Magrath town council minutes

Posted on November 16, 2023 by admin

By Kenyon Stronski
Westwind Weekly News

The following are selected briefs from the Oct. 10 regular meeting of Magrath town council. 

Public Forum:

Three bylaws were up for debate at the public hearing. Bylaw 1299 deals with a road closure and didn’t have any public input. Bylaw 1300 deals with rezoning a plot of land and didn’t have any public input and Bylaw 1301 relates to the Town’s operating line of credit and also did not receive any public input. 

New Business:

Following the public hearing, Bylaw 1301 was brought back to council for its second and third reading. Both of which were carried. 

A few new policies were also brought to council’s attention with motions to approve a new Encroachment policy and a Policy Development policy being carried. 

Administration’s Report:

Magrath’s CAO James Suffredine took the floor to highlight some of the operations undergone by the Town since the last regular council meeting. 

Suffredine noted signage to Block 74 has been installed, and there will be a delay to the 1 Ave North widening as a utility line will need to be lowered. Suffredine commented this will push the project back to next spring. Thankfully due to the delay project costs are not anticipated to increase and the homeowners along the street have been notified of the new delay. 

Council Reports:

Coun. Ken Baker was the first to give his report, saying he sat on the Magrath and District Recreation Committee, Golf Board, and Remembrance Day Committees. 

Coun. Gerry Baril sat on the Chinook Foundation, and Magrath and District Emergency Services where he noted there is currently a truck auction in the works for the future. In addition he also sat on the Intermunicipal Committee and Human Resources Committee. 

Coun. Josh Bourelle sat on the Local Society Co-ordinating Committee, the Human Resources Committee and Sustainable Agricultural Education Partnership. 

Coun. Darryl Christensen had a busy week, sitting on the Magrath and District Regional Water Services Commission and the Chinook Arch Regional Library Board where he added they’ve had some discussions regarding controversial books. Alongside this, the Magrath Library Board is also looking for another board member to join them. 

Coun. Cynthia Ralph attended the Chinook Foundation, Municipal Planning Commission and Magrath Agricultural Society where they said an AGM will be held Nov. 20. 

Coun. Aaron Zaugg sat on the Magrath and District Emergency Services board, Community Futures Lethbridge and the Museum Board where they plan on adding tech such as interactive touch screens. 

Mayor Byrne Cook attended the Cardston County Regional Emergency Management Committee, the Sustainable Agriculture Education Partnership, the Chief Mountain REgional Solid Waste Commission and the SouthGrow Regional Initiative.