County of Forty Mile amends policies

By Justin Seward
Commentator/Courier

The Prairie Trails have been renamed Transportation Services-Undeveloped Road Allowance as a part of the amendment with council’s approval at the County of Forty Mile regular meeting on May 9.
The policy states, “As the local road authority, the County of Forty Mile will upon request provide a reasonable standard for access on undeveloped road allowance,” as per the county’s handbook.
“Upgraded road allowances are not intended to provide all weather access year round, but to provide landowners a means to improved access during seasonal operations.”
New guideline additions include the county filling low areas and install culverts as required on a 50-50 cost share basis between the county and individual who requests the trail upgrade.
The public works will have to oversee the road allowance going to a seven metre width and a six metre height and maintain the road allowance at least once a year and surface gravel is not included.

Crop Damage policy

Coun. Joan Hughson moved a proposed amendment to the Native Grassland/Reseeded to change reimbursement space from$200 per acre to $300 under the crop damage section. Council approved.

Firefighters will need a Class 3

County fire chief Dustin McGarry gave his April report to council and highlighted that for firemen to operate one of the trucks, they will need a Class 3 license with a Q (air brakes) endorsements, or they will have to be a passenger in the truck. The decision was laid down by Alberta Transportation after the county was audited in November 2017.
Firefighters will have to have two coursed including cargo securement and a trip inspection, while having a yearly abstract and a copy of a drivers license.

Burdett

Coun. Chantel Timmons moved to provide up to $10,000 for future flood mitigation to the hamlet. Public works will be doing an aerial trip of the area in the future. Council approved.
Burdett treated water storage and distribution project
Council approved the request of local administer funding to cover the shortfall in the grant for the project. The project will be for additional water storage and pumping capability for adequate fire flows to the schools and other bigger infrastructures in the hamlet.

April flood damage

The county hauled 2,163 yards of 2’ pit run, 205 yards of pit run from a 26WP pit and 2,566 yards of 3/4” crush gravel. With the rapid melt the county had 159 miles of closed roads. Crews had worked up to re-opening 114 miles of road, while 45 miles still remain closed.

Current flooding damage

The up to date costs for damage repair:
Project 18001-County forces labour
-Labour: $58,069.82
-$15,205.06
Project 18002-Disaster assistance
-Labour and Equipment $2,029.00

Burdett pumping volume estimates

Crews did 213 hours of water pumping between April 20-29, which saw 85,672 cubic metres or 188,216 gallons.

MSI

Coun. Stacey Barrows moved to approve the MSI five year capital plan from 2018-2022. Council approved. The county will have 2.8 million to start in for 2018.

Reeve’s items for discussion

Burdett water levels- Yellow Lake’s water level of 784.04 metres, which is up 1.44 metres higher than last fall.

Road bans

Road bans are still in effect until further notice.

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