ELK POINT – It’s been a long, hot summer, and much of Elk Point town council’s Aug. 16 agenda once again was focused on fire, with discussions both on open fire pits and tenders for a new fire pumper truck ongoing.
Elk Point’s 1996 Fire Services Bylaw has been on the agenda since April 22, when administration was asked to prepare a new draft bylaw for its replacement. Three months later, on July 22, council passed a resolution directing administration to obtain a legal review from the town’s solicitors of the revised draft Bylaw 891/24 – Fire Protection Services Bylaw, with the solicitors redrafting the bylaw with changes in a number of areas.
Now it was council’s turn to take a look at the redraft, and to give their input. Deputy Mayor Wanda Cochrane asked what a fire permit would be issued for in town limits, and Coun. Jason Boorse questioning if this would apply to agricultural areas that are in town limits, CAO Ken Gwozdz noting that permission could be granted, under the draft bylaw, if he and the fire chief could allow fires if they felt it would be safe to do so.
“People are confused,” Mayor Parrish Tung said. “There has to be action to need a permit, for example if an old shed needed to be burned, you’d need to have a firefighter there. We should identify the criteria.” Coun. Tim Smereka agreed that it would be unwise “if you leave it open to interpretation.”
The CAO suggested going through the bylaw line by line, but the mayor disagreed, his suggestion being “If you want, give it first reading and then have a public hearing.” He added that he “was not making light of the homeowner’s complaint, but it’s up to individuals to be good neighbours. This bylaw is really restrictive and we have to be very careful.”
Discussion on the new draft bylaw came back to council in the closed session, with the decision made at that time to defer the matter to a September meeting, giving council time to read it line by line and give further input at that time.
Fire pumper
At the June 24 meeting, the CAO, regional deputy fire chief and Fire Chief Bryce Osinchuk were also directed to prepare a tender to obtain bids for a new fire pumper truck, with the detailed and comprehensive 97- page tender document received on Aug. 12. “It’s quite through and quite good, with identical specs to the truck we saw on Aug. 22.”
He added that the pumper truck was in the capital plan for 2028, “and financing is the critical part. In 2024 we world make the deposit, in 2025 we would pay for the chassis, $200,000, and in 2026, they would need the rest of the funds.” The price of the unit is estimated at $850,000 if built by a Canadian supplier, “Or $1.1 million if it’s built in the States, Gwozdz said. He added that he had some other information that must remain confidential and a final decision was deferred until after the closed session.
The mayor said he had looked at the visiting truck, and had some issues with access to the hose storage space and safe access to that area.
Following the closed session, council agreed that the fire pumper tender would be submitted by the fire chief.
Later in the meeting, council learned that Elk Point will receive $131,502 from the Canada Community Building Fund, with the payment expected to arrive by the end of summer, and Mayor Tung wondering if this funding could be used toward the deposit for the new pumper.
Going places
Council and staff were invited to attend the daylong North East MuniCorr trail ride from Cold Lake to St. Paul on Sept 9, and were given approval to do so. The ride will stop at staging areas along the way and will see a variety of the highlights along the trail, with lunch in Bonnyville and dinner in St. Paul to complete the day.
Mayor Tung and possibly some members of council will attend the biannual Rural Community Attraction and Retention Conference of the Rural Health Professions Action Plan in Wainwright, Oct. 8 to 10.
FASD proclamation
Mayor Tung has proclaimed Sept. 9 as International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day in Elk Point.
Auditor appointment
Council moved to appoint an external auditor for a four-year contract with the MNP for the Town of Elk Point, Green Building Incorporated, Elk Point Investment Corporation and the Elk Point/St. Paul Regional Water Commission, as required under the Municipal Government Act.
Cornhole sponsorship
Council agreed to donate $1,000 toward the A. G. Ross Arena Ice Plant’s third annual Cornhole Tournament, which is coming up on Sept. 7.
Meetings past and future
Council met virtually with the Minister of Transportation Executive Staff on Aug. 20 to discuss the Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership grant application decision, which will be considered in the 2025-26 fiscal year, with that funding needed for incoming industry and regional economic growth.
Both Mayor Tung and Coun. Smereka deemed the meeting positive, the mayor saying, “Any time you can talk to a minister is advantageous.” Coun. Smereka added, “He seemed very appreciative to clarify the details and was happy to hear what is happening here,” Deputy Mayor Cochrane noting that “He encouraged us to include that information in our next application.”
Another virtual meeting is scheduled in October to discuss the partnership grant.
The mayor and council also met with Lakeland LIFT on Aug. 14 to share commonalities and to show willingness to work toward a common goal. Energy needs and capacity building were discussed, with Coun. Boorse saying the meeting “made sure everybody knew the needs and got everyone on the same page.”
Dogs detained
Two dogs involved in recent biting incidents were detained and have now been removed from town, with the Elk Point RCMP assisting Animal Control. The matter is now before the courts.
