MUNICIPAL DISTRICT BONNYVILLE NO. 87
COUNCIL & COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHTS Feb. 17, March 3 and 10, 2021
Keeping you informed of the services, business and development that affect YOU!
#1 ICF Signed With City Of Cold Lake – On March 10 Council adopted the Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) between the M.D. and the City of Cold Lake. The lump sum cost-share calculation of $2.1 million for applicable intermunicipal service areas is based on the City of Cold Lake’s 2020 Municipal Budget values. The intermunicipal service expenses incurred by the M.D. are not being considered in the lump sum cost-share calculation at this time. Any future variance or change to the calculation will be discussed by the Committee for consideration and approval. Council requested that cemeteries be removed from the calculation.
#2 Cherry Grove Water Supply Feasibility Study – Council accepted the Water Supply to the Hamlet of Cherry Grove Feasibility Study prepared by consultants CIMA+ on March 3. The scope of the study was to take a holistic look at the needs of the areas near to, and including Cherry Grove, to determine the water supply options and explore the serviceability of the surrounding development en route to the hamlet from the Cold Lake/Bonnyville transmission line. Council requested Administration investigate the option of bringing water to Cherry Grove for a truck fill station. This waterline would have the capacity to expand the system in the future.
#3 Fort Kent to Cold Lake Waterline Connections – Council directed Administration on March 3 to work with the Bonnyville Regional Water Services Commission to establish a process for getting water connections from the Regional Water Transmission Line for M.D. residents throughout the municipality. Council also directed Administration to bring back an amending bylaw to amend Bylaw No. 1666 to incorporate parameters for a non-adjacent property waterline connection to the M.D. owned water and sewer infrastructure.
#4 Councillor Sanctioned – Councillor Dana Swigart was sanctioned by Council on March 3, for falling short of the standards prescribed by the Council Code of Conduct Bylaw. A letter of reprimand from Reeve Greg Sawchuk is published on the M.D. website.
#5 FireSmart Grant Application – On February 17, Council approved the submission of a $2000,000 grant application to the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA) FireSmart Program for fuel and vegetation management measures at Crane Lake and for FireSmart information sessions. The project will only start with grant approval, as 100 percent of the funding will be sourced from FRIAA. The project will be managed by the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority. The M.D. is currently conducting Phase I of the FireSmart Wildfire Mitigation Measures at Marie Lake which is scheduled to be completed by September 15, 2021. Phase II of the M.D.’s Wildfire Mitigation Strategy will see the implementation of the FireSmart measures at Crane Lake.
#6 Municipal Trail Projects – On March 3, Council rescinded its Municipal Trail Projects motion made on February 17 and directed Administration to proceed with the completion of approximately 22 kilometres of semi-developed and natural trails in the Fort Kent, Moose Lake, and Cherry Grove areas in 2021 as presented; with the exception of a portion of trail located along Range Road 420A, which will be completed at the same time as that road’s construction project, which is scheduled for 2024. The total length of trail may vary, depending on engineering requirements, tender submissions, and budget limitations.
#7 Planning And Development Statistics – The Planning and Development Department received one building permit in January, for a year-to-date total of $6,500. There are no housing starts for 2021. The M.D. received two subdivision applications in January.
#8 Council Strategic Plan 2020 – Council accepted the 2020 Council Strategic Plan Quarterly Review as information on February 17. The Strategic Plan outlines the four Council Goals: 1. Building a Prosperous and Sustainable Community; 2. Enhance Safety in the Community; 3. Sustainable Infrastructure that Meets the Needs of the Community; and 4. Enhance Livability of the Community.
#9 Muriel Creek Restoration Project – Phases I and II of the Muriel Creek Restoration Project have now been completed, except for one area for sediment removal. This 140-metre area will be added to the upcoming 10-year maintenance plan of Muriel Creek. This work should not have a direct effect on farming practices at this time. Ten blockages were removed from the system. Additional brushing on a quarter section along the creek north of the Barreyre ditch was completed to remove deadfall from the creek bed and shore to assist with the flow for upcoming spring runoff.
