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SI MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF BRAZEAU NO. 77
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING 94 06 09
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pi MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF BRAZEAU NO. 77 IPt REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
DATE: 94 06 09 TIME: 9:30 A.M. PLACE: M.D. Administration Building, Council Chambers
Page No. Call to Order
Present
1. Additions to the Agenda pi 2. Adoption of the Agenda
3. Adoption of Minutes
Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held on 1-12 94 05 25.
4. Emergent Items ip> 5. Appointment/Delegations
(a) 10:00 a.m. - Public Hearing - By-law No. 13-15 202-94 Proposed amendment to Section 40, Section 72, Section 73 and Section 46 of the Land Use By-Law.
- Report and By-Law attached.
(b) 10:30 a.m. - Appointment with Birchwood Village Greens re: lagoon construction. p (c) 11:00 a.m. - Ratepayers Concerns
6. 10:45 Planning Development and Lands Matter
16-17 (a) Request for Permit Undeveloped Road Allowance Northern Boundary of NW 1/4 11-49-6 W5M
- Report and recommendation attached
18-19 (b) Offer to Purchase Lots 15 & 16 in Buck Creek - Proposed Purchaser: Gary Radwanski
- Report and recommendation attached.
20-22 (c) Proposed Subdivision 94/95YH014-41 PT Of SE 17-49-8-W5M Owner/Applicant: Lauer, Floyd and Vivian
- Report and recommendation attached.
23-25 (d) Proposed Subdivision 94/95YH016-41 NE 1/4 27-48-6-W5M Applicant: Vogel, Margaret R.
- Report and recommendation attached.
(e) Appointment of member at large to Joint M.P.C. (Please bring your names of those interested Ep)
-2- I 7. 11:30 Finance Matters
26-27 (a) Cash Statement and Investment Summary for n April, 1994.
- Reports attached.
8. ll:45 Public Safety Matters pi 28-43 (a) Regional Dispatch Centres/E911 Emergency Services
m - Correspondence and report attached.
9. General Matters HP . . I 44-45 (a) Recreational/Cultural Grant Applications
- Report and recommendation attached
r 46-47 (b) Transportation Assistance Grant Applications
- Report and recommendation attached
48-53 (c) M & E Stakehold Group - Status Report and Request for Additional Funding r-Correspondence from Strathcona County attached.
54 (d) Tax Recovery Auction Sale Date
p - Report and recommendation attached.
55-57 (e) Amendment to the Collective Agreement r-Report and recommendation attached.
58-60 (f) Future Provision of Assessment Services
_ - Report and recommendation attached.
(9) Appointment of Council Member to Lease Road Maintenance Review Team. jp 61-63 (h) Pembina Advisory Committee *- - Report attached
m 64-66 (i) Franchise Agreements with Transalta
- Correspondence attached
10. Correspondence/Items for Information
67-71 (a) Correspondence dated 94 May 24 from r Economic Development and Tourism regarding agreement to eliminate internal barriers to trade.
r 72-73 (b) Correspondence from Economic Development and Tourism regarding "The Alberta Community Partners Campaign".
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-3- t- 74-77 (c) Newsletter on Regionalization and Amalgamation dated 94 May 11 - Target 60.
(I 78-79 (d) Correspondence dated 94 May 17 from Minister of Public Works, Supply and Services regarding implementation of JP the new Alberta Fire Code. *- 80 (e) Correspondence dated 94 May 25 from Kent and Sharon Lee regarding dust r control*
81 (f) Correspondence dated 94 May 20 from Otto C. Reich regarding taxes.
r 82-83 (g) A.A.M.D.& C. Municipal News Highlights dated 94 May 18.
84-85 (h) A.A.M.D &C Municipal News Highlights IP dated 94 May 25.
* 86-87 (i) Correspondence dated 94 May 27 from the Community Tourism Action Program regarding m Campground at AABA Lodgepole Retreat.
; 88-98 (3) Correspondence dated 94 May 25 from the A.A.M.D. &C regarding Bills 18,20,30, and
«pi 31« ' 99 (k) Municipal Manager's Report to Council regarding attendance at Emergency Public Warning Training Seminar jP 100-127 (1) Correspondence dated 94 May 27 from ^ A.A.M.D. & C. regarding passed resolutions at Spring Convention. pi j 128-129 (m) Letter from Pembina Valley Ambulance Authority re: contract extension.
p» 11. Question Period
12. Councillors Reports
Addendum
Adj ournment S)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF THE MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF BRAZEAU NO. 77, HELD IN THE M. D. ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, IN DRAYTON VALLEY ON THURSDAY, 94 05 25. CALL TO ORDER Reeve E. Lambert called the meeting to order at 9:32 a.m.
PRESENT Present
E. Lambert, Reeve J. Coombes, Deputy Reeve B. Guyon, Councillor L. Coward, Councillor W. Tweedle, Councillor L. Johnson, Municipal Manager K. Robinson, Recording Secretary
Also in Attendance p) D. Pinkoski, Western Review
R. Matthews arrived at the meeting at 9:35 a.m.
ADDITIONS TO Additions to and Adoption of the Agenda AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA 241/94 Moved by B. Guyon to adopt the agenda for the 94 05 25 Regular Council Meeting with the following additions:
11.(h) Signing Authorities 11.(i) Correspondence from Drayton Valley Community Living Assoc. regarding National Access Awareness Week.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPTION OF Adoption of Minutes MINUTES 242/94 Moved by J. Coombes that the minutes of the 94 05 12 Regular Council Meeting be W> adopted with the following amendment:
Motion 218/94 regarding Big Tee Golf Course was opposed to by J. Coombes.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
EMERGENT Emergent Items ITEMS B. Guyon reported there are dogs running loose in Lodgepole. Ratepayers are complaining that they call the dog catcher, but the dogs are still loose.
B. Guyon reported the parking of vehicles on both sides of the street at the playground in Lodgepole is a safety hazard to children crossing US) the street to get to the playground. He suggested a sign be erected to deter public vehicles from being parked in that area. p B. Guyon reported ratepayers are concerned with the restricted hours of the waste transfer sites.
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COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -2- 94 05 25
PLANNING Planning Development and Lands Matters DEVELOPMENT AND LANDS Joint Municipal Planning Commission - Election MATTERS of Member
At the May 12, 1994 Council meeting it was decided by Council that the vacancy on the Joint Municipal Planning Commission be advertised. There has been no response to the advertisement and Councillors agreed they will approach ratepayers in their districts to generate interest.
With regards to the Municipal Planning Commission, IS J. Coombes suggested members should be living in the area they serve. Council requested this item be put on the agenda for the next Organizational Meeting.
W. Lind arrived at the meeting at 9:55 a.m. S. Murray arrived at the meeting at 10:00 a.m. T. Fleming arrived at the meeting at 10:02 a.m. pji Proposed amendment of land use Bv-Law 109-90 Scheduling of Public Hearing to Consider Bv-Law 205-94
Planning, Development & Lands Officer R. Matthews explained that Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner are seeking approval to rezone a portion of the NE 1/4 23-49-8- W5M (Lot 8, Plan 7722995 - containing 20.23 acres more or less) to Country Residential in order to I?) accommodate a subdivision of a 5 acre parcel. Application for subdivision has been made and circulation to affected agencies has commenced. R. Matthews recommended that first reading be given and a public hearing be scheduled for June in order to consider By-Law 205-94, being a By-Law to change the Land Use Designation of Pt of the NE 1/4 23-49-8- W5M (Lot 8, Plan 7722995) from Agricultural One to Country Residential.
243/94 Moved by W. Tweedle to give By-Law 205-94 r first reading and schedule a Public Hearing for Wednesday, June 22, 1994.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
R. Matthews left the meeting at 10:03 a.m.
PUBLIC Public Safety Matters SAFETY MATTERS Vehicle Replacement
Supervisor of Supplies & Services, Wayne Lind discussed the fact that the purchase of a unit for Public Safety was approved in the 1994 budget, being a replacement for P-02 1990 Ford 1/2 Ton 4X4. By going to a special service unit as requested by public safety, hopefully the cost of repairs and down time to the Department will be reduced. Tenders were requested from six automotive dealerships, three being local and the others from outside the Municipal District. W. Lind recommended the lowest tender from Londonderry Chrysler for the public safety unit for $23,703.39 be accepted. 244/94 Moved by W. Tweedle to accept i^R^ender from Londonderry Chrysler akfc^$#y,v703.39.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Si COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -3- 94 -5 25
Reeve E. Lambert requested information regarding the spring Road Ban enforcement. S. Murray stated r active enforcement had increased about 50% and local companies were co-operating. With the problems arising from the Goliad Road, public safety vehicles pi I were stationed on the road twice a day. The Goliad Road is reported to be in reasonably good condition : given the amount of traffic on it. Reeve E. Lambert requested that a summary report of the road bans campaign be submitted to Council when it is completed.
S. Murray left the meeting at 10:20 a.m. ss D. Welsh arrived at the meeting at 10:21 a.m.
D. Welsh left the meeting at 10:22 a.m.
SUPPLIES Supplies and Services Matters AND SERVICES Used Eguipment Tenders MATTERS The tender for equipment that was replaced in the 1994 budget was sent out to various companies and ads run in several newspapers. W. Lind recommended the highest tenders be accepted ffiJl as follows:
Unit M-18-14 G Grader Finning Ltd. 169,060. Unit M-19-14 G Grader Finning Ltd. 169,060. Unit M-04-Trailer Wayne Linde 855. Unit A-10-Mower Raines Well 1,270. Unit A-03-Scale Steve Fleasy 1,100. Unit A-08-Tree Planter Leo Rossetto 1,150.
