Irricana’s engineers, Andy Tenhem and Troy McNeill attended council to discuss the 2010 overview of the town’s infrastructure identifying immediate and long term needs.
Projecting population growth of 2.6 per cent, immediate requirements include relocating water distribution to the old water treatment plant, increasing pumping capacity, increasing water storage capacity and the need for an emergency response plan to deal with any interruption to the Kneehill water supply.
Some drainage issues need attention as soon as possible, but the existing sewage lagoon should not need upgrading until 2018.
The entire study is available on the town’s website at: www.irricana.com
The engineers also discussed improvements needed on 1st Street to alleviate storm water flooding. Funding is available from Alberta Transportation and the work is expected to be completed this summer pending budget considerations.
Councillor Lisa Constantini and Deputy Mayor Andrew Carr recently attended the Irricana Library Board meeting that dealt with strategic planning, financing and board remuneration. To facilitate a lunch break for staff, the library will be closed each day from 1 to 1:30 p.m. A new organization called Friends of the Library is being formed. This group will deal with fundraising including casino money. On recommendation of the library board, council appointed Carmela Hutchison to the board of directors for a three-year term.
Councillor Larry Martin informed council that the Economic Development and Tourism Committee has finalized its proposed budget, slashing it by 19 per cent. In 2011, the committee plans to concentrate its efforts towards economic development rather than tourism at a 70-30 per cent split. The committee is also investigating a memorial tree planting program for the town.
Although tenders have been received for renovating the upper floor of the Centennial building, an architect will have to be consulted to plan a firewall in the vicinity of the back stairwell prior to the upper floor being occupied. Council, therefore, instructed administration to tender and hire an architect for the firewall, and see its completion before any further work commences.
Chief Administrative Officer Carol White reported she still does not have a response to council’s request to be heard at a Rocky View County council meeting to discuss the County’s order to remove business signs along the south access road. Council moved to have Mayor Josh Taylor approach Reeve Rolly Ashdown directly to request permission for Irricana council to discuss the matter with Rocky View County council.
Council approved a motion to provide Rocky View County with a letter of support in the County’s quest to create an organics processing facility at an undisclosed location in Rocky View. Irricana council agreed to support the request in principal, but has reserved the right to further support or object to the location at some point if it appears it may affect negatively Irricana.
According to White, the Public Works department has provided 245 man-hours of snow removal since Nov. 16, translating to a cost of $5,300.
At a previous Irricana council meeting, administration was instructed to prepare an amendment to the land use bylaw dealing with home occupation procedures. After discussion, however, it was determined that the bylaw will not be amended, instead the required forms will be modified to simplify the process, and yearly advertising of home occupations will no longer be required.
