MUNICIPAL DISTRICT BONNYVILLE NO. 87
COUNCIL & COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHTS February 3 & 10, 2021
Keeping you informed of the services, business and development that affect YOU!
#1 Are You Having Issues With Your Natural Gas Flow? – Council would like to hear from M.D. residents who are having issues with the flow of natural gas to their homes or businesses during this cold snap. Council is concerned that Northeast Gas Co-op Ltd. is unable to meet the natural gas needs of its rural customers. Some residents are reporting that their furnaces are shutting off because of the lack of natural gas coming into their homes. If you have concerns about the flow and distribution of natural gas in your corner of the M.D., please send them to info@md.bonnyville.ab.ca, no later than February 28.
#2 COVID-19 Business Relief Grant Approved – Council approved the creation of a $60,000 Regional COVID-19 Business Relief Grant Program. The M.D. and the Town of Bonnyville will split the cost of the program, with $30,000 from the M.D. to be funded from the provincial Municipal Operating Support Transfer program grant allocation. The purpose of the grant would be to offset any incurred costs or revenue losses of small and medium-sized businesses located in the M.D. and the Town of Bonnyville due to the pandemic. The maximum grant per applicant is $1,000, upon submitted proof of pandemic related costs and/or revenue losses. Small/medium sized businesses who employ less than 40 employees and provincially registered non-government organizations (NGOs) within the M.D. or Town are eligible. Applications will be received on a first come, first serve basis, until March 31, 2021 or until the fund is depleted. Community Futures Lakeland will top up the grant fund with an additional $5,000 in cash and $5,000 worth of in-kind support.
#3 Fire Guardians Appointed – In preparation for the 2021 Fire Permit Season, which runs from March 1 to October 31, Council appointed the following individuals as Fire Guardians: Kim Kissel (portions of Wards 1, 2 and 4, east side of Moose Lake, west side of Muriel Lake and Crown land in the Moose Lake area), Ed Watrich (portions of Ward 3 west of Hoselaw, portions of Ward 3 south of Township Road 62), Josh Crick (portions of Ward 5 and south of Highway 28 to Hwy. 659 and Township 63, Rge. 2 in Ward 6, Fort Kent and Ardmore), Dwight Retzlaff (portions of Ward 6, except for Twp. 63, Rge. 2), Regional Fire Chief Jay Melvin, Regional Deputy Chief Dan Heney, Irene Welecki and Dwayne Ethier. The following Station Chiefs were appointed to enable them to cancel permits in the event of an incident; Walter Smyl (Goodridge), Dan Amalia (Glendon), Gordon Graves (Iron River), Craig Wenzel (Bonnyville), Kim Ferguson (La Corey), Cordell Ackert (Fort Kent) and Roland Vachon (Ardmore). Council also authorized the Reeve, or the Deputy Reeve in his absence, in consultation with the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority, to place and remove Fire Bans in the M.D. for the 2021 Fire Permit Season.
#4 Littering And Illegal Dumping Penalties Increase – Second Reading was given to Bylaw No. 1770 to repeal and replace Schedule “C” of Bylaw No. 1627 to regulate waste and resource management. The amendment will increase the penalties for illegal dumping to $250, $500, $1,000, and $2,000 for the first, second, third, and fourth offenses respectively.
#5 Operational Drainage Projects Approved – Council approved 12 projects in the 2021 Operational Drainage Project Priorities list. The work plan is developed based on feasibility of the projects that can be delivered in 2021.
#6 Vacant Home Check Policy Passed – Council adopted the Vacant Home Check Program (VHCP) Policy No. 5C.018 on February 3. The policy reinforces a sense of security and comfort for M.D. residents and their property when they are away from home for an extended period of time. Those wishing to be considered for inclusion in the VHCP must fill out the VHCP Release of Liability form and submit it to Public Safety. The results of the application will be made available to the applicant within 48 hours of the application being received.
#7 Snow Clearing Policy Amended – Council adopted the Snow Clearing and Ice Control Policy No. 4A.009 as amended on February 3. The revised policy reflects standard M.D. practices for snow and ice control, as well as distinguishing between clearing snow from roadways and controlling slippery surfaces with the use of salt and sand. The policy will be brought back to Council to reflect the addition of Fire Hall parking lots as a priority for clearing.
#8 Bridge Replacement Contract Awarded – Council approved the $753,995.55 contract on February 3, for Bridge File BF73660 Replacement on Range Road 485, south of Highway 28, to New Gen Projects Ltd. of Grimshaw. This project is to be funded from the 2021 Capital Budget. Council also approved the $255,945.49 unbudgeted expenditure for the project, to be funded from the Bridge Fund Reserve.
