Dozens of Redcliff residents still fighting curbside plan

By Mo Cranker on February 13, 2018.

mcranker@medicinehatnews.com @MHNmocranker

After roughly 45 Redcliff residents stormed out of town hall Monday, left in their wake was a single Tim Hortons coffee cup sitting on the floor — presumably headed for a recycling bin.

All eyes were on Mayor Dwight Kilpatrick right from the start of Monday’s council meeting, with residents seeking answers surrounding a proposed curbside recycling plan.

The audience first heard from Redcliff RCMP S/Sgt. Sean Maxwell, who reported a spike in property crime, as well as an increase in domestic cases.

He faced no public questions following his presentation. Council asked one.

Curbside recycling was a different story.

First up were two Redcliff residents with questions and comments on the proposed curbside plan.

Jordan Weiss and Jeff Gray each wanted clarity on what the new system would cost and who would pay for damages caused by new bins. Each had a list of questions submitted to council.

“I don’t want to close the book on any option here,” said Gray while getting applause from the crowd. “I just want all options to be looked at here, just for everything to be looked at by council.”

Council answered the submitted questions and showed answers through a projector, with municipal manager Arlos Crofts reading them aloud.

The audience was then shown proposed savings residents could see with a new system.

According to the town’s information, the plan is expected to save residents 7.7 per cent in its first year when compared to the current system. The savings increase as years go on, moving to 22 per cent in the last of a 10-year projection.

When asked why council was looking at the new system, Kilpatrick says it simply makes more sense to the group.

“The numbers just look better — that’s why some of us voted for this,” he said.

Kilpatrick took questions from the crowd for roughly 20 minutes before deciding it was time to move on.

“We know not everyone is going to like this — that’s why you’re all here,” he said. “Everyone can think and have their own opinion. As council, we need to do what’s best for the majority of people in the town.”

Kilpatrick said he was hoping Monday’s meeting would have included council voting on the new system, but concluded it wasn’t ready yet. He said members would vote at the next meeting.

“It’s at the lawyers right now, and numbers have been negotiated,” he told the crowd. “I can’t say when it would be implemented. Next meeting we will vote on it, that’s all I can say.”

As residents left, some did not do so quietly, with comments such as “enjoy your one term,” and “the next election isn’t going to be easy” overheard being directed at Kilpatrick.

A full list of answers given by council can be found online in the town’s agenda for Monday’s meeting – http://www.redcliff.ca/agendas-minutes/