Rural Review - February 2023

RURALREVIEW

md.bonnyville.ab.ca

February 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE NEW RIDE AT KINOSOO - PG 2

COMMUNITY GIVING - PG 3

AN UPDATE FROM AG SERVICES - PG 4

WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE - PG 5

MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN - PG 6

BAG IT UP - PG 7

THE LATEST FROM EC DEV - PG 8

ALL ABOUT DRONES - PG 9

STAY IN THE KNOW - PG 10

COUNCIL CONTACTS - PG 11

REEVE/CAO MESSAGES - PG 12

SNOW FEVER HEATING UP FEBRUARY

It’s back Snow Fever 2023 is set for Family Day weekend February 18 to 20!

The three-day festival starts at Kinosoo Ridge Resort on Saturday, February 18. Ski, snowboard, or slide your way into fun! Buy your lift tickets online at bit.ly/KRBuyOnline to save money AND skip the line you’ll be able to pick your tickets up outside from our ticket window.

Be sure to book your Tube Park tickets in advance to avoid disappointment these are going fast. Don’t forget to bring your appetite. Our chefs are cooking up a special menu just for Snow Fever!

Head on over to the Cold Lake Energy Centre on Sunday to check out the ice slide, take a sleigh ride, play some games, and get a sparkle tattoo!

The fun ends on a sweet note February 20 at 4 Wing Cold Lake with a maple sugar shack! There will also be balloon animals, face painting, and wagon rides.

Keep an eye on the Snow Fever Facebook page at facebook.com/snowfeverlakeland for event updates

THE NEW RIDE AT KINOSOO

WELCOMING KINOSOO'S NEWEST UPGRADE!

Members of Council (left to right - Councillor Josh Crick, Reeve Barry Kalinski, Councillor Dana Swigart) and Chief Administrative Officer Al Hoggan, had a chance to take the first ride on the new chairlift before we welcomed the New Year They also had a tour of some of the new chalet renovations

Did you know we post updates on operational changes due to changes in weather on the Kinosoo Facebook page?

Just visit facebook.com/skikinosooridge to stay up to date with the latest conditions!

Don't ski or board? No problem! Kinosoo Ridge offers lesson camps, which is a great and affordable way to learn some new skills, get ready for the mountains, or just meet some new friends.

See full details online at: KINOSOO.CA

COMMUNITY GIVING

DID YOU KNOW THE M.D. HAS THREE GRANT PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS AND ASSOCIATIONS?

In 2022, the M.D. provided over $1 million through 140 successful applications from local community groups. This included monetary grants, sponsorships, and donations of promotional items and vouchers for M.D. campgrounds and Kinosoo Ridge Resort

The main community giving program at the M.D. is the Community Action Grant program. It has four levels of funding open to provincially registered, non-profit community associations within the boundaries of the M D and associations located in our urban neighbouring communities used by M D residents.

Among other funding parameters, applicants must illustrate how they actively provide recreation, culture, and/or healthy living opportunities for our residents. The funding levels are:

Events and programs – up to $5,000

Minor capital projects – up to $5,000

Moderate capital projects - $5,001 up to a maximum of $25,000

Major capital projects – 50% matching grant for projects valued between $25,001 to $400,000 (secured matching funds required).

There are three submission deadlines throughout the year for the events and programs, and minor capital projects funding levels March 15, June 15, and October 15.

The annual deadline for the moderate and major capital project funding levels is March 15.

Grant applications are considered in the order they are received, on a first come, first-serve basis and are subject to annual budget limitations.

These grants are administered by the Planning and Community Services Department, which also looks after promotional donations for community events.

For more information on the Community Action Grant and other M D community giving programs, including applications and grant parameters, visit bit.ly/CAGInfo.

AN UPDATE FROM AG SERVICES

GET READY, GET SET, GROW!

The M D of Bonnyville’s annual shelterbelt program will go live on March 7, 2023.

This year, we have a new digital catalogue to showcase the varieties that will be on sale. You can find it at bit.ly/MDTreeSale. You will find information about each available species, best management practices, and resources for planting and caring for your shelterbelt. New varieties this year include Siberian crabapple, hardy pecan tree, Lewis mock orange, Nanking cherry, Shubert chokecherry, beaked hazelnut, and sea buckthorn

The shelterbelt program has been running for nine years and has become very popular among residents. Residents who purchase trees and shrubs through our program see the many benefits of planting trees including wind protection, reduced soil erosion, increased pollinator and wildlife habitats, increased land values, and more.

