Hail damage was discovered on the County of Stettler’s ambulance building after the summer 2019 storm. ECA Review/County of Stettler
The County of Stettler will have its hail-damaged public property repaired under insurance policies, decided council at its regular meeting June 10.
The meeting was held electronically to follow social distancing guidelines.
Councillors read a memo from Lorraine Hankins, manager of recreation and insurance, as they prepared for a delegation that included recreation and insurance.
Hankins memo summarized councillors would decide on, “The insurance claim for the three damaged County of Stettler properties that were affected by the 2019 hail storm requires direction.”
Hankins’ memo noted there were four taxpayer properties damaged in the hail storm that could be repaired under insurance coverage, including the administration building (shingles, eavestroughs, downspouts, fascia, and window cladding, quote by Clear Choice Roofing and Exteriors $79,769.27 with $3,798.56 GST), ambulance bay (metal roofing, overhead doors, window cladding, eavestroughs, fascia, downspouts and stucco, estimate by Clear Choice Roofing and Exteriors $56,798.96 with $2,704.72 GST), Public Works facility (parapet capping, flashing and cladding [west wall], mechanical and plumbing, overhead doors, window cladding, electrical and roof vents, estimate by Scott Builders
$553,119.84 plus $26,339.04 GST) and small shed at Public Works (vinyl siding, fascia, shingles, exterior door, light fixture, estimate by Clear Choice Roofing and Exteriors $3,643.32 with $173.51 GST).
It was pointed out the county had several options, including repairing all facilities with insurance money, repairing some of the facilities and accepting insurance pay-out on others or accepting insurance pay-out on all of the damage.
“Two options exist for each facility: pay the deductible and have the repairs undertaken and covered by insurance or take a cash settlement, which depending on the age of the facility, will be roughly 15-30 per cent lower than the repair estimate,” stated the memo.
“If a cash settlement is sought, future claims will have that amount deducted from eligible expenses.” Hankins also noted the county is responsible for a $5,000 deductible plus GST.
Coun. James Nibourg asked for clarification that if the county accepted the payout, would that mean the buildings weren’t covered in the future?
The adjuster, attending by phone, stated the buildings would be covered, but minus the amount of money paid out.
Reeve Larry Clarke asked if pay-out on some of the buildings but repairs on others was a viable option.
The adjuster answered that yes, it would require investigation, but it’s an option.
Coun. Dave Grover stated he doesn’t trust insurance companies and felt the county should claim full insurance on all the properties.
“Come and fix the damn thing,” said Grover.
Chief Administrative Officer Yvette Cassidy stated the Public Works facility has shown some water leakage but it’s not clear if that’s completely due to hail damage.
Coun. Cheri Neitz agreed with Grover that the county should claim insurance to get the facilities repaired.
Coun. Ernie Gendre stated he saw the damage on some of the buildings and it didn’t seem that serious.
He suggested the county accept the cash pay-out and set that money aside for future improvements.
Coun. Wayne Nixon noted that the museum faced this exact same issue, discussed it and felt claiming the full insurance for repairs was the best option.
Councillors approved getting all the repairs done to the damaged buildings through the insurance policy.
Stu Salkeld, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
