The following information is to provide a summary of Council meetings from July-August 2021 and upcoming activities. Further explanations or details can be obtained by contacting the County Administration Office at 403.882.3211.

Funding Application – U16 Girls Provincial Softball, Coronation Stealers – MOVED by Councillor Blumhagen the County of Paintearth No. 18 provide $500.00 to the U16 Girls Provincial Softball, Coronation Stealers playing provincial ball the weekend of July 23-25, 2021, in Stettler, as per County Policy AD 018 Recreation & Community Service Grants.

Funding Application – U14 Girls Provincial Softball, Coronation Stealers – MOVED by Councillor Elliott the County of Paintearth No. 18 provide $500.00 to the U14 Girls Provincial Softball, Coronation Stealers playing provincial ball the weekend of August 6-8, 2021, in Edmonton, as per County Policy AD 018 Recreation & Community Service Grants.

Funding Application – U15 Boys Provincial Ball – MOVED by Councillor Wiart the County of Paintearth No. 18 provide $500.00 to the U15 Boys Provincial Ball Team, playing provincial ball 5 weekends over July and August 2021, as per County Policy AD 018 Recreation & Community Service Grants.

Funding Application – U16B Provincial Softball, Castor Crush – MOVED by Councillor Glazier the County of Paintearth No. 18 provide $500.00 to the U16B Provincial Softball, Castor Crush Team, that played in the provincial championships July 23-25, 2021, as per County Policy AD 018 Recreation & Community Service Grants.

Funding Application – U18AA Finals, Castor Raiders – MOVED by Councillor Hewitt the County of Paintearth No. 18 provide $500.00 to the U18 Castor Raiders, that are playing provincial ball August 27-29, 2021, as per County Policy AD 018 Recreation & Community Service Grants.

Campaign to Protect Victim Services – MOVED by Councillor Glazier the County send a letter to the Honourable Nate Horner, MLA regarding changes to the Victims of Crime Fund and the new Victims’ Assistance Program under development.

Hon. Ric McIver, Minister, Alberta Municipal Affairs – Provincial Education Requisition Credit (PERC) Program – MOVED by Councillor Hewitt the correspondence from the Hon. Ric McIver regarding the County’s approved credit adjustment of $42,865.00 under the PERC Program be received as information and filed and that a thank you letter be sent to the Minister.

Town of Castor Letter – Packer / Truck Rental – MOVED by Councillor Wiart the County assist the Town of Castor as requested in their letter regarding pothole repairs.

Halkirk Elks – Request for Shed – MOVED by Councillor Glazier the County donate the use of a shed to the Halkirk Elks as requested

Bylaw No. 701-21 Municipal Development Plan – Council moved Second, Third and Final Reading of Bylaw No. 701-21 Municipal Development Plan.

Upcoming Council Meetings – September 14, October 5, 2021, subject to individual change and commencing at 9:00 a.m. New Council Orientation Training is scheduled for October 21 and the Organizational Meeting for October 26. Meetings are open to the public and delegations are always welcome. To request a time allotment, please call the office of the CAO. All requests must clearly identify the reason or purpose of the appointment and follow the guidelines as per Section 21 - Delegations of the County’s Procedure Bylaw 692-20.

2021 Property Tax Non-Payment Penalty Notice

The County of Paintearth No. 18 property taxes were due June 30, 2021.  A 5.0% penalty was levied on all current and arrears tax balances on July 1^st.

A further 10% penalty will be applied to all outstanding tax balances, both current and arrears on October 1, 2021.

Payment can be made by cheque, cash, debit, or credit card at the County Administration Office located at 01 Crowfoot Drive, TR 374 and Highway 12, at the TD Canada Trust in Coronation or the ATB Financial branches located in Halkirk, Castor or Coronation.  Check our website (www.countypaintearth.ca) for financial institutions set up to accept on-line payments.