245/94 Moved by J. Coombes to accept the highest tenders as recommended.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
L. Johnson left the meeting at 10:25 a.m.
L. Johnson arrived at the meeting at 10:26 a.m.
PUBLIC Public Works Matters WORKS MATTERS Sign Change for old Buck Creek Road (Goliad Road)
Superintendent of Public Works, T. Fleming stated that some years ago the Goliad Road was originally called the Buck Creek Road. Alberta Transportation removed the sign during construction of Highway 39 W\ and replaced it with the Goliad Road sign. The ratepayers of Buck Creek want the Goliad Road sign removed and the Buck Creek Road sign replaced.
J. Coombes will meet with the ratepayers of Buck Creek to see how many residents wish to have the Buck Creek Road sign replaced and report back to Council.
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COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -4- 94 05 25
Inventory of Lease Roads Providing Access to Residences
Superintendent of Public Works, T. Fleming stated that as previously requested by Council the Public Works Department has inventoried as many lease roads as they were able to find that provide the only access to residents within our municipality. This inventory does not include lease roads which may be the only access to farm land.
There is an estimated total of 51 miles of lease roads in our municipality that lead to residences. Of this total 17 miles are maintained by the municipality via road use agreements or good will understanding that was established with previous counties primarily for school bus routes. There is another estimated 34 miles of lease roads accessing residents that the municipality does not maintain. The condition of these roads varies but it would be fair to say that they all require some immediate improvement in order to bring them to a state where average maintenance would be adequate.
Based on the cost estimate of $2,800.00 per mile per pS) year, these 34 miles would cost approximately $95,200.00 per year to maintain.
Council accepted the report as information and discussed whether there could be a possibility of cost sharing with oil companies to maintain these roads. Council will discuss this with the Pembina Oil Producers Association in a meeting later today.
T. Fleming left the meeting at 10:38 a.m.
A. Sutherland arrived at the meeting at 10:40 a.m. m F.C.S.S. F.C.8.S. Matters MATTERS F.C.S.S. Co-ordinator, A. Sutherland stated that, government funding for the Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta has been pi reduced by 50% for 1994 - 1995, with no indication of future dollars. The Board of the F.C.S.S. Association of Alberta considers this an urgent matter and requests Council's comments and suggestions to use as the basis of discussion for future planning. The questions and comments are as follows: p, 1. Do you see a continued need for the F.C.S.S. Association of Alberta? Council discussed this issue and suggested the services the Association provides could be handled by other related health associations.
2. What are you prepared to commit financially to the F.C.S.S. Association of Alberta given that membership fees constituted only 21% of operating costs during the 1992-1993 fiscal year? Council stated they were not prepared to give any more financial support to the Association.
3. Does the F.C.S.S. Association of AjLberta provide a service and linkage betwe^^mong programs? Council agreed most of the l^firage among programs was provided by the indivatitajydirectors of F.C.S.S. programs. V 0\
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -5- 940525
4. If the F.C.S.S. Association of Alberta is reduced or eliminated, could its services be provided in other ways? After a brief discussion, r Council agreed local Regional Boards could provide the services now provided by the Association.
246/94 Moved by J. Coombes to respond to the questionnaire as discussed.
#> CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
A. Sutherland left the meeting at 10:50 a.m.
GENERAL General Matters MATTERS Bus To Swim Session
Council received the report and recommendation regarding the Bus to Swim program.
247/94 Moved by B. Guyon that the recommendation regarding the bus-to-swim session be m approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Canada Day Ceremonies-Chamber of Commerce The Town of Drayton Valley and the Drayton Valley and District Chamber of Commerce request the presence of Reeve E. Lambert at the Canada Day m opening ceremonies. The event will take place on Friday July 1, 1994 at the Drayton Valley Sports Centre. Reeve E. Lambert is asked to speak to the audience for two minutes, the theme being "Year of the Family".
248/94 Moved by J. Coombes that Reeve E. Lambert attend the Canada Day ceremonies. p*> CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Proposed Bv-Lav No. 203-94. Maximum Speed Limits
To establish a maximum speed limit on the Par View Estates Road, Pt NW 1/4 28-49-7 W5M.
249/94 Moved by B. Guyon that second reading be given to By-Law No. 203-94.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
250/94 Moved by W. Tweedle that third reading be given to By-Law No. 203-94.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -6- 94 05 25
Yellowhead Regional Planning Commission Questionnaire
The correspondence and questionnaire from the Yellowhead Regional Planning Commission regarding economic development ideas, was reviewed by Council.
252/94 Moved by B. Guyon to approve distribution of the Yellowhead Regional Planning Commission Questionnaire to the ratepayers of the Municipal District of Brazeau No. 77 by placing copies on the front counter of the Administration Building.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
T. Fleming arrived at the meeting at 11:00 a.m.
Infrastructure and Secondary Road Priority Review
The Secondary Highway improvement priority list was PI discussed by Council. They agreed the original list of secondary priorities was acceptable. A discussion then took place regarding the application of infrastructure funds to the road program, which included the Township road 494 and range roads 50, 63 and 83.
253/94 Moved by W. Tweedle that Public Works initiate an engineering study on Township road 494 and that infrastructure funding be applied to range roads 50, 63 and 83.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
RECESS Recess for Lunch FOR LUNCH Moved by J. Coombes to recess for lunch at 11:50 a.m.
CALL TO Call to Order ORDER Reeve E. Lambert called the meeting to order at 1:03 p.m.
PRESENT Present ilS E. Lambert, Reeve J. Coombes, Deputy Reeve L. Coward, Councillor W. Tweedle, Councillor B. Guyon, Councillor L. Johnson, Municipal Manager K. Robinson, Recording Secretary
Others in Attendance
M. Benson, Pembina Oil Producers Association rl
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -7- 94 05 25
GENERAL General Matters (Si MATTERS Withdrawal from Local Authorities Pension Plan
As discussed during the December 9, 1993 Council meeting, staff have reviewed alternative pension plans. All employees in the Accounting and Clerical, Administrative, Inspection, Police, Supervisory and Technical departments wish to withdraw from the plan and enrol in a money purchase pension plan. They have met with representatives from the Local Authorities Pension Plan who have fully explained the options, and have also met with a broker for money purchase plans and the consensus PI of those in the above mentioned groups was to withdraw from the LAPP. The field employees in the Public Works and Agriculture departments, as well as those in the Foreman category wish to remain in the Local Authorities Pension Plan.
There will be no additional cost to the Municipal District for this change.
255/94 Moved by L. Coward that Council endorse the request from Administration employees in the following groups who wish to withdraw from the Local Authorities Pension Plan: Accounting and Clerical, Administrative, Inspection, Police, Supervisory and Technical. J" CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Signing Authorities
L. Johnson recommended all Councillors have signing authority so when the office of Deputy Reeve changes every six months, it would not be necessary to resign bank documents. •pa 256/94 Moved by B. Guyon to accept the recommendation that any one of all Councillors plus the Municipal Manager & Sr. Accounts Co-ordinator have accounts payable signing authority for the Municipal District of Brazeau No. 77.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
^ Correspondence from D. V. Association for Community Living regarding National Access p Awareness Week
The Drayton Valley Association for Community Living in conjunction with National Access Awareness Week May 30 - June 5, 1994 is holding their annual p* Wheelchair Rally.
257/94 Moved by L. Coward to accept the correspondence as information.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -8- 94 05 25
^ ITEMS FOR Correspondence/Items for Information INFORMATION 258/94 Moved by L. Coward that the following be received as information:
a) Publication from National Access Awareness Week
b) Newsletter dated Spring 1994 from the Safety Codes Council.
c) Correspondence dated 94 May 06 from Alberta Municipal Affairs regarding Bill 31.
d) Minutes of the Edmonton Association of Municipal Districts & Counties Meeting held 94 04 25.
e) Correspondence dated 94 May 05 from Alice Hanson, M.L.A., Edmonton Highlands-Beverly.
f) Correspondence dated 94 May 16 from Imperial Oil Resources Limited regarding the Emergency Exercise #621 held on April 27, 1994.
g) Correspondence from the Drayton Valley Association for Community Living regarding National Access Awareness Week - May 30 - June 5, 1994.
h) Progress report dated 94 May 04 from Alberta Tourism.
i) A.A.M.D. & C. Executive Meeting Highlights dated 94 April 28.
j) A.A.M.D. & C. Municipal News Highlights dated 94 May 04.
k) A.A.M.D. & C. Municipal News Highlights dated 94 May 11.
1) Human Resources Development Canada information package regarding a conference June 14-17/94 entitled "Challenge and Change: Rural Communities Preparing for the 21st Century."
m) Correspondence dated 94 05 13 received from Alberta Transportation and Utilities regarding base paving of Secondary Highway 753 and the final paving of Secondary Highway 759.
Council requested a letter be sent to Mr. Peter Trynchy, Minister of Transportation and Utilities and Honourable Tom Thurber, M.L.A. in response to their approval of funding for the paving projects.
n) Correspondence dated 94 05 17 received Alberta Municipal Affairs, Alberta Education regarding education requisitions.
P^ iMAP.iioTrn COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -9- 94 05 25
Council requested an advertisement be placed in the local newspaper to advise the ratepayers of the changes in the education tax. Wi M. Benson left the meeting at 1:20 p.m. T. Fleming arrived at the meeting at 1:22 p.m. W. Lind arrived at the meeting at 1:23 p.m. Councillors were introduced to Garth Thomson, Project Manager. They welcomed him to the Municipal District of Brazeau No. 77 and Drayton Valley.
IN-CAMERA In-Camera (Closed Session) Review of supplies & 8ESSION Services Department
259/94 Moved by B. Guyon that the Regular Council Meeting of 94 05 25 go "In-camera" at 1:25 p.m. to review the Supplies & Services Department.
260/94 Moved by B. Guyon that the Regular Council Meeting of 94 05 25 come out of "In-Camera" at 2:00 p.m. from reviewing the Supplies & Services Department. SI D. Pinkowski arrived at the meeting at 2:00 p.m.
