Mayor Bruce Rowe presented a resolution to council that he would like to send to neighbouring municipalities for consideration at this year’s Alberta Urban Municipalities Association convention.
The resolution demands the Province evenly fund construction of water lines that serve multiple municipalities.
Currently, funding for such water systems varies greatly from a low of around 30 per cent, like the Kneehill Water Commission’s line, to a high of 90 per cent in other areas of Alberta. Council unanimously approved the resolution, which will be forwarded to area municipalities and then brought to the AUMA.
One resident from the condominium complex attended council to ask for an update on the drainage problem in that area.
The Village engineer was in attendance at the meeting and assured council and the resident that the problem has been fixed and that, weather permitting, paving will be completed this week. The resident questioned if the storm sewer system could be permanently rebuilt so water does not gush into the area. Council informed her that such a rebuild would take a multi-million dollar fix and no money is currently available.
A resident who recently had sewer backup difficulties approached council with a concern that his sewer problems could reoccur if the sewer line was not replaced.
It was his assertion that material used in constructing the sewer line was a “tar paper” type and that once excavated, should be replaced. Foreman Bill Hnybida addressed the concern and said that the Village’s inspection indicated the sewer line in question was still in excellent condition and as the line is now running free, no more action will be taken at this time.
Several members of the Beiseker Playschool Society attended council to discuss the lease agreement between the Village and the playschool for the space at the Community Links building.
The delegation discussed a lease situation versus a simple rental agreement; clarification of who is responsible for what; whether the rent should be for a 10-month or 12-month basis and the length of the agreement.
Following the discussion, council instructed administration to clarify the terms and bring them back for ratification.
Mark Steffler of MPE Engineering consulted with council on the final touches for the Main Street beautification project, which will be taken to a public meeting next week. Several members of council have heard from residents that there are concerns with the proposed median. Steffler also discussed water and sewer issues and the airport runway project with council.
The next meeting of council will be June 28 at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers. The public is welcome.
