Coronation town council heard from Carole Tkach on Jan. 30, of her appointment to the David Thompson Health Advisory Council.
This council provides feedback from the communities to Alberta Health Services (AHS) on healthcare services and programs and community priorities.
“I see us more active with AHS than previous councils,” said Tkach adding “I truly believe this time AHS and the different departments truly have a desire to make changes.”
She explained the last meeting included a workshop that came up with 35 areas of health with four chosen as a priority for the David Thompson Region.
Those being: retention of professionals in the health field, home care through to long term care, timely access to all health services; and addiction and mental health.
“Thanks Carole,” said Coun. Jackie Brigley, “you’ll be an excellent voice on there [the advisory council].
Carole noted, “I’ve been listening to the community for years.”
Quarterly report
Cst. Diana Stratton, presently the interim detachment commander, presented the third quarter policing report to council.
S./Sgt. Darcy McGunigal takes on an advisory position at the Eastern Alberta district office which means overseeing eight detachments.
Cst. Stratton noted that traffic tickets were down and property crimes were up but said they were bogged down with the additional work on crimes so likely was the reason the traffic tickets were down.
Stratton noted that ‘habitual offenders’ had been residing in our area and were no longer so they were looking at property crimes recently going way down.
Traffic enforcement, property crimes and the Habitual Offender Management Program were the three priorities set by town council and the RCMP in last year’s plan. Stratton asked council to consider what they would like to see in the plan for the 2017-18 year.
Cst. Brenda MacDonald is presently receiving training for the D.A.R.E. program while Cst. Brian Marinelli will be transferred out near the end of March and Stratton herself, will be transferred out in the summer.
PEPS
Coronation town council, who are members of the Paintearth Regional Waste Management Ltd., agreed again this year to transfer $215,000 as a donation to the Paintearth Economic Partnership Society (PEPS) for their annual expenses.
All municipal partners must agree to the donation.
Swimming Pool
A decision was made to replace the furnace at the swimming pool as some of the burners had worn out and were burning a hole in the side wall of the furnace.
At the same time, council decided to suspend a unit heater from the ceiling in the Lions Rec Centre to provide back-up heat during the coldest days of the winter.
One quote was provided, however council directed CAO Kyluk to get another quote and move ahead with a decision as to which company to proceed with.
Council was told that Western Financial Group Community Grant of $5,000 is using that money to purchase recycled rubber “rocks” for the pool deck, as per the suggestion of Sherri Wuzinski, who was including that in on her 2017 budget item for the pool.
Rings, goggles, life jackets, “those are the things that we need”, said Coun. Vickey Horkoff.
“I can see rocks for urban landscape because they don’t see rocks,” said Coun. Jackie Brigley.
Kulyk explained the company that had placed the new recycled rubber compound pool decking last year, Softline Solutions, had donated a log last year.
The rocks are environmentally friendly and safe for swimmers and parents to rest on when they are not in the pool and will not destroy the decking.
This item was accepted for information.
Grant application
Coronation & District Support Services (CDSS) was given support for their proposal to beautify certain areas of town-owned property with monies from the Community Initiatives Program through the Alberta/Canada 150 Grant.
Through the grant they may receive $25,000 per year and the matching requirement is only $150.
Their plan is to build a flower bed at the campground Camp Kitchen, paint “Oh Canada” themed mural on the fence leading to the rodeo grounds and paint the lawn bowling pad at Thornton Park with ‘Canadian’ games, such as “Hopscotch across Canada”.
Water pressure
Complaints of water pressure was raised by Coun. Horkoff who questioned whether the bulk water trucks filling was the reason for the lower water pressure.
CAO Kulyk confirmed that it was, as well as two valves needing repairs. Typically ‘loop’ water lines prevent this occurring but because two valves had to be shut down until spring, and the fact that water trucks are filling from the treated water, the result is lower water pressure, explained Kulyk.
“Everytime you close a loop, you get low water pressure,” said Kulyk.
Trucks had previously been using well water that Alberta Environment had allowed the town to use for emergencies so trucks had alternated between well water and treated water but under the Water Diversion license, the town has exceeded the amount allowed.
Public Works is trying to work with the trucking companies to allieviate this problem as much as possible.
“When we get the valves fixed in the spring, the problem will be solved,” said Kulyk.
