Council Notes From All Over

CITY OF WETASKIWIN

Barry McDonald

CAEP Organizational and Board Meeting 
    Alderman McQuarrie was elected as Vice Chair for CAEP. The Executive of the Board has chosen to conduct Executive Committee Meetings via teleconference whenever possible, which should reduce the impact of the Vice Chair position on the Wetaskiwin City Budget. She will be remaining Chair of the Community Needs Advisory Committee and sit on the Welcoming Communities committee, which is changing its focus this year to a Labour Force Development committee. 
City Council approves a public hearing regarding Bylaw 1802-13 for 4:00 p.m. on Monday, February 11, 2012 in Council Chambers 
    An application was received from the owner of  Plan 2846HW, Block 1, Lot 1 which is civically addressed as 5104 – 53 Avenue, to reclassify this property from R4 – High Density Residential to DC – Direct Control.
    A Direct Control District is established so Council may regulate and exercise particular control over the use and development of land and buildings within a designated area.  Due to this property being zoned R4, it currently allows for residential uses only.  As the area surrounding the subject property is transitioning, it is felt that the property would be better suited for commercial or light industrial. New development may require a change in use to meet the planning and development strategies for the present and future.  By-law Carried. A public hearing will be held to inform residents.
City Council authorized Administration to review the current agreement with the Wetaskiwin Air Show Society
    Alderman MacQuarrie requested a review of the current agreement with the Wetaskiwin Air Show Society.  Any request to review the airshow agreement must be given by either party prior to six months from the prior airshow.    
    If approved this review will ensure that the agreement continues to meet the needs of both the City and the Society. Concerns were raised during the budgeting process about items in the agreement e.g. the City covering a $70K shortfall, if needed.
    Alderman McQuarrie pointed out the benefits of the membership for the expense of $5,260 for the membership plus per diems and other expenses.  
Council approved disbursements for the 2013 Grant-In-Aid program
    The 2013 Grant-In-Aid program received 26 applications by the deadline requesting a total of $13,000.00.  An additional three applications were received past the deadline ($1,500.00).  
    Upon review of the twenty-nine applications, eleven applications were denied - seven qualify for FCSS funding, one receives other City funding, two were late and not eligible for FCSS funding, and one is a private individual.   
    Approved applications ($500)
Alberta Central Railway Museum Railway Day - August 18, 2013  
Wetaskiwin Curling Association Junior Non-Competitive Bonspiel  
Allied Arts and Crafts Open House in April  
Wetaskiwin Ashoro Friendship Society 12th Student Delegation from Ashoro - Sept 2013 
Wetaskiwin Art Club Annual Art Show  
Wetaskiwin Genealogical Society Workshop October 2013   
Wetaskiwin Theatre Society Purchase of microphones, stands and cables
Wetaskiwin Music Festival Annual Music Festival  
Wetaskiwin Jazz Society Wetaskiwin Jazz Camp  
North Central Alberta Poultry Assn. Annual Pigeon, Poultry & Rabbit Show 
Wetaskiwin Fire Services Fire Services Banquet  
Friends of Parkside Park Exercise Equipment for Parkside Park  
Wetaskiwin Health Foundation 6th Annual Barn Dance & Pie Social  
Wetaskiwin Word Weavers Writing Group Four events with writing competitions 
Wetaskiwin Rotary Club Annual Rotary Hockey Draft   
Canadian Parents for French Winter Festival 
Wetaskiwin Firefighters Santa Claus Parade  
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Skate-A-Thon Fundraiser
Applications passed on to FCSS ($500)
Horizons Centre Pioneer Days Family Fun Events  
Horizons Centre Community Garden    
Trendsetters 50 Plus Club   
Wetaskiwin Twilighters Visionary Support Group Visionary Support Group Summer Picnics
Pink Shirt Day Committee Anti-Bullying Day Activities 
Wetaskiwin & District Family Violence Outreach - Awareness/Education around Elder Abuse     
Justin Miskolzie/Erin Bowers  Create Coalition - Addiction Awareness/Education/Prevention  
Applications denied  
Wetaskiwin Community Transportation Society Charity Hockey Game
Lewis Smithingham Movie 
Wetaskiwin Lions Club July 1st Celebration
 Wetaskiwin Lions Club Wetaskiwin Ride for Toys (Secret Santa)  

