Alix village council amended a municipal policy to ensure local firefighters who also happen to be village employees are paid for their emergency response efforts. The decision was made at the May 5 regular meeting of council.
Councillors read a memo prepared by Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Michelle White and presented by staff member Tanya Meston.
It was noted that in 2022 councillors removed the following sentence from the village’s personnel policy: “Employees who volunteer on the Alix Fire Department and respond to a call during their regular hours of work from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. shall be paid their regular rate of pay for the time spent on the call out.”
White explained in her memo the Village of Alix believed that changes to Lacombe County’s paid on-call fire department system would address this situation. However, Meston pointed out it was brought to the village’s attention that Lacombe County was only paying for calls in the rural municipality.
“Because of this change [Alix] municipal staff who are on the fire department are now using vacation time or taking unpaid leave when responding to calls within the village,” stated White’s report.
The CAO stated it ensures the community’s safety to have fire department members available during the day and there shouldn’t be a financial penalty to firefighters for that. She recommended bringing back the missing sentence from 2022.
Councillors unanimously passed a resolution to place the deleted 2022 sentence back into the Village of Alix personnel policy.
Canada Day celebration
Councillors unanimously passed a resolution to grant $500 to the Alix Library for Canada Day celebrations.
During discussion Coun. Barb Gilliat noted the library has paid for July 1 fireworks out of its own budget for two years and probably shouldn’t have to do that.
A letter was included from the library board requesting funds to support Canada Day activities. Meston noted in the past the Village of Alix granted $500 for July 1 festivities.
Crime stats
Councillors read a crime stats report from the Bashaw RCMP detachment that included only incidents reported in Alix.
There were 88 occurrences reported between Jan. 1 of this year and April 30.
Among them were the following reports: one recklessly discharging a firearm (apparently at a stop sign), one assault (victim declined further action), six reports of breach of peace, one sudden death, one dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, two fraud less than $5,000, three Mental Health Act reports, two missing persons, two possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, one roadside suspension, two theft of motor vehicle, two Tobacco Act complaints, nine traffic collisions and many more incidents.
Dry situation
Coun. Tim Besuijen submitted his regular Red Deer River Municipal User Group Association committee report which included details of a Special Areas board tour of the Acadia Valley irrigation project.
Besuijen stated he didn’t attend the tour because of time commitments but noted the following from those who attended: “The tour was well received and the presentation was very well done.”
Acadia Valley is located in east central Alberta about 165 kms north of the City of Medicine Hat.
During discussion it was mentioned a reservoir is proposed but won’t be located on usable farmland.
Another dry situation
Besuijen also reported on a feasibility study for a new dam east of the City of Red Deer. Referred to as the Ardley Dam, Besuijen noted the study will look at technical considerations, social impact, environmental factors and economic effects of such a dam.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