PEMBINA Pembina Oil Producers Association OIL PRODUCERS Members of the Pembina Oil Producers Association ASSOCIATION arrived at 2:00 p.m. Those present were:
Mel Benson, Imperial Oil Rod McDougall, Mobil Oil L Al Home, Pembina Resources Roger Goertzen, Amoco Jim Reid, ERCB
Reeve E. Lambert welcomed the members of the Pembina Oil Producers Association to the meeting. M. Benson thanked Council for their tremendous effort since they began and the results they have attained. He thanked the Council for inviting the Association members to the meeting.
Vegetation Management
M. Benson suggested that there needs to be concentrated effort made to control weed problems and communication is important to maintain continuity. Oil producers can gain the information they need from the Agricultural Fieldman at the Municipal District Office. Equipment should be cleaned to stop the spread of weeds. The oil producers and Council agreed forestry, oil and agriculture can work together and share their knowledge to manage weeds. It was felt that recent co-operative efforts in weed control should be reviewed to see if desired results are being obtained. jpi UNADOPTED PI \0
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -10- 94 0525
Roads and Management of Roads. Development Permits and Road Access
A general discussion regarding lease roads took place. Oil company lease roads do not meet public standards and oil companies do not want the liability for public use of these roads. The M. D. is maintaining 17 miles of lease road and there is another 34 miles not maintained by the M.D. The question of cost sharing was discussed but the oil producers agreed that they pay high taxes for their sites and are not prepared to contribute more funds into road maintenance. It was agreed a control point may be development permits, which would allow access to lease sites via right of ways. A committee will be set up to investigate this issue further and look for solutions.
Lease and Pipeline Taxation of Low Productivity Well
Oil producers are looking for a taxation system that recognizes the maturity of some fields in the Pembina Region. They feel when a well is at low productivity levels, tax assessment should be reduced to reflect the reduction in revenue. Assessments should be based on marginal profits and the maturity of well.
1P> W. Tweedle stated that assessment is done on the existing equipment at the sites and not the revenue generated.
Reeve E. Lambert stated although the oil producers request had some merit, any taxation or assessment changes would have to be made at the Provincial government level, and suggested it would be best addressed through a royalty tax review.
Reclamation Management
The oil producers would like to see a lower cost of reclamation. Reeve E. Lambert stated reclamation is funded solely by the Province and is dictated by them. They require both an inspector from Alberta Environment and an inspector from the M. D. which increases the cost. It was suggested prior to abandoning a site, companies should call into the M.D. office to receive suggestions about what could be done to keep costs down, and whether lease roads in question could be taken over by the M. D. or material used to build up road allowances. SI
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COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -11- 94 05 25
Cost Sharing on Road Upgrading. Maintenance, and Dust Control
Councillors discussed the issue of cost sharing on road upgrading, maintenance and dust control. Ratepayers say the majority of traffic on the Goliad Road is large vehicles and rig moves create heavier traffic than normal. Councillors asked that oil companies be prepared to apply water and gravel. The oil producers agreed to hold meetings with their safety supervisors and foreman and requested T. Fleming, Superintendent of Public Works attend these meetings. Drivers will be reminded to follow speed limits.
Determining Road Priorities for Future Upgrading and Improvements
Reeve E. Lambert reported that the Municipal District of Brazeau No. 77 has a 3 yr plan for upgrading and improvements. L. Johnson will provide the oil producers with copies and Council welcomes feedback.
Assistance from Industry in Controlling Heavy Truck Traffic on Banned Roads and Bridges
T. Fleming reported that winter gravelling did an excellent job of maintaining the roads.
J. Coombes stated concern regarding service rigs crossing bridges that have load limits posted.
M. Benson stated companies do not condone sss breaking the law and if trucks are, they should be reported.
Reeve E. Lambert stated the meeting had been very productive and expressed appreciation for the economic contribution which the oil companies make to local economy.
M. Benson thanked Council for the invitation and stated they had gained some ground. There are issues around road maintenance, but if everyone works together and keeps an open mind they will seek solutions.
The Pembina oil Producers left the meeting at 3:55 p.m.
COUNCILLORS Councillors Reports REPORTS L. Coward stated she had opted out of the Conference in Red Deer entitled Restructuring Community Economic Development in Alberta.
J. Coombes reported the Forestry Committee has prepared the working papers and their duties are completed.
L. Johnson informed Council the meeting at the airport will be Friday, May 27th at 1:00 p.m. J. Coombes will attend this meeting.
D. Pinkoski left the meeting at 3:59 p.m.
UNADOFk., \* COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -12- 94 05 25
IN-CAMERA In-Camera session SE88I0N 261/94 Moved by L. Coward that the Regular Meeting of 94 05 25 go "In-Camera" at 4:00 p.m. to discuss matters regarding the collective agreement.
262/94 Moved by B. Guyon that the Regular Meeting of 94 05 25 come out of "In- Camera" at 4:15 p.m. from collective agreement matters.
ADJOURNMENT Adjournment
263/94 Moved by B. Guyon to adjourn the regular Council meeting of 94 05 25 at 4:15 p.m.
Reeve ipu
Municipal Manager
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H> i* pi PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND LAND OFFICER REPORT TO COUNCIL
ii?^ REPORT NO.: DO-067-94
DATE PREPARED: JUNE 2, 1994
DATE TO COUNCIL: JUNE 9, 1994
SUBJECT: PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO SECTION 40, SECTION 72, SECTION 73 AND SECTION 46 OF THE LAND USE BYLAW
RECOMMENDATION: That second and third reading of Bylaw No. 202-94 be given.
REPORT: First reading was given to the above noted Bylaw on May 12, 1994. Following first reading, the proposed Bylaw was advertised in the Western Review for two consecutive weeks with a deadline for appeals at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, 1994. As no objection to this Land Use Bylaw has resulted from the advertising process, the Planning, Development and Land Officer is recommending that second and final reading be given as of this date.
p! \*' MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF BRAZEAU NO. 77
BY-LAW NO. 202-94
A BY-LAW OF THE MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF BRAZEAU NO. 77, IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, TO AMEND BY-LAW NO. 109-90, BEING THE MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF BRAZEAU NO. 77 LAND USE BY-LAW. r WHEREAS, Council deems it expedient and proper, under the authority of the Planning Act being Chapter P-9 of the Revised Statutes of Alberta 1980, t and amendments thereto, to make certain amendments to By-Law No. 109-90; and P WHEREAS, the public participation requirements of Sections 139 and 140 of the Planning Act, R.S.A. 1980, Chapter 9 and amendments thereto, have been complied with;
IP NOW THEREFORE, COUNCIL OF THE MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF [ BRAZEAU NO. 77, DULY ASSEMBLED, ENACTS AS FOLLOWS: 1. That the Municipal District Land Use By-Law be amended in accordance p* with schedule "A" attached hereto and forming part of this By-Law. 2. This By-Law comes into effect upon the date of it finally being passed by Council.
READ a first time this J 2 day of _MAY__, A.D., 1994. READ a second time this day of , A.D., 19_. READ a third time and finally passed this day of , A.D., 19 .
HEEvT
MUNICIPAL MANAGER
w\ SCHEDULE "A" ATTACHED HERETO AND FORMING PART OF BY-LAW NO. 202-94
1. That section 40 of the Municipal District Land Use By-Law be amended Si) to read as follows: "SECTION 40 DWELLINGS PERMITTED PER PARCEL (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) and (4), no person shall construct or locate or cause to be constructed or located more than one dwelling unit on a parcel. (2) The Development Officeror Municipal Planning Commission shall issue a development permit to a person that would permit the construction or location of a second dwelling unit on a lot if the lot has an area of at least 32.5 hectares (80.0 acres). (3) The Development Officer or Municipal Planning Commission may P issue a development permit that would permit the construction or location of more than one dwelling unit on a lot if the second or additional dwelling unit is: fs (a) to be occupied by a person who is employed full time for at least six months each year in an agricultural pursuit; or
(b) contained in a building designed for, or divided into, two or p motedwelling units and is located ina district which permits such multiple family units; or (c) a mobile unit forming part of a mobile home park for which a development permit has been issued; or
(d) a building as defined in the Condominium Property Act that is the subject of a condominium plan to be registered in a Land Titles Office under the Planning Act, and has been approved by the Municipal District. (4) The Development Officer or Municipal Planning Commission may, in a Development Permit, exempt any person or land from ip? the operation of subsection (1)." 2. That Section 72 (A1 - Agricultural One District) of the Municipal District Land Use By-Law allow for Home Occupation as a "Discretionary Use". ipi) 3. That Section 73 (A2 - Agricultural Two District) of the Municipal District t Land Use By-Law allow for Home Occupation as a "Discretionary Use". 4. That Section 46 (Home Occupations) of the Municpal District Land Use By-Law sub-section (k) be deleted in its entirety.
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PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND LAND OFFICER REPORT TO COUNCIL
REPORT NO: DO-062-94
DATE PREPARED: 1994 05 30
DATE TO COUNCIL: 1994 06 09
SUBJECT: REQUEST TO PERMIT UNDEVELOPED ROAD ALLOWANCE NORTHERN BOUNDARY OF NW 1/4 11-49 6 W5M
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RECOMMENDATION: That Council grant a permit for the undeveloped road allowance in respect of the above noted lands, subject to the notification to adjacent land owners and advertisement procedure.
REPORT: Mr. Kelly Dressier has requested permission to permit the undeveloped road allowance on the north boundary of his
• lands. This property would be used to pasture his cattle. Subject to no objections arising from the advertising process, the permit granted to Mr. Dressier would be for the term not exceeding 364 days with an option to renew at that time. The permitee would be responsible for any weeds on the permitted areas, the installation of gates at suitable locations if applicable and the permittee shall be responsible to restore any damage done to the area to a state satisfactory to the M.D. at the close of the permit.
If Council so chooses to agree to permit to Mr. Dressier, a date for the public hearing is required to be set at this time.
