Town of Taber council meeting Aug. 21 briefs

Posted on September 14, 2023 by Taber Times

By Trevor Busch
Taber Times
editor@tabertimes.com

The following are selected briefs of the Aug. 21 meeting of Taber Town Council. Coun. Jack Brewin was absent from the meeting.

July 17 Closed Session 

The following resolutions were passed at the conclusion of the in camera (closed session) portion of the meeting.

Lease Renewal: Council voted unanimously to authorize the lease renewal of the property located at the Taber Community Centre, specifically a room immediately south of the Large Ice Arena main entrance, located at 4700 50 Street, to Orban Holdings Ltd.; and directed Mayor Andrew Prokop and CAO Derrin Thibault to sign the lease renewal documents.

Library Board Appointment: Council voted unanimously to appoint Deanna Petherbridge to the Taber Municipal Library Board for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2025.

Siaya County Delegation: Council voted unanimously to request administration send an official invitation to the Governor of Siaya County, Kenya, and his team to visit Taber; and authorized up to $30,000 from operating reserves to go toward the anticipated cost of the delegation attending from Siaya County, Kenya.

Land Sale: Council voted unanimously to direct administration to accept an offer to purchase four acres, including the servicing costs to the lot, for $300,000; and directed administration to proceed with the subdivision and rezoning of a four acre lot at 6997 50 Street; and directed administration to proceed with servicing the remaining eight acre lot, as presented, with $282,000 of the remaining servicing costs to come from capital reserves.

Land Purchase/Park Development: Council voted unanimously to direct administration to complete the purchase of specified land in the amount of $37,834.50, with the funds to be allocated from capital reserves, at the corner of 51 Street and 47 Avenue, from the Parallel Church, and construct a park at the location; and directed Mayor Andrew Prokop and CAO Derrin Thibault to sign the land sale documents.

Taber Municipal Police Commission Bylaw 15-2023

TMPC Chair John McDonald explained recent amendments to the Police Act by the Minister of Public Safety required a review by the TMPC to reflect changes to the provincial appointment of members.

Following discussion, council voted unanimously to pass all three readings of Taber Municipal Police Commission Bylaw 15-2023.

Taber Municipal Police Commission Policy Manual Changes 

TMPC Chair John McDonald explained the changes reflected in Taber Municipal Police Commission Bylaw 15-2023 required changes to the TMPC Policy Manual to reflect the provincial appointment of members.

Following discussion, council voted unanimously to approve the proposed changes to the TMPC Policy Manual as presented.

Weed Control Act Municipal Inspector Appointment

Council voted unanimously to appoint Cst. William Woytowich of the TPS, under the Weed Control Act of Alberta, as a municipal inspector for the Town of Taber.

Fire Pump Rebuild

Taber Fire Department Chief Steve Munshaw indicated Engine 6-3 requires a rebuild following the discovery of a bearing failure during annual fire pump testing. Munshaw indicated the repair cost will be covered by the revenue generated from the recent May 2023 deployment of the TFD.

Following discussion, council voted unanimously to approve rebuilding the fire pump on Engine 6-3, with costs not to exceed $21,000 (excluding GST), to be allocated from spring wildfire revenue.

Trout Pond Recreation Area (TPRA) Irrigation Water Supply

Following discussion, council voted unanimously to approve the Trout Pond Recreation Area Irrigation Project for $40,000, with funds to be allocated from capital reserves.

Community Garden Location and Lease

Council voted unanimously to approve the location of the Community Garden, and directed administration to enter into a five-year lease agreement for the indicated lands of the four acres (+/-) in the SW corner of M4-R17-TWP10-Sec1.

Destruction of Municipal Documents

Council voted unanimously to approve the destruction of documents as per the retention period in years identified in Schedule A of the Bylaw No. 10-99 Retention of Municipal Documents.

Interim Council Member Appointment to Various Boards and Committees

Council voted unanimously to appoint Coun. Carly Firth to the Taber and District Housing Foundation Board, for a period until the next Organizational Meeting held in October of this year. Firth is replacing former Coun. Alf Rudd as a representative on the board.

FCSS and Youth DO Crew Request for Support for Little Free Pantry

Following a presentation from a delegation, council voted unanimously to direct administration to fund the Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) and the Youth DO Crew request in the amount of $1,000, for the Little Free Pantry Project, with funds to be allocated from the Council Discretionary Fund, and volunteered some Town staff to install the pantry. 

Taber Motorcycle Association Request for Support for a Water Well

Following a presentation from a delegation, council voted unanimously to support the Taber Motorcycle Association’s request for the installation of a well at the motocross track located on a portion of NE 26-10-17W4th, of the Town-owned leased land; and authorizes the amount of $5,000 to be taken from the 2023 Council Discretionary Fund.