Sgt. Patty Neely of the Beiseker RCMP presented a complete statistical breakdown of RCMP activities in the area for the past three months.
Nelly said she is concerned by the number of children riding bikes without helmets.
Neely also discussed grant funding for youth programs. She noted that there was very little criminal activity in the area, with the exception of a break and enter at the pharmacy. RCMP have no reason to believe this incident was the work of local residents, and most likely the same criminals were responsible for at least one other pharmacy smash and grab in the area.
• Beiseker is facing a large repair bill for one of the controls at Reservoir #2. Council instructed public works to get three quotes for the repair and bring them back to council for approval. It is expected the repair will cost roughly $10,000.
• Area water has a yellowish tinge to it, caused by a magnesium problem - but it is was tested and is safe to drink. The Beiseker system does not have a flush valve like other municipalities on the system Village Foreman Bill Hnybida told council, which may compound the problem. Administration will look into this and determine if a flush valve is required.
• Beiseker council sent congratulations to public works employee Paul Weins who recently obtained his water operators license. Beiseker now has two licensed operators on staff making holiday and time off scheduling much easier.
• Council discussed the fact that holiday trailers are parked on streets without being attached to a vehicle. In some cases, warnings may be needed to ensure compliance with village bylaws.
• Deputy Mayor Ray Courtman brought forward a report from Drumheller and District Solid Waste Management Association of which Beiseker is a member. There is a move underway to transport waste to a central location in Alberta where it can be incinerated to generate electricity. However, Courtman believes this system would leave a larger environmental footprint than the current method of disposal, where garbage is sorted, recycled where possible and then buried as land fill. While this method is not ideal, Courtman told council trucking it long distances and incinerating it would be worse. After some discussion, council agreed not to support the trucking/incinerating initiative at this time.
• Paving is complete at the airport, however, a pit made by the contractor must be reclaimed before hold back money is returned.
• Rob Knight Trucking’s offer to purchase the corner property in Skyland Industrial Park was accepted by Beiseker council.
A public hearing to redesignate a home at 11 Chinook Road from R1 to R3 to accommodate a basement apartment was held with no presentations either for or against the amendment. Councillor Dave Fegan declared a conflict of interest due to his own residential proximity.
As there were no objections, the bylaw to allow the development was subsequently given third and final reading, paving the way for the apartment to be built.
The next meeting of Beiseker council will be Aug. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. The public is welcome.
