MUNICIPAL DISTRICT BONNYVILLE NO. 87
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS August 25, 2021
Keeping you informed of the services, business and development that affect YOU!
#1 Council Declares State of Agricultural Disaster – Following a recommendation from its Agricultural Services Board, Municipal District of Bonnyville Council officially declared a state of agricultural disaster.
Council recognizes the importance of agriculture in our community. After reviewing reports from staff that observed plant growth, moisture, forage, and weather conditions over a five-week period, it was determined — using the associated Rural Municipalities Association guidelines — that the M.D. is in a state of agricultural disaster.
This declaration acts as a trigger for financial aid programs for farmers and producers and raises awareness to higher levels of government of the severity of the situation, and the need to expedite assistance programs. More information about recovery programs can be found online at md.bonnyville.ab.ca/123/Agriculture-Waste-Services.
#2 Regional Airport Update – Council accepted, as information, an update on the continuing capital improvements at the Bonnyville Regional Airport. Infrastructure Services began work at the airport in late June. Base work has been completed to prepare the taxiway for a cold mix surface, which will also allow for a connection between the taxiway and the runway. Drainage improvements and repairs to the parking lot were also made. Outstanding projects to be completed by the end of the year include seeding, lighting replacement, and access improvements.
#3 Infrastructure Services Updates – Council approved additional dust controls to the 2021 MG30 project list. According to a report from Administration, there is currently $38,000 remaining in the budget for the dust control product, which could cover four miles or 40 dust controls, or a mix of both. In addition to this decision, Council agreed to deny any further cold mix dust controls for the rest of 2021 due to the low inventory of the materials needed.
After tender bids came back higher than budgeted for, Council agreed to cancel the reconstruction project slated for Township Road 630 from Secondary Highway 892 to Range Road 442. The project will be retendered in 2022.
Council accepted a concept design to help alleviate drainage concerns along Sunset Beach Road and directed Administration to proceed with engineering for the project.
Council directed Administration to proceed with an application to the Watercourse Crossing Remediation Grant Program. If the M.D. receives the grant, the bridge culvert on Twp. Rd. 630 at Manatokan Creek will be replaced. The project is already scheduled to be completed in 2024, but if the grant application is successful, it would move the project up by two years.
#4 Planning and Development Update – Council gave First Reading to Bylaw 1778, which will authorize the M.D. to enter into a three-year road allowance licensing agreement for Road Plan 1814EU, located on SE 32-61-1-W4M, for agricultural purposes.
Council received an update on the ongoing Municipal Planning Document projects, which will see reviews and updates of several documents over the next few years, including the Municipal Development Plan, the Intermunicipal Development Plan with the City of Cold Lake, and several Major Area Structure Plans (MASP) including La Corey, Ardmore, and Moose Lake. While COVID-19 negatively impacted some of the MASP timelines, the Cherry Grove MASP, which was originally scheduled for review in 2022, has been moved up to begin this year. The department recently completed an open house for the La Corey MASP.
#5 Council Meeting Schedule Changes – Council agreed to several changes in the meeting schedule for the rest of 2021. The following meetings will be cancelled due to scheduling conflicts or because of the meeting date’s proximity to the October 18 Municipal Election: September 1 and 15, October 6, 13, and 20. The October 20 meeting will become an informal orientation session for the newly elected Council. The following meetings were approved to be scheduled: November 3 and 12, and December 8, 15, and 22.
#6 Briefly – Council directed Administration to go ahead with an application under the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta’s FireSmart grant program. The grant would cover the $200,000 cost to establish a vegetation and fuel management program through FireSmart at Evergreen Estates and provide FireSmart education sessions for residents in the affected area.
Council appointed Councillor Ben Fadeyiw as the chair of the Local Assessment Review Board and the Composite Assessment Review Board for the remainder of the 2021 term.
Council agreed to match the $1,052.40 raised during the summer #TakeItToTheLake t-shirt campaign. The money will be donated equally to the Bonnyville and Cold Lake Food Banks.
Alberta Environment and Parks gave M.D. Peace Officers the authority to patrol and enforce bylaws in the Wolf Lake and French Bay recreation areas where the M.D. operates campgrounds.
Recordings of Council meetings can be found on our YouTube channel at bit.ly/MDBvilleYouTube.