MUNICIPAL DISTRICT of BONNYVILLE NO. 87
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS May 9, 2023
Keeping you informed of the services, business, and development that affect YOU!
Detailed information on each topic below can be found at bit.ly/MDBvilleAgendas.
#1 2023 Tax Rate Passed – Council approved Bylaw 1844 – the 2023 Tax Rate Bylaw. The bylaw reflects a 2.82% tax increase and the implementation of a 1% Environmental Levy, as per the 2023 Operating and Capital Budgets adopted in November 2022. The tax rates are as follows:
- Residential – 2.86875
- Farmland – 5.00000
- Non-Residential (Vacant) – 14.34375
- Non-Residential (Small Business) – 11.47500
- Non-Residential (Other) – 14.34375
- Machinery & Equipment – 14.34375
Properties in the M.D. that fall in the former borders of ID 349 are taxed at a rate of 70% of the regular Non-Residential Tax Rate, as per Order in Council O.C. 121. The rates for these properties are as follows:
- Non-Residential (Vacant) – 10.04063
- Non-Residential (Other) – 10.04063
- Machinery & Equipment – 10.04063
In addition, Council also passed Bylaw No. 1846 – Unpaid Tax Penalty Bylaw, which returns the tax penalty date to September 16. During the pandemic, the date had been set for October 16 to comply with COVID-19 relief efforts.
#2 BRFA Renovation Loan – Council gave Second and Third Reading to Bylaw No. 1841 – Fire Hall No. 1 Renovation Loan Bylaw, with an amended commencement date of May 12, 2023. This will see the M.D. loan the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA) $4.5 million to be used for the renovation project at Fire Hall No. 1, which will be the new home of the Bonnyville Fire Department, EMS, 911, and BRFA Administration. The loan will be paid back over 20 years at 5% interest.
#3 Funding Requests – Council awarded funding through the Community Action Grant - Major Capital Project stream with $178,000 to the Clayton Bellamy Foundation for the Arts and $66,195 for the Grand Centre Golf Club. The funding will come from the Parks and Recreation Development Reserve.
Council approved a Registration-level sponsorship of $10,000 for the Bonnyville Oil & Gas Show being hosted by the Bonnyville and District Chamber of Commerce in June. It will be funded through the Council Grants to Individuals and Non-Government Organizations budget.
Council approved the registration of two teams in the Ronald McDonald House Charity’s 2023 Charity Golf Classic being held in Cold Lake on June 17 at a cost of $1,200 to be funded from the 2023 Operating Budget.
Council approved entering a team in the Canoe and Rural Municipalities Association Charity Golf Tournament at a cost of $500 to be funded from the 2023 Operating Budget.
#4 Planning and Development Decisions — Council approved three Development Permit applications — one for an addition to a shop to be used as a secondary suite, another for intensive recreation use for a campground at Beartrap Lake, and another for a major home business which will be importing and selling mini trucks from Japan.
Council also approved two subdivision applications — one to subdivide a fragmented 88-acre parcel from an agricultural quarter section and another to subdivide a 10-acre parcel, also from an agricultural quarter section.
#5 Ag Services Appointments – Council approved appointments for the Alberta Pest Control Act Appeal Panel, Alberta Weed Control Act Panel, and the Alberta Soil Conservations Act Appeal Panel. The six appointees will serve on each panel.
Council appointed five pest and five weed inspectors for the 2023 season. The inspectors will enforce the Alberta Pest Control Act and the Alberta Weed Control Act in the M.D.
#6 Policy Updates – Council approved amendments and clarifications to a few policies and the creation of two new policies. All policies can be found at bit.ly/MDBvillePolicies. Approved amendments were made as follows:
Policy C-2B.012 Procurement Policy — amendments include making processes more efficient by removing the need to bring procurement recommendations back to Council for approval, after already being approved through the budget process. This change places the responsibility with the Chief Administrative Officer and is in line with industry best practices.
