MUNICIPAL DISTRICT BONNYVILLE NO. 87
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS November 23, 2022
Keeping you informed of the services, business, and development that affect YOU!
Detailed information on each topic below can be found here.
#1 2023 Budget Passed – Council passed the 2023 Operating and Capital budgets. The Operating Budget came in at $109,457,673, while the Capital Plan (not including carryover projects from 2022) came in at $20,107,481. Administration presented balanced budgets by reducing operating expenses. To continue to offer the high level of service residents have come to expect living in the M.D. of Bonnyville, Council also approved a two percent tax increase, and will be implementing a one percent Environment Levy in 2023. The 2023 Mill Rate will be brought forward in May, after the M.D. receives the provincial requisitions for education and Lakeland Lodge. See md.bonnyville.ab.ca for more information.
#2 Planning Decisions – Council approved a discretionary use permit for a guest ranch with eight cabins. Council also approved two subdivisions at the meeting. The first was to split an existing 10-acre parcel into two, five-acre parcels. The second approved subdivision was for a nine-acre parcel from a previously unsubdivided quarter section.
#3 Planning & Development Updates – There were two public hearings held during the Regular meeting of Council. The first was for Bylaw No. 1810 for a Roadway Licensing Agreement which will allow for an existing structure. The second was for LUB 574 to make updates to the M.D.’s Land Use Bylaw to allow for personal use beehives on some country residential zoned properties. Both bylaws will be brought back to a future meeting for Second and Third Reading.
Council received the third-quarter department report. There were 54 building permits issued from the beginning of July to the end of September for projects with an estimated value of $6,339,057. During the same time, there were 10 new housing starts, and 181 Safety Codes permits issued.
Council gave Second and Third Reading to Bylaw No. 1766 the Municipal Land and Reserves Bylaw, which establishes regulations and enforcement measures for all activities on municipal-owned lands.
First Reading was given to Bylaw Nos. 1814, 1815, and 1816 to renew existing road licensing agreements. Public Hearings will be held for all three bylaws on December 14, 2022, beginning at 10:05 a.m. in Council Chambers.
Council approved a concert license application for the 2023 Summer Rush Music Festival. The festival will be held just outside of Cold Lake from August 25 to 27, 2023.
#4 Public Safety Update – From July to the end of December, Public Safety conducted 580 Rural Crime Prevention patrols, 330 hours of patrols for industry partners on a fee-for-service basis, 105 commercial vehicle inspections resulting in over $8,000 in fines. Peace Officers issued 25 bylaw tickets, 228 provincial tickets, and 373 provincial warnings. Peace officers also dealt with 82 dog complaints.
Council accepted an update from the Lakeland Rural Cat Spay and Neuter Clinic and directed Administration to have the group review the Community Action Grant (CAG) policy and make applicable changes to be eligible for funding under the policy.
Council gave First Reading to Bylaw No. 1812 Consolidated Public Safety Bylaw. If passed, the bylaw will update and consolidate five existing bylaws into one document including Bylaw No. 1610 – Traffic Services, Bylaw No. 981 – Nuisance (unsightly property), Bylaw No. 1371 – Animal Control, Bylaw No. 1704 – Cannabis Consumption, and Bylaw No. 1657, while adding a section regarding drones.
Council approved an amendment to the Terms of Service for the Emergency Advisory Committee. The amendment includes increasing the term for Council members on the committee from one year to four years to coincide with the municipal election cycle. Councillor Dana Swigart and Deputy Reeve Ben Fadeyiw’s term will end in 2025 to align with the next municipal election.
#5 Infrastructure Services Reports – Council received an update on the 2022 Road Use Agreement Pilot Program. From January 1 to November 9, Infrastructure Services issued 186 Heavy Haul agreements for 41 companies. During this time, staff monitored roads for any deterioration, identified deficiencies, and recovered repair costs from the companies responsible. Council directed Administration to bring Policy No. 4A.002 Road Bans to a future meeting to consider changing the policy to allow for the program to continue.
Council adopted Policy No. 3A.007 Municipal Road Approach Policy (formerly Policy No. 4A.019) as amended.
#6 Briefly – Council adopted the Municipal District of Bonnyville Business and Industry Growth Strategy. The document outlines economic development initiatives to support local businesses and to foster growth and diversification.
Council approved a $1,000 sponsorship of the 2023 Women of Influence of Awards being held in Cold Lake on March 3, 2023.
Council received quarterly reports from Agricultural Services, Waste Services, Parks, Recreation & Culture, Asset Management, and Economic Development. A copy of the reports can be found in the meeting agenda package at bit.ly/MDBvilleAgendas.
Recordings of the Council meetings can be found on the M.D.’s YouTube Channel. Visit md.bonnyville.ab.ca or follow us on Facebook to keep up to date.