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

County of Paintearth Councillors - Congratulations to all County Councillors acclaimed and elected: George Glazier, Division 1; Dale Norton, Division 2; Stan Schulmeister, Division 3; Terry Vockeroth, Division 4, Maurice Wiart, Division 5; Sandy Shipton, Division 6 and Diane Elliott, Division 7.

Organizational Meeting - Council held their Organizational Meeting on October 26, 2021, and all Councillors subscribed to the Oath of Office and Council Code of Conduct. Congratulations to Stan Schulmeister re-elected Reeve and Maurice Wiart elected Deputy Reeve. Maurice Wiart was re-elected Chairman and Stan Schulmeister was re-elected, Vice Chairman of the Agricultural Service Board. A complete listing of all appointments is available on the County Website.

Castor & District Community Bus Society - MOVED by Councillor Hewitt the Castor & District Bus Society be added to the Council Appointments in the Procedure Bylaw.

Castor Municipal Library Board - MOVED by Councillor Hewitt the Castor Municipal Library Board be added to the Council Appointments in the Procedure Bylaw.

Deletion of Council Appointments, Procedure Bylaw – MOVED by Councillor Glazier the following Council Appointments be deleted from the Procedure Bylaw; Assessment Negotiating Committee, Canadian Badlands Tourism Association, Red Deer River Municipal Group, and Red Deer River Watershed Alliance.

County Member at Large Committee Appointments – MOVED by Councillor Hewitt that the County Member at Large appointments be set for 3-year terms on the following Committees: Castor & District Family & Community Support Services, Coronation & District Support Services and Coronation Doctor Recruitment/Retention.

Paintearth Economic Partnership Society – Membership Agreement – MOVED by Councillor Norton authorization for the County of Paintearth to execute the Paintearth Economic Partnership Society Membership Agreement.

Bylaw 702-21 Schedule of Fees Bylaw – Council moved all Readings of Bylaw 702-21 being the Schedule of Fees Bylaw.

Bylaw 703-21 County Procedure Bylaw – Council moved all Readings of Bylaw 703-21 being the County Procedure Bylaw.

Bylaw 704-21 Non-Residential Tax Incentive Bylaw – Council moved all Readings of Bylaw 704-21 being the Non-Residential Tax Incentive Bylaw.

Approval of Draft County of Paintearth Strategic Communications Plan 2021-2025 - MOVED by Councillor Glazier the County of Paintearth Strategic Communications Plan 2021-2025 be adopted as presented.

Approval of Draft Paintearth County Farm Store & Food Hub Plan - MOVED by Councillor Wiart the Paintearth County Farm Store & Food Hub Plan be adopted as presented.

CanExport Grant - MOVED by Councillor Glazier that Administration continue to apply for CanExport grants to continue work on the Value-Added Ag projects.

Town of Castor – Recreation Agreement – MOVED by Councillor Wiart the Town of Castor and Paintearth County Recreation Agreement be adopted and executed.

Town of Coronation – Recreation Agreement – MOVED by Councillor Glazier the Town of Coronation and Paintearth County Recreation Agreement be adopted and executed.

Request – Brownfield Recreation Centre – MOVED by Councillor Wiart the County allocate $5,000.00 with funds from Recreation Grants to the Brownfield Recreation Centre to assist with their capital project to rebuild their outdoor skating rink.

Request – AlphaBow Energy Ltd. – MOVED by Councillor Elliott the request to reduce taxes received from Rick Ironside, Chief Operating Officer, AlphaBow Energy Ltd. be denied, and a reply be sent advising of the process to appeal their assessments.

Revision to County Policy LE 009 Council Professional Development – MOVED by Councillor Norton that County Policy LE 009 Council Professional Development be revised to amend the Annual Council Professional Development Budget from $4,000.00 to $3,000.00.

Village of Halkirk Viability Draft Review Report - MOVED by Councillor Elliott that Councillor Vockeroth be appointed on behalf of Council to represent the County in Village of Halkirk Viability Review proceedings.

