Skip to content

Flush truck partnership updated

Agreement between Bashaw and two other municipalities renewed
20417168_web1_200219-BAS-FlushTruckExample_1

Council was provided an update on the flush truck partnership agreement at its meeting on Feb. 6

The agreement, which includes Bawlf and Rosalind, was amended at a partnership meeting on Jan. 20 to include a new schedule regarding what costs are to be shared and how those would be split. It’s expected the updated agreement will be back before council for ratification by the end of March.

CAO Theresa Fuller explained, as had been told to council previously, that as the managing partner of the agreement Bashaw had been incorrectly billing out the expenses.

“A discussion was held during that meeting and all of the partners were fine with how it had been done, with both Bawlf and Rosalind stating that is how they had understood the agreement read on the subject,” she said.

That being said, a new schedule was added to the agreement to better clarify the situation.

Billing will now see the annual insurance, certification and maintenance split equally between all partners, while additional repairs and capital expenses will be divided between the partners based on a percentage of use of the truck.

Other updates to the deal included a $35 per hour charge if Bashaw staff are used when the truck is requested and that the other municipality will provide a second person; fuel used will be billed out per use; and, revenue generated by use from non-partners to the agreement will be used to lower the overall annual expenses.

There was also discussion held on the viability of purchasing a new flush truck with a boiler, as the current 1996 unit can not be used in the winter.

This led to suggestions on the best way to pay for a new unit as well as potentially better access should Bashaw staff not be available.

Fuller said replacement will be looked at for 2021 as more time is needed for each partner to plan financially as the cost will range between $120,000 and $140,000.

Fuller added that representatives from the municipalities of Clive, Donalda and Heisler also attended the flush truck meeting after those communities have expressed interest in participating. Each representative will be taking back the information with a decision on any commitment to be received by the partnership’s next meeting on Mar. 16.

Slip n’ slide

Coun. Rosella Peterman brought up the topic of ice and snow build up on sidewalks this winter and wanted to ask administration if the town could provide the option of sand for residents that wanted it.

“I’m not so sure all of the salt and chipping we have done is good for the concrete, ” she said.

“And I was just thinking, when we lived in Edmonton the area community centre had a box and the city filled them with sand. Then, residents could help themselves to put on their sidewalks and I was wondering it was a possibility for us to do that.”

Public Works foreman Murray Holroyd explained some residents have come by to grab a bit of sand, but that the town can’t leave the sand outside as the moisture content would make it freeze solid.

Coun. Rob McDonald suggested a better option would be going to a local gas station and purchasing a few sand bags.

“They are dirt cheap, literally,” he added, drawing some laughs from the rest of council.

Lower grants, higher taxes

Mayor Penny Shantz spoke on her attendance at a two-day Alberta Urban Municipalities Association meeting last month that focused on the impact and consequences of the financial decisions being made by the province.

“The general consensus was the lack of money being given to municipalities is that we will possibly have to tax more,” she said.

“Policing costs were also mentioned with many places looking at putting that expense as a specific line item on their property tax notices.”

Fuller added that Bashaw has already seen this happen, with the province notifying them that the amount the town will get for the grants in place of taxes for provincial properties has been reduced by 25 per cent of the requested amount for 2019-20 to just over $8,100. The letter also states that this grant will be further reduced to half of the requested amount beginning next year.

Reserve allocation

Council approved moving $1,750 in donations that the town received last for the fire department into the restricted fire operating reserve.

Fuller said the move will allow the money to be used for any purchases of equipment or other items that may be needed.