MUNICIPAL DISTRICT BONNYVILLE NO. 87
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS June 8, 2022
Keeping you informed of the services, business, and development that affect YOU!
#1 Municipal Planning Decisions – Council approved four discretionary use development permits — one for a storefront and café, one for the placement of two beehives for personal use, one for a 10-kennel dog boarding business, and another for a variance to allow for the placement of a mobile home. Council also approved two subdivision applications – one for an 80-acre parcel from a quarter section with an Agricultural designation and another for a 15-acre parcel also from a quarter section with an Agricultural designation. You can find out more information on the permits and applications in the meeting agenda package at md.bonnyville.ab.ca.
#2 Environmental and Protective Services – Council approved an amendment to Policy No. 5A.007 Shelterbelt Tree Planting to include planting setbacks to protect visibility at corner lots. An amendment to the Roadside Cleanup Program (Policy No. 5B.002) was approved, which will make the program easier for community groups to participate in and will address safety protocols.
Council approved an amendment to the Agricultural Use of Road Allowance Policy (Policy No. 5A.010) allowing landowners to salvage forage crops or plant and harvest seed crops in the backslope portion of road allowances.
Council agreed to reallocate funds in the 2022 Brushing Program for backsloping and rock removal from the completed 2021 brushing projects in the Alexander and Fort Kent areas. Any remaining funds will be used for other brushing projects, as determined by Administration.
#3 Infrastructure Services – Council approved the purchase of a new mini-excavator with a cleanup bucket from Brown’s Industrial Sales at a cost of $86,500 (plus GST). Council also approved the purchase of three new heavy-duty trailers — a 40-ton tandem axle jeep, 60-ton tridem trailer, and 40-ton scissor-neck trailer — at a price of $390,750 (plus GST) from Gerry’s Trailer Sales Limited. The equipment purchases were budgeted for in the 2022 Capital Budget.
#4 Funding – Council approved a request from Community Futures Lakeland for $13,810 to continue the Beautification Loan Program in 2022. The M.D. has partnered with Community Futures to provide funding and zero interest loans to M.D. businesses to help with renovations and façade improvements. The funding will come from 2022 Operating Budget.
Council approved the registration of four golfers in the Rural Municipalities of Alberta golf tournament in September at a cost of $480. The tournament is in support of the Stollery Children’s Hospital.
#5 Briefly – Council had a delegation from the Bonnyville & District Chamber of Commerce which covered the 2021 year in review and an overview of the services offered by the chamber to local businesses and the M.D.
Council also heard from the Dove Centre about their employment program, facilitating employment opportunities, workshops, resources, and training for persons with developmental disabilities.
Council approved an amendment to Policy No. 1.003 Councillor, Committee, and Board Member Meeting Attendance. The amendment includes removing Council approval for attendance at an event unless there is a fee associated, authorizing the Reeve to attend on Council’s behalf when approval is required but cannot be voted on before the event, and adding the Agricultural Service Board Conference to the list of pre-approved conferences. Policies can be found on the M.D. website at md.bonnyville.ab.ca under the Council tab.
Council approved a draft of the Terms of Reference for a Regional Sports Tourism Committee. The committee will be formed by members of council and residents from the M.D., Town of Bonnyville, and City of Cold Lake to attract sporting events to the region, which would have a positive impact on the regional tourism economy. Changes to the document can be made by the committee after it is formed.
Council denied a request for over $21,000 in unbudgeted expenditures from the Alberta Conservation Association for aeration equipment and operating costs for its project at Little Bear Lake. The independent association was previously granted $35,000 from Council to purchase equipment for the project.
The Bonnyville Visitor Information Centre (VIC) will be run out of the M.D.’s Main Administration building at 4905-50 Ave. during Summer 2022. VIC services will be available Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. starting June 13.
Recordings of the Council meetings can be found on the M.D.’s YouTube Channel. Our website is a useful way to get the information you need. Follow us on Facebook.