RCMP Sgt. Patty Neely attended council to discuss policing in Beiseker. She noted that crime statistics for Beiseker were very low.
An exception was the serious assault of a three-month-old Beiseker infant. Charges have been laid in this case. There were two other instances of domestic violence and nine complaints of mischief reported. A recent speed trap saw 11 tickets handed out with one car being clocked at 187 km per hour. Town youth, she noted, have been very well behaved. She stressed the need for the public to keep reporting crime as statistical information helps form part of the decision to increase RCMP presence in the community.
One topic of discussion was to implement a playground zone on Highway 72 instead of a time-limited school zone. Administration is looking into the feasibility of this.
William Stevenson, provincial PC candidate, approached council to discuss his candidacy and to ask for support. He discussed local issues including the plight of Aqua 7 Water Commission and agreed the cost of water was paramount in his discussions with all the municipalities he has visited so far.
Council discussed the delay in getting the Chinook Crescent work completed.
There are some deficiencies on main street to be remedied before the final payment is released to the contractor.
Administration received information about the compatibility of the office computers with the new water meters, and it appears that the current software will be adequate.
The suitability of having the old main street concrete ground up for use as alley fill and pathway cover is still being investigated. Some other municipalities have had problems with this that need to be addressed before council will make its decision.
A couple of pot holes, including the one beside the Credit Union on 2nd Ave., will soon be repaired.
• Councillor Fred Walters reported that the campground is now closed. It is expected that the train station will soon be moved from its Bassano location to Beiseker. Walters attended a tourism meeting recently and noted the influence media aids, such as iPods, will have on tourism.
• Councillor Al Henuset discussed a Community Futures meeting he had recently attended. Western Diversification must reduce its budget by five per cent. This will eventually affect the operational funding Wild Rose Community Futures receives. Funding is only expected to remain the same until March 31, 2013. After that it appears funding will be based on measured performance. Henuset also attended a Rocky View Foundation meeting in Crossfield. It is expected the town’s new lodge will be occupied by April, 2012. All units are full and there is a waiting list. Crossfield Lions have made a $30,000 donation to help with furnishing the Crossfield Lodge.
• Deputy Mayor Ray Courtman reported that a tenant has left the airport creating two free spots. Plans to complete work on the new library are moving ahead. The move will happen in the spring as the Internet infrastructure has to be dug in, and winter rates make this work much more expensive. A major grant from the Province will facilitate the move.
• Mayor Bruce Rowe told council that Denisa Sannes, Community Links manager for community outreach, has accepted a new job with the Airdrie Boys and Girls Club and will be leaving Community Links. She did a great job for Beiseker and she will be missed, Rowe commented.
• Rowe noted that he has toured the old water system with Public Works. It appears that well seven will give adequate water to the village if they move ahead with their plans to pull out of Aqua 7 Water Commission on Jan. 1. Water testing from well seven and a flow test will now be performed so that the Village is in position to switch over if it is necessary.
CAO Jo Lambert informed council that the Village received a counter offer on the land adjacent to the south of Lount Crescent, which council decided not to accept.
Administration will be reviewing the feasibility of the Village implementing its own school zone bylaw, and will revise the water, sewer and the animal control bylaws after receiving input from councillors as to content. Staff and council are also continuing to work with the Parks and Trails Committee on the new walking path.
The next meeting of Beiseker council will be the organizational meeting on Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers.
