Paintearth County council went into private discussions (in-camera) three times during their regular Tues. Mar. 7 council meeting followed by one motion regarding a request that a invoice for a fire call-out be cancelled.
Katharina Harder, in a letter, explained that her son was riding his four-wheeler and due to a gas leak that was not known at the time, a fire ensued.
Harder explained in her letter that they were told, at the time, that they would not be charged for the fire crew call out.
Council approved the cancellation of this invoice. No reason was given.
Development Officer
Todd Pawsey, in his report, noted that they already had three permit requests for homes with one subdivision completed and one on the go and potentially another one.
“Last year we only had two [permit applications], this year we are already at three,” said Pawsey.
Emergency Management
Todd Pawsey provided a draft policy for animal and livestock care during emergencies, as a result of the Ft. McMurray fires.
“It should be positive in wording but putting the responsiblity onto the landowner,” said Pawsey for making plans for a farm fire evacuation.
Issues faced with first responders but mainly reception centers is animal care and pets. There cannot be pets in a reception center, due to allergies, various animals in close proximity with others and food accessibility.
In most cases insurance takes care of such things as turkey or pig barns but cattle in pens and pastures are a concern with a fast fire approaching to a farm yard or pasture with cattle.
The policy should upsolve the County of the well being of animals but they can play a role in setting up farm fire evacuation plans. County resources should be directed first to human life, property and safety.
So the onus is on the owner to be fire smart and having the proper insurance to cover livestock because it is their livelihood, said CAO Taroyln Aaersud.
The draft policy will be put on the county website for public comments.
Public Works
Public Works foreman, Bryce Cooke received permission from council to sell the 400 Jaw Crusher as it hasn’t been used since 2014.
At the time the Jaw Crusher was purchased in 2007, it was needed because contractors did not have them, but Cooke explained, it is more economical to hire a contractor as now most contractors have crushers.
Another concern was the safety factor as generally staff using the crusher were summer seasonal employees and students.
Council agreed to the sale despite that fact that on the books it will likely be a $300,000 loss as the unit was being depreciated over 15 years. It cost $518,476 in 2007.
Cooke noted that the longer the County keeps the crusher, the less value it will be worth.
Assessment Review Boards
CAO Aaersud reported on a meeting she attended regarding the local Assessment Review Boards. She noted the government, both the Alberta Energy Regulator and the National Energy Regulator, would be taking over all assessments on bigger projects such as oil and gas pumping stations, power plants, etc. leaving municipalities to be still responsible for farm and residential.
“Municipalities are not pleased with this,” reported CAO Aaersud, from the meeting she attended.
“When asked of Steve White, the appointed provincial assessor, as to the reasoning, White replied, it was because of so many appeals.
It was asked of him, if there’s so may appeals why not change the manual, regulations and legislation so it is black and white. White did not answer the question clearly.
The government wants quick times lines and have them totally responsible by Jan. 1, 2018, said Aaersud.
