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A Free Weekly Publication Serving All of Beaver County Wednesday, March 9, 2022, Volume 15, Issue 10 Wednesday February 16 2022 Volume 15 Issue 7
Shoulder pulls a ‘go’ for this construction season Patricia Harcourt Beaver County will resume a Shoulder Pull Program consisting of about 10 miles per year beginning this construction season. County Council made the decision at the March 2 regular meeting based on a presentation by Director of Transportation Dan Blackie. “Council has indicated it would like to resume the Shoulder Pull Program as part of the five-year road construction/capital plan,” Blackie stated, in his report. Shoulder pulls and spot repairs for rural roads was included in the last approved five-year capital plan for $600,000, he said, noting that cement could be used for wet problem areas as was previously done on Range Road 124. As for this year, “we have the budget money in there,” he told council. And he felt the county could do as well as last year’s contractor. “I feel we can do just as good a job or better,” he said, at about $30,000 per mile. “I feel we could do it in-house and it would
improve the quality of the roads out there.” He planned on meeting with the county’s grader operators and then would prepare a five-year plan with for shoulder pulls to bring back to council. “By utilizing the cementing crew once the TerraCem jobs are complete, administration feels we could shoulder pull approximately six to 10 miles before freeze up,” he predicted. The report indicated that feedback from the public in the recent public survey was considered in the decision to reinstate the shoulder pull program. Division 5 Councillor Dale Pederson said he preferred the use of cement, and Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec (Division 3) noted that work on roads in the spring farm work “brings out the bad parts of the road,” and said that “after seeding would be the best time” to do the road repairs. Blackie indicated that the first shoulder pull would be the 182 going to Black Nugget Lake and the golf course. He expected this work to start mid to late June. Then the 195 would be done after the school buses stop running through the subdivision. “We will do shoulder pulls and spot repairs,” he
said, but added that, “it’s so hard to predict because of the weather.” Reeve Kevin Smook (Division 1) asked for a definition of what constitute a shoulder pull for the benefit of the listening public who may not know. Blackie obliged by saying that “roads get beat up over time, flatten out and lose their crown.” A shoulder pull works to bring the road back up on the sides so the crown is back in place to allow for run-off to take place. There is not new material introduced, he said, so the material there is just recycled, “so it’s basically a refresh,” he said. Councillor Barry Bruce (Division 4) told council he is often asked by ratepayers why a road isn’t simply rebuilt instead of doing a shoulder pull. “I don’t think they understand the cost for that,” he said, to rebuild a road. With the same amount of money, he said, either 1.5 miles can be rebuilt or 10 miles can get a shoulder pull. “The reason we’re doing shoulder pulls is that the cost is so much less,” he said. A motion to bring back a shoulder pull program starting in 2022 was passed by council.
Agreement with beaver control company extended Patricia Harcourt The contractor employed by Beaver County to prevent land flooding through beaver control has had his contract renewed for the 2022 season. Beaver Council also agreed at the same meeting March 2 to continue with the Beaver Control Incentive Program this year, which pays trappers to bring in beaver tails as another way to keep down flooding and infrastructure damage to county property. “Beaver activity has the ability to damage and, at times, destroy municipal infrastructure and associated drainage works,” the report to council stated. As well as county property, beaver activity can “impact private property and agricultural producers’ livelihoods.” The county has a policy and procedures “for dealing with beaver activity within its boundaries.” The contractor is hired “to remove beavers in areas where their activity impacts infrastructure,” the report states. Although $40,000 was allocated for the program, in 2021 only $24,516 was spent. The report explained
that beaver activity can go up or down depending on the weather. Last year it was mainly drought like conditions over the summer with water receding due to lack of rainfall. The current beaver control contractor will continue the same work this year but with “a minimal increased cost due to increases for fuel and other operational items,” states the report. Last year, landowners removing beaver from their property brought in 353 beaver tails for compensation of $7,020. A budget of $10,000 had been assigned to this beaver tail incentive program. “Council should also review the information gathered in the public engagement survey to determine if there are any further program or policy changes that could be implemented,” recommended the report, which noted that council is already into 2023 in terms of any new budget allocations that might be considered. Aimee Boese, the county’s agricultural official, indicated that “time is of the essence” in getting a contractor for the beaver control work. “Tendering out would delay things,” she said, adding administration “wants a contractor in place” who knows the
bylaws and other rules needed for the work. “No question about it,” said Councillor Dale Pederson (Division 5) stating he was “satisfied with the current contractor.” New Councillor Lionel Williams (Division 2) wanted to know if there were a lot of people who apply for this position. Boese told him: “It’s a very select group that could apply.” “I think this opportunity is really wonderful,” said Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec (Division 3), adding that the budget for this used to be $200,000. “Now it’s reduced to a reasonable amount.” He felt that “the beaver incentive program - for the areas that really need it - it’s definitely of value. The trappers are happy with the service provided by the program.” Councillor Barry Bruce (Division 4) said a nearby county has also put a $25 per beaver tail incentive program in place. “It helps keep them from coming into other counties,” he said, of the beaver populations. His motion to renew the current contractor for 2022 and continue with the Beaver Control Incentive Program passed.
