2021 Year in Review by Lac La Biche County

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Lac La Biche County’s Vision and Strategic Plan

CAO DIVISION

Economic Development General Administration Human Resources & Health and Safety

CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION

Communications Information Technology Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Legislative Services Records & Information Management

FINANCE & PLANNING DIVISION

Finance & Grants Planning & Development

INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES DIVISION

Engineering Services Fleet Services Transportation Services Utility Services Environmental Services

RECREATION & COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT DIVISION

Recreation, Aquatics and Fitness Family & Community Support Services and Community Development Parks & Facilities Enforcement Services (Community Peace Officers) Protective Services

2021 HYLO/BUFFALO LAKE WILDLAND FIRE

COUNTY SUPPORT

2021 BUDGETED OPERATING REVENUES AND EXPENSES

COUNTY COUNCIL & SENIOR LEADERSHIP

2021 HIGHLIGHTS

Lac La Biche County | 2021 Year in Review

What is this document? The 2021 Year in Review looks back on Lac La Biche County’s biggest achievements of the past year. It includes short articles about major projects and events. It also highlights new services and programs that were developed in 2021 that you might not know about.

YEAR IN REVIEW

Why did I receive it? We believe that the best way to start each year is with a little reflection. Evaluating our strengths and weaknesses as an organization will help us serve you better. We believe that there’s value in sharing this information with residents. By giving you a meaningful look at how the County operates and where your tax dollars go, you’ll have a clearer idea of where we’re headed as a community. You can use that knowledge to better participate in shaping our future.

Plamondon

Lac La Biche County | 2021 Year in Review

COUNTY

COUNCIL Term started October 2021 Paul Reutov Mayor Darlene Beniuk Councillor, Ward 1 Kevin Paré Councillor, Ward 2 Colette Borgun Councillor, Ward 3 Jason Stedman Councillor, Ward 4 Charlyn Moore Councillor, Ward 5 Sterling Johnson Councillor, Ward 6 John Mondal Councillor, Ward 7 Lorin Tkachuk Councillor, Ward 7

Term ended October 2021 Omer Moghrabi Mayor Darlene Beniuk Councillor, Ward 1 George L’Heureux Councillor, Ward 2 Colette Borgun Councillor, Ward 3 Jason Stedman Councillor, Ward 4 Charlyn Moore Councillor, Ward 5 Sterling Johnson Councillor, Ward 6 Colin Cote Councillor, Ward 7 Lorin Tkachuk Councillor, Ward 7

From left to right: Charlyn Moore, Jason Stedman, John Mondal, Darlene Beniuk, Paul Reutov, Colette Borgun, Sterling Johnson, Kevin Paré, Lorin Tkachuk

SENIOR LEADERSHIP 4

Dan Small

Acting Chief Administrative Officer

Melanie McConnell

Associate Chief Administrative Officer, Corporate Services

Darrell Lessmeister Associate Chief Administrative Officer, Recreation & Community Services Brian Shapka

Associate Chief Administrative Officer, Infrastructure Services

John Andersen

Director of Economic Investment & Retention

Kashif Ijaz

Director of Human Resources

Lac La Biche County | 2021 Year in Review

LAC LA BICHE COUNTY’S VISION AND STRATEGIC PLAN In 2018, Council set a vision for our community: Lac La Biche County is proud to be a diverse, healthy, and safe community. Our citizens are engaged and enjoy enhanced social and recreational amenities. We are economically resilient as we continue to invest in top-quality infrastructure and services. We are environmental stewards who promote our natural assets, making Lac La Biche County the destination choice of northern Alberta. This vision has guided both Council and Administration throughout 2021.

3. Social Wellness •

Beyond the Reaching Home grant for the Transitional Housing program, staff continue to look for other funding opportunities to help our homeless and unstably-housed residents. With Métis Nation of Alberta, staff supported the setup of a temporary homeless camp, which includes daily bus service between the camp and the hamlet of Lac La Biche.

In order to meet that vision, Council has set five strategic goals, which help us prioritize our community’s most important projects, programs, and services. Below is a list of those goals, along with a few ways that we’ve made progress in each area.

1. Economic Development •

The first meeting of the County’s Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) was held in December. EDAC has representatives from business, industry, non-profit, and other sectors. The committee’s ongoing role will be to make highlevel recommendations to Council on economic development matters.

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4. Tourism •

The #TakeItToTheLake campaign, in partnership with four other northeastern Alberta destinations, reached over 1 million people on social media. Go East of Edmonton’s Roadtrip Adventure Game drew hundreds of travellers to explore and visit “sticker stations” in participating communities. Lac La Biche Region had two stations, one at the local Visitor Information Centre and one at North Country Co-op’s gas bar. The Visitor Information Centre, managed by the Lac La Biche & District Chamber of Commerce, called it the best promotion they had ever joined.

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Staff established the Lac La Biche County Sport Tourism Terms of Reference and Working Group in February, which will guide the County’s efforts to attract major sporting events to our community. The Working Group completed a community assessment, and research for best practices and hosting policies has been ongoing throughout 2021. Staff continue to work on items like a community highlight sheet, detailed inventories of facilities and accommodations, and venue bookings.

2. Recreation and Culture •

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In addition to continuing work on the Bold Center’s sports field development (which saw the opening of an artificial turf and multiple baseball diamonds in 2021), staff created a new campsite at the Bold Center, which will attract families visiting the Bold Center for sports tournaments.

5. Environment •

The County is participating in Alberta Environment and Park’s Wetland Replacement Program, which will construct wetlands that have been historically infilled. Locations for restoration include the Bold Center and Field Lake.

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The Lac La Biche Watershed Management Plan, which guides the County’s strategies to protect our lake and entire watershed, was updated and approved by Council in May 2021.

60 individuals from 16 families used the Fair Access Fee Assistance Program, which helps those with financial barriers access County recreation programs and services. A total of $3,637.50 was redeemed.

