The Town of Irricana is seeking local non-profit groups interested in gaining funding and helping out in the community to volunteer for a pickup event collecting electronics, televisions, leftover paint and empty paint cans to dispose and recycle of.
Since the Town’s contract with Rocky View County concerning the Irricana Transfer Site was terminated effective Jan. 31, residents of Irricana have been forced to drive longer distances to the Beiseker Transfer Site to dispose of excess waste and recyclables, said Interim Chief Administrative Officer Dawn Mosondz.
To help alleviate this issue, Mosondz recommended the Town apply for the Municipal Electronics and Paint Roundup Grant Program through Alberta Recycling, which is used to support pickup events for residents and businesses in the community.
“This can be structured as a spring and or fall cleanup,” Mosondz said.
According to Mosondz, the maximum funding available per roundup event is $3,000, which would cover up to $2,000 worth of advertising and present an honorarium to a local charity for their help.
Since Public Works labour hours could not be used as an expense for the grant, Mosondz said finding non-profit groups to conduct the roundup is crucial.
“If we don’t receive any support from the community groups then it doesn’t really make much sense because as a municipality you can’t put our costs into it,” she said.
Municipal Affairs inquiry
Deputy Mayor Dennis Tracz told a packed public gallery during the March 21 meeting that council would need to discuss the matter of voluntarily bringing in Alberta Municipal Affairs (MA) to conduct a review of the Town. The issue was brought forward following a written question asking why this had not already been done.
“That is something that council will have to consider and go from there,” he said.
Councillor Frank Friesen said in an interview following the meeting that as both a recently concerned citizen and newly appointed member of council he is neutral on the idea of getting MA involved.
Though he said the help from MA could be extremely beneficial, Friesen said the March 21 meeting was a huge step towards mending many of the issues he voiced during his campaign, which included improved communication and owning decisions.
“I really sensed a shift last night in the town atmosphere,” he said. “There was this huge gap, but now it doesn’t seem so huge all of a sudden.
“I think we proved that we are working with the citizens.”
Donation bin relocation The Canadian Diabetes Association’s (CDA) Clothesline donation bin, currently located at the Irricana Transfer Site, will be moved into the community following the termination of the contract prohibiting residents from accessing the site.
Mosondz said the Town was contacted by the CDA and asking if a spot was available in town to move the bins.
“They would move them at their own cost,” she said.
Looking at various locations around the community, Mosondz suggested the best spot for the bin would be on the west end of the Irricana Recreation Centre west parking lot.
At most, she said it would take up, or reduce the length of, one parking stall.
“At least then residents will have access to the bin,” she said.
