Bylaws, bylaws and more bylaws are what Ponoka town council will be looking at during upcoming meetings.
Council was updated on three bylaws during a committee of the whole meeting May 22.
The first was a new Storm Sewer and Storm Drainage Services bylaw that looks at everything from overland drainage to crossed connections, explained Dave McPhee, director of operations and property services.
“It also covers curb and a gutter as a drainage structure,” he added.
A bylaw such as this is required by the Municipal Government Act and the Town of Ponoka has never had one, he explained. “We don’t even have an inspection program to inspect them.”
McPhee says this bylaw will help the town enforce proper construction and inspection of installed structures. This also gives the town some teeth in enforcing penalties to those who are not compliant, says McPhee.
He said there are approximately 40 catch basins that need replacing as well.
“We’re going to have to work that into a three, four or five year maintenance plan,” added McPhee.
Two bylaw updates
McPhee presented councillors with two more bylaws that are intended to replace older ones: Utility Services and Hydrants and Private Fire Lines.
The former will assist the town in enforcing certain fluids do not make into the sewer system. McPhee says there are some levels of hazardous fluids that will shorten the lifespan of the effluent treatment ponds. Also low levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are being found.
While the town may not be able to track how these chemicals are making their way into the system, this bylaw gives planners a chance to regulate what can be put into the sewer system.
For the Hydrants and Private Fire Lines bylaw, McPhee says there are some homes and businesses such as restaurants or condos that may build a private fire hydrant or sprinkler system that ties into the town’s water system. The town needs to update its bylaw to ensure its water is not tampered with, said McPhee.
“The Municipal Government Act says municipalities can create a bylaw that protects the water,” he explained.
As this was a committee of the whole meeting, council did not make any decisions and the full proposed bylaws will be made available at the next council meeting.
Coffee with council
Councillors plan to host a Coffee with Council at the Ponoka Tim Hortons June 12 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The first 50 attendees will receive a free coffee. Council intends to host Coffee with Council at different Ponoka businesses over the years.