council to order at 3 p.m. for Monday, August
10th. Sharon,
please note council chil meetings are steamed streamed lived and recorded on
YouTube. Attendees acknowledge that in accordance with section 20 sub 2 of the
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collection or disclosure of personal information, please contact the
legislative and advisory services team for the town of High River by sending an
email to atiphy high.ca. That's at ppphriver.ca. CA.
» Thanks, Sharon. Uh, first item is the adoption of today's agenda. So, I'll ask
for a motion from councelor Barton that council adopt the agenda for the regular
council meeting August 10th as presented.
» Yeah, [clears throat] my motion, Mayor. >> Thank you. All in favor?
Okay.
Uh, previous meeting minutes acceptance. Ask for a motion from councelor
Brookwell that council adopt the July 13, 2026 regular council meeting minutes
as presented. >> You have my motion, mayor.
» Thank you. All in favor? Carried.
Uh, one delegation today from KFM Investments and I understand Ken is here
to speak to that. Yeah, just up front at the middle computer here. again.
Yeah. Well,
» okay. Uh, thank you, Mayor Snodgrass and, uh, council for, uh, uh, allowing
us to come and speak today. Um, my name is Ken Fzen. I'm the owner of the
building located at 720 11th Avenue Southeast which has Fountain Tire as the
tenant. Uh Fountain Tire's franchise owner owner manager Nathan Oakley uh
regrets he couldn't make it here today, but I do have Jared Jameson and Curtis
Sigalo who own the building next to mine at 710 11th Avenue Southeast. They have
man cave powers sports, aces of speed, and concept building systems as major
tenants. We are here today to have funding
approved for the construction of the Burm naturalization and drainage project
behind our buildings. Whenever it rains or there's a heavy
snow melt, water runs off of this burm behind our buildings and floods our
buildings so that you can uh see and hear the water literally rushing through
the floor vents uh especially at Fountain Tire. Our pictures one and one,
two, and three uh show that uh the water is cracking the concrete
which is damaging the building floors and who knows what's happening to the
building's piping and sewage system. Fountain tires floor vents have rust in
them due to the burm water that sits in them after it rains and when there is
snow melt. That's on picture four. Uh does council get to see these
pictures? Do you Oh, you've got them there.
Okay. Uh due to the lack of proper drainage from the burn, there is
standing water in the buildings and yards. That is an Al Alberta
Occupational Health and Safety Code Hazard. And we have a whole bunch of
pictures 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 and 12. Uh Nathan, the manager there, has equipment
that's valued well over $50,000 that could have an electrical short due to
water hazard, not to mention the slip and trip hazards to customers and staff.
If ONS were to see the water rushing through floor vents and the standing
water in the buildings, they would shut these work sites down.
Nathan has been in contact with town staff regarding ongoing flooding issues
since he started with Fountain Tire in 2020.
Mr. Oakley has tried to mitigate the issue by spending over $30,000.
He dug up a portion of the yard uh and and and filled it with rocks in order to
try and hold the water. Uh that's in picture 13. The va volume of water is so
much that there is no visual improvement to the water coming into the building or
the yard. We received notification from ISL
Engineering and Landscaping dated September 23rd, 2024
that they would be performing, and I quote,
a site topographic survey as part of the Burm Naturalization and Drainage Project
to resolve drainage issues related to the existing BRM along the back lane
between 10th Avenue and 11th Avenue Southeast. East. The scope of the design
includes redirecting the drainage from the town burm away from private
property. Pictures 14 and 15. Mr. Oakley's correspondence with Andrea
Kak and Diana Daly Beckford from the town's engineering department, which was
dated November 21st, 2025. Picture uh 16 acknowledges that the town
has completed the design for the Burm naturalization and drainage project and
the next step was to take the project to council for construction approval.
Council denied the construction of the project in the fall of 2025.
I feel we've been extremely patient regarding this ongoing matter, but our
patience is running out. Mr. Oakley has been dealing with this not only with the
town but as a productivity and safety issue. The problem has been ongoing for
so long, over six years that we're aware of that we are now concerned about
damages to our buildings, piping, sewage systems, and who knows what else the
water damage is doing to our buildings. Um, I will add in here that uh also uh
Curtis and uh and Jared that are here today uh they have spent well in excess
of $30,000 of their money trying to divert this water and uh their yard when
it gets a heavy rain or snow is just it's just a lake back there. It's just
it's unbelievable. So, um I feel we've been extremely
patient regarding this ongoing matter, but our patience is running out. Mr.
Oakley has been dealing with this uh with the town as a productivity and
safety issue. The problem has been ongo Oh, so I'm sorry I'm repeating myself
there. We are here today to request that council approves the burm construction
as soon as possible and a firm construction date start and timeline.
Thank you for your time today. We look forward to council's approval of the
Burm construction project with the urgency we believe this project
deserves. I thank you for your time today.
» Thanks, Ken. Um, so regarding construction and cost and everything
else, nothing will take place prior to budget this fall. Has to be. That's just
the way things go in municipal government.
» I understand. >> Um,
who can Where's Where's my staff members? I'm looking for um Diana, is
she here? Can somebody remind me what was the what was the quoted cost of of
the project as it was designed to do from from ISL
that was declined by council?
» Yep.
So actually the actual >> there you go.
» Good afternoon everyone. Um the actual cost to complete the project was around
500,000 but then the problem was the utilities to be removed and placed
underground in order to complete the the design and
have proper drainage. And that was over $750,000.
[snorts]
» That's the power lines, etc. Right. >> That's right.
» Um, how long has this BM been there? Long as
I can remember, but that's not very >> I understand it was in the 80s. I'm not
quite sure of the exact date. So, can help me understand why has this
only been an issue for the last six years if it's
» Well, this thing's been there. >> We purchased this building in uh n I
believe it was in 2019, >> right?
» And so, that's the only timeline you have. Uh I know the issue has been there
before, right? the the building that Curtis and uh and his partner uh uh
Jared own, they purchased that building some
» You guys have only had it for three years, four years.
» Uh >> yeah.
» So, you know, we're we're just the ones that are dealing with it at
» Okay, I appreciate that. That's what I needed to know. Um,
outside of $1 and a4 million dollars
» Yeah. >> to fix this, are there other options
being a swale down the south side of the burm or anything to redirect this water
off of it? >> No, it's based on existing drainage and
how we have to redirect the water right now. Um, but the major major problem is
really just the >> water line. We got to get you got to get
tight. That mic is really quiet, Diana. >> Yeah, please.
» So, based on how the drain the existing drainage is right now, we looked at
various different options to um one of the option was to remove the burm in its
entirety. Um and the second option was to do proper landscaping to have
drainage in the area. But part of the problem is there's an existing structure
that's just just right on the property line and it's hindering um putting a
proper swale behind the burm. So that's why the
design had to change from that. There is an existing structure on the fountain
entire property that's causing the issue.
» That's that sprung structure. >> Yes,
» the right one. Mike. Okay, [snorts] >> councelor Kui. Uh thanks very much and
thanks very much for being here today and and for stepping in as well. Um
question just to clarify the dollars and cents here. We've talked about um the
500,000 but the utilities is the utilities additional 750 or is that the
total project cost? >> It's additional
» additional 750,000. Perfect. Thank you. I just want a clarification on that.
[cough and clears throat] >> Council member
um what was the original purpose of the sperm? I went out and had a look at it
this morning and it's significantly higher right behind the fountain tire
building. It it kind of slopes a bit. Um, and it's been really dry. You still
have a lot of water there. So, what was the initial purpose of the burm? And is
it is it still working for what it was supposed
to do?
I couldn't speak much about the history but typically BMS are normally built for
sound attenuation. Um what I will say is that um
the the existing burm right now I'm not sure if it's actually still serving the
same purpose because most of the trees in the on top of the burm is dying based
on talking to um uh the parks department. So the plan was to remove a
couple of those trees and then cut the burm down in order for it to actually
function with a different purpose.
Is is that an option? Is that a cheaper option?
It is an option um that we're actually planning. Actually, that is the option
right now because we cannot put a swale between the existing property and where
the swale is. So, we're planning on cutting the swale down and have so that
we can have proper drainage into the alley and connect to the um to the
infrastructure >> and that's the
one and a4 million. the quarter one and a4 million
» is $750,000 to remove the um forest poles existing
right now. Right? Because there are higher power lines. Um port forest
requests that the power lines be placed underground right now. they're above
ground and they want if we're planning on doing any work to um impact their um
utility pose, they want the the lines to be underground and that was the
direction we received.
» Are they the final word on this? >> That's that's what my question was. Do
they get to just tell us to spend that money or we can say thanks for the
request but no we can't afford it in this project and your power lines go
overhead. >> We've tried the engineering and I have
spoken to them and that's their request. the the reason for having the water the
poles underground. We were planning on creating domes around each pole um
because of if we were to put the swale in, we would need to protect the poles
to put their infrastructure. They do not want us to do that.
So the request is if you're planning on doing any work to impact our poles, you
have to put the water line, sorry, not water line, the electrical work
underground.
» [clears throat]
» Can I make a comment on this? >> Yeah, go ahead. Um, you know, uh, is
there any, you know, the thought of putting some type of drain basins in
behind our buildings that that, you know, ran a pipe instead of taking the
burm out if there was drain basins that could collect that water with a little
bit of direction there and then having that water piped out out of that area.
It was just a, you know, I'm I'm not an engineer or anything like that, but it
was just kind of common sense thing that might work. If I we can do that, but it
means you would have to move your building.
[snorts] >> That's where the that's where that
sprung the white sprung structure comes into play is problematic with it being
that as close to that BM as it is. Um okay, so
2027 budget. Sorry, Councelor Barton, let me go through and get the list done
here first.
