The following information is to provide a summary of Council meetings from May 2020 and upcoming activities. Further explanations or details can be obtained by contacting the County Administration Office at 403.882.3211.

Bylaw 688-20 Assessment Review Board Bylaw – Council gave first to third and final reading to Bylaw 688-20 being the Assessment Review Board Bylaw.

Bylaw 689-20 2020 Tax Instalment Payment Plan Bylaw – Council gave first to third and final reading to Bylaw 689-20 being the Tax Instalment Payment Plan Bylaw.

Updated 2019-2020 Strategic Plan - MOVED by Councillor Hewitt the updated 2019-2022 Strategic Plan be adopted as presented.

RFD – Coronation ACP Grant Committee – Appointment of Representatives – MOVED by Councillor Blumhagen that Councillors Elliott and Norton be appointed to represent the County on the Town of Coronation ACP (Alberta Community Partnership) Grant Committee.

RFD – Draft Council Professional Development Policy – MOVED by Councillor Hewitt the Draft Council Professional Development Policy LE 009 be adopted as amended with the addition of Saskatchewan as an eligible FCM location.

County Playgrounds and Ball Diamonds – MOVED by Councillor Elliott to open the County playgrounds and ball diamonds when ready to proceed with reopening.

Hon. Kaycee Madu, Minister, Alberta Municipal Affairs – Village of Halkirk Request for Viability Review - MOVED by Councillor Norton the correspondence received from the Hon. Kaycee Madu, Minister, Alberta Municipal Affairs on the Village of Halkirk Request for a Viability Review be received as information and filed.

Offer of Purchase County Owned Land - MOVED by Councillor Elliott to accept the offer from Wallace McComish and Bryan McComish for the sale of the lands described as NW & SW 2-35-10 W4.

Upcoming Council Meetings – June 16, July 21, August 18, 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.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR’S DESK      Todd Pawsey, Director

County Parks & Recreation - With recent announcements by the Province, our playgrounds in both Huber Dam Campground and Burma Park have been opened to the public. While the provincial guidelines place the onus for sanitizing on the users, our caretakers will be observing and cleaning apparatus as per regular duties.  However, the safest and simplest solution is that all users are to sanitize their hands before and after use on the playgrounds and structures.

Ball Diamonds – we are expecting the Province to make an announcement any time that ball games will be able to be played again in community facilities.  Currently our diamonds at Burma Park are out of commission as we await a contractor to replace the backstop chain link mesh on both diamonds.  As those facilities become usable again, we will inform the public by our website and fb pages.  Thank you for your patience ball players!

Landowner values survey

The County of Paintearth Public Engagement Team will be mailing Landowner Values surveys out to landowners who did not have the opportunity to participate in the Public Engagement Sessions this past January regarding the updating of the MDP and Land Use Bylaw. While voluntary, we ask landowners to complete and return these surveys using the pre-paid envelope provided, preferably before July 15, 2020. As the County moves ahead to update the Municipal Development Plan, our goal is to create an area map which highlights which areas of the County are favourable, and to what degree, the various types of development that can occur in the County. This map will become part of the MDP and help inform developers where they may or may not receive area support for their projects, and thereby link willing participants to projects they are interested in.  Thank you!

Distribution of Provincial NON-MEDICAL Disposal Masks

The County Administration Office will be a distribution centre for the Province’s disbursement of non-medical masks when received. Albertans can get 4 free disposal masks per person while supplies last.  These masks are for use until Albertans obtain their own masks.

They will be available, 1 bag per family member, in the entrance of the County Administration Office, #1 Crowfoot Drive, TR 374 & Hwy 12.

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR’S DESK      Jeff Cosens, Director

The County’s Roadside Mowing Program has commenced. ASB staff will be mowing the paved roads first and then moving into Division 4 and rotating counterclockwise. This year due to the Alberta Governments reduction in the ASB Grant by 27% the roads that are not regularly maintained (backroads) and full cuts (30’ cuts) on arterial roads will be reduced. Every division will have some roads that will not receive a full cut and those in Division 1, 2, 3 and 7 will not have their backroads cut. Landowners are asked to call the Director of Environmental Services, Jeff Cosens at 403-882-3211 for anyone who does not want their roadside mowed.

The County’s Roadside Spraying Program has commenced. The County sprays a third each year and this year ASB staff will be spot spraying in Division 4, 5 and the west half of 6. All prohibited and noxious weeds are targeted but depending on populations other weeds may be targeted as well. As per policy ASB staff do not spray 30 metres on either side of a residence, this area is to be the responsibility of the landowner or occupant. They do not spray in front of shelterbelts or sensitive crops unless the wind direction is favorable. Also, they do not spray alongside greenhouse operations, tree nurseries and gardens or within 30 metres of an open body of water unless in accordance the Environmental Code of Practise for Pesticides. The UTV will also be spraying for absinthe wormwood and trees in those divisions as well but will reduce from 300 to 200 miles.

FROM THE BYLAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICE       Colm Fitz-Gerald, Community Peace Officer

Just a reminder, posted speed signs are not effected by the pandemic so please SLOW DOWN! The Speed Limit of eighty (80) kilometers is for all vehicles travelling on all other roads, that are not posted with restricted speed limits, within the County of Paintearth No. 18. No need to dust out your neighbours! If you have any questions on our roads, please call the County at 403-882-3211.

PEPS Scholarship Opportunity 

Guidelines:

1. An essay on the ‘Benefits of Growing up in Rural Alberta’
2. One Scholarship worth $1000.00 to each Coronation and Gus Wetter Schools
3. All entries must be submitted by Friday June 14, 2019

Criteria:

1. All Coronation and Gus Wetter Grade 12 students are eligible
2. An essay on the ‘Benefits of Growing up in Rural Alberta’
   1. Should be approximately 750 – 1000 words in length
   2. Double spaced and size 12 font
   3. Clearly identify the benefits of rural Alberta

Entries can be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Paintearth Regional Waste Management Ltd.

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

Welcome to Kevin McDougall who has assumed the Supervisor position for the transfer sites.  Paintearth Regional Waste Management Ltd. would like to extend their appreciation to Mike Yakielashek for his service over the years and best wishes in his retirement.

Household Hazardous Waste Roundup

The Household Hazardous Waste Roundup has a new confirmed date and will be held on September 12th, 2020. We do have physical distancing in place for Covid-19. Please watch the bulletins and newspaper as a reminder of date and times of each location.

Agricultural Plastics and Recycling

All chemical jugs can be dropped off at Castor or Coronation locations. Please rinse three times and remove cap and label off jug prior to coming to the site. Any cardboard boxes can be flattened and placed in Cardboard Recycling Bin. An extreme amount of time is spent on this because of neglect by others.

Expanded Electronics Recycling Pilot

Province has approved a two-year pilot project that we will be implementing at all three Transfer Stations. The details need to be worked out but, some examples are, audio visual equipment, small home appliances, portable power tools, toys and solar panels. There will be no cost to consumers to recycle the additional products. Stay tune for dates when additional recycling will start.

Canada Day
The Halkirk, Castor, Coronation Transfer Stations
Will Be Closed
Canada Day, July 01, 2020

Remember to Tarp Your Loads

People are still not tarping or even tying down their loads. Remember that any material which is loose will and can blow out while travelling to the transfer stations.