Municipal District of Bonnyville Strategic Plan 2022-2027

STRATEGIC PLAN

CONTENTS

Goal

Goal

Goal

Goal

Goal

Goal

MESSAGE FROM THE REEVE

As Council and I sat down with Administration to create the 2022 2027 Strategic Plan, our focus was on the future of our community and enhancing the level of service residents expect from the Municipal District of Bonnyville Council and staff continue to strive to deliver the highest quality of service possible for our residents and ratepayers

When focusing on the future, we want to be a sustainable and safe place to live and run a business We want to make sure we are guiding the municipality in the direction that will ensure our residents can be prosperous, and in turn inspiring future generations to make their lives here We are committed to the here and now but are keeping a close eye on what can continue to make our region an enviable one to put down roots while allowing the generations who have been here to continue to flourish

In this plan, you will find goals tied to economic development, environmental protection, access to utilities including water and natural gas, and public safety We are also planning for the future when it comes to the Bonnyville Regional Airport, flooding mitigation, recreation, and economic diversity

Our priorities, plans, and goals are borne from our desire to be effective, efficient, and innovative I believe this Council, when partnered with Administration, will have no difficulties in putting this Strategic Plan into action

Good governance comes from community collaboration As always, as your Reeve, I welcome your feedback and comments on the direction we are mapping out for the future of our community

MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

Council’s Strategic Plan has outlined the high level vision of the path forward for the Municipal District of Bonnyville It is clear that their vision is community based with a focus on quality services, infrastructure, and programs As Administration, we are tasked with the implementation and completion of these plans Our staff are committed to the community, the M D , and the region We will continue to move this Strategic Plan forward with effective and efficient implementation

Administration has worked hand in hand with Council on this plan and we believe it is achievable and will enhance the M D of Bonnyville for generations to come

Administration is also committed to reporting regularly to Council regarding the status of the Strategic Plan and its implementation These reports will also be provided in a public forum allowing the residents of the M D of Bonnyville an opportunity to review current implementation and prepare for future phases

We live in a wonderful area and have been blessed with many things To whom much has been given, h i d W ll h ld l o the highest standards and continue to serve the Council and

Al Hoggan, CLGM,

MISSION

TO DEVELOP A SAFE, SUSTAINABLE, AND PROSPEROUS COMMUNITY.

It is this Council’s desire to see our municipality be a safe, sustainable, and prosperous community Although we recognize that the M D of Bonnyville is made up of different communities, we also believe that regionally we form a single, strong, and adaptable community with similar needs and wants

We want to be a safe community Safe in terms of rural crime reduction, safety on our roads and other transportation networks, safety for our children while in school and at play, and safety for our elders as they move into their golden years

We want to be a sustainable community We understand there is only one taxpayer at all levels of government We are committed to tax rates that reflect required service levels as well as providing reserve funds for future sustainability We are committed to providing services in the most efficient way possible, and we are committed to finding sources of revenue that do not focus on one aspect of our economy, allowing for our ability to plan consistently for the future We believe you should pay for what you use but not for what someone else is using

We want to be a prosperous community We believe that prosperity is not specifically in how many tax dollars are coming in and going out, but through the way we interact through policy and personnel regarding development, our commitment to support local business through less regulation and red tape, and our staff’s commitment to service excellence Prosperity is achievable when government gets out of the way of great ideas and smart people

VISION

It is Council’s vision to be leaders in innovative ways to govern our municipality This can be achieved through openness and transparency with the stakeholders of the M D We want to embark on a new path forward where residents and taxpayers are asked for their opinion and those opinions are then considered We want to ensure that all Council decisions are made with fulsome information that is adequately debated in an open forum for all to see

We will review all services we provide to ensure that they are timely, needed, wanted, and cost effective We will not rely on the old saying, “that is the way we have always done it before” We are committed to being open to new methods, products, and services, and will demand that our administration bring forward sometimes challenging ideas

We will be innovative in how we achieve economic prosperity We will not rest on our position as a major player in the resource sector, but instead will focus on recruiting and retaining other industry sectors to our M D We will hold ourselves accountable to our stakeholders to provide a Municipal Development Plan (MDP), effective Area Structure Plans (ASP), and a Land Use Bylaw that are not only sustainable, but also forward thinking, business friendly, and allow for development to happen at the speed of business not at the speed of government

THE MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF BONNYVILLE WILL BE A LEADER AND INNOVATOR IN LOCAL MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE, SERVICES, AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

