12
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
REEVE’S MESSAGE It is hard to say that 2020 was a good year, since COVID-19 upended, and pretty much dominated, all our lives. No one has been unaffected by the pandemic. But COVID-19 did not stand in the way of success for the Municipal District of Bonnyville. After two years of lobbying the provincial
The assessment criteria was used to
government in collaboration with our
score all roads in the M.D., allowing
neighbouring urban municipalities – Town
Council and Administration to prior-
of Bonnyville, Village of Glendon and
itize reconstruction, rehabilitation, and
City of Cold Lake – an agreement was
maintenance over five years. Roads will
Yes, the M.D. operated a little differ-
hammered out that will bring a long-
be continually assessed to ensure that
ently in 2020. Physical distancing, extra
term source of funding to the region.
any degradation is not missed. Maintain-
cleaning, masks, sanitizer in every public
This funding, distributed based on an
ing our road infrastructure will remain
space, plexiglass partitions, and Council
agreed upon formula benefiting all four
Council’s highest priority.
meetings on YouTube and Microsoft
partners, ensures that each municipality
I am proud of Council’s commitment
Teams. At least one of those things,
can continue to provide services to its
to provide recreation options for M.D.
digitally recorded Council meetings, will
residents and that this region will remain
residents. In 2020, these outdoor
continue long into the future.
strong.
initiatives, such as trails, campground
While COVID-19 caused some upheaval
In terms of projects, the incredibly wet
upgrades, and boat dock improvements,
as we learned new ways to reach out to
spring and early summer did wreak havoc
proved to be necessary for our mental
our residents, no planned projects were
on our drainage priorities, and exposed
health as we faced down the threat of
cancelled. In fact, 2020 moved along at
further weaknesses in additional areas of
COVID-19. The beaches at Crane Lake
a fast pace as staff pulled together to
the municipality. Drainage remediation
and Minnie Lake were full throughout
achieve our budgeted objectives.
was front and centre in the 2020 Budget
the summer as people enjoyed the great
The biggest highlight for Council was
and will remain at the top of the list for
outdoors – socially distanced of course.
successfully negotiating the transfer of
several years, as all of the work cannot be
Council was constantly reminded in
ID 349 land and tax revenue back to the
accomplished in one year – and maybe
2020 how important it is to commit to
M.D. of Bonnyville. On May 1, 2021,
not even in one Council term. All of the
supporting community groups. Whether
ID 349 ceased to exist, and the M.D.
work is planned and mapped out, but the
that is community halls, agricultural
doubled in size.
accomplishment timeline is subject to
societies, sports groups, or museums,
Many long-time residents will remember
Alberta Environment and Parks approvals.
Council learned through the pandemic
that the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range
Using the newly created Road
that community support is what holds
was once administered by the M.D., until
Classification System, a Road Assessment
the fabric together to enable all of us to
it was turned over to what was then
Map for the M.D. was completed in
face adversity.
called Lakeland County.
2020, enabling Council to prioritize maintenance and road upgrades as we move forward.
Greg Sawchuk