I was just [clears throat] going to mention something like Ken had mentioned
is that there was an option but I didn't know about the struct the sprung
structure. So that was it.
Um for the 2027 budget like doing nothing
is is not an option. >> No,
» something's got to be rectified here. um on some level whether it's a cost share
or some I don't know but um [clears throat]
this has to come back to 2027 budget and I'd like options outside of what was
brought um last year's budget.
I also want more information on how much Foris can handcuff us.
Probably quite a bit, but I'd like to see the rules on that. [snorts] Um cuz
that's a significant cost to this whole thing is is if we've got to go
underground with that power. Um [clears throat] but yeah, I think we
got to get something sorted out here because
Councelor Nicha, >> sorry, Mayor. Uh, along with your
information request that you just had, can we get some history on if we can
back to when that BM was built, when the adjacent properties had development,
construction? Uh, kind of the full background for that property along
there, and that timeline if we can. Thank you.
» Perfect.
I'm >> good.
» Okay, that's it. >> Okay, we'll work through it here, Ken.
» Yeah, just uh if one more comment on that if I may. Um you asked about uh
when things were built and stuff. I that's a good the good question. I know
that both of these buildings have been there for a long time. So, it's like,
you know, were the buildings there before the BM and then the BM went in or
or did we build buildings there? But if we built buildings there when there was
a burn there, why would the city have allowed us to build at that height? So,
it it's kind of a >> Oh, don't take me down that route.
[laughter] >> Okay.
» Okay. Well, he was asking the question about the date. So,
» I appreciate it. >> So, uh thank you. And
» we're going we're going back to Kenmar. That's how far back we're going on this
one. So, [snorts]
» okay. >> Okay. So, we'll hear back from
» Yeah, we'll we'll bring it back to It'll be in budget discussions this fall.
» Okay. And thank you everyone for your time, too.
» You're welcome. Thanks, Ken. Um, okay. Next piece, we'll move into uh
public comments regarding uh anything on uh today's budget or agenda items.
Please, there's anything I think Donna Larson was scheduled to to speak to
something. Please, Donna.
Yeah. Just to the middle microphone, please.
Mayor and counselors, thank you for having me today and allowing me to
speak. Um, I did notice that my correspondence to counselors is being
brought up later. Uh, I've been doing some reading regarding the High Country
Drive corridor and honestly I read the whole report. There's a wealth of
information there and I want to thank um High Country or High Country sorry um
High River Council for for hiring the group that they did to do such an
indepth study on the corridor. Um, I think that
what has happened with High Country Drive is you can't turn back time. And
the facts are that we've got two playground zones, a rather large school,
uh, a bike park, a splash park, um, several pedestrian crossings
along that corridor along with the golf cart crossing. And who knew it was going
to turn into the mess that it's become now. Um the straightaways are being
treated like what they call them the quarter mile test back when I was in
high school where people would go from a full stop and just you know see how
quickly they could get to 100 kilometers per hour and it's it's just an ongoing
ongoing problem. A lot of people who are discussing the High Country Drive um
situation are focused on the golf course crossing, which I think is quite unfair
because it's bringing a bad name to the golf course and the golfers who have not
really had a lot to do with everything that's been done to date. And people
don't realize that, you know, if they sat down and read the study and all of
the information in it along with all of the financial information, which a lot
of people are demanding information on um that everything is there, the reasons
are there why things has to be done. um the reasons regarding unsafe driving
practices, the scooters, the ebikes, the people using the pathway system, and uh
I know there's been a larger police presence, and I thank you all for that.
But as soon as they're gone, the unsafe driving practices come back into play.
The sign was put out, you know, drive safely.
This is a 50 km zone. And once people were used to that, well, the unsafe
driving practices came back. Um, there is a portion of High Country Drive that
is a part of the happy happy trail pathway. It is a very busy part of High
Country Drive and also a straight uh a very straight part where the
acceleration by cars is is very evident and very noisy and very unsafe.
So, um I think that I notice that I'm coming up later in correspondence. I
don't know if I'll be able to be here or not, but um
I think that what I would like to reiterate is that I do think that area
which I believe I read is going to be reduced to 40 should actually be reduced
to 30. It's very close to the school. It is a part of the happy trails system. It
is a very busy um busy what would I what is the word I'm
looking for you know user pathway users um area and um the other thing that I
came across was I was I sat down I was looking at all of the future planning
development of High River and was noticing what's going to happen with
Long View Trail and it's very confusing. We have Long View Trail there and it's
open to be used. There are no houses facing it. Future planning can be done
so that houses won't face it. If you stand at the very east end of
Long View Trail, the very east end of Long View Trail and
look east, you can see Center Street, and you can see that these roads can be
attached, which would alleviate pressure off of High Country Drive. So, I guess
that I'm just here saying I've read options 1, 2, and three. I do believe
that as counselors you have a chance to make the right choice um and to consider
these other ideas that I put forward about the 30 kmter extending the 30 km
right all the way through to the end of the
um I guess it'd be the school/playground zone and also considering doing
construction to create a new corridor which would be Long View Trail. Um, and
I just hope that you take these things seriously. I
did read options 1, 2, and three. And after looking very carefully at all of
the information that was included in the study and feeling quite um humbled by
all of the information in that study, I honestly think option three is the right
way to go. It's like do it right the first time or you're just going to end
up with more problems down the road. And that's I think all I really want to
say. >> Appreciate it. Thanks, Donna.
» Okay. Thank you for your time. >> And you're right, like the amount of
traffic that is on High Country Drive right now is absolutely enormous. Um,
unfortunately, 15 years ago. I'm looking right at you,
King Horn. Help me go back that far. >> Yeah. Um there was a proposal that the
traffic would come straight off of center and go and go straight to Long
View Trail, which would have alleviated a ton of that.
» Yeah. >> Um for a certain reason, council chose
not to do that at that time and routed everything through the middle of High
Country Drive, which is >> um
» That's interesting. >> Which has
yeah, significantly increased the traffic count on High Country Drive. And
um you know the reasons what you're talking about is the reasons why we were
dealing with that golf cart crossing was priority one at that time.
» Um obviously everybody knows the history of us going through that and that's why
that conversation was so difficult for a lot of years
» um what area to pull the trigger on first on on High Country Drive to start
to deal with some of these problems. And it's not easy. And you know, thankfully
we do have a four-way stop there now that stops traffic and slows people
down. But >> I'll be honest, when Chris and I went
out there the last just before the the permanence
were poured and we stood there for what 10 15 minutes discussing that the
driving habits going through that were absolutely ridiculous.
» Yeah. You can't change the spots of a leopard, right?
» It was. And even still, I >> was out there and our bylaw guys were
monitoring the intersection and [clears throat] what was going on
through that intersection while I was talking with him.
» Yeah. >> Was just
» And so, you know, I get people don't like change in their driving habits and
putting a four-way stop and another stop sign in town is just completely
detrimental to some people's lives. Like it it's sorry it's mindboggling to me
but it does not give you the right to just be pissed off
» and just floor the thing coming out of that intersection. It's still a stop
sign just like the other 4500 of them in High River that you have to obey.
» Well >> and you got to be safe.
» Sorry. Last week I witnessed um a guy yelling at golfers.
» Yeah. >> Who were going across and it's like you
know people are just taking their anger out. The entitlement behind a wheel of a
vehicle that can kill people >> is unbelievable. Trust me, I've been
dealing with it for 13 years now and it's been probably one of the most
mind-boggling things. >> Yeah.
» Learning things that I've that I've had. So, I could go on and on and on about
that. But, um, High Country Drive, it's and the corridor study
um that's coming back up, but it's it was very well done. There's a lot of
information on there and there's a lot of projects to be taken under
consideration. But the Long View Trail thing is a big one, but it also
a lot of Long View Trail revolves around the speed at which the Spitzy Crossing
development happens, which is a long long way out. So, what can we do in the
meantime is what needs to be looked at and considered by council.
» Option three. >> You got her. [snorts]
» Yeah. >> Yeah.
» Yeah. >> So, thank you.
» I appreciate that. >> Yeah. Likewise.
» Okay. Okay. Thank you everybody. >> Anyone else for public comments section
there? I Yeah, come forward please.
Thanks for your words Jared and Curtis was very well said.
My name is Roland Richardson. Thank you ladies and gentlemen for your time. Um,
I agree with probably everything she said, and I read the reports, too. Uh,
one part that didn't get mentioned during this is Riverside Drive and the,
uh, what happened to High Country Drive, uh, boiled over into Riverside Drive,
which made yet this more of a speedway because people avoid the school zone.
They avoid the ziggy zaggy street as it goes west and goes narrow. So now high
country our or riverside drive I think is even worse than high country drive.
Um [clears throat] the the subject of Longave Trail, I
actually did a drawing years ago and submitted it to uh the town before the
uh uh the road got put in by um uh Tim Hortons on the premise of
utilizing uh Long View Trail because at the time I I forget what year it was,
the town annexed that property which I think they were going to call Spitzy
Crossing and I thought what an opportunity to get a a traffic artery
that can branch out both ways to get people out to the west or southwest or
so or south northwest. But of course that didn't get done. And um I think I'm
said pretty much everything I want to say, but I'd like people to remember
Riverside Drive is a nightmare more so than High Country Drive.
Okay. Thank you for your time. >> Yeah. And it's um I've seen that as
well. It's being used as a bypass road to go [snorts] around some of the the uh
playground areas to try to zip around there faster, but unfortunately in order
to make it faster, you got to go faster. But you see it all the time. And
Riverside Drive is another one that was just [snorts]
poor traffic design. But anyone else, Mr. Wley?
» [clears throat]
» Thank you, Mayor Snas. Thank you, council,
for listening to me today. I have a concern not only about High
Country Drive, but also about Long View Trail.
