M.D. council believes in local autonomy for victim services

Posted on August 8, 2024 by Taber Times

By Heather Cameron
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The following are select briefs from the M.D. of Taber Council that took place July 16.

Announcements and Recognition 

Councillor Brian Hildebrand shared with Council that it was his great pleasure to accompany the Torrie Family to the Farm Family at the Calgary Stampede and it was a well-deserved honor for a very well-respected family in the community.  Councillor Hildebrand also commented that it was just amazing to see how they presented themselves, their gratitude, and their humility on receiving a very well-deserved award and it was just wonderful for them to be there to showcase the good things that are happening within the community and within the municipality.

Council also acknowledged Lethbridge County’s 60th anniversary, sharing that some members of Council did attend one of the celebratory events and that it is nice to see different municipalities recognizing their milestones.

Upcoming Meetings and Events Highlights

Council discussed upcoming meetings and events including the Trail 77 Pump Track and Skills Park Grand Opening  on July 24, the Communities in Bloom barbecue on July 24, a STARS fundraiser in Brooks on August 1, the Pincher Creek Parade on August 17, the Foothills Little Bow Association – Fall Meeting on September 20, and the Pheasant Festival Banquet on October 24.

A motion was made that Council accept the upcoming meetings and events and the motion was carried.

Victim Services Update

Council and Administration discussed how the RMA is requesting that the Government of Alberta stop the transition of the provincially run Victim Service model with a clear understanding that the proposed model does not outline how services will be made available locally. Council and Administration agreed that the services need to be more local than the regional model that is being proposed by the government and the RMA also clearly stated in information sheets they provided that the Government of Alberta has provided no evidence or data as to why the current Victims Service Unit programming needs to be overhauled and does not meet service delivery outcomes or what thresholds or benchmarks are used to measure service delivery success despite them arguing that the regional model will improve Alberta’s Victims Services system. Council also discussed the RMA’s other point about how there is no evidence available explaining why local Victim Service units must be overhauled and there continues to be no known benefits to the Community Victims program managers or volunteers regarding this change. Council determined that it would be a good idea to try and keep local services for Victims Services and include the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis in their efforts.

Ultimately, a motion was made that the M.D. of Taber request the Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Services for the continuation of provision of Victims services to the M.D. of Taber region through the Taber Police Commission Victim Services via a Memorandum of Understanding with the Taber and Vauxhall R.C.M.P. and the motion was carried.

Donation Request – Taber Pheasant Festival

Administration brought a Request For Decision before Council regarding an application that the Taber Pheasant Festival submitted under the ‘Donations to Community Organizations, Programs, and Events’ with a request for the amount of $2,500 and Administration acknowledged that the M.D. also typically provides minor in-kind services to assist the event and the event brings hundreds of hunters out to the area every year who eat at the M.D. restaurants and stay at area hotels and it’s always a great, successful event. Ultimately, a motion was made that the M.D. of Taber approve a $2,500 donation to the Taber Pheasant Festival in response to their application to ‘Donations to Community Organizations, Events, and Activities policy’ and the motion was carried.

Request For Decision – Stanley Machacek Farms TR Lease Assignment (Brewin)

Administration brought forth a Request For Decision to Council that involves Stanley Machacek Farms Ltd requesting that the M.D. of Taber (MDT) approve the assignment of their tax recovery grazing lease to Roy Brewin Holdings Inc, and established that assignment would consist of one quarter of grassland located at NE 2-12-17 W4. Administration stated that their recommendation is that the M.D. of Taber approve the assignment of Stanley Machacek Farms Ltd tax recovery grazing lease at NE 2-12-17 W4 to Roy Brewing Holdings Inc. as per the terms of the Municipal District of Taber Tax Recovery Grazing Lease. Council acknowledged that they were not personally involved in the sale other than the reassignment fee. Ultimately, a motion was made that the M.D. of Taber approve the assignment of Stanley Machacek Farms Ltd tax recovery grazing lease at NE 2-12-17 W4 to Roy Brewing Holdings Inc. as per the terms of the Municipal District of Taber Tax Recovery Grazing Lease and the motion was carried.

Request For Decision – Stanley Machacek Farms TR Lease Assignment (Cameron)

Administration brought forth a Request For Decision to Council that involves Stanley Machacek Farms Ltd requesting that the M.D. of Taber (MDT) approve the assignment of their tax recovery grazing lease to the Hutterian Brethren Church of Cameron, and established that the assignment would consist of three quarters of grassland located at NW 2-12-18 W4, SW 3, 12-18 W4, & SE 11-12-18 W4. Administration stated that their recommendation is that the M.D. of Taber approves the assignment of Stanley Machacek Farms Ltd tax recovery grazing lease at NW 2-12-18 W4, SW 3, 12-18 W4, & SE 11-12-18 W4 to Hutterian Brethren Church of Cameron as per the terms of the Municipal District of Taber Tax Recovery Grazing Lease. Ultimately, a motion was made that the M.D. of Taber approves the assignment of Stanley Machacek Farms Ltd tax recovery grazing lease at NW 2-12-18 W4, SW 3, 12-18 W4, & SE 11-12-18 W4 to Hutterian Brethren Church of Cameron as per the terms of the Municipal District of Taber Tax Recovery Grazing Lease and the motion was carried.

Request For Decision – Grassy Lake Subdivision Award

Administration explained to Council that the decision for consideration before Council at this point is regarding the portion of the civil construction for The Grassy Lake North residential subdivision that was tendered and tender is now closed. According to the Request For Decision, Administration explained, a total of 5 bids were submitted for the project with prices ranging from $3,613,704.50 to $4,023,640.00, so following the review and scoring of the proposals, the recommendation was made to accept the lowest of the bids mainly due to price evaluation. Administration’s recommendation to Council was that the M.D. of Taber award the civil construction for the Grassy Lake North Residential Subdivision Phase 1 Project Tender in the amount of $3,613,704.50 (excluding GST) as submitted by MJB Enterprises Ltd. Ultimately, a motion was made that the M.D. of Taber award the civil construction for the Grassy Lake North Residential Subdivision Phase 1 Project Tender in the amount of $3,613,704.50 (excluding GST) as submitted by MJB Enterprises Ltd. and the motion was carried.

Auditor Appointment 2024-2028

Administration shared with Council that a competitive RFP was recently issued for a five-year arrangement or opportunity for firms within the region to provide auditing services for the M.D. of Taber and included in that RFP was to also provide similar services to the two water commissions that the M.D. currently manage, those being the Vauxhall and District Regional Water Services Commission and the Highway 3 Regional Water Services Commission. At the close of the RFP, Administration stated, they did receive one submission and that was from KPMG LLP Chartered Accountants – Lethbridge Office. Administration’s recommendation was that Council appoint KPMG LLP Chartered Accountants – Lethbridge Office as the auditor for the M.D. of Taber for the financial years ending December 31, 2024, through 2028. A motion was made that Council appoint KPMG LLP Chartered Accountants – Lethbridge Office as the auditor for the M.D. of Taber for the financial years ending December 31, 2024, through 2028 and the motion was carried. Councillor Clawson then made a motion that budgetary changes required by the new auditor contract be included in the 2025 Operating Budget discussions and the motion was carried.