M.D. of Taber Council briefs from May 14

By Heather Cameron
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The following are select briefs from the M.D. of Taber Council meeting that took place on May 14, 2024.

Upcoming Meetings and Events Highlights

Council discussed bringing up what dignitaries to invite to Taber’s Table and ultimately decided to make a motion to bring that discussion to the table at the next Committee of the Whole meeting. The motion was carried.

Council discussed upcoming events, saying that May 22, 2024, is when the Taber Special Needs celebratory barbecue for Community Disability Service Worker Appreciation Week is being held at Confederation Park at 11:30 a.m.

Administration, Council said, also recently received an email from the Taber Air Cadets informing them that the cadets will be holding an annual ceremonial review on May 22, 2024.

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

Request for Decision – AAF Appointment

Council discussed a Request for Decision submitted by Administration to appoint Taylor McKnight as a weed inspector under the Weed Control Act, to appoint Taylor McKnight as a pest inspector under the Agricultural Pests Act, and to also appoint Taylor McKnight as a soil conservation officer under the Soil Conservation Act. A motion was made that the M.D. of Taber appoint Taylor McKnight as a weed inspector under the Weed Control Act and it was carried. Councillor Clawson then made a motion that the M.D. of Taber appoint Taylor McKnight as a pest inspector under the Agricultural Pests Act and the motion was carried. Councillor Reynolds then made a motion that the M.D. of Taber appoint Taylor McKnight as a soil conservation officer under the Soil Conservation Act and the motion was carried.

Offer to Purchase – Lot 47, Blk 16, Plan 0810493

Council discussed a Request for Decision submitted by Administration regarding an offer to Purchase Lot 47 Blk 16 Plan 0810493 (317- 3rd St) in the Hamlet of Hays and that the lot be sold to Timmy Froese for $12,369.10 plus GST of $618.46 for a total of $12,987.56, subject to approval of a Development Permit Application, entering into a Lot Sales Agreement, entering into a Utility Account, closure within 60 days and payment in full of the purchase price. A motion was made to approve this offer to Purchase Lot 47 Blk 16 Plan 0810493 (317- 3rd St) in the Hamlet of Hays and that the lot be sold to Timmy Froese for $12,987.56 subject to approval of a Development Permit Application, entering into a Lot Sales Agreement, entering into a Utility Account, closure within 60 days and payment in full of the purchase price, and the motion was carried.

Operational Grants for Recreation

Council reviewed a Request for Decision submitted by Administration regarding approving the 2024 Operational Grants for the following Recreation Boards, Towns, and Villages in the following amounts: the Enchant Recreation Board $ 48,331.71; Hays Recreation Board $ 47,465.95; Grassy Lake Recreation Board $ 51,405.64; Town of Taber $203,020.43; Town of Vauxhall $117,743.19; and the Village of Barnwell $ 13,852.14. Within Administration’s request was also a request to approve the 2024 Recreation Grant amounts as per Inter-Municipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) agreements: the Town of Vauxhall $ 3,156.81 and the Village of Barnwell $ 13,306.86. A motion was made to approve the Request for Decision and it was carried.

Donation Request Applications

Council discussed approving donations to Taber and District Museum Society, Vauxhall and District and Senior Society, and Vauxhall Cowboy Days Western Festival in response to their application to the Municipal District of Taber Donations to Community Organizations, Programs, Events & Activities Policy. Ultimately, a motion was made that the M.D. of Taber approve a $5,000 donation to the Taber and District Museum Society and the motion was carried. A motion was then made to approve a $5,000 donation to the Vauxhall and District Senior Society in response to their application to the M.D. of Taber Donations to Community Organizations, Programs, Events & Activities Policy. Finally, a motion was made to approve a $3,000 donation to the Vauxhall Cowboy Days Western Festival in response to their application to the Municipal District of Taber Donations to Community Organizations, Programs, Events & Activities Policy, and the motion was carried.

Bylaw No. 2005 – Agricultural Service Board Bylaw

Council discussed Bylaw No. 2005 – Agricultural Service Board Bylaw, a bylaw that Council said came to pass because the Agricultural Service Board had previously indicated a need and desire to restructure the Board within the Municipality and develop a bylaw for the establishment of an Agricultural Service Board with terms of membership. The draft Bylaw, Council said, was presented to the Agricultural Service Board and recommended to Council. The board, Council said, would consist of a minimum of four Council members and three members at large from the community and once the bylaw is passed, it would come into effect for November 1, 2024, which provides Council time to advertise publicly for members at large. A motion was made to approve Bylaw No. 2005 – Agricultural Service Board Bylaw and that motion was carried.