When you [clears throat] go west on Long View Trail from Center Street, [snorts]
you run into on the right north side of the road a gravel
road which [clears throat] is maintained, I understand, by the town.
Um, and I see now that there have been some
slight improvements made to it. Um, and I sit back and wonder who is running
this town. Is it the council
or is it the administration? And as I can see, it must be the the
administration because council refuses to do anything
with that road at all. The road I'm talking about is the gravel
road running [snorts] uh south to north over to 498.
That road now has been bandated. And I didn't realize that council
approved band mandating products or information or doing things in the town
of High River. I have been here 55 years. I paid my taxes every year and I
expect that certain things happen in this town, [snorts] but unfortunately I
see now that they're not. Um,
there was a gentleman by the name of Craig [snorts] that came
into the town office raised supreme, excuse me, hell
because of the conditions of the road that he could not sit on the back of his
deck and enjoy
the west looking area because of the the dust, The dust was
incredible. And he was raising hell about that. That
he was going to have to move out of High River. He was going to have to eliminate
paying taxes in this town. And he was very, very disjointed about what was
happening. And I assumed that the administration
had found out about this. And they then proceeded to oil or a
special word that they used waxing something on that gravel
and they only did about 200 m of it. They did not complete the job. So you go
around that road and it's fine. They put that oil on there, but you go down past
the 200 m mark and the road is all gravel again. and not only gravel, but
it's washboarding. >> Now,
I was told by the mayor some months ago
that that road was not in the in their jurisdiction and they would not be using
it. He also suggested >> direct statement, Ken, 100%. I have the
floor. >> If you're going to talk, make sure it's
truthful. Do not start to say stuff as much as BS. Don't do it.
» And you told me that you were going to sue me if I didn't stop talking about
that situation. >> Pardon [laughter] me.
» What are you talking about? You can say what you like to say, but
I'm telling you what you said to me. that I was going that I was going to sue
» the town or you would sue me if I didn't stop desisting
using the
pave road that should have been there by a developer.
» No, you and I both know what that what that conversation I'm going to get into.
I'm not going to argue just so the public know what's going to
happen >> when if it's a town council thing or is
it an administration thing that's putting that oil onto the road? Yeah,
let's stick with the issue, Ken. >> I'm telling you the issue.
I'm all in. >> I know you are.
Anyway, >> but I won't but I you know Ken I tried
for three years now and I'll give you another second.
» Hey, can I answer can I answer your question regarding the
» when I'm finished talking you can >> well but but you're you're so far off
topic now Ken that you're trying to make these personal accusations that are not
I'm not going to stand for it. I'm sorry.
» Okay, I'm going to shut your mic off so that I can answer your question. So,
regarding uh what is known as 64th out in the northwest and yes, it's a
maintained oiled graveled road. Um in committee of the whole meeting
just an hour or two ago, uh we were discussing the three roads that are the
three priority roads as to what to do with them. Um being 112th Street in the
northeast, 64th in the northwest, and Long View Trail in the northwest. Now,
these are all on a list of priorities and how much money council wants to
spend on refurbishing, repairing, maintaining these roads. And it's 100% a
council choice. It's a um what we discussed this morning or
this early this afternoon was 112th Street um because it is a badly beat up
road that's in worse shape than 64th um and what to do with that
project out on 112th which is approximately the same length as 64th
but it's going with engineering and everything and the estimate for
construction that I got this morning uh was $1.3 million to rebuild that road
and pave it. $1.3 million. These are not cheap projects that you just go and do.
[snorts] It's just not a thing you do on Wednesday.
So, all of these things are constantly coming back into council's um project
list every year for budget and we're trying to figure out what level of um
repair that we want to do to these roads. So, yes, 112th is on the list,
64th is on the list, and Long View Trail, all of them are on the list as
we're constantly you're constantly every municipality is constantly chasing road
conditions always. There's proposal on on the docket for 64th to just be closed
and removed because part of the problem with 64th, Ken, is that when Spitzy
Crossing goes in, 64th doesn't exist. So, how much money do we spend on a road
that won't exist when Spitzy Crossing goes? So, these are the things that
aren't being um you know, we talk about them in council, they're not being
talked about in the in the coffee shops, right? So it yes, you can say that we're
all neglectful and everything else, but it's completely untrue. It's what we're
trying to figure out is what the priorities are and where we need to
spend the best money for our taxpayers, period. [snorts] So thanks very much for
your comments. >> Obviously, you didn't know that the
money was being spent to put the oil on the road.
» Of course, I knew that we do. We're doing
» Well, yeah, it's we're maintaining. >> Oh, yeah. Ken, yes, I know about the
money being spent on the maintenance of the road. I'm not going to fight with
you here. I can do that out in the hallway.
More than happy to. Okay. Thanks very much. Councelor
McGonagal.
» Could we not oil the rest of the road? That doesn't require engineers, I don't
think. >> Riley, can you speak to the maintenance
of 64th, please?
Um so earlier I guess a couple weeks ago we applied oil to sorry not oil the wax
product. So the same product we use on 112th to approximately 300 m of 64th. uh
given the concerns we've had with dust as well as with uh some of the ruting
and moving of the gravel around that intersection. So, we did apply that. I
think it was around 10,000. We could apply it to the balance if council so
wished. Um [clears throat] I don't know how the long the road is off the top of
my head, but we could multiply that out and definitely do that.
» Okay.
[snorts] Any other public comments then allocated the time to it but okay
we'll move on uh janitorial contract award for BSRC Alex
» Good afternoon mayor and council members of the public Mullet uh manager of
recreation uh so before you is the request for a
decision for the general janitorial contract award for the Bob Snrass
Recreation Complex. Uh just some background on that. Historically,
janitorial services at the complex have been done inhouse by the facility
operators as part of their broader responsibilities. The aquatic expansion
um has added new change rooms, new play space areas, and a mechanical system
that requires much more maintenance uh preventive maintenance attention. um as
well as just upkeep of that space when it does open. Um this is also
um has the potential to increase the cleaning workload and technical
responsibilities for those facility operators like I mentioned including
water monitoring, samples, troubleshooting, different things like
that. um administration identified the continuing con uh the continuing to
complete all janitorial work in house would place additional pressure on this
staff capacity um not just on the aquatic side but we have seen increase
in the ice maintenance our ice operations as well with higher ice
demand this past season and coming into this season we anticipate the same um
along with those measures we have included additional ice maintenance and
an additional ice maintenance plan for this season to upkeep with that
maintenance Part of the things we want to do um with
our services in the facility is upkeeping these services, ensuring that
the public uh user groups, members coming in are accessing the most
adequate consistent service, not just on the pool side when that opens, but also
when it comes to ice surfaces, fieldhouse, studio, walking track,
curling club, you know, a lot of those spaces require a lot of uh facility
attention. Um, so like I mentioned, contract, this RFP focuses on
contracting nightly janitorial work in the areas of all the dressing rooms for
the fieldhouse, small arena, and large arena, as well as our highest traffic
public washrooms that include the fieldhouse and the existing lobby ones.
In addition, we will be covering the offices and the new uh change rooms in
the aquatic side as well. In addition to this nightly cleaning that was c
captured in this RFP, we also have night our weekly deep cleaning happening um
which is paramount on the aquatic side in terms of us doing our due diligence
and our service that we need to not just for when that facility opens but in
terms of AHS standards and everything like that when come when it comes to
aquatics cleanliness. Um I'll just break down the financials real quick. Um, like
I mentioned, when we originally estimated last year going into budget,
we annually estimated 70,000. Um, we reduc we amended that budget to 35,000
with the delayed aquatics opening. Um, of the proponents we had, we had 21
proponents. Service master cleaning um came in at yearly cost of 59,841.
Um, if we sign the agreement here in September for the remainder of 2026,
that cost will be 19,947, the total cost of the three-year
contract, 179,523.
Um, and I will just preface like I said of those 21 proponents.
Um, bear with me here. We had
we had two three that we had put in as preferred. As you see with deep clean
building maintenance, they did come in at 41,400.
The key difference in going with the middle bit on this one is in terms of
capacity uh the technical capacity um the support that comes with service
master cleaning in addition to the level of of diversity of experience they've
had they have they're a business of 30 years experience not only just doing
government services such as AHS but commercial side that includes Amazon
Chevron Shell uh commercial pro commercial residential properties
including Jamon, Simco um and also their QA system, their quality assurance
system and their incident reporting system was beyond of what we expected.
Um and in this case when we go into a an RFP and a contract agreement like this,
we want to ensure that we're getting a service that we're get consistent upkept
and also one that we know that we're confidently going to get servicing on.
And that's what we felt in evaluating with service master cleaning. Um, so
that is the reason why we've recommended them. Like I mentioned, council has a
list of decisions on on the table here in terms of this council may support the
proposed recommendation and authorize administration to enter the three-year
contract. Um, service uh number two, like I mentioned, council may defeat
proposed recommendation. Routine janitorial work would continue to be
managed in house and administration would reassess service levels and staff
capacity. Um, council may refer the matter to a future committee as a whole
meeting with specific direction for additional information. The issue with
this one, this does put staff constraints if we delay it beyond
September 1st with um, ice season opening up here in September. Um, well,
I mean the full ice season. We do have part of ice season going as well as our
fall user groups coming in. We have high facility usage in terms of fieldhouse,
ice surfaces, and registered programs. Um, so that's a summary of the um the
RFD. I'd be happy to answer any questions council uh may have.
» Thanks, Alex. Questions from council? >> Council McGonagle.