NOTICE OF NOMINATION DAY

County of Paintearth No. 18, Province of Alberta

Notice is hereby given that Nomination Day is September 20, 2021, and that nominations for the election of Candidates for the following offices will received at the location of the local jurisdiction office set out below within the period beginning on January 1, 2021 and ending at 12:00 noon on Nomination Day.

Number of Ward or Electoral

County of Paintearth No. 18
01 Crowfoot Drive, TR 374 & HWY 12
Castor, Alberta T0C 0X0

Dated at the County of Paintearth No. 18 in the Province of Alberta this 31^st day of August 2021.

Brenda L Hepp, Returning Officer

FROM THE BYLAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICE

Colm Fitz-Gerald, Community Peace Officer

The County Fire Ban is in force until further notice. Our rate payers are aware of the fire hazard and fire ban. My concern is the person who throws the cigarette out the window with little or no regard of the consequences. Our 3 Fire Departments have been busy already and all have done outstanding work fighting fires...keep up the great work!!! Enjoy your fall, stay safe, be fire smart and keep smiling’😊”.

Do you have adequate Insurance Coverage should a fire occur on your property?

Contact your insurance agent/broker to guarantee you have adequate FIRE INSURANCE COVERAGE that will cover fire fighting costs and protect your property in the event you have a fire.

Under COUNTY BYLAW 675-19 the RESPONSIBILITY for the costs of fire protection fees lies with you.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR’S DESK

Todd Pawsey, Director

Planning and Development News – The County received a favourable decision from the Palliser Intermunicipal Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (ISDAB) over a recent hearing regarding bin yard placement too close to County roadways. The ISDAB decision in its entirety can be found on the County website.  The appeal board supported the County’s Land Use Bylaw and processes that EXEMPT Ag Buildings from needing Development Permits if they are sited properly and avoid being too close to County roadways.  A phone call to the office will help all ag producers with their new building projects to go smoothly.

Water hauling survey coming soon – the County is investigating the business case for potable water hauling to cistern-based systems. Given the cost of running water lines and the drying up of provincial grants, cistern systems may be on the rise and the newer method of securing great water.  Please watch the County website and Facebook page soon for the announcement and posting of the survey link where we ask you about your water needs and wants.

Garden Plain Windfarm Permits issued to TransAlta Corp will see a new wind energy project take shape in the south end of the County near Highway 36 with half of the project in Special Areas.  Most likely construction may happen in spring of 2022 with some road improvements possibly taking place this fall.

Emergency Management News – As the fall harvest season is upon us, and conditions continue to be dry, residents are urged to consider looking at their farm site and eliminating any unnecessary dry fuel sources near buildings.  Lumber piles, old boards, tall grass, wood piles, deadfall in tree stands, etc.   Alberta FireSmart has a great self assessment tool which can be found on that website.

Planning for Winter Storms – it was only a few years back that Oct 2 storm levelled the County by closing in roadways and loss of power for days.  Are you ready?   Do you have a generator on standby fueled and tested for connections?  Do you have enough supplies to last a 2-day power outage or shut in from weather?  Is your farm equipment ready for snow use and able to help neighbours?  Just a few things to think about as we head into our favourite 6 months of winter 😊

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR’S DESK

Jeff Cosens, Director

Brownfield Water Distribution - Thank you to all the residents of Brownfield for accommodating the work that Elite Site Services did to replace the water distribution system.  The project went smooth with minimal interruptions, and I would like to thank MPE Engineering Ltd., Elite Site Services, and County Staff for a job well done.

Roadside Mowing Program - The mowing program is proceeding on schedule. On August 24 the mowing program changed its hours. They are operating under their normal hours now and the risk of starting a fire by the mowers has been significantly reduced.

The County has completed Division 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, and Division 2. In Division 1 they have two townships where they will mow all the roads in Township 36-11 and Township 35-11. From there they will only be mowing the local roads. It is expected that the mowing program will be completed by the end of September.