Beaver County Chronicle - February 2

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A Free Weekly Publication Serving All of Beaver County Wednesday, February 2, 2022, Volume 15, Issue 5

Beaver County funds STARS at $12,000 per year Patricia Harcourt Beaver County agreed to fund STARS Air Ambulance a straight sum of $12,000 per year described as “a standing motion which will be recorded as a line item in on-going annual budgets.” The county previously gave a $2 per capita pledge for three years, a term which had expired. The per capita funding came to $11,810. Of the urban municipalities in the county, only the Town of Tofield contributes to STARS - and has committed to $1 per capita. The decision to give a straight amount was made after a January 19 county council meeting where STARS Foundation Senior Municipal Relations Liaison Glenda Farnden made the request. STARS remains under “strict protocols” regarding COVID-19, she told council, as one in every five missions is virus related. While the organization does receive funding from the government (20%), the majority of funds are received by fundraising efforts. Beaver County has had 79 air ambulance operations occur within its borders between 2017 and 2021, and there has already been a first mission in 2022. “Emergencies don’t always happen close to home and Beaver County residents have access to STARS across Alberta,” she said.

Referring to STARS’ $138 million fleet campaign, she said, just $4 million more is needed to complete the campaign goal. With a new fleet of helicopters, service will only get better. “This does result in STARS providing the highest level in critical care today,” she said. Since its inception in 1985, STARS has flown more than 45,000 missions with no cost to the patient. Beaver County has been in partnership with STARS since 1994. Farnham asked that the county switch from a per capita donation to a fixed rate of $12,000 per year. This allows it to be included in the county’s annual budget and avoids fluctuations based on changes in the population. Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec (Division 3), who is also the county’s emergency services board chairman, stated that local firefighters “say a lot of

good things” about the STARS Air Ambulances and the staff who have landed in the county on missions. Hrabec said he “fully supports STARS,” and made the motion to give the organization a straight sum of $20,000. “I know they provide an invaluable service.” The gratitude shown STARS is indicated in the local statistics provided in the presentation, including that, from 2017 to 2021 there were 18 missions near Tofield, 20 missions from Viking Hospital (critical inter-facility transfers), 30 missions from Tofield Hospital (critical inter-facility transfers), five missions near Ryley, four missions near Holden, and one mission each for near Kinsella and near Cooking Lake. Yet, Ryley, Holden, and Viking have not donated any funds towards the running of the STARS Air Ambulance service.

County considers draft policy for halls, cemeteries, seed cleaning plant Patricia Harcourt Beaver County Council has asked administration to draft a policy for consideration for local halls, cemeteries, and facilities that qualify to be insured under the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Insurance Policy. Assistant CAO Margaret Jones explained that Councillor Lionel Williams (Division 2) requested information regarding the eligibility of the Spilstead Community Hall to obtain property insurance through the county’s policy. “Rural community hall organizations obtain property insurance privately,” stated Jones in her report to council January 19. “Beaver County Council has recognized the

financial burden that insurance premiums can place on these groups and provides assistance in the form of a grant to a maximum of $1,000 per year. “The Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA Insurance) provides insurance coverage for Beaver County and approved non-profit organizations,” said Jones. Jones named the Kinsella Recreation & Agricultural Society, Bruce Sports & Stampede Association, Beaver Heritage & Agricultural Society, and Beaverhill Players as additions to the county policies for insurance, or “additional named insureds (called ANIs). Several things are required to be eligible as an ANI, including: be a registered non-profit

organization; bring a benefit to the greater good of the community; and, have a relationship with the county. Jones told council that “RMA Insurance will approve or deny the application at its discretion based on a risk assessment,” and can remove an ANI “at any time.” She added that, “RMA bills the county for the premiums and the county and the county, in turn, bills the ANI. Administration also administers the claims process, if necessary.” Earlier in the meeting, Williams told council that he wanted this “offered as an option.” Council will bring the draft policy back for debate at an upcoming meeting.

