Redcliff’s proposed recycling depot put on hold

By Justin Seward

Commentator/Courier

*Editor’s note*- the conditions had to be further explained and have been updated in this story. A clarification will be in the May 11 edition of the Cypress Courier

Redcliff councillors had a lengthy discussion about the proposed recycling depot that would have been located at 702 Railway Drive SE on April 26.

Coun. Shawna Gale made the motion to put the recycling depot on hold and for administration to come back with other options.

Council voted in favour of the motion.

“The City can put bins in the parking lot and it’s totally feasible for them to have recycling without having a cost of $125,000,” said Gale.

“I think us developing this big recycling centre at that cost, it is crazy on our tax payers. Either we have to come up with a better solution or something—a better place.”

Coun. Larry Leipert did not see anything wrong with the location.

“I don’t think anybody’s going to want this in their back yard, whereas this here seems to be a go, I can’t think of a better place for it,” said Leipert.

Coun. Cathy Crozier reminded council that the recycling issue has come before council many times.

“I think we should just bite the bullet and go ahead and do it because there (are) a lot of residents in town that are asking for some sort of recycling depot, she said.

“If we can use it to feed compost material to the landfill, that will eventually get back to us in revenue.”

Mayor Dwight Kilpatrick admits when he first read over the proposal, he had some bad thoughts about the Municipal Planning Commission because in his opinion, they have made some decisions that were a detriment to the community.

“And then when we’re actually trying to do something, like put some bins on a piece of gravel, they come up with  conditions that cost the Town $125,000,” said Kilpatrick.

The conditions should read the Municipal Planning Commission is looking for the applicant to install trees or shrubbery to delineate the storm management pond from driving area, boulevard development that has to be completed in 12 months, the site has to be illuminated to the satisfaction of the development officer and signage should be posted of what items are acceptable.

Gale said, “This could turn out to be another parking lot elephant.” 

Council briefs

Medicine Hat special transit service agreement

Council approved Gale’s motion to move forward with the existing dial a ride special transit service with Medicine Hat for the remainder of 2021 on a month-to-month basis.

Operating budget

The town’s 2021 operating budget is $19,651,406, which includes an amortization of $3,583,625.

There will be an increase of $0.50 to the over Municipal Tax Levy compared to 2020.

Highlights include A decrease in MSI (Municipal Sustainable Initiative) operating grant, a decrease in reserve transfer revenue for the Facility R&M, the inclusion of MOST Grant Project expenses and revenue, the adjustment of Utility Revenues to reflect approved 2021 utility rates An increase in investment revenue and the addition of three Land Development projects.

Cypress View Foundation requisition saw an increase from $73,138 to $76,492, the public-school requisition decreasing from $1,985,913 to $1,891,419 (now sits at $94,494), separate school requisition decreased from $198,242 to $188,808 and the DIP (Designated Industrial Property  increased from $708 to $883.

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