Metered fuel I.T. purchase

Times Contributor    

 

Staff brought a proposal for a $16,519 purchase before council which would update the gas pump system. There was a potential to save $3,000 if the decision was agreed to quickly.

“This is a critical component of our system as it tracks all the gas usage,” said James Laslo, Manager of Administrative Services.

Laslo told council, however, that it was not confirmed that the program would work until the installation was complete due to system complexities and wiring compatibilities.

“Shouldn’t we know before installation begins that it is going to work, before we consent to commit funds to its purchase?” questioned Councillor Alice Booth.

Staff was directed to get more information about the compatibility problems and bring the issue to council in March.

New chemical sprayer

Staff asked Council to approve a request by the Ag Service Board to purchase a Legacy 6000 chemical spray unit that had the capability of handling two sprays simultaneously. The unit is produced by Stone Blue Enterprises Inc. The company is located in Wheatland County and is the only provincial retailer for the Legacy 6000 Industrial Roadside Management Software and the only full-time builder of industrial spray systems in the province. They are a Wheatland County company and cost will be $19,450. The money for purchase fell under allotments in the Capital Budget.

“The purchase of the sprayer would be in line with the County goal to be responsive to current trends in agriculture and develop ongoing programs and activities that increase program effectiveness. The Agriculture Service Board was keeping this goal in mind when they made this request,” said James Laslo, Manager of Administrative Services.

Council approved the purchase.

Million dollar tenders 

It was a full house, and company representatives checked who was in the running and how much was bid.

The two contracts advertised were the Carseland Lagoon Earthwork and Piping modification and the Carseland and Gleichen Underground Upgrades. 

There were 13 companies in the running and the first contract had bids ranging between $1,605,379.55 and $3,321, 589.42. The bidders were: Brooks Asphalt for $1,618,863.01, BYZ Enterprises for $2,440,003.50, Cat Brothers for $2,013,073.53, Contour Earth Moving for $2,192,680.88, DDC Contractors for $1,605,379.55, DFH Enterprises for $2,176,441.01, Gabriel Construction for an adjusted amount of $1,918,225.20, JS Ferguson adjusted at $1,921,284.25, Kidco for $1,772,232.00, NIB Developments for $1,699,293.75, Shamrock Enterprises at $3,321,589.42, Shawney Excavating and Trucking $2,580,818.63 and Whistle Contracting at $1,703, 791.32.

On the second contract only seven companies were in the running with Bluebird Contracting advancing a bid for $1,605,020 with a 45 day completion, Brooks Asphalt bid $900,488.24 at 50 days, Foran bid $1,352,238.84, Gabriel Construction adjusted its bid to $1,652,865.64 finishing in 90 days, Kidco Construction came in at $1,433,685.62 with 120 days, NIB Developments $1,256,611.13(note not signed and sealed) at 120 days and lastly Shawney Excavations at $965,133.38 at 60 days.

“There will be a full review of the tenders and we will report back to council the second week of March at the debenture public hearing,” said Mike Ziehr, Municipal Engineering Technologist and Development Officer. 

WFCSS credit guarantee 

Councillors approved a continued line of credit guarantee for WFCSS.

“A new guarantee is needed with the new structure and changes. Council needs to (resign) the agreement,” said James Laslo, Manager of Administrative Services.

Regional water partnership 

Council signed documents approving the Wheatland Regional Water Partnership. The partnership is between Wheatland County, Standard, Hussar and Rockyford. 

“We are asking council to sign the business plan agreement and resolve incorporation so that it can be forwarded to the Minister,” said Mike Ziehr, Municipal Engineering Technologist and Development Officer. 

Councillor Alice Booth questioned whether common versus preferred shares were included in the document. Discussion concluded that preferred shares would be defined as those assets brought into the corporation and would be evaluated and defined in subsequent documentation, It was also clarified that other parties could apply for common shares at a later time. Two representatives were appointed for the Board of directors. 

“Council appreciates all the work staff has done over the three years to develop this,” said Reeve Glenn Koester. “With all the discussions about water, it is nice to see it is in place.”