2 - Beaver County Chronicle, February 2, 2022

Deputy Reeve brings back campground issue - wants to know what happened to action item on vision Patricia Harcourt Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec questioned what happened to an action item listing regarding a “campground vision” administration had been asked to draft for council to consider. The council whose term ended last fall spent a great deal of time discussing what the future of the county’s campgrounds should look like. These included Black Nugget Lake Campground in the county’s western end and Camp Lake Campground in the eastern end. Hrabec, former Reeve Jim Kallal, and current Division 5 Councillor Dale Pederson questioned the running of the campgrounds. Hrabec especially stated at the time that he felt the campgrounds should be run like a for-profit business and the county should get out of the business of running campgrounds at a financial loss. Two councillors disagreed with that assessment and felt that, even if they run at a break even point, the campgrounds performed a valuable recreational service for the county residents. Division 1 Councillor Kevin Smook (now the reeve), and Division 4 Councillor Barry Bruce joined some vocal members of the public who felt the campgrounds were there to offer recreation to residents of the county, the reasoning being many couldn’t afford to go further afield and others simply preferred their local recreation spot. In January, the county asked for proposals to operate and maintain Black Nugget Lake Park and Camp Lake

Park, for up to three years starting in 2022. During the municipal election held last October, the issue of the campgrounds and their direction as a business or recreational service was overshadowed by the county’s issues with the CAO departure and a governance review of the county operations. At the January 19 meeting of the new council, Hrabec asked to have campgrounds put back on the agenda, then questioned what happened to what he called Kallal’s idea for the county to “get out of the campground business.” Assistant CAO Margaret Jones replied that council was provided information at the end of the year on both campgrounds. “A decision was made to retain the status quo,” she said, adding that was all she could recall on the matter. Executive Assistant Cindy Cox recalled that the action item list was cleaned up of issues no longer requiring action. “The question is how did it come off the list for campground vision?” replied Hrabec, adding he went through all his notes and couldn’t find a decision to not pursue it. He said this was “one of the questions on the governance review,” of which the county is trying to work through regarding recommendations. Hrabec contended that the county has lost “an atrocious amount of money”on the campgrounds, referring to the priority budgeting process performed last year revealing this. Jones said she would research the question and bring it back to council.

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CLAY AYSTONE WA ASTE NAMED TOP ALBE ERTA EMPLOYER Last week, Claystone Waste was honored to be named ˢˡ˘ ˢ˙ ʴ˟˕˘˥˧˔Ϡ˦ ˇˢˣ ʪʨ ʸˠˣ˟ˢˬ˘˥˦ ˙ˢ˥ ʥʣʥʥʡ ˇ˛˜˦ ˜˦ ˧˛˘ ˙˜˙˧˛ year in a row that Claystone has won this award, three years as Beaver Municipal Solutions and the last two years as the new municipally controlled corporation, Claystone Waste. The award comes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic which has created many challenges for employers over the past two years, however Claystone has risen to the challenge. Through robust health and safety protocols, Claystone has kept its sites functioning safely for uses, contractors and staff. Claystone

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designation of employer of choice in Alberta. Being named Top Employer during a pandemic is a direct result of our amazing staff. It is because of their hard work and dedication, Claystone is recognized for this honor.

OUR PUBLIC ADVISORY RY COMMITTEE HAS OPENINGS! Are you a resident of Beaver County that is involved in the community? Do you have a general interest in waste management matters? Do you have expertise or experience that you could bring to an advisory committee with a particular focus on environmental and occupational health and safety compliance? If so, Claystone Waste has openings on our PAC that may interest you. Our Public Advisory Committee (PAC) is a committee of the Board of Directors of Claystone Waste whose purpose is to advise the Board on issues of community concern or interest on our regional waste facilities and services. If you are interested in being a part of our PAC, please send a cover letter and resume to connect@claystonewaste.com. Submissions will be accepted p until February y 17,, 2022. Interviews and applicant selection will follow with the appointment of PAC public members in March 2022. Please call our office at 780.663.2038, and ask for Communications if you have questions. Toll Free: 1.855.221.2038 Ph: 780.663.2038

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Beaver County Chronicle, February 2, 2022 - 3

$7k for Viking Hospital Foundation Patricia Harcourt After consulting the health foundations for hospitals in Tofield and Viking, Beaver County Council decided to leave foundation funding from the county on a per capita basis. Assistant CAO Margaret Jones recommended to council Jan. 19 that the Health Foundation Support Policy should stick with one based on population for a funding formula. The Tofield and Area Health Services Foundation stated in a December 2 letter that it is “strongly opposed to the proposed amendment that the grant be divided equally between the two health foundations in Beaver County. “As you are aware, and the most obvious (is that) the Tofield and Area Health Foundation serves 64 per cent of Beaver County population,” stated Tofield’s foundation Chair Brenda Chehade. “In addition, the Tofield and Area Health Services Foundation has not been in existence as long as Viking Health Foundation. Nor has Tofield received near the generous donations as Viking,” she said, referring to donations from the Viking community. In a statement by Division 5 Councillor Dale Pederson last fall, he said the Viking foundation is doing well financially. For its part, Viking said the same. “We feel that the amount is insignificant to us as we have been lucky recipients of two estates,” said Viking’s

