Sundre town council has given the go-ahead for the fast-tracking of the initial preparation work to get underway on the Sundre skatepark project.
During last week's council meeting, a delegation of skakepark committee members appeared before council to ask permission to move ahead on the project immediately.
Council passed a motion authorizing administration to “permit the Sundre and District Stakepark Committee to break ground this fall for the site preparation phase of the skatepark with the full understanding that all development process must be complied with.”
The park will be constructed on town-owned land west of the Sundre AquaPlex, which is currently used as a parking lot for the rodeo weekend and at other times. The park is expected to be ready to use in 2012.
Project manager Bill Lough told councillors starting the preparation work at the site would help keep up the momentum of the project, and may encourage further public and corporate donation toward the $230,000 project.
“Several individuals and companies have expressed an interest to donate to the project, but only once they deem the project real. Completion of the site prep would encourage donations from those who have held back,” he said.
“Town council's approval to proceed with a development permit for the site prep would send a strong message that town council believes in the skatepark project. The committee has constantly heard that town council believes in this project.”
He also said having the prep work started would send a message to the province regarding the Community Facilities Enhancement Program grant application that committee plans to make.
“A project that is deemed viable has a greater chance to be a successful application request,” he said.
In a letter to council dated Nov. 10, Lough explained that the preparation work at the site should not cause any disruption to traffic in the area.
“The visible impact to the public at large will be minimal as the skatepark will be built at grade level with the exception of a 1.5 metre berm at the east end of the skatepark where the bowl feature will be constructed.”
If the project doesn't go further than the preparation work, the committee is committed to returning the site to grade, he said.
Following the council meeting, Lough said he will be in touch with the town's development officer about setting up a time for the prep work to get started.
In other council news, councillors passed second reading of an updated dog bylaw, and also approved new dog and cat licence fees effective February 1, 2012.
The dog bylaw 08.11, which will now be advertised before coming back for possible final reading, includes a number of changes in areas such as animal care and handling, including for dogs deemed vicious.
Although much of the proposed new bylaw is made up of sections of the current bylaw, there are a number of changes and updates.
Changes under the licensing section include that the owner must purchase a dog licence within 10 days of the animal attaining three months of age or after acquiring the dog; guide and service dogs must be licensed, although there is no fee for those licences; upon losing a dog tag the owner must present receipt of payment to obtain a new tag free of charge.
Another new section reads: “The owner of a dog shall provide the dog with a secure collar which shall be securely attached to the dog tag and ensure that both the dog collar and dog tag are worn by the dog at all times when the dog is not on the owner's property.
“The maximum number of dogs a single-family dwelling or household will be restricted to is two dogs over the age of three months.”
Under the responsibilities of dog owners section, a new provision states: “no person shall leave a dog unsecured in the open box area of a truck or open trailer while the truck or trailer is in motion.”
The new unattended dog section states “the owner of a dog shall ensure that such dog is not left unattended while tethered or tied up on premises where the public has access, whether the right of access is expressed or implied.
“The owner of the dog shall ensure that such dog is not left tethered or tied up in a residential yard when no one at that residence is home” and “the owner of the dog shall not allow the dog when tethered or tied up in a residential yard to get closer than 1.5 metres of the property line.”
Under the vicious dog section, a new provision requires the owner of a vicious dog (as determined by the animal control officer) “shall within five days of the date of the order declaring the dog to be vicious, display a sign on his premises (town-provided), warning of the presence of the dog.”
A new animal health section states that the owner of a dog suffering from an infectious physical condition “shall not permit such dog to be in any public place whether or not the dog is then running at large” and “shall not keep or maintain such dog in contact with or in proximity to any other animal.”
As well, the owner shall “keep the dog at all times locked in a secure place, but no contravention of this section occurs by reason only of the fact that a person transports a dog suffering from an infectious physical condition to be placed where the dog may obtain veterinary treatment, and the provisions of this section do not apply to any person duly qualified and licensed to practice veterinary medicine within the town.”
Under the penalties section, the maximum penalty for contravention is increased from $2,500 to $10,000.
During last week's council meeting, councillors approved a new fee schedule for dogs and cats.
Those changes include a dog licensing fee increase after January 31, 2012 from $10 to $35 for unaltered male or females, and from $15 to $25 for altered males or females. The licence for a dog deemed vicious remains at $100.
Councillors also approved a new fee schedule for cats, with the annual licence for an unaltered male or female increasing from $12 to $50 after January 31, and from $8 to $30 for altered male or female cats.
Council OK's fire department request
Councillors have approved changes to the types of calls the Sundre Volunteer Fire Department responds to.
Effective immediately firefighters will only be responding to so-called Delta and Echo medical calls, which are the more serious types of calls where department members assist EMS personnel.
During a recent governance committee meeting, fire chief Marty Butts asked town to allow firefighters to stop responding to lower level Alpha, Bravo and Charlie medical calls, which are non-life-threatening and minor in nature.
Responding to the minor medical calls takes up valuable firefighter time, council heard.
“The department has found that in responding to the lower level calls they were merely sitting with the patient until EMS arrival. These types of calls could relate to someone who is feeling ill but maintains normal vitals,” CAO Ryan Leuzinger said in a note to council.
Council approves new strategic plan
Councillors voted to approve a new municipal strategic plan for 2011-2013.
The plan sets out the current council's priorities in areas such as infrastructure projects, economic development, communications, services and tax rates.
“This strategic plan will provide our community with this council's vision, mission and guiding principles while given clear direction on goals we (council) have set for this term,” said Mayor Clews.
“Council will serve as leaders in championing the implementation of our strategic plan, as it will guide our efforts as we serve the residents of Sundre.”
The priorities set out in the plan are contingent on budgets and available resources.
Town council commits to review the plan annually and “appreciates any feedback and suggestions for consideration during the next review,” she said.
The plan itself is divided into a number of sub-sections: community synergy, community vitality, financial stewardship, and infrastructure management.
• Under the community synergy section, council is committed to “embrace the core values of the town by fostering an environment that encourages partnerships and collaboration for the common good of our community.”
Strategic actions will include promoting core values within the organization by leading by example, communicating core values to the community through such things as public forums.
Town keeps 4-H show fees at 2010 levels
Councillors have passed a motion keeping the arena fee levels for the 2012 4-H Show and Sale at 2010 levels.
In a letter to council, the 4-H committee said a recent reduction in the number of 4-H members has put financial pressure on members.
“This year we have seen a drastic decline in membership within both the Sundre and Bergen 4-H clubs. Two years ago each club had 26 members, while this year the Sundre club has only 11 members while the Bergen club is at a staggering three members,” the committee said.
“This major decline in membership places a huge burden on each member because the arena cost must come out of their cheques that they receive for the sale of their steer. With such a few members this cost would be drastic.”