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Form 0-477 \* PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND LAND OFFICER REPORT TO COUNCIL
REPORT NO.: DO-065-94 •
DATE PREPARED: 1994 06 02
DATE TO COUNCIL- 1994 06 09
SUBJECT: OFFER TO PURCHASE LOTS 15 & 16 IN BUCK CREEK PROPOSED PURCHASER: GARY RADWANSKI
RECOMMENDATION: That Council decide whether to approve or decline the offer to purchase as attached from Gary Radwanski.
" REPORT: Mr. Radwanski has deposited with our office the sum of One Hundred ($100.00) Dollars as a deposit for the purchase of these above noted lots. The offer is for Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars per lot but it is subject to the following conditions. r 1. That an approach be constructed at the expense of the Municipal District of Brazeau No. 77 to access these lots. 2. That the back alley be extended behind the property to r allow access from the rear of the property.
3. That the Municipal District of Brazeau No. 77 contact the owners of lots 13 & 14 requesting that the area be cleaned up.
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PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND LAND OFFICER REPORT TO COUNCIL
REPORT NO.: DO-064-94
DATE PREPARED: 1994 05 31
DATE TO COUNCIL: 1994 06 09
SUBJECT: PROPOSED SUBDIVISION 94/95YH014-41 Rot SE 17-49-8-W5M OWNER/APPLICANT: LAUER, Floyd and Vivian > RECOMMENDATION: That approval be granted subject to the following conditions.
1. That all outstanding taxes being paid.
2. Owner/Developer entering into a Development Agreement with the Municipal District of Brazeau No. 77 to the satisfaction of the Municipal District of Brazeau No. 77 which shall include but not be limited to :
a) The provision of legal and physical access to the parcels being created to the standards and specifications of the Municipal District of Brazeau No. 77.
3. Municipal Reserves owing be deferred to the balance of the titles area.
REPORT: The subject land is designated as Agricultural One under the Municipal District of Brazeau No. 77 Land Use By-Law. In accordance with the density for this district, a maximum of two (2) parcels residential per quarter section is allowed which parcels are to be no greater than 5 acres in size. In this instance, the developer is proposing the parcel being created shall be 6.89 acres. As evidenced by the attached sketch, reduction of parcel size would create a void of land which in all likelihood would not be farmed by the owner of the residue.
It is recommended herein that the proposed subdivision be approved in accordance with the attached sketch and subject to the above noted conditions. W) RETURN COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS TO: "M YELLOWHEAD REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION ;;!< 7\ Box 249, Onoway, Alberta : ;".\ -8 PI TOE1VO Ph. 967-2249 ".'"' ... _ itfNi-
SCHEDULE 1 FORM A
APPLICATION FOR FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
SUBDIVISION APPROVAL DATE of receipt of FILE No. Form A as completed U By plan of subdivision PH l_J By other instrument 5L ^£ijtf0Ji-c// Tick whichever uppbei Fees Submitted: / THISFORMIS TO BECOMPLETED INFULLWHEREVER APPLICABLE BYTHEREGISTERED OWNEROFTHE LANDTHESUBJECTOF THEAPPLICATION OR BY AN AUTHORIZED PERSON ACTING ON HIS BEHALF. 1. Name of registered owner of land to be subdivided Address and phone no. •Elc&ijd i V.i.Y.l.aa...... Loue.c Iqx kZ2£x .^.rodis«v.iftlW 5S&:.&?.57 Nam* m Mockcaptuit I • I
2. Authorized person acting on behalf of registered owner Address and phone no.
Nam* mi block capital!
3. LEGAL DESCRIPTION AND AREA OF LAND TO BE SUBDIVIDED AII/fjar)of the «?..£ V* sec 1.77 twp 13. range fi west of .«5>. meridian Being all/parts of lot block Reg.PlanNo COT. No Area of the above parcel of land to be subdivided acres
4. LOCATION OF LAND TO BE SUBDIVIDED a. The land issituated in the municipality of Z$t.jXZ&ol.\L..: b. Is the land situtated immediately adjacent tothe municipal boundary? Yes No ...\/C... If "yes", the 8d|oining municipality is c. Isthe land situated within 0.5 miles of the right-of-way ofa Highway? Yes No .^.... <• If "yes", the Highway is No. the Secondary Road is No d. Isthe land situated within 0.5 miles ofa river,stream, watercourse, lakeor other permanent bodyofwater, ora canal ordrainage ditch? Yes No..]/.. If "yes", state its name
5. EXISTING AND PROPOSED USE OF LAND TO BE SUBDIVIDED Describe: a. Existing use of the land .....^Ke.^>.».dl£n4.l.«v..l b. Proposed use of the land (Please conplete reverse). ..!j£&.3.».^.fi.tt.c.u»i c. Thedesignated use of the land as classified under a land use bylawor a zoningbylawor a land use classificationguidewhere applicable
6. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LAND TO BE SUBDIVIDED a. Describe the nature of the topography of the land (flat, rolling, steep, mixed) rrlaZ...
b. Describe the nature of the vegetation and water on the land (brush, shrubs, tree stands, woodlots. eic. • sloughs, creeks, etc.) \.o>uj.r\ -lx.ec& c. Describe the kind of soil on the land (sandy, loam, clay, eic.) o.reM .oo.QQcl.ecL......
7. EXISTING BUILDINGS ON THE LAND PROPOSED TO BE SUBDIVIDED Describe any buildings, historical or otherwise, and any structures on the land and whether ihey are to be cemolished or moved 4\au 8. REGISTERED OWNEH OR PERSON ACTING ON HIS BEHALF I £.i.O.U.d .LaUe.C...> N.M.a.tt k.0L.sA.£.C hereby certify that I (Full name in Oloca capuam am MnlmeTnanooboUaU of the register owner and ,ha",he "^"""t.on 9"«" °" ,h's »orm ,s ,u" and comp,ele and ,s-»°tna best of my knowledge, a true statement of the facts relating to his application for jsubdivtson approval Address ...'^I.Q.'X k^Ut.S, .(Signed) Phone No. ...5.y.S..".3AS.l Date__^^.\0~v ' - • • • pi # PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND LAND OFFICER REPORT TO COUNCIL y> REPORT NO.: DO-94-66 DATE PREPARED: spl JUNE 2, 1994 DATE TO COUNCIL: JUNE 9, 1994 jp SUBJECT: PROPOSED SUBDIVISION 94/95YH016-41 NE 1/4 27-48-6-W5M APPLICANT: VOGEL, MARGARET R. RECOMMENDATION: That approval be granted subject to the following conditions: p 1. All outstanding taxes being paid. 2. Owner/developer entering into development agreement with the Municipal District of Brazeau No. 77 to the satisfaction of the Municipal District of Brazeau No. 77 which shall include but not be limited to : a) the provision of legal and physical access to the parcel being created to the standards and specifications of the Municipal District of Brazeau No. 77. 3. Cash in lieu of Municipal reserves being paid to the Municipal District of Brazeau No. 77 on the parcel being created and balance of reserves owing being deferred to remainder of titled area. REPORT: The applicant is proposing to subdivide a 1.91 acre parcel for residential purposes from the NE 1/4 27-49-6-W5M. This parcel is a fragmented parcel made by physical barrier as a result of the public roadway and therefore allows a maximum of four parcels per quarter. pi As this proposed subdivision complies with our Land Use By-law, the Planning, Development and Land Officer recommends approval subjectto the above noted conditions. ipi B iB ..;# COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS^O: ji-5V^LJgLi ev 4^/HEAD REGION?J PLANNING COMMISSION . W ,i:49, Onoway, Alberta' .••:.,.• , , > £nVO Ph. 967-2249 v'^, SCHEDULE I FORM A APPLICATION FOR FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY SUBDIVISION APPROVAL DATE of receipt of FILE No. Form A as completed LJ By plan of subdivision (_] Byotherinstrument Vt// 3. LEGAL DESCRIPTION AND AREA OF LAND TO BE SUBDIVIDED All/part of the .„M£- V& sec cZ.Tjt. iwp U.8. range., . west ol Q., maridla:" Being all/parts of lot block Reg. Plan No.. C.O.T. No pi Area of the above parcel of land to be subdivided acre: 4. LOCATION OF LANO TO BE SUBDIVIDED ^ a. The land issituated in the municipality of &/\.$.£.JzM..U.. /.../.. b. Is the land situiated immediately adjacent to the municipal boundary? Yes No If "yes", the adjoining municipality is c. Is tho land situated within 0.5 miles of Ihe righi-oNway of a Highway? Yes No LSI... If "yes", the Highway is No.' the Secondary Road is No p d. Is the land situated within0.5 miles ol a river, stream, watercourse, lake or other permanent body of water, or a canal or drainage ditch? Yes ....Jr^C No II "yes", state its name &C/.G.&.....4..tt.&.&.....C?../?.£.(n;.J£. 5. EXISTING ANO PROPOSED USE OF LANO TO BE SUBDIVIDED Oescribe: a. Existing use of tho land .. ^M.^LX/.^JZ. .n .^^, .Jfa b. Proposed use ol the land Please coaplece reverse). L.0.Si.Of..t£j.. .JL£..Xf..J..&£^Z/<>}?A../..^= c. The designated use of tho land as classified under a land use bylaw or a zoning bylaw or a land use classification guide where applicable u.Z.L , 6. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LAND TO BE SUBDIVIDED ..;..-," . a. Oescribe the nature of tho topography of the land (Hat, rolling, steep, mixed) m....O.&..l£./&.M.ftf.Hitt/.A(.£-. ...^./;c#! jL.£..x£.i-. /C/frACa. a../i/.... g.M£:...... sj.£>£. b. Describe tho nature of the vegetoiion and water on the land (brush, shrubs, tree stands, woodlots. etc. • sloughs, creeks, etc.) &nm 7. EXISTING BUILDINGS ON THE LANO PROPOSED TO BE SUBDIVIDEDiDED 'l)/^r^:ll^tj /**£( Describe any buildings, historical or otherwise, and any structures on the land and whether ihey nre to be demolished or moved Qj.U...... p4aCM.CXS.£>M. £./2/Ju£j%£MT.....s/jtf£ £6f/LA/A/££. PI 8. REGISTERED OWNER OR PERSON ACTING ON HIS BEHALF ! I. .jflA.BjS:/k&j£&. &CkS£. tf.&fr£L heroby cer.Uy that I • ;Fwtl nAiuu it lilock imikikIiI am me registered owrmr amJ ,ha|lh(J in|0rmatl0n given onthis form is lull nodcomplete and PT am autnonzed 10 act on behalf of the registered owner " /y / .^j best ol my knowledge, a true stotemeni ol ihe facts filiating to his upplicanon for su^oivison approve •Phone No £&2..fe..J.3c££> "£%£ Om£f FURTHER INFORMATION MAY Ot PHOVIOED BY APPLICANT ON THE REVERSE OF THIS FORM • • $6 r I v (Distances are in metres and decimals thereof) Scale 1:5000 This Sketch is for Illustrative purposes only. All measurements and the location of natural features and land improvements are approximate. LEGEND • ••• Tide Area Proposed Area of Subdivision • Q Building Site \. yS Soil Class Boundary C ~y Troed Area f il; ) Low Land •f ""*, Water Body Soasonal C^7 J^ Wafer Body Permanent C"^f\, Drainage Course/Creek I [3=-= Lease Right Of Way Date May 4. 