M.D. of Taber council meeting briefs from April 9

By Heather Cameron
Vauxhall Advance
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The following are selected briefs from the M.D. of Taber council meeting that took place on April 9.

Annual Firefighters Awards Banquet

Councilor Claassen spoke about how the M.D. of Taber hosted their annual Firefighters Awards Banquet on March 30, and it was a great night of recognition for years of service and milestones for both Firefighter of the Year Awards and a couple of very special retirement awards. Claasen stated that the firefighters within the M.D. serve with integrity, diversity, honour, and a great sense of community and the M.D. couldn’t be prouder of them. 

Councilor Claassen then stated that the 2023 Fire Services Awards were as follows: 

25 years of Service Award

Firefighter Gordon Hirney from Station 1 Hays

15 years of Service Award

Captain Steve Broderson from Station 3 Enchant

Captain Ginger Rose Station 3 Enchant

10 years of Service Award

Lieutenant Dave Cailliau from Station 3 Enchant

District Chief John Martens from Station 5 Vauxhall

Lieutenant Derek Wynker from Station 5 Vauxhall

5 years of Service Award

Firefighter Jaret Kester from Station 3 Enchant

Firefighter Andrew Vissers from Station 3 Enchant

Lieutenant Benny Fehr from Station 4 and 7 MDTRFD

Firefighter Greg Schneider from Station 4 and 7 MDTRFD

Retired Firefighter Linda Hall Station 4 and 7 MDTRFD

Firefighter Peter Froese from Station 5 Vauxhall

Firefighter Margaret Neufeld from Station 5 Vauxhall

Firefighter Ernesto Peters from Station 5 Vauxhall

Firefighter of the Year

Firefighter Ty Thorson from Station 1 Hays

Firefighter Steven Penner from Station 2 Grassy Lake

Firefighter Geertje Laurenssen from Station 3 Enchant

Firefighter Jake Penner Station 4 and 7 MDTRFD/Barnwell

Firefighter Peter Froese from Station 5 Vauxhall

Retirement

Retired Captain Abe Banman from Station 5 Vauxhall with 18.5 Years of Service

Retired Firefighter Daryl Brouwers from Station 5 Vauxhall with 19 Years of Service

Retired Firefighter Shelly Kultgen from Station 2 Grassy Lake with 23.5 Years of Service

Retired Captain Murray Reynolds from Station 3 Enchant with 42 Years of Service

Request for Decision – Bell Point of Presence Lease Renewal

Bryce Surina from Administration spoke to Council regarding a 20-year lease that Bell Canada has approached the Municipal District of Taber (MDT) to inquire on an extension to the existing lease between Bell and the M.D. of Taber for the existing internet POP site located at the Hays Multi-Purpose Building, as the current Bell Canada lease will expire on November 1, 2024. Surina stated that the M.D. of Taber originally signed a lease with the Hays Multi-Purpose Building Society on October 22, 2009, to rent the facility for 20 years for a $1.00/year consideration. Surina further explained that the new lease terms involved a 20-year lease with a 5-year initial term with three 5-year extension periods, an ability to terminate lease after 10 years providing Bell Canada 2 years notice to provide them time to find an alternative location for their equipment, which can be initiated in year 8 of the lease);  $1,725.00 annual rental, $1,100.00 annual consideration for electricity consumption, and annual rental to be adjusted at commencement of each lease extension period at the current Canadian Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate. Surina emphasized that the M.D. has a good working relationship through this lease with the Hays Multi-Purpose Society before opening the floor for questions. Council asked questions before ultimately made a motion that the M.D. of Taber enter into a lease extension agreement to extend the term of the Bell Canada lease for a point of present Internet site located in the hamlet of Hays Multi-Purpose Building at 210 2 Avenue and the motion was carried.

Request for Decision – Rowland Seeds Cultivation Lease Assignment

Administration presented to Council a Request for Decision regarding a cultivation lease assignment from Rowlands Seeds Inc. to Roy Brewin Holdings Inc. for the SW 5-9-14 W4, as per the terms of the Municipal District of Taber Cultivation Lease Agreement and Cultivated Lands Policy. Administration went on to explain that the particular lease was 149 acres, comprising of 81 acres of dry land and 68 acres of irrigated lands and also involves a $500 lease assignment fee. Council ultimately made a motion to approve the cultivation lease assignment from Rowlands Seeds Inc. to Roy Brewin Holdings Inc. for the SW 5-9-14 W4, as per the terms of the Municipal District of Taber Cultivation Lease Agreement and Cultivated Lands Policy and the motion was carried.

Request for Decision – Annual Taber Charity Auction Donation Request

Administration spoke to Council and presented a request that the M.D. of Taber confirm approval of the donation of four 20-yard delivered tandem loads of gravel, which are to be delivered within the MD of Taber in alignment with Public Works operating schedules, and to be auctioned off at the 2024 annual Taber Charity Auction. Administration emphasized that the Taber Charity Auction took place on April 6, 2024, Council had previously confirmed their intention to provide this donation for the event, so Administration provided the Request for Decision to simply formalize Council’s commitment to the contribution. Council henceforth made a motion that the M.D. of Taber confirm approval of the donation for 20-yard delivered tandem loads of gravel to be delivered within the M.D. of Taber in alignment with Public Works operating schedule to be auctioned off with the 2024 annual Taber charity auction. As a point of interest, Reeve Miyanaga also mentioned that the Taber Charity Auction broke their record for the amount raised at any one auction, as they raised $215,000 and the M.D.’s donation garnered at $3,700. The Taber Charity Auction, Reeve Miyanaga said, supports causes including the M.D. fire department, school lunches, food banks, and a myriad of different organizations, so she is very grateful Council and the community supported Taber Charity Auction, which in turn allows them to support all those items, as well as HALO and STARS.

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