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A Free Weekly Publication Serving All of Beaver County Wednesday,February April 20,16 2022, Volume 15,15 Issue 16 7 Wednesday 2022 Volume Issue
County donates to Ukrainian humanitarian relief Beaver County chooses cement and gravel contracts, buys lowboy trailer Patricia Harcourt The county has accepted the bid from Lafarge Canada of $388,416, plus GST, for the supply and application of portland cement in the base stabilization process for the 2022 chip sealed roads. “Portland Cement application is monitored by public works staff and then the stabilization process is completed by public works staff,” explained Dan Blackie, director of transportation for the county. There was just one bid made for this contract. Of two bids received for the 2022 graded aggregate seal coat contract, the county went with administration’s recommendation to accept the bid from Ant Construction Ltd. in the amount of $790,960 plus GST for the seal coat supply and application. Public works staff would also be monitoring this work by the company. Council also approved the purchase of a new 2023 Deloupe 55t hydraulic tilt axle trailer from Hayworth Equipment Sales Inc. at a cost of $147,500 plus GST. Of the four bids received, evaluations were based on pricing (30 points), specifications (30 points), and operator preference (40 points). “The current trailer has served us well; however, at 20 years old, it is showing its age,” said Blackie, in his report to council. “It is quite difficult to use when loading equipment, having to split and unhook the trailer then load the equipment, then reconnect. “As well, to be used safely, it requires two people to operate,” he said. “Newer versions of this type of trailer can be managed by one person while remaining connected and are simply more efficient and safer.” Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec (Division 3) made the motion to accept the recommendation stating he “likes keeping the work in-house, it means we will have more employees.”
Beaver County recently met a challenge made by Lamont County for other counties to meet the county’s donation toward Ukrainian humanitarian aide. To that end, members of Beaver County Council made the trip to Lamont’s County office to present a cheque for $5,000. At the presentation were, back row, from left: Beaver County councillor Barry Bruce (Division 4), Lionel Williams (Division 2) and Dale Pederson (Division 5); and Lamont County councillors Neil Woitas, Aaron Wick, and Daniel Warawa. In the front row, Beaver County Reeve Kevin Smook (right) makes the official presentation of $5,000 to Lamont County Reeve David Diduck. The cheque will be provided to the Ukrainian Congress of Alberta.
Pederson re-appointed to Veterans Memorial Highway Patricia Harcourt Beaver County Councillor Dale Pederson (Division 5) was re-appointed to the Veterans Memorial Highway Association, following a hiatus when the association was inactive. Pederson had served on the association board during his last term in office, but council did not re-appoint at the organizational meeting of the new council due to inactivity based on issues with COVID-19 and board turnover. Pederson said he stopped going to meetings in 2019 after arriving to find nobody but himself attending. However, the county has still been paying the membership fee which means Pederson is still eligible to attend. Following a query from Division 4 Councillor Barry Bruce, administrative assistant Cindy Cox explained that the association “is a lobby group
for the use and improvement of Highway 36,” which runs from the border with the US north to Fort McMurray. The road runs past local communities like Killam and Viking. Councillor Lionel Williams (Division 2) called the association “an important opportunity,” for the county to be involved in efforts on behalf of, or achievements made, concerning the highway. The association was formed in 1999 as a lobby group of participating municipalities to promote the highway as the major north/south corridor in eastern Alberta. The Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) met and reviewed an association newsletter, and asked administration to find out the status of the association. Carol Thomson, economic development officer for Paintearth County, advised that the association was meeting on a regular basis now with the next regular meeting scheduled for April 22.