PLEASE NOTE: Council is currently in the process of updating the County’s Strategic Plan. More details will be available at a future date on www.laclabichecounty.com.

Lac La Biche County | 2021 Year in Review

CAO DIVISION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

The COVID-19 pandemic continued to present both challenges and new opportunities. Despite tradeshows and many other networking opportunities being cancelled, the Economic Development department has continued to market Lac La Biche Region through all available channels.

Lac La Biche County continued to take quick action on the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Response Team and Senior Leadership Team explored solutions to lessen the impact of the pandemic on our community and County staff.

Our annual tourism campaigns were once again hugely successful. The #TakeItToTheLake campaign, in partnership with four other northeastern Alberta destinations, reached over 1 million people on social media. Go East of Edmonton’s Roadtrip Adventure Game drew hundreds of travellers to explore and visit “sticker stations” in participating communities. Lac La Biche Region had two stations, one at the local Visitor Information Centre and one at North Country Co-op’s gas bar. The Visitor Information Centre, managed by the Lac La Biche & District Chamber of Commerce, called it the best promotion they had ever joined. To guide future activities and investments, the department completed a Museums Sustainability project to benefit the Lac La Biche Museum, Lac La Biche Mission, and Plamondon & District Museum. Staff also began a bilingual signage project in partnership with the Conseil de développement économique de l’Alberta to encourage bilingual tourism and highlight the added value that bilingualism provides the community. The first meeting of the County’s Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) was held in December. EDAC has representatives from business, industry, non-profit, and other sectors. The committee’s ongoing role will be to make highlevel recommendations to Council on economic development matters. In 2022, the department expects to complete projects related to wayfinding and interpretive signage, community branding, and placemaking. 6

Lac La Biche County | 2021 Year in Review

Back in 2020, the County announced a partnership to bring TELUS’ fibre optic network to the region, along with a new cell tower to improve wireless coverage in the Hylo area. Throughout the County in 2021, construction by TELUS and their contractors gave many residents in the hamlets of Plamondon and Lac La Biche the opportunity to hook up to fibre optic broadband. Phase 1 of the Main Street Lac La Biche Revitalization Project was completed successfully. Administration continues to plan and work towards Phases 2 and 3 to complete Main Street. During 2022 budget deliberations, Council passed a bylaw to debenture the Revitalization Project. The County continues to work diligently on short and longterm plans for transitional housing. Administration was able to secure $150,000 in funding from the Rural Development Network’s Reaching Home Grant. In 2021, the County and Métis Nation of Alberta Region 1 signed an agreement for a short-term lease property to ensuring that our most vulnerable residents had a place to stay while a long-term plan is developed. In 2021, the County conducted a community engagement plan for the future Aquatics Centre at the Bold Center. The engagement was completed successfully, with information brough back to Council. During 2022 budget deliberations, Council passed a bylaw to debenture the Aquatics Centre project.

Lac La Biche

HUMAN RESOURCES AND HEALTH & SAFETY Human Resources assisted all County departments with recruitment, including 100 competitions for regular positions, and 60 for summer/seasonal jobs. The department organized training on equity, diversity, and inclusion, along with a separate course that promoted awareness of Indigenous peoples and cultures. Staff completed the compensation review and job description projects. They also reclassified volunteer firefighters to casual employees. Human Resources and Health & Safety implemented and updated a number of work practices to promote safety and wellness in the workplace. They also provided COVID-19 related staff support and communications. Staff ran the County’s annual internal pedometer challenge and partnered with Alberta Health Services to provide a mental health presentation.

WONDERING WHY? WHY DO WE CALL IT LAC LA BICHE REGION? Visitors don’t really care about municipal boundaries when they travel, so we promote tourism in Lac La Biche County as well as neighbouring Indigenous communities. We have more to offer, and we stand out more, when we market ourselves as one great destination.

LAC LA BICHE COUNTY AND TELUS PARTNER TO BRING PUREFIBRE TO HAMLET RESIDENTS Lac La Biche County and TELUS partnered to bring TELUS’ PureFibre network to residents in and around the hamlets of Lac La Biche and Plamondon. Throughout 2021, TELUS and its contractors built out the network, outfitting homes and businesses with ultra-fast connections and making Lac La Biche County a leader in connectivity in rural Alberta. TELUS will complete remediation work in spring 2022, restoring lawns, yards, and other infrastructure affected by the network build. As part of this project, TELUS will also be building a new cell tower near the Hylo community to improve rural connectivity. Lac La Biche County | 2021 Year in Review

CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION COMMUNICATIONS

LEGISLATIVE SERVICES

Staff refreshed the Lac La Biche County website, improving its aesthetics and revamping access to important County information for residents and visitors alike.

Legislative Services staff managed the 2021 Municipal, Senate, and Referendum Election, including provincial votes from Beaver Lake Cree Nation and Heart Lake First Nation. Voter turnout was approximately 56% of the electorate. A new Council was sworn in and provided with orientation soon after beginning their four-year term.

Communications added snow removal notifications to the Local Emergency Alerting System, allowing residents to optionally sign up for notifications to know when to remove their vehicles from the street. The department produced 12 editions of the Your County In Touch newsletter, which is delivered to thousands of County residents and provides information about important programs and services. Communications created a number of large County publications in collaboration with other departments, including the 2021 and 2022 budget documents, the 2021 Visitor Guide, the 2020 Year In Review, and 2022 Green Initiatives Calendar.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Information Technology continued to support County staff and Council, fulfilling work orders that kept Countyprovided computers, phones, and other technology in good working condition. Many projects were completed in collaboration with other departments, including a telephone system replacement that provides better functionality and saves the County $25,000 yearly.

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) GIS continues to support residents, businesses, staff, and Council by providing timely and accurate mapping information. The small team produced over 300 maps for various stakeholders and consolidated all maps onto one webpage, making information more accessible.

