M.D. Council Highlights

MUNICIPAL DISTRICT BONNYVILLE NO. 87

COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS March 14, 2018

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

 

#1 Kinosoo Ridge Looking at Extended Season – Parks, Recreation and Culture Director Chris McCord informed Council that Kinosoo Ridge Snow Resort is currently looking at extending its season to April 5. The Ridge was originally slated to close March 29. However, the current snow conditions are the best they’ve been all season. Weather depending, the snow conditions should continue to be amazing during Spring Break.

 

#2 Fines for Snowmobilers in Muriel Lake Park – The cross-country ski and snowshoeing trails at the M.D. Muriel Lake Park have been getting used well by locals and school trips. However, snowmobilers have been in the park, wrecking the set tracks for cross-country skiing and the trails for snowshoeing. M.D. Peace Officers and RCMP are currently investigating an incident where a cross-country skier approached snowmobilers in the park and asked them to stop riding on the groomed trails, which allegedly resulted in an attempted assault. Barriers will be installed at the lake, where the snowmobilers have been accessing the park from, and signage will be posted letting people know there is a $200 fine for having ATVs/snowmobiles in the park.

 

#3 Roadside Cleanup – It’s Roadside Cleanup time again. The Waste Department is giving local non-profit groups/youth programs a chance to raise money and clean up our municipality at the same time. Rates vary from $40 to $100 per kilometre, depending on the road being cleaned. Call Brad at 780-826-3951 for more information or to sign up.

 

#4 Public Safety Update – Officers responded to a hazardous material spill on Highway 659 after being flagged down by motorists. The spill had made the road slippery, and officers re-routed traffic until it could be cleaned up. There was a break-in at the Therien Landfill. The only damage was the cutting of the lock on the gate. School Resource Officers were busy with programs being conducted at Cold Lake Middle School, Nelson Heights, Holy Cross, Art Smith Aviation Academy and St. Dominic’s, along with drop-in visits at various schools.

 

#5 Ag & Waste Update – The M.D., along with the County of St. Paul, hosted over 50 farmers at its Clubroot Information Session in February. Anyone with questions about Clubroot can contact Assistant Fieldman Janice Boden at 780-826-3951. The M.D. has renewed its contract with the Alberta Rat & Rabies Control Program for a three-year term. The contract will see the pest control officer inspecting M.D. lands along the Saskatchewan provincial border for Norway rats, and submitting a minimum of 10 skunk samples for the rabies portion of the program. Ag and Waste will be rolling out a new recycling program. The Waste Department has purchased a grain bag roller and will start collecting bags from producers at the end of March. The bags will be collected and sent to Southern Alberta. Director Matt Janz is also looking into partnering with the County of St. Paul and Lac La Biche County to see if those communities would want to rent the roller, thereby keeping even more ag waste out of landfills, and helping to cover the cost of the roller.

#6 T&U Updates – Steam crews are getting ready to deal with any flooding concerns due to the spring thaw. JMB Crushing continues to haul gravel from the Two Hills pit. So far 150,000 tonnes of the 200,000 tonne contract has been hauled to the M.D. Public Works yard. Council agreed to budget $300,000 for the Ardmore South East Drainage Project, which will see grading of the ditch, and culvert replacement on 47^th Avenue. Council awarded the Ardmore Phase V project to Urlacher Construction for a total price of $2,159,293.15 (not including GST). The La Corey Resource Road Surface Tender was awarded to Border Paving for a total price of $12, 290,063 (plus GST). Council awarded the 2018 Water Hauling Tender to New Image Contracting for the price of $78/hour (plus GST). The tender for 20mm Cold Mix Supply was awarded to E-Construction Ltd. for a total price of $1,259,00 (not including GST).

 

#7 Planning and Development Updates – In February, the Planning and Development Department received eight residential, one industrial and four recreational development permits, for a month-end value of just over $1 million. There were also 31 plumbing, gas, sewer and electrical permits taken in. The department has received four subdivision applications to date. Housing starts for 2018 include two single family dwellings and one mobile home.

 

#8 Funding Support – Council approved a donation of $10,000 and the purchase of two tables at $400 each for the Cold Lake Hearts for Hospital gala, which is being held May 5. Council agreed to provide $500 to the Bonnyville Pontiacs Sr. AA Hockey Club for a provincial tournament March 22-25. The Town of Bonnyville and City of Cold Lake will receive $5,000 each and the Village of Glendon will receive $1,000 for 2018 Canada Day events. Bonnyville Victim Services received the requested $500 for its Mock Collision Event to be held at the Centennial Centre April 26. Council approved $25,000 for the Riverhurst Community Hall’s annual Operating Grant.

 

#9 Briefly – Council approved the purchase of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, with the price tag of $72,614, as part of the scheduled equipment upgrades for the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority. M.D. staff will once again take part in the CURE Foundation’s National Denim Day on May 15. Staff will pay a minimum of $5 to be able to wear jeans to work that day, with all proceeds going to the CURE Foundation. Council struck a new policy committee, with Councillor Dana Swigart named as chair and Councillors Ben Fadeyiw and Darcy Skarsen named as members. Council heard from the Bonnyville & District Fine Arts Society about the beginning of their plans to build a new theatre/fine arts facility.