MUNICIPAL DISTRICT BONNYVILLE NO. 87
COMMITTEE & COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS April 21 and 28, 2021
Keeping you informed of the services, business and development that affect YOU!
#1 Council Approves 2020 Consolidated Financial Statements – Council approved the 2020 Consolidated Financial Statements. Auditors, Metrix Group LLP, gave the M.D. a clean report for the year ending 2020, stating the municipality has good, solid financial assets to provide future government services for its residents. The 2020 Financial Statement is available online, or a copy can be picked up at the Main Administration Office. Council also approved the 2020 Audit Findings Report and the 2020 Financial Statement Report.
#2 Snowplow Flag Rate Increases – Council approved a rate increase to $45 for Grader/Snowplow Flags. The previous fee of $25 was set in 1995, and does not reflect the estimated cost of service and municipal policy. Over time, inflation has turned the grader time from a user pay service into a subsidized service.
#3 Voyent Alert System Coming Soon – The Public Notifications Policy No. 5C.019 was adopted by Council. The policy gives Administration direction to provide public notifications through the Voyent Alert System Mobile App. The Director of Public Safety will administer the program to ensure consistent messaging. The system sends out operational notifications, such as closed roads, to all subscribers of the Voyent App. Once the program is up and running, residents or any member of the public can enroll with Voyent Alerts by downloading the application from the associated application store for their mobile device or by creating an account online. Watch our Facebook page for launch updates.
#4 Regional Economic Development Branding Strategy – Council approved the submissions of a project scope change request to Alberta Economic Development and Tourism to include a Regional Branding Strategy as part of the M.D. of Bonnyville Regional Economic Development Initiatives Project. The project is partially funded through the Alberta Community and Regional Economic Support (CARES) grant. The branding strategy will create a master brand and message that identifies our unique economic opportunities, investment opportunities, quality of life, and experiences available in the Bonnyville region.
#5 Ag Update – For the second year, residents purchased shelterbelt trees through an online portal. The program is nearly sold out, with 165 customers purchasing nearly 9,000 trees. Diana and Phil Crampton in Cherry Grove are the new satellite equipment rental depot at 62101 RGERD413 and can be reached at 780-594-1554.
#6 Waste Services News – The Roadside Cleanup Program is resuming, with 20 groups already reserving their dates in the program which runs until June 7. The program supports 20 to 25 non-profit groups annually for a cost of approximately $25,000, with groups cleaning 300 kilometres of the M.D.’s busiest roads. The landfills and transfer stations experienced a 9.1 percent increase of visitors in 2020, taking in 756.1 tonnes of Class III Waste.
#7 Capital Equipment Purchases For Ardmore and Fort Kent Firehalls – Council directed Administration to bring forward the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA) request for $165,000 in capital purchases for the Ardmore and Fort Kent Firehalls to the upcoming 2022 Budget deliberations. The purchases include a breathing air compressor ($60,000), washer and dryer ($12,500), and kitchen appliances ($10,000) for each hall.
#8 Public Safety Update – Officers conducted 2,742 patrols in March, including General, Crime Prevention, and Targeted Crime Prevention patrols. Officers provided 48 Vacant Home Checks in March. School Resource Officers are still delivering programs to students remotely, as well as assisting with the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Program (CPTED) and general patrols when not conducting or preparing presentations. CPTEDs on all M.D. assets have been completed, and reports are presently being drafted and reviewed. Officers conducted 108 landfill patrols in March. Officers responded to nine dog complaints, ranging from missing dogs to dogs running at large. At present, all officers are working a 12-hour shift and mirroring a similar schedule based around the Industry Patrol rotation.
#9 Policy Committee Terms of Reference – Council approved the Policy Committee terms of reference, which enables the committee to make recommendations to Council regarding the development and amendment of municipal policies, assisting in the assurance that policies are in line with the strategic direction set forth by Council.
#10 Planning And Development Statistics – The Planning and Development Department received 18 building permits in March, for a year-to-date total of $1,541,041. There are three housing starts for 2021 – two Single Family Dwellings and one Mobile Home. The M.D. received two subdivision applications in March, for a year-to-date total of six.
#11 Funding Support – Council approved a $150,000 contribution to Cold Lake Hearts For Healthcare for a permanent reserve fund to be used for the Physician Recruitment and Retention program, in accordance with the agreed upon terms. It is to be funded from Cashflow Reserves. Council approved a $2,000 contribution to the Bonnyville 2021 District 4-H Show and Sale to be funded from the 2021 Agricultural Service Board (ASB) Budget. The three Bonnyville District 4-H Clubs and the Goodridge 4-H Club will each get $500. Council agreed to register a team for the 7th Annual Ronald McDonald House Charities Charity Golf Classic – Lakeland Region on June 19 for a cost of $500. Council agreed to support employee participation in National Denim Day on May 11, a breast cancer fundraising event. The municipality will match the contributions of the employees participating, as requested by the CURE Foundation.
#12 Briefly – Council approved a letter of support for the Bonnyville & District Centennial Centre for its Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) Grant application to renovate the community recreation hall (former bingo hall). Final Reading was given to Road Allowance Licensing Bylaw No. 1765.