Remedy for rural fire check delay

Time Contributor

 

Some of the rural fire departments were concerned that the Fire Capital and Operating funds were held by the county.

Staff clarified that five Associations were paid but Cluny, Gleichen, Rockyford and Standard Associations still had some missing information to complete on the capital holdings template. This was necessary before the cheque could be issued.

The reports required more detail, such as itemization of the equipment purchased, held and sold. Rockyford and Standard associations have joint agreements with those respective towns. There was a misunderstanding that the summary information from the towns was sufficient for payment.  There was a suggested template delivered to each association that would help them itemize those items. The confusion stemmed from differing reporting methods. 

“It is the first year for the new format,” Said Gerald Skibinsky, Protection Services Manager. He felt that the streamlined process and using the template would help to facilitate a faster payout delivery.

Council approved the template in 2009. Councillor Ken Sauve said they set up the templates to assist the associations in their bookkeeping activities. 

“They need to get the information to Pat Lietch (CFO) and the cheque will be cut,” said Councillor Ben Armstrong.

 

FIRE ASSOCIATIONS COORDINATE EFFORTS

Dalum Fire Chief, Albert Jensen informed council that a mutual agreement between Dalum, Cluny,  Rockyford and Rosebud Fire Associations was made to respond to fire callouts. All the halls rigs will be dispatched to structure fires in any of the respective areas. Jensen said that previous policy of waiting to assess the fire before calling for additional help was not always effective and placed too much pressure on one person to make the call. The halls have different equipment that when combined make all the difference in structure fire situations.

“If you don’t roll all at once you are beat,” said Jensen. 

Jensen said a verbal agreement was forthcoming with Hussar and was hoping to include or share the idea with other associations once the procedure was tested and documented.

 

WASHOUT COMPENSATION

An area ratepayer along road 270 requested compensation for a washout that caused damage to his land and corrals last April. 

“It did make quite a mess,” confirmed Councillor Don Vander Velde.

Crews confirmed that they did go in and fixed a washout near the property. 

“There were washouts all over the county that day. The flooding in Carseland was all the same day,” commented Public Works Manager Gerry Van Oostwaard.

Councilors felt the landowner might be able to reclaim costs from Disaster Services funding and referred the matter to Gerald Skibinskey, Protective Services Manager.

 

PUBLIC WORKS

Crews retrieved snow fence on the west side of the county and reported they were two weeks ahead of schedule. They also were doing gravel cleanup in the Carseland area and drilling test holes, so they could salvage all the gravel possible. 

“Gravel is getting more valuable all the time,” said Van Oostwaard.

The Ridgeland pit was crushing to prepare for chipping the Duck Lake Road and a new grader, truck and trailer were received in preparation for spring work. Council also approved a new mower/sidearm and tractor/loader.

 

WATER EFFLUENT STUDY

The contract for the Carseland/Speargrass  Water Effluent Study was granted to Associated Engineering, after all tenders were graded on a comparative scale.  Manager of Transportation and Infrastructure, David Churchill indicated the bid came in under budget and indicated the study will help to design a treatment plant that give good quality water going into the Bow River.

 

LIBRARY FUNDING

Libraries in need will have to present council with a working budget that justifies the funds requested.  The move was to target libraries that were having trouble keeping their doors open, but all libraries within the Wheatland county boundaries could submit a request for funds. There is no guarantee the funds will be awarded but the council will evaluate proposals and vote on funds awarded.