The following information is to provide a summary of Council meetings from December 2019 and upcoming activities. Further explanations or details can be obtained by contacting the County Administration Office at 403.882.3211.

Year in Review Paintearth County…

2019 started off with Council’s selection of a Strategic Plan during a Council working session. Goals in the Strategic plan were identified based on public satisfaction surveys carried out in late 2018, as well as based on identified strengths and opportunities within the County. So far in 2019, Strategic planning items completed or in progress include:

• Completing Intermunicipal Collaborative Frameworks
• Intermunicipal Development Plans
• Setting new goals for economic development such as building a new website for the County’s industrial park, Crowfoot Crossing
• Working with the Valley Ski Hill on sustainability and business planning,
• Completing agreements with our municipal partners on Fire Services
• Updating the County Fire Bylaw
• Updating the County Water and Sewer Bylaw
• Hosting regional emergency management training and development sessions
• Focusing on delivering more public engagement on key issues, such as the Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw.

The County has also focused on getting more information of value into the hands of the public through social media, including more updates on what’s happening in communities in the region, more information for farmers and ranchers on managing their Ag business effectively, and more discussions on topics that matter to you.

The County is also preparing to seek foreign investment dollars for value added processing facilities in the County. If successful, we hope to be meeting with investors by the end of 2020 for discussions on new agricultural processing plants that could bring new jobs and dollars into the County for future prosperity.

Work also continues through the Battle River Economic Opportunities Committee to help develop the private sectors locally, with business coaching, succession planning, capacity building and business plan development to name a few. This regional project goes beyond the County’s borders and includes our partners in Flagstaff County, and communities of Forestburg, Castor, Coronation, Halkirk and Heisler. We hope there will be value to local businesses that take advantage of the programs currently being developed.

Industrial activity that is also on the horizon include the completion of a new pipeline that spanned the County this year from Interpipeline, as well as announcements from ATCO about a new transmission line project that could take place by 2022, and a new wind farm that could be approaching the County for permits in the new year. All of these projects have potential impacts, be they positive or negative, to families in the region. The County is here to listen to concerns and involve ratepayers in discussions along the way. Looking forward to much progress in the new year, and we’ll see you out there.

Stan Schulmeister, Reeve

Appointment to Weed & Pesticide Appeal Board - MOVED by Councillor Norton the appointment of Marilyn Weber to the Weed & Pesticide Appeal Board for a one-year term ending October 2020.

RMA Patronage Rebate - MOVED by Councillor Glazier the County receive a cheque in the amount of $1,700.32 for the 2019 RMA Patronage Rebate.

Adoption of the Audited Financial Statements - MOVED by Councillor Norton the presentation from Monica Faupel, CPA, CA of Endeavor Chartered Professional Accountants on the 2018 Financial Statements and the Financial Information Return be approved as presented.

RFD - Gravel Supply Purchase - MOVED by Councillor Glazier that the County, as per the agreement, purchase 30,000t crushed gravel from Lone Pine Crushing in December of 2019 rather than in 2020 to ensure adequate hauling conditions.

RFD - Write off 25% GIPOT - MOVED by Councillor Norton the County approve the request to write off the bad debt expense of $5,442.38 related to a reduction of 25% for GIPOT.

RFD - 2020 Interim Operating Budget - MOVED by Councillor Glazier the 2020 Interim Operating Budget be approved as presented.

RFD - 2020 Interim Capital Budget - MOVED by Councillor Hewitt the 2020 Interim Capital Budget be approved as presented.

RFD - FCM Membership - MOVED by Councillor Wiart the County of Paintearth renew its membership in FCM for 2020-2021 in the amount of $630.45 and that the County not participate in the Alberta reception at this time.

Intermunicipal Development Plan - Village of Halkirk - MOVED by Councillor Glazier the County of Paintearth not require an Intermunicipal Development Plan with the Village of Halkirk.

