The Community
Press Volume 113, Issue 33
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
$1 Including GST
Shout out to Flagstaff’s Health Care Workers
INSIDE THIS WEEK’S ‘PRESS Province announces one-time payment for critical services workers Page 10 RCMP make arrests in copper wire thefts Page 19 COVID scams on the rise with false vaccination offers Page 3 MLA writes letter in support of Hardisty Hospital Emergency Room Page 8
LESLIE CHOLOWSKY PHOTO
FFCS staff, Killam RCMP, and MLA Jackie Lovely saluted Health Care workers in a frigid mini-parade in Killam. On Thursday, Feb. 11, FFCS staff, Lynne Jenkinson, Sue Freadrich, Brooke Grove, Karen Bovencamp Manning, and Jody Bergseth, along with RCMP Constables Jake Rains and Kirk Rafuse, joined Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely in an impromptu thanks to health care workers in the region, just one day after the province announced a one-time payment for critical workers.
AND MUCH MORE!
Flagstaff County Council considering changes to residential dust suppressant policy Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Flagstaff County Council made some changes to its dust suppressant policy in the 2021-2023 Business Plan and Budget, and recently discussed adopting new options for residents looking for dust suppressant application. The budget, approved on Jan. 27, will see residential dust controls applied at a 100 per cent cost-recovery basis. Councillor Erik Skoberg made a motion during Council’s Wednesday, Feb. 10, regular meeting to conduct a trial period, of one year, privatizing residential dust suppressant application, similar to a current Camrose County policy. “We don’t know if this would be a viable option because we haven’t done it. One of the pros for this might be an economic spinoff for local private operators. “I can’t understand why we haven’t or wouldn’t try this.” Skoberg said the Camrose County policy could be used as a basis for a new
policy, with Flagstaff County specific tweaks applied. Administration, via CAO Shelly Armstrong, said that a new policy could be worked on with Public Works input and brought back to Council. Skoberg said, “If you refer to our pricing; I don’t know what private application will cost. If it’s cheaper, that’s a good thing, if it’s more expensive, same. “I would like us to be progressive and try something new as an option.” Councillor Jeff Eckstrand said, “I think there’s an opportunity here to get some free testing, too.” Eckstrand elaborated on that, saying, “If people pay to have other products applied, for instance the Camrose County list has four, then we can see how it works, but don’t have to pay for it.” Councillor Jeanette Herle added, “As long as the product is approved, and not degrading roads, I don’t know why we wouldn’t do this.” Council discussion turned to road
preparation required for some products to be effective. It was noted that the Camrose County policy did not address road condition. Eckstrand said, “We need to make people aware that the cost of prepping the road is not included in the contract. It may be that a landowner has to pay $160/hour for a grader.” Reeve Don Kroetch added, “The policy would state that we would do the preparation at cost to the ratepayer. We don’t want private contractors working on our roads.” Skoberg said, “I agree. Maybe it’s a matter of timing. If the County blades a road on a Tuesday, for example, the application could be coordinated. “We are doing road maintenance on a time basis, not a need basis, so there are options to mitigate some of these concerns.” Kroetch asked, “Where does this policy come in to play in the pecking order of work being done?” Skoberg said, “That would be an issue
up to the ratepayer, they would be fully responsible. But it would be in their best interest to work with the County’s schedule.” Eckstrand added, “I think the maintenance grader would look after this type of work, because when the truck is here [for application] they are going to do every road they can while they can do it.” Administration prepared information on the pros and cons on the County administering dust suppressant versus having the resident responsible for booking through a third party. One concern noted was citizens and third-party contractors working within County right-of-ways, resulting in noncompliance with the County’s safety program and OH & S regulations regarding traffic control. Skoberg questioned the OH & S issue, asking why it would not be compliant. Armstrong said, “Because the contractor is working directly with a ratepayer, not See DUST SUPPRESSANT P10