The following are brief items of interest from Ponoka County’s regular meeting on Jan. 25.
Rimbey Neighborhood Place
Council decided to forward a request from Rimbey Neighbourhood Place for funding for their 2022 expenses to the local FCSS for consideration.
Ponoka Youth Centre tour
The Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) board toured the Ponoka Youth Centre. It was noted that they are serving meals five days a week at the centre.
Low level crossing
Assistant superintendent Blaine Rose advised that an application had been made to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Transport Canada and Alberta Environment for replacement of the low level crossing west of SW 34-42-26-W4.
The county had received funding for removal of the crossing in the event that they won’t allow replacement.
Ponoka Covered Wagon Society
Council reviewed contribution requests from Ponoka FCSS and the Ponoka Covered Wagon Society toward their 2022 budgets.
There was no increase from either organization from 2021 requests. The Covered Wagon Society would be looking for an increase in subsequent years in order to replace the aging vans.
Council voted to contribute $31,000 to the Ponoka Covered Wagon Society for 2022 and $40,109 to Ponoka FCSS for 2022.
Community hall utility grants
Ponoka County will include a contribution of $1,500 in its 2022 budget to each of the active community halls within the county.
Rimbey ARC meeting
Coun. Nancy Hartford attended the Rimbey Area Retention Committee meeting recently. There was some interest for medical professionals to relocate to Rimbey.
Trees on Range Road 262
Residents had expressed concern that some trees had been knocked down on Range Road 262 south of Township Road 434 while the county was snowplowing. It was pointed out that the trees were in the county ditch, not on private land.
Reclassification of East Lincoln Properties
East Lincoln Properties Ag, NE 5-42-27-4, applied to be rezoned from Agricultural to Country Residential district.
It was determined that regardless of the outcome of the rezoning application, the existing house on the quarter was already affecting the minimum distance setback for the confined feeding operation on the property to the north of the application area.
Following a public hearing, first and second reading of the rezoning bylaw were passed, with three in favour and two opposed each time. Third reading was to be considered at the next council meeting.
Fire Protection Services
Assistant chief administrative officer Peter Hall presented an updated bylaw for fire protection services within Ponoka County for council’s consideration. The bylaw would repeal the previous one.
The new bylaw was given third and final reading and passed unanimously.
Rimbey Agrim Centre
Ponoka County council voted unanimously to discontinue financial contributions to the Rimbey Agrim Centre after March 31, 2o22. The motion carried unanimously.