MD of Pincher Creek No. 9 Council notes, September 10 meeting

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

The Council for the Municipal District of Pincher Creek No. 9 met on Monday afternoon, September 10.  In attendance were Reeve Terry Yagos and Councillors Bjorn Berg, Helen Cyr, and Rod Cyr.

Citizen says road improvement is unsafe

Lois Vance appeared before the council as a Delegation.  "MD maintenance has taken their due diligence to carve out the road where it's on an angle going around Crook Road," she said.  "They've dug out about 5 feet and changed the angle of the road.  They're going to have an accident.  Two cattle liners couldn't pass each other when they met."

"I've driven that road for 34 years and I've never had a problem with it before," she continued.
 
Councillor Rod Cyr said "It looks like a major improvement that wasn't sanctioned by council, and I was wondering why we were never told what took place there."  Reeve Yagos said " (Director of Operations) Leo (Reedyk) will be doing a report, we don't have any background on it yet."

Road closure bylaw 1223-12 hits snags

A road closure bylaw arising from the request of landowners Harry and Carla Morgan was to receive second reading at this meeting.  The applicants indicated a desire to be able to "properly fence my land as there are rocks and land movement in the area resulting in the fence being pulled over" requiring it to be replaced numerous times.

Alberta Transportation refused to allow the bylaw to move forward as written because of some standard wording that apparently should have been removed, and because of concerns that an adjacent landowner putatively did not want the road closed.

According to Development Officer Roland Milligan's report "The road is undeveloped and has very steep grades throughout it's length," and also cuts across Mill Creek Canyon.  A map of the area, near the Gladstone Valley Road, shows it as an undeveloped statutory road allowance.

Council discussed the process around creating, passing, rejecting, and/or modifying this and similar bylaws.  Councillor Berg made a motion to amend the wording to reflect that council had indeed been petitioned to be heard by someone objecting to the bylaw.  That motion was defeated, with Berg and Rod Cyr in favor and Helen Cyr and Reeve Yagos opposed.

That created a quandary for council, as they could not proceed with second reading without Alberta Transportation approval, and no new motion following Berg's was forthcoming.

"In my opinion it would need another pub hearing," said CAO Wendy Kay.  "Alberta Transportation is out of line" said Councillor Berg.

Much disagreement and discussion ensued.

Councillor Helen Cyr recommended closing the road closure process and returning the fee to the applicants.  "I don't think that's proper process," said Councillor Berg.  "We had first reading, we either rescind or amend this bylaw."

"Why would we return the fee?" asked CAO Kay.  "There has to be a cost for applying for something."

Councillor Helen Cyr then said she would accept a friendly amendment to her motion that removed the part about returning the fee.

Councillor Berg challenged the validity of the motion.

Helen Cyr's motion to halt the road closure and return the fee was defeated, with all others opposed.

Councillor Helen Cyr then made a motion to table the matter until the next council meeting, which passed unanimously.

Burmis Lundbreck Corridor
(detail of map in MD documents)

Public Hearing date set regarding Burmis-Lundbreck Corridor area structure plan

First of Planning Development Bylaw 1228-12, regarding the Burmis-Lundbreck corridor area structure plan, passed unanimously.  Council set a Public Hearing date of October 9 at 6:30 pm.

In the draft of the bylaw Council has stated its desire to "adopt a comprehensive plan which governs land use within the Burmis Lundbreck Corridor".  The plan would "govern the future subdivision and development of the lands within the plan boundaries while still accommodating agricultural pursuits within this identified area."

North Burmis Road dust control fees waived

Councillor Helen Cyr made a motion to waive fees for the North Burmis Road because of "the construction they had to put up with there this summer."

"If we do any other construction, are we going to be faced with same situation?" asked Councillor Berg.

The motion carried with Councillor Berg opposed.


Seed cleaning plant requests funding

The Pincher Creek Seed cleaning Plant has requested $150,000 a year from the MD to help fund the operation.

Councillor Berg said he would prefer forwarding the request to the AG Services board for their consideration.

Councillor Helen Cyr moved to accept the request in principle with the added requirement that an updated bylaw and financial statement be provided to MD Council before they commit to the funding.  "We can't just put a blank cheque out there" she said, to an apparent consensus. Councillor Berg said applicable Provincial grants were already closed due to being oversubscribed.  Councillor Rod Cyr said the plant had added some business as measured in bushels processed, but was also losing some business due to not having a sorter.
 
"We need a budget, what it costs" said Reeve Yagos.  "They've worked hard over the years and done a good job handling it," he continued.  "I believe in the seed cleaning plant but I dont' believe we should be paying for it all," said Councillor Helen Cyr.

Councillor Helen Cyr's motion passed unanimously.