2 - Beaver County Chronicle, April 20, 2022
LAMONT COUNTY • 15,000 sq ft Industrial
Shop built on 42.8 acres in Lamont County adjacent to town of Lamont. There is an approximately 15 acres of gravelled yard with partial chain link fencing located at 195043 HWY 29 Lamont County. Price: $3,175,000 • East ½ NW-34-53-18 W4 80 acres of pasture located 182043-TWP RD 540 Lamont County. Price: $125,000 • W4-18-53-11-NE 160 acres pasture on RR 181 between TWP RD 530 and 532 Lamont County. Price: $230,000 • W4-18-53-11-SE 159.88 acres pasture on RR 181 between TWP RD 530 and 532 Price: $230,000 • W4-18-54-18-NW 2 parcel farm 158.48 acres 130 ± acres of grain cultivation 3 bedroom house. Property has gas, power, well, septic with aerial discharge, Dug out and a shop Price: $850,000
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
FARM LAND IN CHIPMAN
SOLD
SOLD
• SW ¼ 30-54-18-W4 (North ½) 78.83 acres fenced pasture land. Price: $140,000 • SW ¼, 30-54-18-W4 (South ½)- 72.12 acres Fenced pasture land. Price: $130,000 • NW ¼ 30-54-18-W4 144.67 acres fenced pasture with 50± acres was cultivated. Price: $360,000
TWO HILLS COUNTY RECREATION LAND • W4-12-55-27 NW 146 acres with 1/2-mile frontage on the North Saskatchewan River. HWY 29 and RR 123 50± acres of cultivation power at property Nicely treed lot for a building site. Price: $350,000 BEAVER COUNTY (BRUCE AREA) • NE 1/4 13-49-14 W4 160 acres of hay land. RR 140 and TWP RD 494. Price: $300,000 • NE 1/4 24-49-14 W4 160 acres of pasture land. RR 140 between TWP RD 492 and 494. Price: $250,000 STRATHCONA COUNTY
SOLD SOLD
SOLD SOLD
• SW Part of NW –23 –53 –23 –W4 40.55 acres North of Highway 16 on Range Road 232 in proposed medium industrial zoning with CP rail line at the border of the property. Price: $7,200,000 • Parts of SW and SE-7-53-22 W4 located at HWY 21 and Lakeland Drive 63.62 acres of development land with HWY 21 exposure. The property is within the Bremner and local Employment Area ACP with expected future use of industrial. Price: $6,000,000
SPRING LAR RGE ITEM PROGRAM SET TO START The spring Th i llarge it item program is i jjustt around d the th t corner. In I the th past, t regular garbage was put out for collection, instead of large items ˦˨˖˛ ˔˦ ˦ˢ˙˔˦ ˔ˡ˗ ˪˔˦˛˜ˡ˚ ˠ˔˖˛˜ˡ˘˦ʡ ʽ˨˦˧ ˔ ˥˘ˠ˜ˡ˗˘˥Ϟif it fits in the waste bin in your alley, please put your items for disposal in there. ˇ˛˜˦ ˣ˥ˢ˚˥˔ˠ ˜˦ ˢˡ˟ˬ ˙ˢ˥ ˟˔˥˚˘ ˜˧˘ˠ˦ ˧˛˔˧ ˗ˢˡϠ˧ ˙˜˧ʡ We started a new process last fall and will continue with this method for collecting large items in each of the municipalities. The dates for each of the municipalities are as follows:
x
Monday, May 2 to Thursday May 5ϞHamlet of Bruce No curbside collection. Bring your items to the large bins located:
Community Hall (2 bins) Lift Station (1 bin)
x
Thursday, May 12ϞTown of Viking Curbside pick up, large items must be on the streetϞnot on your lawn or driveway.
x
Monday, May 16 to Thursday May 19ϞVillage of Ryley No curbside collection. Bring your items to the large bins located:
Old carwash beside Village OfficeϞ50 Office 50 St & 50 Ave Truck stop area close to the cardboard binϞ5 51 St & 50 Av Ave Trailer park close to the 4 yd binsϞ53 St & 52 Ave Grassy area north end of Village on 57 Ave e between 49 & 50 St.
x
Thursday, May 26ϞTown of Tofield Curbside pick up, large items must be on the strreetϞnot on your lawn or driveway
x
Monday, May 30 toThursday, June 2ϞVillage of Holde en No curbside collection. Bring your items to the large bins located:
Empty lot at 5024Ϟ50 St Gazebo Park entrance located on 51 St. ʵ˘˦˜˗˘ ʵ˘˔˩˘˥ ʶˢ˨ˡ˧ˬϠ˦ ʧˬ˗ ˕˜ˡ˦ ˢˡ ʧʫ ˆ˧ʡ West side of Public Works shop at 4920Ϟ4 48 Ave
Rural residents can take their large items to our transfer stations year round. Check our website to see wh hich large items are acceptable at which location. There is a $25 charge for Freon-containing items. i Please contact your local Town/Village office to purchase collection stickers.
