Jill Moore, office manager at the Rimbey AgRim Centre, Ken Whitlock, president, and two board members attended Ponoka County’s regular meeting on Jan. 24.
Whitlock reported on the growth and progress of the centre since 2020. They had attracted new venues and were now working on preparing for a concession/kitchen area.
They had secured funding from the Rimbey Lions Club on an on-going five-year basis in order to access matching grant funding.
Moore suggested that community involvement and support was improving along with revenue.
They have a large volunteer base of approximately 60 people.
They had seen a staff turn-over due to health issues.
The board applied for a Community Facility Enhancement Program grant for their concession area but were forced to use the cost of new equipment rather than the equipment they had purchased from Rimoka.
If approved, the board had 18 months to complete the kitchen project.
The board had requested county funding support of $20,000 per year for capital projects.
Whitlock noted the kitchen would eventually be leased out in order to generate revenue.
Chief administrative officer Charlie Cutforth stated the county had consistently stepped up to help with the construction, and then again every time it was asked to contribute to another need at the centre.
The county is responsible for a $1.8 million dollar loan guarantee on the building and at some point the building needs to stand on its own, he said.
Cutforth added the county should not be required to keep supporting them financially.
Moore thanked the county for its support and for the challenges that they have encountered as they had grown through them.
Rimoka board representatives
The provincial government has suggested that Rimoka expand its board to include Indigenous and LGBTQ+ representatives.
They would not be paid members, but would have voting power. Non-compliance could force regionalization.
Concern was expressed that the new “board matrix” being promoted should not rule governance of the board.
As appointed members with voting power, funding could be channeled to places that may not be the county’s priority.
The county would still be required to pay 70 per cent of the requisition.
It was agreed that Reeve Paul McLauchlin be given the opportunity to respond to the letter received by Rimoka.
McLauchlin advised that the previous government had initiated this action in preparation for a change in government.
Ponoka Minor Ball Association
Administration spoke with representatives of the Ponoka Moose Hall about the possibility of upgrading their ball diamonds to ensure that the Ponoka Minor Ball Association had enough diamonds to cover their busy season.
The Moose Hall suggested the county could assist with weed control and minor groundwork.
A local company had been approached to assist with landscaping in order to put the diamond back into good condition for use by the Association.
The total cost will be presented to council once the snow is gone and a proper assessment can be made of the ground.
Proposed road construction program
Council agreed that reconstruction of RR 263 between TR 424 and TR 425 was a higher priority.
Construction of TR 424 east of Hwy No. 792 could be postponed until 2024.
RR 274 between TR 420 and TR 424 is a busy collector road and should be prepped for eventual pavement to connect to Lacombe County.
AHS, home care contract
Coun. Mark Matejka advised that there was still no word from Alberta Health Services regarding the home care contract currently being provided by the Family and Community Support Services.
According to the existing home care contract, the FCSS’s would receive at least six months’ notice to terminate home care services if required.
Ponoka Airport
Coun. Bryce Liddle and Cutforth met with the Town of Ponoka and the local MLA regarding the emergency medical services at the Ponoka airport.
Rural crime watch
Liddle reported he would be meeting with the Ponoka RCMP to discuss the current situation with the local rural crime watch.
Divisional boundaries
County council passed third and final reading of a bylaw amending the county’s divisional boundaries ahead of the 2025 municipal election.
The proposed amendments were advertised for the required 60 days and no comments were received.
Regional fire department year-end report
Cutforth presented the regional fire department statistical report for 2022.
He noted that 2022 had been the busiest year for both the east and west departments with 166 calls for service to the west district and 391 calls for the east district. 159 of those calls were within the county.
Bylaw enforcement officer
Doug Wareham was appointed as the Ponoka County bylaw enforcement officer until he receives his peace officer designation.
Annual enforcement report
Cutforth presented the 2022 annual enforcement report for council’s approval. Of the 168 occurrences, the majority of attendance was for dogs running at large.