Estate funds help Gleichen
Sharon McLeay
Times Contributor
Thoughtfully, in 2012, the late Charlotte Jessie Prowse (nee Burne) donated $175,000 to the County. Estate directions were first, to have the funds pay off debenture debt for Gleichen water and sewer debentures, and any residual funds used for water and sewer capital. This effectively paid off the Gleichen sewer debenture in December 2012. The funds also reduced the outstanding principle on the water debenture. On April 2, 2013, a final payment of $33,641.71 was issued, on behalf of the estate, with instruction that these funds be applied to payment of the Gleichen water debenture.
“It was a lovely surprise,” said Chief Financial Officer, Pat Lietch.
Prowse passed away on September 20, 2010 at the age of 100. She was raised in Gleichen and continued to live and raise a family, in the Gleichen-Cluny area, after she married her husband Arthur. Prowse was very active in many of the community associations and contributed much to the lives of the residents in the Gleichen and Cluny area. She will also be remembered at the Wheatland Lodge, where she resided before illness sent her to the Vulcan hospital.
Councillors suggested that a nice tribute be made to Prowse, perhaps in the form of a dedication plaque, which will hang in a prominent place such as the Gleichen Community Hall.
Rockyford debt discussion
An outstanding accounts receivable amount owed to the County by the Village of Rockyford garnered discussion, about clarifying the terms of the contract. Councillors asked the CAO to contact the village and see what credits had been applied and whether the situation could be clarified and rectified.
“They could be reading the contract differently than we are reading it. I would like to see us discuss options for repayment with them” said Reeve Glenn Koester.
Valley bus donation
The County made a $2,000 donation to support the Drumheller Valley Bus program, which serves ratepayers in the eastern region of the county. The program sent a thank you letter to council for their contribution that went toward a wheelchair lift. There was some confusion as a duplicate request was made after the payment given on March 1, 2013. council asked the CAO to contact the program for clarification and bring it back to Council.
Looking for engineers
Applications to two proposals for Engineering Services were opened in Council on April 16, 2013. The posting was placed on the Alberta Purchasing website last year. Forty nine companies initially showed interest in the posting.
The applicants competing to provide engineering services for the County on potable water, sewer and storm water projects were: Aplin and Martin Consulting, Associated Engineering, Brisbin Sentis Engineering, Genivar, ISL Engineering and Land Services, Morrison Hershfield, MPE Engineering., Shepherd Andrews Ltd, Stantec, McElhanny Consulting.
The same companies applied to assist with engineering reviews for the Planning and Development department, with the exception of Aplin and Martin, who were not in the running. City Spaces Consulting moved into the vacant space.
CAO Alan Parkin suggested to Council that they may like to consider opening of job tenders outside of council meetings, as an efficiency measure.