Water Valley Community Association

Water Valley Library

Community Sponsors and Area Businesses

WATER VALLEY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Meeting Minutes, May 13, 2008

1. In attendance:

Ally Dunham, Dave Smith, Lorna Oltrop, Don Oltrop, Elise Gareau-Smith, Judy O’Leary, Tim Clinton, Dick Jarand, Stacy Miller, Mike Petersen, Mike Heath, Scott Davis, Adele Jozowiak, Ria Van Hal, Peter Van Hal, Al Andrews and special guest Amanda Stuhl, Mountain View County Patrol

2. Minutes

Minutes from the last meeting approved. Moved by Ally Dunham, seconded by Lorna Oltrop.

3. Treasurer’s Report

Stacy Miller

  • Changes to signing authority completed
  • Payroll in place
  • Monthly report format was approved by everyone

4. Old Business

  • a. Letter to MLA re library funding has been sent by Lorna Oltrop
  • b. Cremona Rec Board grant was submitted by Ally Dunham
  • c. Ball program will run for only one month
  • d. Brad Teigen was not here to report any follow-up on the Bituma reunion
  • e. Michelle Honeyman from the county is doing some research on library funding and will get back to us on that.

5. Fireworks

Mike Petersen had complained that the fireworks disturbed his horses during Water Valley Days. He was also not satisfied with the notice given about the fireworks. He requested that the fireworks be moved to an alternate location

Amanda Stuhl, Mountain View County Patrol, reported that the WVCA was complying with all the regulations and the fireworks are a longstanding legal activity. There are no applicable noise bylaws. Fireworks are allowable as long as there are no bans under the Alberta Firecode. If permits are necessary, it will be taken care of by the WVCA. Note was made that the Water Valley Fire Team sets off the fireworks every year for Water Valley Days. She felt it was not fair to ask the WVCA to move the fireworks to another location since no one would drive to see them, and it would just move the problem, if there was one, to another location.

Further, she said that when someone considers purchasing property, that person needs to do research about potential noises and disturbances around the property before completing the purchase.

The various ways in which people were previously notified about the fireworks were reviewed: Hitching Post, WVCA website, mail-out, signs. One accommodation has already been made by the WVCA to end the open fires and outside noise at the Water Valley Community Hall earlier to minimize disturbance. This was written into the new lease agreement when someone leases the Community Hall from WVCA. We understand that various people in the community have offered to assist Mike Petersen with his horses during the fireworks.

A decision was made not to move the fireworks and to leave things as they were. Mike has requested that we give him sufficient notice as to when planned fireworks will occur, and we will comply to the best of our ability.

7. New Business

a. Website: Tim Clinton

Tim has offered to revamp the website and keep it up to date. Please forward any information items or requests for revisions to him. Any feedback about the new version of the website is welcome. When the new version is ready, the launch of the website can be advertised.

b. Highway 22 sign

Elise Gareau-Smith asked who was updating this. Tim Clinton volunteered to do so.

c. Friends of the Water Valley Library

Scott Davis introduced a new group formed in the community. The group will raise funds for the library, generate volunteers and act as an advocate for improvement and growth of the library. The group will be registered as a charitable society and will work to assist the WVCA in fulfilling the requirements of the library agreement with the Parkland Regional Library System.

The library is in danger of closing as funds for the librarian run out September 1, 2008. There will be a public meeting about the library’s future Friday June 6, 7:00 pm at the Chinook Creative Arts Building starting with a wine and cheese open house followed by a business meeting. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

d. Casino

The WVCA has received a casino license for December 4 and 5. Please volunteer early so police checks can be completed.

e. Road clean up

This will be May 31. Please meet at the hall at 10:00 am. There will be a bbq afterwards.

f. Hall Supplies

Supplies for the hall will be ordered from Chemfax.

g. Grants

The friends of the Library may make a formal request for funds at a later date.

Elise Gareau-Smith asked about the Community Initiative Program grants’ reports which must be filed before an application can be made for new funds. Ally Dunham will check this and discuss with Elise.

h. New Building Plans: Dick Jarand

Some new plans have been prepared by Tim Clinton. These include a new feature where the multi-purpose activity room is now linked to the main hall. With the use of a modular stage and a movable wall this room can also act as a backstage area. That will allow the main hall to also be used for volleyball and badminton. Plans have been prepared with and without the library. Significant cost savings can be achieved by having the library on the same level and sharing bathrooms. The building committee will review the new plans.