Alix village council was presented with a request to reimburse a resident for a repair bill of $630 after a pipe froze earlier this year.
The situation acted as a double-edged sword as council took their time deliberating the situation.
The sewer line on 4832 – 42nd St. to 49th Street has had problems in the past with their sewer line freezing, particularly in 2018, 2016, and 2011.
MPE has identified the area as needing a replacement water and sewer main line which has since been added to the upcoming 2020 capital budget, intended to be carried out next year.
The main question asked was “Why didn’t they phone the village office?” as no calls were made on Sun. March 17 when the situation happened.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Michelle White also noted in her report that no video evidence was provided to show if the blockage was on the property owners side or the public side, further determining who would pay the bill.
A village bylaw requests that reimbursement be made after proof is given but administration suggested council give a partial reimbursement due to the ‘special nature of this case’.
Council was concerned about setting a precedent but after deliberation decided to pay half at $315.
They also asked administration to put a notice on utility bills, alerting residents that any future issues must be brought to the public work’s attention.
Traffic bylaw review continues
Part six of council’s traffic bylaw review was mostly uncomplicated material. Acting CAO Tanya Meston read out the points the bylaw makes clear and only one of those points was examined in more detail.
Currently, the bylaw reads “The CAO is hereby authorized to designate ‘school zones’ and ‘playground zones’ and shall cause such zones to be marked by signs posted along the highway or by markings on the pavement or by signs or lights or both, posted or suspended over the highway.”
Coun. Ed Cole found that the school zone and playground zone differentiation can be confusing for drivers so he suggested they change all school zones to playground zones.
A playground zone is in effect from one hour before dawn until one hour after dusk and has a provincially slated speed of 30 km/hour.
“School zones are designated and it’ll be like 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and noon to 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. “Playgrounds are like 8
a.m. to 9 p.m. What always causes confusion – I’m going to use Ontario as an example – every school is a playground zone. Then there is no doubt.”
“It removes the confusion,” added Coun. Cole.
Council agreed with their fellow councillor, informing administration that they would like to change all school zones to playground zones.
Coun. Cole also recommended administration contact Lacombe County peace officers of the change to allow residents a grace period.
Terri Huxley
ECA Review
