Magrath town council briefs

By Kenyon Stronski

Westwind Weekly News

The following are selected briefs from the Feb. 28 regular meeting of Magrath town council.

Business Arising From the Minutes:

Seniors Week was declared at the Feb. 28 Magrath council meeting with Coun. Gerry Baril made the motion to honour the past, present and future contributions of seniors in Magrath and all throughout Alberta. With this motion, June 5 to June 11 is to be Senior’s Week in Magrath. 

Also part of business, a motion was passed to advertise for submission for Magrath to have the opportunity to host the 2023 Charity Golf Tournament. 

Correspondence:

It was directed by council for administration to provide a letter of support for the Cardston County Visitors Guide grant application, and it was also motioned for council to fund a $375 advertisement in the Royal Canadian Legion Military Recognition Book. 

Administration’s Report:

Councillor’s Reports:

Coun. Ken Baker was first to the plate to present his weeks since the last regular council meeting, opening with the Magrath and District Recreation Committee. Baker said currently the Recreation Committee is ont in a position to apply for a grant without any project on the go that require funding, and is currently not permitted to be on the casino list because council members are assigned. 

The Lion’s Club had their casino on March 16, and was able to cover all the work shifts with the amount of people signed up. 

Coun. Baril attended the Chinook Health Foundation, Oldman River Regional Services Commission, Seniors Society, Intermunicipal Committee and Human Resources Committee. On the Magrath and District Emergency Services he said they have received their new battery powered extrication equipment and have now been trained on its use. 

Coun. Mark Bennett attended the Sustainable Agriculture Education Partnership, the Magrath and District Regional WAter Services Commission, Magrath and District Ag Society, Municipal Planning Commission, Intermunicipal Committee and Human Resource Committee. 

Coun. Cynthia Ralph also sat on the Chinook Foundation board, and noted they are working in conjunction with the Magrath School through the Diamond Willow manager to help provide a community garden on the Diamond Willow Property. 

Mayor Byrne Cook spoke on Alberta Fish and Wildlife, saying they’re splitting into two areas now. Hunting and Fishing and Alberta Wildlife which will now be separate.

CAO James Suffredine had a busy few weeks, commenting initially on the large end of February snowfall that blanketed much of southern Alberta. 

“Town crews have been out diligently plowing roads after the last major snowfall. The extreme cold did cause a couple of minor mechanical problems for some of our equipment however this did not significantly change the approach.”

It was also reported that administration staff met with a presenting team for a software called Townsuite which deals in management. Suffredine said this software could potentially replace Magrath’s current records management software. 

“We are waiting on pricing and further follow-up information to determine if it is worth considering a change in the future.”

Furthermore, Suffredine said all the work for Baker Place phase 2 including streetlight installation is complete, and ads for seasonal summer jobs are now posted for the town. 

Get More Westwind Weekly →