There were two District of Barriere meetings on June 3. The first was the Committee of the Whole, which started at 5 p.m. Members of the committee heard progress reports on the various components of the Wastewater Project. They also had a last look at the Winter Road Maintenance Specifications and Associated Contract Expectations report. After some discussion, they moved to proceed with going to requests for proposals. The RFP will be posted on the district web-site within the next week.
The next Committee of the Whole meeting will be on June 17, at 5 p.m.
The second meeting was the general council meeting. One of the delegations heard from at the meeting was from Mark Ralko of Jilmar Contracting Services. Ralko is interested in setting up hitching rails at various locations in Barriere, and wanted to make sure the district had no objections, and to find out if the district’s permission - or permits - were required. Mayor Humprheys advised Ralko that as the locations he mentioned in his application (AG Foods, Country Feeds and the Legion) are all private property, permission is not required from the district, but from the property owners.
Council members’ only major concerns are that those using such facilities keep the areas clean.
Ralko stated that he was considering having small composting stations next to the posts, so that cleanup would be simpler, and the compost could then be free for local gardeners.
CAO Colleen Hannigan reported that the family barbecue on May 30 was a great success. They sold out of the food, and raised over $1,100 for the Heritage Splash Pad fund. Hannigan, thanked everyone who helped organize the event, and all those who attended for their support.
Council members approved Development Permit No. 13-01. This permit was put forward by Interior Savings Credit Union, to renovate the facade on the building.
The district received a reply from Canada Post regarding the change of business hours for the Barriere post office. The letter states, “...after a careful review of customer traffic patterns, we have made the decision that retail services will no longer be offered on Saturdays as of July 6, 2013.” The letter goes on to say, “Please note that we will be staying open later on Thursdays, until 6 p.m.”
Council members moved to send another letter to Canada Post, requesting that they stay open later on Fridays as well.
The next District of Barriere council meeting will be on June 17, at 7 p.m.