M.D. of Taber council meeting briefs from Nov. 12

By Heather Cameron
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The following are selected briefs from the M.D. of Taber Council meeting that took place on November 12.

Correspondence – Communities in Bloom

During the M.D. of Taber Council meeting on November 12, Council reviewed a card that they received from the Communities in Bloom Society giving thanks to the M.D. for their participation in the recent Communities in Bloom Rural Beautification Competition. In their card to Council, the Communities in Bloom Society stated that they found or had recommended to them six yards that they judged, and all the yards were well maintained, and it was a pleasure for the committee to tour them. The committee’s card also stated that it was obvious that the families took great pleasure in keeping beautiful yards. In addition to that, the committee’s card emphasized that the M.D. of Taber is a big, beautiful, important, productive area and feeds the world and Communities in Bloom is fortunate to be a part of that. Within their thank you card to Council, the Communities in Bloom Society also briefly mentioned the awards ceremony, which was held on September 30, 2024.

A motion was made to accept the consent agenda, which included the thank you card from the Communities in Bloom Society, as presented and the motion was carried.

Upcoming Meetings and Events

Council reviewed a memo regarding several upcoming meetings and events, a memo that included mention of the M.D. of Taber Staff Christmas Party that will be held at 5:30 p.m. on December 15 at the Legion Hall, the ASB Provincial Conference that will take place from January 20 to 22, 2025 at the Delta Edmonton South, and the EDA Xperience 2025 Leaders’ Summit and Conference that will take place in Kananaskis from April 9 to 11, 2025. 

Councillor Claasen ultimately made a motion that Council accept the upcoming meetings and events memo as presented and the motion was carried.

Coffee With Council Proposed Dates

Council reviewed a Request for Decision from Administration regarding the 2025 Coffee with Council dates and locations. According to the Request for Decision, the proposed dates and locations for the meeting are:

January 23, 2025, at Grassy Lake Community Hall at 7 p.m. 

April 17, 2025, at the Vauxhall Seniors Center at 7 p.m. 

July 10, 2025, at Enchant Seniors Center at 7 p.m. 

September 25, 2025, at Hays Community Center at 7 p.m. 

December 4, 2025, at the M.D. of Taber Operations and Maintenance Building at 7 p.m.

The Request for Decision explained that Coffee with Council offers residents an opportunity to engage with Council in a relaxed and informal setting, allowing ratepayers to voice their concerns, share ideas, and ask questions in a comfortable environment helping Council better understand the needs and priorities of residents. The Request for Decision also emphasized that the dates may be subject to change depending on Council schedules and the priority of future events, and confirmed dates will be advertised on the M.D. of Taber website, Facebook page, Newsletter, and other social media platforms utilized by the M.D. of Taber and will also be included in the Council Important Meetings and Events Memo.

Ultimately, a motion was made that the M.D. of Taber Council adopt the proposed Coffee with Council locations, dates, and times with the change of the April 17th meeting becoming open for the AGM with whatever venue changes are deemed appropriate and the motion was carried.