Wednesday, January 8, 2020 Vol. 43, No. 2
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YOUR LOCAL PAPER
Viking Council discusses solar Viking RCMP charge farm, BMS incorporation at suspects for property late December meeting crimes at rural residence Patricia Harcourt Editor
Viking CAO Don McLeod informed council Dec. 16 that the company Dandelion Renewables had "just finished installing all the piles at the solar farm…The next step is to install the racking once it arrives." After that, in about two weeks, "it won't take long to install once it gets here." McLeod said the hope is to have the solar energy system, which is to be used to lower energy costs for town infrastructure, operational by the end of February. McLeod also reported on the possibility of contracting the county's community peace officer to enforce bylaws within the Town of Viking, and the Villages of Ryley and Holden. Beaver County's CPO Rick Ells met with the CAOs of the three urban municipalities to try and work out an arrangement. "Mr. Ells feels that there is a workable solution for the three urbans and for the county. CPO Ells will present a plan to CAO Beck with Beaver County to move forward if they feel it is feasible," said McLeod. The issue was also discussed at the intermunicipal committee meeting along with other
topics such as an Alberta Community Partnership Program (ACP) grant for a drainage project, and various economic development prospects that the town and county may work on together." Regarding the ACP grant, McLeod explained that "this program will allow the town to get funding for the storm water study and engineering costs to replace the 50 Avenue culvert and the drainage canal out to Lake Thomas. "Beaver County has agreed to partner with the town to apply for the grant," he said, which has a $200,000 ceiling and does not cover construction costs. In other news, McLeod and Mayor Jason Ritchie attended a municipally controlled corporation (MCC) meeting Dec. 5. McLeod reported to council that Beaver County Reeve Jim Kallal had stepped down as the MCC chair, to be replaced by Mayor Dueck of Tofield and Mayor Ritchie as the new vice-chair. The MCC committee is working towards the incorporation of Beaver Municipal Solutions (BMS), the local regional landfill near Ryley. "A decision was made to have the MCC Business Plan approved at the next council meetings of each municipali-
ty," stated McLeod in his report. "By approving the Business Plan the public hearing dates can be scheduled for January of 2020. "The county continues to raise questions. Also, the USA and Limited Partnership agreements should be agreed to in principle." Later in the meeting, council passed several motions regarding the incorporation, including the acceptance of the BMS business plan, the memorandum of understanding, limited partnership agreement, unanimous shareholders agreement, and municipal members charter. A motion was passed that Viking Council accepts the holding of a joint public hearing to take place along with the county. McLeod also reported that culvert installation on 50 Street has been delayed to February or March 2020. "When ATCO installed the new gas main to feed the town, the ATCO contractor went over the existing culvert instead of following the proper and usual protocol of boring underneath," McLeod stated. "This has necessitated…utilizing two smaller culverts to cross the main gas line rather than just replacing the existing single culvert.
Viking RCMP On Monday, January 3, at approximately 3:15 a.m. Viking RCMP received a call regarding a break and enter in progress at a rural residence. The homeowner reported that two males were visible outside the property, and had broken into a sea can and shed on the property. The males were also engaged in the theft of fuel on the property as well. Viking RCMP intercepted a vehicle shortly after it left the property. The driver originally failed to stop for police, but both males were arrested when the vehicle stopped at a property within the Town of Viking limits. Wayne Scott, 22, of Viking, is charged with: • S. 348(1)(a) CC- Break and Enter • S. 334(b) CC- Theft under $5,000 • S. 177 CC- Trespass at Night • S. 733.1(1) CC- Fail to Comply with a Probation Order Ethan Sterling, 18, of Viking, is charged with: • S. 348(1)(a) CC- Break and Enter • S. 334(b) CC- Theft under $5,000 • S. 320.17 CC- Flight from peace officer • S. 177 CC- Trespass at Night • S. 52(1)(a) TSA- Operate motor vehicle without registration • S. 54(1)(a) TSA- Drive uninsured motor vehicle on highway • S. 51(a) TSA- Operate motor vehicle without holding subsisting operator's licence Both males have been released from custody pending court dates in January and February 2020 in Vegreville Provincial Court. "ATCO has offered to lower the gas line but that could take up to a year and would be at the town's cost." At the meeting, McLeod said: "We want to get it replaced as soon as possible," adding the culverts would be "upsized so they are big enough to handle the flow" and have a direct connection "so there is no gap between the
pipes." Councillor Judy Acres informed council that $1,230 was raised at a sale of Christmas trees done for the Walking Trail Society's project in Viking to establish wellness walking trails. The event was held over two Saturdays with 41 trees sold at the venue site's rural property of Vern and Jan Hafso. "It was really exhilarat-
ing," said Acres, noting there were "so many families" that came out to get a Christmas tree. Council also discussed starting up a teleconferencing ability so any councillor not able to attend a meeting could still participate. Councillor Clint Nearing said he "has a concern," while Mayor Jason Ritchie said this See COUNCIL P11