MUNICIPAL DISTRICT BONNYVILLE NO. 87
COUNCIL & COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHTS August 31, September 2 and 9, 2020
Keeping you informed of the services, business and development that affect YOU!
#1 Budget Open Houses – On September 2, Municipal District of Bonnyville Council agreed to host three Budget 2021 Public Consultations. The first is on Monday, November 2 at Flat Lake Community Hall, the second is on Tuesday, November 3 at the Cherry Grove Community Hall and the third on Monday, November 9 at the Beaver River Fish and Game Hall in Bonnyville. All open houses are from 7 to 9 p.m.
#2 Fort Kent Area Structure Plan – First Reading was given to Bylaw No. 1749 – Fort Kent Area Structure Plan (ASP). Planning and Development is reviewing and updating the ASP to ensure it is consistent with current practices, municipal policies and community aspirations. A Public Hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 28 at 10 a.m. in Council Chambers.
#3 Municipal Stimulus Program Application – Council agreed to submit a grant application to the Municipal Stimulus Program for the 2021 construction of the Cold Lake M.D. Campground, Marina and Lookout Reclamation Project in the amount of $1,516,770. The project would include the following (pending provincial approval): the removal of the present lookout at Cold Lake M.D. Park and the construction of a 20-slip boat marina, including a boat launch for watercraft under 25 feet and a 20 by 50-foot floating dock including a new parking lot. A controlled entrance and exit gate will be installed.
#4 Cold Lake M.D. Park Expansion – Council accepted as information the proposed Construction Phasing Approach for the Cold Lake M.D. Park Campground Expansion Project for a budgeted cost of $5.4 million, with the scope of work to be completed by the summer of 2023. Utilizing 67 acres, the project will add campsites, drive-through RV sites, along with a tenting area, playground, boat launch (as mentioned above), and trails. A portion of the costs would be covered by the Municipal Stimulus Program Grant.
#5 ATV And OHV Use Clarification – Under Bylaw 1610 Traffic Safety Section 5, off highway vehicles (OHVs) are permitted to operate in the ditches adjacent to M.D.-controlled roadways. The exemption is OHVs are not permitted in the ditches adjacent to the Moose Lake Walking Trail in accordance with Section 4.10 (3). OHVs operating in the ditches must be travelling in the same direction as traffic on the adjacent highway and not to exceed 20 km/h. There are no written rules within the M.D. bylaw, or provincial law, regarding obstacles in the ditch (bridges, water). It is understood by all officers who enforce the bylaw, that there are times to use officer discretion regarding operation of the OHV that must travel the edge of the highway to avoid obstacles to be safe.
#6 Draft Recreation Master Plan – Council accepted the Draft Recreation Master Plan as information. The plan outlines strategies to optimize recreation investment and service delivery. Representatives from RC Strategies + PERC (the authors of the plan), will be at the October 21 Council meeting to go over the plan and address any changes and/or additions Council may have. Reeve Greg Sawchuk pointed out he would like some stronger wording about cooperation with neighbouring urban municipalities. He also said he would like to review the scoring matrix used by RC for the project priority list. Sawchuk said he wanted to make sure the project list matched up with the priorities identified by residents, in the recreation needs study that was completed in 2018. Once the Recreation Master Plan has been finalized and adopted, it will be available on the M.D.’s website.
#7 Ardmore and Fort Kent Water Servicing – Council accepted the Ardmore and Fort Kent Water Servicing Feasibility Study Update as information and chose one of the six options outlined in the study. AECOM was hired by the M.D. to review the water supply options for existing customers in relation to the new water transmission line from Cold Lake to Bonnyville. Council identified option 5A as its preferred choice, which would see flexible operations at the Ardmore and Fort Kent reservoirs, alternating supply from the existing and new transmission mains. Fills from the existing transmission main could be done on a schedule, allowing for turnover in the line, which would mitigate water quality issues for the rural users. This option comes with a price tag of $900,000. Of that, $500,000 has already been put aside in the budget, with the remaining $400,000 to come out of the 2021 budget.
#8 Ardmore Surface And Subsurface Works – On September 2, Council accepted the preliminary design update for the 2020 Ardmore Surface and Subsurface Work Project as information. Infrastructure Services will now work on the timeline for work to be included in the 2021 budget. Additional work is proposed for five locations: Main Street (50 St./Hwy 892); 48 Avenue, east of Main Street; 48 Avenue, west of Main Street; 47 Avenue, east of Main Street and looping the water main connection at the east end of 47 Ave. and 48 Ave. The estimated cost of the proposed work is $10.8 million.
#9 Strategic Plan Timeline – On September 2, Council accepted the 2020 Council Strategic Plan Timeline as information, while directing administration to bring back some clarification on project timelines. Upcoming objectives include: development of a long-term plan to offer water to all properties; development of 10-20-30 year road construction and maintenance plans, identification and creation of short-term plans to correct and mitigate priority flood areas, determination of where sewer (complete systems, lagoons and dumping sties) could currently be provided; developing an economic development strategy inclusive of business attraction, retention and expansion; investigate inter-municipal collaboration possibilities to ensure adequate and efficient service levels for the region, complete a needs analysis for the expansion of fire services; lobby the Government of Alberta for increased authority and jurisdiction of Peace Officers and explore opportunities to increase police presence in rural areas.
#10 Land Purchase – At a Special Meeting on August 31, Council agreed to purchase property located at Plan 062 2913 Block 1 Lots 1 and 2 for $3.2 million, with funds coming from Cash Flow Reserves.
#11 Briefly – Council approved the October 25 to 26, 2021 Council Orientation Session for the next, newly elected Councillors and Reeve at an estimated cost of $15,000. The session provides elected officials with critical information about their roles and responsibilities, and about M.D. functions, processes and plans. The next municipal election will be held October 18, 2021. Council adopted Policy No. 1.012 Council Correspondence Policy.