Foundation secretary, in a statement to Tofield’s foundation, which was forwarded to the county. Jones said Viking’s response to the county was that Viking would accept whatever was given to its foundation. On January 5, Secretary Sandra Nietfield stated that the issue had been discussed at the last meeting of Viking Health Foundation. “The board felt that it is not our decision to make and that it is up to county council to set up policy. So a motion was not made,” she told Jones. With this in mind, a motion by Pederson to go with Jones’ recommendation not to change the policy was passed. Division 4 Councillor Barry Bruce stated last fall he felt that the Viking foundation should get the same amount of funds as Tofield’s foundation since the Viking hospital services such a large catchment area and delivers many babies in a year. Tofield’s allotment of $12,867, based on having 64 per cent of the population in Beaver County, was passed previously. At the January 19 meeting, council agreed to provide the Viking foundation board its grant based on having 36 per cent of the population in the county, or $7,133. The motion was made by Bruce to give this amount as per administration’s recommendation, which was carried.

Request for Quotations

Accepting Proposals

2022 Dust Control and Winter Sand Mixing

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF BLACK NUGGET LAKE PARK

Request for Quotation (RFQ) No: RFQ2022-02PW This Request for Quotations (the “RFQ”) issued by Beaver County (the “County”) is an invitation to submit non-binding offers for the provision of Dust Control and Winter Sand Mixing as further described in Part 4 – RFQ Particulars, for the Rates established in Appendix B. The Respondent selected pursuant to this RFQ process will be informed in writing. Respondents not selected will also be informed in writing. For the purposes of this procurement process, the “County Contact” shall be: County Contact: Dan Blackie, Superintendent of Transportation RFQ Timetable Issued: January 27, 2022 Submission Deadline: February 10, 2022 at 10:00:00am local time. No Guarantee of Volume of Work or Exclusivity of Contract. Beaver County makes no guarantee of the value or volume of work to be assigned to the successful respondent. The Agreement with the selected Respondent will not be an exclusive contract for the provision of the described Deliverables. Beaver County may contract with others for the same or similar Deliverables to those described in the RFQ or may obtain the same or similar Deliverables internally. Submission Instructions All submissions whether delivered in person, sent by mail, courier or email should be directed to: Beaver County Box 140 5120-50 st Ryley, AB T0B 4A0 RFQ No. RFQ2022-02PW – Supply of Dust Control and Winter Sand Mixing Attention: Dan Blackie, Superintendent of Transportation pwtenders@beaver.ab.ca Submissions are to be prominently marked with the RFQ title and number (see RFQ cover), with the full legal name and return address of the respondent, and with the Submission Deadline.

Beaver County is accepting proposals for the operation and maintenance of Black Nugget Lake Park for a term of up to three years, commencing with the 2022 season. Proposals will be accepted until 2:00:00 pm, Tuesday, February 15, 2022. Information packages are available at the Beaver County Service Centre, Ryley, by email request to slungal@beaver.ab.ca, or by visiting our website @www.beaver.ab.ca. The lowest or any proposal will not necessarily be accepted.

Accepting Proposals OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF CAMP LAKE PARK Beaver County is accepting proposals for the operation and maintenance of Camp Lake Park for a term of up to three years, commencing with the 2022 season. Proposals will be accepted until 2:00:00 pm, Tuesday, February 15, 2022. Information packages are available at the Beaver County Service Centre, Ryley, by email request to slungal@beaver.ab.ca, or by visiting our website @www.beaver.ab.ca. The lowest or any proposal will not necessarily be accepted.

4 - Beaver County Chronicle, February 2, 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

Notice of Public Hearing

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Invitation to Tender - for 2022 Motor Graders Beaver County is Inviting Sealed Tenders for the Supply of (3) 2022 Motor Graders: Tender No. TEN2022-01PW Issued: January 25, 2022 Sealed Tenders for: The Supply of Three (3) New Motor Graders Will be received by: Beaver County (“County”) Box 140, 5120 – 50 Street Ryley, Alberta T0B 4A0 Attention: Dan Blackie, Superintendent of Transportation Time and date for Tender Closing is: 10:00:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday, February 8th, 2022 (the “Tender Closing”) For more information visit: https://www.beaver.ab.ca/residents/proposals-quotes