1994 cc File No. 94/95YHQ16-4. Planning Commission • IB M.D. OF BRAZEAU NO. 77 CASH STATEMENT APRIL 30, 1994 Balance Forward March 31, 1994 $ 160,028.83 Add: Direct Deposits 104,910.33 Deposits - Gen. Acct 184,682.91 Investment matured 821,300.69 Voided Cheque 2,500.00 . Interest - General Acct 1,009.98 Interest - Tax Surplus Acct 50.46 1,114,454.37 Less: Cheques Issued Accounts Payable (#2533-2715) 483,125.26 Payroll 82,411.79 Investment Purchased 191,706.24 Prepay Debenture #01-92 289,162.05 LAPP Transfer 9,705.54 NSF Cheques 144.00 Bank Error sJ)3 1,056,254.91 Adjusted General Ledger Balance S 218,228.29 Balance per Bank Accounts April 30, 1994 General 486,577.47 Payroll .82 Tax Surplus 15,054.21 501,632.50 Add: Petty Cash 300.00 Cash Float 150.00 O/S Deposit - General Acct 4.017.68 4,467.68 Less: O/S Cheques - A/P 280,467.41 O/S Cheques - Payroll 7.404.48 $287.871.89 Adjusted Bank Balance $ 218,228.29 ipi 1 =1 D 1 1 r^Tl ^1 MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF BRAZEAU NO. 77 INVESTMENT SUMMARY - APRIL DATE OF DATE OF INTEREST CERTIFICATE DEPOSIT MATURITY RATE AMOUNT TYPE INSTITUTION 0090 04 FEB 91 04 FEB 96 8.5 6,400 Term Deposit T. Branch 0093 28 FEB 91 28 FEB 96 8.25 3,440 Term Deposit T. Branch 0094 28 FEB 91 28 FEB 96 8.25 3,440 Term Deposit T. Branch 0095 31 MAR 91 31 MAR 96 8.25 4,994.33 Term Deposit T. Branch 0128 11 AUG 93 20 JUN 94 3.00 33,400 Term Deposit T. Branch 0129 11 AUG 93 20 JUN 94 3.00 2,470 Term Deposit T. Branch 21 OCT 93 21 OCT 94 4.50 3,000 G.I.C. R. Bank 0139 15 FEB 94 15 FEB 99 4.25 530 Term Deposit T. Branch 02 NOV 93 02 NOV 94 4.50 500,000 Term Deposit Royal Bank 10 DEC 93 12 DEC 94 3.38 3,000 G.I.C. Montreal 25 APR 94 25 MAY 94 5.75 2,600,000 B.A. Royal Bank 28 APR 94 12 MAY 94 4.00 191,706.24 Term Deposit Montreal >* MEMORANDUM 94 05 21 WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO: REEVE AND COUNCIL, M.D. OF BRAZEAU FM: T.S. MURRAY, SR. CST. PUBLIC SAFETY UNIT RE: REGIONAL DISPATCH CENTRES/E911 EMERGENCY SERVICES SYNOPSIS: The City of Leduc and Crown Emergency Medical Services have retained HiFlight Engineering Ltd. to develop a proposal on the delivery of emergency service dispatching on a regional basis to be coterminous with the new health regions. The City of Leduc has adopted the proposal and further instructed HiFlight Engineering to make representations on behalf of the City of Leduc to the CRTC (Canadian Radio and Television Commission - as regulators of the public phone system) for regulatory approval to assess a tariff on telephone users in the region to fund the proposal. The City of Leduc has authorized an expenditure of $10,000 towards the engineering and legal costs of the project and are asking each municipality in the new health region (including the M.D. of Brazeau) to contribute $10,000 each toward the project. HiFlight Engineering has determined their proposal would save the City of Leduc $99,500 annually and further reduce future capital expenditures by $561,114. HiFlight Engineering has been encouraged by the City of Leduc to make copies of their proposal available to other municipalities and have offered the M.D. a copy for $267.50. REPORT: p The City of Leduc currently spends $99,506 per year on its emergency service dispatching. By comparison, the M.D. of Brazeau spends less than $1,000 per year thanks to a contractual arrangement with Valley Communications. Neither the City of Leduc or the M.D. of Brazeau currently offers E911 service. (E911, or Enhanced 911, simply means the 911 answering point is able to display the callers phone number and location on a screen when the call is received). This proposal indicates the regionalization of emergency service dispatching would save the City of Leduc the entire $99,500 per year, yet would increase its level of service to that of E911. This savings is quite likely because the proposal calls for a regional E911 dispatch centre to be located within the City of Leduc but serving the entire Health Region (including the M.D. of Brazeau). However, each member municipality would be required to fund the new centres start-up costs and then the operational costs n would be borne by all telephone users in the Province paying a tariff of up to $1.20 per month on their phone bill. (Whether this tariff would be paid by both AGT and EdTel customers, or just AGT remains to be answered). In a supporting letter to the proposal, the City of Leduc states, "we believe similar savings can be achieved by most municipalities", although I'm not sure how the M.D. of Brazeau can save $99,500/yr when it only spends $900/yr for the current service. Since the communication needs of the respective emergency services (ie vehicle radios, portable radios, pagers etc) would not change with this proposal, it is difficult to determine where any savings could be realized. While the current dispatch system in place for the M.D. is hardly deluxe, it works. Instead of investing $10,000 in this local proposal, the M.D. would probably be better serving its' residents by supporting the original province wide E911 initiative undertaken by Alberta Public Safety Services. This system would create regional 911 PSAPS (Public Safety Answering Points) funded wholly by every telephone subscriber in the Province through a monthly fee (est a $1.00/mth). The opinion of several thousand AGT subscribers was solicited on this idea a couple of years ago and the overwhelming majority of subscribers supported the plan. These PSAPS would receive emergency calls via the 911 number from s anywhere in the Province then pass the call along to a local dispatch centre. While it may seem that this proposal adds a step to the emergency call, the benefits are in the familiarity of "911" for all citizens regardless of where the emergency occurs, and the use of trained "call evaluators" at the PSAP to assist the caller, thereby freeing the local dispatch centre (Valley Communications) to simply send the required emergency service to the proper location. In conclusion, while a Regional Emergency Dispatch Centre dedicated P> soley to answering and dispatching emergency calls would be nice, these are times of economic restraint and the current blend of public service / private sector contract is serving this municipality in a reasonable manner. Therefore, I cannot endorse the request for a $10,000 contribution toward the legal and engineering costs of establishing an REDC, nor can I justify the expenditure of $267.50 for a detailed copy of the proposal. Respectfully submitted, m il.B. (Steve) Murray, Sr. Cst. HIFLIGHT ENGINEERING LTD B024-55 St. Edmonton, Afcerta T5A-2L2 May 10, 1994 Reeve Ed Lambert and Council Municipal District of Brazeau uui^ Box 77 UL^^z>U3Lj Drayton Valley Alberta TOE 0M0 Dear Reeve and Council: Ref. Regional Dispatch Centers E911 Emergency Service Late last year, the City of Leduc, together with the Minister responsible for Alberta Public Safety Services and Crown Emergency Medical Services, funded an engineering report that was directed toward improving communications systems used by the police, fire department, and emergency medical services for the City of Leduc and surrounding communities. The report identified how regionally based emergency dispatch systems could dramatically reduce municipal costs that support these services. The study proposed a restructured, regionally based, emergency dispatch system that would integrate a number of existing separate dispatch systems into a common system capable of serving not only 911 calls, but also one that would be capable of functioning as a "Regional Emergency Operations Centre" (REOC) during times of emergency and disaster. Essentially this proposal addresses the need to develop regionally based emergency dispatch systems that would be integrated with the recently announced "regional health boards" that are currently being installed in the Province. In fact, i-t is proposed thai; a single regional emergency communications and dispatch centre be created p) £or each regional health board in the Province. This new Regional Dispatch Centre (RDC) would handle all dispatching requirements in the region used for the police, fire, ambulance, social services, and transportation of hazardous goods; on an integrated basis. The new RDC's (Regional Dispatch Centres) would replace all current emergency dispatching organizations and structures in the region, p and would integrate a number of functions currently provided by 1 Alberta Public Safety Services. The report recommends that these new RDC's be equipped with a "command structure" that would allow them to function as Regional Emergency Operations Centres (REOC's) as events fp would require. Regionalizing the communications, command and control and intelligence ("C cubed I" in military parlance) of emergency and protective services will allow greater effectiveness and economy in p) Consulting Engineers Ph(403) 473-6304 -2- 3\ the delivery of these services. rThe report is not merely a "vision statement". It is a plan by which the Province can provide "E911" emergency and dispatch services throughout the whole Province in a form that simultaneously reduces taxes at both the municipal and provincial level. Regional P Dispatch Centres are the wave of the future, and dovetail with plans to regionalize health care services and rationalize government protective services to the public P> One very important concept advanced in the report is the idea that in the future, all municipal emergency response units would be equipped with radio equipment supplied by the RDC at no charge to the municipality. These radios would be guarenteed by the RDC (Regional Dispatch Centre) and together with the radio licencing costs from Industry Canada, they would be removed from local P municipal budgets. Portable and mobile radio systems used by the police, fire, and emergency medical services personnel would be supplied by the RDC in a manner similar to the way commercial radio p pagers are provided to users. In order to fund these new private sector RDC's (Regional Dispatch Centres), the report proposes that all telephone P subscribers in the Province pay for E911 service through a fixed tariff estimated to fall between $.50 and $1.20 per month per access line. This would fund both the telephone company and the new private p sector based regional dispatch centres. Last evening, the City of Leduc, passed a motion that retained p our firm to represent them before the CRTC and their local regional health board, and to implement the recommendations of the report. The City of Leduc expects that this course of action will not only secure E911 service for their citizens, but it will actually reduce P their current costs by $ 99,507 per year and forstall a total future expenditure of $561,114 per year. Copies of letters from the City of Leduc to Hi-Flight Engineering Ltd. authorizing action on the report, m> as well as supporting documentation demonstrating the budgetary impact on the City, are attached for your information and comparison with your