Coronation Memorial Library – Draft 2020 Budget - MOVED by Councillor Wiart confirmation of the Library Grant of $5,527.20 to the Coronation Memorial Library in accordance with County Policy AD 009 Grants to Local Organizations.

Paul Wynnyk, Deputy Minister, Alberta Municipal Affairs – MOVED by Councillor Glazier the letter received from Paul Wynnyk, Deputy Minister, Alberta Municipal Affairs, advising that he is satisfied with the actions and timelines proposed for the legislative gaps identified in the report be received and filed.

ATCO, Cancellation of Hand Hills Transmission & Mother Mountain Transmission Projects – MOVED by Councillor Wiart the correspondence from ATCO advising of the Cancellation of the Hand Hills Transmission & Mother Mountain Transmission Projects be received and filed.

Paintearth Wind Project Update, Dan Tocher – MOVED by Councillor Elliott the presentation and update from Dan Tocher, Stakeholder Relations Manager, Paintearth Wind Project LP on the Paintearth Wind Project be received as information.

MOVED by Councillor Norton the correspondence dated November 14, 2019 from Dan Tocher, Stakeholder Relations Manager, Paintearth Wind Project LP on the Paintearth Wind Project be received and filed.

Upcoming Meetings – Council Meetings – February 4, 2020, February 19, 2020 (Wednesday), March 10, 2020, March 24, 2020, April 7, 2020, April 21, 2020 and subject to individual change and commencing at 9:00 a.m. 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 681-19.

FROM THE BYLAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICE

Colm Fitz-Gerald, Community Peace Officer

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Well we survived another year and now we start all over again. First, we will have to contend with a cold winter ahead, but we are used to that (last February).  So, with that, you have livestock to check and vehicles and equipment to warm up. We need to keep in mind that the thieves don’t take a holiday.  Whether you are running into a store or back into your house to retrieve something you forgot, it only takes thieves seconds to make off with your vehicle.   Extra vigilance needs to be taken when leaving our vehicle/equipment running without us in them (not a good idea).

We also need to continue doing the good job of checking on our neighbours and looking out for our families. Hence, keep on the look out for suspicious vehicles and people roaming the countryside. Check with neighbours and inform the RCMP. Every bit of information will help.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR’S DESK

Todd Pawsey, Director Community Services

Municipal Development Plan & Land Use Bylaw Review – Community Engagement

The County would like to thank all landowners and residents who took the time to attend one of the Public Engagement sessions held recently across the County.   Information from this round of engagement will be tabulated and compiled, and presented back for further discussion later this spring, to update the County’s Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw.  The workbooks completed at the sessions are available for online completion until January 31.

Paintearth Regional Waste Management Ltd.

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.     Michael Yakielashek, Supervisor

GRAIN BAG AND TWINE RECYCLING NOW AVAILABLE!

Rolled grain bags and bagged twine can be dropped off, free of charge at the Coronation Transfer Station.

Grain bags and twine must be prepared properly prior to drop off. This will ensure a smooth drop off process that keeps contamination to a minimum and maximizes the recyclability of the material. Material not prepared properly will not be accepted.

Grain bags should be rolled tightly and secured with twine. Collection bags for recycling twine are available at all three Transfer Stations. Please ensure twine is clean, dry and loosely placed in collection bags.

Visit www.cleanfarms.ca to learn more about how to properly prepare your grain bags and twine for recycling and more news about the program.

About This Program

This initiative is part of the Alberta Ag-Plastic. “Recycle it”!  program, a three-year pilot aimed at establishing an environmentally sustainable program to recycle agricultural plastics. Funds for the pilot project were granted by the Government of Alberta and are administered by Alberta Beef Producers.

Materials Not Accepted

SILEAGE BAGS, BALE WRAP, BALE NETTING OR GRAIN BAGS AND TWINE NOT PREPARED PROPERLY.

Remember to Tarp or Tie Down Your Loads!

REMEMBER to check out the COUNTY WEBSITE for MEETING HIGHLIGHTS, additional NEWS ITEMS and COMMUNITY EVENTS or follow the County on FACEBOOK.