The Terms of Reference for the Indigenous Collaboration Committee was updated and adopted in 2021. Staff provided support for 31 Regular Council Meetings, 13 Special Council Meetings, and one organizational meeting. The department responded to 14 Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act requests, and completed 10 routine disclosures of information. Staff brought a number of significant bylaws and policies before Council, including the Election Bylaw, the Amendment to the Election Bylaw, Election Sign Bylaw, Subdivision and Development Appeal Board Bylaw, Amendment to Meeting Procedures Bylaw, Elected Official Remuneration Policy, and Communications Support for Council Policy. The department recruited 21 members-at-large for a number of committees in 2021. Staff continued to use eSCRIBE and other electronic meeting software to allow Council, committees, and boards to safely meet during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RECORDS & INFORMATION MANAGEMENT The department completed 271 information search requests for County departments. Staff digitized 5,065 property files as part of the vital records program. 478 land title changes were also filed and digitized. All County records and information were centralized to McArthur Place. This includes the renovation of the records storage room, the relocation of property file mobile shelving, the teardown of the old shelving in the records storage, and the installation of new mobile shelving. Staff continued to provide other supports to County staff for office supplies, office mail delivery, and shredding services.

Lac La Biche County | 2021 Year in Review

LAC LA BICHE COUNTY LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE In late 2021, Lac La Biche County launched a brand new website, refreshing its look to reflect the progressive, sustainable community that we aspire to be. Staff took the opportunity to update the website’s content, ensuring that information was current and easier for residents and visitors to find. A number of new electronic forms were also added to the website, helping residents access programs and services more directly from mobile devices. Staff continue to work on improving the website. Have an idea or feedback to share with us? Drop us a line at communications@laclabichecounty.com.

Lac La Biche County | 2021 Year in Review

FINANCE & PLANNING DIVISION FINANCE & GRANTS County Council approved the 2022 budget on December 21, 2021. The operating budget was set at $61,365,867, and the capital budget at $32,297,806. Non-operating reserve allocations (which Council can use to fund projects as they come up throughout the year) were set at $6.7 million, and the overall surplus was $257,634. Council used $1.225 million from the County’s $5 million fiscal stabilization reserve to offset the reduction in tax revenues in 2021. Another $1.775 million was used from this reserve to balance the 2022 budget. The County still has $2 million remaining in the fiscal stabilization reserve.

The County administered funding agreements related to the Municipal Sustainability Project, Federal Gas Tax, and the ongoing Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) grant for the new Aquatics Centre.

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

During 2022 Budget deliberations, Council chose to fund Phases 2 and 3 of the Main Street Revitalization Project and the new Aquatics Centre by debenture borrowing. These bylaws are now passed, and are the County’s first debentures since the Bold Center debenture was taken in 2010.

In 2021, the department processed 137 development applications and 19 subdivision applications. There were 5 rezoning applications, 8 Land Use Bylaw amendments, and 2 Statutory Plan amendments, which included passing bylaws and preparing advertisements in accordance with the Municipal Government Act.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the County continued to see reduced revenues due to facility closures and an overall reduction in facility usage. The County did not receive additional funding to offset the increased expenses for pandemic-related safety measures.

Planning staff continued to work on reducing red tape, and committed to reviewing bylaws and policies to help facilitate development in our County. They began the work necessary to make roadside development permits easier to acquire.

The Finance Department seeks out, applies for, and manages grant funding contributions made to the County from various levels of government. These contributions help the County undertake new projects, support existing services, and recover costs. The County applied for funding for various bridges, including bridge files 8807 (located in the Hylo-Venice area, south of Missawawi Lake), 72382 (located on Range Road 132 near Grandin), and 85387 (located on Range Road 144C at Maccagno Point) for $373,927, $1,387,500 and $405,000, respectively. There are ongoing discussions with the Province regarding additional funding for the Nashim Bridge Replacement. The County is pursuing an additional $600,000 to support replacement costs not supported by standard Disaster Recovery Program (DRP) funding. Lac La Biche County was approved for Alberta Municipal Wildfire Assistance Program (AMWAP) funding. This funding will help the County recover costs from the Hylo-Buffalo Lake Fire in the spring of 2021. The County anticipates receiving $130,000.

The department applied for and received smaller grants, including the Canada Summer Jobs grant, and grants to support FireSmart activities.

Lac La Biche County | 2021 Year in Review

On March 19, 2021, staff posted an online presentation regarding updates to the County’s Environmental Reserve Bylaw. The presentation was placed on YouTube, and residents were invited to provide feedback. A preliminary study was completed for the Municipal Development Plan (first approved in 2013), and staff will be working with consultants in 2022 to update the document. The existing document was prepared during a time of fast-paced growth in the oil and gas industries, and staff are looking forward to bringing the document up-to-date with new visions and goals. Staff continued to collaborate with a variety of County departments and outside agencies, including Economic Development on a Business License Bylaw, the Inspections Group Inc. to review issued safety codes permits, TELUS on the Pure Fibre project, and County Council with a new vision for growth in the existing Lac La Biche East Area Structure Plan.

101 Avenue Water and Sewer Replacement (103 Street to 105 Street on Main Street Lac La Biche) – Phase 1

Township Road 690 Upgrade

Nashim Drive Bridge Replacement

INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES DIVISION ENGINEERING SERVICES (MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS) Engineering Services oversaw a number of major construction projects to completion in 2021, including: • Campsite Road Bridge/Culvert Replacement; • Gold River Bridge/Culvert Replacement; • Missawawi Creek Bridge Replacement; • Nashim Drive Bridge Replacement; • Old 46 Culvert Replacement; • 101 Avenue Water and Sewer Replacement (103 Street to 105 Street on Main Street Lac La Biche) – Phase 1; • County Centre Shop Expansion – Connector Building • Hamlet Resurfacing Program and Sidewalk Replacement Program in the hamlets of Lac La Biche and Plamondon; and • Lakeland Drive Chip Seal. Projects that were carried over from 2021 and will be completed in 2022 include: • Beaver Hill Road & 91 Avenue Intersection Improvement; • Installation of 2 new lift stations in Plamondon; • Bayview Beach Subdivision Water and Sewer Installation; • Highway 881 Crosswalk Lighting; • County Centre Parking Lot and Yard Extension; and • Richard Devonian Park. Engineering was completed for the following projects: • Heart Lake First Nations access road; • Bridge replacement for the following bridge files: 8807, 85387 and 72382; • Phases 2 and 3 of the Main Street Lac La Biche Revitalization Project; • 95 Street water distribution and storm sewer; • Sentinel Park Water and Sewer Installation/Airport Reservoir Upgrades; • Sentinel East Stormwater Pond; • Stormwater Master Plan Revision; and • Mission Road Walking Trail.