TOWN OF MILLET

Lorna Lowe

    Council was called to order at 5:58 pm, with all Councillors present.
    There was one addition, and no public presentations.
    Introduction Of New Millet Recreation Director: The Town of Millet introduced their new Recreation Director, Don Gilmet. Don brings years of experience with him and previously worked for the Town of Beaumont for 4 years, and also spent many years working in the private sector as an operations manager.
    Presentation by PGA Architects: Two gentlemen came before Council; Al, a representative for the purchaser of the old Millet Catholic Church property, and Chris from PGA Architects in Wetaskiwin. They informed Council that they were there to get Council's reaction to the idea of placing a twelve suite apartment style condo building on the site. Both Al and Chris stated that it was still up in the air at this point whether it would be financially feasible to move forward with this structure, so should Council give them positive feedback on the idea, then they would move forward with an open house for the general public, hopefully to be held at the Legion.
    The plans shown to Council were of a three storey Tudor style building with underground parking.
Council inquired as to what was most likely to happen with the church building currently on the site that had been erected in 1906. Al replied that in most likelihood it would be demolished as the cost of relocation would be restrictively high. They were certainly open to being approached by anyone interested in purchasing it for a dollar and moving it off the site but realized that was very unlikely.
    Council was very favourable to the idea of the condo building so Chris thanked Council for their input and said the next step was to find a date and confirm a time for an open house.
    Millet & District Historical Society Hall Waiver: Council received a thank you letter from the Millet & District Historical Society for their support over the past year. They also placed a request for a waiver on the banquet hall for June 1, 2013 for their exhibit opening honouring pioneer women Amalja Kurtz, Winnifred (Aikens) Harvey, Evelyn (Johnson) Hegge-Mullen, Helen Goin, and Enola Gray. Council unanimously agreed to waive the banquet hall fee.
    Resignation Of Director Of Emergency Services: Mr. Bob Smith submitted a letter to Council informing them of his resignation as the Town of Millet's Director of Emergency Services due to a new position he has accepted with Shell as the Scotford Complex Emergency Services Supervisor. 
    Councillor Garrett suggested that Council send a response letter to Mr. Smith "sadly accepting" his resignation and thanking him for a job well done.   
    Millet's CAO Teri Pelletier stated that she would be placing an advertisement searching for a new Director of Emergency Services for the Town.
    Request For Cancellation Of Tax Penalties:     Two residents in Midland Park, who had purchased a modular home in the park three years ago and had been living there since that date, were unaware of the fact that they currently owed three years of property taxes. Upon enquiring at Town office and discovering this fact, they immediately paid the taxes plus penalties in full. However, due to the lack of notification from the Town on this issue, they were requesting that the accumulated penalties on top of the taxes be cancelled and reimbursed.
    Asst. CAO Lisa Schoening informed Council that the lack of notification was not actually the Town's fault, as the Town receives a list of updated owners and addresses from park management every year, and this particular couple had never been entered onto the list.
    Mayor Lorenson along with several Councillors commented that the way this couple dealt with the issue was ideal in that they obviously, legitimately, had no idea of the monies owed as when they discovered the problem they showed good faith and honesty by immediately paying the bill in full.     This appeared to be the main reason that Mayor Lorenson motioned to waive the penalty amount and reimburse the couple the money they had already paid out of pocket. Council passed the motion with Councillor Storey against.
    Council was adjourned at 6:30 pm.

CITY OF LEDUC
Lorna Lowe

    Presentation of Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medals:

Captains Dan MacDonald and Rod Ingram from the City of Leduc Fire Services were both presented with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medals for their outstanding and long term service.

