County of Paintearth

No. 18

BULLETIN NO. 507

The following information is to provide a summary of County activities for the period June/July 2010.  Further explanations or details can be obtained by contacting your Councillor or the County Office at 403-882-3211 or 1-888-882-3156.

Gravel - Council authorized the expansion of the gravel program due to the amount of rainfall to date in 2010 combined with traffic that has caused significant damage to high traffic gravel roads in the County.  There are approximately 200 miles of County roads that require gravel to ensure the safety of the travelling public and to protect the road structure.  A plan of action was then determined for the County to undertake this emergent issue of getting the roads graveled, where required, as soon as possible.

Dust Control - The first calcium chloride application has been completed on the Silver Heights Road.  The second application of calcium chloride will be scheduled for the first part of September.

Coronation Landfill - Update - Council authorized a letter be sent to Waste Services Inc. (WSI) with copies to the Coronation Landfill, Minister of Environment Rob Renner and copies to Minister of Agricultural Jack Hayden, Deputy Minister of Agriculture John Knapp and MLA Doug Griffiths in regards to the smell and unsightly premises of the Coronation Landfill.  Administration was also directed to send letters to surrounding ratepayers requesting them to document the date, time and wind direction when the odors occurred as well as to take pictures of the unsightly materials.

Following the letters, a meeting was held with the Waste Services Inc. Division President, Alberta, David Appleton and local Waste Services Inc. Manager, John Rush.  WSI plans to purchase a deodorizer to use on site and stated that if it did not work they would not accept further special waste.  WSI finally obtained permission from Alberta Environment to spread the special waste and then top the material with garbage on a smaller footprint rather than the large area they had been using.  They are hopeful to have the situation improved within the month and the County will continue to closely monitor the situation.

Ratepayers are being requested to call the Alberta Environment, Complaints and Compliance department at 1-800-222-6514 in order for the calls to be recorded and to ensure follow up action.

Huber Dam - Genivar Engineering has submitted a proposal for the engineering work for the tendering and construction supervision for repairs to Huber Dam that included additional design and re-construction of the spillway to Alberta Environment, Dam Safety.  A meeting will be held with Alberta Environment, Dam Safety on site.

Administration is working on having potable water available at Huber Dam by August 1, 2010 as directed by the area Health Inspector.

Halkirk North Rural Water Distribution Line - Council had previously approved the project in principle but in light of the recent weather conditions and the eminent burrowing costs that would be required as a result of the wet conditions; decided to delay the project with the hope to retender in the fall with the line to function in the second quarter of 2011.  Also, the new costs that were submitted from Chinook Pipelines were approximately 1.98% higher than originally priced out during the tendering period.

Spraying - Spraying began on June 23, 2010 in Division 1 and is proceeding well this year; with even the poplar under control.  To date, 62 miles of road have been sprayed and 33 miles of brush has been sprayed.  Plans are also to continue with hand gun spraying as it was felt to be very successful.

Roadside Mowing - The mowing program began on June 16, 2010 along the pavement.  Mowing in Fleet was then completed and the mowers moved to Division 3.  It was noted that white cockle was not as bad throughout the County as it has been in the past.

McNabb Construction Ltd. - Public Notice - McNabb Construction Ltd. filed a Water Act - Notice of Application for a License to operate works and diver up to 2204 cubic metres of water annually for gravel washing from the Castor Creek located in NW 34-38-13 W4.  Council requested a letter be sent to Alberta Environment, Regulatory Approval Centre, advising the County is not in favour of the diversion if it will have a negative impact on area farmers that are reliant on obtaining water from the Castor Creek for their farming operations.

Construction of Undeveloped Road Allowance - The County's current policy on building a road on an undeveloped road allowance is to pay fifty percent of the costs, to a maximum of $15,000.00.  This includes gravel, culverts, land and burrowing dirt, access approaches, fencing; and pipeline, power, utility, or telecommunications facilities installation or relocation for building the access road to County standards as per policy.  Council discussed modifying this policy to give the landowner the opportunity to recoup some money to offset their cost of building the road and will review recommendations forthcoming from Administration.