2 - Beaver County Chronicle, March 9, 2022
Claystone Waste e is a municipally con ntrolled corporation established in 20 20 by the Town of Viking, Vikin 2020 ng Town of Tofield Tofield, Village of Ryley, Village of Holden and Beaver County. Claystone Waste is committed to being a responsive community partner and to operating with the highest standards of environmental and operational excellence in the delivery of waste management services. Claystone Waste operates the following facilities:
Beave ver Regional Landfill 50117 17 Ran ange Ro Road 17 173
780. 0.663. 3.2038
The Beaver Regional Landfill is open six days a week, k, Monday to Saturday. It is an engineered, sanitary class 2 landfill that
accepts municipal solid waste from Beaver County and the surrounding municipalities, as well as significant volumes of class 2 non-hazardous industrial wastes. In addition to the regional landfill, Claystone Waste operates five transfer stations. County residents can bring bagged household garbage, e, and other dry waste, such as broken chairs, furniture, e, mattresses and scrap wood for disposal. The location and hours for each transfer station is noted below:
Kinsella Transfer Station 46418 18 Ran ange Ro Road 113 13
The Village VV of of The Village
•
Employment Opportunity
HEISLER HEISLER
Village of Heisler Public Works Foreman Community Community it off Champions Ch i • C Community ommunity it off Champions Ch i •
• The Village of Heisler is currently accepting applications for the permanent full-time position of Public Works Foreman starting immediately. • Operation of Village Utilities (water treatment/distribution and sewage treatment/ collection) • Road and sidewalk maintenance, signage, snow removal, parks maintenance, and improvements to infrastructure • Equipment and Village owned and operated facility maintenance • Good communication skills • Other duties as assigned by the CAO Preference will be given to candidates who hold certificate in: • Level 1 Water Treatment & Distribution, and Wastewater Treatment & Collection, or willingness to obtain certification • Operation of Village Utilities (water treatment/distribution and sewage treatment/ collection) • Class 5 Driver’s License
x x
Wednesdays: Fridays:
780. 0.663. 3.2038
11:00 am to 5:00 pm 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Viking Transfer Station 12503 To Town wnship ip 480
x x
Tuesdays: Saturdays:
780. 0.71 718.79 7956
10:30 am to 5:30 pm 10:30 am to 5:30 pm
Tofield Transfer Station 51032 32 Ran ange Ro Road 191
x x x
Wednesdays: Fridays: Saturdays:
780. 0.662. 2.27 2731
10:30 am to 5:30 pm 10:30 am to 5:30 pm 10:30 am to 5:30 pm
Lindbrook Transfe fer Station 51008 Ran ange Ro Road 201 x x x
Tuesdays: Thursdays: Saturdays:
780.662. 2.270 704
10:30 am to 5:30 pm 11:30 am to 6:30 pm 10:30 am to 5:30 pm
Ryley Transfe fer Station Qualifications: • Grade 12 or equivalency • Ability to multi-task • This job entails working in inclement weather conditions, physical activity and problem solving • The successful applicant will be required to work a 40-hour work week with overtime as required, and emergency call-out Please submit your resume, outlining education, qualifications, salary expectation and experience in in confidence to: Village of Heisler, Attn: Heidi Rohe, CAO Box 60, Heisler AB, T0B 2A0 Email administration@villageofheisler.ca or submit in person at 128 Main Street Phone 780-889-3774
50117 17 Ran ange Ro Road 17 173
x x x x x x
Mondays: Tuesdays: Wednesdays: Thursdays: Fridays: Saturdays and STATS*:
9:00 am to 4:30 pm 9:00 am to 4:30 pm 9:00 am to 4:30 pm 9:00 am to 4:30 pm 9:00 am to 4:30 pm 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
* Pl Please note te th that all tr transfe fer sta tati tions ex excep ept fo for th the Ryl yley Tr Transfe fer Sta tati tion are re clo losed on Sta tatu tuto tory ry holid idays ys.
