Water deficit doubles in Beiseker

Beiseker Council Briefs: From the Jan. 23 meeting

The full impact of the high cost of water in Beiseker is now known.

Administration presented figures to council indicating that in 2011, the village showed a water deficit of about $400,000.

“I thought we were bad the year before at a $200,000 deficit,” said Mayor Bruce Rowe. “Now it is $400,000.”

For several months, water consumption in the village has been rising, resulting in very high costs to the municipality for water provided by the Aqua 7 Water Commission.

A 10” long crack in a six inch water main on Lount Ave. has recently been repaired. In addition, a few smaller breaks were previously repaired and new residential meters will be installed very soon throughout the village.

There is no charge to homeowners for the new meters, which are expected to be more accurate than the current meters.

Public Works and the Village engineers are continuing to search for any other water line breaks, water seepage and equipment malfunctions.

In addition, Beiseker is continuing to investigate the feasibility of withdrawing from Aqua 7 and returning to water wells.

Public Works report:

• It is anticipated Aqua 7 will be shutting down the entire water system for repairs during the second week of February.

Originally the Village expected the shut down to last two days, but more recent estimates of a three- or four-day shut down have council and public works concerned.

Rowe asked administration to draft a letter to Aqua 7 Water Commission expressing the Village’s concern.

It has not yet been determined if the Commission can be held financially responsible for the cost of hauling water in should that become necessary.

The Village is also concerned about an adequate water supply in case of fire.

• Repairs to the fire hall from last November’s windstorm are now underway, foreman Bill Hnybida told council. The fire hall’s roof blew off on Nov. 27.

Councillor reports:

• Councillor Al Henuset reported that the Village’s bylaw officer has been very successful in having recreation and other unlicensed cars taken from the streets.

Two ongoing clean up orders are under review, one has gone to court and the property owner has indicated he will comply with it. The other review is ongoing.

A complaint of loud music has been addressed and the officer has been monitoring traffic at the Community Centre and around the school.

• Councillor Karen Ursu discussed the upcoming library move with council. Although moving the fibre optic Supernet will be costly, the price is much less that first estimated.

Current estimates are around $22,000, some of which has been given in a grant. Council agreed that if necessary, the library may borrow up to $9,000 from the Village with the understanding that it will have to be repaid.

• Ursu, Rowe and chief CAO Jo Lambert discussed the fire department agreement currently being negotiated with Rocky View County.

The Village’s most recent proposal has been taken back to the County for its perusal. Rocky View does not want Beiseker’s equipment because of its age, but it can remain in the Village and be used until the new station is built in northeast Rocky View. When the new hall is built and equipped, Beiseker will be able to sell the old equipment.

As of Feb. 1, Beiseker and Irricana firefighters will begin to train together. While each municipality will retain a fire chief, they will both report to a district chief.

• Deputy Mayor Ray Courtman reported that two of the available lots at the airport are more than a metre below grade, making them hard to lease.

Council discussed obtaining clean fill from the subdivision, however, there would be haling costs and the topsoil would have to be removed first. The airport has a small budget and the costs are seen as prohibitive.

The airport is also exploring whether it can obtain land on the north side of its grounds that is currently is used as a drop zone for the Alberta Skydive Club.

CAO Report

Lambert reported that no bids were received at the recent tax sale on 713 First Ave. Administration will begin the process of municipal acquisition of the land, which can then be cleared of personal property and fenced.

The next meeting of Beiseker council is Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers. The public is welcome.