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

Brian Bettis, General Manager, Telus - Universal Broadband Fund – Letter of Support – MOVED by Councillor Wiart, authorization on behalf of the County, to sign the Universal Broadband Fund Letter of Support for Telus sites within the County of Paintearth to improve access to wireless services.

2019-2022 Strategic Plan - MOVED by Councillor Glazier the County of Paintearth 2019-2022 Strategic Plan be adopted as amended and circulated.

Bylaw 695-21 Penalties of Non-Payment of Taxes Bylaw – Council moved First to Third and Final readings of Bylaw 695-21 being the Penalties of Non-Payment of Taxes Bylaw.

Bylaw 696-21 Borrowing Bylaw – Council moved Frist to Third and Final Readings of Bylaw 696-21 being the Borrowing Bylaw.

RFD – Round 2 Survey Engagement Results Acceptance – MOVED by Councillor Hewitt that Council approves the Results of the Round 2 Survey as information and posts them on the website.

RFD – Development Fees and Charges – MOVED by Councillor Hewitt that Council approves the proposed new fee structure for implementation into the Fees and Charges Bylaw.

RFD – Water Service Fees – MOVED by Councillor Glazier that Council approves the recommendation raising the water rate to $3.15 per m3 to keep pace with the SMRWSC and to leave the remaining fees unchanged.

Request – Quinton Flint, Town of Coronation – 911 Radio Tower – MOVED by Councillor Elliott the County fund $20,940.67 to the Town of Coronation towards the cost of erecting a radio tower for emergency communications equipment installation, and that the amount be funded from County Fire Restricted Surplus.

2021 Election – Posting of Candidate Names – MOVED by Councillor Glazier the County post the names of candidates monthly on the County’s media platforms once they have met all the requirements for the nomination to be valid.

Randall Bullock, Reeve, Cardston County – Class 1 Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) Program Concerns – MOVED by Councillor Wiart to send a letter to the Premier and cc Reeve Bullock, Cardston County, advising the County of Paintearth is in support of Cardston County’s concerns with the Class 1 Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) Program and that amicable solutions be considered to address the concerns.

Bylaw 697-21 Schedule of Fees Bylaw – Council moved First to Third and Final readings of Bylaw 697-21 being the Schedule of Fees Bylaw.

Hon. Damien Kurek, M.P. – 988 Crisis Hotline Support – MOVED by Councillor Blumhagen the Council of the County of Paintearth No. 18 endorses and adopts a 988 National three-digit suicide and crisis hotline; as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has increased the demand for suicide prevention services by 200 per cent; and that Council recognizes that it is a significant and important initiative to ensure critical barriers are removed to those in a crisis and seeking help; and that Staff be directed to send a letter indicating such support to the local MP, MLA, Federal Minister of Health, the CRTC and local area municipalities.

Request for Signage – TR 400 & RR 145 – MOVED by Councillor Wiart yield signs be installed at the intersection of TR 400 & RR 145.

Request – Town of Castor Fire Department – New Trailer - MOVED by Councillor Wiart the County of Paintearth provide the Town of Castor Fire Department with the requested 20’ trailer from Flaman Trailer Division at an estimated cost of $17,500.00 to use for transportation of fire equipment.

Request – Castor Municipal Library – MOVED by Councillor Glazier the County of Paintearth forward $7,500.00 to the Castor Municipal Library for the 2021 funding grant.

RFD – Responsibility for Gates – MOVED by Councillor Blumhagen that Council include in County Policy ESA 005 Roadside Spraying & Mowing that “7. The responsibility of the landowner’s gate if left in the County ditch and gets entangled with the mower lies solely with them.”

Expiring Resolution 6-18S Wind Energy Regulations Required at Provincial Level – MOVED by Councillor Hewitt that Administration contact RMA to ascertain the status of the resolution and future course of action to undertake on the resolution.

Ascend Chartered Professional Accountants – 2020 Financial Statements - MOVED by Councillor Elliott the presentation of the County of Paintearth 2020 Financial Statements as presented by Monica Faupel, CPA, CA along with Peter Stone, CPA, CA in attendance from Ascend Chartered Professional Accountants, formerly Endeavor Chartered Professional Accountants, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. be adopted.

