M.D. of Bonnyville Council Highlights

MUNICIPAL DISTRICT BONNYVILLE NO. 87 COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS January 24, 2018

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

#1 Public Safety Year-End Report – Chris Garner, Director of Public Safety, presented Council with his department’s year-end report for 2017. Overall, incidents in 2017 were down to 3,932 in comparison to 2016’s 4,636 incidents. In 2017, M.D. Officers issued 1,983 traffic tickets, 1,337 written warnings, 89 bylaw tickets and 20 parking tickets. School Resource Officers (SROs) added another program to their line-up – Life Choices. During 2017, SROs were at Northern Light School Division schools 742 times (up from 557 in 2016), and had 392 visits (including regular programs such as CSI and Right Choices) with students in the Lakeland Catholic School Division (up from 334 in 2016). SROs also saw an increase in visits to East Central Francophone Schools with 64 visits, up eight over 2016’s 56 visits. Peace Officers conducted 1,772 Rural Crime Prevention patrols in 2017. The patrols will complement the incoming Rural Crime Prevention Program, which will include education and awareness for M.D. residents regarding crime prevention techniques. The full year-end report will be available on the M.D. website once it has been accepted by the Solicitor General’s office.

#2 Shelterbelt Tree Program Returns – The M.D. is pleased to present its annual Shelterbelt Tree Program again this year. Ratepayers can buy seedlings at a discount from the M.D.’s Agriculture and Waste Services Department. A full list of available trees is available on our website at md.bonnyville.ab.ca. Updates on tree availability will also be posted on our Facebook page at facebook.com/MDBonnyville. The department will start taking orders Feb. 1 at 8 a.m. All trees are first come, first served.

#3 Clubroot Disease Producer Meeting – The M.D. along with the County of St. Paul will be hosting at Clubroot Information Session February 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be held at the Flat Lake Hall. This session will include an update on the clubroot situation in the region, as well as the status of the rest of the province. If you’d like to attend, please call 780-826-3951 to register.

#4 Road Closure and Sale Bylaw Given First Reading – Council gave first reading to Bylaw 1684 – Road Closure and Sale. An unused road diversion is located on NW 1063-2-W4M. The bylaw proposes to close the road and consolidate it into the surrounding quarter section. A public hearing will be held Feb. 14, 2018 at 10 a.m.

#5 Debenture Bylaw – Council gave First Reading to Borrowing Bylaw 1685, which would see the M.D. borrow up to $13 million to complete an asphalt overlay on the La Corey Resource Road. The M.D. will receive $1.2 million a year from ID 349 (the Air Weapons Range) to pay for the debenture.

#6 Transportation and Utilities Update – Council agreed to tender out 1.6 kilometres of reconstruction and paving of the Imperial Oil access road, as the in-house project list is already full for this year. The expected project budget is between $2 million and $2.5 million. Night shift crews continue to monitor priority travel routes and conditions. Snowremoval crews have been working on brushing projects while waiting for the snow to fly. JMB has started the 2018 winter gravel haul from the County of Two Hills. It should be completed by March 10. Consultants are putting the final touches on the Ardmore Underground project tender. Consultants are also completing design requirements for the La Corey North Overlay Project. This project will go out for tender in February.

#7 Funding Support – Council agreed to sponsor an award at the cost of $1,000 at the Women of Influence event March 9. Council agreed to purchase two tables for the Bonnyville Health Foundation Gala for a total of $1,200. Councillors will reimburse the M.D. for the cost of tickets used by spouses. Council also agreed to give the foundation its annual donation of $10,000.

#8 Briefly – Council set the reserve bids for four pieces of land heading to Public Auction February 27, 2018. The Public Auction is part of the Tax Recovery Process as set out in the Municipal Government Act. Council, in collaboration with the City of Cold Lake will apply for an Alberta Community Partnership Grant. The $25,000 grant will assist with negotiations for the upcoming Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework agreements under the new Municipal Government Act.

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.