Innisfail town council moved ahead with second reading of a bylaw amendment that will increase disposal charges at the town’s transfer station but held off on final reading in order to give councillors more time to examine the proposed changes.
The proposed amendment would increase fees for any recycling, grass clippings, leaves, and any bulk residential and commercial waste dropped off at the station.
With a number of community residents in attendance at the Aug. 22 meeting, Coun. Jason Heistad said he felt there was more work to be done before the amendments were approved. Some issues raised by those in attendance included the increased cost for dropping off grass clippings, and the lack of recycling programs for residents living in condos or fourplexes.
Heistad also suggested the town continue educating residents on the new curb-side recycling program.
Coun. Tracey Walker agreed and amended the original motion in order to postpone second reading.
“I think that we need just a little more discussion on some of the items,” she said.
The motion was defeated, with only Walker and Heistad voting in favour and councillors Brian Spiller, Derek Baird, Mark Kemball and Heather Taylor voting against. The motion to approve second reading then passed by a count of 4-2, with only Walker and Heistad in opposition.
Innisfail CAO Helen Dietz reminded council that the intent of the amendments was to recoup some of the cost the town incurs at the transfer station and to deter residents from using the station wherever possible.
At the Aug. 8 council meeting, councillors were told the town is running a monthly deficit of between $15,000 and $20,000 at the transfer station.
“A lot of things are coming in there that are overloaded for what that facility can handle,” she said. “We pay to load it back up and take it out.”
Councillors then agreed to delay third reading until the next council meeting, scheduled for Sept. 12.
Dog Control Bylaw amended
Town councillors voted Aug. 22 to approve an amendment of the Dog Control Bylaw necessitated by the opening of Innisfail’s dog off-leash park earlier this month.
The amendment changes part 3, section 2.(a) of the bylaw which read, “The owner of a dog is guilty of an offence if such dog runs at large,” to include “except in a designated dog off-leash park.”
Town purchases lot for new fire hall parking
Innisfail town council voted unanimously to purchase a lot directly south of the Innisfail Public Library for parking once the current facility is converted into the town’s new fire hall.
Council agreed to pay $75,000 – the appraised value of the lot – to the Royal Bank of Canada for the property which is located at 4808 50 Ave.
“We’re just looking for a little bit more room for parking and ease of access,” deputy mayor Mark Kemball explained.
Horseshoe tourney gets council’s support
A request by members of the Innisfail and District Horseshoe Club for council to provide additional garbage cans, a bleacher and a porta-potty for their annual tournament was approved by town council on Aug. 22.
Councillors voted unanimously to bring in extra garbage and recycling receptacles and a bleacher for the tournament, which was held from Aug. 27-28. A porta-potty will also be moved closer to the horseshoe pits for the duration of the tournament.
Indians’ funding request strikes out with council
A funding request by the Innisfail Indians baseball team to help recoup some of the cost of sending junior-age players to the Western Canadian AAA Championships was overwhelmingly turned down by town council on Aug. 22.
The Indians had requested a contribution of $2,000 from council after sending the players to the championships, which were held from Aug. 12-14 in Winnipeg.
Coun. Jason Heistad questioned the request and said he would have a tough time approving the request after turning down requests from other local teams in the past. While the players carry the Innisfail name with them, many of the players are from other communities, he added.
Councillors voted unanimously to turn down the request.
“They brought home a silver medal,” said deputy mayor Mark Kemball after the vote. “God bless them.”
Stairlift approved for curling rink
Innisfail town council voted to use the surplus funds from the town’s dog off-leash park to pay for the installation of a stairlift at the curling rink.
Council had approved $14,000 in this year’s capital budget to pay for the construction of a ramp on the exterior of the facility to improve accessibility. This summer the town received quotes that pegged the cost of the ramp at $24,775. At the same time, a quote for a stairlift in the interior of the facility came in at $23,051.
Councillors voted unanimously to adjust the budget, using the surplus funds from the dog park, to pay for the stairlift.
Beer garden approved for Rebels exhibition game
The Innisfail Eagles’ request to operate a beer garden at the Innisfail Arena during a Red Deer Rebels exhibition game on Sept. 9 was overwhelmingly approved by town council on Aug. 22.
The Eagles will run a beer garden in the upstairs meeting room during the game, with additional service to the arena’s skybox.
The Rebels will be taking on the Lethbridge Hurricanes with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 p.m. This is the fifth year in a row Innisfail Minor Hockey has hosted a Rebels’ Western Hockey League exhibition game.