» Um, Alex, I'm just uh interested in the 2026
um from September to the end of December. What areas do you expect to be
open? And if there's any change to that, does that are they guaranteed the 19,000
or are we paying a rate? Um, if those if we have changes in our opening schedule,
does this cost get reduced? >> No, that's a fair qu question, Councelor
McDonald. Um, like I said, if we go ahead with this, um, I'd like to sit
down, um, with the contractor and see what options we do have to look at at,
whether it might be, um, for what I foresee, maybe a credit,
maybe they cover other areas of the building in addition until that spot
opens. Um because like I said, we do have the other areas that are currently
open as the existing common ways, whether it's the hallways, um parts of
the lobby that are still open, um you know, do we look at the curling club
aspect? So, I'm sure there's some value we can offset in the meantime where
we're still getting that full dollar value. Um and and and work with the
contractor in that piece, whether it's servicing other areas or do we look at a
credit >> so the money stays the same. is
» that that would be the goal. Correct. We would not want to go over the 19,947.
» I'm thinking going under the 19,000. If if they're not required to do the work,
do we still have to pay them? That doesn't make sense to me.
» May contribute. This is a maximum spend forecast. The rates will be corrected
based on scope of contract. So if the scope of cleaning does not match the
full operational that will be corrected in negotiations.
» Chris might need you to come to the mic just because of live streaming and
audio issues in this joint.
» Thank you. I'll repeat that. So this does have a defined scope within the
agreement. So that will be negotiated in upon entrance into contract. So the
rates will be reflective of the determined number of cleanings and the
area of cleaning. So that is the maximum forecast uh pursuant of our current
operational opening of the facility and that'll be negotiated down if they don't
require the service. Okay. So less work, less money, right? Thank you.
» Correct. >> Thank you. Councelor
Nitro.
» Thanks, Mr. Uh, thanks for bringing this forward. Um, I guess Chris kind of
touched on it there in the defined scope. Um, I'm assuming there might be
more than was presented to us in terms of what the defined scope is. um within
something that you mentioned, Alex, there were um uh government, if you want
to call it, requirements, directions, regulations that state how we would
clean the pool area and whatnot. Um I assume in the contractual piece that's
going to be between us and potentially service master those things are very
clearly outlined cuz what we got here in terms of and I'm looking at the general
neutral pool change rooms clean all wash bowls and plumbing fixtures with
germicide clean and disinfect disinfect urinals. I can list off the other four
or five things that are there but they're very broad in stroke. um it
doesn't tell me a lot um in terms of exactly what they're going
to be doing and I don't know um contractors need to be told very
specifically what they need to do otherwise it gets very difficult to hold
them to task and for me some of that is missing in what we have here as as
information presented to us. So, um, to councelor McGonagical's point about
paying for time served, um, are we breaking that down into the the
daily or the weekly deep clean and time that they will be on site or is it based
around the requirements of cleaning that they need? So, I guess what I'm asking
really is, is there an hourly rate that this kind of breaks down to at what are
we 60k annually? And that means, you know, Monday, Monday to Friday, they're
there from well, it's during closing period, so you know, 12 midnight till
5:00 in the morning or something. And what those parameters are, and I'm just
looking for more of what the expectation is. Um cuz here I I I didn't quite see
enough detail from me if I was sitting down to negotiate a contract like this.
» No, absolutely. And thank you for that one, Councelor Nitra. Um, one of the
reasons why we did go with Servicemaster was um, the detailed scope they did
provide. So, when it came to their daily cleaning, it was more detailed than the
RFP itself in terms of what was getting wiped down, where and when. And then
also, not just the nightly, but the detailed piece was in there as well. Um
aquatics was also looped in on part of this review um of the proposal and there
was satisfaction from their end in terms of uh accomplishing what we need to on
the aquatic side to ensure that yes it is broad in the RFP but they did break
down in terms of their scope of work detail of what was getting done and when
gave administration the confidence to go with them. Um I can't remember offhand
uh what the numbers were in that RFP in terms of hourly but they they did their
scope of work was detailed enough that we felt confident not only just with
this price but also the expectations in the work as well and that goes back to
their quality assurance program which really stood out to us from above above
and beyond the 21 RFPs uh because of the their attention to detail ensuring that
they're hitting all the expectations not only through the documentation process
they have in this quality assurance program but just the regular uh meeting
and and the submissions of those reports after cleaning services happen. So the
detail that this company puts in every service they do is tracked through their
software and also allows us to manage and see the the expectations dayto-day
that they are doing ensuring that we're hitting that that they're hitting what
they need to and that way not putting um you know public health at risk or
anything like that especially when it comes to the pool side because we do
know about the stringent regulations that come with that.
Thanks. Please take it the right way. I wasn't a lack of confidence in what you
guys are doing in your jobs. It's just this was pretty broad in stroke and for
us as council to hear it and for the public to hear it that there's there's
much more behind the scenes that you guys are working with and things you
look at and focus on. Thank you very much. I appreciate it.
» No, absolutely. Thank you.
» Your name's back up. No. Okay. All good.
Okay, I'll ask for a motion from councelor Jones. The council authorized
administration to enter into a three-year agreement with Service Master
Clean for janitorial services at the BSRC in the maximum annual amount of
$59,841 commencing September 1st, 2026.
» I'll give you that motion, Mayor Snodgrass.
» Yep. All in favor? Carried. Thanks, Alex. Thank you.
Uh, Heritage Hot air balloon festival location,
Heather.
» Yeah, you're getting up here too, Kangor.
» I'm scared.
» Good afternoon, Mayor and Council. The Heritage and International Hot Air
Balloon Festival has operated its primary launch location on private
property west of High River for several years. On July 22nd, 2026, the mayor and
administration were advised that permission to use the existing launch
property would not be granted for the 2026 festival.
» [snorts] >> The loss of the festival's traditional
launch location required administration and the event organizers to identify a
replacement location that meets operational requirements of the event as
well as maintaining public safety. The new proposed location west of
Wallisville and the current balloon location site provides the most suitable
location and we reviewed several traffic management options including temporarily
closing Center Street during the launch periods and implementing a reduced speed
limit. It was agreed that a temporary 30 km an hour speed limit together with
designated pedestrian crossing staffed by two flaggers provides an appropriate
balance between pedestrian safety and maintaining traffic flow. The Friday
evening Belinglo will continue to operate under existing traffic control
and safety measures where Center Street is closed from approximately 3:00 p.m.
until 10 p.m. [gasps] Full details are in the report, but the revised launch
launch location is expected to result in approximately $800 in direct event
support costs excluding operational staff labor from the installation and
removal of the temporary traffic signage. Should the location change be
approved for 2026, the municipality will absorb these additional costs for future
years. Discussions with the event organizers will be required to determine
the appropriate allocation of the ongoing operational expenses.
administration is recommending that we move forward with the new launch
location west of Wallisville, the current site of the balloon glow on
Friday night as the 2026 launch site with a reduced speed of 30 km an hour on
Center Street during the duration of the festival from September 23rd to
September 27th, 2026. Do you have any questions?
» Thanks, Heather. Uh, councelor Nituk.
» Thanks, Mayor Snodgrass. Um, where to start? Unfortunate that we have to move
from the location we're at. Um, I understand we don't have
a lot of choices to make this happen elsewhere. Um, this makes sense in terms
of this is where we've had the balloon go. We all know how popular that is. We
all know what this event brings to the community. Um,
my biggest concern is that major artery >> for that period of time and what that
does from a vehicle perspective or a pedestrian perspective. So, um, I guess
I'll I'll come across with my concerns. 30 km is great. Um, I'm still uneasy
about that because people are going to drive through that area when balloons
are there and they're going to do this. They're
» It's like a It's like a car wreck, right? Most people can't pass a car
accident and not look at it. And that inevitably leads to another car accident
cuz people rear end each other. So, that's a big concern. Um,
one that I think we could alleviate really quickly is pedestrian traffic.
And I would like to see pedestrians stay on the east side of the road, not
allowed to cross the street. um that we that we barricade it and you watch the
balloons take off from the Wallaceville side and we eliminate that pedestrian
traffic that could happen going back and forth. Some people will use a crosswalk,
[snorts] some people won't. They'll just park
their car and they'll cross the street where they want to cross the street. So,
if we were to coordinate off, I think that would create a much safer
environment. Um, for example, using the balloon port right now as a as an
overflow to the the proposed area for parking. Um, I think those people would
just cross the street and walk up on the west side of the road, which has
concerns from a vehicle um vehicle perspective. So, um,
yeah. Yeah, the pedestrians is the big one for me. The cars reducing the speed
is is it definitive? I I still think that that um there there might be some
cause for concern there, but slowing the traffic down definitely will help. So,
um just a couple of points I had in in in seeing this. I'm not opposed to the
location, but I just want us to be on top of of making it um uh appropriate
for those people that are, you know, going in and out of town during those
times. um you know, slowing down isn't that big of an inconvenience, but just
to be mindful of that and then be really protective of of the pedestrians, the
people that will come to watch it because there are lots of people that
come to do it. So anyway, thanks. >> Absolutely. And so we had proposed where
the current glow site is um in the Wallisville area as the main
predominantly the main parking point, the hot air balloon port would be used
as overflow parking. It would be both parking locations would be staffed with
volunteers to be able to help and assist with the parking side of it. And we're
hoping that with having the volunteers there, it can they can guide them down
happy trails to be able to use the actual crosswalk. And then having a
second crosswalk set up with flaggers to be able to assist if pedestrians were to
cross. However, we could look at a barricade option to not have them cross
at all.
Uh, councelor Jones.
» Thank you, Mayor Snodgrass. And, um, I agree with uh, councelor Nichuk about
it's sort of sad that unfortunately it has to change. I can see some validity
to this area. I'm wondering about timing cuz I'm going to call it uh, you know,
rush hour. I don't know we have rush hour necessarily in High River but it is
getting to work in the morning and leaving work or getting to kids
activities and stuff like that. Um is those launch times Can I just ask the
reason the launch times are what they are?
