Daysland Council welcomes new CAO for 6-month term

Daysland Council has appointed Rod Krips as Acting CAO for the next six months. Krips has plenty of experience in the role, having worked as CAO in Viking for 16 years prior, and has some history in Daysland as well, having worked with the Hospital board, and as Executive Director of the hospital for a short term in the mid 1990s.

Daysland Mayor Gail Watt welcomed a new CAO at Council’s Jan. 28 meeting. “We are really pleased to welcome Rod Krips. He will be acting CAO for the next six months,” she said.

Krips has replaced Kaylyn Genio, previously appointed by council as acting CAO to the end of January.

Krips was CAO for the town of Viking from 1997 until the end of 2013. Prior to that, he was Executive Director of the Viking General Hospital for 20 years, also acting as Executive Director for Daysland Hospital in 1994-95.

Council heard from Kevin Kisilevich, from The Marketer, publisher of the Go East of Edmonton tourism guide.

Kisilevich gave Council members some background on the Go East publication and organization, giving Council an opportunity to purchase an advertisement in the guide, or a membership in the organization, or both.

Council’s plans to hold a tabletop emergency exercise will be delayed until approval of a training grant is officially received.

Council appointed Krips as Director of Emergency Management for Daysland.

Council reviewed and approved a proposal from the village of Forestburg to act as Flagstaff Inter-municipal Partnership (FIP) managing partner, including a budget of $59,330.

Council reviewed and approved Flagstaff Regional Solid Waste Management 2014 budget of $1,075,000, as well as Daysland requisition amount of $117,547.48.

Krips reported to Council that a review of the Daysland Administrative office security was completed Jan. 22; all locks have been upgraded and some re-keyed.

The CAO has been conducting meetings with all staff, Krips told Council he expects that to be a continuous process. He also advised that Kaylyn Genio has resigned.

Krips made a recommendation to Council to develop a Health and Safety Program, so as to, “create a safe working environment for our employees, and our citizens while work is being performed.”

Council adopted a new Acceptable Use Policy for the use of technology for all Daysland employees and council members.

Krips recommended that Council begin work with HR Solutions to revise and develop comprehensive up-to-date policy and procedure manuals for all departments, with governance, personnel, and public works identified as priorities, Council passed a motion to proceed with same.

Council discussed utility issues for the Golf Course Subdivision; Krips reported that a meeting with the town’s engineer has been arranged for the end of January to resolve.

Krips recommended that Council consider creating an Infrastructure Assessment, which helps the town identify and prioritize all infrastructure issues. “This document allows us to be ‘shovel ready’ for new federal funding opportunities should they arise.”

The Daysland Cemetery Assoc. submitted a draft of their bylaws for Council approval, council member Ed Kusalik noted that as no titles or deeds have been issued on cemetery plots for a number of years, some catchup would be needed on this matter.

Council heard a report from Public Works’ Cody Mayne. There were no major issues, but he said a lack of staff made it a busy month for Public Works, and noted that the town is still needing casual staff for public works.

Councillor D. McNabb requested that the Hall Association and Ag. Society be added to the list of Council Board appointments, and to continue to serve on these two committees representing the town.

Council approved a request from Kusalik to attend the Alberta Seniors Housing Association conference in March.

Watt reported that Daysland’s newest doctor will arrive Feb. 13, and has indicated a desire to build a new home and live in Daysland.

During the meeting, Council expressed pleasure in the CAO report and presentation of business items.

Leslie Cholowsky, Editor