The Oct. 9 Stettler County council meeting agenda dealt with a significant number of updated policies.
Council reviewed 16 policies, all of which had been reviewed at previous committee of the whole meetings and then published online for ratepayer feedback, of which there was none.
Agricultural policies passed included a vegetation control policy, clubroot control policy and a pest and nuisance control policy.
Other policies passed include ones for grazing right-of-ways, enforcement of the Animal Health Act, recognition of councillor service, snowplowing standards, and others.
A full list of policies passed can be found on the Stettler County website in the Oct. 9 agenda package.
Community Support
Stettler County council has opted to continue its support of a pair of community events taking place this fall.
The first event being supported is the Stettler Festival of Lights, one of the Stettler Health Foundation's major fundraisers of the year.
Stettler County is continuing to show its support for the initiative by purchasing up to two tables for the festival's gala, held on the Saturday of the week-long event.
Whether the county purchases one or two tables will depend on the number of staff and councillors available to attend.
The second event the county has opted to support is the Stettler Town and Country Museum's Light the Night.
Entering its 10th anniversary, Stettler County communications officer Niki Thorsteinsson says that it's a "great event" that has "only become more popular" over time.
The motion to approve the county participation in the event will allow staff to take time to set up a display for Light the Night at the museum grounds, something the county has participated in for the last several years.
BRAIN Conference
Stettler County has received a request to fund the Battle River Arts and Innovation in Neurology (BRAIN) Conference taking place in Camrose.
Coun. Paul McKay noted that the initiative is something the county should support as Camrose County, Beaver County and Paintearth County have all put funds towards the venture.
According to the request for council decision, the conference "is dedicated to providing current information to interested community members and health care professionals, and will include bringing together speakers including brain trauma survivors, leading academics, and representatives from facilities dedicated to Traumatic Brain injuries."
Council approved a donation of $1,000, matching the other counties, to the conference, with one voting against, and a friendly amendment making sure that local Alberta Health Services Staff are aware and able to attend if they so wish.
Seed plant funding
After receiving an "emergent" request from the Stettler Seed Cleaning Plat, and discussing the matter at Strategic Planning, council has approved a one-time grant for the facility.
The request for council decision notes that the seed plant has "undergone a significant re-organization" and needs the funds to assist with operations.
Office Closure
Council has approved the annual closure of the administrative offices over the holidays.
The offices will be closed at noon on Dec. 24 and remain closed until Jan. 2, 2025.
Staff will remain on call over the closures in case of emergencies or severe weather.
Council has approved the closure for county staff over the last "several" years to allow them to have an uninterrupted holiday break.