» Do you want to go ahead and answer the launch times?
» Sure. Um the times we're talking about are in the mornings between 7:30 and
8:30. Just a 1 hour period. Um, the guys should be there by 7:30 in the air.
Generally, be a little quicker, probably gone by 8, but we like to give ourselves
about an hour to get in and out. In the evenings, it would be 5:00 p.m. to 6:00
p.m. The reason we use those times in the morning is we want to avoid uh
thermal buildup. As the sun heats up the ground, it gets thermic, and you you
simply can't fly a balloon in thermal conditions. And in the evenings we go
later because again the sun's getting lower in the sky and the thermals are
dying off. >> So pretty much they're kind of like the
best times to be doing this. >> That's about the only times we can fly.
Yeah. >> Okay. No, that's good to know.
» In the summer in the summer that's pretty much the only times we can fly.
Winter obviously is different, but >> um and the idea of eliminating people
from one side of the road might be hard is because there is crosswalk there
coming from line of makers. I don't know if that's even feasible, especially if
you're only using volunteers to sort of do that. Um, yeah, [clears throat] there
is definitely some issues with people crossing streets, especially in the
middle, like if somebody just bolted across. Um, that is really important.
The other question I had was about the LED boards. You said you were putting
one in the south end and the north end of Center Street. Can you tell me
whereabouts and like would you suggest to them possibly using another route?
» Yeah, absolutely. So the LED signage that we set up is at High Country Drive
and Center Street. So just before they have that opportunity to be able to turn
an opposite direction, then to turn down Center to head south. Um so it' be set
up there kind of just after the Tim Hortons notifying everybody ahead of
time that the road is going to be reduced. And then the second signage
would be set up um on the corner of Mloud and Center Street where kind of
soies is there to be able to notify drivers of the reduced speed limit.
So that's good. But if somebody wanted to use an alternate route like wouldn't
it be like even before they come into town maybe having something there so
people could maybe go down 498 or >> you know not even have to come into town
and try and flip around cuz that could cause issues as well. So, we recently
learned that you can notify Google of any road closures and deviations ahead
of time for events. And so, I actually tested it out with a couple events over
the summertime. And it did provide an option. So, what the algorithm if
somebody's using Google Maps to be able to come into town to see this showing
the concept was that we would put an actual road closure in as opposed to
reduce signage into Google. Um, from there it would reroute people um to be
able to use alternative routes. So if they're trying to come into High River,
if it's someone that's using Google Maps, um, the algorithm would then
reroute them to avoid a road closure or it would notify them that there's a road
closure on their route. The idea was not to deter people, you know, completely.
It was more of a case of being able to say, "Hey, there's going to be slow down
traffic here. It's going to be more congested." And as cell phones and
location service is ping off of the cell phone towers um and Google picks up
there's a reduced speed that would be popped up as well if someone is using
that. For locals in town we understand that they're probably not using Google
Maps to be able to get around cuz they just know where to go. And so in that
case having that LED signage and then having the additional traffic signage
posted um would assist with that. Will you have the signage up quite a bit
previous to the event or only during the event?
» With the LED signage, we're hoping to have it up at least a week in advance to
notify everybody um so that they can prepare for that.
» Perfect. Thank you,
» Councelor Barton.
Thanks for the presentation. And yeah, it's too bad we can't have it where it
was, but times change, I guess. The one comment
that I was wondering, like I agree with what everybody has said up to this
point, but what about re-evaluating it after like seeing what's worked, what
didn't work? Are we going to get a debrief on that kind of thing?
» Yeah, absolutely. So, after every event, we do a debrief. Um, so with our
signature events, we sit down with the event organizers, um, both protective
services, bylaw, fire, um, anybody involved with the event, we'll do a like
a major debrief of the whole thing and to see how things went. So we can get
feedback from RCMP, we can get feedback from fire in case there's any concerns
in that related. Um, so things just outside the event as well is can they
respond to calls, can they, you know, move forward in doing what they need to
do as well. Um, so there's always an event debrief afterwards to be able to
do that. >> Okay, great. Sounds good. Thank you.
» Um, so yeah, the Adams property is
unavailable. Um, that land is sold to a developer, so there'll be houses built
in there now. So that's we were going to have to make this
change at some point in time here. We didn't weren't going to have access to
that property forever. So, um I think this is the next best option that uh
facilitates the ballooning needs as well as the public needs and the spectator
piece. But the the 30 km an hour piece like I'm not worried about the commute
in I river for that length of space. Like if you're late because of a 20 km
swing like you're probably late when you left the house. [laughter]
So um as well the that 30 km an hour is only going to be for the duration of the
launches right then it goes back to 50. It's not going to be so it goes back and
forth. Also it's rare that we have a flight every morning and every afternoon
during those days. Some days there aren't any. So, it's only if there's
flights and for a very small amount of time um that there'll be any kind of
commuter inconvenience. So,
um Jamie, question for you regarding going back to councelor Nichuk's um
comments as to where the spectators should be. Would you even want them on
the other side of Center Street when you guys are setting up your balloons and
everything? Like it's not like the glow night where you invite everybody in cuz
the balloons are up and they're safe and everybody's standing there. But um
during when you guys are trying to launch balloons and you got volunteers
around, I know from watching pretty much every one of them over at the Adams Land
that um it's problematic if you get people
in around those balloons. Transport Canada gives us regulations
and one of them is that we have to keep uh the general public out of the direct
launch area. Um what we'd looked about at with this plan and and I appreciate
councelor Nituk's comments was that we would set the park up um day one similar
to what we have with the globe. We would run barricades across the I guess it
would be the west side up and down and to keep people out of the direct launch
area. Um with respect to crossing center street uh that's why we're bringing in
traffic if you want to call it traffic guards people it would be start you know
with little signs stop go that kind of thing. We don't expect massive amounts
of traffic in the morning especially there we might get 3 400 people if that.
uh evenings can get a little busier, but again it depends on whether as you
stated earlier we we could go the whole week with no flights, right? So um we as
an organization would prefer to set up on the west side and that way we're not
moving barricades cuz obviously we have to do it again for the glow on the
Friday night too and it's just wear and tear on our volunteers. Having two or
three standing there along with some bylaw people I think will help the
pedestrians get across the road. I I understand your safety concerns and um
we'll work hard at it. Looking down the road in the future, as Councelor Barton
said, um we're going to have to find someplace else in High River to do this.
And uh that piece of property probably is the best one with respect to flight
paths, what direction we we go when we fly. Uh still giving our sponsors some
bang for their buck because they're we're being seen over town, that sort of
thing. And that's why we prefer this site. uh going forward if it doesn't
work on this year then we'll have to look for something else but I'm
optimistic that it'll be a very successful and safe event. Thank you.
Perfect. Any other questions?
I see none. I'll ask for a motion from councelor Nichuk to council approve the
existing balloon glow site located west of center street as the primary balloon
launch site for the heritage in international hot air balloon festival
from September 23rd to 27th. The council will approve Wallaceville located uh
east of Center Street, South 1st Avenue. Um I guess this is the old Willows area,
right? as the primary spectator parking area for the Heritage in International
Balloon Festival and with the balloon port located north of Wallisville
available for any overflow parking if required and the council approve a
temporary 30 kmter speed limit on Center Street during the scheduled morning and
evening launch periods from September 23rd to 27th, 2026.
» Happy to give you that motion, Mr. Mayor, as you read.
» Thank you. All in favor? Gared.
» Thank you. >> Thank you, Mary. Council,
Jamie, good luck, Patrick. It's all on your shoulders now.
» Uh, asset retirement obligations and contaminated sites consulting.
Budget amendment from Jordan, please.
Thank you. Mayor and councel administration is requesting approval
for a 2026 operating budget amendment to complete the town's work under two
public sector accounting standards PS 3280 asset retirement obligations and PS
3260 lowiability for contaminated sites. PS
3260 has applied to the town since 2025. It requires municipalities to assess
contaminated sites and recognize liabilities when contamination exceeds
an expected uh exceeds an environmental standard.
The municipal is responsible and future costs are expected and the amount can be
estimated. And PS 3280 took effect for the town on January 1st, 2023. It
requires municipalities to identify legal obligations associated with
retiring tangible capital assets and recognize the related costs when the
requirements of the standard are met.
The town's financial statements have now carried the qualification related to
this work for three reporting years. That's 2023, 24, and 25. In 2025, the
auditor qualified its opinion because the town had not completed at its
assessment of potential a potential asset retirement obligations or its
assessment and supporting documentation for contaminated sites. Put simply, the
qualification exists because town has not completed the work required to
determine whether liability should be recorded and to provide the supporting
evidence to the auditor. It does not mean that the auditor found broad errors
in the town's financial records or that the town lacks financial capacity. The
town's original approach was to use the asset management program as a starting
point for this work with physical testing of assets added where required
and a le and a review of the assets whether there's a legal obligation
associated with a retirement of those assets. That approach would have
addressed the requirements over a longer period as staff developed the asset
asset record supporting processes and cost estimates. Following the
continuation of the qualification, concerns raised by the public council
and direction from council and senior senior leadership financial services was
directed to identify a way to complete the work for the 2026 financial
statements. This request is the result of that direction.
administration is proposing two engagements with 360
engineering and environmental consulting. The first engagement
addresses PS 3280 which is the as a retirement obligation qualification. It
will identify the legal requirements that may create retirement obligations,
reconcile those requirements to the town's assets, screen buildings for
potential hazardous materials, apply the recognition requirements, estimate the
obligations that meet those requirements, and prepare the schedules,
accounting entries, and audit support. This work has a fixed fee of $12,311.
