Council Highlights March 9th, 2017

MUNICIPAL DISTRICT BONNYVILLE NO. 87

COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS March 8, 2017

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

#1 Council to Grant 4 Wing Freedom of the City – Council will join the Town of Bonnyville in granting the Freedom of the City to 4 Wing Cold Lake on May 5. Freedom of the City is granted to honour a unit of the Canadian Forces. “This is like us putting out a hand of friendship,” said Councillor Dana Swigart. The custom is based on history when military units would gain the trust of cities during war, allowing their members to be armed within city walls/limits.

 

#2 Public Safety Incidents Down in 2016 – Director of Public Safety, Chris Garner presented Council with the department’s year-end report. In 2016, Peace Officers handled 4,636 incidents, down from 5,028 in 2015 and 2014. Garner also said the number of tickets written was down in 2016. Peace Officers were cognizant of the tough economic times and issued more written warnings. Ward 1 continued to be the busiest ward for Peace Officers in 2016 with a total of 1,718 incidents, while Ward 6 had the least number of incidents at 315. Peace Officers conducted 338 Commercial Truck Inspections in 2016. It was a busy year for the School Resource Officers as well, with 334 visits (including drop-ins and programs) for schools in the Lakeland Catholic School District, 557 visits for schools in the Northern Lights School Division and 56 for schools under the Conseil scolaire Centre-Est. The report will be available via the M.D.’s website after it has been submitted to the Solicitor General’s Office.

 

#3 Traffic Volumes Increasing – Peace Officers have noticed an increase in traffic on M.D. roads over the past few months. Garner said this is backed up by the increase in traffic violations. Officers continue to deal with dog complaints including animals running at large, chasing livestock and barking excessively. School Resource Officers conducted 31 drop-in visits, 30 sessions including Internet Safety and Healthy Relationships, and eight program sessions including Right Choices at Nelson Heights, Pine Meadows and Cold Lake Middle School and CSI at Art Smith Aviation Academy.

 

#4 Ag & Waste Update – Director Matt Janz informed Council the M.D. will be participating in a provincial weed survey this summer. The survey will be conducted on about 20 fields in the M.D. and will help paint a picture of the weed population in the municipality. The Alberta Rat Control program is continuing in the M.D. with our Pest Control Officer conducting inspections along the Alberta/Saskatchewan border. The M.D. currently receives $32,000 from the province for these inspections. The M.D. is also conducting a contest on Facebook to name the department’s new stuffed Norway rat, which will be used for educational purposes. The M.D. collected less waste in 2016 (2,850 tonnes) than in 2015 (3,210 tonnes). Janz reported earlier this year that the department saw an increase in volume of recycled materials in 2016 as well, which could be an indicator of the success of the M.D.’s waste diversion efforts.

 

#5 Planning and Development Update – There were three new housing starts in February. The department also issued six development permits last month, with a total value of $710,000, bringing the year-to-date total up to $868,950. There were also 31 plumbing, gas, sewer and electrical permits issued.

 

#6 Transportation and Utilities Update – Brushing crews are continuing to work on intersection sight line issues. The Ardmore Storm Water Management Pond tender has been extended to March 23 to address 4 Wing’s concern about the location of the pond under the flight path and the increased potential for bird strikes. The Franchere Bridge repair project should be finished this month – there is currently a backorder for the railing timbers.

 

#7 Tenders Awarded – Council awarded several tenders during the meeting. The 2017 Supply of 20 mm Cold Mix was awarded to E-Construction Ltd. for a total price of $1,189,800. E-Construction also received the 2017 12.5 mm Patch Mix Supply for $803,280, and the 2017 Asphalt Concrete Pavement Supply Tender at $3,632,750. JMB Crushing received the 2017 Summer Gravel Haul tender with a bid of $0.232/tonne/mile. The 2017 Trail Paving Tender was awarded to Blue Flame Contracting at $267,607. The 2017 Fencing Tender was awarded to Gold Creek Contracting at $7,311.28/mile. Kortech Calcium Services was awarded the 2017 tender for Dust Suppressant at a cost of $.27/litre. The 2017 Water Haul tender was awarded to 1775884 AB. Ltd. at $115/hour.

 

#8 Funding Support – Council granted the Riverhurst Community Hall’s 2017 Operating Grant of $25,000.

 

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.