Big Valley council approved increasing the flat fee for water from $18 to $20 per month, a $24 per year increase per customer.
When council approved the 2018 Interim Budget in late 2017, they supported this increase reasoning it was necessary to update water charges to better reflect current market costs.
Water was budgeted at a $29,530 deficit in 2017 and this change will bring that deficit down.
Residents will see the change on their January utility bills.
Waste Management license renewal
WM’s Area Director of Landfill Operations, Patrick Kalita and Cam Hantiuk, Government Relations presented a short history along with information about the license renewal application for the privately-owned landfill.
According to their presentation the facility, which is a Class II industrial landfill, began operations in 1992 and has been owned by WM since 2000.
Covering 150 hectares, the site disposes of construction and demolitions material, along with non-hazardous upstream oil and gas industry material.
It does not accept organic, hazardous or municipal solid waste.
Averaging 200 tonnes daily or about 115,000 tonnes per year, WM’s Big Valley facility serves over 50 customers from the Central Alberta region, including metro Calgary.
No out of province waste is imported into the facility.
In accordance with the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, WM has applied for a renewal of their operating permit, a process the corporation must go through every 10 years.
While planning a new long term surface water management plan, no significant changes to design, construction or operation within the waste footprint are proposed.
During this renewal process, WM representatives have already met with the County of Stettler, County Councillor Dave Grover and six near residents to discuss concerns regarding the application.
Representatives will be on hand to answer questions about the facility and respond to any complaints the public may have at a public meeting planned.
Strategic Plan
After a presentation of amendments based on last month’s planning session, the Big Valley Strategic Plan 2018-2021 was approved by Council.
With the vision of a safe, welcoming and thriving heritage community with a sustainable future, the Strategic Plan’s values and guiding principles embrace mutual respect, integrity, honesty, fairness, leadership and community participation to provide direction for the future growth and prosperity of the community.
Alberta Prairie Railway
Alberta Prairie Railway was once again granted permission to use village property on Railway Avenue on specified dates in 2018 to accommodate a large special events tent for use when the community hall is not available for meal service during train excursions.
Generally tents are erected the day before and come down the day after these events.
This year, because a tent will be needed at the regularly utilized location on the same weekend as the annual Live Steam, Vintage Equipment and Antique Car show, Alberta Prairie requested the use of property north-west of the station for the 2018 steam show.
Village Council was happy to continue working with Alberta Prairie to accommodate their need for a new display area for the Live Steam Days.
Linda Stillinger
ECA Review