ATCO Electric - Tinchebray Substation – Proposed Site Drainage Plan – MOVED by Councillor Wiart that ATCO Electric enter into an agreement for buried parallel pipe in an undeveloped right-of way, with conditions of a guardrail or similar barrier (i.e., Jersey barrier as indicated) installed alongside in proximity of right-of-way of retention pond, and the discharge point of the pipeline meet AB Environment standards to prevent further erosion control downstream.

Castor Community Golf Club – MOVED by Councillor Glazier the County allocate $8,000.00 with funds from Recreation Grants to the Castor Community Golf Club to assist with their capital facility development of a water source and irrigation system.

Upcoming Council Meetings – November 16, 2021, and December 14, 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 703-21.

Committee County Members at Large

The County has the following vacancies to fill for appointments as County Member’s at Large:

Weed & Ag Pests Appeal Committee – 1 County Member at Large – 1 Year Term Appointment - January 1-December 31, 2022, and Coronation & District Support Services Board – 1 County Member at Large – 3 Year Term Appointment November 1, 2021, to October 31, 2024.

Interested individuals should send their letter of interest outlining their experience and interest in serving on the above committees/boards prior to November 16, 2021, to:  Brenda Hepp, Assistant CAO, County of Paintearth No, 18, Box 509, Castor, AB T0C 0X0 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  Remuneration is paid in accordance with the County’s compensation policy.

Interested in learning and serving on the Regional Subdivision & Development Appeal Board or on the Assessment Review Board, please contact us and we will advise of the training opportunities.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR’S DESK
Todd Pawsey, Director

Development Permits Recently Issued:

DP2131                Curtis & Jody Perry                      NE34-36-10        Relocate portable trailer for workshop

DP2132                Jason & Shauna Felzien              SW5-40-14          Bin yard - variance to setback

DP2133                Garden Plain Wind Project          SW5-35-13          Temporary office and storage yard

DP2134                Garden Plain Wind Project          SW5-35-13          General laydown yard

DP2135                Shawn & Lana Roth                    SW18-38-14        Replacement of residence – variance to                                                                                                              setback

Dugouts and Cattle Watering – With the recent dry season, many farmers are adding watering sources and locations for cattle access and the County is getting inquiries and issues with dugouts near roadways.

The Land Use Bylaw states that Dugouts are considered as buildings in relation to setbacks from roads and road allowances. That requires a 150’ setback from the centerline of the nearest road and if so, do NOT need a development permit. Those dugouts (either the hole or the soil pile/berm) that are planned for a location closer than 150’ (50 yds) MUST apply for a variance, which MAY be granted depending on location details such as road, traffic, backslopes, etc. Please call the office to check if your dugout plans meet with the County’s safety plans for County roads.

Temporary grazing – as in dry seasons, the County gets several requests for temporary grazing in the road Right-Of-Way’s (ROW), which we allow by Agreement subject to conditions. Please contact the office or the Ag Dept if you wish to graze cattle in a ROW to get the Agreement which also requires consent of adjacent landowners using that portion of the ROW to access any of their land parcels. 

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

Needless to say it’s been one heck of a year. We have survived the driest it’s been in some time and COVID, darn we’re good 😊!!! Kudos to everyone for your strength and resiliency.

Of course, we still have our copper wire, converters, and anything else that isn’t nailed down for the thieves, but the RCMP have done a great job in addressing that with charges. We must still be vigilant as times like we are experiencing will bring out the worst in some people.

It’s still dry out …very dry!!!! So, no fire permits will be issued until we get a lot more moisture (rain/snow). I know that a lot of you have stuff to burn but please be patient the weather is still the determining factor. Our fire departments had a very busy year and we our greatly appreciative of their service!!!

Reminder - please take the time to check your insurance to ensure you have adequate coverage for fire.

On November 11 the County will be closed in remembrance of our fallen and members of our armed forces and all who have served.