MUNICIPAL DISTRICT BONNYVILLE NO. 87
COUNCIL & COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHTS April 15 and 22, 2020
Keeping you informed of the services, business and development that affect YOU!
#1 Cold Lake M.D. Park Expansion Moves Ahead – The Municipal District of Bonnyville Council awarded the $299,660.72 contract for engineering, design and construction of the Cold Lake M.D. campground expansion to Wood Environment and Infrastructure Services. The project is funded through the 2020 Parks Capital Budget of $1.6 million. Utilizing 67 available acres, the expansion will include additional camp sites, including drive-through sites and RV sites, as well as a tenting area, another playground and more trails.
#2 Subdivision Roadway Improvements – Council awarded the $595,429.50 contract for the Kyrejto Estates Roadway Improvements Project to E-Construction Ltd. The project includes one kilometre of road rehabilitation, including removal of existing cold mix surface, grade and base repairs with hot mix surfacing. Council also awarded the $825,385.50 contract for the Pine Meadows Roadway Improvement Project to E-Construction Ltd. This project includes 1.6 km of roadway rehabilitation, including removal of existing cold mix surface, grade and base repairs with hot mix asphalt surfacing.
#3 Accessible Camping Stalls For Three M.D. Parks – Council agreed to amend the Parks 2020 Capital Budget for the Municipal Parks Enhanced Accessibility Project grant to locate four accessible stalls at the Crane Lake and Vezeau Beach M.D. Park campgrounds. When the grant was applied for, the M.D. did not own Vezeau Beach and the stalls were originally slated for Cold Lake M.D. Park. Council agreed that Vezeau Beach is a priority because it is a highly used, full-service campground, adjacent to a busy provincial highway. Accessible sites will be built at the Cold Lake campground during the upcoming expansion.
#4 Iron Horse Trail Paving Tenders Awarded – On April 15, Council awarded the $753,186.13 contract to Blue Flame Contracting Ltd. for the construction and paving of a section of the Iron Horse Trail from Range Roads 482 to 485 for three kilometres through the Glendon area and the paving of the parking lot area on the south side of the Beaver River Trestle. Only a six-foot wide portion of the Iron Horse Trail will be paved, leaving a gravel section for Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs). Budgeted funds of $200,000 will come from the 2020 Parks Capital Budget and $553,186.13 will come from the unbudgeted expenditures funded from cash flow reserves. This project was retendered in 2020 after tenders in 2019 came in well over budget.
#5 CARES Grant Approved For Economic Development Officer – The M.D. received a $112,500 Community and Regional Economic Support (CARES) Grant to fund a two-year initiative to develop an economic development strategy. An Economic Development Officer will be hired to assess the local economy, identify sectors for growth, and outline clear recommendations and concrete, actionable initiatives for Council and administration to follow in implementing the strategy. The economic development strategy will outline how the M.D. and its municipal neighbours and other relevant stakeholders can work together in aligning and achieving economic diversification and development objectives. The total cost of the project is $340,000.
#6 Looking For New Trail Upgrade Alternatives – Last October, Council had approved $50,000 for the installation of Industrial Road Bond on two test site sections of the Iron Horse Trail. Unfortunately, the company has advised the M.D. that they have had to secure another supplier, as last year’s product was substandard. With the new supplier, the road bond value has increased substantially, and will only cover 383 metres of the two-metre width, rather than the agreed upon 575 metres. Council agreed to proceed with a new Request For Proposal (RFP) to seek alternative trail development options at the two test sites: one kilometre west of North Shore Heights and from the south-end parking lot to the Beaver River Trestle.
#7 Planning And Development Updated Statistics – The Planning and Development Department received eight building permits in February worth $781,000 and 15 building permits in March worth $261,800, bringing the year-to-date total of 36 permits to $1,997,605. Housing starts for 2020 include three Single Family Dwellings/RTMs/Mobile Homes. In 2020, the M.D. has received six subdivision applications.
#8 Energy Efficiency Plan Underway – The Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC) recently awarded a grant to the M.D. to hire a Municipal Energy Officer to develop ways in which the municipality and its partner, the Village of Glendon, can become more energy efficient. The program provides 80 percent funding, to a maximum of $80,000 per year. The funding is for a period of one year, with the potential for an additional year, if approved by MCCAC. The Municipal Energy Officer will benchmark and determine energy usage and consumption of all municipal buildings and then identify, analyze and prioritize energy-saving opportunities through the development of energy consumption reduction plans and strategies.
#9 Fuel And Oil Supply Contract Tenders Rejected – Council rejected the tenders received for the three-year (2020-2023) Fuel and Oil Supply and Cardlock Supply Contract. Council requested Administration review the issue of awarding contracts to local providers, as opposed to one from outside the area with the lowest bid. At this time, municipalities must adhere to regulations outlined in three national and provincial trade agreements. The M.D. will extend its present fuel contract with Lakeland Co-op for another month.