FLEET SERVICES Fleet Services continued to provide everyday repair and maintenance of the County’s inventory of 400+ fleet vehicles, heavy and medium trucks, trailers, off-road construction equipment, and small/medium equipment. The County purchased the following new and replacement in 2021, among other purchases necessary for delivering services: • 10 pickup trucks; • 1 tandem plow truck; • Artificial turf maintenance equipment; • 2 lawn mowers; • 2 high-volume water pumps for flood control; • 2 motor graders; • 2 equipment trailers; • 1 landfill compactor; • 1 utility terrain vehicle; • 1 ride-on floor scrubber; and • Miscellaneous attachments and shop equipment. Fleet Services assisted with tendering and procurement of new Fire Services and Community Peace Officer vehicles. Surplus equipment and miscellaneous items have been listed on the www.govdeals.ca online auction site, allowing the County to list items no longer needed throughout the year, rather than all at once in an in-person auction. Mitchener Allen Auction was used for larger pieces of equipment. The final phase of the County Centre repair shop addition was completed in November, which allows staff to complete more equipment and vehicle repairs in house. The addition houses tool and equipment storage rooms, a small shop, a shipping and receiving area, locker rooms, and a large meeting room. The department continues to work with local schools to provide placement for work experience and Registered Apprentice Program (RAP) students. Lac La Biche County | 2021 Year in Review

Bayview Beach Subdivision Water and Sewer Installation

Backlane Paving - Lac La Biche

Lakeland Drive Chip Seal Project

Backlane Paving - Plamondon

Blais Resort Drainage

Plamondon Walking Trail OVerlay

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

UTILITY SERVICES

The Transportation Services department graded 1,189 km of gravel roads in 2021. As part of the annual road re-gravelling program, staff placed 53,000 tonnes of gravel over 275 km of roads. They also completed 50 km of shoulder pulling in the Rich Lake and Craigend areas.

Utility Services staff assisted with the completion and inspection of Phase 1 of the Main Street Lac La Biche Water and Sewer Replacement project.

To improve safety, the department replaced and installed over 180 road signs. Staff sealed cracks along 121 km of paved roads, as well as rejuvenated 4.5 km of cold mix road. They also completed the equivalent of 4.5 km of cold mix spot repairs at various locations throughout the County. Staff patched potholes and completed other minor road touch-ups along 162 km of paved roads. Transportation Services completed 244 residential dust suppression requests, each consisting of 200-metre strips of calcium chloride applications in front of residences. Dust suppression was also completed along key intersections and gravel haul routes. Traffic line painting was completed on a number of paved roads, including main routes in the hamlets of Lac La Biche and Plamondon. Staff completed the County Centre Parking Lot & Yard Reconfiguration project.

The department replaced the 12-3 regulation station, which supplies natural gas to our franchise area. With this upgrade, staff were able to remove the 9-5 station and modify the 6-10 station for greater efficiency. Utility Services installed insulated covers on the bio-trains of the wastewater plant to achieve better performance in the biological nutrient removal process. The contract with the operator of the wastewater plant is ending in 2023, and Utility Services will be participating in its review. Staff replaced approximately 1,200 metres of steel natural gas pipe to poly, which has a 100-year life. The exterior of the water treatment plant was upgraded, including parging, landscaping, and new downspouts. Staff built a new storage shed at the Utility Services Shop yard—the existing sheds were getting old, and becoming a safety hazard. Utility Services built a new hydrovac waste receiving station, which is registered with Alberta Environment. This station will help prevent illegal dumping in Lac La Biche County. The Drainage Services department was created to manage surface drainage throughout our region. They have hired two seasonal trappers and a full-time Drainage Coordinator. Drainage Services replaced and repaired approximately 100 culverts within the County. An RV sanitary dumping station was installed at Rich Lake and will be ready for the 2022 camping season.

Lac La Biche County | 2021 Year in Review

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Agricultural Services Staff successfully implemented the County’s new Clubroot Agreement Policy, which aims to reduce the spread of clubroot throughout the County. The policy was applied once with a local producer. The County inspected 70 brassica (canola) fields for clubroot, with none testing positive. As part of our prevention program, staff held several workshops for clubroot to better educate the public. Staff also completed 750 weed inspections on public and private lands to prevent the spread of plant species that affect local producers. Enhancements were made to the community garden at Alexander Hamilton Park, including soil adjustments and adding watering tanks. New raised bed plots are planned for 2022.

Waste & Recycling Management Staff completed bear fencing at the Beaver Lake Landfill to help minimize the entry of wildlife at the site. The County installed a tire bunker at the Craigend Transfer Station to enable tire recycling. Work continued on the compost pad at the Beaver Lake Landfill, which will allow residents to bring in compostable materials. It is anticipated to be complete in summer 2022. The department held several waste and recycling workshops for local schools, community organizations, and the public. They also created an educational video tour of the Beaver Lake Landfill, which helped viewers better understand general site rules, recycling programs, and more.

