MUNICIPAL DISTRICT BONNYVILLE NO. 87
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS July 10, 2019
Keeping you informed of the services, business and development that affect YOU!
#1 Next Steps for Recreation Park – At its July 3 meeting, Municipal District of Bonnyville Council directed administration to investigate options with the Town of Bonnyville to expand the Outdoor Recreation Park on town-owned land. Administration was directed to bring back phase options for the Park to a future meeting for deliberations. RC Strategies made its latest report to Council on the feasibility study for the outdoor recreation park. The presentation included breaking the project and capital costs down into three phases. The estimated final price tag is just over $24 million (which doesn’t include lighting). A copy of the report will be available online at www.md.bonnyville.ab.ca/403/Recreation-Needs by July 19. Next steps will include identifying a preferred site, analyzing and refining the site program and capital costs, discussions with possible partners, fundraising and more.
#2 Muriel Creek Restoration Project Update – The Muriel Creek Restoration Project was initiated to prevent future flooding of land in the Charlotte Lake, Barreyre Lake and Muriel Creek systems. The project has a budget of $200,000 for the first phase, which consists of legal surveys, permission to remove crossings that impede water flow, sedimentation and vegetation removal and gaining Water Act approval from the province. Permissions from landowners are complete, and were sent to Alberta Environment for approval of the project. Approval from Alberta Environment is expected by the end of August. The M.D. is preparing to start work in September. Once the Phase I work is done, water levels in the first seven-mile stretch of Muriel Creek should drop about 3.5 metres.
#3 Planning And Development Update – Final Reading was given to Bylaw No. 1705 to close all of Road Plan 5044JY within NE 6-63-1-W4M containing 4.08 hectares (10.08 acres) more or less. The road allowance was realigned under plan 952 0756. The old Road Plan 5044JY was not closed during the realignment in 1995. The road closure will facilitate the registration of the old road as a drainage ditch. Council directed administration to bring back documentation to register a License of Occupation (LOC) and closure of Road Plan 4421PX in order for the Planning Department to deal with a non-compliant development. Once the LOC is granted by the province, it will be transferred to the property owners and incorporated into their driveway access. Council approved a request to hunt on M.D. owned land at SW 13-59-5-W4M.
#4 Transportation and Utilities Update – On July 3, Council awarded the tender for the reconstruction of Township Road 640 from Range Roads 471 to 473 to Shamrock Valley Enterprises Ltd. for $1,067,755, with a total project cost of $1,272,590 including engineering and contingency. A project shortfall of $72,600 is to be funded from Restricted Surplus Capital Road Improvements. Council approved the sale of unused, and expired equipment, at the Copeland Auction east of Fort Kent on Saturday, August 24. There is a 12 percent consignment fee for items sold through auction.
#5 Parks, Recreation and Culture News – On July 3, Council awarded the tender for the construction of the North Shore Heights Trail to Blue Flame Contracting for $859,810, with a total project cost of $1,129,031, including engineering. Council also awarded the tender for the engineering and construction services for the development of the Range Road 482-485 Trail and the Beaver River Trestle Bridge Staging Area and Trail to WSP for a cost of $29,011.26, which includes a $3,000 Environmental Assessment.
#6 Funding Support – Council approved a $5,000 capital grant for the Franchere Social Community Centre for the purchase of a replacement event tent. The Society continues to provide residents use of the ball diamond and green space for rental purposes and the area is well used. Council approved a $1,000 sponsorship for the September 7 Cold Lake Valour Place Golf Tournament to raise funds for the Edmonton facility that assists Canadian Forces Members, RCMP and First Responders, as well as their families.
#7 Briefly – Councillor Ben Fadeyiw was appointed by the City of Cold Lake as the M.D. representative on the Cold Lake Library Board.