With the increasing popularity and demand for shelterbelt trees, our program sells out fast. Availability of trees and shrubs is on a first come, first-serve basis. Please mark March 7 on your calendar.

This program is only available for individuals who reside in the M.D. You must provide your blue sign address when ordering. Residents will only be able to place orders online through our website.

If you have any questions regarding the shelterbelt program and online ordering, contact the Ag Services Department at 780-826-3951.

MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

The M D is undertaking a review and update of the Municipal Development Plan

A Municipal Development Plan (MDP) is a statutory document that provides broad-term guidelines for future development in the municipality. Provincial legislation requires all municipalities with populations greater than 3,500 to develop and adopt an MDP.

The plan provides a framework for the long-term growth and development of the municipal district. The MDP also provides policy direction that helps form the basis for the preparation of area structure plans and the M.D.’s Land Use Bylaw.

The MDP represents the overall vision and growth ideals of the community. The Municipal District of Bonnyville's current MDP was adopted in September of 2007

Public engagement sessions will be held on the following dates:

Tuesday, February 21 at Eastbourne Community Hall

Wednesday, February 22 at Willow Prairie Hall in La Corey

Thursday, February 23 at the Cherry Grove Community Centre

All Open Houses will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with a formal presentation at 6:30 p.m.

A survey to get feedback from our residents and ratepayers is underway. Visit bit.ly/MDPSurvey2023 or scan the QR code above to take the survey. At the end, you can choose to be entered into a draw to win one of three prizes.

The deadline to complete the survey is February 28, 2023

HAVE YOU TRIED ONE OF OUR OUTDOOR SKATING RINKS YET?

There are three rinks in the M D There are covered rinks in Ardmore and Cherry Grove, and an uncovered rink in Fort Kent

Parks staff try to flood all three rinks at least three times a week – Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

In Ardmore and Cherry Grove, there is a timer for lights so you can even go for a glide after dark. And, if you need somewhere to take the chill off, check out the heated warmup shacks. It’s a great place to get ready before you hit the ice and take a break when you need one.

Skate safe and have fun!

BAG IT UP!

THE M.D. OF BONNYVILLE HAS AGRICULTURAL PLASTICS IN THE BAG!

The M.D. is one of 33 collection sites in the province for an agricultural plastic recycling pilot project for twine and grain bags While the pilot project does not include bale wrap, the M D does accept it at our sites

Currently, bale wrap makes up about 95% of the Ag plastic material being dropped off at our sites. The Waste Department been stockpiling this material. The bales will be tested for its recyclability by an Albertan company. For bale wrap to be accepted at our sites it must meet two conditions it must be in clear bags (which the M D supplies), and the material must be clean The same goes for twine The clear bags must contain only twine or only bale wrap We need to remember that materials have to be clean in order for them to be recycled. This step needs to happen on the farm during collection in order for it to be an economical program.

Given the size and weight of grain bags, they are not simply dropped off the landfill for recycling

In 2018, the M.D. purchased a trailer and grain bag roller to offer a grain bag collection service to local producers at no charge. With the efficiency the grain bag roller provides, our crew can visit numerous sites and have rolled up to 40 bales of grain bags in a single day. These grain bag bales are then sent off to one of a few recycling sites in Alberta to be shredded and pelletized for new plastic products Over the past four years, the M D has shipped 247 grain bag bales, with each one weighing more than 200 kilograms

As for net wrap, the M.D. stopped accepting it for recycling as there isn’t a recycler in North America that will take it. If you have net wrap, please bag it and dispose of it with your household waste.

If you have empty grain bags that need rolling or any questions about agricultural plastic recycling, please contact our Waste Services Department at 780-826-3951.

M.D. OF BONNYVILLE LAUNCHES FREE BUSINESS REGISTRY PROGRAM

Do you have a business in the Municipal District of Bonnyville?

Would you like to enhance your online presence?

Would you like to shop local and source your goods or services from other M.D. businesses?

The M.D. has an online Business Registry for local businesses. The registry is used to promote buying/partnering with other local businesses and keeping them informed of opportunities and programs in our community.

The M D does not require business owners to register for a license in order to operate The M D Business Registry creates a venue for information sharing, providing updates on M.D. business opportunities and tenders, while offering online marketing. In return, the M.D. and specifically our Economic Development Specialist, Scott Kovatch will enhance the understanding and appreciation for what local companies are offering

M.D. Council and Administration believe this is an important initiative for the M.D. and our business community. The Registry enhances support and communication within our municipality’s business community.