WE BELIEVE IN MAINTAINING STRONG FINANCIAL HEALTH

WE VALUE GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP WE VALUE QUALITY OF LIFE

WE BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE OPENNESS AND TRANSPARENCY IN DECISION MAKING

WE VALUE THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC AND THOSE THAT SERVE THE MUNICIPALITY

WE VALUE THE RIGHT OF CITIZENS TO PARTICIPATE

WE VALUE OUR DIVERSITY

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES GOAL 1

Building a viable and diversified regional economy Enhance safety in the community GOAL 3 Promote community development

GOAL 2

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES TACTICAL PLAN

GOAL 1: BUILDING A VIABLE AND DIVERSIFIED REGIONAL ECONOMY

OBJECTIVE: DEVELOP AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY INCLUSIVE OF BUSINESS/INDUSTRY ATTRACTION, RETENTION, AND EXPANSION WHILE MAINTAINING OUR RURAL INFLUENCES

Recommended Action Plan

Recruit for an Economic Development Specialist

Determine future state Determine what restrictions may exist that will/may impede development Develop strategy for business attraction Develop strategy for business retention Communicate with current business community to determine possible municipal enhancements that are needed to retain current business and attract future growth

OBJECTIVE: COMPLETE MUNICIPAL RE-BRANDING TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

Recommended Action Plan

Determine branding goals and terms of references Engage outside consultant to facilitate design and communication changes Engage public on re branding choices and challenges Budget for physical re branding changes

OBJECTIVE: MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE INTERMUNICIPAL COLLABORATION ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES

Recommended Action Plan

Review current economic development initiatives Recommend changes to current regional strategies (if required) Recommend new regional initiatives

OBJECTIVE: CREATE A MUNICIPAL FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

Recommended Action Plan

1 2 3 4

Creation of a long term master financial strategy

Creation of a long term tax strategy

Creation of a long term reserves funding strategy Development of an active asset management program

OBJECTIVE: LOBBY ALBERTA GOVERNMENT FOR ADEQUATE NATURAL GAS ACCESSIBILITY AND SUPPLY REQUIRED FOR FUTURE GROWTH

Recommended Action Plan

1 a b c

The government and the municipality must put pressure on local suppliers and distributors to provide opportunity for the M D of Bonnyville to access adequate gas infrastructure and supply required for growth

M D should review, investigate, and consider creating a business plan for the purchase or formation of a gas co op (company)

Council to lobby the Alberta Government to consider legislative change to the administrative functions and authority of the gas co ops Administration to seek an opinion from solicitors to provide options for residents to gain access to gas services

OBJECTIVE: LONG RANGE AIRPORT EXPANSION PLANS

Recommended Action Plan

1 a b c 2 a b c d e

Determine current state Determine infrastructure condition Investigate current usage Investigate user needs Determine future state Create multi year infrastructure plan Work with stakeholders to increase usage Work with stakeholders to meet current and future needs

Develop Airport Economic Development Plan Lobby for scheduled air service

OBJECTIVE: AIRPORT COMMERCIAL SUBDIVISION

Recommended Action Plan

1 a b c 2 a b c d

Determine current state Determine infrastructure condition Investigate user needs

Determine impact of infrastructure on economic development Determine future state

Create multi year infrastructure plan

Amend Area Structure Plan

Create subdivisions and facilitate the sale of lots to hangar owners Work with stakeholders to market properties for commercial investment

OBJECTIVE: WATER AND SEWER EXPANSION TO TARGETED AREAS SPECIFIC TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS

Recommended Action Plan

1. a. b. 2. a.

Determine current state

Identify current water and sewer systems Identify water and sewer needs specific to economic development targets Determine future state

Create multi year infrastructure plan for targeted commercial areas

OBJECTIVE: IDENTIFICATION AND CREATION OF SHORT-TERM PLANS TO CORRECT AND MITIGATE PRIORITY URBAN DRAINAGE AREAS

Recommended Action Plan

1 a i ii iii iv v

Phase 1: Definition of the current state Update flood area maps

Gain access to historical flood maps to identify high risk areas Administration to identify any flood areas that are missing and recommend Council adopt the revised flood area map Council to adopt criterion for prioritizing flood areas

Create a catalogue of culverts

Create a catalogue of drainage ditches

Determine who (personal property/level of government) has control of these items and who is responsible

Phase 2: Develop plan to correct and mitigate short term priority areas

Estimate the costs to mitigate/correct Determine process for who decides how future drainage problems are dealt with (i e , Council, drainage committee, separate organization)