own municipal situation. Virtually all other municipalities in Alberta find themselves in a E similar position to the City of Leduc; with constricted budgets and continuing pressures to improve services. The City of Leduc, p therefore, has authorized me to make all municipalities aware of this engineering report entitled Regional Dispatch Centres for Protective government Services and to make copies available to all Alberta municipalities. You may order a complete information package from the following location by either sending or FAXing a purchase order for $250 plus $ 17.50 GST for each package to the following address: HI-FLIGHT EHGIMEERBTHG LTD. 15024-55 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5A 2L2 Ph./FAX (403> 456-7566 This full amount will be credited toward your contribution toward -3- V the program when you decide to participate. (pi) In retaining our firm to represent the City of Leduc before the CRTC and the local regional health board on this matter of Regional Dispatch Centres, the City of Leduc has authorized the expenditure of $10,000 as their share of the costs for the engineering, legal, P and other work required to make this initiative succeed. We have estimated that if each municipality in Alberta were to r participate and support this Regional Dispatch Centre initiative (as the City of Leduc has done) that we would have an excellent opportunity to satisfy the CRTC that the concepts in the report are sensible and are in the public interest. Furthermore, this approach would sharply reduce municipal costs that otherwise would have to be borne by local taxpayers. p Therefore ue are seeking the participation of your municipality in this effort on exactly the sane basis as that already shown by the City of Leduc By approving a one time, total contribution from -, each city and each county of $10,000; from each town a sum of $2,500; and from each village an amount of $1,250; we would have sufficient 1 resources to fund this entire initiative. m In addition, we would require a formal authorization in exactly the same form as already approved by the City Council of Leduc; authorizing us to act on your behalf before the Commission and the m regional health board authorities with respect to the Regional Dispatch Centres. Copies from the City of Leduc are attached for your information and comparison. ; Clearly, this municipal initiative by the City of Leduc should L satisfy Provincial Government concerns that there be a uniform Province wide E911 service, and it will clearly allow municipalities to P find a new way to co-operate in the emergency services field, while cutting their own real costs, primarily because of the economies of scale that are available, and because of the elimination of m duplication of equipment and services. Mr. Opalinski from Westwood Consultants (Ph. cellular (403) 329- 8430) will be working with our firm and will be available to visit 13 individual communities and discuss this initiative and answer any questions. Finally I have enclosed for your consideration, a copy of the resolution passed unanamously by the last Convention of the Progressive Conservative Party in Banff on April 8th of this year, Wt relating to regionalizing emergency response services in Alberta. I urge you and your Council to carefully consider the engineering report (Regional Dispatch Centres for Protective Government Services) and support the City of Leduc with this complex and involved initiative. Thank you. sincerely, Pi \M. Green P.Eng., M.Eng. Principal PI 33 REGIONAL DISPATCH CEHTRES •'•"•" '::f|i»r;-V' PROTECTIVE GOVERHHEHT SERVICES IB prepared for The Province of Alberta The City of Leduc Crown Eaergency Medical Services jv prepared by Hi-Flight Engineering Ltd. pi Ifarch 31, 1994 (revised April 26, 1994) PERMIT TO fACTICE HI FLIGHT EN< LTD. Signature '_ Date 9 /^\^jA;'y4-* PERMIT NUMBER: P 4571 The Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Gaophysicists ofAlberta & utvdfT LEDUC May 10th, 1994 Mr. Joe Green. P.Eng, M.Eng. Hi-Flight Engineerina Ltd. 15024 - 55 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5A 2L2 Dear Mr. Green: At the regular Council meeting held May 9th, 1994, Council passed the following resolution: 1.) That Council receive the report from Hi-Flight Engineering Ltd. as information and that Council retain Hi-Flight Engineering Ltd. to prepare all required material for presentation to the C.R.T.C. (Canadian Radio Television Commission) requesting implementation of the Regional Dispatch Centres for Protective Government Services report and to prepare the required material for presentation to the new Regional Health Boards in Alberta for implementation of the Regional Dispatch Centres for Protective Government Services as described in the report. 2.) That Council authorize a budget expenditure not to exceed $10,000.00 and that these dollars be paid to Hi-Flight Engineering Ltd. as the City of Leduc's total share of the costs to implement the report and that the City of Leduc authorize the Director of Protective Services to provide the engineer of Hi-Flight Engineering Ltd. with all required municipal data and information so as to prepare and present the Municipality's position before the C.R.T.C. and the Regional Health Boards. Our Council looks forward to the outcome of your presentation to the C.R.T.C. and we wish you success in the implementation of a Regional Dispatch Centre for Protective Government Services. Sincerely, ^ ^'JtS''-''*^'' (Mrs.) Laura Reichert 1Alexandra Park Acting City Clerk Leduc, Alberta T9E4C4 LR/tj LEDUC PI cc: Mr. Kevin Robins, Director of Protective Services CIVIC CENTRE 48AStreet-46Avenue Lynda Kyluik, City of Leduc Treasurer (4031 980-7177 & FAX f403) 980-7127 p CITVOFF May 10th, 1994 LBDUC ip) p Hi-Flight Engineering Ltd. 15024 - 55 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5A 2L2 Attention: Mr. Joe Green Dear Mr. Green: We are pleased to advise you that Council voted unanimously to engage your firm to present the City of Leduc's position on E-911 Service and Regional Dispatch Services to the C.R.T.C. and our regional Health Board. The City of Leduc is hopeful that the C.R.T.C. (Canadian Radio Television Commission) will approve our proposal and implement the PI recommendations of the report "Regional Dispatch Centres for Protective Government Services". Implementation of the recommendations will remove the annual budget of (H $99,507.00 for emergency dispatch services in Leduc and eliminate the future annual proposed budget of $561,114.00 for E-911 Service in our City. We believe similar savings can be achieved by most municipalities and that the report (Regional Dispatch Centres for Protective Government Services) should be of interest to all Alberta Municipalities. wm Sincerely, p M pi Maurice A. Fitzpatrick 1 Alexandra Park Mayor Leduc,Alberta City of Leduc iff! T9E4C4 MAF/tj LEDUC CIVICCENTRE cc: Hon Peter Trynchy, Minister of Transportation & Utilities 4$Street-46 Avenue William F. Purdy, President of A.U.M.A. >V.| Kevin M. Robins, Director of Protective Services "SO-7100 PI City of Leduc R. E. Smith, R.E.M.T., Director, Ambulance Services :h OFFICE OF THE MAYOR & MAURICE FITZPATRICK p 15024-55 St. Edmonton, fifcerta T5A-2L2 April 26, 1994 Mr. Allan J. Darling Secretary General The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Les Terrasses de la Chaudiere Centre Building 1 Promenade du Portage Hull, Quebec K1A 0N2 DELIVERED BY FAX pi Dear Mr. Darling: Ref. AGT Limited E911 Tariffs I have been approached by a smaller urban municipality, and have had discussions with the officials of many other Alberta municipalities regarding the current state of affairs surrounding E911 service in Alberta. They all have serious concerns and worries that the current E911 service and tariff will inflict heavy tax burdens upon them, since E911 obliges the municipalities to install and operate expensive and complex facilities in order for the service to work properly in fulfilling public expectations. As currently structured, the E911 tariff is incomplete because it does not recognize and include the cost component for operating the telecommunications facilities implied by E911 service, namely the emergency dispatch systems and services. Furthermore, the forum provided by the Commission is both new and intimidating for most of the smaller municipalities in Alberta because they do not know quite what to expect in terms of their costs, or how to best present their concerns and issues before the Commission. The situation with E911 in Alberta is further complicated because earlier initiatives by the Department of Alberta Public Safety Services (A.P.S.S.) to obtain concensus across the Province for E911 service was not sucessful. 18 In passing the recent Calgary E911 tariff, the Commission may have been responding to an immediate and localized need of an individual municipality; but the issues that affect Calgary residents Consulting Engineers Ph(403) 473-6304 -2- 41 outside the City will not go away. It is small comfort to a Calgary resident, if he is injured on the highway outside of Qkatoks, or High River; that the City of Calgary has a very high quality E911 system in Calgary, if the site of his accident does not have emergency service. Alberta residents, including citizens of Calgary, have a right to expect a uniform, Province wide E911 emergency service pi capability. In Edmonton, we have a far worse situation because the City of jP Edmonton is the "owner", "operator", "regulator" and sole "shareholder" of the telecommunications system. It is free to apply unjust, unfair, and unreasonable rates and tariffs; it is free to r gouge telephone subscribers, and to earn unconscionable profits, in order to fund its many projects, from jurasic parks, to lavish, multiple, expensive "state of the art" dispatch centres for its various departments. In Edmonton, the Police Department, the Fire P Department, and the Emergency Medical Services Department; all [ operate their own emergency dispatch systems that feed off the E911 service provided by Ed Tel. Their behavior reminds one of the U.S. p Pentagon appetite for money, technology, and secrecy. When complaints do come forth, Her Worship, Jan Reimer says, as she has said to me and others, that in raising these questions of fair and equitable __ telecommunications rates, that we "are opening a can of worms." - Telephone rates in Edmonton for some services are now 798% higher in Edmonton than what the Commission has approved for p neigbouring St. Albert and Sherwood Park. Edmonton's failures to L properly regulate public utilities certainly is "a can of worms"; but the problems created by many years of regulatory neglect by the