Staff mowed 5,367.1 km of roadside vegetation along County roads, ditches and right-of-ways throughout the summer, with some areas getting a second pass. This was 20.7% higher than 2020. The department sold 509 tree seedlings in 2021, which are offered each year to encourage residents to plant more trees throughout Lac La Biche County. Environment Staff continued the lake water quality monitoring program, which includes lake sampling (19 events), beach sampling (17 events), and inflow/outflow sampling (4 events) to measure lake health in the County. All data is available on the County’s website, or upon request. Lac La Biche County also partnered with the Alberta Lake Management Society and University of Alberta to correlate lake samples with satellite imagery of algae blooms (which are used to determine the severity of algae blooms.

CONSTRUCTION SPOTLIGHT: PHASE ONE OF MAIN STREET LAC LA BICHE REVITALIZATION

Staff began the Environmental Stewardship Awards in 2021, and winners were chosen for each category (individual, business, organization, and agriculture). Each award recipient received a $500 cash award, plus a framed certificate to display. Environmental Services’ Mad About Science program partnered with Recreation’s Summer Shack program, holding day camps for children every Friday in July and August. More than 160 participants learned about science with fun activities and games throughout the summer. The County is participating in Alberta Environment and Park’s Wetland Replacement Program, which will construct wetlands that have been historically infilled. Locations for restoration include the Bold Center and Field Lake. The Lac La Biche Watershed Management Plan, which guides the County’s strategies to protect our lake and entire watershed, was updated and approved by Council in May 2021. The updated plan is now ready to be implemented.

Phase 1 from 103 Street to 105 Street on Main Street Lac La Biche kicked off this multi-year revitalization project with road surfacing and water & sewer services completed on schedule. Throughout Phase 1, biweekly public information sessions were available to keep all interested parties updated and provide feedback on Phases 2 and 3. Phases 2 and 3 of the project, which include water & sewer service replacements and a more complete aesthetic overhaul further east down Main Street, will happen in the summers of 2022 and 2023. More information about the project will be available on www.laclabichecounty.com. Lac La Biche County | 2021 Year in Review

Community Appreciation Event

RECREATION & COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT DIVISION RECREATION, AQUATICS, AND FITNESS Staff focused on overcoming the major challenges that changing COVID-19 measures, restrictions and closures created, all while coordinating and delivering programs and services that support the health and wellness of our community. County recreation facilities experienced two pandemic-related closures in 2021: one from December 13, 2020 to March 8, 2021, and another from May 9 to mid-June. Recreation facilities reopened with reduced hours for the summer, and resumed regular operating hours effective September 7, 2021. Staff established the Lac La Biche County Sport Tourism Terms of Reference and Working Group in February, which will guide the County’s efforts to attract major sporting events to our community. The Working Group completed a community assessment, and research for best practices and hosting policies has been ongoing throughout 2021. Staff continue to work on items like a community highlight sheet, detailed inventories of facilities and accommodations, and venue bookings. Staff supported the Museum Sustainability project, and the report’s recommendations will be presented to Council in the new year.

Lac La Biche County | 2021 Year in Review

Memberships and Guest Services There were 150,000 visits to the Bold Center in 2021. Due to the pandemic, all-access drop-in passes sold totaled 4,497 (down 21% from last year) and 1,101 memberships were sold (down 57% from last year). Seven companies participated in the Corporate Membership Program, with approximately 44 individuals and family corporate members. 546 members have signed up for ActiveLLBC, the County’s online portal for registering for recreation and fitness programs. 522 online activity registrations were recorded, and 17 memberships were purchased online. The 3rd annual Member Appreciation Week was held from August 30 to September 4. The Community Appreciation Evening at McArthur Park hosted approximately 250 people for supper, activities, and an outdoor concert with Fat Racket headlining. 60 individuals from 16 families used the Fair Access Fee Assistance Program, which helps those with financial barriers access County recreation programs and services. A total of $3,637.50 was redeemed. Trick or Play passes, which allow purchasers to give away access to recreation facilities as a healthy Halloween alternative to candy, sold well in 2021, and 390 passes have been redeemed to date.

Dance Pl3y Program

Access Fitness Program

Aquatics 6,084 drop-in patrons visited Portage Pool during its 9 months of operation this year. Public swim times were only held during 6 of the 9 months of operation due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Fitness 59 fitness classes were offered in 2021 with 268 participants, including 76 paid drop-in participants. Most adult classes were offered virtually to meet COVID-19 restrictions.

505 individuals participated in swim lessons. Of the 211 swim classes offered, 106 of those were family cohort lessons.

There were 24,565 fitness area member visits in 2021. 1,296 users accessed the running track free of charge.

37 youth participated in aquatic leadership training, some from as far away as Grimshaw, Redwater, and Thorsby.

51 youth aged 12 to 15 years completed the Access Fitness I & II program. Access Fitness trains youth to use the fitness area without adult supervision. Since it was first introduced, 317 youth have successfully completed this course. Of this year’s 51 graduates, 19 have purchased passes and memberships to access the fitness area.

In 2021, the partnership between Portage Pool and Portage College resumed, which allows college students and their families to access all available swim times. From September to December, 100 students and families have accessed the pool as a result. From August 16 to October, 243 residents participated in a survey that gathered feedback on a proposed new aquatics centre at the Bold Center. Staff hosted the New Year’s Eve Glow Swim event on December 31. Maximum capacity of 80 people was reached within the first 15 minutes.

The Prescription to Get Active program, which allows doctors to prescribe exercise regimens to their patients and grant free access to the Bold Center’s fitness area, saw use from 19 community members. New cardio equipment was purchased to replace 10 yearold equipment in the Bold Center’s fitness area. Moreover, renovations are complete on the Bold Center’s Synergy Studio, which will allow for larger class sizes once restrictions are lifted.

COMMUNITY FEEDBACK As an annual member I make sure I sign up for the free class. I’m always challenged & motivated with each class. The past year with all the challenges to offer courses, the online platform has been amazing allowing me to do the class either live or getting the recorded version for when it works with my schedule. As a bonus I you don’t have the equipment, you can lend it from the Bold Center too, providing no reason not to participate! - J.D.

