Town of Bow Island Council briefs from Feb. 12

By Brylan Span
Commentator/Courier

The following are selected briefs from the Town of Bow Island Council meeting on February 12.

Delegation

Sgt. Philippe Beaupre of the RCMP was unable to attend for a delegation on Q3 provincial crime statistics and a Bow Island Provincial Community Report. The plan is for Beaupre to attend the next regular council meeting, on February 26.

Financial 

The 2024 operating budget for the Town of Bow Island was accepted and carried, with CAO Dave Matz presenting the information. Matz added that there are currently only three houses listed in the town, which is causing people to inquire about the purchasing of lots in order to build. There was also a discussion on tracking labour hours, and the difficulty to fully know where all the hours are going to. Mayor Gordon Reynolds proposed the idea of using an app to track public labour hours, in order to better understand where labour money is being spent. While Matz agreed that it would be useful and that other municipalities have adopted this method, he stated that it is “just another expense.” He also explained that other municipalities have their payroll on the app as well, so it is “not worth it unless we completely switched our payroll.”

New Business 

Council accepted and carried the resignation of Councillor Lyle Tuchscherer. There was a shared sentiment that he will be greatly missed, and they wish him the best. With Tuchscherer’s seat at Council now empty, a by-election is in the near future. Exact dates will be confirmed at the next regular Council meeting, with Election Day set to be held at some point in early May.

A recommendation was carried for the construction of a BMX track in the northwest corner of the Westview Recreation Area. Public Works manager Troy Sandau proposed the development in a letter to council. In the letter, Sandau notes that the soil needed for the track will come from the surplus amount “from construction of housing in the new residential development.” Sandau also added “Benefits include savings from trucking for both the Town and builders, more activity for youth, and less footprint required for irrigation infrastructure/landscaping. This project could be permanent or temporary depending on the success, the Town would still have the option of relocating the earthwork at any time to develop a different use. Or if it proves well used Public Works staff can add asphalt millings in the future to create a better surface.” The construction of the track will be done by the Public Works staff. The council was in agreement that it was a great idea, and Reynolds was happy that it “solves a couple of problems.”

Multiple requests for decision were discussed. Two older packers and a garbage truck would be sold, and a new packer would be purchased. Reynolds was glad to hear that Public Works is “trading-up” and disposing of old equipment before it sits forever.

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