. Approximately 75 per cent of Cheadle’s residents live across the highway from the mailboxes and Councillor Ken Sauve suggested calling Canada Post to move it and have boxes on both sides. Because Highway 24 is a provincial highway, the Alberta government has to approve lowering the speed limit or adding a cross walk. Motions were made to send a letter to both the Alberta government and Canada Post outlining the concerns council has and asking to work together to find a resolution to the problem.
Recreational facility
Craig Stone from the Strathmore Golf Course made a presentation before council about their Strategic Planning Group. The group wasn’t looking for money but was instead looking for support. They are looking at building a year round multiple recreation facility, which will house a variety of different groups. There was talk of having a bowling alley, indoor soccer and the curling club in the building among different recreational type activities. There will be an information session put on by the planning group on Jan. 26 at 7 p.m.
Donation policy to be looked at
Reeve Ben Armstrong would like the county to become a major supporter of the Cheadle Lions Club annual foodgrain bank project. To be considered a major supporter there must be a minimum donation of $5,000. Every dollar donation actually works out to $5, as it is raised $4 by the government. The county has supported the project in the past, which provides food to those in need all over the world. Currently there is no budget or policy in place for donations. Councillor Brenda Knight made a motion for the budget committee to consider for 2011 a donation account with a county policy put in place prior to the budget being made.
Land use bylaw 2010-51
A public hearing was held regarding amendments to the land use bylaw 2010-51. There had been a request for an amendment to the Land Use Bylaw regarding portable storage. The amendments are no more than one derelict, unlicensed, unused vehicle per lot. Shelterbelt trees are currently at a 75ft setback and council would like to amend it to a 50ft setback.
Residents came to share their thoughts and opinions and for many of the Gleichen residents who were at the meeting, they felt it is taking to long to start enforcing it and would like to see something start happening with it soon.
From this point forward any of the existing properties, which have shelterbelt trees that are not in accordance with the current bylaw, will be considered non-conforming and will be looked into and discussed if an issue were to arise because of them.
In certain cases with the bylaw, residents have an opportunity to come to council for a variance if they feel that they should be looked at in a discretionary manner.
Council will be further discussing the issue and the bylaw may appear before council again in the form of a public hearing though that was not determined at the end of the hearing.