MUNICIPAL DISTRICT BONNYVILLE NO. 87
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS April 10, 2019
Keeping you informed of the services, business and development that affect YOU!
#1 Iron Horse Trail Improvements – Municipal District of Bonnyville Council agreed to pave a portion of the Iron Horse Trail between Range Roads 482 and 485, including through the Village of Glendon. This portion of the trail is 4.83 kilometres long and runs through Glendon. Council will pave the entire width of the trail portion to reduce maintenance and ensure longevity. Council tabled a decision to pave the staging area at the Beaver River Trestle to get more information on the exact dimensions of the project that will ensure a wheelchair user can access the trestle. Both projects will need to be approved by Northeast Muni-Corr Ltd., the not-for-profit Part Nine Company, composed of representatives from 10 municipalities, that manages the trail.
#2 Cannabis Bylaw Passed – Council passed Bylaw No. 1704 – Public Consumption of Cannabis Bylaw. The bylaw provides a listing of specific locations and areas where the consumption of cannabis would be prohibited. It states “A person shall not consume cannabis in any public place, workplace, public transportation vehicle, or any private motor vehicle, with the exception of those being used as a temporary residence, such as a parked recreational vehicle (RV), within the municipality regardless of whether or not a ‘No Consumption of Cannabis’ sign is posted.” Similar to tobacco legislation, the bylaw places some onus on a proprietor, or employer, to take initial steps to curb the consumption of cannabis in a public place. Offence penalties range from $200 to $400.
#3 Kinosoo Ridge Closed For The Season – Kinosoo Ridge Snow Resort is now closed. The season was extended until April 4 to allow staff to accommodate most of the schools that had to cancel during the February cold spell. The last event of the season was the Blizzard Blast Ski Competition. There were 76 skiers representing four ski clubs. This was the fourth race hosted at the Ridge. It has become an annual event sanctioned by the Alberta Alpine Ski Association for the North Zone. Ridge staff will be working on chair maintenance and some trail widening during the month of April.
#4 Regional Recreation Committee Established – Council approved the formation of a Regional Recreation Committee and the Terms of Reference to be distributed and accepted by the partner municipalities. The Committee is composed of the M.D., Town of Bonnyville, City of Cold Lake and the Village of Glendon. The committee will act in an advisory role to their respective Councils in matters pertaining to regional recreation opportunities, including, but not limited to, parks, recreation and trails. The committee is composed of three members (two Councillors and one administration staff) from each municipality for a total of 12 members.
#5 Ag And Waste News – Council agreed to provide a letter of support to be forwarded to the Alberta Minister of Environment and Parks for the Extended Producer Responsibility Program (ERP). The ERP provides the opportunity to shift the funding and operational responsibility for recycling, recycling collection, processing and material marketing to the producer, resulting in significant savings for many municipalities. The ERP gives incentives to producers to make and sell products that are more durable, reusable and recyclable. As a result, significant progress can be made to divert waste away from landfills. Council passed Policy No. 60.63.14 – Use of Liquide Strychnine. The policy sets out the procedure for the distribution of two percent liquid strychnine to producers within the M.D. to control Richardson’s Ground Squirrels. The M.D. will distribute the strychnine from early spring until the end of May, restricting the amount provided to producers by up to two cases.
#6 Parks, Recreation And Culture Update – April 1 was the first day of M.D. campground reservations. While most campgrounds had steady reservations, Cold Lake M.D. Park received over 100 calls on the first day. Camping season begins May 10. The Minnie Lake M.D. Park office and change room construction is complete and ready for the caretaker. The Parks Crew has been working on providing information to the GIS Technician to develop an interactive playground map that will show where all of our playgrounds are, what age groups they are suitable for and what amenities are available. The map will go live at the beginning of May. The first M.D. wide Hall Board Meeting was held on April 4. Two representatives from each hall were invited to attend. Topics included Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) and Navigating Social Media. Another meeting will be held later in the year to provide hall boards the opportunity to discuss successes, challenges, and the chance to network with each other. Each meeting will include items such as volunteer recruitment, fundraising, and other topics as suggested by the boards. These meetings address a recommendation from the Recreation Needs Assessment.
#7 Planning and Development Update – Planning and Development received five building permits in March for a total of $147,000, bringing the year-to-date total to $801,600. Housing starts for 2019 include one Single Family Dwelling. In 2019, the M.D. has received five subdivision applications. On April 3, Council agreed to hire an engineering firm to do a water modelling study of Pinsky Lake (across from the Grand Centre Golf and Country Club) in order to gain an understanding of the water flowing into the lake from the surrounding land, and what mitigation solutions can be implemented to reduce and maintain the lake levels.
#8 Transportation and Utilities Update – Council awarded the $554,527 tender for the Connair Crescent Underground and Surface Rehabilitation in Fort Kent to Knelsen Sand & Gravel. Total price of the project is $643,027, including GST, contract management and contingency. Council passed Policy No. 30.31.03 – Hiring of Equipment/Trucks. The policy will allow the M.D. to have an annual list of equipment suppliers and standing rate of equipment/trucks for use in the delivery of construction and maintenance services. The policy states that the M.D. “is committed to the use of private equipment, trucks, machinery and personnel of residents/landowners located within the boundaries of the M.D. in the delivery of construction and maintenance services. The Director of Transportation and Utilities may authorize the hiring of equipment/trucks from outside the M.D. All equipment/trucks hired will be paid based upon the submission of competitive quotations and/or requests for service proposals based upon hourly rates, unit rates or lump sum amounts.” The M.D. will maintain, and annually update, a Registered Equipment List.
#9 Funding Support – Council agreed to extend an $150,000 interest-free loan contribution to the Cold Lake Hearts For Healthcare Doctor Recruitment Program in order to match the same contribution provided to the Bonnyville Health Foundation for doctor recruitment. Council agreed to purchase two tables at the Bonnyville Oilmen’s Lobsterfest for $1,260. Council authorized administration to mow and grade the parking lot and staging area for the Annual Ardmore Duck Race on June 2 at the bridge across the Beaver River on Highway 892. Council agreed to provide a $500 Community Action Grant to sponsor the pancake breakfast at the Beaver River Fish and Game Association’s Father’s Day weekend at the Wolf Lake M.D. Campground.
#10 Briefly – Council agreed to write a letter to the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) requesting intervener status to support Imperial Oil Resources Limited’s Cold Lake Expansion Project in a hearing (proceeding ID 376) granted in response to a regulatory appeal from the Elizabeth Metis Settlement. Councillor Marc Jubinville was appointed Deputy Reeve for six months. On March 27, Brad Dumencu and Garry Kissel were appointed as members-at-large to the M.D. Rural Policing Committee.