Environmental Improvement Program grant approvals have been awarded
By resolution Council approved funding for the following environmental programs in 2017:
- Ellis Bird Farm $ 2,000
- Gull Lake Community League $ 2,000
- Lacombe 4H District $ 450
- Lacombe Composite High School EcoVision $ 3,000
- Wilson’s Beach Community Association $ 2,550
pending:
1) demonstration that 25% of the projects’ funding is from an alternative source, which may include in- kind funding; and
2) compliance with the requirements of Policy AD(33) Environmental Improvement Grant – Agreement Document
Lacombe County facebook page
A presentation was made to Council regarding the advantages of implementing a facebook page to expand the County’s communication through social media. The County’s Communications Coordinator has been investigating setting up a facebook page for Lacombe County which will be operational in the near future.
Nicole Plewis, Communications Coordinator, said she is very excited about the opportunity to better connect with residents on the issues that matter most to them. Plewis said the addition of a Lacombe County facebook page would the County to be able to interact with residents, to share information and to build up the relationship between County and citizens of the area.
2017 Municipal Election
Council was informed that the 2017 municipal election will be held on October 16, 2017 (3rd Monday in October). Nomination day is September 18rd, being four weeks before the election. Council authorized the holding of an advance vote on any vote in the 2017 Lacombe County municipal election pursuant to Section 73 of the Local Authorities Election Act.
Lacombe Intermunicipal development plan - upcoming public hearing
Council gave first reading to Bylaw No. 1239/17, a bylaw of Lacombe County to adopt the proposed Lacombe Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP). A public hearing regarding Bylaw No. 1239/17 will be held on May 16, 2017 commencing at 7:00 p.m. at the Lacombe County Administration Office.
Lacombe County Development Tour
The Lacombe County Development Tour will be held on June 20, 2017. The aim of the tour is to allow the community the opportunity to see first-hand some of the projects, businesses and developments that are located in Lacombe County. The tour is open to local agencies, businesses, elected official and the general public. There will be a fee of $ 20 per person to ensure accurate attendance numbers.
“One of the projects we’re going to show off is the Aspelund Industrial park, west of Blackfalds. That’s a development that’s been going on for nearly 10 years. We’ve been able to create an industrial park that still has environmental protections, including naturalized wetlands and trail systems,” said Dale Frietag, Manager of Planning Services.
Frietag said this is a balanced development of commercial/industrial and environmental spaces the County is quite proud of. The tour will also include some of the residential and recreational developments near Gull Lake, focusing on public use spaces (such as Sandy Point Beach and Anderson Park) that were donated to the County by residents for public use.
Development proposal for ‘Last Hill Golf Course’ recreation area, near Eckville
Council accepted for information a presentation about the concept plan and rezoning proposal for the Last Hill Golf Course, which would include a driving range, 12-hole golf course and 100 recreation vehicle seasonal campsites, 104 vehicle parking spaces and an 80,000 square foot storage lot. The proposed development is north of the Town of Eckville.
A public open house for the proposed development has been tentatively set for May 15, 2017 at the Last Hill Golf Course clubhouse from 5 to 7 p.m.
Policy RC(1) application - Town of Blackfalds
Council approved a Policy RC(1) application from the Town of Balckfalds for Lacombe County to supply and deliver up to 500 cubic meters of pit run gravel for the Wadey Centre parking lot. The application sits at an estimated cost of $ 17,000 for trucking and materials.
The Wadey House has been relocated to a new location near All Star Park and will serve as a Visitor Information Centre, offices for the Blackfalds & District Chamber of Commerce and will also house the Blackfalds & District Historical Society.
School Social Work Program - Wolf Creek School Division
Barb Reaney, Coordinator of Student Support Services, Wolf Creek School Division provided an overview of the various programs and initiatives of the School Social Work Program.
Servicing west of QE2
A resolution that Council approve in principle the concept of servicing the west side of QE2 based on the April 25, 2017 Joint Economic Area Infrastructure cost summary prepared by Stantec Consulting for the Lacombe Intermunicipal Development Plan; and further, that the County Commissioner be directed to enter into negotiations with the City of Lacombe for capital improvements agreement and a utility supply agreement received Council approval.
-Mendonsa