AHS to take the lead on COVID-19 complaint investigations

BARRHEAD – It is up to Alberta Health Services (AHS) to determine whether or not a business is contravening the order to close all essential businesses.

However, the Town of Barrhead peace officer, if needed, will be available to assist AHS officials in enforcing any order brought.

That is what Town of Barrhead chief administrative officer (CAO) Edward LeBlanc said in response to a question posed by Coun. Dausen Kluin during April 14's council meeting.

He said he has received many questions from residents asking him why certain businesses deemed non-essential businesses by AHS are seemingly still operating.

"It isn't the town's responsibility to enforce infractions?" Kluin asked.

In late March, the province granted full authority under the Public Health Act to the RCMP as well as other local law enforcement agencies, including peace officers the ability to enforce public health orders.

Under the amended legislation, local RCMP and community peace officers can issue fines of up to $1,000 if people don’t follow the guidelines to combat COVID-19, such as failure to enact the proper social distancing, attending an event with over 15 people.

Also, businesses that ignore public health orders could face fines of up to $100,000 for a first offence and up to $500,000 for subsequent offences for more serious violations.

LeBlanc, who also doubles as the municipality's emergency director, had a video conference call with an inspector from Public Health as well as Town of Barrhead peace officer Brandon Johnson and a representative from the Barrhead RCMP Detachment about what to do if there is a complaint about an individual or business failing to comply with a COVID-19 public health directive.

"The complaint doesn't come to our office, it goes to Alberta Health Services and they will investigate it," he said. "If they require assistance they will reach out to the RCMP or ourselves through the community peace officer."

Complaints can be submitted via the AHS or by calling 1-833-415-9179.

In his written report, LeBlanc also noted that Johnson, due to the coronavirus, is limiting his face-to-face contact with the public. As of the meeting, Johnson was reviewing 39 files, 28 of which dealt with snow removal or illegal parking during snow removal times. Other files included 10 traffic enforcement related issues as well as one animal-related complaint.

Postponement and cancellation of meetings

Councillors agreed to postpone the public hearing for Land-use Bylaw 03-2020 to a yet-to-be-disclosed date. The public hearing had been scheduled for just before the meeting.

Council gave first reading to the bylaw on March 10.

The bylaw, if passed, will allow the municipality to rezone their 14-acre property (commonly referred to as the Schneider Lands, on the west side of town) from Urban Reserve to Direct Control.

In 2011, the town purchased a five-acre parcel of land for $175,000 near the Barrhead Continuing Care Centre, with the expressed purpose of building the swimming pool, there.

However, when the town decided to build the swimming pool on the old site in 2015, the council created an area structure plan to commercially develop the parcel, as well as the adjacent nine-acre parcel, which they purchased from the Schneider-Schmigelski family for $318,500 in October 2017.

Councillors also cancelled a special April 21, to set the taxation mill-rate.

LeBlanc said there was no need to have a separate meeting for this, suggesting it would be better to do it a regular council meeting.

Councillors also postponed the municipality's annual general meeting

(AGM), which had been slated for April 28 due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

"The biggest reason to hold the AGM is so the auditor can come in and present his report as well as the annual financial statements, [Corporate services director Kathy Vickery ] presented both documents on March 10 and council approved them].

Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com

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