Lac La Biche County | 2021 Year in Review

Summer Shack Program

New Rotary Disc Golf Course

Drive-In Movie - Plamondon

Recreation & Culture Programs and Events The Summer Shack recreation was a highlight in 2021. This free program provides active and social opportunities free of screens for kids ages 6 to 12 during their summer break. It was offered at two sites this summer, Monday to Friday from 12:30 to 4:30 pm daily. 298 different children participated in the program, for a total attendance of 1,621 throughout the summer. The Park & Play Fun Van saw more use after a quiet 2020 due to COVID. A total of 12 bookings/events provided programming to 332 community members. The Fun Van allows County staff to provide outdoor activities in a variety of locations, bringing recreational and active living resources directly to residents. From September to December, youth programs were permitted and saw good registration numbers in Active Kids, Junior Jammers, Art Start, and a new Artful Monday program on no-school days. Staff also offered specific programs and leagues for youth, including a summer volleyball camp with a professional coach. A total of 252 participated in these recreation and culture programs in 2021. Three drive-in movies were offered in fall 2021 (two at the Bold Center, and one at the Festival Centre in Plamondon), with popcorn, treats, and themed games and activities to provide a fun and free night out for families and friends. Total attendance was 235 people in approximately 80 vehicles. The annual Spooktacular Halloween event, which draws a crowd of 600+, was cancelled this year due to COVID. However, staff created “Spooktacular in a Box” take-home kits for families, and held a Halloween costume photo contest to celebrate. 100 boxes were distributed, and 30 people entered the photo contest. 16

Lac La Biche County | 2021 Year in Review

Community Partnerships Recreation partnered with KidSport to make programs more accessible. Funding for the Be Bold Boy and Go Girl programs is planned for February 2022, along with the youth pickleball program in May 2022. Staff continued their partnership with the Lakeland Primary Care Network, including the Active Lifestyles and Prescription to Get Active Programs, to encourage physical activity and well-being in the community. Liv North (formerly Apple Fitness) sponsored a new Synergy unit to replace the smaller Cross-Fire unit on the Bold Center’s walking track. It should be installed in 2022. In partnership with the Rotary Club of Lac La Biche, staff established the Rotary Disc Golf Course at Alexander Hamilton Park. This is a challenging 9-hole course that takes participants on a journey through nature. Staff commissioned 4 promotional videos of County facilities, enabling residents to take virtual tours of County facilities and amenities.

COMMUNITY FEEDBACK I live on the back side of Young’s Beach Park. As I was working on my deck today, I was listening to the music playing, the children laughing... [t]his reminded me of when my kids were small and it warmed my heart. - Anonymous

Lac La Biche County

FAMILY & COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES (FCSS) AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) provides activities, programs, and services that encourage a healthy, resilient community. With advice from the FCSS board, input from the public, and County support, staff strive for “People Development for Strong Communities.” More than 900 people registered in 2021 FCSS programs. Attendance across FCSS and Community Development programs (counting instances of the same individuals attending more than one event) included 4,543 adults and 3,150 children/youth. The breakdown for each type of programming is as follows: • Family Resource Network: 958 adults, 393 children/youth. • FCSS: 3,245 adults, 2,086 children/youth. • Child Minding: 340 adults, 671 children/youth. The Community Access bus service, which aims to create affordable and accessible transportation in our community, provided 2,824 trips this year.

Bold Center Campground

The FCSS team worked hard to find ways to host in-person programming, and hosted 48 programs in 2021. Sometimes, programs were mix of in-person and virtual attendance. When pandemic protocols did not allow that, the team continued through virtual programs and touching base with clients via phone or messaging. In addition to fundraising, Next Gen Volunteers (a teen volunteer group coordinated by FCSS staff) cleaned up the Humane Society yard, assembled and distributed 200 craft bags at the Festival of Trees, and helped organize the Community Appreciation Event and Bold Center’s drive-in movies. The FCSS team holds regular interagency meetings to encourage networking and collaboration. They also compiled information for the Community Services Directory, which is published in the Lac La Biche Post phone book and on the County website, helping connect people with local social services and other resources. Through the Canadian Volunteer Income Tax Program, which FCSS hosts for Lac La Biche County, 159 income tax returns were processed for low-income seniors. Beyond the Reaching Home grant for the Transitional Housing program, staff continue to look for other funding opportunities. With Métis Nation of Alberta, staff supported the setup of the temporary homeless camp, which includes daily bus service between the camp and the hamlet of Lac La Biche.

Owl River Campground

PARKS & FACILITIES Staff completed 31 projects throughout the year, including: • Creating the new Bold Center campsite. • Assisting with Phases 1 and 2 of the Bold Center sports field project, which includes an artificial turf, natural turf soccer field, and three new ball diamonds. • Building the Owl River campground. • Establishing parking at the Elinor Lake and Poplar Point Boat Launches. • Moving Protective Services, Enforcement Services, and firefighters to the new Protective Services Facility. • Helping move Mr. Sub into the Bold Center’s food court. • Completing Bold Center Community Hall Lighting Upgrades. • Assisting with the Golf Course Master Plan and McArthur Park Master Plan.

Lac La Biche County | 2021 Year in Review

ENFORCEMENT SERVICES (COMMUNITY PEACE OFFICERS) Enforcement Services conducted 3,159 investigations and issued 483 violation tickets for provincial and municipal bylaw offences. This represents a 9% increase in investigations compared to 2020. Peace Officers conducted regular patrols of the County, rural subdivision areas, and the hamlets of Lac La Biche and Plamondon while driving 282,085 km throughout the year. They also conducted 2,374 traffic stops for various offences, and completed 349 foot patrols in and around urban areas. In partnership with the Lac La Biche Regional Humane Society, 41 animals were spayed/neutered to reduce the number of strays in the County. The Law Enforcement Training Program continued to deliver training for law enforcement professionals and other first responders. In total, instructors educated 146 people throughout the year in disciplines like shotgun training, speed measurement, the appropriate use of force, and other related topics. The program also successfully completed the first-ever, municipallyran Community Peace Officer Induction Program. The course was 10 weeks long, and saw a total of 8 students graduate in fall 2021 to become Alberta’s newest Peace Officers.