The second engagement addresses PS 3260. It will review eight contaminated site
records, determine whether the town is responsible, and whether each site meets
the recognition requirements, and estimate a liability only where those
requirements are met. The work will use existing environmental reports and
records. It does not include new field testing or remediation. The budget
allowance for this engagement work is $32,850.
Administration has confidence in this particular approach because the process
does not begin by assuming that every asset or site creates a liability. It
begins by establishing a legal obligation for the town's responsibility
applies the requirements of the accounting standards and then calculates
a liability only when those requirements are met. The town's auditors M and P
were provided with this proposed methodology for review and comment as
part of the audit process. MNP did not select the consultant and cannot
guarantee a 2026 audit opinion before reviewing the completed work. However,
the audit partner has worked with 360 on another municipal engagement that
received an unmodified audit opinion. The audit partner also received feed
feedback from work completed for other municipalities and advised that subject
to the support supporting evidence and methodology. This is a sound approach
that should support the audit pro process. The combined estimated maximum
cost is $45,11. Administration is requesting authority
of up to $46,000 funded from the tax stabilization reserve. This will not
affect the 2026 tax levy and any unused amount will remain in reserves.
The work will provide the assessments, estimates, accounting entries,
disclosures, audit evidence, etc. needed to address the basis for the
qualification. It will also establish schedules and a process for
administration uh so they can update it each year. This amendment does not
authorize does not authorize any remediation work or require the town to
pay the underlying liabilities in any way. Administration recommends that
council approve the 2026 operating budget amendment of up to $46,000 so
this work can be completed for the 2026 year end audit. Thank you.
» Thanks Jordan. Any questions from councel?
Councelor Nichuk. >> Thanks, Mayor Sgrass. Thanks, Jordan.
Um, in terms of where we're funding this from, the tax stabilization reserve,
I was somewhat under the impression maybe that we had
liquidated that reserve when we were dealing with the pool. So, um, I might
be the only one sitting up here at this table that's confused. So, if you can
tell me that there's funds there and what that amount is, that helped me.
» For sure. Uh, we there's definitely funds there. We estimate amount of
$100,000 available in tax stabilization right now. That's before 2025 surplus
allocations. So once we bring surplus allocations for
we can refill reserves. So that's before that. And if you want more information
on that that part about the how you you said transferred reserves from tax
stabilization into the aquatic center, we can speak to that as well if you'd
like. >> No, it's just where I thought we had.
» Gotcha. Okay, understood. >> Councelor McGonagal,
» just a similar question. um approximately how much is left in this
tax stabilization reserve after this and and I I'm glad to see this coming
forward um because it gets us closer to being uh compliant. Um
how much is left after we spend the 46 or set it aside?
» Thank you for the question. Okay, >> so right now we estimate $100,000
minus this $46,000. Um, even though I'm an accountant, I'm
not great with math inside my head, especially under pressure, but we could
say it's about $50,000 remaining,
» but that's before the 2025 surplus from the 2025 year is actually allocated out.
So that implies that there should be more available if um if council chooses
to refill that reserve. >> Can you give us an update on that
in the next little on that reserve fund just in the next little while?
» Thank you. >> Absolutely.
» Thank you.
Okay. I'll ask for a motion from councelor Kuy. The council approve the
2026 operating budget amendment of up to $46,000 funded from the tax
stabilization reserve to complete the town's PS 3280 asset retirement
obligations and PS 3260 liability for contaminated sites assessments for the
2026 year end audit. >> I'll give you that motion. Mayor
Snagass. >> Thank you. All in favor?
Carried.
» Thanks, Michelle. Thanks, Jordan.
Variance application, Second Street Southeast. Michelle
» [clears throat]
» Why isn't it working? Oh, there we go. >> You got you now.
» Okay. [laughter] Sorry. Uh, good afternoon, Mayor and
Council. Michelle Dalmare representing Planning and Development, speaking to
item 6.4 on today's agenda. The subject site is located on the west
side of Second Street Southeast backing onto Birchwood Park and is zoned
traditional neighborhood district under the town's land use bylaw. The proposal
is for a total of two units including a detached dwelling and a detached garage
suite and includes variances to the principal building setback, accessory
building setback, and frontage buildout. The application was brought to committee
the whole on June 22nd and also included a variance to the maximum blank wall
length. At that time, council had no concerns with the proposed setback or
frontage buildout variances, but did advise that the application should meet
the land use by requirements for the blank wall length. The application has
since been revised to satisfy the blank wall length requirements.
administration reviewed the application against the town plan and the land use
bylaw. It was found that the application aligns with the overall policies of the
goals of the town plan by providing an appropriate form of residential
intensification within an established neighborhood while maintaining low
density character of the surrounding area. Although there are three variances
requested to accommodate the proposed site layout and building configuration,
the development otherwise complies with the regulations of the traditional
neighborhood district of the land use bylaw.
Um the first variance is for the principal building front setback. The
land use bylaw requires a setback between 2 and 6 m while the applicant is
proposing approximately 30 m. Administration has no concerns as the
setback is consistent with the development pattern along this portion
of the street. The second variance relates to the detached garage suite
being located in front of the principal dwelling where the land use bylaw
requires accessory buildings to be located behind principal buildings.
Administration reviewed the proposed location and does not have concerns as
it maintains an appropriate relationship with the street and surrounding
development. The final variance is for the frontage
buildout. A minimum of 65% is required while the proposed uh sorry the proposal
achieves approximately 46.7%. Administration considers this to be a
result of the large lot width and does not believe that will it will negatively
impact the character of the streetscape. The original application
sorry can you just scroll down a few slides?
Keep going. Perfect. That one. Uh, so the original
application included a variance to the maximum blank wall length on the street
facing elevation of the garage suite. The land use bylaw permits a maximum
blank wall length of 2 m, while the proposal originally included 4.8 m. At
the June 22nd committee, the whole meeting, council advised that the
applicant should revise the application to include additional design features to
meet the land use bylaw and align with other garage suite designs along the
street. The applicant has since revised the street facing elevation to include
additional trim and windows, enhancing the elevation and bringing the proposal
into compliance with the land use bylaw. So, administration has no concerns with
the proposed variances to land use bylaw and requests that council approve
development permit 1037.26 subject to the subject conditions in the
notice of decision.
» Thanks, Michelle. [clears throat] Uh, any questions from council?
Been through this one. It's coming back. So, I'll ask for a motion from councelor
Barton. The council approved DP1037.26, a minor development permit application
for the development of both a new single detached dwelling and detached garage
suite with the following parameters. I'm not going to read them. They're
listed in the agenda items. Um, and subject to the conditions notice noted
in schedule A, notice of decision dated August 10th, 26.
You have my motion, mayor. Thank you. All in favor?
Carried. >> Thanks, Michelle.
» Thank you. >> Thanks, Court. [snorts]
» Aquatics expansion construction update. Kaylee.
Good afternoon, Mayor and Council. I am here today to provide an update on our
aquatics expansion project. Currently, where are we at with phase
one? We are working through ongoing rification of our tile deficiencies and
wrapping up the wash accessory installations. Other than that, we have
begun cleaning phase one in order to get ready for a final walkthrough and
scheduling of pool filling. Phase two, [gasps]
we are um you'll notice if you walk into the facility, go through a large arena
and go up to the concession, you'll notice we have the concession space
fully open to us now. So, you can almost walk up to the viewing wall. We've got
our new washrooms that are there. So, it's we're starting to get a little bit
more space. Um so, that'll give you a really good idea as to what it's going
to look like in that lobby space with the polished floors, white walls, new
ceiling, new lights. It's uh quite nice. So, go take a look at that. Um we
continue to work on further work in the lower lobby space that will have that
similar look as we tie the renovation of the
lobby to the fieldhouse. So, that's what we got going on in there. So, we got
that open just in time for our hockey camps to start this week.
[clears throat]
So in phase two, we have finished the sand blasting. We have begun priming the
ceiling and we will be looking to get that ceiling painted. Once that is done,
we can finish that work up in that ceiling space, get all the scaffold out
here in the next few weeks and we can start finishing up the tiling that needs
to take place within phase 2. Um, a lot of that work within the basin got
completed up to the point where we need the scaffold out of the pool in order
for us to finish tying in the remainder of the tiling work.
With our change orders, we are up to 3.3 million in change for change uh change
orders. Um, we are still projecting for a October substantion completion.
However, keep in mind that that means we get staffing in place and we get open to
the public sometime in November. And that concludes Oh, that does not
conclude my update. We have also recently been delivered to delay claims
by Shandos. We have had an initial meeting. We've
provided our initial comments and we have just recently received Shandos's
response to this. We will be evaluating these responses with our legal team in
order to pro uh set up a second meeting to complete negotiations on that delay
claim. That day delay claim is related to uh change directive
three the tank the pool tank repairs that we had to get completed. So there
was a delay associated to that before we could get into the actual tiling and
finishing of the work in that phase 2 pool. Um and we add we do also expect
and have been given heads up we will see another delay claim coming at a later
date for CDO4 which would be the delay that we received on the project as as a
result of the ceiling paint remediation that took place.
I will be following up with a further update as I get more information on
these delay claims. That concludes my update. I'd be more
than happy to answer any questions.
» Perfect. Thanks, Kaylee. Uh questions from council
and great to hear that sent. When did you say the painting was starting or has
it started? >> It either has just started or it will be
starting here in the next day or so. >> Okay. Thank you.
» [snorts] >> Uh, no questions from council. Thanks
very much.
High country corridor study the final report. Kaye
» kind of figured that was me next. Um, so as you are aware, we have we had engaged
ISL to complete a corridor study back in March of 2024 which included High
Country Drive from Center Street, also known as Highway 2, all the way to Long
View Trail. and that included all the access points and intersections along
the way and there are about 16 intersections.
