MUNICIPAL DISTRICT BONNYVILLE NO. 87
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS February 9, 2022
Keeping you informed of the services, business, and development that affect YOU!
#1 BRFA On The Move – In a recorded vote, Council agreed, in principle, to transfer the former Kopala building to the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA). The building will house the administrative offices, Station 5 Bonnyville, EMS services, and 911 operations. Council also directed staff to bring back additional information about crafting agreements for repayment, as per a decision from the BRFA board, and the transfer of property from the M.D. to the fire authority.
#2 Iron River School Playground Funding Approved – Council approved an additional $137,000 donation to the Iron River School Association for the installation of a new, expanded playground. The donation will be funded from the Park and School Reserve. The M.D. approved an initial donation of $125,000 in 2021 for the project, which came in at just over $372,000. The last bit of funding will allow for the playground to be installed this summer.
#3 ICF Committee Appointments – Council agreed to create Terms of Reference for the seven Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) Committees with neighbouring municipalities. Council passed a motion to add the committees to the 2021-2022 Committee/Board Appointments and appointed members as follows: Councillor Ben Fadeyiw (City of Cold Lake), Councillor Josh Crick (Town of Bonnyville), Councillor Mike Krywiak (Village of Glendon), and Councillor Darcy Skarsen (Summer Villages of Pelican Narrows and Bonnyville Beach). Appointments to the ICF Committees with St. Paul and Lac La Biche will be decided at a later date.
#4 Planning & Development Updates – There were 170 building permits issued in 2021, with a year-end development total of $19,158,643. This is an increase over 2020, which saw a year-end total of $16,727,004.89. There were 526 safety codes permits (gas, plumbing, electrical, and sewer) issued in 2021. Eight applications for subdivision were received last year.
Council gave First Reading to several Road Allowance Licensing Bylaws: 1788, 1789, 1790, 1791, and 1792. Details of the road allowance locations can be found in the agenda package on the M.D.’s website at md.bonnyville.ab.ca/313/Agendas-Minutes. Public Hearings for the bylaws will be held March 9, 2022.
#5 Parks Updates – Council confirmed the cancellation of the lease application that had been submitted in 2021 to Alberta Environment and Parks for lands known as Shelter Bay Campground at Marie Lake.
Council adopted a policy that will allow residents, businesses, and visitors to donate a commemorative bench or picnic table to be placed around the M.D. Placement location requests will be managed on a first come, first served basis. Application fees will range from $1,500 to $2,000 which will include the cost of the bench or table and its installation.
Council directed staff to send a letter to the Minister of Environment and Parks to request his support for addressing the ongoing algae problem in Moose Lake. Council agreed to send a second letter to the Minister to express concern about the lengthy wait for decisions on issues affecting M.D. Parks, including (but not limited to) adding seasonal camping sites to Muriel Lake, the boat launches at Cold Lake and Vezeau Beach parks, and the expansion of the M.D. trail system. Council also directed Administration to schedule a meeting with the Minister during the 2022 Rural Municipalities of Alberta spring convention next month.
#6 Ag & Waste Services Updates – The M.D. has created a Livestock Emergency Plan thanks to a grant through Alberta Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Economic Development. The plan is available on our website at md.bonnyville.ab.ca.
In 2021, M.D. staff carried out 1,020 rat inspections along the Alberta/Saskatchewan border. An M.D. resident from Goodridge found a deceased Norway rat while combining. Ag staff conducted 76 inspections in a five-kilometre radius but found no sign of additional rodents.
The M.D.’s annual shelterbelt sale will be online only this year. The sale opens March 8 at 10 a.m. Information about available varieties is available on the M.D. website.
#7 Public Safety Update – In December 2021, Peace Officers completed over 22,000 km of patrols. In the last quarter of 2021, officers responded to 37 dog complaints (running at large, missing, aggressive animals) and assisted the RCMP with several vehicle collisions. In the last three months of the year, School Resource Officers gave over 450 presentations to more than 7,700 local students.
The mailboxes in Fort Kent were broken into in December. Peace officers added the area to their patrols. Council requested a letter to be sent to Canada Post to encourage them to replace the aging boxes with new, more secure boxes.
#8 Briefly – Council approved several policy amendments which included corrections, removal of attachments (including applications) to allow for small administrative changes without having to bring the policies back to Council, and the removal of fees due to the creation of the Master Rates Bylaw No. 1786.
Council approved the creation of a full-time permanent Economic Development position, which will focus on rural initiatives and establish an economic development program.
Council gave Second and Third Reading to Bylaw No. 1748 – Boards and Committees Bylaw. This bylaw formally establishes existing committees and boards, as per the Municipal Government Act.
Council directed staff to draft a letter, in cooperation with neighbouring municipalities, to Alberta Transportation to express the need for an increased level of service on Highway 28.
The M.D. was approved for the Alberta Municipal Affairs 2022 Municipal Internship Program for Finance Officers. The internship comes with a $60,000 grant to cover the salary of an intern looking at a future in local government.
Recordings of the Council meetings can be found on the M.D.’s YouTube Channel at bit.ly/MDBvilleYouTube.
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