#9 Parks And Recreation Project Timelines Outlined – The Parks, Recreation and Culture Department outlined the proposed project timelines for Council on February 3. The Kinosoo Adventure Park should be completed the end of June, Seasonal/Year-Round lots at Muriel Lake M.D. Park should receive provincial approval by mid-June; completion of the outdoor rinks in Ardmore and Cherry Grove is the end of June; Vezeau Beach Launch & Mooring System should be completed by the end of August; the Beaver River Trestle parking lot expansion and accessibility stalls at Crane Lake West M.D. Park should be completed by the end of September; river launch accesses at the Sand and Beaver Rivers completed by the end of October; the La Corey Recreation Park should be finished by the end of November; tentative completion of the M.D. Trail Project is early December; Cold Lake M.D. Park boat launch and mooring completion is the end of December; completion of the Cold Lake M.D. Park expansion is the spring of 2022 and Kinosoo green chair replacement is early 2022.
#10 Crane Lake Pedestrian Access – Council approved the creation of a pedestrian access point through the Municipal Reserve (MR) on the SW4-64-4 W4, Lot R1, Plan #1162RS. The MR is located in Happy Hollow along Moore Drive.
#11 Equipment Replacement – On February 3, Council agreed to sell and replace the CAT 330 Excavator (Unit 8160) with funding coming from the Equipment Replacement Program (ERP) and the sale proceeds of the Unit. In the recent Public Works Equipment Analysis, Unit 8160 was thought to need only minor repairs. Upon further inspection, those repairs will come at a large cost. As the unit has over 10,000 hours of operation and it is utilized all year in construction and drainage, its replacement is being moved up.
#12 Donations and Recognition Policy Amended – Council passed the amended Donations and Recognition Policy No. 2A.003 to modify the recognition level for wedding anniversaries and milestone birthdays of residents. Upon being contacted by a ratepayer, the M.D. will honour birthdays for 80, 90 and 100 years of age by either presenting or sending a plaque of the milestone acknowledgement. The M.D. will present or send a plaque for the 100th year of the existence of a family homestead when that homestead has been consecutively owned by the original family. The M.D. will honour a 50th wedding anniversary and every tenth wedding anniversary thereafter, as well as a 75th wedding anniversary of a living couple with a plaque. An additional amendment was a reference to other M.D. grant program residents can access.
#13 Voluntary Business Registry Program – On February 3, Council adopted the Business Registry Program Policy No. 2A.029 to support the newly created M.D. Voluntary Business Registry Program being launched this month. Businesses operating within the M.D. can choose to register and appear on a publicly published database for no charge. The program is an essential tool to connect, promote and provide opportunities to local businesses. The database will be published on the M.D. website.
#14 Fire Truck Purchase and BRFA Funding – Council agreed to purchase two, single axel pumper trucks, as outlined in the current Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA) equipment replacement program. Council also directed Administration to conduct a cost comparison of capital equipment in consultation with the BRFA and to bring back options for the BRFA to have control of their capital purchases within a set annual budget. Administration will also request that the BRFA, through the managing board, bring back options to transfer capital equipment to the BRFA for their management.
#15 Funding Support – Council approved the Option A Funding Model as the direction it would like the Cold Lake Hearts for Healthcare Foundation to pursue as a funding initiative with the M.D. The model provides $150,000 from the M.D. as a permanent reserve/fund for a Physician Recruitment and Retention Program. Hearts For Healthcare will ensure that their allocation of community fundraising dollars maintains this reserve fund balance. The M.D. will also continue to consider an annual $10,000 contribution for other programs and specialized equipment, a contribution of up to $2,000 for annual gala tickets and contribute to ongoing requests for special event sponsorships as they arise.
#16 Briefly – Council adopted the Regional Economic Development Plan as presented on February 3. Council directed Administration on February 10 to proceed with the construction of the Beaver River Trestle trail parking lot expansion, with the addition of a grassy area and picnic tables. Council adopted the M.D. Trail Master Plan on February 3 and directed Administration to include the plan with the M.D. Master Recreational Plan. Council adopted the new Agricultural Service Board (ASB) Terms of Reference, which will enable the board to make decisions within the existing budget set forth by Council. Council agreed to provide a letter of support on February 3 to Rock Networks Inc. for their Universal Broadband Fund grant application. As well, Council directed Administration to write a letter to several provincial ministries expressing concern over the high levels of industrial traffic on roads, and several crucial intersections, within the municipality.