By Carson Ellis
For the Stettler Independent
Stettler Town Council opened its Tuesday, April 16 meeting with assistant chief administrative officer (ACAO) Steve Gerlitz summarizing his career.
Gerlitz started his municipal career at the County of Stettler office when it was located where No Frills Currently is. For 31 years, he has worked with councils, including the Counties of Stettler, Paintearth and Camrose, and was able to come back to Stettler for the last few years of his career. Former chief administrative officer (CAO) Greg Switenky was in attendance for his colleague’s last night. Mayor Sean Nolls said of Gerlitz, “Every time you say something, it matters.”
Gerlitz gave a summary of his job starting with entering 12,000 hand-written assessment sheets into the County of Stettler computer system, which took over a year, and gradually worked his way up the administrative office.
Upon reflecting on his experiences over the years, he had fond memories of many projects and experiences at the different municipalities. He did note that the Stettler Economic Development Committee “…is the best committee I’ve ever been on.”
Council welcomed Malcolm Fischer, who addressed council regarding the Coast-to-Coast Antique Car Club tour that had stopped in Stettler last year. The members of the club had voted Stettler as their favourite stop in the nationwide tour, taking particular note of the mayor and members of council and Administration serving food at their gatherings.
Fischer also noted that due to the popularity of Stettler from the tour, a national Model T car club will be stopping in Stettler in the summer of 2025. Although Fischer is not a member of that club, he explained that Dave McCourt would be approaching council in the future with updates and to work out similar plans.
Manager of Recreation and Culture Brad Robbins updated council on tenders for parking curbs at the Sports Park on the west side of town. The concrete curbs are being installed to bring some order to the parking area during busy times and clean up driving habits at other times. Of the two bids Robbins presented, Proform Concrete was the lowest and their shipping cost included offloading the curbs. Administration recommended authorizing $15,000 for parking curbs and other upgrades for the park, including signage. Coun. Gord Lawlor’s motion to approve the recommendation was passed.
ACAO Gerlitz presented changes to Policy VII7, a health and wellness policy that provides Stettler Recreation Centre passes for staff of the Town.
The new wording to the policy includes RCMP members who were already allowed to receive passes but are now formally included in the wording. The policy also applies to active-duty firefighters and former councillors who can receive passes upon request. The changes also include doctors, and local medical practitioners who are working in local clinics or hospitals.
The changes were approved with a passed motion by Coun. Lawlor.