Council Highlights January 11th, 2017

MUNICIPAL DISTRICT BONNYVILLE NO. 87

COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS January 11, 2017

Keeping you informed of the services, business and development that affect YOU!

 

Joint Municipal Support For Drug Unit – Municipal District of Bonnyville Council agreed to allow the Town of Bonnyville to use a Intermunicipal Cooperation Program (IMCP) contribution of $120,000 to fund one officer, of a three-member RCMP General Investigation Service Team, to be based in Bonnyville. The province and the Town will fund the other positions. This plain-clothes team will be dedicated to dealing with drug related issues facing the Bonnyville area. There is a similar team that is based in Cold Lake.

 

Kinosoo Ridge Celebrates 35 Years – Kinosoo Ridge Snow Resort is celebrating its 35^th Anniversary this year by hosting SnoJuhla on February 18 and 19. The celebration will feature outdoor concerts with Coleman Hell (with a special guest), The Funk Hunters, SkiiTour and Neon Steve. Buy your tickets online at www.kinosoo.ca

before February 1 and pay only $30, which includes a lift ticket and concert ticket for one day. The Ridge installed three new Terrain Parks this season, built by SnowPark Solutions. The company is returning on January 25 to create a Snow Cross Park, which includes some rollers. The goal is to have the Park become part of the training circuit for the Amateur Alberta Alpine Snow Cross Team and eventually be a part of the competitive circuit. Snow Cross is one of the fastest growing winter sports in Canada.

 

M.D. Staff Raise Funds For Food Bank – Municipal District of Bonnyville staff raised $8,567.05 for the Bonnyville Food Bank through a Silent Auction at the annual Christmas Party and several other fundraising activities held throughout the year.

 

Transportation & Utilities Update – Council approved a budgeted capital equipment purchase of $3,045,000 for the following; one replacement packer, one replacement 5500 series truck, three replacement pickup trucks, five replacement graders, two replacement loader buckets, one replacement GPS system and three new front dozers for graders. Three bridge repairs have been completed, with another at Franchere to start the week of February 6, when materials arrive.

 

Public Safety News – School Resource Officers paid numerous formal visits to schools for Christmas activities. They also delivered several Internet Safety Programs, and hosted meetings with students and principals. Patrol Officers responded to dog complaints in Ward 6, Fort Kent, Alexander and Muriel Lake areas. In a change of pace, Officers rounded up loose horses on Township Road 604. Officers responded to a complaint from a Fort Kent resident about abandoned vehicles parked on his property.

 

Planning and Development Update – In December, five development permits, including three New Residential Building Permits and two Industrial Permits were issued, with a year-to-date total of $25,789,192. Year-to-date housing starts include 40 Single Family Dwellings and 16 Mobile Home Units. Thirty-four applications for Subdivisions were received in 2016. In December, 34 Plumbing, Gas, Sewer and Electrical Permits were issued. Council denied the request for a Road Closure and Lease on the west side of NW 18-64-5-W4M, SW & NW 19-64-5-W4M, Bylaw No. 1632. Neighbouring residents attended the Public Hearing to state that the road allowance was regularly used to access the green zone. Final Reading was given to LU Bylaw No. 564 to rezone the north portion of NE 26-62-1-W4M from Manufactured Home Community to Country Residential (CR) for a 28-lot Multi-Lot Country Residential subdivision and to Bylaw No. 1633 to amend the Area Structure Plan for the subdivision. First Reading was given to Bylaw No. 1655 for a Road Lease and Closure for W of SW 18-59-7- W4M commencing from the south boundary of the quarter section going north for approximately 429 metres to the location of the existing gate.  Council approved a vehicle replacement, cost not to exceed $37,000.

 

Agriculture & Waste Services News – Council approved a budgeted equipment expenditure of $326,000 to purchase a quad, boat and motor, dump trailer, livestock scale, 15-foot mower with sidearm, 15-foot mower with sprayer, post pounder, ¾ ton truck and a roadside sprayer truck. The Coyote & Wolf Reduction Program numbers are down considerably from the previous year. To date, 265 coyotes and eight wolves have been brought in, compared to 650 coyotes and 22 wolves at this time last year. Predations at local grazing reserves were reduced considerably this year, with only four confirmed wolf kills. The program will be reviewed in the fall after a coyote survey is completed. The M.D. received a $30,000 Tire Marshalling Area Grant for the Therien Landfill. The M.D. awarded a three-year contract to Cold Lake Recycling & Waste for the transportation of 30-yard bins located at transfer sites throughout the municipality. The 30-yard bins consist mostly of Class III waste collected at Fort Kent, Muriel Lake and the Public Works Shop. There are also two 30-yard cardboard recycling bins and one agriculture twine bin at La Corey.

 

Funding Support – The Willow Prairie Agricultural Society in La Corey received its $25,000 annual Operating Grant. Beaverdam Community Society received a 45 percent matching Capital Grant of $12,942 to renovate the washrooms in the hall. The balance of the total cost of $28,760 is coming from a provincial Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) Grant and five percent from the Society itself. Council agreed to contribute $12,000 to the provincial Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service Fouondation (STARS). Council agreed to purchase two tables for the Bonnyville Health Foundation Gala for a cost of $1,200. Council agreed to provide four camping passes for the Beaver River Fish and Game Association’s 29^th Annual Wild Game Banquet on February 4. Council also provided two ski lift and rental packages for the Bonnyville Health Foundation Gala Silent Auction.

 

Increase To Financial Assistance Fund – Council approved an amended Financial Assistance For Victims of Fire policy. The one-time bursary grant amount was increased from $1,000 to $2,500.

 

Meeting Cancelled – The January 25 Council Meeting is cancelled due to conflicting dates with the provincial ASB Conference.

 

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.