Although it is signed and ready to go, Beiseker will not be releasing their August cheque to Kneehill Water Commission pending the Commission’s inspection of the water meter at the reservoir in Beiseker.
Beiseker council is concerned about the discrepancy between the amount of water that comes into the village and the metered water that is being used by town residents and in public buildings.
While seepage could be blamed for some of the missing water, council feels it prudent that the main meter be checked for accuracy.
As Kneehill Commission will not agree to check the meter, Beiseker will not be releasing any cheques for water usage to the Commission until their request for an inspection is granted.
The village is also long overdue to replace all the meters in the village with the newer, more accurate remote read models.
Council agreed to initiate the replacement of all 320 meters as soon as possible. Most likely, 100 meters will be replaced next year.
Beiseker has signed an agreement with the province to transfer the airport property to the Village for $1.
The Village will continue to assume responsibility for its administration, operation and maintenance and the transfer will have no change on the airports day-to-day operations.
Council made it clear that no Beiseker tax money will be going into the airport, as user fees, lease agreement fees and provincial grants will continue to fund the operation of the airport.
Two members of the Beiseker Urban Motorcycle Society (BUMS) approached council to let them know that they would like to resurrect the traditional New Year’s Eve party at the hall.
They informed council that the entire profit will be given back to charitable causes within the village, and they expect to make the event classy and allow as many community services as possible to benefit from it.
They also informed council about the upcoming charity poker run and requested a grassy spot near the information booth to set up their registration table.
Council thanked the group for their hard work and the economic benefit the visitors bring to town.
The unsightly condition of the weeds on grasslands property was discussed.
As the developer has considerable money on deposit with the Village, some of it will be used to mow down the weeds this fall, and if needed, to spray in the spring.
Council authorized administration to approach the RCMP to confirm the legality of towing away illegally parked trailers and motor homes.
Letters to the offenders have largely been ignored and council is now prepared to take more aggressive steps to remove these vehicles as per bylaws.
One member of public works has resigned but Village Foreman Bill Hnybida told council they would try to manage without filling the position until the spring.
Mayor Bruce Rowe has initiated a meeting between provincial ministers, the area MLA and the mayors and reeves from the seven member municipalities who make up the Kneehill Water Commission.
It is hoped that this meeting will provide for provincial help with the commission’s debt load, since the commission and the province seem to have reached a stalemate in negotiating any provincial help.
To facilitate this meeting, letters have been sent to the seven members, and to date County of Rocky View Reeve Lois Habberfield has agreed to attend.
Beiseker is at risk of losing its driving range unless someone steps up to volunteer to take care of it.
The same two people have been mowing the grass and arranging for repairs for about 15 years and are now stepping away from the job.
Anyone interested in taking on this volunteer job can get more information from Councillor Dave Fegan.
The Beiseker Chamber of Commerce will be making $350 available to each main street business for the purchase of new consistent store front signage and decorative wrought iron brackets to be erected at each participating business.
It is hoped the new signs will be installed around the same time as the Main Street Beautification Project gets underway next spring.
The Chamber, in cooperation with Beiseker’s Economic Development Committee, will also pay $200 towards new wooden business signs that have been proposed to be installed on Highway 9.
Approximately two food hampers per week are needed in Beiseker and district and are being provided through Community Links from Airdrie.
At this time, little or no funding is coming from Beiseker.
A small bank account has been set up to provide Christmas Hampers in the village, but there is not enough money for the ongoing need.
Anyone who can donate imperishable food or cash is asked to do so at the Community Links building.
Some poplar trees that need to be moved from area drainage ditches will be moved to a space near Highway 72 near Beacon Heights Road.
Council also authorized the purchase of four Colorado Spruce trees to supplement the poplars and beautify the area.
The next meeting of Beiseker Council will be Sept. 27 in Council Chambers at 7 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.
