MUNICIPAL DISTRICT BONNYVILLE NO. 87
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS October 27, 2021
Keeping you informed of the services, business and development that affect YOU!
#1 Fire Halls Update – Due to the lack of work being completed on the new fire hall in Fort Kent and the fire hall and grader shop in Ardmore, the M.D. issued a Notice of Default against the original contractor — RPC Group Inc. A letter outlining deficiencies and requesting a schedule of completion was sent September 17. With no response received from the contractor, the M.D. further issued a Termination Of The Right Of Work letter on September 29, 2021. This step removed RPC from completing the work, and the M.D. took immediate action to complete outstanding items. Grynn Contracting was hired to complete the parking lot at both construction sites. Interior deficiencies inside the buildings are being tackled by M.D. employees and local contractors as required. It is anticipated the fire halls should be ready for the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority stations to move in by December 1, 2021.
#2 Organizational Appointments – The 2021-2025 Council’s first Organizational Meeting was held before the Regular Meeting of Council. The Council members were sworn in — Reeve Barry Kalinski, Ward 1 Councillor Josh Crick, Ward 2 Councillor Darcy Skarsen, Ward 3 Councillor Mike Krywiak, Ward 4 Councillor Don Slipchuk, Ward 5 Councillor Dana Swigart, and Ward 6 Councillor Ben Fadeyiw. Councillor Swigart was appointed Deputy Reeve for a six-month term, set to end April 30, 2022. On May 1, 2022, Councillor Fadeyiw will take over the Deputy Reeve position until October 31, 2022. Regular Meetings of Council will be held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, with the exception of the next meeting, which will take place on Friday, November 12, 2021 at 9 a.m. due to a scheduling conflict. Committee of the Whole Meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of each month starting at 9 a.m., with the first meeting taking place on December 15, 2021.
The 2021-2022 Committee/Board listing can be found on the M.D. website at md.bonnyville.ab.ca. The next Organizational Meeting will be held October 26, 2022.
#3 Budget 2022 Public Consultations – M.D. residents and ratepayers will have the chance to look at the proposed 2022 Municipal Budget during four upcoming public information sessions. The first two sessions will be held Nov. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon in Ardmore and 2 to 4 p.m. in Cherry Grove. The third session will be held Nov. 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. in La Corey, while the fourth meeting will be held Nov. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Glendon. The meetings will be held in accordance with current Alberta Health Services COVID-19 regulations. There will also be an hour-long question and answer period on the Budget at the beginning of the Regular Council Meeting on Nov. 12 to accommodate residents in the Bonnyville area. Check our website and Facebook page for more information closer to the session dates.
#4 Planning & Development Update – Council heard the Planning & Development Department took in 43 building permits in the last quarter (July-September), for a total value of $5,529,810. The 2021 year-to-date total value comes in at $15,415,143. In the same quarter, the department issued 165 safety codes (plumbing, gas, electrical, sewer, water) permits, and received three new subdivision applications. Council gave First Reading to Bylaw 1782 – the La Corey Major Area Structure Plan (MASP). The department has been updating the Plan over the last year. After hosting an Open House and a virtual Public Engagement session and survey, the draft MASP is ready. The Public Hearing has been scheduled for December 8 at 10 a.m. during the Regular Meeting of Council. A copy of the draft MASP can be found on the M.D.’s website at www.md.bonnyville.ab.ca.
#5 Community Funding – Council approved a $4,500 rink board sponsorship for the Bonnyville Pontiacs’ 30th anniversary season being celebrated in 2021-22.
#6 Briefly – As we get closer to winter, Parks and Recreation staff are completing the finishing touches on the new outdoor rinks in Ardmore and Cherry Grove. According to a department update, the mesh netting should be completed by the end of the month, and the slabs for the warm-up shacks have been poured. At the request of the Dr. Margaret Savage Crisis Centre, Reeve Kalinski declared November to be Family Violence Prevention Month in the M.D. The Declaration can be found on our website.
Recordings of the Council meetings can be found on the M.D.’s YouTube Channel.