Upcoming Council Meetings – April 7 (Wednesday), April 20, May 4, May 18, June 1, and June 15, 2021, 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 692-20.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR’S DESK

Todd Pawsey, Director

With the recent and rapid disappearance of our winter snow cover, there is the increased risk of an early grass fire season until things green up.  Residents are reminded that FireSmart Alberta (wildfire.alberta.ca) is still a great resource for helping fireproof your yard and farm site which could minimize damage and risk in the event of a speeding grass fire heading your way.  Burning permits are now restricted and we are in a period of vigilance with all things that may cause ignition.  Please be ultra careful this spring as dry and windy conditions are the usual instead of the rare.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR’S DESK

Todd Pawsey, Director

Public Hearings for Planning Documents coming up in April!

All planning documents were available on the County website for review and feedback was requested for the end of March.

The updated documents will be given 1st reading of their respective Bylaws on April 7 Council meetings. The Fleet Rail Lands Area Structure Plan and the County Land Use Bylaw major update have been published and circulated for feedback and will have a public hearing on April 20 at 11:30 am and 1 pm respectively.

Anyone wishing to submit written materials for the hearings must do so no later than Friday April 16th in electronic or fax format only.  No materials may be handed in at the hearings. Anyone wishing to speak on their written materials submitted must contact the County office directly to plan for covid regulations of public attendance.

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR’S DESK

Jeff Cosens, Director

ROADSIDE SPRAYING PROGRAM

The County’s Roadside Spraying Program will commence on or about June 1st until completion. The County sprays a third each year and this year ASB staff will blanket spray in Division 2 and spot spray in Division 3 and two townships in the southwest of Division 1 (west of Secondary 872). All prohibited and noxious weeds are targeted but depending on populations, other weeds may be targeted as well. As per policy, ASB staff does not spray 30 metres on either side of a residence, but if you would like us to spray, a Land Entry Agreement must be signed, otherwise it is your responsibility.  You can find the form on our website under the Forms tab. Staff also do not spray alongside greenhouse operations, tree nurseries and gardens, or within 30 metres of an open body of water unless in accordance with the Environmental Code of Practise for Pesticides. The Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) will also be spraying for white cockle, absinthe wormwood and any touch up work that is required for noxious weed control and small trees in those divisions. If time allows and depending on what stage the invasive weeds and brush are in, they may spray into the remaining Divisions.

UPDATE ON COVID-19

 The County Administration Office is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all. Actions taken are to protect and prevent the spread of novel coronavirus in accordance with the recommendations and guidelines from Alberta Health Services.

The County Administration Office and Public Works Shop are open by Appointment only as per Government of Alberta ROD-CMOH Order 41-2020. To schedule an appointment or for further details call:

• Administration Office: 403.882.3211
• Public Works Shop: 403.882.3285

 The County still has masks, and they are available for pickup in the entrance of the County Administration Office, #1 Crowfoot Drive, TR 374 & Hwy 12.

Paintearth Regional Waste Management Ltd.

Kevin McDougall, Supervisor
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cell: 403.741.7999

GRAIN BAGS & TWINE

These Agricultural products will ONLY be accepted at the Coronation Transfer Site Approved Site.

Grain Bags

• Neatly rolled.
• Securely tied with twine - use more than 1 twine wrap to secure.
• Placed in the designated area.

Twine

• Only clean polypropylene twine will be accepted.
• Excessively dirty twine will not be accepted.
• No fibre (sisal or jute twine), bale netting or nylon rope.
• Collection bags should be translucent - plastic bags available from the transfer site attendant.
• Bags of twine are to be placed in the designated area.

Sort out your Loads and Place in Destinated Locations
Remember to Tarp and Tie-Down Your Loads

WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY EASTER!

PLEASE NOTE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE and PUBLIC WORKS WILL BE CLOSED
GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021 AND EASTER MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021.