MUNICIPAL DISTRICT BONNYVILLE NO. 87
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS March 23, 2022
Keeping you informed of the services, business, and development that affect YOU!
#1 New Speed Limits – Council gave Second and Third reading to Bylaw No. 1796 Speed Rate Bylaw. The bylaw establishes 23 new speed limits around the municipality, including within rural subdivisions, where speeds have been reduced to 30 km/h, while a selection of roads built to highway standards have been increased from 80 km/h to 90 km/h. The full list of affected roads can be found here. New signs announcing the changes will be installed by the end of the month.
#2 Cold Mix Budget Increased – Council agreed to add an extra $1 million from Cashflow Reserves to the 2022 Operating Budget to cover the increased costs for the cold mix needed for this year’s planned road projects. Originally, there was $3.3 million budgeted for cold mix. However, there was a drastic increase in material costs reflected in the bids received during the tender process. The lowest bidder, E Construction, came in at $4,232,500 (not including GST).
#3 Planning & Development Updates – A Public Hearing for Bylaw No. LU 573 was held. If passed, this bylaw would update the M.D.’s current Land Use Bylaw to reflect Council becoming the development and subdivision authority and the addition of two new Direct Control Districts due to the amalgamation of ID 349 into the M.D. Second and Third Reading of the bylaw will be considered at the April 13 Council meeting.
Council gave Second and Third reading to five Roadway Licensing Bylaws – Bylaw Nos. 1788, 1789, 1790, 1791, and 1792.
#4 Funding – Council approved a $15,000 donation to the Cold Lake Hearts For Healthcare Gala. This includes the purchase of two tables at the gala, a live auction item, and an equipment sponsorship for orthopedic drills.
Council approved the unbudgeted expenditure of $16,443 to maintain the M.D.’s membership in the Northern Lights Library System. The levy increased in 2022 due to a change to the M.D.’s population count, as approved by Alberta Municipal Affairs, which was based on the 2016 Statistics Canada Census.
Council agreed to an annual donation of $12,000 per year to STARS Air Ambulance, for a four-year period.
Council approved the transfer of $125,000 from reserves to the Bonnyville and District Centennial Centre (C2) for the completion of Phase 1 of the Agriplex renovation project. The reserve is made up of surplus funds returned to the M.D. by the C2. As a part owner of the C2, the M.D. pays half of the facility’s budget, with the Town of Bonnyville covering the other half.
#5 Briefly – Council approved a one-year pilot project that will see the Riverhurst Hall Bin Site closed. Residents will now take their waste and recycling to the Hilda Lake Landfill. The landfill is open Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Council directed Administration to send a letter to the Minister of Health regarding the lack of physicians and service at the Cold Lake Healthcare Centre.
Council approved the purchase of two new tractors for the Agricultural Services Department’s Mowing Program. The tractors were due to be replaced this year. The two new tractors came in at $345,000, not including the trade-in value of $130,000 for the older equipment, bringing the total cost to $215,000.
Council approved updates to the Master Rates Bylaw to reflect the new Commemorative Bench and Picnic Table Program. The amendment also outlines the reduction of the sale price for used culverts to no charge for M.D. residents.
Council approved signing authority for cheques $100,000 and under for the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and the General Manager (GM) of Corporate Services. These cheques would be for payments on budget items already approved by Council. For anything over $100,000, cheques will have two levels of signing authority — the Reeve or Deputy Reeve and the CAO or GM of Corporate Services.
Council agreed to a one-year pilot project that will see no road bans placed on M.D. roads this year, while directing Administration to ensure Road Use Agreements for major industries (i.e., gravel, logging, oil) are in place. Administration will bring back an evaluation of the pilot next year.
Council agreed to appoint Deputy Reeve Dana Swigart to the Lakeland Industry and Community Association’s Watershed Management Plan Committee.
Council heard the M.D. had received approval from Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) to do maintenance on the Barryere Lake Drainage Ditch, resulting in the removal of two blockages and an inverted culvert placed by Ducks Unlimited. The M.D. has also received permanent AEP approval for the continued, long-term maintenance of the drainage ditch, which will help control lake levels, especially during spring thaw.
Recordings of the Council meetings can be found on the M.D.’s YouTube Channel. Follow us on Facebook.