The key objective was to engage our public uh public consultation process,
review safety for all modes of transportation along the corridor um and
how to maintain any amenities along the corridor.
And there was also an additional review as well on the corridor speed and
consistency and compliance. So phase one engagement began in fall of 2024 to
which we collected feedback from the community as to what they felt the
issues were along the high country corridor. In phase two, we presented
ideas to the community for feedback in the summer of 2025.
Three concept options were developed with each expanding upon the other in
both scale and capital intensity. The preferred option being option one
balances safety improvements with coste effective and feasible implementations
and time-sensitive imple implementations. The key elements
include targeted traffic calming curb placement to improve crossing visibility
and manage the speeds. strategic parking pro um prohibition um provisions to
address sight lines and maintain on street access. So you'll remember there
are quite a few curves along there and as the intersections come up to those
curved areas reducing the parking up to the intersection provides a better sight
line. the proposed speed reduction posted from 50 down to 40 which is also
supported through the town plan and the intersection improvement at H Highview
Gate which is already a capital 2026 capital approved project.
So, next steps. Uh, the report is now available for council's consideration
for future capital budget and priority planning.
And I'd be happy to answer any questions.
Questions from council. Thanks, Kaylee.
[cough]
Council meal,
» I'm just going to say I'm glad to receive this. It's a huge report. Um,
received it on Friday, so I'm going to need a lot more time to go through it
and to understand it and um, appreciate the contents, but thank you for
presenting it.
» It is massive and there's massive budget implications to anything we do. So,
we'll all have to come back. So, >> thanks Kaylee.
» Thank you. >> Appreciate it.
Uh green elevator status. Uh the apartment building in the north there.
Shellane.
Thank you, mayor and councel. A couple introductions. First, my name
is Shellane Broomfield with the planning and development division. Um, on my left
hand side here, I have Lane Martin who is acting on behalf of Alan Matthews and
he's available for questions once I provide a quick update. And I also have
Harold Wick with the safety codes division provided there's questions
after my update as well. Providing a little bit of background. Uh
first in May 2026, the town approved a one-year extension for the grain
elevator project to complete the multi-unit residential building as the
applicant could not complete the project within the 24-month deadline. As there
were major concerns related to the unfinished appearance of the building at
the north gateway of town, two conditions were agreed upon between the
town and the developer as part of the last extension. The two conditions were
that the exterior cladding and the on-site landscaping be completed by
August 8th, 2026. So, it was a 3-month extension for those two items. It's
important to note that the town had limited ability to enforce the
compliance of these two conditions at that time, but worked with the developer
on a reasonable timeline and was relying heavily on the developer's goodwill to
complete both items. On July 29th, 2026, Alan Matthews
submitted a formal rationale and extension letter regarding a time
extension for the two items, highlighting that the applicant is in
the process of securing financing and requests that the exterior and the
landscaping items deadline align with the overall development permit extension
deadline being May 8th, 2027.
administration consulted with legal counsel and confirmed that there is
limited enforcement options available to the town with respect to the siding and
landscaping at this time. The town's legal council recommends that the town
work with the developer to determine an extension for these two items and
clearly state that this is the final extension allotted for the project. At
this point, it is in the town's best interest to rely on the final May 8th,
2027 deadline regarding the landscaping and exterior finishing of the building,
which is part of the overall extension for the rest of the development permit.
The town very recently received a notice of sorry, a redemption order with
respect to this property. This information is not in the council
report as it was received too recently to incorporate it into the report. The
redemption order is between ATB Financial as the plaintiff and the
defendants are the Grain Elevator Residences, Westlock Development
Corporation, Sitefinders Real Estate Services, Inc. and Allen Matthews. In
summary, the loan for the project is in default and this matter will appear
before the Court of King's bench on August 20th, 2026. And this is public
information. As far as next steps, the new
information related to the redemption order does not change the direction
regarding the recommended next steps from administration being that the
deadline for the entire project, including the exterior and landscaping,
be May 8th, 2027. It's [snorts] it is preferred that the
development is complete by uh the May 8th, 2027 deadline. However, if it is
incomplete, the town has the option to extend the deadline permit or have the
applicant reapply at that time or can explore options for default.
Planning is happy to answer any questions and as I mentioned before, we
have Lane here for any questions as well and also safety codes to provide any
background on the safety code end.
» [clears throat] >> Okay. So,
Cole's notes from the last time that you were here, Lane, nothing has really
changed, right? [snorts] >> I believe there has been um some updates
on the building if Lane wants to provide. I know that Tyveck was a big
issue last time we met. >> Yeah. Still not done. So some Tyveck was
stapled back on a little bit was but it's still incomplete.
» Um [clears throat] so now where it's at is
help me get the wording right. ATB is foreclosing on the project. Is that
right? >> Correct.
» Okay. So it's going before the courts. Um curious Lane because you had the four
lease sign up there. Did anybody put money forward to that
thing? Like how does that work when it's being foreclosed on now?
» Well, it should be that >> needs to be taken down,
» right? Okay. [snorts] Um yeah, I don't know if counselors, other
counselors got questions. There's not a lot that we can do simply because the
banks and the um courts are involved in this thing now. Um
there's still regardless of who ends up taking care over this project or how
that all works, there's a boatload of work that still needs to be done on it.
Correct, Harold? >> Um
can you speak to that a little bit about what's what's still outstanding on the
on the safety codes end of things? >> Yes. Um, besides the exterior work, um,
all the, um, >> Charlene, can you or Harold, can you
just bring that mic as close to you as you can? This system is not
» hear me now. >> Yeah. Besides the ex exterior work, what
has to be done? Uh, all the utilities, HVAC, plumbing, electric, all that
roughening has got to be uh done. Then the drywall, the insulating, drywall,
and uh, all the finishing. So that's all uh it's a number of different
contractors and that's going to take some significant time.
If it's organized properly it they if they working like starting today they
should be able to achieve the uh 2027 deadline.
» Okay. the um the foundation issue on the south
side if I remember right. Has that been rectified?
» No, not yet. >> Okay. So,
» we've done sorry the drawing >> then have a have a um set of drawings
that we've been working with um and showing what our ideas are to repair
that as soon as possible. >> Apply what the plan is.
» Yeah. We also tried I also tried to do a set of smaller plans to try to do a
little bit of the landscaping that wasn't in the there's a triangular part
and those types of things. >> Okay. [snorts]
» I'll be honest. I wish Allan was sitting here instead of you. It's unfair that
you're here. [snorts] Um if you can relay that to Allan. No word.
Um, it would be preferred that he would come
in front of council himself with a failed project like he's got out there
right now. It's an eyes sore and it's a failure and none of us are I don't think
anybody in High River is happy about it as to what's going on out there. So, if
you can take that back with you, please, Lane. Um,
if somehow Mr. Matthews is still in involved in this project. I'd like to
see him in that seat instead of you. You can be with him, but I'd like to see him
come and address us as to how he's going to fix this mess cuz it's embarrassing.
So, um, any other comments from council?
We're good. Thanks, Lane. Thanks. Thanks, Lane. Appreciate you coming.
No.
Alberta municipalities board of directors nominations. Do you want to
speak to this, Jenny?
» Uh, yes. Thank you. Um, so I've had the privilege over the past 10 months to um
be on the I be a director on on the Alberta Municipalities Board. I did um
after the election at their convention, I I ran for the
position. It was a replacement position for somebody who didn't um become
reelected. So, it was sort of short-term, but over those 10 months, I
have learned an incredible amount on um municipalities, the Alberta government,
and federal government, and how they work. And I'd like to continue being on
that board. I do have to run again in this coming September in the convention
at the convention. Um the position also for vice presidents of town um is
eligible and I'd like to also put my name forward for that position. However,
that position does need support from council to do so. Um and so that's what
I'm coming forward today asking for your guys' support. I don't plan I don't
assume that this will take away from any of my responsibilities being a counselor
for the town of High River. I actually feel that it will help support my
interest in municipal governance and also the advocacy to to the Alberta
government in in and of itself. So I respect respectfully ask for your
support and allow me to put my name forward for for this position.
» Fantastic. Any
questions from council? Councelor Nichek,
just want to know, mayor Snodgrass, you'll be attending the convention then
this fall to support councelor Jones, I assume, right?
» That has absolutely nothing to do with this request.
» Your vote would be appreciated. >> Yeah.
[laughter]
I'm not a convention guy. So, I am more than happy that councelor Jones wants to
do this on behalf of and I I honestly I do think it's a massive benefit to our
council to have um Jenny this involved with with Alberta [snorts]
municipalities. So, on that note, I'll ask for a motion from councelor
Brookwell that council support and approve the nomination of councelor
Jones to the Alberta Municipalities Board of Directors as director of town
south for a two-year term and vice president of towns for a one-year term.
» I'll give you that motion, mayor. >> Thank you.
All in favor, [snorts and clears throat]
good luck, Jenny. >> Thank you very much. Just do your tour
with your boxes of donuts and [clears throat]
get them votes. Okay, councelor board and committee
reports. That's not bribery, by the way. Councelor Kui.
» Ah, thanks so much. Just a a quick report. Uh, Shepard Family Park is the
is my one committee that's still going throughout the summer. Uh, looking for
some volunteers as always. Anybody that's a gardener and doesn't mind being
poked by some raspberry bushes, they could use one or two volunteers to help
with their um raspberry bush coming up in the school year looking for some uh
volunteers to help with the school tours where they bring in the schools. Uh they
teach them have a little class right in the the Little Bow School and of course
learn all about the rest of the things around the um uh around the park. A huge
shout out to the volunteers around there, including our own G. But all of
them, the work that they put in and the hours they are putting in that park, and
it looks amazing, is is astronomical. It's it's it's amazing and uh a lot of
work. So again, looking for some some people to get involved there as well. Uh
we got some chickens producing three eggs a day. So you can go and visit the
chicken coupe. Um along with uh a new initiative uh selling coal. So if you
have any fairs or any need for coal uh we are selling coal uh for $85 a bag. Is
that correct?
