Clive village council moved ahead with a five-year plan to keep their roads in good condition. The resolution to proceed with the road plan was made at the Nov. 12 regular meeting of council.
In a phone call to the ECA Review Nov. 13 Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Carla Kenney confirmed councillors read LadderUp Consulting’s sewer condition and road plan study; she noted that Clive has worked with this firm before.
The CAO stated the wastewater infrastructure, according to in-line camera work, appears to be in acceptable condition and doesn’t appear to require any work at this time.
The road study didn’t hold bad news either, but the CAO noted about 18 roads in the older part of Clive were identified as being in “moderate condition,” and that by implementing a five-year plan now those roads could be kept at that level rather than seeing them degrade.
Kenney stated the councillors discussed the risk of leaving the roads as-is, and that as they possibly degraded they could require more expensive repair.
The consultant’s five-year road plan has a price tag of $1.7 million, which councillors stated they will pay using provincial grants and possibly debt. It was noted the pricing is based on 2023 rates.
Further, the road plan will be completed in stages so the village won’t pay that entire price tag at once.
After council passed the resolution for staff to proceed with the road plan Kenney confirmed work will begin in the summer of 2025.
Water valves
Councillors approved unbudgeted work on some water valves a bit earlier than planned.
Kenney noted 12 valves have been examined with two possibly needing hydro-vac work; the CAO stated the contractor who handles such work was available earlier than expected.
Hence, councillors passed a resolution to approved $15,000 for water valve work. The work was scheduled to be done in 2025.
Vacant council seat
The CAO confirmed the provincial government has granted the Village of Clive an exemption for filling the council seat vacated by Dan Graden in September. Graden informed his council peers he was moving away from Clive and hence could no longer serve as councillor.
With 2025 being a municipal election year, Clive council was hesitant to hold a by-election that could cost thousands of dollars then hold a general election in October. The seat will remain vacant until the Oct. 20, 2025 municipal election.
Council pay
Councillors passed a resolution boosting their pay by the same 3.3 per cent cost of living increase that Village of Clive staff were recently given. The remuneration boost takes effect Jan. 1, 2025.
CAO’s report
Kenney noted in her report she let councillors know about a town hall meeting with Minister of Environment Rebecca Schultz regarding changes for water license holders in 2025.
Kenney stated it was her understanding that these proposed changes will affect southern Alberta mainly.
Also, she updated councillors on some changes to Alberta’s election landscape. An elector data sharing agreement has come into effect for the 2025 municipal election.
Kenney stated municipalities will be required to send permanent electors registry information to Elections Alberta so names and addresses can be linked; that information will then be sent back to municipalities. The CAO noted municipalities already have some of this data.
Lastly, the CAO informed councillors Clive’s public works staff has helped Wolf Creek Public Schools get the school site ready.
Rates and fees
The CAO stated that councillors have agreed the Villages of Clive’s rates and fees for the upcoming 2025 year will likely remain unchanged except for possible hikes to utilities.
It was noted during discussion Clive’s rates and fees were increased in 2024 and the CAO recommended they remain unchanged for the coming year. Rates and fees include things like village licenses and development fees.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