These are not large items
Incorrec ctly placed on grass
Put in into waste bin in in in nearb rby alley y
Put o out on the str treet
If you have questions about what items are being collected through this program, please call 780.663.2038, extension 102 or ask for the Collections Department. Alternatively please email
info@claystonewaste.com. Toll Free: 1.855.221.2038 Ph: 780.663.2038 50117 Range Road 173 (Secondary Highway 854) Box 322, Ryley, AB T0B 4A0
Ryley Landfill Hours: Weekdays 9:00 am - 4:30 pm; Saturdays / STATS 9:00 am - 3:00 pm; Closed Sundays NOTE: customers must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to closing; Administration Offices closed from 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Lindbrook k Transfer Station Hours: Tues 10:30 am - 5:30 pm; Thurs 11:30 am - 6:30 pm; Sat 10:30 - 5:30 pm
Tofield Transfer Station Hours: Wed, Fri and Sat 10:30 am - 5:30 pm
Viking Transfer Station Hours: Norman Hill
Steven Hill
Lauren Hill
780-449-5622 | nhill01@telus.net www.hillrealty.ca
Tues 10:30 am - 5:30 pm; Sat 10:30 am - 5:30 pm
Kinsella Transfer Station Hours: Wed 11:00 am - 5:00 pm; Fri 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Beaver County Chronicle, April 20, 2022 - 3
Council chooses new engineering firm COLA and salary grid review Patricia Harcourt Beaver County Council chose a new engineering firm at the April 6 regular meeting of council. The issue arose previously when Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec (Division 3) asked why the county didn’t consider other firms for engineering and other service, instead of staying for years with one firm. At that time, the need for continuity of information and planning over extended time periods was the answer to that question. However, council agreed to have administration post a request for proposal (RFP) for engineering services. On March 1, administration opened six bid packages which were summarized for council at the April 6 meeting. Council agreed to the recommendation of hiring WSP Canada “as the most favourable option for the county.” It was also recommended,
and agreed, that the county would enter into a three-year contract with WSP with an option for two additional years. Most counties go with letters of understanding when hiring an engineering firm, so they are also free to go with another firm if they wish on another project, said the county’s Director of Transportation Dan Blackie. The motion to accept the public works recommendations was made by Hrabec, who noted that WSP was a Camrose firm and was therefore in line with Battle River Alliance for Economic Development’s (BRAED) saying that “shopping local is great for local business.” The issue of roads was the second part of the recommendation. Division 4 Councillor Barry Bruce praised Blackie for work on the P&H road, stating he “turned a black bog into a road bed.” “You’re doing some really good work in Division 4,” he said.
The second recommendation council agreed to from administration was to authorize WSP Canada Inc. to conduct a road study “in key areas of the county,” including cost estimates, with the intent to plan for the repair/reconstruction of the county’s “challenging” roads. Reeve Kevin Smook (Division 1) stated that Blackie was not recommending a full road study for the entire county. “He just wants trouble spots done,” he said. Stated Blackie in his report: “A road study in some key areas would provide background and rationale for the plan and policy. “Cost estimates are needed for development of the budget and a 5-Year Financial Plan.” He added that, “administration would like to begin work immediately with WSP to assist with development of the county’s 5-Year Road Plan and the Road Construction Priorities Policy.”
Notice of Development Permit The following Development Application has been APPROVED (except where otherwise noted) by the Development Officer under the provisions of Land Use Bylaw No. 98-801, subject to the right of appeal to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board. APPEAL DEADLINE: May 04, 2022 Application No. 020020-22-D0012 Applicant: Squair, Alan Location: SE-20-46-12-W4 Development: Second Dwelling - RTM home with basement Any person wishing to appeal a decision may do so by serving written notice on the prescribed form (stating reasons for the appeal) and submitting the applicable fee of $200.00 to the Secretary of the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board at the following address. The notice of appeal must be submitted before 4:30 pm on the appeal deadline date shown above, or be postmarked by the appeal deadline date. The prescribed form is available at www.beaver.ab.ca or at the County office. Further information regarding the above decision(s) may be obtained from the County Office, Ryley, Alberta. SECRETARY Subdivision and Development Appeal Board Beaver County, Box 140 Ryley, Alberta T0B 4A0 (780) 663-3730 Due to COVID-19, all appeal hearings will be held electronically until further notice.
Celebrate Earth Day Friday April 22, 2022 is Earth Day, the purpose of Earth Day has changed a bit. Although it is still a time to reflect on how we can improve, Earth Day has become more than just one day. Environmental practices are being implemented throughout the year and April 22nd has become a day of recognition and celebration. So let’s celebrate on April 22 and everyday through action.
The last COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) provided to staff was in 2020 in the amount of one per cent. Administration conducted a survey of the COLAs approved by the county’s urban and rural neighbours as well as Beaver Emergency Services Commission, Beaver Foundation, and Claystone Waste. The span of time used was the last four years (the term of the previous council). The survey indicates that the county has not kept pace with the increases given in the other municipalities/organizations and COLA is warranted. The Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) reviewed the survey results in closed session and recommended that council consider a cost-of-living adjustment in 2022. Council passed a motion to consider a cost-of-living adjustment in the 2022 budget deliberations. A non-union salary survey was conducted by an independent consultant in 2015 (effective January 1, 2016). A
Road Bans
subsequent salary grid review began as an internal review in 2019 but required a thorough comparison of position responsibilities to ensure fairness and equity. In light of the fiscal environment at that time, council deferred further work on the review to the fall of 2020. The review was never completed. A salary grid review is overdue. The Corporate Governance Review noted this situation and recommended that to maintain employee morale, competitiveness, and meet the current economic standards, a salary grid review be conducted. The Governance and Priorities Committee recommended that an independent review of both non-union positions and Council remuneration be conducted in 2022. Following a closed session, council passed a motion authorizing administration to conduct an independent review of the union and nonunion salary grids and Council remuneration in 2022, taking into consideration regional and neighbouring municipalities.