» Okay. We're still working on that. But if you're looking for coal, Shepard
Family Park's the place to go. So uh again, lots going on. A great summer and
getting it ready now for thrashing days. Thank you.
» Uh, okay. Couple of pieces for me to share. Um, back on July 27th, um,
members, some members of council had the opportunity to meet with our municipal
affairs minister, Dan Williams, um, who was doing a bit of a road show
going around. We meetings were held here in each municipality. There's Foothills
County, Okats, Long View, Black or Diamond Valley and High River. We all
had a 15-minute window to to have a meeting with Minister Williams. Um and
what we requested um that we've started is that the
province um start collecting their own education
tax requisitions. Um, this is something that's put on the
shoulders of municipalities and I don't know of a single municipality that's
happy about it, especially with the massive increases in property tax that
this education tax has been put on to us [clears throat] by the provincial
government. Um, our biggest thing is is it takes um a lot of [clears throat]
time from our staff to deal with this as well as um not everybody in High River
completely understands or any municipality understands what this
education tax is. And it's not a High River tax. It is a provincial government
tax. Um and we just believe that the provincial government, if they have this
tax, they should also collect this tax on their own. Um, we did have a,
in my mind, it was a fun back and forth on it. The minister had different views
on what that conversation was like, but um, in that whether this is political in
nature and it's absolutely 100% political in nature because yes, we take
it in the teeth from um, from our residents on this. What was what a 19%
on their end? 19% increase on the province's end. Um, and had a lot of
people coming at us thinking that this was our tax. So, yes, it's
political on our end. I also put it back to him that it's 100% political on their
end that they want us to do this because they can hide from it.
Um, they don't have if the if the UCP government went out and told everybody
in every municipality that here's your 19% property tax increase.
You tell me what that would do to their election chances the next time. It is
100% political. Um, regardless, that is still our request is that they um take
on their own tax collection. Uh later on in that afternoon, I had a scheduled
meeting with Premier Smith. Um interesting, she knew all about the
meeting before she walked in the [laughter] door. Guess she got that
phone call fairly quick. But [snorts] I reiterated the exact same thing to the
premier that uh it's time for them to um [clears throat] collect their own taxes
that that they put out there. Um, beyond that, one piece that's kind of come up
over the last week or so is in regards to the upcoming referendum in October
[snorts] and how how the uh signage um is being handled
and can be handled by municipalities. Um, and Chris, I might get you to come
up here and speak to this a little bit, but [snorts]
what's happened with our the town previously had election signage bylaw
and there was only certain areas of town outside of your own public property. You
can do whatever you want there, but outside of that, there was certain, what
do we call them? Election signs corral. Um, we had half a dozen around town
where everybody could put their signs. Um and that was for municipal,
provincial and federal that you could do that. Last year the provincial
government took that ability away from us.
Um so which made our bylaw useless. Um
which means that the referendum signage what does which does coincide with
election signage um is [clears throat] a bit of a
free-for-all on public property. So, I've been getting the odd email on
certain signs that are on public boulevards and stuff. Um, I thought we
could deal with it on both sides. This isn't on one side or the other. Um, but
we can't. So, Chris, can you kind of speak to um what we can and can't
control on these signs? Cuz the problem is the reason why we ended up with our
election signage bylaw which we referred to as the Branovich bylaw because uh
[snorts] former councelor Dragon Branovich I don't know how many signs he
bought but those of us that remember 2013 there was like 7,98
just on 12th Avenue. So we called it the Branovich bylaw. It was pretty funny. Um
so that one's being out. So, and the reason why we did it is because it does
during these elections, it does just trash up your town and and it does not
look good at all. Um, [clears throat] so Chris, can you kind of explain what we
can and can't do anymore? >> Thank you, your worship. Absolutely. So,
Bill 54 was introduced as an election statutes amendment act in 2025. It
stripped Alberta municipalities of their power to create or enforce independent
bylaws regarding election and rent referendum signage.
So, prior to this, we were permitted to have designated zones as was seen in our
bylaws. Um, now the minister holds all exclusive authority to establish
standard provincial rules for election advertisements across all public spaces.
They do provide highlevel location guidelines. Um on the alberta.ca page,
it is a lot more broad. It really does restrict uh what we can enforce on
location of signage. We do have some stipulations that we can look to that is
total size of the signage. We still have the rights to enforce for safety
infractions on sighteline triangles at intersections.
Um, and there is requirements of who is funding the signage and contact
information on the signage. So, there's some general strokes we can enforce. Um,
but all of our, I'd say, more concise constraints that were put on by that
bylaw were upended by uh the statutes amendment. So we are at the
mercy of the high level regulation that is basically signage sizing and
sighteline inference for our traffic system.
Okay, perfect. So, the end of the day, I think the request is out there to both
sides, whether it's the Forever Canada side or the or the separatism side, um,
or any other part of this referendum that's coming up, um, [clears throat] is
that everybody just respects the town that you live in and that not all of us,
not everybody's going to put a sign out. Not all of us want to see these signs.
Um, private property of course is a free-for-all. You're seeing some of
these streets in High River. Everybody's showing their colors, right? It's pretty
entertaining in my mind, but um but let's just on public property, let's
just not um
trash up our town too much with these these signs for for too long. So, um, I
just wanted to bring that forward because I know there are a lot of people
that are I've got a few emails regarding it. So, um, and just so that council
knows how they can respond to the public with this. So, okay. Thanks very much
for figuring this out over the weekend for me. Chris
uh board and committee minutes, Museum of the Highwood meeting minutes, the
Shepard Family Park Society board and the High River Library boarding meeting
meeting minutes are um included. Municipal Days of Respect and support.
Uh there's a couple of them here. Uh, one is the uh, and I'll ask for a motion
from councelor Kui that council proclaim
October 8th, 2026 as National Depression Screening Day in High River and the
council authorized the mayor to sign the National Depression Screening Day
proclamation. >> I'll give you that motion, Mayor
Snugrass. >> All in favor?
Carried. Harvard Tennis Club 120th anniversary
celebration 120 years. Wow. [snorts] Um, I will ask for a motion from councelor
Jones that mayor and council will notify administration by August 14th, 2026 of
availability to attend and speak at the High River Tennis Club's 120th
anniversary celebration August 22nd, 2026.
» I'll give you that motion. Your worship
can help. [laughter] >> All in favor?
carried. [laughter]
Chris, you not got that memo yet? [laughter]
All right, I'll send it to you.
[snorts] Um, okay. Lots of council correspondents
for information uh regarding the e scooters and ebikes. That's that's on
council's radar. >> [snorts]
» uh Hannah Guilt reducing the speed limit on Highway 2A. Highway 2A is not in of
course in High River jurisdiction, but council can absolutely um consider that
request at a later date. Uh correspondence regarding High Country
Drive that Donna brought us to before, 605 Mloud Trail,
that's there and we um had that presentation. If you didn't see the
information on 605 Mloud Trail, if you watch the committee of the whole meeting
that happened at 1:00 today, um part of that meeting was was dealing with this
development permit application. Uh correspondence regarding a data
center is in there and then correspondence regarding questions and
public comments uh that uh Bonnie Murray has presented are in there and have been
answered to um by administration. Um, and just so that people know on this
data center, there won't be any data centers within town of High River
boundaries. Some I had that request and as to whether that was happening and no,
it's not. It's they're uh they're all poking around in rural areas and yes,
there's the one across the highway in behind John Deere and stuff that's that
they're uh poking around on, but talking with uh Foothills County,
um that one is stalled out and they're not they haven't received any further
information from that developer on that one in quite some time. Um there is
another one that's that's being poked around somewhere in Foothills County,
but every single mun rural municipality is uh is dealing with these things on a
on a massive scale right now. And of course, Rocky View put a moratorum and
shut their applications down until they kind of get it figured out. They got so
many going on out there and there's a there's a big war um going on out in
Velcon County for one that they're um looking at trying to put beside the
massive solar farm uh Travers Dam. So, there's a lot going on with data
centers, but there won't be a data center in High River. We don't have any
room for it or or uh industrial zoning or anything for something of that of
that size scope. Uh, on that note, I will ask for a
motion from Councelor Brookwell that council recess the regular council
meeting August 10th at 4:59 p.m. and move into a closed meeting.
» You have that motion. Thank you. All in favor?
» Carried.
Michael's got a question. >> Michael's good.
» Okay,
» we're live.
[cough and clears throat]
Okay, I will two motions coming out of the in camera session. One uh starting
with the High River Library board appointments. And I'll ask for a motion
from Councelor Barton that council appoint John Baitman and Melissa Miller
to the High River Library Board with term start dates of August 11th, 2026
and term expiry dates of October 31st, 2028. [gasps] and that council direct
administration to advertise openings for the remaining vacancies on the town of
High River boards and committees and return to council a future date with
recommendations. >> You have a motion, mayor.
» Thank you. All in favor? Carried.
Uh, next one is assessment review board appointment. And I'll ask for a motion
from councelor Brookwell that council appoint Shawn McGlenn to the assessment
review board with a term start date of August 11, 2026 and a term expiry date
of October 31st and that town administration post remaining vacancies
to the boards and committees and return to council at a future date with
recommendations. >> I'll give you that motion.
» Thank you. All in favor? Carried. Meeting adjourned.