MUNICIPAL DISTRICT BONNYVILLE NO. 87
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS April 24, 2019
Keeping you informed of the services, business and development that affect YOU!
#1 Outdoor Recreation Park Open House – The Municipal District of Bonnyville is hosting an Open House on Monday, May 6 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Shaw House on Vezeau Beach to review the site program and concept plan for the Outdoor Recreation Park. There will be a formal presentation from 6:30 to 7 p.m. to review the survey results, draft site concepts and the preliminary cost analysis. Attendees will be able to provide feedback to the project team and complete a feedback form. On April 17, Stephen Slawuta from RC Strategies + PERC presented the key findings from the Outdoor Recreation Park Feasibility Study Survey. There were 427 responses to the coded resident survey and 229 non-coded responses. Overall the survey respondents were supportive of the outdoor recreation park in the Bonnyville area, with 38% Very Supportive and 28% Somewhat Supportive. Twenty-eight percent were Not Supportive. Respondents felt that Camping (42%), Day Use/Picnic/Barbeque Areas (43%), Paved Trails (44%) and Outdoor Amphitheatre/Community Performance Spaces (44%) were not sufficiently provided in the Bonnyville area. Respondents listed Day Use/Picnic/Barbecue Areas (60%), Loop Paved Trails (59%), Camping (53%), Playgrounds (45%) and Outdoor Amphitheatre/Community Performance Spaces (45%) as the Space/Facility/Amenity priorities. Respondents who were supportive believed the recreation park would help enhance the diversity of recreation facilities and activities (71%) and 67% believed the site has the potential to generate economic benefits. Respondents who were not supportive of the recreation park believed the M.D. should focus its resources on non-recreational priorities (48%) and 42% believe the current supply of outdoor recreation spaces is sufficient. Respondents believe that when Council considers approving the project, it should take into account the improved quality of life and increased area attractiveness from the rec park (45%) and take into account ongoing operational costs (44%) and capital costs (41%) associated with the project. The overall cost of the Outdoor Recreation Park ranges from $22.6 million (Basic) to $33.2 million (Performance). Those costs would include a: baseball quad, softball/slo-pitch quad, rectangular fields, pickleball courts, destination playground, site hub building gathering space, family day use and barbecue area, looped trails, non-serviced camping area, outdoor event space and boarded outdoor rink.
#2 Council Passes 2019 Consolidated Financial Statements – Council approved the 2018 Consolidated Financial Statements. Auditors, Metrix Group LLP, gave the M.D. a clean report for the year ending 2018, stating the municipality has good, solid, financial assets to provide future government services for its residents. The 2018 Financial Statement will be available at md.bonnyville.ab.ca by May 6, or a copy can be picked up at the main office at 4905-50 Ave.
#3 Roadside Clean-Up Program Begins – The Roadside Clean-Up Program begins this week and continues until the first week of June depending on the weather. Approximately 25 groups participate in cleaning up over 250 kilometres of M.D. roads. Rates vary from $50 to $100 per kilometre, depending on the road that is being cleaned. Non-profit community groups or youth programs participate in the program to raise funds for their initiatives.
#4 Recycling Report – The M.D. currently collects cardboard at seven landfill/transfer sites and 12 bin sites. In 2018, 116,810 kg of cardboard was collected, an increase from 2017. Plastic is collected at seven landfill/transfer sites and 11 bin sites. In 2018, 27,870 kg was collected, an increase from 2017. Paper is collected at seven landfill/transfer sites and five bin sites. There was a decrease from 2017 in paper collected, for a total of 26,520 kg. Used oil is collected at four landfill/transfer sites, with a decrease from 2017, for a total of 16,153 liters. Paint and household hazardous waste is collected at seven landfill/transfer sites. A total of 6,563 kg of paint was collected, which was at par with 2017. There was an increase in hazardous waste material, to the tune of 2,246 kg. Electronics are collected at seven landfill/transfer sites, although there was a decrease from 2017 with 12,234 kg collected. Approximately 26.6 tonnes of tires were collected. Twenty-nine rolled bales of grain bags were collected and 13,800 kg of twine, which was a decrease from 2017. Mattresses are recycled at seven landfill/transfer sites, with 684 collected, approximating 17,100 kg. This program was started in June of 2017, with over 1,000 mattresses recycled in total.
#5 Agricultural News – Staff are continuing to work on beaver problems within the M.D.’s infrastructure network of roads and drainage ditches. The pest control officer has been trapping out problem areas on private land. Professional trappers are helping out in areas throughout the M.D., with culverts and private land issues. The M.D. has started selling Strychnine under the new policy. The M.D. is urging producers to use the program, as it might be the last year to purchase the product. The M.D. will only be selling the product until the end of May. The Coyote and Wolf Reduction program finished at the end of March, with 1,103 coyotes and 25 wolves brought in. In the previous one year cycle, 830 coyotes and 35 wolves were brought in. Overall, the program was successful, with only one predation call that toxicants were issued. Thirteen students took the one trapper’s course the M.D. offered.
#6 Parks, Recreation And Culture Update – Council agreed to invoice the City of Cold Lake $4,962.30 to cover half the cost of specialty fencing that was required to host the ski races for the March 2019 Alberta 55 Plus Winter Games at Kinosoo Ridge Snow Resort.
#7 Transportation and Utilities Update – Council awarded the $6,514,047.96 contract for the Wolf Lake Road (Rge. Rd. 475) Surface Works to E Construction, with the project funding short fall of $1,561,200 to be funded from Restricted Surplus Capital Road Improvements. Council awarded the $580,800 contract for Township Road 630 (from Cold Lake city limits to Range Road 415A) Surface Works for the second lift of ashphalt to Knelsen Sand & Gravel. Council approved the partial closure of Baywood Road on May 10 for movie filming purposes. Council provided input, and accepted as general information, the draft map for the 2019 MG 30 Dust Control Program.
#8 Funding Support – Council approved a donation of $30,000 to the Bonnyville Shooting Sports Association. The funds are to be used to purchase gravel for road improvements and upgrading three parking lots within their property. Council approved a $5,000 Community Action Grant for the Bonnyville Agricultural Society to assist with costs for the Pro Rodeo on June 14 and 15, Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association Races from June 28 to 30 and the September 7 Fall Fair. Council approved a $1,000 Community Action Grant for the Aurora Visual Arts Association to host a weekend of art workshops on May 4 and 5 at the Centennial Centre. Council approved a $500 Community Action Grant for the Beaver River Fish and Game Association’s Father’s Day Event at Wolf Lake M.D. Campground.
For more information, contact Diane Jenkinson, Marketing and Communications Manager at 780-826-3171. Follow us at facebook.com/MDBonnyville, Instagram @mdbonnyville and Twitter @MDBville.