A revisit of a tax penalty waiver request did not go very far with town council.
After a notice of motion brought back a tax penalty waiver request from WilPro Industries, originally requested of council Sept. 13, councillors discussed what to do Oct. 11 about the request from owner William Dillen to reconsider waiving the penalties of $870.
The notice of motion came from Coun. Teri Underhill who said when Dillen asked for reconsideration it appears there were other reasons why he didn’t see the tax notices.
Council’s options were to direct administration to review the information further and bring back the findings or to make a motion on the penalty waiver request.
Underhill made the motion to waive the tax penalty, which was defeated as only she and Mayor Rick Bonnett voted in favour of the waiver.
Investigations into fire equipment transfer
A fire investigator has already been to town to investigate the controversial transfer of fire equipment from the Town of Ponoka to Ponoka County last April.
CAO Albert Flootman told council that All Fire Investigations out of Blairmore has been to town to interview those involved. There is no timeline as to when the investigations and report are expected to be completed.
Council changes lawyers
Council made two motions after an in-camera session.
Those motions were: to release Josh Mohr as legal counsel, effective immediately, and to appoint Kelsey Becker Brookes, with Reynolds Mirth Richards and Farmer in Edmonton, as legal counsel to the Town of Ponoka in an ongoing litigation matter.
Administration did not say what the ongoing litigation relates to but it is believed to be the suit with former CAO Rachel Kunz after she was fired October last year.
Conference in Jasper
A request to have a member of the Recreation and Advisory Committee attend a conference in lieu of Coun. Tim Falkiner was approved.
Falkiner made the request suggesting that he could step aside to let this other member, Brenda Hutniak, attend if she was available.
“If we can’t get this lady to go then I will attend it,” offered Falkiner.
The request was approved unanimously.
FCSS conference approved
Council also approved Coun. Loanna Gulka to attend a Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) conference.
She said there appears to be value in going. There was little discussion and council was unanimous in its assent.