Administration Offices 50117 17 Ra Range Ro Road 17 173 (S (Secon onda dary Hi Highwa way 854) 4) 780. 0.663. 3.2038
This position will remain open until a suitable applicant is selected. The Village of Heisler wishes to thank all applicants for applying, however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
780. 0.663. 3.2038
Box ox 32 322 Ry Ryley, y, AB T0B 0B 4A 4A0
Toll Fr Free 1. 1.855. 5.22 221. 1.2038
Administration offices are open Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and are closed from 12:00 to 1:00 pm.
Beaver County Chronicle, March 9, 2022 - 3
Council opposes resolution that could hurt local urban municipalities Patricia Harcourt Beaver County gets an opportunity at every spring convention of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta to respond to resolutions brought forward by member municipalities. But Beaver County Council agreed to oppose a proposed convention resolution that they believe could hurt local urban municipalities’ fiscal bottom line. County Interim CAO Rick McDonald asked council to discuss Resolution 1-22S - A More Equitable Funding Model for Municipalities, which he fears could affect local urban municipalities based on a different funding formula. “Councillors vote individually on each resolution so there is no need to achieve consensus on council’s position regarding each item,” he told council March 2 at the regular meeting. The resolution in question is being introduced at the convention by the Municipal District of Smoky River and refers to the funding formula for the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI). Beaver County Council agreed to sign an agreement with the province extending MSI for another two years, with another funding formula called
the Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF) to start in 2024. However, M.D. of Smoky River is advocating in its resolution that the LGFF start one year earlier in 2023. This resolution also wants to base the funding formula on equalized assessment per kilometre of open road maintained by a municipality. McDonald states in his report to council that such a move “could jeopardize long-range financial plans that municipalities have already approved.” McDonald also felt that urban municipalities might get less funding if rural areas get more of the pool of money in the provincial budget. He reasoned that this could put more pressure on rural municipalities to help out their urban neighbours financially. Urban municipalities might also seek to dissolve if they receive less funding from the province, he said. More research and consultation is required, he said, to know if the proposed method of assessment would be a fair way to distribute MSI funds. He felt a formula should be developed by the province, but that municipalities should be included in the consultation process. “I can’t say it any better than what’s on there,” said Deputy Reeve Gene
Hrabec (Division 3 councillor), referring to the Interim CAO’s comments in his report. Hrabec said he was “still worried about the viability of our municipalities as well as the funding.” Councillor Dale Pederson (Division 5) agreed with what McDonald stated concerning using per kilometre of open road as a basis for equalized assessment. “It isn’t going to solve anything,” he said. Division 4 Councillor Barry Bruce agreed with Pederson. Reeve Kevin Smook (Division 1) said: “In the spirit of regional partners (urban municipalities), this absolutely pulls the rug out on them because the LGFF applies to all municipalities.” He felt the resolution would serve to “annihilate” the urban municipalities. Council agreed to direct the reeve to send a letter to the M.D. of Smoky River stating that Beaver Council opposes the resolution, explaining that the county “needs to ensure the viability of our urban municipalities is not overlooked.” The letter would also cite the reasons outlined by the county’s interim CAO in his report as to why Beaver County would not support the resolution. Hrabec also predicted there would be “lots of discussion at the RMA con-
