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Wastewater systems going ahead at Crystal Keys, Village Creek

One petition meets two-thirds target, other meets it but past deadline
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Two more wastewater projects in the rural area will be going ahead, after County of Wetaskiwin council approved them at their Aug. 7 regular meeting.

The first is the Crystal Keys subdivision, near the Village at Pigeon Lake, and the second was the Village Creek Estates, also near the village, both of which had a petition circulated to seek two-thirds resident approval for the local improvement.

Assistant CAO Jeff Chipley presented the two items to councilors.

Crystal Keys

Chipley stated in his memo, “On May 24, 2018 County of Wetaskiwin Administration, Reeve K. Rooyakkers, Councilor K. Adair and representatives from MPE Engineering Ltd. met with property owners of the Crystal Keys Subdivision at an open house regarding the proposed local improvement plan and details concerning the construction of local wastewater collection lines within the Crystal Keys Subdivision. The majority of information presented during the open house was mailed ahead of time to all affected properties within the Crystal Keys Subdivision on April 23, 2018.

“During the open house, Administration and MPE Engineering Ltd. presented an update of the progress to date regarding the Pigeon Lake Regional Wastewater Project, details concerning the construction of the local wastewater collection lines that are proposed to be constructed, including the costs proposed to be allocated to property owners through the proposed local improvement process, how the local improvement process works, and also answer more technical questions regarding the Project both as a whole and on a more individual basis concerning specific properties.”

Chipley said the petition showed about 74 per cent of landowners supported the local improvement plan.

He recommended councilors pass three resolutions, including accepting the results of the petition, approving the local improvement plan so tendering can go forward and approval of the tax bylaws for Crystal Keys’ local improvement. Councilors approved all of the recommendations.

Village Creek Estates

“On May 23, 2018 County of Wetaskiwin Administration, Councilor K. Adair, and representatives from Engineering Ltd. met with property owners of the Village Creek Estates Subdivision at an open house regarding the proposed local improvement plan and details concerning the construction of local wastewater collection lines within the Village Creek Estates Subdivision. The majority of information presented during the open house was mailed ahead of time to all affected properties within the Village Creek Estates Subdivision on April 23, 2018,” stated Chipley in his memo.

The Village Creek Estates situation went down a bit differently, noted Chipley. It also had a petition in place for approval of a wastewater local improvement project. However, the petition only reached two-thirds after the deadline passed.

Chipley noted 22 of the 30 landowners ultimately signed the petition supporting the local improvement, but only got past 20, the two-thirds required, after the cut-off. Hence, according to the Municipal Government Act, it’s not official. Chipley pointed out though that two-thirds are in support.

He stated councilors could either not act on the local improvement, or move ahead with the wastewater project regardless. Staff recommended the second option.

Councilor Dale Woitt asked if, since there’s no accepted petition in support, could landowners change their minds? Chipley said yes, in theory, but was confident those 22 who ultimately supported the local improvement showed there was support.

Councilors followed staff recommendations and decided to move ahead with the local improvement.

Stu.salkeld@pipestoneflyer.ca