Lac La Biche County | 2021 Year in Review

PROTECTIVE SERVICES Disaster Response Lac La Biche County’s Special Unit Protection (SPU) crews assisted with the Saskatchewan La Ronge wildfires for 7 days and the British Columbia Cache Creek Fires for 14 days. Lac La Biche County also experienced the Hylo-Buffalo Lake Fire, one of our largest local wildfires in more than 10 years, spanning over 500 acres, which was contained and controlled over a period of 7 days. Emergency Management 147 County staff are trained in provincial emergency management. With this knowledge, staff can respond to emergency incidents (like wildfires, flooding, and more) quickly and efficiently. The County’s COVID-19 Response Team met 28 times in 2021. The Team consists of a variety of County staff who work to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on County services, operations, and our community. In 2021, Lac La Biche County received the prestigious federal Emergency Management Exemplary Service Medal - Resilient Communities for our involvement as a reception centre during the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire disaster.

Fire Services Fire Services currently has 64 members, including 3 full-time administrative staff and 53 paid-on-call firefighters. Fire Services had 591 calls in 2021, a 23% increase over 2020 numbers. Approximately $1.537 million in property was saved due to structural firefighting response. The department trained one recruit class in 2021, welcoming 13 new members that includes 8 firefighters, 4 cadets, and 1 fire support worker. Staff completed 115 FireSmart home assessments and conducted wood chipping on properties. Lac La Biche County led the province in these initiatives. Staff also maintained and pruned Blais Resort and Deer Ridge Park, which will reduce the likelihood of wildfires threatening homes and property in those areas. The County trained 2 more Safety Codes Officers in 2021, bringing our total of staff qualified in Safety Codes to 5. Staff completed 40 Safety Codes fire inspections over the past year.

Lac La Biche County | 2021 Year in Review

2021

Hylo/Buffalo Lake Wildland Fire On Thursday, May 6, 2021, Lac La Biche County Fire Rescue responded to a wildfire near Township Road 652 and Range Road 165. The fire was first spotted by Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, who saw the smoke column from the Heart Lake Tower. The fire was in a field, travelling northwest towards Range Road 165. Firefighters contained the fire to the east of Range Road 165 and south of Township Road 652, all while protecting infrastructure. Operations lasted more than seven days. The fire was contained after the second day of operations, and under control after day seven.

Lac La Biche County | 2021 in Review

Over the seven-day period, the following resources assisted: all Lac La Biche County Fire Rescue stations; County Community Peace Officers; RCMP; EMS; two Alberta Agriculture and Forestry crews; Alberta Agriculture & Forestry rotary wing suppression and assessment; the Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement Fire Department; the Caslan Fire Department; the County’s Transportation Services department; and numerous private contractors for water supply and fire guard construction. One residence in the burn area was saved because of response crews’ smart defensive measures. Although the fire did cross over Range Road 165 in a couple of areas, most notably at the creek crossing, the fire was quickly contained again. Crews worked each day from sunup to sundown using direct attack to extinguish and overhaul the fire. In the evenings when cooler conditions slowed the fire down, contractors constructed fire guards (areas that have limited fuel and are difficult to burn) to help contain the fire.

In the end, property loss was limited to a small amount of farm machinery, stacks of straw bales, and one abandoned out building damaged by a previous fire. By containing the fire, two neighbouring properties were saved, in addition to the property located in the burn area. There was no loss of life, and no reported injuries from community members and responders. The timely and professional response to this incident demonstrates the strength of the County’s regional collaboration with other agencies and our neighbours. Continued relationship-building through regular meetings and collaborative training exercises will ensure that our emergency response efforts continue to improve. We’re committed to making the highest quality service available for our residents and visitors.

Lac La Biche County | 2021 in Review

COUNTY SUPPORT In 2020, the County supported the following organizations with capital projects, events, and more. Please note that the final amount paid to each organization may vary from the approved amounts, depending on actual project costs.

CAPITAL PROJECTS ASSISTANCE GRANT FUNDING PROGRAM Final grant paid to organization may vary from approved amounts depending on actual project costs.

Organization

Project

Amount Approved

Owl River Recreation Association

Interior Renovations

$2,247

Owl River Recreation Association

New Fridge-Freezer

$3,444

Lac La Biche Mission Historic Society

Fence Replacement

$8,212

Camp 3F

Reroof and Shingling and Repair

$12,948

Craigend Recreation and Agricultural Society

Senior Center Furniture

$13,348

Lac La Biche Curling Club

Lac La Biche Curling Club Lounge Expansion

$15,000

Craigend Recreational and Agricultural Society

Parking Lot Asphalt Resealing

$17,500

Church Roof Restoration

Lac La Biche Mission Historic Society

$26,317

Kinsmen Club of Lac La Biche

Upgrades to the Kinsmen Hall

$76,530

Hylo/Venice Recreation and Agricultural Society

Construction of a Skate Shack

$5,500 2021 Total:

$181,046

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM Organization

Project/Funded Activity

Amount Approved

Lakeland Out of the Elements Shelter

Operational Funding

$56,068

Lac La Biche Canadian Native Friendship Centre

Operational/Program Funding

$57,185

Community Learning for Adult Students Society (PAL)

Operational Funding

$52,587

Victim Services Unit

Operational Funding

$12,000

Hope Haven Society

Operating Funding

$22,160 2021 Total:

$200,000

RECREATIONAL/CULTURAL OPERATING GRANT PROGRAM Organization

Project

Amount Approved

5HV Club

Operational Funding

$1,203

Craigend Recreation and Agricultural Society

Operational Funding

$40,000

Lac La Biche Heritage Society

Operational Funding

$24,115

Hylo/Venice Recreation and Agricultural Society

Operational Funding

$55,000

Lac La Biche Agricultural Society*

Operational Funding

$64,350

Lac La Biche Mission Historical Society

Operational Funding

$73,500

Owl River Recreation Association

Operational Funding

$19,995

Rich Lake Recreation and Agricultural Society

Operational Funding

$30,649

Normandeau Community Center

Operational Funding

$4,491

Camp 3F

Operational Funding

$5,006

Plamondon Curling Club

Operational Funding

$37,000

Plamondon Museum

Operational Funding

$10,208

Mini Heritage Park

Operational Funding

$3,130

Plamondon Seniors Rendez-Vous Centre

Operational Funding

$31,127

Phillip Menard Cultural Centre (ACFA)

Operational Funding

$48,031

*Includes power costs paid directly by the County.

Lac La Biche County | 2021 Year in Review

2021 Total:

$447,806

Lac La Biche Mission Historical Site

EVENT SPONSORSHIP GRANT PROGRAM Organization

Project

Amount Approved

Lac La Biche Lions Club

Festival of Trees

$10,000

Lac La Biche Heritage Society

"Get Back to Normal" BBQ Party

$1,000

Shanelle Twigge Memorial Ball Tournament

Shanelle Twigge Memorial Ball Tournament 2021

$500

Lac la Biche Minor Ball

Sports Days 2021

$2,500

Plamondon District Community Development Society

Humdinger Days Slow Pitch

$1,300

Lac La Biche Agricultural Society

Local Food Days

$1,500

Hope Haven Society

"Full House" Fundraiser

$1,500

Rich Lake Recreation and Agricultural Society

Gymkhana

$1,000

Craigend Recreation and Agricultural Society

Summer BBQ Event

$1,000

Lac La Biche Mission Historical Society

Mission Family Picnic

$1,500

5HV Club

BBQ Event

$1,000

Region One Aboriginal Business Association

7th Annual ROABA Golf Tournament

$1,500

Road to Hope Community Support Foundation

11 Annual Golf Tournament

$1,500

Lac La Biche Agricultural Society

2021 Rodeo

$750

Phillip Menard Cultural Centre (ACFA)

Culture Days

$4,450

Plamondon and Wandering River Resource Society

Fundraiser

$1,500

Lac La Biche Agricultural Society

Rural Women's Conference

$1,469

Ecole Plamondon

Volleyball Zone Championships

$943

Phillip Menard Cultural Centre (ACFA)

Noel in the Valley

$1,000

Plamondon Senior Rendez Vous Centre

Snow Flake Gala

$1,000

Lac La Biche Lions Club

Festival of Trees

$5,000

Does not include $30,000 in funding approved for the Festival of Speed (event was canceled).

2021 Total:

$41,912

Lac La Biche County | 2021 Year in Review

AD-HOC FUNDING GRANTS Organization

Project/Funded Activity

Amount Approved

Lac La Biche and District Chamber of Commerce

Funding for Fireworks Advertising

$378

Venice Picnic Society

Maintenance of Venice Site

$1,000

Aurora Middle School

2021 Wellness Program

$1,000

Russian Kafolicheskaya Cultural Preservation Society

Funding to support Hall Operational Costs

$1,000

Plamondon Hockey Club

Funding for ongoing costs

$1,000 2021 Total:

$4,378

SPORTING EVENT ATTENDANCE FUNDING Organization

Project/Funded Activity

Braden Reid

St. Albert Cardinals- U18 AA Provincial Baseball Tournament

Amount Approved 2021 Total:

$200 $200

COMMUNITY CEMETERY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM GRANTS Organization

Project/Funded Activity

Amount Approved

Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church Cemetery

Cemetery Improvements

$11,346

The Royal Canadian Legion McGrane Branch #28

Cemetery Improvements

$2,504

Normandeu Community Center

Cemetery Improvements

$10,646

Lac La Biche Mission Historical Society

Cemetery Improvements

$10,000

Fork Lake Cemetery Society

Cemetery Improvements

$20,524

Our Lady of the Snow Cemetery

Cemetery Improvements

$10,000 2021 Total:

$65,020

OTHER MAJOR FUNDING CONTRIBUTIONS Organization

Project

Amount Approved

Lac La Biche County Library Board

Operational Funding

$588,920

Lakeland interpretive Society

Operational Funding

$130,000

Craigend Recreation and Agricultural Society

Additional Funding for Asphalt Repairs

$93,500

Portage College

Sports Sponsorship

$100,000

J.A. Williams High School

Graduation Banners

$9,952

Plamondon Festival Centre (PDCDS)

Cooling System Replacement

$150,000

Plamondon Festival Centre (PDCDS)

Outdoor Washrooms

$129,709

Plamondon Festival Centre (PDCDS)

Operational Funding

$394,275

Rich Lake Recreational and Agricultural Society

Work to Community Hall

$77,187* 2021 Total:

$1,673,543

*Total spent since 2019 is $794,553.

INSURANCE Organization

Project

Amount Approved

5HV Club

Insurance

$1,039

Lac La Biche and District Chamber of Commerce

Insurance

$953

Lac La Biche County Library Board

Insurance

$6,052

Lakeland interpretive Society

Insurance

$2,173

Little Divide Search and Rescue

Insurance

$5,063

Normandeau Community Center

Insurance

$1,946

Owl River Recreation Association

Insurance

$1,831

Plamondon District Community Development Society

Insurance

$953

Plamondon Hall Building Society

Insurance

$361

Plamondon Curling Club

Insurance

$206

Lac La Biche Pow Wow and Fish Derby Association

Insurance

$953 2021 Total:

Lac La Biche County | 2021 Year in Review

$21,530

Plamondon Festival Centre

COVID RELIEF SUPPORT PROGRAM* Organization

Project

Amount Approved

Camp 3F Association