cerning the provincial policing initiative by the province. Smook said he didn’t think the provincial policing being adopted was “a slam dunk,” thinking the decision may be made by the province holding a plebiscite on the matter. Councillor Lionel Williams (Division 2) pointed out that 60 per cent of the population of Alberta is already under the authority of a municipal police force. “The RCMP is a federal policing agency and won’t be leaving Alberta no matter what happens,” he said, adding he was in favour of more consultation as well. Councillor Barry Bruce (Division 4) said the people he has talked to on the topic “are basically in the dark…The public is feeling left out and needs more information.” Bruce felt there should be a plebiscite on the matter “as it affects everyone.” Smook said the decision was not theirs to make, noting that “the latest round is to discuss it with elected officials.” He also predicted there “will be a fair amount of discussion at RMA.” Hrabec also noted that any resolution requires a majority fo two-thirds in order to pass and send on the province as an official stance of the RMA.
Development Permits
Dust Control Spring Application
The following Development Applications have 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.
Beaver County Council has reinstated the dust control subsidy program and residents will pay 50% of the product cost.
APPEAL DEADLINE: March 23, 2022 Application No. 020020-22-D0004 Applicant: Carr, Matt Location: NE 27-50-20-W4 Development: Solar PV system to rooftop (Solar Collectors) APPEAL DEADLINE: March 23, 2022 Application No. 020020-22-D0006 Applicant: St-Denis, Jessy and Ames, Christopher Location: SW-8-50-20-W4 Development: Dwelling and variance for decreasing the minimum floor area from 800 sq. ft. to 610 sq. ft. APPEAL DEADLINE: March 23, 2022 Application No. 020020-22-D0005 Applicant: Diakiw, Taylor Location: SE 26-46-13-W4 Development: Second dwelling with basement and attached garage 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.
To view the Beaver County dust control policy, letter and application forms please visit www.beaver.ab.ca/departments/ public-works/dust-control. The County reserves the right to maintain the sites in a manner suitable to the Public Works Department. Residents desiring spring applications of dust control on the County road adjacent to their property must apply by 11:59pm., April 15, 2022 to: Beaver County 5120-50 St Ryley, Alberta T0B 4A0 Office hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday Please note: 1. Applications post marked before or on April 15, 2022 will be accepted. 2. Applications may also be paid at the Beaver County Service Centre or over the phone using VISA or M/C, however applications must be submitted first.
Proposed Procedural Bylaw
Beaver County Council is considering amendments to its Procedural Bylaw. This Bylaw outlines the procedures for Council and Committee meetings, delegations, and public hearings. Go to www.beaver.ab.ca to view a copy of the proposed Bylaw.
4 - Beaver County Chronicle, March 9, 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.
Employment Opportunity
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
Request for Quotes
Request for Quotes for One New Lowboy Trailer RE: RFQ2022-03PW - Proposal for one New Lowboy Trailer Beaver County is requesting quotations for the purchase of one New Lowboy Trailer. Please find specifications for the unit @ https://www.beaver.ab.ca/residents/proposals-quotes
Invitation to Tender – Chip Seal Beaver County 2022 Graded Aggregate Seal Coat Tender No. TEN2022-06PW Issued: March 1, 2022 Submission Deadline: March 22, 2022 at 10:00:00 am local time https://www.beaver.ab.ca/residents/proposals-quotes
Request for Quotes - 2022 Cold Mix RFQ2022-04PW Beaver County is seeking quotes for the following work: Supply and Haul of approximately 700 tonnes of Asphalt Stabilized Base Course (Cold Mix) to: Beaver County Transportation Shop in Ryley, Alberta https://www.beaver.ab.ca/residents/proposals-quotes