4 - Beaver County Chronicle, April 20, 2022
Beaver County Service Centre 5120 - 50 Street Box 140 Ryley, Alberta T0B 4A0 Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Phone: (780) 663-3730 Fax: (780) 663-3602 Toll Free: 1-866-663-1333 www.beaver.ab.ca Email: administration@beaver.ab.ca
Employment Opportunity
Public Notice
Health and Safety Officer
APPOINTMENT OF BEAVER COUNTY CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
Competition No: 004-2022 The Health and Safety Officer is responsible for the overall management and coordination of the County Health and Safety Program, to provide a safe and healthy work environment for all employees, contractors and visitors, to facilities owned and operated by Beaver County. By providing a hands-on approach, the Health and Safety Officer is responsible for planning and coordination of health and safety initiatives, ensuring all departments have the information and support required to carry out their responsibilities with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the County Health and Safety Program. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: • Maintains a working knowledge of the Alberta Occupational Health & Safety Act, Regulation and Code with training and monitoring AB OHS legislation and other media sources for changes to legislative and industry standards. • Collaborate with the Health and Safety Committee, senior administrations, department managers and supervisors to ensure development, revision, and review of Safety Policies and Procedures, safe job and work practices and procedures, safety forms and other related tools. • Participate in and conduct internal and external AMHSA Audits. • Assist and participate with all departments in conducting hazard assessments, work site visits, review emergency response practices, review incident investigations and subsequent procedural changes, including maintaining all relevant records. • Conduct incident investigations with staff members to identify the root and underlying cause of an incident and recommends or initiates corrective action as required. This may include assisting with the WCB compliance program. • Develop, conduct or facilitate relevant safety training needs and opportunities including • Participate in facility inspections for all departments and facilities, including facilities owned by organizations listed as additional named insured through the County. • Coordinates and presents at all staff Health and Safety Committee Meetings and oversees the preparations Additional Information on the necessary Functional Skills, Qualifications and Education are available in the full Position Profile available on the Beaver County Website at www.beaver.ab.ca . Position Details: Position Type: Full-Time permanent (40 hours/week) Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, occasional evenings or weekends required Salary: Based on skills and experience Closing date: April 26, 2022 ———————————————————————————————————————————— Submit your cover letter and resume, by referencing the name of the position and the competition number, to the following email: careers@beaver.ab.ca Applications can also be submitted in-person or by mail to: PO Box 140 5120 50 Street Ryley, AB T0B 4A0
Beaver County Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Kayleena Spiess as the County’s new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). The appointment follows the departure of the County’s CAO in October 2021. Interim CAO, Rick McDonald, CMC, has been fulfilling the responsibilities of the position during the recruitment process. Ms. Spiess holds both a Business Administration (finance) degree and certification as a local government manager. She brings 9 years of experience working with rural municipalities, including the position of Chief Administrative Officer, as well as leadership roles in organizational restructuring, strategic planning, inter-municipal cooperation, budget and financial analysis, and project management. Implementation of the Corporate Governance Review approved by Council in October is nearing completion and Ms. Spiess will build on all the work completed to date to provide a high level of service to County residents and other stakeholders. Council is excited to have Kay join the Beaver County team and is confident that she will provide professional, enthusiastic leadership as we move our operations and administration forward effectively and efficiently. Ms. Spiess begins work on April 19, 2022 and can be reached at the Beaver County Service Centre at 825-385-0068 or by e-mail at kspiess@beaver.ab.ca. Kevin Smook Reeve, Beaver County
Support for Ukraine
Beaver County thanks all applicants for your interest however only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
Volunteer Appreciation
Request for Proposal of Legal Services Beaver County is seeking proposals from qualified legal firms to provide legal services. Go to the County's website to review the RFP: https://www.beaver.ab.ca/residents/proposals-quotes Closing date and time is 4:30 pm, April 29, 2022. For information, contact Margaret Jones, Manager of Legislative Services.
Beaver County Ukraine Donation In Support of Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine, Beaver County Responds to Lamont County’s Challenge with $5000 Cheque Presentation. Pictured Above: L-R Top/Flag holders: Councillor Bruce (Beaver County) and Councillor Wick (Lamont County); L-R Middle: Councillor Williams (Beaver County), Councillor Pederson (Beaver County), Councillor Warawa (Lamont County) and Councillor Woitas (Lamont County); L-R Sitting: Reeve David Diduck (Lamont County) and Reeve Kevin Smook (Beaver County).