The following information is to provide a summary of Council meetings from February 2020 and upcoming activities. Further explanations or details can be obtained by contacting the County Administration Office at 403.882.3211.

Bylaw 684-20 Palliser Intermunicipal Subdivision & Development Appeal Board Bylaw – Council moved first to third and final reading of Bylaw 684-20 being the Palliser Intermunicipal Subdivision & Development Appeal Bylaw.

RFD – Halkirk Intermunicipal Collaborative Framework (ICF) Adoption - MOVED by Councillor Elliott the Village of Halkirk and County of Paintearth No. 18 Intermunicipal Collaborative Framework (ICF) be adopted.

RFD – Sale of Land Plan 0924620, Block 1 Lot 1, SW 25-38-17 W4 - MOVED by Councillor Norton to approve the Public Tender Information Package as presented and offer for sale the land described as Plan 0924620, Block 1 Lot 1, SW 25-38-17 W4 with tender submission deadlines of March 31, 2020 and private tender opening on April 2, 2020 for Council review and selection on April 7, 2020.

RFD – Purchase New Equipment - MOVED by Councillor Hewitt the County purchase two new 160M3 AWD graders for the price of $1,150,000.00 and one new 2019, 310 Hydraulic Excavator for the price of $221,000.00 from Finning Red Deer and that units #2200, #2250, and #5050 be sold at an upcoming Ritchie Bros. sale in 2020.

RFD – Purchase a New 4500 Series 4x4 Cab & Chassis Truck - MOVED by Councillor Wiart the County purchase one new 4500 4x4 Cab and Chassis truck for Public Works from Stettler Dodge for a price of $61,861.00 and unit #9005 be sold at an upcoming sale.

RFD – Purchase Two New 2500 Series 4x4 Crew Cab Pickup Trucks  - MOVED by Councillor Blumhagen, as per County Policy, the County purchase two new 2500 4x4 Crew Cab Pickup Trucks for Public Works from Stettler Dodge Ltd. for a price of $99,356.00 and units #8045 and #8030 be sold at an upcoming sale.

RFD -Tender Acceptance for Bridge Repairs to BF13285, BF70198 & BF71531 - MOVED by Councillor Hewitt the tender for Bridge Repairs to BF13285 SSE 15-35-11 W4, BF70198 SNW 16-37-9 W4, and BF71531 WSW 32-36-9 W4 from Volker Stevin Highways Ltd. be approved with funding of $300,000.00 MSI grants for BF13285 and $40,000.00 from restricted surplus for BF70198 and BF71531.

RFD – Proceed with Tendering and Construction of BF8569 - MOVED by Councillor Elliott the County proceed with the tendering of bridge construction on BF8569 SW 36-38-13 W4; with construction to be completed by the end of fiscal year 2020.

Division Grader – Brownfield - MOVED by Councillor Hewitt the divisional grader operator be authorized to grade the parking lots of the Brownfield School and Baptist Church in Brownfield at no cost provided the County Hold Harmless Agreement for Snowplowing or Grading forms are signed.

Council Meeting Schedule – MOVED by Councillor Hewitt to adopt the proposed Council Meeting Dates; May 5, 20 (Wednesday), June 2, 16, July 21 and August 18, 2020, subject to individual change.

Paintearth Choosewell Committee - MOVED by Councillor Norton the County be the legal host in the event the Committee is successful in being a financial recipient in this year’s Challenge.

3C’s Minor Hockey Association – Program Advertising - MOVED by Councillor Blumhagen the County purchase the inside front cover for an ad in the program for $125.00 for the Tier 5 Provincial League Tournament being held from March 20-22, 2020.

Upcoming Council Meetings – March 24, April 7, 21, May 5, May 20 (Wednesday), June 2 and June 16, 2020 and subject to individual change and commencing at 9:00 a.m. Meetings are open to the public and delegations are always welcome. To request a time allotment, please call the office of the CAO. All requests must clearly identify the reason or purpose of the appointment and follow the guidelines as per Section 21 - Delegations of the County’s Procedure Bylaw 681-19.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR’S DESK      Todd Pawsey, Director Community Services

Planning and Development

As we proceed into Spring season, many people are thinking about their building projects so here are a few reminders on permits.   Ag buildings (barns, shops, quonsets, etc.) do NOT require a permit unless you need a variance from a road (150’) or property line (50’) setback. You may still require safety code permits for any gas, plumbing or electrical should you install those amenities; however, they are also exempt from requiring a building permit. Otherwise, you can pull our development permit application off our website and we are more than happy to assist in getting those issued to you! 

