Village of Big Valley council ponders lease instead of tractor repairs
The Village of Big Valley council is considering lease options as major repairs still loom over an important piece of municipal equipment. The discussion was held at the June 17 regular meeting of council.
The issue of repair costs for the Public Works department tractor has been discussed and tabled at several past meetings; In a phone call to the ECA Review June 24 Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Colleen Mayne confirmed she asked councillors how they would like to proceed with repairs to a piece of equipment Public Works has stated is very important. Mayne noted the tractor is one of the only major pieces of construction equipment the village owns.
At a previous meeting councillors examined the third quote for repairs which village staff obtained. This quote was just over $40,000 and included the observations that a screwdriver had to be used to activate the throttle while the tractor illustrated the ability to roll unexpectedly.
During discussion councillors voiced concerns over the cost of repairs or replacement. They passed a resolution instructing Mayne to investigate leasing a piece of equipment and report back at a future meeting.
Missing tree
Councillors agreed to plant some new trees after hearing concerns from a local resident. Bonita Ryan stated she was concerned about the village’s removal of two boulevard trees.
Mayne stated in 2022 or 2023 the village removed two trees, one of them a cracked maple tree. Ryan asked that the village plant fully grown trees to replace them; however, the CAO stated there were concerns about the financial cost of fully-grown trees.
Road allowance
Councillors also heard a presentation by Big Valley property owner Rod Couturier who requested council’s permission to use an undeveloped road allowance near his property.
The CAO stated Couturier’s property, and the road allowance, are on the north side of town. Councillors decided they wanted more information about exactly where the undeveloped road allowance is and instructed the CAO to investigate Couturier’s request and report back at a future meeting.
Utility refund
Councillors agreed to refund a utility account deposit after the account holder sold the property in question.
It was noted the owners of 221 1st Ave. prepaid $1,000 on a utility account; the CAO stated they’ve since sold that property.
Mayne noted a credit of $328.47 remained on the utility account and the property owners were in good standing with the village. Hence, councillors approved the credit balance be refunded.
20-year agreements
Councillors approved new 20-year agreements with both the Big Valley Athletic Association and Big Valley Agricultural Society to operate various facilities in the village.
Mayne noted in her report essentially the athletic association manages the community hall while the ag society handles recreation facilities.
Stu Salkeld, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, East Central Alberta Review
