RM of Duffering Meeting - August 11, 2021
August 11th
The public attending the meeting was invited to observe the proceedings either in chambers or over Zoom. The meeting would be CAO Rodney Audette’s final meeting with the RM as he has taken a position as the Town Manager for the Town of White City effective September 7th. Administrative Assistant Tatiana Walker was also present. During the meeting, the council appointed Walker as the Acting Administrator.
The meeting began with an in-camera session. The agenda did not list the reason for the closed session, which lasted 40 minutes.
Council accepted the statement of financial activity and July’s bank reconciliation and approved the list of accounts. Council approved payment of an invoice totalling over $61,000 to Thul Contracting for road-building work completed in the RM.
Several matters were tabled until the next meeting. A request for a lease refund for boat slips at Highwood Beach, the Dorry Street boathouse nuisance building matter, the discussion around Resort Village of North Grove/Daniel Drive, and a request for a speed sign for the development near Disley.
The CAO made a verbal Administrator’s report to council, which council accepted.
There was discussion around trucks that are not following the heavy haul routes. The Reeve noted that he had stopped several heavy haul trucks going through the valley, not on the designated haul routes, rerouting them and communicated to the companies who own the trucks that the council would not tolerate it.
Traffic counters have been placed around the RM to determine what the RM’s road agreements should be. The RM has applied for a grant for the purchase of additional counters.
The new bylaw for planning and development fees passed all three readings unanimously, bringing the new fees for development applications into force. Previous fees were $25 across the board.
A bylaw amending the zoning bylaw was introduced and read a first time. The amendment would allow for the subdivision of parcels allowing for the sale of smaller parcels by the rail line.
Council made a motion to apply for funding to replace the wooden bridge in the RM. The bridge has been closed due to safety reasons. The funding the RM is seeking would come from the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth program, which is distributed through SARM. Previous applications for funding through the program were unsuccessful.
Council amended the project schedule for the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program. Council amended the schedule to extend the completion time of upgrading the Findlater grid and clay capping the 739 grid.
Council accepted a quote for installing video surveillance and entryway alarms at the cost of $4,365.51.
Council approved the tax enforcement list advertisement with the properties where 50% or less left owing would be exempted for advertising.
Following the acceptance of correspondence, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of council is on September 8th at 8 am. The public may attend at the municipal office or over Zoom.
- Jenifer Argue, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
Note: These reports may be abridged for content