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Vegreville News
Municipal Leaders asked to Take Action on Water Management
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
Even though the provincial government has created a drought command team in the event of emergency, and will be striking an advisory panel of leaders to provide expert advice in the coming months, officials are asking all municipalities in Alberta to take action on the issue.
In a letter addressed to elected municipal leaders, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Rebecca Schultz, outlined a set of directives for municipalities to follow in the months ahead. Those directives are to:
· Initiate efforts to monitor water supply infrastructure proactively, paying particular attention to water intake relative to water levels.
· Begin a review of the terms of your municipality’s water license so you are aware of any conditions that may limit your ability to withdraw water during a drought.
· Alert municipal water managers to prepare to be engaged with officials from the Drought Command Team, should conditions within your municipal water license need to be triggered.
· Develop a water shortage plan so your municipality is prepared to respond if water availability decreases.
Schultz also urged all water users to start planning now to use less water in 2024. Mayor Tim MacPhee stated that predictions for the North Saskatchewan are looking a lot lower than normal, but they will have to wait and see how things will work out as far as the weather is concerned.
MacPhee said the Town of Vegreville is “fairly lucky” to be a member of the John S. Batiuk Water Commission and water is supplied through EPCOR. He also noted that the Town has a second reservoir that has been well maintained and affords the community additional water supply for two-and-a-half to three days.
MacPhee has also directed a review of the Town’s water management plan and related policies. Dale Lefebvre, Director of Infrastructure, Planning and Development for the Town of Vegreville, explained a bit about water demand measures at the Jan. 8 regular meeting of council.
Lefebvre informed members of council that, “It’s not uncommon for us to go into a water demand measure. We have different water demand measures, A, B and C.” He said in spring during the time of turbidity in the North Saskatchewan River water demand measure A can be put in place reducing street sweeping with water, sewer flushing and water usage during firefighting training.
“Water Demand B can be put in place with council’s approval and would include limiting watering of front lawns. “One of first things if we see a reservoir level get to a 63 percent level, is we cut down bulk water for oilfield and as it progresses then agricultural, and the last one is small residential acreages, potable water for their cisterns on acreages.”
Vegreville Town Council Authorizes Demolition of former Downtown Business
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
Vegreville town council rubber stamped a request from its Infrastructure, Planning and Development (IP&D) Department to demolish a former downtown business at its Jan. 8 meeting.
The building at 4930-50 Avenue, is 80 years of age and last operated as a café bistro back in 2017.
Jamieson Brown, Manager of Community Engagement & Economic Development, said, “The Town of Vegreville acquired this building through tax forfeiture and unfortunately, given its state of disrepair – especially on the inside – having it demolished was the only viable option. We reached this conclusion after dialoguing with local realtors who stated that, in their opinion, it had little to no value in its current condition and could perhaps have more value as a vacant lot.”
Because the expenditure of funds was unbudgeted, the item had to be brought forward to council for approval before IP&D could proceed further. IP&D Director Dale Lefebvre made council aware it had received two quotes for the demolition from local contractors at council’s Jan. 2 Legislative Committee Meeting
Regarding the awarding of the contract, Brown said, “The project does not need to go out for official tender as it falls below the $200,000 MASH sector trade agreement threshold. The Town sought quotes from local contractors and have gone with the lowest bid. This information can be on our website under policies – FIN-6009 Procurement Policy.”
Council unanimously approved the transfer of up to $15,000 for the demolition. Lefebvre said adjacent business owners would be personally notified of this decision and members of the public would be notified via Town of Vegreville social media posts.
