MUNICIPAL DISTRICT BONNYVILLE NO. 87
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS November 6, 20 and 27, 2019
Keeping you informed of the services, business and development that affect YOU!
#1 M.D. Supports Enhanced Policing Services – Municipal District of Bonnyville Council on November 6 approved an application be sent to Alberta Justice requesting the provision of RCMP enhanced policing services. The M.D. is providing $1.7 million over three years to create a Regional Crime Reduction Unit composed of three regular RCMP members and one support staff. The new unit will serve the M.D. and the Town of Bonnyville, Village of Glendon, City of Cold Lake, and Elizabeth and Fishing Lake Metis Settlements. One year of secured funding in the amount of $474,000 is now in place from the 2018 ID 349 Regional Collaboration Fund. It may take about six months to put the unit in place.
#2 Next Generation 911 System – Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BFRA) Fire Chief Jay Melvin’s report on the Next Generation 911 (NG9-1-1) on November 5 was accepted as information by Council and will be prioritized in future budget deliberations. The current 911 network has reached its end of life, and is mandated to be decommissioned on June 30, 2023, which requires all Public Service Answering Points (PSAPs) to transition to the new platform before that date. Every PSAP in Canada is required to update and/or replace existing call processing technology to remain compatible and be able to receive direct or transferred 911 calls. To facilitate this large project the BRFA administration has put funding in the 2020-2023 municipal budgets for the M.D. and Town of Bonnyville to meet the timelines from the CRTC.
#3 Birch Grove Stormwater Outfall Structure Tender Awarded – Council awarded the $574,271.75 contract for the Birch Grove Stormwater Outfall Structure to 640 Earthworks of Elk Point. The scope of the work includes a set of five manholes, interconnected with underground pipes and an outfall structure with energy dissipater.
#4 Pest Control Policy Updated – On November 6 Council adopted Policy No. 5A.012 Pest Control Policy to include the Coyote & Wolf Reduction Incentive Program rules and regulations. The reduction program for the 2019-2020 year started November 1 and will end on March 31, 2020. The incentives that are paid out for coyotes are $15 and wolves are $75. The benefits to the program are reduced predation on livestock and promoting a healthy population in the coyotes and wolves. Over population of these animals will see mange and other canine diseases that could spread in the domestic population.
#5 Livestock Emergency Response Plan In Development – Council approved a grant application on November 20 to the Canadian Agricultural Partnership/Alberta (CAP) Agriculture and Forestry Emergency Preparedness Grant Program for the development of a Livestock Emergency Response Plan for a maximum cost of $25,000. The total project is estimated at $50,000, with the grant covering fifty percent of the cost. Funds will be placed in the 2020 budget. The objective of the grant program is to improve the capacity and readiness of communities to respond/prepare for emergencies that potentially impact one the following areas: plant health, livestock health, food safety or irrigation conveyance. Other components include: stakeholder engagement and training for involved residents and volunteers and M.D. staff.
#6 Yes And No For Pelican Narrows Requests – On November 20, Council approved amending the existing agreement with the Summer Village of Pelican Narrows to include the snow clearing of Pelican Narrows Drive at a cost of $220/hour. There will be a minimum one-hour charge every time the Grader Operator is in the area for the snow clearing of Elk Haven Subdivision. Council denied the request to upgrade an undeveloped road allowance connecting north of Pelican Narrows Drive and the Birch Grove Subdivision. That road allowance is currently in poor condition and barricaded on both ends. With wetlands on both sides of the road any work will require Alberta Environment and Parks approvals.
#7 Moose River Weir Update – Alberta Environment and Parks advised the M.D. that the Moose River Weir project was forwarded to Alberta Transportation for decommissioning. The project is currently in the funding approval process. Once funding has been established, a consultant will then put the project through the Water Act application process. Once all approvals have been secured, the decommissioning is scheduled to commence by the fall of 2020.
#8 Provincial Funding Cut – The M.D. will receive $7,567.20 less from the Province of Alberta for Grants In Place of Taxes (GIPOT). The total eligible amount receivable from the province for properties under the GIPOT program is $30,305.41. Based on the 25 percent reduction, the M.D. was notified by the province to expect a payment of $22,729.21 for the 2019/2020 year.
#9 Planning and Development Updated Statistics – The Planning and Development Department received 24 building permits in September and 22 building permits in October for a total value of $8,778,840 (including $4.5 million for the Fort Kent and Ardmore Fire Halls), bringing the year-to-date total to $19,683,330. Housing starts for 2019 include 34 Single Family Dwellings/RTMs/Mobile Homes. In 2019, the M.D. has received 17 subdivision applications.
#10 Iron Horse Trail Gets Groomed – Council approved the Winter Maintenance Agreement for the Iron Horse Trail on November 6. The M.D. will pay the Riverland Trail Society/Iron Horse Groomer Foundation $2,070 per grooming pass to a maximum of three trail groomings per year between Glendon and Cold Lake.
#11 FCM Renewal Cancellation – On November 6 Council agreed to withdraw from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) in 2020 pending response regarding the M.D.’s concern that the national organization does not recognize western issues and concerns. The M.D. paid an annual membership of $2,147 in 2019. Two days after the Council meeting, FCM announced the creation of a municipal Western Economic Solutions Taskforce (WEST).
#12 Letter of Support – Council approved a letter of support on November 6 for the Ardmore Community Society’s Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) grant application to improve lighting, access to the hall and the installation of a LED sign. The letter indicates the M.D. will be willing to fund 40 percent ($26,800) of the project total of $67,000.
#13 Funding Support – Council approved an $8,000 sponsorship for the Ronald McDonald House Charities Winterland Invitational Atom and Peewee Hockey Tournament to be held February 14 to 16, 2020. The funds will pay for ice rental. Council agreed to contribute $1,000 to the food banks at the Bonnyville Friendship Centre and the Cold Lake Community Baptist Church.
#14 Briefly – On November 20, Council agreed to enter into a Shaw House Lease Agreement with the Bonnyville & District Chamber of Commerce for a one year term. The lease will be brought back for Council review in October 2020 for future consideration. Council also agreed to apply for a provincial Community and Regional Economic Support (CARES) Program Grant to pursue an economic development initiative within the community at an estimated cost of $160,000. CARES will cover fifty percent of the cost. Council approved the sale of the 2000 GMC C7H042 Fire Truck on November 20 to Eastcan Fire Truck Inc. for $24,281.25. On November 20, Council agreed to enter into an Emergency Management Agreement with the Summer Villages of Pelican Narrows and Bonnyville Beach to develop and administer their Emergency Management with the M.D.’s Emergency Management Plan. Council agreed to cancel the December 25 Council Meeting and January 1, 2020 Committee Meeting.
For more information, contact Diane Jenkinson, Marketing and Communications Manager at 780-826-3171. Our website is a useful way to get the information you need. Visit: www.md.bonnyville.ab.ca Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @MDBville.