Kneehill County councillors decided they wanted more information about a proposal to expand vegetation removal and snow plowing for some community halls before making a decision. The decision was made at the Dec. 10 regular meeting of council.
Councillors heard a presentation from Manager of Parks and Ag Services Fallon Sherlock and Project Construction Supervisor Mike Conkin regarding increased vegetation cutting and snow removal at four community centres located within municipal hamlets: Huxley, Wimborne, Torrington and Swalwell.
“At the April 16 Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting administration presented a request for vegetation-cutting services (mowing and weed whipping) by the Wimborne Community Centre and a background on the vegetation cutting services delivered to both Kneehill County sites and privately owned cemeteries,” stated Sherlock’s’s memo to council.
“The committee recommended that council consider mowing and snow removal agreements with the rural community halls within our Kneehill County hamlets.
“The committee also recommended that council consider the development of a mowing of private cemetery level of service, after consultation with private cemetery owners. Calls and letters to the cemetery owners have taken place and administration is awaiting their official replies.
The development of official service agreements for the four existing private cemeteries and a fee level change for 2025 will be brought to a future council meeting.”
Sherlock noted Kneehill County is currently visiting those four hamlets for vegetation control and current costs are about $267.79 per hour which includes staff and equipment.
Transportation costs were on top of that too and it was noted Kneehill County’s vegetation control operates on a four-week schedule.
The staff memo noted non-profit groups sometimes have trouble finding contractors who can provide vegetation control.
“This service is often a difficult item for volunteer groups to source, especially locating individuals with proper equipment, time and adequate insurance coverage to complete this role in a public space,” stated the staff memo.
Snow plowing was also proposed for the four community centre’s in question, citing a skid steer at $119 per hour plus a one ton truck at about $33 per hour, plus staff time. It was noted complete removal of snow from the site would be extra too.
Reeve Ken King asked if staff had talked to any other community centres about this plan. Sherlock answered no, just the four named.
Coun. Laura-Lee Machell-Cunningham asked how this proposed policy compares with Kneehill’s reluctance to provide such services at private residences, including issues like liability and competing with the private sector.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Mike Haugen responded this policy could directly compete with the private sector which is a concern; he noted since county staff and equipment are suitable for work at community halls liability concerns are minimal.
Coun. Debbie Penner, who noted she’s served on community hall boards, stated it’s sometimes difficult for halls to find contractors who provide these services at a reasonable rate.
“I’m all for this (policy), to be honest with you,” said Penner.
Coun. Carrie Fobes asked how the county could be affected if all community halls wanted to join this program; Sherlock stated staff couldn’t answer that question with the information at hand.
It was suggested at the meeting that the more halls that joined this program, the slower the service delivery.
Councillors voted 6 to 1 to request more information such as how this program could affect the municipal budget and how it could be expanded if adopted; Coun. Penner was the lone dissenter.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