#10 Public Safety Update – Officers completed 677 and 615 General Crime Prevention Patrols in January and February respectively in various rural areas of the M.D. These patrols are a minimum of 30 minutes each. Officers have conducted, and will continue patrols, around area mailboxes as thefts have continued. Officers provided 84 Vacant Home Checks in January and February. Officers did six Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTEDs) assessments for M.D. assets, and more are underway. There were 138 landfill patrols in January and February. School Resource Officers (SROs) are still delivering classes to students remotely. The SROs are assisting with CPTEDs and general patrols when not conducting or preparing presentations. Officers responded to 17 dog complaints ranging from missing dogs to dogs running at large.
#11 Lease and Licensing Agreements Approved March 3 – Council approved the renewal of two Grazing Lease Agreements on municipal owned lands within NW 33-61-7-W4M and NE 35-61-4-W4M. Council awarded the Haying Lease Agreement tender for municipal owned lands within NE 7-63-5-W4M to the highest compliant bidder for $56.75 pre acre per year for 2021-2023. Costs are to be paid in full to the M.D. prior to December 31 of each year. First Reading was given to nine bylaws to grant a renewal license or permit for the temporary occupation or use of a Road Allowance. First Reading was given to five bylaws to grant new applications for expired Road Allowance Licenses.
#12 Funding Support – On March 3, Council approved a $25,000 a year contribution, over a five-year period from 2020 to 2024, for the Mental Health Navigator Program as requested by the Bonnyville Child & Adolescent Mental Health Collaborative. The Mental Health Navigator position works within the clinic team, as well as with several community groups, to advocate for and build capacity within the community to enhance mental health services and resources for all community members. Council approved converting the $2,000 cost of 2020 Bonnyville Health Foundation Gala tickets into a donation to the group. Council directed Administration on March 3 to bring back the number of M.D. residents impacted by the cost-share request from the Village of Glendon for the Glendon Drainage Parkway Project (total estimated cost $1,104,166.67) and the Glendon Parkway Trail Project (total estimated cost $520,433.60). Council also directed Administration to have M.D. Infrastructure Services staff review the Drainage Study already completed by the Village.
#13 Beaver Control Update – Council concurred with Agriculture Administration that electric fencing on culverts is not a good deterrent to use for beaver control. While the beaver control method may work, the M.D. will not be using this control measure for the following reasons: assets could easily be stolen, may have negative effects on wildlife, liability of an electric fence in a public space, and that Alberta Fish & Wildlife deem this method illegal.
#14 Littering And Illegal Dumping Penalties Increase – Final Reading was given to Bylaw No. 1770 to repeal and replace Schedule “C” of Bylaw No. 1627 to regulate waste and resource management on March 3. The amendment will increase the penalties for illegal dumping to $250, $500, $1,000, and $2,000 for the first, second, third, and fourth offences respectively.
#15 New Purchases For Ardmore And Fort Kent Fire Halls – On February 17, Council recommended that the purchases of appliances and apparatuses for the new Fort Kent and Ardmore Fire Halls come from the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority Budget. The purchases for both include a breathing air compressor ($60,000), washer and dryer ($12,500), and kitchen appliances ($10,000). Total for both fire halls is approximately $165,000.
#16 Briefly – On March 10, Council approved the sale of 35 pieces of equipment through a large public auction. Council also requested Administration send a letter to Justice Minister Madu, outlining its opposition to establishing a provincial police force. On February 17, Council directed Administration to track the in-house roadside brushing costs for 2021 and bring the information back to Council for consideration. Council agreed to donate the old signs on the recently purchased building for the new Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority headquarters to Bryan Kopala. On February 17, Administration was directed to develop a Request For Decision (RFD) to conduct an independent financial and operational review of Kinosoo Ridge Snow Resort. Council adopted the amended Snow and Ice Control Policy No, 4A.009 on February 17 to include the Fire Hall parking lots.