MUNICIPAL DISTRICT BONNYVILLE NO. 87
COMMITTEE & COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS April 7 and 14, 2021
Keeping you informed of the services, business and development that affect YOU!
#1 Speed Limit Changes – Council accepted new Speed Limit recommendations as information and directed Administration to bring back a new map to reflect the requested changes, as well as to look at signage for 90-degree corners. Administration recommends all subdivision roads (not including arterial roadways) be reduced to 40 km/h from 50 km/h, Pike Road (Township Road 604 by Native Rehabilitation Centre) be reduced from 80 km/h to 50 km/h and Twp. Rd. 604 between Range Roads 470 and 471 be reduced from 80 km/h to 60 km/h due to narrow roadway and short, untrimmed ditches. Administration is recommending 10 M.D. roads be increased from 80 km/h to 100 km/h.
#2 Public Auction 2020 Cancelled – The M.D. has entered into an agreement with the property owner for the last outstanding property on the public auction list. Therefore, the public auction scheduled for May 27 is no longer required and has been cancelled.
#3 First Reading For Bonnyville Regional Airport Bylaw – First Reading was given to the Bonnyville Regional Airport Bylaw 1771, which establishes fees and charges for the operations of the airport. With several lot lease agreements coming up for renewal, it is recommended that the rates be increased to reflect a more current amount charged for the services provided. A provision for review of the bylaw every five years was included to provide opportunity to review the user fees. Council directed Administration to review the proposed changes with airport stakeholders prior to bringing back the bylaw for second and third reading.
#4 Rat Control Program Funding Decrease – The Rats and Rabies Grant from the provincial government will be reduced annually to $30,000 from $50,000. Going forward, inspections are to be done only in Range 1 twice a year, a reduction of 600 inspections. Previously inspections were conducted in Ranges 1 and 2 from the Saskatchewan border. Range 1 inspections were completed in spring and fall, and an inspection of Range 2 was completed once a year. The funding will now be added to the Agriculture Service Board (ASB) Grant.
#5 Seasonal Camping Sites Delayed – Council agreed to delay the implementation of additional seasonal camping sites until the 2022 season, pending provincial approvals. The M.D. is looking at adding seasonal sites to Muriel and Wolf Lake M.D. Parks. The M.D. has submitted revised business plans and operational change-of-use requests to the province. The M.D. is compiling a business plan for the Marie Lake site for provincial review and approval to possibly be in place for the 2022/23 camping season.
#6 Bonnyville Regional Airport Upgrades – Council approved the $400,000 required to complete the Bonnyville Airport lighting system upgrades be funded from Equipment Replacement Reserve, as the system will have an end life. A lighting system upgrade was not included in the 2021 Capital Budget allocation of $1.97 million for the airport. Unfortunately, the lighting system has experienced many significant issues in the past year, to the point where the runway/taxiway/apron edge lighting has been out of service since March 19, which is a safety issue for aircraft using the airport.
#7 Truck and Equipment Purchases – The purchase of eight light trucks for a total cost of $358,472.48 was approved by Council to be funded from each respective department’s allotted budget within the Equipment Replacement Fund. Council also approved the purchase of five heavy trucks for a total cost of $1.1 million to be funded from the Equipment Replacement Reserve Fund. Council approved suspending the sale of the five existing heavy trucks as previously presented until the tenders are received for the replacement units.
#8 Recreation Master Plan Approved – Council adopted the Recreation Master Plan with additions and amendments discussed in previous meetings. Consultants RC Strategies added trails, boat launch and outdoor rink strategies, and addressed other items previously missed within the document. Seven service delivery strategies were identified to optimize the M.D.’s investment in recreation.
#9 Hiring of Equipment/Truck Policy – Council adopted the Hiring of Equipment/Truck Policy No. 4A.015 to establish annual standing lists of equipment and/or truck suppliers, including standing unit rates and outlining the use of these lists by the M.D. for the delivery of construction and maintenance service as needed.
#10 Kinosoo Ridge Master Plan – Council directed Administration to utilize the Kinosoo Ridge Resort All-Season Resort Master Plan as a resource for future initiatives. Proposed concepts in the plan include: An Adventure Park & Playscape for summer, as well as hillside minigolf, multimedia trail, an expanded campground at French Bay, amphitheatre, cross-country biking and hiking trail network, summer glamping, beach and picnic areas, mooring area and boat launch and a wake board cable park. For the winter season, proposals include a Tube Park expansion, Gladed Skiing, natural feature terrain park, terrain-based learning area and beginner pod, Green Chair replacement, cross-country skiing, and a fat bike and snowshoeing trail network. All season additions include a nonmotorized trail network and all-season glamping.
#11 Implementing Regional Economic Development – The Regional Economic Development Implementation Workplan was accepted as information by Council. The Workplan outlines the main implementation tasks and deliverables associated with the 2021 Regional Economic Development Plan into three main strategic objectives: Investment Readiness (Administrative Foundation); Economic Diversification (Business Retention and Attraction) and Amplifying Brand (Regional Marketing). The workplan has identified specific actions related to seven industry sectors that were identified as areas for business attraction and expansion: CFB Procurement; Proteins and Agriculture Technology; Oil & Gas; Tourism & Quality of Place; Renewable Technologies; Retail and Services and Workforce Development.
#12 Road Allowance Licensing Bylaws Passed – Final Reading was given to 13 bylaws to grant a renewal license or permit for the temporary occupation or use of a Road Allowance in accordance with Policy No. 4A.007. A $150 Roadway License Agreement fee is paid by the applicant for the three-year term from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2023.
#13 Planning And Development Statistics – The Planning and Development Department received two building permits in February, for a year-to-date total of $126,500. There are no housing starts for 2021. The M.D. received two subdivision applications in February, for a year-to-date total of four.
#14 Disposal Of Used Culverts Policy – Council adopted the Disposal of Used Culverts Policy No. 4A.020. The main highlights include: all used culverts will be stockpiled in the Public Works yard; an up-to-date inventory will be maintained; culverts will be available for purchase to all M.D. residents at the cost of 50 percent of a new culvert on a first come, first serve basis; used culverts are only to be used on private land and cannot be used for road approaches, and culverts that are not reusable will be disposed of as recycled metal.
#15 Senate And Referenda Fall Vote – Alberta Municipal Affairs has reached out to municipalities across the province to conduct the fall senate and referenda votes for neighbouring First Nations communities during the Municipal Election on Monday, October 18. Council instructed Administration to ask the province to reach out to the affected First Nations to get their feedback and confirmed agreement on this approach first. Council was in favour of assisting with the provincial senate and referenda voting, but did not want to proceed without this confirmation.
#16 Briefly – Council agreed to host the 2021 Alberta Coordinated Action Recycling Enterprises (CARE) Fall Conference from September 8 to 10 at the Bonnyville & District Centennial Centre.