Building funds for seed plant

Times Contributor

 

Keith Reynolds approached Wheatland County Council to acquire funding for the new Strathmore Seed Cleaning Plant through the Alberta Government Capital Finance Association (ACFA) . The funds are available through the Municipal Government Act.

The Co-op compared costs of borrowing from various banks and Credit Unions and found that accessing funds from ACFA would result in considerable cost savings. 

“Banks have no problem in lending to us,” said Reynolds, who outlined the organization’s assets.

By having the county apply for the funds and invest them to the Co-op, the organization would save approximately three per cent or $250,000 interest on the $2.5 million request.

“It is a very substantial saving for us,” said Reynolds.

Jennifer Deak, Chief Administrative Officer for the County, said if the money were awarded, the County would have to advertise the request and give the ratepayers an opportunity to give feedback on granting the money and create a bylaw to award it. Reynolds gave councillors a handout as to the assets the Co-op had in regards to possible collateral available for the loan contract.

 

Balancing the books

Deak asked council to look at the rates charged for water plant maintenance in Rockyford and Hussar. She said, according to the current contract, the cost of service is greater than the rate charged. 

“We have to go with what’s in the schedule,” said Deak, who suggested that the rates be changed to reflect the actual service costs.

The county must supply 30 days’ notice to any rate change. Councillors suggested if the time sheets submitted for payment showed work in excess of the norm, that clarification is given for the cause of the extended work. They asked Deak to draw up a draft agreement to change the rates effective as of July 1, 2012 and bring it back to council for approval.

 

Charity funds awarded Leys family

County of Wheatland councillors awarded the Ley family $4,000 from the Hans Madsen Charity Fund. Their daughter Danielle has Kleefstra syndrome and requires special care. The family is also saving for a trip to Texas, or the Netherlands, to meet Dr. Tjitske Kleefstra and other families dealing with the syndrome. The funds were left in a bequest made by Hans Madsen, who left funds to be used to help crippled, ill or needy children of the area.

Board Members in place

County councillors have submitted the names of people in their divisions who will sit on the Community Enhancement Fund Board. There were two members from each division appointed.  Council will begin to refer various requests for funding to the board after the first organizational meeting, held on May 29, 2012.

 

Paving tenders

There were seven tenders for the paving of RR 225 (2 miles) and the Nightingale road RR245 (6.25 miles). They were Brooks Asphalt and Aggregate, Central City Asphalt, Riverside Construction, Southrock Ltd. Better Border Paving, E Construction and Larmen Construction Inc. The bids were close, ranging between $3,299,508 and $3,811,340. Larmen Construction Inc. won the tender and estimated work would begin July 10 and finish approximately Oct. 15.

“The bid comes about $1 million under estimated cost,” said Dave Churchill, Manager of Transportation and Infrastructure for the county.

He said the estimate was based on last year’s asphalt costs, which have decreased significantly. The fact that Alberta Transportation tenders had not yet been released also kept bids down.

 

Dust control

Several ratepayers in the Lakes of Muirfield by Lyalta have asked the county to take dust control measures on the north and east sides of Boundary Road intersection close to town. They have concerns about health and safety issues caused by the dust.  Residents suggested installation of additional signage to slow traffic. 

“We don’t put signs up for dust. If it is a safety issue, that is different,” said Councillor Ben Armstrong.

Councillor Brenda Knight indicated that some ratepayers in the affected area are questioning what they are getting for their tax dollars as they pay out of pocket for their own service costs. Council asked that the Protection officers check out the intersection for safety concerns, and asked the Administrative officer to provide a rough estimate on how much it would cost the county to implement a countywide dust control program. The program would look at rural address driveways and 1000-foot road distance along each driveway. The information will be brought back to council for discussion.

“Dust control is always an issue,” said Councillor Knight.

 

Developers need to adhere 

to ASP conditions

County councillors discussed the need for developers to adhere to the conditions of the contracts associated with their new subdivision applications. Developers must develop roads and pay offsite levies committed as part of their application approval, even if the development occurs in stages. They gave the example of Eagle Shores development, who committed to 691 sites over three phases. The developer only wants to build a portion of the road and pay offsite levies for 133 sites in the initial phase. Eagle Shores must pay for 2.6 miles of paving and road development prior to the approval of the subdivision.

“The developer has the sole cost of building the first road in the development,” said Dave Churchill, Manager of Transportation and Infrastructure.

“If you said you were going to build a road, build a road,” said Councillor Ben Armstrong.

Staff had indicated the wording in the applications has caused some confusion for developers. 

“We need to be a lot clearer to the developers about what needs to be done,” said Councillor Ken Sauve.

 

Resignation tendered

Wildrose Community Futures Economic Development Officer Jennifer Brooks has submitted her retirement notice. She is moving to Humboldt, Sask. and has secured new employment there. Council members asked that Brooks receive a letter indicating their thanks for service in the past and best wishes for the future.