County wants separation from CRP

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

Wheatland County approved a new a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Town of Strathmore, Town of Chestermere, City of Calgary, Rockyview County and WID to form the C-operative Stormwater Management Initiative (CSMI). The term was effective from September 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015.
As a result of councils’ approval, Phase 1 has gotten underway with the water balance calculation and governance modeling.
“We’ve committed to the CSMI, between all partners, we’ve committed to fund a portion of that and make an application for grant funding to fund the other portion of it. So they’re fully committed, this was just the closing loop in signing the Memorandum of Understanding up until June 30 in order to complete the work,” said Alan Parkin, Wheatland County Chief Administrative Officer.
The topic was brought back to the council’s attention back in November and they wanted more information before considering passing the motion.
However, there was concern on behalf of one of the councilors because it seemed as though the other partnering areas should not dictate the agreement, as Wheatland County should be able to make their own decision.
“The only concern was brought up by Deputy Reeve (Ben) Armstrong, in concern with the Calgary Regional Partnership (CRP), which we’re not members (of) and that was the only concern he had. Seeing as we’re not members of CRP, we didn’t feel the CRP should be involved with the project, ” said Parkin.
“Deputy Reeve Armstrong has been around the longest and has been involved with the stuff that has happened with the CRP in the past and he doesn’t really want to get involved with CRP again. The City of Calgary has had some extraordinary powers in the past over other municipalities, we’re a smaller, separate municipality so everybody should have an equal voice.”
Parkin added that the longstanding relationship between Armstrong and the Calgary Regional Partnership have provided some more say on how to run the county.
“I think Deputy Reeve Armstrong’s concerns are quite valid in some respects that we don’t want to be dictated by some other municipality on how to run our affairs,” said,” Parkin.
“The City of Calgary, Town of Strathmore and Chestermere are listed on the MOU as being participants but they’re also partners in the CRP. There is 18 municipalities and 15 municipalities that really have no interest in the CSMI because it doesn’t affect them.”
The MOU did not financially bind Wheatland County in any sort of commitment that had not already been passed in council.