Dear Wintergreen Woods Water Utility (WWWU) members,

This message is to provide an important update in advance of the May 18, 2022 AGM focussing primarily on WWWU Board activities related to the transfer of our system to Rocky View County.

Last May, we shared the results from our Local Improvement Tax (LIT) petition where we received 100% support with 80% of the community participating for the LIT project.  This project was to make improvements to the system to ultimately connect our WWWU Water system to Rocky View County (RVC) and the Bragg Creek Water Treatment facility, as further steps as part of a takeover by RVC.

This petition was presented to and approved by RVC Council which resulted in a Bylaw being put in place.  This project was taken to go through a bid tender process (by RVC) which would upgrade our 4 Km raw water line and add booster pumps and other supporting elements. Supplying and installing water meters to each property was also included in the upgrades.

Unfortunately, there were significant delays in execution of the plan and construction did not happen last summer. The process of tendering by RVC happened late season and the bids received for just the engineering scope, were substantially over budget.  Following receipt of the engineering tenders, RVC commissioned additional engineering at their own expense to obtain an up-to-date estimate for the proposed construction work. This new from RVC submitted in February 2020 was $970,000 – well above the original estimated amount of $600,000.  Because this estimate is over the approved LIT amount, RVC elected to rescind the bylaw and let us know that to proceed further, we will need to complete a new LIT request for an amount closer to $1,000,000 or alternative funding channels.

Numerous exchanges and meetings between RVC and our WWWU Board reps have occurred since.  The following bullets summarize the discussions:

  • RVC remains committed to completing the WWWU transfer.
  • RVC is willing to accept risk of the distribution system (40-year-old)
  • RVC’s biggest concern is the structural integrity of 4KM raw water feeder line and having it meet Alberta Environments requirements as well as providing potable water to the community.
  • According to RVC, the original (pre-LIT) cost estimate increased due to the nature of new work, rising material costs, supply challenges and a new Request For Proposal (RFP) which would likely yield higher costs.
  • RVC Financial Department confirmed the existing LIT cannot be amended with a revised amount with a volume of signatures, or an approval at WWWU AGM or another revision process.
  • A new LIT of $1M would result in approx. $12,000 per property or $500/year for 25 years.  Repayment to commence Tax year 2023.  Action: RVC to do an estimate.
  • Home water meters would be included in scope and would come in as part of the $1m estimate (at a cost of approx. $10K / household)

After great consideration and given the above, the WWWU Board feels that to move this forward, we have little choice but to complete another LIT Petition. As such we will once again be asking a representative from each Wintergreen Property to provide a signature in support of the LIT. To accomplish this, we are asking that every member household attend the AGM May 18th to be held in the upper lounge of the Wintergreen Resort to ask any questions and sign the Petition.

The language on the Petition will read:

WWWU hereby petition the council of Rocky View County to make upgrades to the Wintergreen Woods Water Utility raw water line, pumping, piping and infrastructure required to satisfy RVC and Alberta Environment requirements to provide potable water to residents. Including any changes required for registration or provision of easements and land agreements. Currently defined as lining the raw water line and installing booster pump package and tie-ins. As well as supplying and installing Water meters to each Property.

We look forward to seeing you all May 18th,

Sincerely,

WWWU Executive Board

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