Please note: by participating in the free registry, you will be automatically signed up If you wish to receive the M.D.'s quarterly Economic Development e-newsletter, please check the subscription option below and return this form to the M.D.

Note: it is the sole responsibility of the subscribing business to provide up to date information to the M D , when changes have been made . To opt out of the e-newsletter, please contact the Economic Development Specialist at 780-826-3171.

QUESTIONS?

CONTACT: SCOTT KOVATCH

Economic Development Specialist

780-826-3171 ext. 9206

skovatch@md.bonnyville.ab.ca

STAY IN THE KNOW

DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN RECEIVE A VOICEMAIL WITH INFORMATION UPDATES FROM THE M.D.’S VOYENT ALERT! SYSTEM?

If you sign up for an account at bit.ly/MDVoyentAlert you can choose how you receive information by downloading an app, via email, through a text message, and even an automatic call to your phone number. You can even choose to get information from all four sources.

You can also find a map which shows where active alerts are currently in place, find out more information on the Voyent system, and submit information to be sent out via Voyent (for example if you have a lost pet) at bit.ly/MDVoyentAlert

Have questions? Contact our Public Safety Department at 780-812-3332 or via email at voyent@md.bonnyville.ab.ca.

WHAT ABOUT OTHER M.D. NEWS? GET IT AS SOON AS IT’S AVAILABLE! KEEP READING AND WE WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW!

By signing up for an account through our website, you can have events, employment opportunities, tenders, news, and more delivered to you by email or text message.

Want to sign up for an account? Here’s how:

Go to md.bonnyville.ab.ca

In the top right corner, click on the Website Sign In button

Click on Create an Account

Enter the required information or choose one of the offered services

Verify your email address

Once you’ve verified your email address, go back to md bonnyville ab ca and click on the “Notify Me” button

From here, you will be able to subscribe to the news you want, including an electronic copy of this newsletter.

NOTES FROM THE REEVE

As we all settle into 2023, I want to wish you all a Happy New Year.

We’ve enjoyed relatively tame temperatures so far this winter, so it’s easy to start looking forward to planning for spring The M D ’s annual shelterbelt tree sale starts the first week of March, and the Agricultural Services staff have created a new digital guide with all of the varieties up for grabs this year If you have property in the M D and are planning to start a shelterbelt or continue building on an existing one, check out the information on Page 4.

Do you and your family have plans for Family Day? Kinosoo Ridge will be pulling out all of the stops during Snow Fever. It’s the perfect time to go and visit the ski hill, try out some tasty treats, and explore all of the renovations and the new chairlift. You can find out more about what’s happening that weekend on the front page

If you want to keep up with what is happening with Council, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel at bit.ly/MDBvilleYouTube Recordings of the Regular Meetings of Council are posted there the day after each meeting. You can also sign up to have Council Highlights sent straight to your email inbox by setting up an account and subscribing. Visit our website at md.bonnyville.ab.ca and click on the “Website Sign In” button in the top right of the screen to get started.

With the next issue of Rural Review coming out in April, I’ll take this opportunity to wish our farmers a safe, warm, and easy calving season

FROM THE CAO

Well, here we are at the start of a new year. A year full of possibilities and potential. It is our hope for all our residents that 2023 is a wonderful year full of prosperity and good tidings.

January’s weather has been downright pleasant, and we can only hope for the warmer weather to stick around, although I should know better hope does spring eternal

At the M D we are in the midst of our winter preparations for the summer construction season. The biggest project on the books for the Transportation Department is the base and pave project for Township Road 610 east of Highway 28. This is an extremely welltravelled bypass route around the Town of Bonnyville, and this project will be a definite enhancement to our regional road network.

The airport will be seeing some activity as Council has approved a new terminal building, some land planning, and a new perimeter fence around the airport property The perimeter fence is important as many of our fixed wing medical evacuation flights take place after the sun goes down and a wildlife incursion with an air ambulance could be a dangerous occurrence

DANA SWIGART

Currently the new Vezeau Beach boat launch is being constructed. We are looking forward to a larger and newer launch for the busy boating season just around the corner.

Again, from myself and all the staff at the M.D. of Bonnyville, we wish you a great 2023. Please feel free to contact myself with any questions or concerns.