Rural Review - September 2022

2022 md.bonnyville.ab.ca

TABLE OF

WANT TO SEE THE WINNERS OF THIS YEAR'S AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BOARD RURAL BEAUTIFICATION CONTEST?

year's ASB

donuts it was time to hit the road Tour stops

The Fort Kent Seniors' Hall welcomed two coach buses loaded

Cider Co., Treasures of Yesterday, Lakeland

Acreage and Farmstead contest winners.

SCHOOL ZONE SAFETY

Do not back up into crosswalks and/or drop off in areas where children are present.

FOOD FOR

THE SOUL

Stop for school buses displaying flashing red lights and the attached stop sign. Traffic in both directions must stop for school buses. Do not continue on until the flashing lights stop. Respect speed limits in school zones. The posted speed limit is 30 km/h.

Yield to pedestrians while they are in the crosswalk. Avoid using any electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle Pull over!

Drop kids off away from high traffic areas

Use designated crosswalks.

Remind your children the three key Ps of crossing the street Point, Pause, and Proceed.

Meadows Hutterite School

École Notre Dame Elementary School

Dr Bernard Brosseau Middle School

École Des Beaux Lacs School

Bonnyville Outreach School

École Secondaire Notre Dame

School

Centralized High School

CITY OF COLD LAKE

St. Dominic Catholic Elementary School

North Star Elementary School

Cold Lake Middle School/Cold Lake Junior High School

Art Smith Aviation Academy Nelson Heights Middle School

Cold Lake Elementary School

École Holy Cross Elementary School

École Voyageur School

School

Cold Lake Outreach School Assumption Junior/Senior High School Cold Lake High School

GREEN CHAIRLIFT UPDATE

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW

Everything is on track to have a new, faster ride to the top of the hill at Kinosoo Ridge for the 2022/23 snow season.

After shuttling skiers and snowboarders for over 40 years, the old Green Chair was removed at the end of the 2021/22 season. Since then, it’s been full steam ahead for the replacement lift, which will retain the traditional green paint scheme on key components.

During the summer, the old towers were removed and new pilings installed. As of the writing of this article (end of August), the towers have been assembled and are standing in place, the trenching for communication lines has begun, and the screw pilings for the new lift stations have been drilled. The lift stations are on site and on stand by for installation.

Staff also spent some time in August at the Dopplemyar facility (the lift manufacturer) for training for the new lift Keep an eye on the Kinosoo socials for updates on the Green Chair and additional snow season information!

WHAT'S NEW WITH T&U

AN UPDATE ON PROJECTS

It’s been a productive summer for the Transportation Department They have made great progress on many projects

M D rip and re lay crews are finishing up the remainder of the roads on the list, while crews have completed the cold mix and MG30 dust control locations

The gravelling program is nearly complete, and the shoulder pull program has started in several areas throughout the M.D.

Sunset Beach drainage improvements are nearing completion and the cold mix is complete.

The 2022 Brushing Cleanup and Ditch Improvement project is well underway with a scheduled completion date of September 30. Please obey all signage when travelling through our construction zones and always follow the flag person’s instructions.

SUNSET BEACH

This is the outfall structure for the Sunset Beach Drainage Project. The black pipe runs 220 metres below ground to the other side of the road to a catch basin that was completed in mid August.

ACREAGE TOUR WINNERS

ASB RURAL BEAUTIFICATION TOUR ACREAGE WINNERS

A big congratulations goes out to Daryl Knapp and Sherry McGinnis who were awarded the Rural Beautification Award for acreage by Blake Pikowicz (right) on this year's ASB Rural Beautification Tour!

Their property is meticulously maintained and has many unique features including a luxury deck with chandelier, hammock for lounging, large playground, and beautiful garden. There is even a handful of farm animals, including ducks, sheep, pigs, and a donkey.

FARMSTEAD TOUR WINNERS

Another big congratulations goes out to Dennis and Marie Line Michaud who were presented with the Farmstead Rural Beautification Award by Luc Tellier (left).

The farmstead, dating back to about 1910, is kept in immaculate condition by Dennis and Marie Line with a little help from their robotic lawn mower while operating a successful bison farm consisting of 285 animals

ASB RURAL BEAUTIFICATION

FARMSTEAD WINNERS

YOUR GUIDE TO BUILDING IN THE M.D.

WHAT GOES WHERE AND WHY

Have you ever wondered why there are rules for what and where you can build in the M D ? Did you know that all decisions made in the M D from zoning to where things can be built are governed by a provincial Act and a variety of statutory documents?

Read on to find out more about how the Planning & Development Department works

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT ACT (MGA)

The MGA guides how municipalities operate. It is one of the most significant statutes in Alberta. The MGA affects everyone in the province including the private sector and every ministry in the Government of Alberta. At the municipal level, it provides direction regarding the processes municipalities and their councils must follow, including how Council functions and how citizens can work and interact with their municipality.

INTERMUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (IDP)

An IDP is a statutory land use plan prepared by two (or more) municipalities that share a common boundary for example the M.D. and the City of Cold Lake. IDPs foster coordination of land use, economic development, servicing, and transportation needs of the area on both sides of the municipal boundary. The objective is to address growth and coordinate planning activities.

Current project: A draft of the IDP with the City of Cold Lake has been completed Residents will be invited to give their feedback on the draft after the City adopts its new Land Use Bylaw

MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (MDP)

The MDP is a policy to guide the evaluation of all proposals for land use, development, and subdivision throughout the M D and it establishes the vision for the future of the M D The policies within the plan set the framework for what is and is not allowed when subdividing or developing The MDP is a broad, overarching plan that encompasses and applies to all lands within the M.D. It must be in accordance with any plans and Acts that supersede it.

