Emergency Social Services / Emergency Management

• The department continues to work on the Vulnerable Persons Registry by continuing to assist our vulnerable persons to get registered.

The FCSS program updates include:

• Youth and Senior Activities: Programs like Chat & Chill and seniors’ bingo have seen strong participation. FCSS Hosted Seniors Week from June 3-7 at which they saw 55 attendees through the different events.

Recreation

The Director of Parks and Recreation reported significant increases in attendance once again this month at the Multiplex facilities compared to the previous year.

• Program Highlights: Private swimming lessons continue to be successful with a total of 10.5 hours of private lessons being provided to the community. May and June regular swimming lessons were a huge success with 49 children registering in the lessons.
• Upcoming Programs: In the coming months five sets of week-long swimming lessons will be offered, as well as Bronze Star, Medallion Cross and First Aid and our Junior Lifeguard Club Summer Camp is scheduled for July 2-5. Summer camps will be offered throughout the entire summer this year for children ages 6-12.

Operations

Director of Operations provided updates on various infrastructure and environmental activities:

• Water and Sewer: Regular maintenance activities such as hydrant and sewer line flushing are complete. The town continues to sell a significant amount of bulk water.
• Transfer Site and Landfill: Operations are stable with upcoming tire and e-waste pickups.
• Street Maintenance: Ongoing street grading, sweeping, and preparations for dust control and crack sealing are in progress.

Chief Administrative Officer

The CAO reported on several key projects:

• Successful Grant Applications: The Town has been successful with three grant applications over the last month. The Community Adult Learning Program has received $497,000 for a three year program, the Reaching Home Program has received $50,000 for additional staffing hours, a frozen meal program, support for clothing and winter apparel and the purchase of hygiene kits and shower passes and the Town has received $200,000 under the FireSmart program to continue to FireSmart priority areas around the community.
• Engagement: The CAO and Council were able to meet with many of the major Oil and Gas players in the area in Calgary prior to attending the Federal Municipalities Conference. We were also able to host the Northern Alberta Elected Leaders meeting at which many important issues that the North is facing is discussed between Elected Officials.

Review of Road Paving Projects

The paving of Hammond Drive was included in the 2024 Capital Budget. Administration has worked with the contractor in Town, and because of saved costs on mobilization, has requested that additional streets be added to the 2024 paving program. Council directed Administration to consider the addition of 9 Street, a portion of 7 Avenue and 8 Street to the 2024 Street Paving program. All work is to be done within the allocated paving budget that was previously approved.

Smoke and Iosegun Lake Management Contract

Council directed Administration to proceed with a Request for Proposal for the operation of both Smoke and Iosegun Lake Campgrounds. The management of the Campgrounds by a third party of the last 5 years has proven to be very successful for the town. The campgrounds have seen an increase in usage, a longer operational season and better maintenance over the length of the existing contract. The duties requested in the RFP will include the operation of the campgrounds, supply of firewood, regular maintenance of the campgrounds, management of bookings, collection of fees, grass cutting and any other operational requirements. Once prepared, the Request for Proposal will be shared on the Town’s social media and website.

Fees and Rates Bylaw – Water, Wastewater and Solid Waste

Council approved the amendment to the Fees and Rates Bylaw – Water, Wastewater and Solid Waste which will see an increase in rates for these services. This Bylaw was originally passed in March 2023, with the new rates to be implemented on April 1, 2023, however, because of being evacuated in May, in response to the wildfire, Council directed administration to not increase the rates until October 2023. Council, then decided that due to the current state of the Economy and the upcoming Christmas season, that rates would be reviewed and discussed in the new year. With the passing of this bylaw, the new rates will now come into effect on October 1, 2024

Pre-authorized Tax Payment Plan

Council gave first and second reading to Bylaw 877-2024 which will allow administration to implement a Tax Payment Plan. The Tax Payment Plan will allow taxpayers to pay their taxes in monthly installments via a Pre-authorized Payment Plan provided specific criteria are met. When on the plan, no penalties will be applied to the current year’s taxes if the taxpayer is approved to be on the plan and the payment is arranged through the EFT Process. All prior year’s taxes, charges, penalties, and outstanding utility arrears must be paid in full prior to going on the plan.

Council Business Reports

Mayor Gilmour

• May 27 – Northwestern AB Foundation Regional Tour
• June 3 – 5 – Calgary Industry Meetings with:
  • Keyera
  • Chevron
  • Paramount Resources
  • Athabasca Oil Corp
  • KAPS (Kiwetinohk)
  • Whitecap Resources
  • Secure Energy
  • Pembina
• June 6 – 9 – Federation of Canadian Municipalities Conference & Tradeshow 2024 (FCM)
• June 14 – Northern Alberta Elected Leaders Meeting

Councillor Burridge