MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - County council has approved changes to the policy for sales from county-owned and county-leased pits, including the ending of gravel and pit run sales.
The updated policy does allow for the continued sale of screenings, which is smaller aggregate left over as part of gravel processing. The screenings are sometimes used by feedlot operations.
Council had instructed administration to bring forward proposed changes to the policy, including the possibility of ending gravel sales from county pits.
The previous policy (#4025) for gravel sales from county-owned pits or pits under lease agreement with the county allowed for annual gravel sales per county ratepayer and/or resident of 100 cubic yards of crush, 300 cubic yards of pit run, and 450 yards of screenings.
Reeve Bruce Beattie said the decision to end gravel and pit run sales from county pits was made to help ensure that material is available for future county needs.
As well, the county does not want to compete with private gravel providers in the district, he said.
“I think that is the right decision,” said Beattie said. “We talked about this for a number of years because we have concerns about the long-term capability of us to meet our needs for the municipality from our gravel supplies, particularly the eastern part of the county.”
The updated policy states that annual gravel screening sales per county ratepayer and/or resident are limited to 450 yards, and sales of screenings may be discontinued at a pit at the discretion of administration.
Council considered a number of other amendments to other policies and procedures, including the policy regarding the approval and installation of new power lines in the county.
The former policy stating “twinning distribution power lines is not support by Mountain View County” has been replaced with the following: “Applications that consider twinning of distribution power lines will be submitted to council for consideration but are not generally supported by the county.
“Prior to council consideration, the requesting party will be encouraged to resolve all disputes that may arise between multiple agencies in accordance with sharing agreements that exist.”
