Council approved a motion asking staff to look into the price of replacing the villageís main water meter.
Beiseker has long been concerned that the current meter is inaccurate. The Aqua 7 Water Commission, which supplies Beisekerís water, has declined to replace the meter. The Village is now looking at replacing it at its own cost if it is deemed affordable. The Village will also need permission from Aqua 7 to replace the meter.
In addition, the Village is continuing to obtain flow rates and undertake other tests to ascertain the viability of returning to well water.
Council approved three bylaws: a land use designation to extend an industrial lot; one to allow overdraft until tax collection time and a borrowing bylaw for $15,000 to purchase a three-quarter ton truck for public works use.
Brad Wiebe from Palliser Regional Municipal Services discussed the rewriting of the Villageís Land Use Bylaw to take place this year. The rewrite will include updating the 1994 General Municipal Plan and the 12-year-old Area Structure Plan.
A resident successfully requested a tax penalty reduction, arguing a family emergency caused them to miss the appeal deadline. Council, however, only forgave a penalty for the 2011 taxes although the resident had asked for a reduction in three years taxes and penalties.
Public Works report:
ï Foreman Bill Hnybida informed council that about 40 of the 350 new residential water meters have been installed. The replacement program encompasses the whole village and has been generally well received by the residents.
ï The Aqua 7 water system will not be shut down for repairs until sometime in March due to difficulty in obtaining parts.
ï Councillor Karen Ursu informed council that renovations to the Community Links building are proceeding. The work is necessary to allow the library to move there in the spring.
ï Deputy Mayor Ray Courtman reported that the Beiseker Museum has $47,250 in its Casino account and $387 in its general funds account. The funds could be used to upgrade, refresh and improve museum displays in the future, but no firm decisions have been made to date.
ï The Villageís records and minutes have now been microfilmed and three copies have been made. Courtman would like to see one copy kept in Beiseker, to be scanned and posted on the Villageís website. These records date back to 1921. Jeanette Richter is continuing to manage the project, Courtman noted. The next museum meeting is March 5 at 2:30 p.m. in council chambers. The meetings are open to the public.
The next meeting of Beiseker council will be Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers. The public is welcome.
