Snow removal bylaw approved
Linda Nelson, chief administrative officer, brought before council an amended bylaw for clearing snow last month.
“This is really just to regulate snow removal within the town,” said Nelson, pointing out a couple of minor amendments, including changing to 48 hours from 24 the time frame mandating when snow must be cleared after an accumulation.
Highlights from the bylaw: a landowner or agent of the premise shall remove the snow or ice from sidewalks adjacent to their property within 48 hours after the snow or ice has fallen, formed or been deposited; when a property is not occupied, the owner shall arrange to have any sidewalks cleared within 48 hours; owners shall endeavor to keep free from snow or ice any awning, canopy, marquee or other encroachment extending from a portion of the property over a sidewalk or other portion of a highway; snow or ice removed from a public or private sidewalk, driveway or parking area shall not be deposited on any highway, boulevard, sidewalk or town-owned land.
The penalty for any person who contravenes any provision or requirement of the bylaw is guilty of an offence, and upon summary conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $10,000, and in default of payment, could face imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.
The full bylaw, which council approved, is available on the municipality’s website, www.sundre.com, by clicking on “Policies and Bylaws” under the “Your Government” tab.
Evidence handling policy
Linda Nelson, chief administrative officer, informed council a new policy outlining procedures the community peace officer must follow in handling evidence was needed.
“This policy came about as a result of our peace officer audit that we had earlier this year,” said Nelson, adding the audit largely “went over very well.”
However, the absence of this policy, which is a legislative requirement, was identified as a deficiency, she said.
“Really this policy is just a description of how exhibits will be handled within the Town of Sundre,” she told council.
“Now we don’t manage exhibits, we turn them all over to the RCMP, but we still need a policy.”
The policy also distinguishes between lost and found items and how they are stored, and actual exhibits and how those are processed, she said.
The policy, which council later went on to approve, states that while the community peace officer will endeavour not to receive or seize any property unless absolutely necessary, there will through the course of carrying out official duties potentially be instances when the officer comes into possession of found property or may be required to seize property as evidence for court proceedings.
In such cases, an occurrence report/investigative file shall be generated whenever property is seized. As part of the file, the peace officer shall complete a descriptive inventory of every item of property coming into their possession. Furthermore, any property seized for use as evidence in a criminal code proceeding shall be turned over to the RCMP immediately.
Final grant intakes for 2019
Linda Nelson, chief administrative officer, said administration was seeking ratification on funding commitments recommended by the grant review committee.
One grant that had not received a final decision was for the Sundre Daycare’s program enhancement for field trips. The request was for $3,000, but a subsequent discussion led to a suggestion to award $1,500, she said.
“I believe this is worth supporting in our community,” said Coun. Richard Warnock, who motioned to approve $1,500 for the daycare’s field trip program, which carried.
According to background information outlined in council’s agenda package, the intent of the grant funding is to provide modest levels of support and assistance to community non-profit groups and other organizations with a demonstrated need. The goal is to enhance a project, program or service, but not meant to sustain an organization.
In the second and final round of grant applications for this year, the committee reviewed 13 grants for a total of $39,922. In 2019, the municipality approved a total of $71,007, which includes the former.
Some highlights from the recently approved grants include: $2,200 for floor repairs at the Sundre West Country Centre; $1,670 for a sound system improvement at the Sundre West Country Centre; $5,000 to help Greenwood Neighbourhood Place conduct at needs assessment project; $2,000 for the Sundre and District Historical Society to repair the ranger station’s chimney; and $5,000 to the Sundre Motor Inn for exterior improvements and landscaping.
