Coun. Elaine Fossen highlighted the need for measures to reduce speeding in residential areas, at the regular meeting of Forestburg village council, particularly since the end of the school year has seen an increase in speeding vehicles. Several residents echoed these concerns.
“My concerns really are for the kids,” expressed Coun. Fossen, noting that there are many younger children out playing, “we have to do something.”
Fossen suggested installing signs to warn drivers, however Coun. Devon McNabb raised a concern that putting up signs in one area might necessitate their installation everywhere.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Dwight Dibben proposed the use of sandwich boards that could be placed in the street during the day and removed at night. Dibben also noted that residents can place ‘children at play’ signs on their property, provided they comply with legal requirements.
Dibben suggested that residents report the licence plate of a speeding vehicle and that a peace officer or an RCMP member would issue a verbal warning to the driver.
Forestburg anniversary
The Forestburg Recreation, Arts and Culture Grant (FRACCA) program, which supports local recreation, arts and culture groups, received a grant application from the Forestburg Community and Development Society.
The request of $1,000 would be to fund events for the Village’s 105th anniversary. Some of the activities of the event suggested were fireworks, a cake, a dunk tank and games.
“We need to support these town events,” noted Coun. Fossen.
Council approved the grant, increasing the amount to $2,000, in support of the society’s efforts to enhance the anniversary celebrations.
Model Train
The Train Group applied for a $1,000 FRACCA grant to set up a model train exhibit at the Battle River train station. The group would like to honour Bill Webb, who donated the model trains and would make the display available during train station events and Battle River Train excursions.
The group indicated it would like to run it as a legacy project for the enjoyment of the community and requested seed money to buy supplies to update and maintain the exhibit; however they anticipate that donations would sustain the operations going forward.
The council discussed the difficulty of tracking the use of the funds as the group is not a registered organization but admired the initiative shown by a young community member.
“We are always talking about giving these kids something to do with their time,” noted Deputy Mayor Dwayne Giroux.
Council moved to grant $1,000 to the model train group and that the exhibit be accessible for people to view.
Resignation
The resignation of the Town of Hardisty as Clerk for both the Intermunicipal Assessment Review Board (ARB) and the regional Subdivision and Development Appeal Boards (SDAB) required changes to Bylaw 5:2024.
In a meeting with regional Chief Administrative Officers (CAO), it was discussed on how the duties of the clerk would be fulfilled as well as having the current bylaw and agreements reviewed by legal council.
In the meeting it was recommended that the clerk of the SDAB be an employee of Flagstaff County and appointed by their CAO. An Alternate Clerk would be an employee of one of the other member municipalities.
Council moved to approve an update to bylaw 5:2024, the Intermunicipal Assessment Review Board and the Flagstaff Regional Subdivision and Development Appeal Board Agreement, with recruitment efforts to be undertaken to meet the minimum board member requirements.
Swimming pool
Following a meeting between the Forestburg Swimming Pool Association and village administration last fall, there was an agreement to review and update pool policies.
Several recommendations were made including differentiating capital maintenance responsibilities from operational maintenance.
Administration proposed that notification of issues beyond regular maintenance be made known immediately and that routine operations remain with pool staff, as well, start up inspections are to be managed by the pool association.
The administration would also support reducing the Forestburg Swimming Pool Association’s capital project cost responsibility from $50,000 to $5,000.
This adjustment would align with the public sector accounting standards definition of Tangible Capital Assets.
Annual operating grant request would be provided upon request to the Forestburg Swimming Pool Association as determined annually by the Forestburg village council.
“I would like to see an arrangement with public works and whoever is running the pool so there is a transition from one season to the next,” stated Coun. Robert Frizzel, adding, “it is so disappointing when we don’t have the pool open on time.”
Council passed a motion to amend the Forestburg Swimming Pool Association Terms of Reference Policy #A.5.1.2, based on the joint recommendation from the association and village administration.
Cheryl Bowman
Multimedia reporter
ECA Review
