Town council has discussed a bylaw that would allow the town to regulate cats in Stettler.
The bylaw has already received a first reading, but at last week’s council meeting, there was dispute over the wording of the bylaw.
One section of the bylaw says that owners will be fined if their cat stalks and kills a bird on public or private property.
“It’s appalling that we have a bylaw that stops a kitty from killing birds,” said Coun. Al Campbell. “We’ll be the laughingstock of the bylaw world … I can’t support this.”
A motion to amend the bylaw to remove the section barring cats from killing birds was passed, with Mayor Dick Richards and Coun. Darcy Bachman opposed.
In other council business:
— The Heart and Stroke Foundation has approved the town’s grant application for an automated external defibrillator (AED).
The AED will be placed on the second floor of the Stettler Recreation Centre. In addition to the AED, the Heart and Stroke Foundation will also provide CPR/AED training for up to 10 people.
— The Kinsmen Club of Stettler donated money to purchase washroom facilities for the sports park in Stettler.
Lee Penner, the town’s director of parks and leisure services, got a quote of just more than $32,000 for the two washrooms.
It will cost an additional $3,000 for plumbing, electrical and site preparation. Council decided to purchase and install the two washrooms for a cost of just more than $35,000.
— In January, council discussed selling a parcel of municipal reserve on 46 Avenue and using the proceeds for park development.
In February, council said the land was no longer serving the community, and by selling it, those funds could go toward park development that would serve the community.
Last Tuesday, council decided to start the process to dispose of the municipal reserve, sell the land and use the funds for parks reserve.