City, sooner or later, must be addressed and corrected. In most other municipalities in Alberta, officials fear that tightening restraints on budgets will affect even those basic W) services that E911 is intended to reach in an emergency. It is against this background of concern and worry that the p current President of the Alberta Progressive Conservative Association introduced a resolution in his Strathcona Constituency Association to integrate municipal emergency response services in rthe Province. His resolution received unanamous support in his Constituency and later at the annual meeting of his Party in Banff. The resolution was well received^ widely discussed, by delegates to the Convention. I enclose a copy of the approved resolution for the p consideration of the Commission. I Most Alberta municipalities strongly support in principle the pi concept of a Province wide E911 system, including the specialized equipment and personnel needed to run the system. However, most municipalities also feel that the users who benefit from this service rare the ones who should pay for it, i.e. telephone subscribers. It is inherently unfair and unreasonable to implement a E911 system, whose very definition and operation requires significant continuing funding from local municipal taxpayers. And it is fundamentally unfair to not allow municipal taxpayers, through their elected representatives, to have a voice on how their tax monies are being r spent. w -3- In terms of primary regulatory principles, it is even worse that such universal emergency systems intended to serve all Albertans (and indeed other Canadians traveling in our Province), should be implemented as an incomplete patchwork, because a large urban municipality like Edmonton has its own hidden agendas for illegal cross-subsidized services. It must be pointed out to the Commission that the City of Edmonton faces among the highest utility rates in North America. It got into such a sad state of affairs because of regulatory neglect on the part of the current and previous administrations who could not cope with the rising complexity of the task before them, and would not turn for help to either the PUB or the CRTC. The current E911 tariffs being discussed are incomplete and must eventually address the question of impact on municipal taxpayers. Under current circumstances, it is they who must fund telecommunication dispatch facilities that form an essential part of the E911 service. The Commission, in my professional opinion, ought to consider a full public hearing into the entire emergency communication systems matter, including not just E911 service from the serving telco (AGT Limited), but also the role of cellular service providers. The question of funding these emergency dispatch communications systems, perhaps on a regional basis, should be fully aired before the Commission. sincerely, '.M. Green P.Eng., M.Eng. Principal c.c. Hon. Peter Trynchy, Minister Alberta Public Safety Services His Worship, Mayor Maurice Fitzpatrick City of Leduc Alex Opalinski, Business Consultant Westwood Consultants fpl 43 1^1 f RESOLUTION m Be it resolved that: "The Government of Alberta integrate municipal emergency services on p a regional basis to improve the uniformity of emergency police, fire, medical and other support services to all Albertans while at the same time reducing costs of duplication of these services to taxpayers." IP) ^ EXPLANATION r Under current Provincial legislation, the provision of emergency services is a local or municipal responsibility. The size, population, and revenue of individual municipalities varies widely in the P Province. Often municipalities have to resort to "mutual aid" agreements between themselves, and there is duplication of services and equipment. In today's world of high speed travel and modern communications, ^ real accidents very often involve the response of more than just one individual municipal department. Road accidents often require r responses from the police, fire, ambulance and other agencies, depending upon the severity of the accident. Regional integration of emergency services would ensure that all required equipment is made p available in a way that is effective and at a cost that the taxpayer can afford. If a citizen of Edmonton is involved in a serious accident near IPi Stony Plain, for example, it is small comfort to him that the City of Edmonton has excellent services within the city, if the local municipality cannot afford the basic emergency services (such as ambulances and "Sll" emergency telephone services). Albertans are f entitled to expect a uniform level of emergency services that they can afford. In supporting this resolution, you will be supporting a direction in health care already being followed by the Province toward regionalization of services. Putting all emergency services on the ip) same regional basis throughout the Province will give us better and more uniform services at lower costs to the taxpayers. *' ADMINISTRATIVE CO-ORDINATORS REPORT TO COUNCIL w DATE PREPARED: June 1, 1994 DATE TO COUNCIL: June 9, 1994 SUBJECT: MUNICIPAL DISTRICT RECREATION/CULTURAL GRANT REPORT: The Recreation/Cultural Grant advertisement was placed in the Western Review and 13 applications were submitted for a total funding request of $61,534.00. fB> It is recommended that the attached requests be approved. !S> ) p> r J• :'PAL RICT .. ,RAZL.._ .O. 77 COMMUNITY RECREATION/CULTURAL GRANT PROGRAM 1994 Total Previous Suggested Project Society/Organization Operating Capital Reguest Funding Funding Description •• •'•;• • •' D.V. Golf & Country Club 18,700 18,700 Camp shed, Picnic tables, Washrooms, Cement pad and front Entrance :•••.• Buck Creek Comm. Association icOO 2,000 3,500 5,500 1993-4,000 0,080 table repairs, chairs 1991-2,000-CRC signs 1989-10,000- General • •. Breton Order of Royal Purple 8,000 8,000 •J,iJUUo cr\r\ play centre & equip, tree planting, light standard, sign, benches and tables The Pottery Club of D. V. IOOO 1,500 1,500 •1t560 plumbing, electrical & misc. renovations Hearts & Hands Quilter's Guild iooo 2,300 2,300 1993-1,000 -2,300- chairs, T.V. & VCR & 1992-645-CRC educational materials New Moose Hill Community Club 1,000 1,000 1,000 swings, picnic tables, washroom repairs Lindale Community Association 5,000 5,000 3,000 install new water supply, roof & ceiling repair replace steps & include :. • cover and sides Rocky Rapids Community League 6,000 6,000 1992-1,000-CRC 3,500 pave skating rink and 1990-3,000-CRC purchase chairs 1988-2,750-CRC Whitby Community League 3,000 3,000 1991-2,000 IS00 Utilities 1990-1,000 -37000 1989-5,420-CRC 1988-16,000-CRC CFE-91-25,000 PRWF-16,000 '•'••. i '< Lindale School Association 700 300 1,000 1,000 Electricity & Rink Maintenance Drayton Valley Horse Club 4,000 4,000 1992-5,000 3,000 Trails & 2 bridges Violet Grove Community Association 800 800 1993-1,600 800 PA system 1991-3,500-CRC 1990-800-CRC 1989-830-CRC Breton & Dist. Historical Society 4,734 4,734 1991-2,000-CRC 4t400- Utilities 1990-3,000-CRC 1989-830-CRC gZOQ TOTAL 10,434 51,100 61,534 30,000 ADMINISTRATIVE CO-ORDINATORS REPORT TO COUNCIL $5) DATE PREPARED: June 1, 1994 DATE TO COUNCIL: June 9, 1994 SUBJECT: TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM PR) REPORT: The Transportation Assistanct Grant advertisement was placed in the Western Review and 3 applications were submitted for a total funding request of $10,100. It is recommended that the attached list of requests be approved. sSl Wb L 41 P) MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF BRAZEAU NO. 77 TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM APPLICANTS FUNDS REQUESTED PURPOSE OF REQUEST Breton Golden Age Club $2,000 Shopping trips, Medical reasons Grass cutting & Snow Removal pi Breton & District Historical Society $3,600 wheelchair access ramp Drayton Valley Association for Community Living $4,500 transportation of individuals to centre & recreational, leisure activities TOTAL $10,100 P5 2001 Sherwood Drive Sherwood Park, Alberta T8A 3W7 f Strathcona^^(Hni ! Mf,r Phone (403) 464-8068 V^UUllLy Fax (403) 464-8050 OFFICE OF THE ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONER ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES/ COUNTY TREASURER May 19, 1994 —LEismiiLnmrffi M.D. of Brazeau #77 Box 77 Drayton Valley, Alberta TOE 0M0 Attention: Layne Johnson, Manager Dear Sir or Madam: Re: M & E Stakeholder Group - Status Report and Request for Additional Funding On behalf of the M & E Steering Committee, I would like to take this opportunity to briefly update you on the status of the M & E issue and to provide you with a financial status report. •P This letter also serves as a request for additional funding. M & E Status Update Since the release of the Tax Reform Commission report on February 3, 1994, the M & E Steering and Technical Committees have remained active. Several meetings have been held to analyze and discuss the implications of the report recommendations and to establish a strategy to ensure that a favourable resolution is arrived at. Although the Commission report has received a low profile since its release, it is likely that the province desires a resolution to the M & E issue before the end of the year. The Steering Committee remains diligent and is working with the province in the Committee's pursuit of a satisfactory and acceptable resolution to the M&E issue. It has been the position of the Steering Committee that M & E assessment should not be abolished. If, however, the decision of the province is to abolish M & E assessment in its r present form, it is the position of the Committee that it must be replaced with alternate and equivalent sources of tax revenues. M & E assessment should not be eliminated but redefined; possibly the portion of M & E assessment that is truly buildings and structures should be defined as such. The proposed property tax factor system alternative has been extensively analyzed and would not appear to be a workable or practical solution. M Page 2 p M&E Stakeholder Group Status Report and Request for Additional Funding Alberta Municipal Affairs has established a small task force to review alternatives to the present M&E assessment structure. The task force consists of representatives from the Department (Harold Williams), industry (Tom Robert of Esso) and municipalities (John Elzinga of Strathcona County). Mr. Elzinga is a member of the M & E Technical Committee. p> Financial Status Report To date, the Steering Committee has incurred costs of $267,713.85 pursuing the M & E issue on behalf of the M & E Stakeholder Group. These costs were incurred for both consultant and administrative activities for the period up to and including