Learning to agree or disagree

Sharon McLeay
Times Contributor

 

Wheatland County council discussed the merits of retaining a mediation service for a few educational sessions that would be provided to council.
“Municipal leaders regularly face complex and controversial issues. There are times when speaking to an impartial party can bring an alternative perspective for approaching the situation,” said Kim Heyman, Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC) director of advocacy and communications.
For better communication Heyman recommends the Peer Network program to municipal leaders.
“The Peer Network program is a resource of eight mentors that have volunteered to serve as advisors to their peers throughout Alberta,” said Heyman. “Each peer mentor brings years of municipal experience in either an administrative or elected role and has been trained in dispute resolution techniques.”
Wheatland County councillors voted to have the Peer Network retained to review roles and responsibilities for municipal officials with them and deemed the process would be beneficial to both new and re-elected officials alike. Conflict resolution, within and without the council arena, was also a topic of interest, with a hope that it could improve interpersonal communications for Wheatland council members.
“We all could use a refresher,” said Reeve Glenn Koester.

 

Dalum Fire loan approved
Dalum Fire Protection Agency Association will be smiling after the June 7 Wheatland County council meeting, as approval on Bylaw 2016-14 will allow them to borrow $108,359.72 from the county, to pay on outstanding debts accrued on the building of the new fire hall. Monthly payments with interest will be made over a period of fifteen years.
“They do wonderful work out there and they have built a wonderful facility. This loan will allow them to continue to do their work,” said Jim Laslo, general manager of Wheatland County Agriculture, Community & Protective Services
The new hall has provided much-needed equipment storage, maintenance and training space.

 

Marigold rates approved
Michelle Toombs, CEO for Marigold Library system approached Wheatland Council on June 7 for a raise in library per capita levy rates in 2017/18. She proposed $9.81 for 2017, $10.26 for 2018, based on 2015 population of 8,285. Currently rates run $8.99. She said the increase is about two per cent.
The library has seen an increase of 2,100 cardholders in the last year for the Wheatland area.
“Statistics show that our Alberta libraries are very active, whereas other provinces have shown declines,” said Toombs.
She said library operation costs continue to rise. Digital services, deliveries to additional locations and vehicle costs are some areas that are costing more to run. With all the services and programs offered to residents in the county, Toombs said valuations and feedback supports users are getting good value for municipal investment in the library system.
Councillor Berniece Bland complimented Toombs on the professionalism of the staff and their job efficiency. Toombs indicated they were very thankful to be in a partnership with Wheatland County.

Speed zone no go
Wheatland council speculated on whether speed zone reductions were needed on the Range Road 222 and Hwy 561 intersection adjacent to the Wheatland Crossing School.
“I have had people phoning about the speed zoning on Hwy 561,” said Councillor Alice Booth.
Setting secondary highway speed limits falls to the province, but municipalities can make a request to have alterations considered.
Trevor Richelhoff, from Alberta Transportation, said there is a rating system used to decide on a school zone and its speed designation. A criterion with a scoring system out of 100 points is used. Scores over 80 are named school zones, with corresponding speed reductions. The Wheatland Crossing School intersection had a score of 57, so it is not required to have a 30 km speed designation. The school is required to have the grounds fenced from highway access.
Council further discussed whether stop signs might be a prudent or safe measure. Councillor Brenda Knight and Councillor Ben Armstrong pointed out that having a school next to a secondary highway is not a new situation, as there are other examples of schools on secondary highways. They expressed that it is up to drivers to be vigilant around a school and slow down during school hours. Knight said stop signs would just increase danger at the intersection, by stacking traffic onto a busy road. No measures were proposed at this time.

 

Recreation field update
Councillor Brenda Knight filled Wheatland County council in on the plans for the recreational facility that will be situated next to the new K-9 school that will be built off George Freeman Trail, in the new community of Edgeview in Strathmore.
She said that she was able to tour similar facilities in Calgary, Olds and Airdrie, and the proposed plans for the Edgeview site are looking quite good. Sketches are posted on the Wheatland County website under the June 7 minutes and agenda. There are soccer pitches, a walking track and options for views of the community field house. There are no architectural drawings of the building exterior as yet, but the Town of Strathmore has indicated it must be pleasing and fit in with the surrounding buildings. There were some concerns about the field house as its height is considerably taller than other structures in the area. There are two proposals for the type of building, a Sprung beam structure or conventional construction. The choice will be determined depending on costs involved.

 

Dust control review
A review on how roads are considered for dust control was called for by Councillor Brenda Knight on June 7. She had many concerned ratepayers calling about the boundary roads close to the Lakes of Muirfield community and Lyalta hamlet.
“I have asked year after year on this issue. I have some very angry owners concerned about this,” said Knight.
Currently there are guidelines for staff on where dust control is done and none include county hamlets or villages. Knight said the adjacent roads being covered only have a few residents, whereas there are over 100 residents and a commercial golf enterprise affected by the dust kicked up on the boundary roads. Council agreed that the criteria could be reviewed and the issue revisited at a later date.