YOUR GUIDE TO BUILDING IN THE M.D.

AREA STRUCTURE PLANS (ASP)

ASPs provide a framework and direction for the development of lands within specific areas of the M.D. Not every area has an ASP only where a lot of growth and development is expected. An ASP guides and directs the specific land use, subdivision, and development decisions that collectively determine the form the plan area will take. ASPs require public participation in the approval process and must be prepared in accordance with the MGA and the MDP.

Current projects: The M.D. is updating the Ardmore and Cherry Grove ASPs. Community engagement sessions were conducted. Both draft plans were presented to Council for First Reading at the end of August. There will be another opportunity for citizen feedback soon.

LAND USE BYLAW (LUB)

The LUB regulates the use and development of individual parcels of land. Each parcel of land is assigned a district, and each district has prescribed permitted and discretionary uses. The bylaw establishes development standards and provides for a system of issuing development permits. If a person is planning to construct a building, start a business, change land use, start a renovation, install a sign, or otherwise develop land, the LUB will provide direction on the rules and regulations to be considered.

Current project: The M.D. is updating the LUB to regulate the keeping of bees for commercial and personal purposes. This update is scheduled for its First Reading in September. It will allow the M.D. to direct placement of hives while considering the impact on surrounding properties.

MUNICIPAL LAND AND RESERVES BYLAW UPDATE

The Municipal Land and Reserves Bylaw went to Council at the end of August This bylaw will update the enforcement and restrictions regarding the use of lands owned by the M D The updated bylaw will provide greater flexibility and control for development that occurs on municipal land

MD.BONNYVILLE.AB.CA

VOYENT ALERT!

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.

A MESS AT CHERRY RIDGE

THIS IS THE MESS (BELOW) STAFF FOUND AT THE CHERRY RIDGE BIN SITE RECENTLY

Please note leaving anything on the ground at bin sites, including large items, is considered littering. Fines for littering in the M.D. begin at $250 and can be issued up to $2,000 per occurrence.

All of these items could have been taken to one of the M.D.’s seven transfer stations/landfills, with no charge to the user There are also Free Cycle sheds at the transfer stations/landfills where items that still have a little life left in them can be left for other users to pick up

You can find an interactive landfill map at bit.ly/MDLandfillsMap. It shows where all the landfills are, what materials are accepted, and the hours of operation

PROTECTING YOUR CROPS

Did you know the M.D. can provide assistance for area farmers in the prevention of damage to crops done by waterfowl, such as geese and ducks? The M.D.'s Agricultural Services Department provides scare cannons free of charge to deter waterfowl from feeding on seed crops.

Scare cannons make a noise louder than a shotgun blast. One scare cannon per 40 acres provides optimum protection, especially when used with flags and/or scarecrows. Scare cannons detonate every 10 to 20 minutes using propane Ag Services has six cannons available for rent

To take advantage of this equipment, please call Ag Services at 780 826 3951

NOTES FROM THE REEVE

As we fade into fall, Council and I would like to thank our residents and neighbours for a great summer

It was truly a blessing for us to meet with you and take in the many returning community events. We appreciate the volunteers who put in so much time and effort to put these on we are excited for the next events to come.

Speaking of volunteers, did you know there are a few M D committees and boards looking for members? There are seats available on the Assessment Review Board, FCSS board, and more You can find information, including how to apply to be a member, on our website at md.bonnyville.ab.ca.

I’d like to congratulate the winners of the M.D.’s biannual Rural Beautification Contest. They were celebrated during the Rural Beautification Tour in August, which saw about 80 people touring around the M D finding new hidden gems and learning about agriculture Check out the photos inside this newsletter to see what you missed out on

You may remember at the end of the last ski season, Council and I took the last ride on the 41 year old Green Chair at Kinosoo Ridge. I’m happy to say work is progressing on the new chairlift, and we can’t wait to give it a spin for the beginning of the 2022/23 snow season If you haven’t been out to the hill lately, be sure to drop by to take a tour of the adventure park or grab a bite at the restaurant and enjoy the last days of summer on the deck overlooking Cold Lake

I wish all of our farmers a good harvest and all of our young residents a safe, fun, and happy return to school.

Now that we’ve entered the cooler seasons, please remember the next edition of this newsletter will not be published until November In the meantime, be sure to follow our social media platforms (facebook com/MDBonnyville, @mdbville on Twitter, @mdbonnyville on Instagram) and our website for updates on what is happening in Council and around the M.D.

FROM THE CAO

As I write this, the leaves are turning and there is a coolness in the air indicating that our precious few months of summer are coming to an end. I see combines in the fields and neatly stacked rows of bales in the farmyards

It has been a great summer at the M D Our campgrounds have remained steady, the Aerial Adventure Park has been a resounding success, and our Transportation Department has remained diligent in maintaining our roads to a high standard. In particular, and the most obvious project this summer, is the new Green Chairlift at Kinosoo Ridge. This new chairlift will be operational for the 2022/23 snow season and will greatly enhance our Kinosoo winter operations The restaurant at the ski hill has been serving delicious dishes all summer and our first full summer season of being open has been a tremendous success

The fall season is also a busy time at the M.D. as it is the season for budgets for the upcoming year. We are hard at work discussing services that impact residents and how we can best provide them at realistic costs.

I wish all of our ag producers a safe and prosperous harvest season and hope for all of you a great autumn season

bkalinski@md.bonnyville.ab.ca 780-573-6082

AL HOGGAN

ahoggan@md.bonnyville.ab.ca

780 826 3171

DON SLIPCHUK

DANA SWIGART

BARRY KALINSKI