DIDSBURY - It was a chilling surprise for council members to learn of an extra cost of $51,659.96 the town was on the hook for extra repair costs outside the original cost to replace the chiller at the ice plant at the Didsbury Memorial Complex.
The chiller failed in June of this year and a contract was awarded to Gateway Mechanical Services for its replacement for $79,975.
According to the background information from staff, there were repairs required outside of the contract cost including: replacement of two brine pumps, replacement of oil pot and contamination remediation to remove mixed brine and ammonia from piping, which was there as a result of the failed chiller leak.
Nicole Aasen, manager of community services for Didsbury, said the extra costs were not anticipated by administration.
"When the project was underway, the brine pumps and the oil pot were identified as needing replacement," said Aasen. "It made sense to upgrade those items at the same time, to ensure we did not see any additional problems with the operation of the chiller in the future."
The contamination remediation was the most significant cost associated with the additional work and was required to get the arena operational for September, she said.
The work was completed between the end of July and the third week of August, she said.
"We were made aware of the replacement of equipment required and the contamination remediation as the project was in process," she said. "Everything is operational now and our ice users are enjoying their winter season.
"There was no disruption in service as the chiller failed during the off-season and the repairs occurred shortly after."
The funds for the project were drawn from the recreation facilities reserve fund, which is in place for future recreation upgrades and emergency situations such as these, she said.
In other council news, acting Didsbury RCMP detachment commander Staff Sgt. Chad Fournier gave a presentation to council detailing 2017 policing activities from January to September.
Total persons crimes for the time period (January to September of this year) was 68, down from 79 in the same time period in 2016.
Total property crimes was 401 down from 470 in the same time period in 2016.
Total motor vehicle collisions were 42 down from last year's 48.
There were 87 false alarms and 59 calls of suspicious persons/vehicle/property.
Some of the policing activity highlights for the last nine months include executing a search warrant-firearms/stolen property, assisting emergency response team, executing a search warrant - chop shop, assisting the RCMP federal unit - search warrant for stolen property.
Under the Habitual Offender Management (HOM) program one male is in jail until May 27, 2018, one male has been denied bail for charges from Canmore, Didsbury and Three Hills, and one male is in custody for several charges including 18 charges of failing to comply with conditions.
Fournier also told council that local RCMP members were involved with the Terry Fox Run, the Didsbury Rodeo - two mounted riders in the parade and extra patrols, and Showcase Didsbury.
The performance plan includes increased police visibility, school visits, preventing and reducing property/drug crime - HOM, bike/foot patrols.
Trending issues include the upcoming legalization of marijuana on July 1, 2018 and the municipal contract between the RCMP and the Town of Didsbury.
Council approved a request from the Didsbury and District Chamber of Commerce to sublease a portion of their space in the train station building to allow for a small business centre.
Meanwhile, council heard from a couple of delegations at a recent meeting. Ben McPhee talked about the plans to build a playground in the Valarosa subdivision, while Brent Swain talked about marketing the town as a destination for those who are 50-plus.
McPhee told council that the group has received a charitable organization licence and is able to have a bank account, take donations and apply for grants.
"Our next step is fundraising and in-depth cost analysis so we can start applying for those grants," said McPhee.
Council approved a request from McPhee's group, Valarosa Playground Committee, for a letter of support for the purpose of grant writing.
Council also approved a location for the park, which is southeast of Valarosa Court.
"Now that a location has been selected the group will be working on laying out the site appropriately and obtaining estimates on the construction of the facility," said Christofer Atchison, manager of legislative and development services, Town of Didsbury, to the Gazette.
In other council news, council approved a motion to direct administration to set the Fortis Alberta franchise fee rider at 17 per cent for 2018.
Council passed a motion to request that administration return a report to council with the progress of the Shantz Village development.
A motion was made directing administration to return a report on the procedures associated with a municipality lending funds to a business with relevant Municipal Government Act references.
Council approved a number of changes to the emergency management plan.
CAO Harold Northcott has been named director of emergency management for the town, while Deron Reimer will be one of the deputy directors. Greg Skotheim remains as the other deputy director.
The changes were necessary due to staffing changeover, council heard.
Council approved the town's summer scholarship program. This year saw 11 students eligible: seven post-secondary and four high school.
The students worked in a number of different departments: parks, summer fun and aquatics. The total cost for 2017 student scholarships was $4,700.
Council passed a motion regarding filming guidelines for the town. The guidelines set up regulations for the filming of TV shows and movies in Didsbury.
Council approved the appointments of Dana Munn, Margo Ward, Greg Norris and Iain Paton to the Council Remuneration Committee. Council carried a motion to accept the Intermunicipal Framework Agreement between the Town of Didsbury and Mountain View County. Also carried were sub-agreements regarding the framework agreement involving agricultural inspection services, animal control services, shared facility funding, fire services and FCSS (Family and Community Support Services).
