Town of Taber council briefs from May 13

By Heather Cameron
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The following are selected briefs from the Town of Taber Council meeting that took place on May 13.

Traffic Control Bylaw – Review of Schedule “D” Fines

Administration brought a Request for Decision before Council regarding the Traffic Control Bylaw – Review of Schedule “D” Fines, recommending that Council approves the proposed increases to fines and directs Administration to amend them in the Traffic Control Bylaw, Schedule “D”. Administration’s Request explained that in a previous Council meeting, it was moved by Councillor Sorensen that Administration review the Traffic Control Bylaw Schedule “D” fines, and Administration reviewed Schedule “D” and consulted nine other municipalities of a similar population size, and have prepared an attachment listing those results for Council’s information. It was found that Taber’s fines are on the lower side as compared to these other municipalities, so Administration is recommending a reasonable increase to a selection of the fines that will bring us closer in line with the average of fines listed. That said, Administration elected to present the updates for Council’s approval or for adjustments or whatever is recommended. Ultimately, Councillor Sorensen made a motion to approve Traffic Control Bylaw, Schedule “D’ and the motion was carried.

Proposed 2024 Property Tax Rate Bylaw 14-2024

Administration presented a Request for Decision to Council regarding Property Tax Rate Bylaw 14-2024 with the recommendation that Council give Property Tax Rate Bylaw 14-2024 all three readings as presented. This particular bylaw, Administration said, will carry all the requisitions: the school requisition, it will carry the seniors’, it will have the M.D rates, and the Town rates that have been previously discussed so that is those are the rates that will be applied to provide the tax levy for the current year. 

Councillor Firth made a motion that Council gives first reading to Bylaw 14-2024, being the 2024 Property Tax Rate Bylaw for the Town of Taber as presented and the motion was carried. Councillor McLean then made a motion that Council gives second reading to Bylaw 14-2024, being the 2024 Property Tax Rate Bylaw for the Town of Taber as presented and the motion was carried. Finally, Councillor Sorensen then made a motion that Council unanimously agrees to proceed with the third and final reading to Bylaw 14-2024, being the 2024 Property Tax Rate Bylaw for the Town of Taber as presented and the motion was carried. Councillor Bekkering then made a motion that Council gives third and final reading to Bylaw 14-2024, being the 2024 Property Tax Rate Bylaw for the Town of Taber as presented and the motion was carried.

Bylaw 12-2024 Arts and Heritage Committee Bylaw

Administration presented a Request For Decision to Council regarding Bylaw 12-2024 Arts and Heritage Committee Bylaw, a bylaw that exists for the purpose of establishing the Arts and Heritage Committee within the Town of Taber. Council discussed that the bylaw has been seen a couple of times, but there were errors in it, so the errors have since been addressed along with other proposed changes including a point that rescinded the previous bylaw. That established, Councillor Brewin made a motion that Council give first reading to Bylaw 12-2024 Arts and Heritage Committee Bylaw and the motion was carried. Councillor Firth then made a motion that Council give second reading to Bylaw 12-2024 Arts and Heritage Committee Bylaw and the motion was carried. Councillor Bekkering then made a motion that Council unanimously agrees to proceed to third and final reading to Bylaw 12-2024 Arts and Heritage Committee Bylaw and the motion was carried. Finally, Councillor McLean made a motion that Council give third and final reading to ylaw 12-2024 Arts and Heritage Committee Bylaw and the motion was carried.

DP 24-068 7301 50 Street Signage

Administration reported to Council that they received an application for a permit to have signage that would be located out at Ken McDonald Memorial Sports Park, and Administration explained that the application is specifically for a sign for the company providing fertilizer for the park that will be on a stand and portable, but not a permanent fixture. This sign, will allow the recreation department to notify the public of the use of fertilizer that is supplied by Simplot Grower Solutions. The permit, would be valid from May 14, 2024 to May 13, 2025 at which time it would be removed at the Recreation Department’s behest. Councillor Bekkering ultimately made a motion that Council approves Development Permit 24-068 7301 50th Street Lot 2 Block 2 Plan 0311 167 and the motion was carried.

DP 24-069 7301 50 Street and 7400 52 Street – Signage

Administration reported to Council that they received an application for signage to be located out at Ken McDonald Park, and the application is for 12 small, portable signs that will be located on fences and other such structures and are for the company providing the fertilizer to the park, which is Simplot Grower Solutions. Councillor Firth made a motion that the Council approve Development Permit 24-069 7301 50th Street and the motion was carried.

DP 24-082 5506 46 Avenue Demolition

Administration reported to Council that they received an application to move the building where The Vape Shop is located off the property and the application was brought to Council because the property is a Direct Control Property. Council sought and received confirmation that they were not just moving the building, they are taking it off and repurposing it somewhere else. A motion was made that Council approve Development Permit 24-082 to remove the existing building at 5506 46 Avenue Lots 1 to 5 block 21 plan 6390 L with the following 11 conditions as listed and the motion was carried.