Rosebud Campground gains sani-station

Times Contributor

 

Rosebud Campground will gain a sanitary dumping station for camping vehicles. Staff approached the campground owners about the idea and they agreed to monitor the station and call disposal service as necessary. The total cost will be $40,000 and fees will be charged to those who use the station. The fee could be incorporated into the campground fee, or coupons issued. Trailers coming from outside the campground will be charged. 

There was discussion that the permanent campsites could be hooked up to automatically empty into the system. Councillors felt that the operator would benefit from the station and it would increase the tourism draw for the area.

 

Lagoon delays 

Late snow and uncertain weather caused delays for progress on the Carseland sewage lagoon. The contractor was unable to work, so they began another project in Vulcan, which was larger and ready for crews to do work. 

This means the Carseland project will not begin until June and there will be added costs to compensate other contractors involved in the project, who will experience work delays. 

Council stated that they granted the contractor the contract with the understanding it would begin in the spring. Councillors agreed that it was normal for the weather to delay outside construction jobs, but questioned who would absorb the costs of the delays. There were no stipulations in the contract, so staff was directed to come back with further details.

“It all piles up. It works out, but somebody has to pay,” said Reeve Glenn Koester.

Water seepage from the berms also continues to be a problem and staff replied that they were working on solutions for sludge drainage and removal.

 

Dump must go 

Council directed crews to clean up an unofficial dump site, located adjacent to TWP 252 and RR 240. The structure of the road creates a screened area, perfect for illegal drop-offs. Staff said that the site has been used enough that the garbage is now encroaching on the road right of way.

“It is unsightly and not safe. It is our obligation to clean it up,” said Dave Churchill, transportation and infrastructure manager.

The cleanup will begin next week and take two to three days. The area will be fenced off and signs posted in hopes it will deter further use.

 

Valley Handi-bus

Council sorted out a double funding request made by Valley Bus Society that provides Handi-bus services to Drumheller and East Wheatland residents. Council donated a $2,000 amount for 2013. The Society confirmed they had received the donation.

In talks with the Society, it was determined that they were fundraising to increase the fleet by another bus, due to the strain on services. The number of calls for patient transfers from one hospital to another and calls for transports to doctor appointments had significantly increased.

“There is a similar situation happening here,” said Councillor Alice Booth, who sits on the Strathmore Handibus Society. “There are requests for transfers from hospital to hospital and there is no way we can keep up. It really isn’t what the bus is for.”

Booth said she would like to see Alberta Health Services address the issue. Council agreed to donate another $2,000 toward the new Valley Handi-bus.

 

Lyalta paving project 

Alberta Transportation notified county staff that access from RR264 onto eastbound Hwy. 1 may be closed off in the future highway development, in case it altered the County’s plans to pave the road. There are no plans to place a cross-over on Hwy. 1, and RR 264 traffic will only exit westbound. As part of the county paving plan, RR264 paving is scheduled to start this month. Alberta Transportation will notify County staff in the future, as closure plans progress. Councillors agreed that paving could continue regardless, to meet the goals of the county paving plan.