County council deals with long list of issues after coming back from a short summer break

Times Contributor

 

Councillors had many questions about the Town of Strathmore’s withdrawal from WFCSS. There were questions as to where the new agency would be housed and how the program would operate. What staffing would remain in place for which programs? Whether there would be service overlap and confusion over funding and service termination dates. The county will suffer a budget cut for the service from the move. Funding is distributed on a per capita basis by median income. They questioned why the town did not give notice at the regional meeting, when it was held one week before the announcement. 

“No reason was given for pulling out,” said Councillor Ben Armstrong.

There were questions regarding Strathmore’s desire to remain in the Regional Partnership in light of some of the town’s recent decisions.

Council asked staff to provide them with copies of the current funding budget agreement and the programs currently offered. It was decided to defer the matter until they had more information and after the WFCSS meeting that would be held on August 22.

 

Gleichen Cemetery

Ratepayers are looking at who is responsible for the Gleichen cemetery operation and upkeep.

Staff toured and photographed the cemetery to see what issues might arise in the area.

“It hadn’t been looked after for years. The Lions Club, in the mid 60’s, took the project on. The Lions Club has been mowing the grass ever since,” said Councillor Ken Sauve.

Pictures showed displaced headstones and gravesites that need work. Sauve said that there is a lot of hesitation by the community service organization to take on repairs for a project like that. The county previously took on the Rosebud cemetery renovations. It was suggested that Community Enhancement funds could be accessed to pay for the renovations or an application made for a government grant.

Council requested staff consult with The Lions Club and determine their commitment level towards the cemetery, then investigate costs and services surrounding renovation of the Gleichen cemetery and develop a suggested policy for ongoing maintenance.

 

Water Tower funding secured

Historic restoration funding of $84,500 is secured to start renovation of the Gleichen water tower. The county will match the amount with hopes that the Western Diversification Fund will reimburse their amount and provide the extra $31,000 needed to complete the project.

“The spokesperson for the WDF stated there should be no problem with securing the funds as the project was a perfect fit for the funds parameters,” said Dave Churchill, Transportation and Infrastructure Manager.

Churchill spoke with the contractor from Blue Bronn, who agreed to hold last year’s price for the project. He said there would be no need for a new tender, as they were the only company who bid and had the steeplejack expertise to do the job.

 

Lights to level loitering

Councillor Alice Bland asked for streetlight placement near the old teaching housing in Cluny, to deter negative behavior occurring in the hamlet. 

“They have been damaging the hall, knocking fences down and painting graffiti,” said Bland.

She said there have also been some break-ins. The treeline in the area shades activity from the rest of the hamlet and she felt lights would deter some of the negative activity.

She had contacted local RCMP, but said their initiatives would take time to implement. There is some speculation that punitive measures in Gleichen are moving the negative element to other areas like Cluny.

There is also a request by residents to move the playground equipment from the Cluny water park area to the Community Centre, as the area has become unsafe for the children because of the negative element.

Council requested that staff investigate the details of installing the lights and work with the hamlets residents to move the playground equipment.

 

Carseland Park plan

Darlene Hooge, representative from Community in Bloom for Carseland, brought plans to council for .74 acres donated to the town by the county.

The site will be named Downey Centennial Park, to honour the original landowner.

“The area is to commemorate our Centennial which will occur in 2014, honour the Downey family name, recognize and celebrate the history and strong agricultural roots in the area, and showcase the popular tourist attraction of fishing,” said Hooge.

The park suggestions include a post and rail fence, a walkway, an antique farm machine and a trout-fishing monument. There will be a Memory Forest where trees can be donated to commemorate those who have passed away, or new babies born. Benches, a picnic table, garbage containers and upgraded flagpoles will also be installed. Signage will make tribute to Carseland’s 100th Anniversary and local service agencies. CPR, to separate the park from the rail tracks, will put up a new chain link fence.

Fundraising initiatives and grant money will be applied for to finance the park. 

“Hats off to you for taking this initiative and cleaning Carseland up a bit,” said Councillor Don Vander Velde.

Council, pending staff research into insurance parameters and meeting county guidelines, deferred final approval for the park.

 

Federal Boundaries change

Federal election boundaries for Wheatland County will change to the new constituency of Bow River put in place for 2015. Alberta has six new ridings, to adjust for population increases. Current MP Kevin Sorenson lives in the readjusted Crowfoot region.

Residents can give their feedback about the new change at open houses held in September. 

The commission will hear out residents at the Strathmore Travelodge on Tuesday, September 18, at 7:00 p.m.

Go to www.redecoupage-federal-redistribution.ca for more info. 

 

Seed Cleaning Plant

Council passed second and third reading for the new Seed Cleaning Plant funding initiative. 

“The proposal was advertised and there were no petitions against it,” said CAO Jennifer Deak.