The Community
Press Over 115 Years of Telling YOUR Story
Volume 116 Issue 42
www.thecommunitypress.com
Wheat Kings players presented with year-end awards Page 25
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 s
FRESS Gala in Forestburg celebrates firefighters across the region The Forestburg Fire Station and the Flagstaff Regional Emergency Services Society hosted a gala and pig roast in Forestburg on Saturday, March 20, to honour firefighters from all across the Flagstaff County region. The evening included a host of awards and honours given to individual fire fighters, along with an amazing meal and entertainment afterwards. See the full story on Page 12.
Council ready to proceed with gravel projects Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Flagstaff County Council met April 10 at its regular meeting. Council accepted tenders for the supply, crush, and stockpiling of gravel for the west side of the county, receiving two bids, one at $687,500 from McDonald Aggregates Inc. and one from McNabb Construction at $1,090,000, each for 50,000 tonnes. The approved budget amount for this project is $712,500. This gravel is to eventually be hauled to the County’s interim stockpile site located west of the Town of Daysland. Council voted to accept the lower bid. Council also reviewed tenders received for the supply, crush, and stockpiling of gravel for the southwest part of the county. This received three bids, ranging from $670,000 from McDonald Aggregates Inc, $825,000 from Boden Sand and Gravel Supplies, and $945,000 from McNabb Construction. Council was advised that the approved budget of $517,500 was calculated for 30,000 tonnes of gravel instead of the 50,000 tendered due to an error by the Transportation Dept., therefore all bids exceeded the approved budget. Council heard that, “Considering that the gravel reserves on Dec. 31 are at $3,651,253, the Transportation Dept. is recommending Council proceed with the tendered $50,000 project and accept the bid received from McNabb Construction Ltd., funding the additional costs of $427,500 plus a fuel adjustment (if required) from Gravel reserves. Council also heard that if it approves going ahead with the tendered 50,000 tonne project, additional expenses for quality control, of $30,000, would be
necessary. Council heard, “The transportation cost from the contractor’s pit location to the southwest area of the county is a key factor in evaluating the tenders, as it directly affects the cost of the gravel. McNabb Construction Ltd. has a pit location that is more centrally located to the southwest area, resulting in lower transportation costs. This will ultimately lead to cost savings for the project as a whole.” Council voted to accept the bid received from McNabb Construction Ltd. Council reviewed quotes for a 2024 Hydraulic Excavator and Mulcher, with three bids, ranging from $349,000 from Rocky Mountain Equipment, $398,900 from Brandt, and $399,200 from Finning Canada. The approved budget for this purchase is $399,000. Council voted to accept the quote from Rocky Mountain Equipment for $349.000 plus GST. Council received an letter from a ratepayer during its recent ‘Coffee with your Councillor’ event, in response to a notification letter sent to residents on the Forestburg South road advising of work to be performed on the road this year, with a road recovery project having been approved in the 2024 budget and planned for the year ahead. History provided to councillors noted that on Dec. 13, Council approved the Road Recovery Project on Forestburg South Road (Range Road 152). Back in March of 2021, Council respectfully declined the Village of Forestburg’s request that the County leave Range Road 152 intact as an oiled road from the village limits to the intersection with Township Rd 412. In March 2021 Council voted to leave the Forestburg South Road as an unbanned oiled surface road until it deteriorates. The resident’s letter, which was signed by a num-
ber of other residents, disagreed that the whole length of road has lost its compaction, however agreed that there are two to three problem areas or soft spots. The letter offered potential solutions to repairing the soft spots, pointing out that Camrose County removed “soft non-compatible material” on soft spots north of the Camrose gravel pit road, and filled the hole with compacted pit run gravel, suggesting to Flagstaff County Council that a similar approach be taken to deal with the Forestburg South road’s problem areas. The residents also requested that the 2024 plan for demolition of the oiled surface be delayed until alternate work scopes can be evaluated for cost and the possibility to keep the majority of the good condition of the oiled road. The residents asked Council to consider further options before tearing up “our largely serviceable Range Road 152.” Council defeated a motion to proceed with the Road Recovery Project as planned. Council approved a motion to maintain the Forestburg South Road (ENE 34-41-15 Range Road 152 south for 3.5 miles) as is until the oiled surface road deteriorates to 50 per cent of the 3.5 length to gravel. Council received two quotes for the supply, delivery, and application of dust suppressant for the 2024 Dust Suppressant Program. Kortech Calcium Services quoted 0.299/litre for the application of MG 30, and Tiger Calcium quoted 0.295/litre for the application of Formula 35 Plus. Council heard that Formula 35 Plus has not yet received approval to be on the Alberta Transportation Dust Abatement Product List. Council accepted the quote from Kortech Calcium Services. The approved budget was for up to 0.32 per litre.