Justin Babcock, manager of Agricultural Services for the Ponoka County Agricultural Service Board, gave a year-end report at Ponoka County council’s June 14 regular meeting.
Two wild boar sightings had been reported in the county in early June.
He noted that the county would no longer be accepting pesticide containers after 2023.
ASB staff attempted to mow the county ditches twice each summer.
The county was no longer able to distribute cyanide for gopher control.
Low-level crossing
Council voted unanimously to remove a low-level crossing within the county.
The crossing, west of the SW 34-42-26-W4, was to be removed immediately. The cost of replacement was estimated at $765,000.
A grant has already been received to cover the cost and approval was given from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Alberta Environment (Water Resources) to replace the crossing.
For safety reasons, administration recommended that the crossing be removed immediately. The reaction of the community following removal would determine if it needed to be replaced.
Firefighters as first responders
Council further reviewed a proposed resolution for the fall Rural Municipalities of Alberta convention for the use of volunteer firefighters as first responders.
The fire chiefs were concerned that Alberta Health Services (AHS) would take advantage of the opportunity to use the volunteer firefighters in this capacity. Reeve McLauchlin suggested that this would at least start a conversation.
Council voted unanimously to present a motion to the Zone Rural Municipalities of Alberta meeting for endorsement that AHS must compensate jurisdictions where firefighters provide assistance as first responders.
Rimbey Historical Society
County council agreed to contribute $26,000 to the Rimbey Historical Society for 2022 for roof repairs to the Arch Rib Museum at PasKaPoo Park in Rimbey. The work is to start this summer.
Ponoka Flying Club
Council denied a request from the Ponoka Flying Club to waive the endorsement fee for the Ponoka Flying Club’s subdivision approval. The vote was unanimous.
AgRim manager
The managers of the AgRim Centre in Rimbey had recently resigned.
Rimbey updates
Coun. Nancy Hartford had attended a tailgate party for healthcare workers in Rimbey. She was still receiving concerns about farming ditches right up to the road surface. Theft in the area is quite frustrating.
The Rimbey Family and Community Support Services 40th Anniversary celebration was well attended.