DIDSBURY - Council heard from a couple of delegations at a recent meeting. Ben McPhee talked about the plans to build a playground in the Valarosa subdivision, while Brent Swain talked about marketing the town as a destination for those who are 50-plus.
McPhee told council that the group has received a charitable organization licence and is able to have a bank account, take donations and apply for grants.
"Our next step is fundraising and in-depth cost analysis so we can start applying for those grants," said McPhee.
Council approved a request from McPhee's group, Valarosa Playground Committee, for a letter of support for the purpose of grant writing.
Council also approved a location for the park, which is southeast of Valarosa Court.
"Now that a location has been selected the group will be working on laying out the site appropriately and obtaining estimates on the construction of the facility," said Christofer Atchison, manager of legislative and development services, Town of Didsbury, to the Gazette.
In other council news, council approved a motion to direct administration to set the Fortis Alberta franchise fee rider at 17 per cent for 2018.
Council passed a motion to request that administration return a report to council with the progress of the Shantz Village development.
A motion was made directing administration to return a report on the procedures associated with a municipality lending funds to a business with relevant Municipal Government Act references.
Council approved a number of changes to the emergency management plan.
CAO Harold Northcott has been named director of emergency management for the town, while Deron Reimer will be one of the deputy directors. Greg Skotheim remains as the other deputy director.
The changes were necessary due to staffing changeover, council heard.
Council approved the town's summer scholarship program. This year saw 11 students eligible: seven post-secondary and four high school.
The students worked in a number of different departments: parks, summer fun and aquatics. The total cost for 2017 student scholarships was $4,700.
Council passed a motion regarding filming guidelines for the town. The guidelines set up regulations for the filming of TV shows and movies in Didsbury.
Council approved the appointments of Dana Munn, Margo Ward, Greg Norris and Iain Paton to the Council Remuneration Committee. Council carried a motion to accept the Intermunicipal Framework Agreement between the Town of Didsbury and Mountain View County. Also carried were sub-agreements regarding the framework agreement involving agricultural inspection services, animal control services, shared facility funding, fire services and FCSS (Family and Community Support Services).
