Redcliff enters agreement with Family Dental, approves carbon capture assessment

Posted on May 18, 2023 by Ryan Dahlman

By Anna Smith

Commentator/Courier 

The Town of Redcliff tackled failing graders, problem ditches, and hope for facility enhancement funding in their May 8 Town Council meeting.

The town received notice that the South Country Village senior living advised they have

reached a 75 year milestone and are planning an anniversary celebration and silent auction. The notice was received for information.

Integrated Geophysical Consultants reached out with a request to perform a two-fold Seismic Program for potential carbon capture storage. Presently, this is simply to allow the consultants to perform their initial assessment to identify areas, with potential next steps after harvest in the fall. 

Council has allowed this initial assessment, with the understanding they may see more of this in the future should an area be identified.

Redcliff Family Dental reached out to renew their agreement to sponsor Saturday public swimming at the Redcliff Aquatic Centre for the season. The clinic will provide a donation of $3000 to offset the cost of providing public swimming, in return for recognition of their sponsorship.

The motion was passed to enter this agreement.

A motion was passed to proceed with the repairs to Unit 157 – Grader, and fund the repairs from the Purchasing Reserve, and direct administration to look at purchasing a replacement. 

Frustration was expressed through council due to the costs associated with repairing the grader over the years, suggesting that they could have purchased a newer piece of equipment for the amount it has cost over its lifetime, but since it was in their possession, it was right to repair it. The grader itself runs for about 333 hours per year, and has over 9,000 hours on it, according to information available in the agenda.

Staff was directed to apply for Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) funding in regards to the Public Works Workshops’ HVAC and electrical systems, which are in need of maintenance.

CFEP grants require matching funding provided by the municipality, and this was among several projects that were listed as potential options for the Town to improve, with this being determined as the most likely candidate to receive funding.

Council also approved a $23,000 increase to the South Highway Drive project, to hydroseed the ditch in order to prevent erosion, which might result in further repairs needed in the future. The project aims to fix drainage issues in the ditch, as well as repair the road itself, and council had already budgeted $300,000, which was noted to cover the repairs, but not the preventative seeding.