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A Free Weekly Publication Serving All of Beaver County Wednesday,February March 23, 15, 127 Wednesday 162022, 2022Volume Volume 15Issue Issue
Split vote awards two campground contracts to single outside bidder Patricia Harcourt In a split vote, the tenders for operating both Camp Lake and Black Nugget Lake campgrounds were awarded to a single outside bidder. Two councillors wanted local contractors given the nod, but administration recommended a seasoned operator with several other campgrounds in the province due to the cost savings factor. The county had received two proposals to operate Camp Lake, four proposals to operate Black Nugget Lake, and one to operate both campgrounds. Susan Lungal of the community development department called the proposal by H.Y. Cleaning Services “the strongest proposal.” The candidate provided a tender on a three-year contract valued at $117,421.86 plus GST for Camp Lake, to be renegotiated to $71,587.57 “as timelines have changed.” The company also proposed a three-year contract valued at $129,164.04 plus GST, to be renegotiated to $97,518.32 “as timelines have changed.” “It’s still $100,000 cheaper for three years over the next bidder,” said Lungal, adding that H.Y. Cleaning Services had “great references.” “Beaver County would like to continue to make Camp Lake and Black Nugget Lake campgrounds premiere destinations,” she said. “Administration asks that council authorize administration to enter into a contract with H.Y. Cleaning Services as the operators/hosts for both Black Nugget Lake and Camp Lake campgrounds,” for the 2022-2024 camping seasons. Other tenders for Black Nugget Lake campground
came in from Northern Graphics, Double ‘B’ Wood Supply, and Vincent and Colleen Jensen; another Camp Lake bid also came in from Torpy Services. The proposal was opposed by both Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec (Division 3) and Councillor Dale Pederson (Division 5). Pederson stated he had “concerns” that the lowest bidder “could get (the job) done for that amount (in the bid)…I do have questions and reservations about it.” Lungal responded by naming several places in the province where the company runs campgrounds, including Lloydminster, Grande Cache, and the M.D. of Grandview, adding the operators are given a four-star Google rating. As for references, anyone asked for them “had nothing bad to say,” she added. Hrabec stated that he “believes in having local (operators),” running the campgrounds, noting “there are four local bids with the experience.” Bigger outside companies have their own issues, he said, citing the county’s practice of hiring local gravel truck haulers. “I don’t support it,” he said. “We don’t have the whole package here…so it’s hard to make an assessment,” between the bidders. Hrabec told administration he “wants to see the whole attachments,” instead of just the one being recommended. Lungal offered to photocopy them and give them to him at the meeting. But Hrabec said: “I think we should have the full package here,” adding: “I support local.” He wanted to know how H.Y. Cleaning Services could
put in a bid of $100,000, which is $100,000 less than the next highest bidder which is local. “So it would cost $100,000 more,” said Pederson, who questioned the county’s scoring system that came up with those figures. “Dollar wise, that’s not the assessment of the tender. I don’t think that’s giving it the full credit,” he said, referring to the higher local bid. Hrabec also objected to administration being given “carte blanche” to negotiate without input from council. He then asked for a recorded vote on a motion made by Councillor Barry Bruce (Division 4) to accept administration’s recommendation and hire H.Y. Cleaning Services to operate both campgrounds for the next three years. Before voting, Councillor Lionel Williams (Division 2) offered another explanation why H.Y.’s bid could legitimately be so much lower than that of the other companies pursuing the contracts. “It’s cheaper to operate five campgrounds than it is one,” he said. “I take Councillor Hrabec’s point but it’s a significant amount of money,” in terms of differences in the bids. “And it seems to be a much better proposal…I will go with the non-local company considering the (financial) position.” Reeve Kevin Smook (Division 1) said he “would rather have it local if apples were apples…But there are significant differences in the value (between the two lowest bidders)…So it’s a tough decision.” The vote to hire the outside company passed 3-2 with Pederson and Hrabec opposed.
Seven organizations receive Community Support Grants for spring intake period Patricia Harcourt Beaver County Council agreed to give seven recipients a Community Support Grant for the spring intake period, including three operating grants and four capital grants. For operating grants, the following were bestowed: $2,500 to the Beaverhill Bird Observatory, $2,500 to the Holden Junior Cattlemen Society, and $2,500 to the Tofield Golden Club. For capital grants, the following were bestowed: $2,500 to Friends of the St. John the Baptist Church Society, $2,500 to the Holden Agricultural Society, $2,500 to the Tofield 1988 Curling Club, and $2,500 to the Viking Community Wellness Society. All received $2,500, although Friends of St. John the Baptist requested $3,500, Holden Agricultural Society requested $3,293.85, and Viking Community Wellness Society had asked for $15,000. The total amount for this spring intake that was given out to local groups and organizations was $31,793.85, said Susan Lungal, community development officer. The spring intake deadline is February 28 and the fall deadline is September 30 to request funding. The budget set for this is $75,000. With council agreeing to the $2,500
funding for each of the seven groups for this spring, the total is $31,793.85. This leaves $43,206.15 for the September intake period, said Lungal. Each group requesting funding must outline what they intend to do with their requested amount. This spring, the following groups receiving funds are: - The Beaverhill Bird Observatory will host outdoor public events, publish monthly articles and chair the 2023 Snow Goose Festival, while partnering with the Tofield Library. - Friends of St. John the Baptist Church Society plan to use their funds to build up grave sites, grass cutting, the repair of older grave stone markers and door prizes. - Holden Agricultural Society will use their funds for roof repairs at the Holden Complex. - Holden Junior Cattlemen’s Society will use their funds as a platinum sponsor of the supreme champion female at the show, the purchase of mat carriers and operating expenses. - Tofield 1988 Curling Club will replace a broken oneinch steel shaft and bushings on a brine pump. - Tofield Golden Club wants the funds for everyday operations, and rebuilding and promoting the club, which has been affected by COVID-19 restrictions.
- Viking Community Wellness Society will use funding to pave 0.9 km of trail to complete a multi-use trail for use by the community.