ASB - Designation of Inspectors - The Battle River Research Group has been hired to do the Clubroot Surveys and the County is required to designate them as Inspectors in order for them to carry out the survey.  Council appointed Alvin Eyolfson, Aral Freadrich and Leah Rodvang as Inspectors under the Agricultural Pests Act for the purpose of doing the Clubroot Survey.

As there is a new Weed Control Act the following ASB Staff; Fieldman Jeff Cosens and Assistant Fieldman Quinton Beaumont; along with seasonal staff; Dillon Weseen, Daniel Dietz and Carson Wetter were appointed as Weed Inspectors.

County of Paintearth No. 18 - Disaster Area - Council declared the County of Paintearth No. 18 a disaster area due to extreme wet conditions and the impact it has created in localized areas throughout the County.

Sherritt Coal - Representatives from the Paintearth Mine presented an update on the future plans of the Paintearth Mine to Council.  Discussion was held on County Roads that will be affected by the proposed Mine Extension plans and the current conditions of some County Roads that were affected by their mining operations, such as Range Road 154 South of Section 5 and in between Sections 32 & 33 39-15 W4.

Coronation Minor Ball - Council approved to provide the five Coronation Teams:  Boys Midget; Bantam, and Pee Wee and Girls Pee Wee and Squirt, $500.00 each to assist with the costs of attending provincial playoffs, as per County Policy 480 - Recreation & Community Service Grants.

County Council Meetings - The next County Council meeting is scheduled for August 24, 2010 commencing at 9:00 a.m. 

Please Note:  Ratepayers are requested to please call Ed Manz, Public Works Superintendent at 403-740-6097 or Bryce Cooke, Assistant Public Works Superintendent at 403-740-6311 with locations of plugged culverts or roads in need of gravel.

Every day in our businesses, we have an opportunity to promote our business at no cost. How we engage and interact with our customers sends important messages about our desire to do business. Do you find yourself on the telephone while a customer waits for service? Is a discussion about the events of the weekend, or your holiday plans interrupting a potential sale? Simple things like a smile and eye contact to a waiting customer are important signals that you value them as a client. How you dress for business, speak to the customer, and follow up on service are important considerations to expand your business. Paintearth Economic Partnership Society is always looking for ways to assist businesses in our region. One of the simplest methods is improving customer service. It is also a proven method to compete directly with large box stores. We do not always need to establish expensive ad campaigns or promotions. Customer service excellence and word of mouth will drive more traffic to your business.

Paintearth Economic Partnership Society, Employment and Immigration, and the County of Paintearth are pleased to present Jeff Mowatt's, "The Art of Customer Service ...Influence with Ease". Jeff is an award-winning speaker who teaches you and your staff simple methods to improve interaction with your customers. The workshop will be at the Castor Community Hall on September 14; from 6-9:30 p.m. Dinner is included. Registration is $25.00/person, with a deadline of September 10 to register.

The County of Paintearth No. 18 will be holding a Municipal Election on Monday, October 18, 2010.  Residents will elect 7 Division Councillors to form Council.  A Reeve is appointed annually by the elected Council.  Visit the County Website http://www.countypaintearth.ca for more information on Candidates, Frequently Asked Questions, etc.

Nomination Day for the 2010 Election is Monday, September 20, 2010.  Check out the County Website for some key information you need to know if you are interested in running in the 2010 Municipal Election - Running for Municipal Office in Alberta, Municipal Councillors' Guidelines for Conflict of Interest, etc.  An official Candidate Package will be available in August featuring the following information:  Councillor Duties & Responsibilities; Remuneration & Benefits; Nomination Day and Campaigning.

For more information, please call Tarolyn Peach, CAO or Brenda Hepp, Returning Officer; County of Paintearth No. 18 at 403-882-3211 or Toll Free at 1-888-882-3156.