It was standing room only in Council Chambers this night as the room was packed with fire service members, friends and families of Captains Rod Ingram and Dan MacDonald. Both men were being honoured for their outstanding and long term service to Leduc City Fire Services by receiving the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medals presented by Fire Chief Polsom.
    Chief Polsom spoke of how Captain MacDonald had joined Leduc Fire Services in 1992 as a volunteer and worked his way up to the rank of Captain. Along the way he earned numerous fire service awards prior to this medal.
    Captain Ingram joined Leduc Fire Services in 1986, and Chief Polsom shared that he was best known for his leadership skills, knowledge of Fire Codes and teaching others. Captain Ingram has also won several Fire Service Awards including the Federal Exemplary Services Medal.
    Presentation To Council: Fire Chief Polsom then made a presentation to each member of Council of a framed original photograph which had been taken by a member, of their new ladder truck. He presented the gifts as a token of the respect that exists between City Council and it's Fire Services.
    Communities In Bloom Award:

Brad Symes (on right) from Communities In Bloom, presents Mayor Greg Krischke with a plaque for the City of Leduc, for winning the top award of 5 Blooms in the International category of the 2012 Communities In Bloom Competition.

Communities In Bloom member Brad Symes made a presentation to Council of a plaque for winning the top honour of 5 Blooms in the 2012 International Category of the Communities In Bloom competition. 
    Mayor Krischke commented that this competition could not happen without the "amazing group of people" that work so hard every year to help the City of Leduc achieve top honours and beautify our city.
    Staff Introduction: Sylvain Losier was introduced to Council as the new Manager of Long Range Planning for the City of Leduc. Sylvain has most recently worked for Leduc County and he stated that he was looking forward to "tackling" the long range planning of the city. Mayor Krischke responded with, "Welcome aboard! We are glad to have you."
        Telecommunications Facility On Leduc Golf Course Land: Council had a proposal placed before them asking for their approval to place a telecommunications facility, which would include a 40 meter high tower, just south east of the center of the Leduc Golf and Country Club lands.  
    This facility would assist in the enhancement of wireless service coverage for Telus in the Southwest part of the city.
    Council unanimously passed support for this facility.
    2013 Municipal Census Date: Council unanimously proclaimed April 29, 2013 to be the Official Municipal Census Date for Leduc City.
    Leduc Library Board Appointment: Council unanimously appointed Mr. Peter Fleming to a three year term as a Public Board Member on the Leduc Library Board.
    Leduc Parks, Recreation & Culture Board Appointment: Council unanimously appointed Ms. Gilliam Tosi to a two year term as County Representative on the LPRCB.
    Grant Request: Council was presented with a grant request from Leduc Ladies Volleyball for a $1,500.00 grant to offset the facility rental at the LRC for their tournament being held on January 19/20, 2013. 
    Councillor MacKenzie pointed out that the group was given the same amount for their tournament last year, and this year they were expecting to draw 16-17 teams into town for the event.    
    Council unanimously agreed to the grant.
    Letter From Alberta Transportation re: 65 Ave. Interchange: Council was thrilled to receive a letter from AB Transportation stating that they would be committing to pay $162,000.00 of the $325,000.00 cost of the detailed planning of the 65 Ave./QEII interchange. The entire cost is to be split between Alberta Transportation, the City of Leduc, and the Edmonton International Airport.
    Mayor Krischke informed Council that it was crucial that the City had been named as administrative lead on this project. He commented that it had taken years of work to get this project moving, and now it could be driven forward by the City. Mayor Krischke avowed that this was a "really huge step forward".
Council was adjourned at 
8:47 pm, with no in camera items.

Land Acquisition On North Telford Lake: 

        A recommendation for the purchase of roughly 47 acres on the North side of Telford Lake, known as the Sawridge Lands, in order to create a "major recreational site" was placed before Council. Pending approval from Council the City had entered into a purchase agreement with Sawridge Holdings. A final price per acre was negotiated to $19,500.00 subject to subdivision and final size of land purchased.
        Councillor Smith questioned what exactly was to be done with this land, and received the answer that it was a planned 

continuation of the multiway, as well as BMX trails, and maintaining the integrity of one of the laststands of large trees in the area.
    Mayor Krischke also pointed out that money for this acquisition had already been set aside so it would not require budget adjustments or extra tax dollars to complete the purchase. Council unanimously agreed to the purchase.

Details of the plan are presented in the illustration below.