One type of development that recently came up in our Community Engagement sessions was during an exercise about the options that landowners have to make incomes (primary or additional) off their land.  Did we have options listed from A to Z….!!   One reminder that for some types of Home Occupations – there may be a change of use of your buildings or shops that may at one time did not required a permit, but now due to a new enterprise will require one.  And beyond just the County, additional approvals may also be required from various provincial government departments.  Whenever you are considering additional developments or business enterprises, please let us help you navigate the literal minefield of potential regulations that significantly impact a new development.  The County has been helping a few such cases in the county and it is always better to plan at the outset rather than get stuck in the middle!   The County is here to help our residents’ business ventures where we can.

Emergency Management and the Flu Season

With respect to the spread of COVID-19, or Coronavirus, which is an infectious respiratory disease that carries symptoms similar to more commonly known influenza, daily awareness of how to reduce the chances of becoming infected has come to the forefront.

BE PREPARED.   No matter what the strain or cause, the spread of influenza can be stopped if we practise higher levels of hygiene at home, at work, at play, at the coffee shop, at the rink, and so on. Hand washing, sanitizer usage, wiping of frequently used surfaces are all important means to help stop the spread or passing of any bug or germ.

FOR PERSPECTIVE between Coronavirus and the Flu, there are approximately 107,644 cases of COVID 19 as of March 8, 2020. There are 1 billion estimated Flu cases worldwide each year. Precautions to avoid becoming with either virus are the same. There have been 3,653 reported deaths as of March 8 worldwide related to COVID-19. There are an estimated 291,000 to 646,000 deaths worldwide each year related to the Flu.

The County is encouraging some basic steps to help minimize the spread of ANY infectious maladies:

• Use Interac, e-transfers, or other electronic forms of payments than handling cash directly.  Paper and coin money are one of the highest transmitters of germs.  If you are doing cash transactions, wipe it down.
• County office visits – IF YOU HAVE FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS - if your business or inquiry can be handled by phone, call us!  Or email!   Want to make a payment?  Use our online payment system.  Otherwise we are open for business as normal.
• Be informed. Health Canada’s website contains facts on Coronavirus;  https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html .
• Alberta Health’s website; https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx .
• Keep up on the news and help your family to follow the same cautious practices.

If you do not have to travel, consider rescheduling. If you do, bring hand sanitizer and use it frequently. Limit contact with people who are ill, and if you must cough, it is recommended to cough into the crook of your elbow to avoid transfer to your hands.

Seasonal Employment Opportunities

If you are motivated person eager to contribute skills and experience, we are currently inviting applications for a Seasonal Employee with the Agricultural Service Board (ASB).

ASB Equipment Operator – Competition Number ASB01

Responsibilities will be mainly for roadside spraying, but other jobs include reclamation, rock picking and other duties as they arise. Ideally applicants would have a valid pesticide applicator’s certificate, formal agricultural training and/or agricultural background, and experience in the operation and maintenance of agricultural implements will be an asset. Must possess a valid Class 5 driver’s license. This is a four-month position starting May 4.

The job posting will be closed on March 19, 2020. For more information relating to the ASB Position contact Trevor Kerr, Assistant Agricultural Fieldman at (403) 740-9182.

Interested candidates are invited to forward their application quoting the Competition #, to:

County of Paintearth No.18
Box 509, Castor, AB   T0C 0X0
Phone: (403) 882-3211 Fax: (403) 882-3560      Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

SAVE THE DATE

The general public is invited to an Emergency Preparedness Day on Wednesday May 6th at the Castor Community Hall.  Free public BBQ from 11 – 1 pm followed by some great speakers on recent Alberta disaster events, and how the lessons learned from those events will hopefully help us avoid them in the future!   A full-page flyer will be coming out with your assessment notice before the end of the month, please watch for it!

Paintearth Regional Waste Management Ltd.

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.      Michael Yakielashek, Supervisor

Cardboard Recycling - We have had requests whether people are able to place corrugated cardboard in the cardboard recycling bins. The answer is yes. We accept all types of cardboard. Make sure that no styrofoam is attached or any type of wood materials.

Household Hazardous Waste Round-Up - The Annual Household Hazardous Waste Round-Up will be held on Saturday, May 30th, 2020. Mark your calenders and watch for further information coming out in newspapers and bulletins.

Fridges and Freezers - Please remember to remove all food items from fridges and freezers before you bring them to the transfer stations.  Fridges and freezers are still be brought to the transfer stations containing food products in them. We also ask that you do not cut the freon lines. PRWML will look after that for you.