Clive residents will have to license their cats after village council passed a cat bylaw but not all councilors were in favour.
Councillor Marvin Wieler and Councillor Bev Krochak voted against the motion during council’s regular meeting Aug. 8. Mayor Anita Gillard and Councillors Dan Graden and Luci Henry voted in favour.
“It’s worth trying for a year,” said Mayor Anita Gillard, adding that if the bylaw causes too much stress, conflict and work for the village, council can repeal the bylaw.
Residents are allowed only three cats over six weeks of age. Cats seized by a bylaw officer will be impounded for three days and if the cat is not picked up by its owner after paying a fine, it will be destroyed or sold.
Mayor Gillard said support for a cat bylaw hasn’t been unanimous but added that what started this process was a presentation to council by a citizen earlier this year. The presentation outlined the resident’s frustration in her unsuccessful efforts to keep cats out of her yard.
Mayor Gillard added that council then surveyed the community and the majority supported a cat bylaw.
Chief Administrative Officer Carla Kenney said the bylaw may help residents when their cat is lost. The village will have a record of all cats and descriptions and may be able to help return them to their owner.
The bylaw takes effect Jan. 1, 2017.
Theft of fuel
Clive Chief Administrative Officer Carla Kenney, in her report to council Aug. 8, said about $2,000 worth of fuel was stolen from the village shop fuel tanks in the early morning hours of July 22. Camera footage has been turned over to the Blackfalds RCMP for investigation.
Council voted in favour of spending up to $5,000 to install a chain link fence and gate around the fuel supply. The money will come out of the village’s contingency fund, which currently has $68,000.
Planning update
Council unanimously voted in favour of completing the Planning Update Project spending up to $14,000 and an additional general planning consulting of up to $2,000. The money will come out of the contingency reserve.
The project is in Phase III. The village has spent about $19,000 to date. Parkland Community Planning Services is updating Clive’s Community Sustainability Plan, Land Use Bylaw and Municipal Development.
“I think we should try and get this done before the election,” said Mayor Anita Gillard.
Council agreed that the documents are complex and detailed projects that would be a lot for a new council to go over.
Water complaints
Councillor Marvin Wieler said there were two complaints from residents on water quality. One house is getting discoloured water.
“I wouldn’t bathe in it,” he said.
Mayor Anita Gillard said the resident should bring a sample to the village for testing.
Chief Administrative Officer Carla Kenney said the issue for some started earlier this year, in about February. She said there is a dip in the water line possibly causing the issue.
Repairs would cost about $150,000. But if the village taps into the Hwy 12-21 water line there would be significant costs involved and the $150,000 repairs would be wasted, pointed out Mayor Gillard. She added that she would like to find out how many, if any, more homes in Clive are experiencing this problem.
