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Stettler County council highlights from Nov. 10th

Council has awarded the contract for the Byemoor water main replacement project
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By Kevin J. Sabo

For the Independent

The County of Stettler council has awarded the contract for the Byemoor water main replacement project.

The project, which had gone to tender, received three submissions from local companies to perform the work, consisting of replacing approximately 950 ft. of line in the hamlet.

Stettler’s Action Plumbing was awarded the contract, submitting a proposal to do the work costing approximately $49,000, nearly half of the cost of the other bids.

“The waterlines in Byemoor are getting old and not in great shape,” said Coun. Les Stulberg.

“It’s better to be proactive if we can. I think with the first bid being almost half the other bids it’s a great opportunity if we can lock them in.”

While it is hoped that the weather will hold long enough to get the project done yet this fall, it is likely that the project will remain on hold until the spring. The project is being funded by the Federal Gas Tax Grant, which requires the County to pay for the project, then get reimbursed.

“We did get an exceptionally good price, and would like to lock them in,” said County of Stettler Chief Administrative Officer Yvette Cassidy.

Coun. Stulberg moved to award the contract, which was carried.

Water connections

The County of Stettler has received a couple of waterline connection requests.

A committee is being struck to examine the feasibility of the first request, and potentially others like it, as the person requesting the connection is about a mile from the main line and would cost the County approximately $80,000.

There is a $15,000 connection fee to the residents, however it is unclear where the remainder of the money would come from to fulfill the request.

The second request came from Pheasant Back Golf & Country Club which is immediately adjacent to a North phase water distribution line. The connection would be for servicing the clubhouse and would not be used for irrigation purposes. The costs associated with the connection would be covered entirely by the $15,000 connection fee.

Byemoor & Endiang land sales

A number of lots were advertised for sale by the County of Stettler in the hamlets of Byemoor and Endiang.

Six lots in Byemoor were advertised, and all six received tenders ranging in between $500 and $1,000 for the lots in question. Additionally, two lots advertised for sale in Endiang also received tender, one for $400 and one for $800.

“This is a good news story,” said Coun. Les Stulberg.

“We’ve sold three lots in Endiang earlier this year, and in addition, two lots sold privately in Endiang, and another is in negotiation. That’s like 17 lots sold in Endiang and Byemoor (this year).”

Coun. Stulberg moved to accept the bids, which was carried by council.

Bylaws

In addition to the business conducted during the meeting, Stettler County council went through the first reading of several bylaws, including the first step in repealing many of Gadsby’s bylaws now that it has been taken over by the County. Other bylaws receiving first reading include a Land Use Bylaw amendment for gravel pits, and land being converted from agricultural to service districts.

Public hearings for the bylaws which received first reading will either be held in the December or January meeting.

The only bylaw to receive all three readings during the meeting was Bylaw 1646-20, a continuing agreement with Parkland Community Planning Services.

“It’s good value proposition,” said Andrew Brysiuk, the director of municipal services.

In total, the County will be paying a minimum of $20,000 a year to the organization, however, due to the reduced rate the County gets from Parkland Community Planning Services for Subdivision Appeal Board services if required, it’s worth the money, according to CAO Cassidy.

“For some SDABs, that ($20,000) can seem like a drop in the (bucket),” said Cassidy.