Water variances were the first indication of a problem during the Village of Big Valley’s special council meeting on Wednesday, January 13 and, following investigation, a crack in the reservoir was revealed as the culprit less than two weeks later during the regular council meeting on Monday, January 28.
The crack was brought up for discussion once more during the regular council meeting, held virtually over Zoom, on Wednesday, February 24.
“The whole lagoon, I think it’s going to need some more momentum,” said Big Valley Mayor Clark German during the meeting. “It has sort of been on the ‘Yeah, we know we need to do something’ list for quite some time.”
A video showing divers first detecting the crack was recently discovered, dated June 2020, according to new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Tracy Mindus during her first council meeting in the capacity of CAO.
One suggestion for a temporary repair was to install a bladder. However, a more permanent solution-sealing the crack from both the inside and outside with carbon fibre-would extend the lifespan of the reservoir by 20 to 30 years.
“I don’t think (the crack) is our only problem,” said Councillor Harry Nibourg.
Mayor German was quick to agree, stating an action log was created and a “bunch of potential” concerns are listed; he suggested the action log should be added to the agenda for an upcoming council meeting for review.
According to CAO Mindus, the village is looking into several grant funding opportunities to help support repairing the reservoir.
“The Water for Life grant is only for new water structures,” she said. “Alberta needs more watership partnership, but that grant ends in November so if we are approved we won’t get the money until (2022).”
CAO Mindus added,

even if grant funding were immediately available, work would be unable to begin until the spring when temperatures warm up. Once work commences, it is estimated to take approximately 14 weeks to complete.
“We’re still looking at receiving quote information from various sources to complete the work,” said Mayor German. “Once we get that all together, we’ll look at what makes the most sense and continue for planning after the repair.”
Council also discussed funding allocation from the Municipal Operating Support Transfer (MOST) grant, which was given to help offset costs associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. One suggestion was to distribute a portion of the funds to non-profit organizations within the community. The village invited these organizations to submit a letter of request to CAO Mindus by Thursday, March 18 with supporting documents showing a loss of revenue between 2019 and 2020.

Starland County has engaged with its residents to gain understanding in building its strategic direction.
The County engaged with the community through an Ethelo Survey. Its purpose was to educate residents on potential funding priorities for the County, give residents the opportunity to provide input on the County’s future Economic Development Strategy and invite feedback on overall satisfaction regarding county services and communications.
About 346 visited the page and 159 took the time to respond. Reeve Steve Wannstrom said there were not too many surprises.
Overall some of the key findings showed residents were satisfied with many services including operation of transfer stations, direct connection, and engagement with the elected official, its communications through the local newspaper, and agricultural services.
In looking for areas for economic development, it showed high support for agricultural product processing, value-added agribusiness, maintained taxes and reducing services, and cost recovery fees.
There was low support for property tax increases, wind and solar development, and a fire protection levy.
Wannstrom says one item he noticed, is the county needs to communicate better when it comes to expenses and taxes.
“We need to communicate better on what we actually take in and what we get requisitioned for. I don’t think people realize what they are paying for all the time, such as senior housing, and we are part of the Drumheller and District Solid Waste Management Association and pay into it,” he said.
Wannstrom also notes with economic development, which 55 per cent of respondents said was very important, and tourism, which 46 per cent said was moderately important, it is important to make sure the infrastructure in the county can handle it.
“We do need to find new industry because when you see our oil and gas it is no longer something that can be relied on,” said Wannstrom.
The survey also noted 73 percent would be in favour of special tax incentives for new businesses.
It also shows low support for renewable energy, with 44 per cent not supporting nuclear power generation, 43 per cent not supporting solar farms and 54 per cent not supporting wind power.
The survey reflected how important roads are to the community. He was also pleasantly surprised to see that residents were supportive of fire services.
“They maybe don’t want to pay more for it but they think it is important, and I am glad to see that,” said Wannstrom.
He said the survey has given them a baseline of information to begin working with.
“It was a starting point,” said Wannnstrom.
“I hope everyone who wanted to do it, filled it out and didn’t miss out.”