Policy 4A.006 – Grading of Driveways Policy — amendments include referring to the M.D.’s Master Rates Bylaw for fees, removing the Bonnyville Seed Cleaning plant from the list of organizations receiving the service for free, and having the General Manager of Infrastructure Services be responsible for refusing service based on hazard or difficulty.
Policy 1.010 Councillor, Committee, and Board Member Remuneration Policy — amendments allow for clarification of reimbursement of internet service expenses and the equipment provided to Council following an election.
Policy 1.013 Delegation to Council Policy — amendments included scheduling clarifications, such as delegations from community groups may be heard at Committee of the Whole or Regular Meetings of Council, while individual requests will be scheduled for Committee of the Whole meetings.
Policy 2A.017 Municipal Representation at Fundraising Functions for Registered Parties, Registered Constituency Associations or Registered Candidates Policy — amendments were made to improve clarity and understanding around Council involvement in political party functions as per the Alberta Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act.
Policy 2A.022 Election Campaigns Policy was amended to allow for changes to the Local Authorities Election Act and to add clarity for requirements and expectations in line with the M.D.’s Council Code of Conduct Bylaw.
Two new policies were adopted by Council including:
Policy C-2A.034 Electronic Signatures Policy which allows for the use of electronic signatures to improve efficiency in getting correspondence and other documents signed; and
Policy C-2B.033 – the Disposal of Assets Policy governs the way the M.D. sells materials, vehicles, mobile equipment, and small equipment no longer required, and that has been declared as surplus.
#7 Briefly – Council directed Administration to bring back options for a fire hall in Cherry Grove to the August 22, 2023 Regular Meeting of Council.
Council heard three delegations. The first was from Lakeland Connect about the Ribfest event happening in Cold Lake this July. The presentation included a request for sponsorship from the M.D. Later in the meeting, Council approved a $3,000 sponsorship. The second was from a representative from the Bonnyville Primary Care Network. The presentation included a request for the M.D. to match the funds donated by the Town of Bonnyville to the Bonnyville Hive Youth Club. The Hive provides resources, both health and social services, in a youth-friendly environment. Council accepted the delegation as information and directed Administration to bring back more information to a future meeting.
Members of Bonnyville’s Gear Grabbers club came to give Council an update on this year’s racing events and to ask for the M.D.’s continued support. The club will be hosting its annual weekend of drag racing July 7 to 9, 2023 at the M.D. of Bonnyville Airport.
Council accepted quarterly reports from several departments, including Agriculture, Waste, Communications & Marketing, Planning & Community Services, Public Safety, Occupational Health & Safety, and Emergency Services. Council also accepted the M.D.’s unaudited financial statements from the first quarter.
Council accepted the 2022 Waste and Recycling Report, which details the M.D.’s recycling programs, expenses, and revenues. The report can be found on the Waste & Recycling Department page at md.bonnyville.ab.ca.
Council granted consent to the City of Cold Lake to use land in the M.D. for a wetland restoration project, pending approval from Alberta Environment and Protected Areas. As per the Municipal Government Act, consent must be sought from a municipality to purchase or have interest in land in another municipality.
The Capital Projects Update report from Corporate Services was accepted by Council as information. The update outlines the capital projects completed as of December 31, 2022 and those which were carried forward into 2023.
Council passed Bylaw No. 1845 – Amending Local Improvement Tax Bylaw. There is a local improvement bylaw for existing properties in Fort Kent and Ardmore for the connection to the water systems. The bylaw, as per the Municipal Government Act, must be updated when properties have been subdivided or consolidated. Four properties were consolidated into two in 2022. The 2023 levy has been set at $274.48. It was $273.61 in 2022.
Council has appointed Councillor Darcy Skarsen to the Regional Sports Tourism Committee. The committee will act as a regional representative to advocate for large sporting events to be hosted in the region in cooperation with the neighbouring municipalities of the City of Cold Lake, Town of Bonnyville, and Village of Glendon.
Recordings of the Council meetings can be found on the M.D.’s YouTube Channel. Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date.