Beiseker resident Roxann Quast approached council to ask what could be done about weeds and gophers on vacant land neighbouring her property in the village’s southeast.
The vacant land’s owner does not live in the community.
Quast noted the gophers have destroyed $140 worth of newly planted saskatoon bushes as well as garden and other yard vegetation. Her neighbours are experiencing similar problems, she added.
Councillors encouraged her to contact the landowner directly, to seek compensation and a solution to the problem. Administration noted that at one time a municipality could, with proper notice, enter a property for maintenance purposes and bill the landowner. New rules no longer allow this practice.
The landlord of the Beiseker Apartments asked council for a break on his overdue water account penalties. However, council declined the request, noting that it would not be fair to other Beiseker residents and could set a precedent. As the Village is required to pay Kneehill Water Commission in a timely manner, the penalties are necessary to prevent costs from the Commission being downloaded on Beiseker taxpayers.
Councillor Fred Walters told council that real progress has been made in the bid to have the Bassano train station moved to Beiseker. Many delays have set back the arrival date of the building, but Walters said that he now expects the plan to get back on track. Deputy mayor Ray Courtman informed council he was approached by another qualified person who believes he could move the station to Beiseker within a week if the current mover does not proceed.
• A new public address system, provided by the Beiseker Lions, is now up and running in the Community Hall. It is, however, limited to only two microphones, so some functions such as Stage East will still have to rent equipment.
• On motion by Councillor Walters, administration will contact area mechanical contractors to invite them to bid on the heating, plumbing and air conditioning systems in the community hall and Village office. Coast to Coast Mechanical has the current contract, and although council believes the company is fulfilling all areas of the agreement, Walters said it is just good business practice to tender out all Village work from time to time, rather than simply ratifying the same contracts year after year.
It will be necessary to install a second sump pump system in the elevator shaft at the Community Links building, as water seepage into the lowest spot in the building is still occurring.
Council agreed to appoint volunteer Sharon King to the library board and extended a welcome to her.
The next meeting of Beiseker council will be Aug. 22 in Council Chambers at 7:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.
