Drought conditions, road maintenance and questions about local safety dominated discussion at the latest Coffee With Council hosted by the MD of Pincher Creek.

Held June 17 in Division 3 at Coalfields School near Beaver Mines, the session offered a chance for residents to voice concerns and hear how the MD plans to respond.

In attendance were Reeve Rick Lemire, deputy reeve Tony Bruder, Coun. Dave Cox, chief administrative officer Roland Milligan, public works manager Alan McRae and executive assistant Jessica McClelland. Couns. Jim Welsch and John MacGarva were absent due to prior commitments.

“It was a good meeting,” said Reeve Lemire in a followup interview. “We thank people for coming, and we’re always open for discussion and to answer questions.”

The meeting, which ran for more than an hour, drew close to a dozen residents, who engaged in open dialogue with council and staff. The informal gathering covered a wide range of topics affecting the community.

Water security was a central issue, especially in light of persistent drought conditions.

MD officials said they now have dedicated staff for water concerns and that new vertical intakes had been installed at the dam. The intakes are expected to be visible by late summer.

They also noted that a water conservation advisory is in effect due to a continued trend of significantly lower than seasonal levels within the Oldman Reservoir, a lack of remaining snowpack and high seasonal demand.

Lemire confirmed that drought conditions are serious, referencing the MD’s recent decision to declare a state of agricultural emergency.

“It’s very dry,” he told Shootin’ the Breeze. “In 2023, the water intakes went up, and that was a one-in-100-year event — and now we’re getting it again just two years after.”

He added that the lack of runoff, spring rain and snow has left dugouts dry, forcing many ranchers and farmers to haul water for their livestock.

Other topics ranged from local infrastructure to tourism impacts.

One resident asked about a generator at the wastewater system’s pump house, prompting staff to clarify that it is tested briefly once a month during the day to ensure it remains functional.

A question about why the MD does not fly a pride flag led to a discussion about flag protocols.

“This is something we’ll have to bring back to council” Lemire said. “Currently, we have three flags. We would discuss that as a council back in a meeting.”

Council also spoke about the new community peace officer who is expected to begin duties in July. An open house is planned to introduce the role to the public.

The RCMP suggested that the CPO may help revitalize the Rural Crime Watch initiative, as residents revealed dissatisfaction with its current state. The MD acknowledged the group has not been very active and encouraged more public participation.

The MD’s Eco Centre received positive feedback from attendees for its cleanliness and the helpfulness of staff. However, concerns were raised about tourists dropping garbage in random bins, particularly near Castle Mountain.

Staff noted that while much of this waste originates from provincial parks, cleanup responsibilities often fall to the MD. Discussions with Alberta Tourism and Alberta Parks have taken place to address the issue.

Castle Mountain Resort’s ongoing construction of a new chairlift was also discussed.

Residents also inquired about grass-cutting schedules, ditch maintenance and road upkeep. Staff explained that dust control and re-gravelling projects currently take precedence, with mowing scheduled in the early morning to reduce fire risk.

Concerns about 911 rural addressing were brought forward as well. While a new GPS-based system has improved location accuracy, formatting challenges remain, particularly with road names containing dashes, such as Range Road 22-2.

The session concluded with an update on Coalfields School. A new board of directors is seeking grants to upgrade the facility, and MD staff recommended connecting with the community grant writer and the joint council grant program for assistance.

Coffee With Council is an informal, open-house-style gathering where residents can speak with councillors, municipal administration, law enforcement officials and community safety groups about local issues.

The MD organizes these events in different divisions, offering an accessible platform for community engagement.

This was the third Coffee With Council this year. Previous sessions were held Feb. 18 at Twin Butte Hall and April 15 at Summerview Hall (Heritage Acres). Two more are scheduled — Sept. 16 in Lundbreck and Nov. 18 at the MD office.

Residents interested in attending are encouraged to check the MD’s website (mdpinchercreek.ab.ca) and social media pages for reminders, and watch the weekly ad in Shootin’ the Breeze for further details.