The bylaw enforcement brief has been modified.
A report on the Town of Ponoka’s water loss and water quality shows operations running relatively smoothly.
The annual report was presented to council Jan. 24 during its regular meeting. Dave McPhee, director of operations and property services is pleased with the positive results. “Our water system is in good, healthy condition,” said McPhee.
In the lagoon discharge and other water tests there were no chemical samples that exceeded the safety levels required of municipalities. Water consumption sits at just over 696,000 cubic metres with a clean record, and for wastewater treated sewage discharge there were 850,000 cubic metres, with two discharges in the year — also with a clean record.
For water loss, the town cannot account for just over 52,000 cubic metres, which is less than the 10 per cent provincial minimum. There was also a slight decrease in the unaccounted for water loss with 7.49 per cent in 2016 compared to 8.13 per cent in 2015.
Coun. Carla Prediger asked about the missing amounts. “What are we doing currently or planned to find where these losses are?”
CAO Albert Flootman said that it is unlikely crews will be able to find the leaks, something the province is aware of and the fact that the numbers are below the provincial average is a positive thing.
As for the wireless water meters, Coun. Teri Underhill asked if the switch to wireless from analogue is paying off. McPhee stated it is.
“Some people weren’t even metered,” said McPhee of the situation before the switch.
Sidewalk policy approved
Town council approved a new policy intended to ensure proper maintenance and repair of town sidewalks.
Every spring town staff will inspect sidewalks for deficiencies. Annually the budget will set aside $5,000 for inspections and another $100,000 in the capital budget for repairs.
Priority sidewalk areas include much of the downtown area and portions of main arteries such as near the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre, along 46 Street and arteries leading to residential streets.
Fire transfer investigation
One resident wants to know when the results of the investigation into the transfer of fire equipment between the town and the county will be released.
During the public forum portion of the meeting resident Frank Bergman asked about the timeline after hearing rumours that one volunteer member was fired and the fire chief has not been seen at the Fire Hall. “We need to know how safe is our fire department right now?” asked Bergman.
While he didn’t provide a release date, CAO Albert Flootman later in the meeting said he has received the legal opinion on how to release the report but needed some time to review the document. He did add that the fire department will continue to serve Ponoka.
Bylaw officer enforcement
Council tabled a motion to appoint a town employee as a part time bylaw enforcement officer pending a discussion with the town’s union.
Staff member Carolyn Vardaro was to be appointed but Coun. Tim Falkiner, who also works for the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, suggested a change may create some ramifications in the town’s collective agreement. The decision was tabled until administration could look at all the information.
This comes after council suspended the Community Peace Officer program, which was borrowed from the Town of Rimbey, at the end of the year due to budget challenges, leaving the town with little in the way of bylaw enforcement besides the RCMP.
***A correction was made to the bylaw enforcement brief to state that the Community Peace Officer was not fired - as was originally reported - but the program was suspended due to budget decisions. We regret the error.***