Tree-clearing work will begin this month for the development of the 12-acre Napoleon Meadows subdivision.
At council's regular meeting on March 10, Craig Teal, the town's director of planning and operational services, said due to the implications of the federal Migratory Birds Act, a stand of aspen and poplar trees have to be cleared from a section of the site before April 14. Teal said the section -- east of 60 Avenue, west of 56 Avenue and south of 50 Street -- is less than one acre in size.
He said if any migratory bird nests were to appear in the stand of trees after April 15 then it would have to remain undisturbed until mid-June after hatchlings have left the nest. Teal said that would then put back the overall schedule of the multi-million housing project, which is aiming to have up to 42 lots ready for construction by the end of August.
“I can't tell you if there is a regular nesting site that comes up there every year or not, much less which species. That is not what we are reacting to,” said Teal. “There is a potential risk that if a migratory bird got in there and put up a nest we would then have to wait.”
At the March 10 meeting, council approved administration's recommendation to hire Smithiron Earthworks Ltd. to clear the tree stand for a price of $9,750.
“They will knock them (trees) down to make the grove less attractive for migratory birds,” said Teal, adding the trees will not be hauled away but will instead be put into a grinder – leaving a pile of mulch at the site.
He said a letter will be sent to nearby residents at the site advising them of the removal of the trees.
More seats added for Eagles series
Town council has approved a request from the Innisfail Eagles hockey team to add extra seats at the Innisfail Arena for the men's senior team's playoff drive.
At council's regular meeting on March 10 the team was also successful in receiving approval to allow patrons to purchase up to two beers or coolers in the Eagles Nest Lounge and bring them to their seats.
Council also approved an extension of the Eagles' ice lease agreement at the Innisfail Arena from the end of March to April 7.
Council's approval meant the arena has 108 extra bleacher seats in the rink corners on the players' side of the ice for the duration of the series. The extra seats increased the arena's seating capacity to just over 1,000. The Eagles' home game on March 14 against the Bentley Generals was announced at 1,080.
The next Eagles home game for the Chinook Hockey League final series is this Friday (March 21) at 8:30 p.m. The Generals lead the best-of-seven series 3-0.
New $211,000 flusher unit approved
The town is buying a new $211,000 flusher unit to maintain its sanitary sewer system.
Craig Teal, the town's director of planning and operational services, told town council on March 10 that the existing flusher truck and flusher unit are well over 30 years old and have reached the end of their useful life, with the truck's chassis being condemned by the town's mechanic.
Council was told the flusher unit is a critical piece of equipment for the maintenance and operation of the town's sanitary sewer system. It is regularly used throughout the year to clear lines of obstructions, such as grease, sludge, soils and stones through the application of a high pressure jet of heated or unheated water.
Teal's report to council also said the new flusher unit, when equipped with a boiler, can also be used to clear obstructions in storm sewer mains throughout the year.
“After the pipe is cleaned we can then send a camera down to look at how the plumbing is doing,” said Teal.
Council was told the approved 2014 capital plan included $165,000 for the purchase of the unit and chassis, and this month's approval for its purchase will mean a $50,000 budget adjustment.
The new flusher unit -- produced by Superior Truck Equipment -- is scheduled to arrive in three months, enough time for the town's utilities department to move on its 2014 maintenance schedule.
