By Stu Salkeld, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
East Central Alberta Review
Alix village council agreed to set aside funds for a major project that will make the waterbody more amenable to fish. The decision was made at the April 3 regular meeting of council.
Village chief administrative officer (CAO) Michelle White presented councillors with a report regarding the forming of an Alix Lake reserve account within the municipality’s finances. She explained previous funds had been budgeted for various work proposed on the lake, including dredging, but the funds went mostly untouched and the CAO recommended placing them in a specific lake account.
“In this case, council had budgeted $100,000 for the Alix Lake improvement project,” stated White’s report to council.
“The majority of those funds remained unspent at year-end due to a lengthy approval process for dredging.”
White summarized that the $100,000 set aside by Alix council may be combined with grant funds.
“If the grant is successful, funding will be secured for phases one and two of the project,” stated the CAO’s report. She further noted during the discussion about $500 has been spent out of the budgeted funds for some pre-project work.
It was also noted that the ongoing lagoon project would benefit from more funds, so the CAO recommended that $600,000 of surplus funds be placed in the sewer reserve.
Councillors unanimously passed a resolution to place the remaining Alix Lake funds in reserve and $600,000 in the sewer reserve, earmarked for the lagoon project.
Fallen Heroes
Councillors agreed through resolution to have village staff poll local groups to see which of them could host or assist in hosting a Canadian Fallen Heroes display.
Canadian Fallen Heroes sent a letter to council that was presented at its March 20 regular meeting; councillors requested more information.
White noted the group is legitimate and memorializes Canadian Armed Forces members who gave their lives. It was noted the organization collects donations and for every $300 collected a metal plaque is produced memorializing fallen armed forces members.
“The information provided by Canadian Fallen Heroes said they found 14 former Alix residents, meaning a total project cost of $4,200,” stated White’s report.
The CAO noted that if the village granted funds for this project, a location for the plaques was still needed.
Councillors talked about the village office but agreed the plaques should be in a more prominent location.
White stated communities that have Royal Canadian Legions usually select those halls, but Alix doesn’t have one.
Councillors unanimously agreed to have staff contact local groups such as the museum to see if they’re interested in assisting with this program.
RCMP community meeting
Coun. Ed Cole reported on a recent RCMP community group meeting he attended; he noted that the anticipated corporal position at the Bashaw RCMP detachment, which handles the Alix area, probably won’t be filled until fall.
It was noted at the meeting that RCMP officers in red serge are available for special events but the detachment rarely gets requests for this service.
Lastly, Bashaw RCMP confirmed they will begin providing crime stats to Alix council solely for their own community, not just the detachment area as a whole.
Water report
Coun. Tim Besuijen reported on a Red Deer River Municipal User Group Association meeting he recently attended.
It was noted the provincial budget included funds for a feasibility study for a dam at Ardley on the Red Deer River.
He noted the potential drought was discussed along with water sharing agreements; the motto is “Everyone uses less, means more have some.”
It was also noted the M.D. of Acadia and the Special Areas continue a concept study for irrigation in east central Alberta, adding that the proposed project would be for existing arable land only.
Healthy start
Councillors unanimously granted $300 to the Alix MAC School Breakfast program. They agreed it was a small amount of money that could provide a lot of help to local families struggling in the economy.