News
Regional Wastewater Line On Budget and On Time
North Red Deer Regional Wastewater System Construction Update from The City of Lacombe
The North Red Deer Regional Wastewater Services Commission (NRDRWWSC) is pleased to report that construction on the wastewater transmission system connecting Lacombe, Blackfalds and Lacombe County to the regional wastewater treatment facility in Red Deer is on budget and progressing well.
Six construction contracts are underway concurrently:
- Pipeline construction from the Odour Management Facility to the City of Red Deer’s Wastewater treatment Plant is expected to be completed ahead of schedule in November 2017. PVC installation was completed by mid-October, and the entrance chamber construction is on-going and nearly complete. (see Fig. 1: Installation of PVC gravity pipe. Trench box being utilized due to poor ground conditions.)
- Construction of the Odour Management Facility is on track for completion on schedule by mid-January 2018. Precast concrete walls are up and work on the building roof is ongoing. (see Fig. 2: Construction of the Odour Management Facility.)
- Construction on the pipeline from Blackfalds to the Odour Management Facility is on schedule. Crews are currently installing pipe North of Highway 597, including well point dewatering. Pressure testing completion is set for December 15, 2017. (see Fig. 3: Installation of a case bore on the North side of Blindman River.)
- Construction of the Blackfalds Lift Station is on schedule for completion in late January 2018. PVC site piping is being completed and the precast concrete walls are up and roof work is ongoing. (see Fig. 4: Construction of the Blackfalds Lift Station.)
- Pipeline construction from Lacombe to Blackfalds, is ahead of schedule. Crews are working on pipe installation towards Lacombe (Range Road 264) and along Highway 597. Pressure testing completion is set for December 15, 2017. (see Fig. 5: Pipe installation within a trenched area.)
- Construction of the Lacombe Lift Station is on schedule for completion in late February 2018. All cast-in-place concrete work has been completed and all underground pipe and backfilling to grade level has been completed. (see Fig. 6: Construction progress of the Lacombe Lift Station.)
Construction completion of the overall project is scheduled for March 31, 2018.
The project is expected to cost approximately $71 million.
Funding partners for the project include the Government of Canada, the Alberta Government and the NRDRWWSC municipal partners (City of Lacombe, Town of Blackfalds, and Lacombe County) as well as the City of Red Deer.
For more information, please visit http://www.nrdrwwsc.ca.
Code of Conduct investigation closes with sanctions for Councillor Buchanan
All municipalities in Alberta are required by the Municipal Government Act (MGA) to have a Code of Conduct Bylaw that sets shared expectations for conduct or behaviour. The bylaw outlines how members should conduct themselves while carrying out their responsibilities and establishes a review and investigation process when a complaint is received. The City of Red Deer passed its Code of Conduct Bylaw (2608-2018) on July 23, 2018.
The formal Code of Conduct complaint (C-01-2021), submitted by Mayor Tara Veer in response to public and staff complaints, alleges that Councillor Buchanan breached the bylaw through his social media activity in January 2021 and prior actions, causing City Council to lose leadership credibility and frustrating The City’s pandemic response efforts.
After a review committee of three Council members initially reviewed the complaint, and by majority vote determined that it should proceed to formal investigation, SAGE Analytics Inc. was hired to investigate and report back to City Council.
SAGE is a municipal consulting firm with expertise in governance evaluation, dispute resolution, and council code of conduct complaint investigations. SAGE utilized a process that included interviews and follow-up with both parties, witness interviews, a review of related correspondence received by The City, document review, analysis and report writing.
With the investigation complete, the findings conclude that Councillor Buchanan breached three sections in the Council Code of Conduct Bylaw:
- 7.1, which states “members shall uphold the law established by the Parliament of Canada and the Legislature of Alberta and the bylaws, policies and procedures adopted by Council.”
- 7.2, which states “members shall respect the Municipality as an institution, its bylaws, policies and procedures and shall encourage public respect for the Municipality, its bylaws, policies and procedures” and
- 4.1(d), which states, City Council must “arrange their private affairs and conduct themselves in a manner that promotes public confidence.”
According to the findings, a social media post made by Councillor Buchanan in January 2021, combined with his prior actions, amounted to a breach of the bylaw. SAGE determined these actions were disrespectful to the local pandemic response efforts and increased a division in the community between individuals in favour of and opposed to health restrictions. SAGE’s report finds that through Councillor Buchanan’s actions, The City’s reputation was damaged, and The City’s pandemic response efforts were negatively impacted. They also determined he demonstrated a pattern of conduct where he made negative comments that did not promote public confidence in The City’s pandemic response efforts.
Having accepted that Councillor Buchanan contravened three sections of the Bylaw, Council considered the sanctions recommended by SAGE and ultimately resolved by majority vote to require that Councillor Buchanan:
- Issue a public apology to Red Deer residents, businesses, staff, and Council for his actions and social media post on January 27, 2021, which caused increased confusion and division in the community during a time of crisis; and that this apology be provided to the satisfaction of Council, during a public portion of a Council meeting.
- Arrange an in-person meeting with the AHS Central Zone Medical Director, or designate to offer a personal apology to Alberta Health Services for any harm caused by his public comments during the pandemic response.
- Be suspended from all Council committees and all Deputy Mayor rotation duties until sincere apologies are provided.
- Complete social media training hired and paid for by The City of Red Deer that aligns with typical media training for City staff.
The investigation is considered complete. Councillor Buchanan continues to serve as Red Deer City Councillor.
This is the first formal Code of Conduct complaint received by The City of Red Deer.
Additional information resources:
News Release from Sylvan Lake RCMP
Sylvan Lake RCMP request public’s assistance in locating stolen boat
Sylvan Lake RCMP are investigating the theft of a boat and trailer that occurred between Sunday, May 30, 2021, and Tuesday June 1, 2021. All attempts to locate the stolen property have been unsuccessful and the investigation is ongoing.
The boat is described as a 2017 Super Air Nautique 6522, teal and white in colour. The trailer is described as a 2017 white Boatmate. The value of the boat and trailer exceed $100,000.
If you have seen this boat and trailer or have any information in relation to this incident, please contact Sylvan Lake RCMP at 403-858-7200 or your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
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