MUNICIPAL DISTRICT BONNYVILLE NO. 87
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS October 26, 2022
Keeping you informed of the services, business, and development that affect YOU!
#1 Organizational Meeting — Council agreed to reappoint Deputy Reeve Ben Fadeyiw for a one-year term. Fadeyiw has been serving as the Deputy Reeve for the last six months.
Council set the 2023 Council meeting schedule. Several meetings have been cancelled due to schedule overlap with conferences and statutory holidays. Also, effective January 1, 2023, Regular Meetings of Council will be held the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, while Committee of the Whole Meetings will be held the third Tuesday of each month.
During the meeting, Council approved members to sit on a variety of boards and committees in 2023. A complete list of appointments will be available on the M.D.’s website by the end of November.
Council appointed Andrea Woods to the Bonnyville Family and Community Social Services board for a three-year term.
The 2023 Organizational Meeting has been set for October 24, 2023.
#2 Planning and Development Updates – Council accepted an update on a tabled development permit discretionary use application for a Class II gravel pit. The application has been withdrawn. The applicant will instead pursue a Class I pit through the provincial authority. Details of the update can be found in the meeting agenda at bit.ly/MDBvilleAgendas.
Council gave First Reading to Bylaw No. 1810 which would allow the M.D. to enter into an agreement to license a roadway allowance. The bylaw, if passed, would allow for access to an existing older, established building that sits on the road allowance. There will be a public hearing held November 23.
#3 Funding — Council approved a Community Action Grant of $45,727.20 for the Riverhurst Community Hall. The grant will be funded through the 2022 Operating Budget and will be used to move and replace the hall’s playground. The total cost of the project is just over $114,000 and will be covered by the M.D. grant, a provincial Community Facility Enhancement Program grant, in-kind donations, and fundraising.
#4 Briefly – Council received a delegation from the Bonnyville and District Centennial Centre, which included a request for increased funding in 2023. Administration was directed to bring the request back to a future meeting of Council for consideration.
Council agreed to cancel taxes for the Kopala building and lands, owned by the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority, for three years. This is in accordance with the Community Organization Property Tax Exemption Regulation.
Council will be holding 2023 Budget deliberations November 15 to 17 in Council Chambers. The deliberations will allow Council to plan for the 2023 year including money for operating and capital projects. According to the timeline, the first draft of the budget is scheduled to be presented November 23, while a second draft will be presented December 14.
Council approved signing agreements with the Ardmore Community Society and the Cherry Grove Recreation and Agricultural Society for the operation and maintenance of the outdoor rinks in each community.
With Council’s approval, Kinosoo Ridge Resort will be replacing an ATV at the cost of just over $16,000. The Ridge’s original ATV was stolen during a break-in earlier this month. The purchase will be funded through the 2022 Capital Budget.
Council proclaimed November 2022 as Family Violence Prevention Month after receiving a request from the Dr. Margaret Savage Crisis Centre.
Council approved an update to the Committee of the Whole Terms of Reference. The update will amend the attendance requirement to meet quorum from five members to four.
Council approved Bylaw No. 1813 to amend the Master Rates Bylaw. The amendments include removing specific fees for Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) requests (which will now come from the FOIP provincial regulations), removing the Kinosoo Ridge Resort and M.D. Campground fees from the Master Rates Bylaw to allow the rates to be changed in a responsive manner, the addition of fees for Short-Term Road Approaches, and a small increase to the Planning and Development administrative fee for permit applications.
Council approved the installation of festoon outlets in La Corey, Therien, and Cherry Grove to allow for Christmas lights to be placed in the hamlets. The project cost of $19,455.74 will be covered through a transfer of funds from the 2022 Drainage Budget to the 2022 Contracted Services Budget.
#5 Council Invitations – Council approved the attendance of the Deputy Reeve at the Cold Lake Remembrance Day service on November 11 at the Cold Lake Energy Centre. Councillor Josh Crick will attend the Bonnyville Royal Canadian Legion ceremony.
Recordings of the Council meetings can be found on the M.D.’s YouTube Channel. Keep up to date on everything happening at the M.D. by following us on Facebook.