OBJECTIVE: CREATE A FIVE-YEAR PLAN TO CORRECT AND MITIGATE PRIORITIZED URBAN DRAINAGE AREAS BASED ON AGREED UPON CRITERIA

Recommended Action Plan

Investigate possibility of forming a drainage district Solicit feedback from property owners

Create a maintenance plan for going forward to mitigate future issues

Create a plan to control the beaver population by investigating those processes that have brought success in other jurisdictions

Determine the criterion for prioritizing correction and mitigation for non critical areas which considers the joint responsibility that should exist from property owners

Develop a five year plan prioritized according to agreed upon criteria Communicate water management plan to property owners which includes instructions and education on flood mitigation for property owners

GOAL 2: ENHANCE SAFETY IN THE COMMUNITY

OBJECTIVE: RURAL CRIME REDUCTION STRATEGIES

Recommended Action Plan

Offer rural property owners crime reduction education

Continue to lobby government for additional rural policing

TRANSPORTATION/INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK SAFETY

Recommended Action Plan

Update all road construction and maintenance policies

Create tracking and trending programs for problem areas (safety perspective)

Review, on an annual basis, speed limits and accident areas

Continue lobbying efforts regarding improvements for all provincial primary and secondary highways

Creation of General Municipal Service Standards

OBJECTIVE: LAKE AND WATERCOURSE SAFETY/SUSTAINABILITY

Recommended Action Plan

Public Safety/Parks, Recreation & Culture to create safe water recreation education initiative

Public Safety/Parks, Recreation & Culture to create safe boating education initiative

M D of Bonnyville to continue lobbying government for algae control of recreation and sporting lakes

Establish guidelines for sewage systems for different areas (i e , development by lakes) and communicate new guidelines to property owners and developers to emphasize the importance of compliance when moving forward with development

OBJECTIVE: COMPLETE A NEEDS ANALYSIS FOR THE EXPANSION OF FIRE SERVICES

Recommended Action Plan

1 a b

Phase 1: Determine current state:

Review service levels and determine if they meet the 'protection of people, places and the environment' needs of the municipality

Review existing services and what future options could be

Phase 2: Determine future state: a. b. c.

Engage a consultant to develop criterion for level of service requirements

Determine need for expansion of services, including potential future locations for fire halls

Explore joint agreements (Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework, interprovincial) for certain areas

GOAL 3: PROMOTE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

OBJECTIVE: RESIDENT/DEVELOPER FRIENDLY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Recommended Action Plan

Complete a new MDP

Create a new Land Use Bylaw

Determine other areas of obstruction in planning and development process

Create faster timelines with process revitalization

Create trackable standards for development process

Search for and eliminate any other areas of red tape

Complete an Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) with the City of Cold Lake

OBJECTIVE: PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND MUNICIPAL RESERVE PROPERTIES

Recommended Action Plan

Create a new Environmental Reserve (ER)/Municipal Reserve (MR) Bylaw

Create a ER/MR enforcement mechanism

OBJECTIVE: POTABLE WATER ACCESS FOR POPULATION CLUSTERS

Recommended Action Plan

Create a new water/utility service policy

Allow for non adjacent landowner connections to municipal water infrastructure

landowners with connecting to the regional water infrastructure

OBJECTIVE: ENHANCEMENT OF THE MUNICIPAL RECREATION MASTER PLAN

Recommended Action Plan

Finalize the year round Kinosoo Ridge Resort Business and Operation Plan

Phase 1: Successful opening of the Aerial Adventure Park and expanded kitchen services

Phase 2: Completion of the Kinosoo Ridge Resort Business and Destination Management Plan Investigate the Plan’s recommended immediate action plan and develop a 10 year future development plan

Completion of an Intermunicipal Trail Master Plan and incorporate into the current Recreation Master Plan

OBJECTIVE: ESTABLISH QUALITY CONTROL GUIDELINES FOR POPULATION CLUSTER SEWAGE SYSTEMS AND PROCESS IMPLEMENTED TO MONITOR COMPLIANCE

Recommended Action Plan

Establish quality control guidelines

guidelines

users

a process to monitor compliance

control guidelines

2022 EMERGENT ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE TACTICAL PLAN

Review and update Policies and Procedures

Review and monitor the current concept of 24 hour police patrolling

Completion of Highway 657 (East/West)

Creation of an Off site Levy Bylaw

Enhanced communication within and between municipal departments

Creation of consolidated Public Safety Bylaw

Completion of M.D. of Bonnyville Emergency Plan

Creation of a General Municipal Service Standard Guide

Asset Management implementation