February 18, 1994. The consultant activity occurred almost exclusively during the period leading up to the February 3, 1994 release of the Tax Reform Commission report with the majority of the activity occurring during the Commission's October and November public hearings. Please refer to the attachments for more detail. Total funding on hand, including contributions received from stakeholder municipalities and school authorities in 1993, amounted to $152,418.30. As a consequence a funding shortfall of $106,182.93 has been incurred and needs to be addressed. p The response to the Steering Committee's previous requests for funding was excellent. A total of 141 municipalities and school authorities have contributed financially towards meeting the objectives of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee sincerely appreciates this support. Without the commitment of the Stakeholder Group, we would likely not have been as successful in addressing and bringing forward the critical importance of M & E assessment ipp and taxation to the attention of the Tax Reform Commission and the province. We believe that the lobby effort of the Stakeholder Group was successful in influencing the Tax Reform Commission report M & E recommendations. The Steering Committee requires your continued commitment and financial support. Additional funding is required to address the funding shortfall of $106,182.93. Accordingly, we would respectfully request that you continue your commitment and contribute $1,852.00 towards meeting this shortfall. Please make your cheque payable to the County of Strathcona and forward same at your earliest convenience to the attention of the undersigned. Should you wish, a receipt acknowledging your contribution will be returned to you. The M & E issue remains unresolved and, as has been noted, the Steering Committee is continuing to pursue a satisfactory resolution. Future activity will include consultation with the province and may require additional consultant activity. The scope and cost of this pi '0 Page 3 fp) M & E Stakeholder Group Status Report and Request for Additional Funding activity is unknown at this time. The Steering Committee needs to count on the Stakeholder p Group's continued commitment and support if it is to be successful in achieving its objectives. p Thank you, in advance, for your attention to and consideration in this matter. The Steering Committee will continue to keep you informed as events unfold. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact the writer should have any comments or questions on the above. Yours truly, Strathcona George VHaybregts Associate Commissioner & County Treasurer Co-Chairman, M&E Technical Committee Attachments pc. Reeve Iris Evans Strathcona County Chairman, M & E Steering Committee si I s JUN 1 '94 12:59 FROM 9TRATHC0NA COUNTY PAGE.001 *\ Administrative Services/Treasurer IB) Strathcona County Telephone 464-8068 Fax 464-8050 MEMORANDUM DATE: May 31, 1994 TO: Towns Counties Municipal Districts Improvement Districts Schools IB) FROM: George J. Huybregts Associate Commissioner Administrative Services/County Treasurer pi RE: M&E Stakeholder Group Status Report and Request for Additional Funding pi Letter Dated May 19,1994 |pl The attachments which were noted on the May 19, 1994 letter, page two under financial Status r Report, were inadvenently omitted. They are, therefore, being faxed for addition to the letter. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. p) CjJU*sOtAJL/ AaJUX^y p f^ George Huybregts Associate Commissioner Administrative Services/County Treasurer Attachments [ipi JUN 1 '94 13:00 FROM STRATHCONA COUNTY PAGE.002 (pi |p I MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT STATEMENT OF FUNDING ON HAND p pi Balance at January 1,1993 $ 9,112.62 Add: M&E Stakeholder Contributions to Mar. 31/94 152,418.30 R) $ 161,530.92 Less: Expenses Incurred p? • Workshops 361.71 - Meetings May 12 309.21 pi Oct. 27 197.42 Feb. 17/94 149.88 Mar. 3/94 160.29 m Mar. 25/94 66,39 - Consultant Fees 253,060.94 - Administrative 13,408.01 SB Total Expenses $ 267,713.85 Balance at May 17,1994 (Deficient Funds) $ 106,182.93 ttCMiittafiAcNrai&if^jOB CO IS ID a CONSULTANT COST SUMMARY CL For Consultant Activity to February 18,1994: Consultant 7% GST Gross Amounts Amounts Charges Added Charges Paid Outstanding Peat Marwick Stevenson & Kellogg $118,535.00 $8,297.45 $126,832.45 ($126,832.45) $0.00 (re: Industrial Tax 8c Peripheral Cost Study) Calder Baleman $105,701.38 $7,399.10 $113,100.48 ($113,100.48) $0.00 ID O U (re: Communications strategy and Information analysis) o u X $21,453.85 $1,501.77 $22,955,62 ($22,955.62) $0.00 h- Activation Analysis CE 0£ (re: Alternatives analysis) I- U) n o Total Consultant Charges $245,690.23 $17,198.32 $262,888.65 ($262,688.55) $0:00 C3 Less: 4% GST Rebate ($9,827.61) CO Total Consultant Charges - Net of GST Rebate $253,060.94 %—::* t L^ L ^ TAXATION CLERK'S REPORT TO COUNCIL REPORT NO.: TC-94-03 DATE: 94 05 31 SUBJECT: SETTING TAX RECOVERY AUCTION SALE DATE RECOMMENDATIONi That Council set a date for the Tax Recovery pi Auction sometime after August 10, 1994 and before August 31, 1994. A preferred date would be Friday, August 12, 1994. REPORT: The main dates that we have to worry about are those required by the mandatory advertisement in the Alberta Gazette. The advertisement of m the sale on each property must appear in the Gazette at least 40 days, but not more than 90 days before the actual sale. As the time for the sale approaches, Council will be required to set reserve bids on the properties offered for sale and to also set the terms and conditions of the sale. pi p^ a MUNICIPAL MANAGER1S REPORT TO COUNCIL pt> DATE: JUNE 9, 1993 SUBJECT: AMENDMENT TO THE COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT RECOMMENDATION: That Council accept the attached amending agreement put forward by The International Union of Operating Engineers, which is to reduce wages June 1, 1994 by 3.5% and another 1.5% Jan. 1, 1995, and to extend the collective agreement until the end of 1995. REPORT: In a meeting between representatives of the union and myself and Terry Fleming on behalf of the Municipal District, the union voluntarily offered to reduce their wages as outlined above. The only condition attached to this offer was that the collective agreement be extended to Dec. 31, 1995. I feel that the offer received from the union demonstrates good will and a willingness on their part to share in the process of reducing cost and continuing to serve the ratepayers of the M.D. AMENDING AGREEMENT The undersigned hereby certify that the attached sets forth the changes • to the existing collective agreement agreed upon by the MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF BRAZEAU NO. 77 and THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING ENGINEERS, LOCAL UNION NO. 955. • It is recognized that the Amending Agreement is subject to ratification by both parties. Both parties singly and as a whole agree to recommend this Amending Agreement to their respective principals for ratification. MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF BRAZEAU INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING NO. 77 ENGINEERS, LOCAL UNION NO. 955 • • ZL^c/fl4^ - ^ ^UPl'/Ju-yi>Lj/£} Date Date " tf» s\ p AMENDING AGREEMENT Schedule "A" of the Collective Agreement shall be amended effective f5 June 1, 1994 to indicate a decrease of 3.5% to the Grid. Effective January 1, 1995 the grid shall be reduced a further 1.5%. m Article 26.1 shall be amended as follows: replace "1994" with "1995". pi pt pi MUNICIPAL MANAGER'S REPORT TO COUNCIL DATE: pi JUNE 9, 1993 SUBJECT: FUTURE PROVISION OF ASSESSMENT SERVICES RECOMMENDATION: That the Council approve a contribution of $2603 for the completion of a Regional Assessment Service Business Plan. REPORT: The Yellowhead Region Municipal Managers have met a couple of times to discuss alternatives for the provision of assessment services once the Province withdraws from this area, April 1, 1995. A number of alternatives have been explored which include, each municipality w> hiring an assessor, contracting the service from existing private sector companies, or sharing in the cost of a municipally operated iPl regional assessment service that would later be privatized. It was felt that each municipality hiring their own assessor would not provide for cost effective assessment services. The limitations in using existing private sector companies is that there has only been one privately owned firm offering the service. I The absence of competition makes receiving a competitive bid difficult. The third option PI of establishing a regional municipally owned assessment service which would later be privatized appears to be the most desirable solution at this time. As proposed, the service would be provided by PI a group of current municipal affairs assessors who would become employed by this assessment service. Prior to establishing the service, a detailed business plan outlining the needs jS) of the municipalities, sharing of costs and revenues, etc. should be completed. The proposed cost sharing of this business plan is ?PI on the attached report. |fB| 05/25/94 13:16 ©403 865 5706 TOWN OF HINTON M.D. BRAZEAU 77 0002/005 r Town of Hinton 813 Swltzer Orive, Hinton, Alberta T7V 1V1 PHONE (403) 865-2217 FAX (403) 865-5706 * OUR FILE NO. Fax to: All Regional Managers May 25, 1994 I RE: Yellowhead Regional Property Assessment Business Plan Project On behalf of the Yellowhead Regional Managers, Terry Broome and I have been working to finalize Terms of Reference of the Regional Property Assessment "Business Plan Development Proposal' which AEC Valuations (Western) Inc. is proposing to do. Rene Gagne is the principal of this company and Is using Dennis Pommen for aspects of finalizing the Business Plan. We have also worked in cooperation with Barry Grffin who is the Transition Manager for Alberta Municipal Affairs Assessment Division. He has suggested, and we have incorporated, sessions at the appropriate stages of developing the Business Plan • which involve assessors currently providing service in our region. There was a pretty high degree of overall satisfaction with most of the assessment staff and their ideas will be very helpful to an appropriate business plan. The timetable for completing the work and making a presentation to the stakeholders (9 municipalities) has been delayed from June 9th to July 7th, 1994 (date, time, place will be announced soon). Before confirming in writing an engagement, Iwould ask that you reaffirmyour interest and support of this project in that the consulting work costs to be recovered from various municipalities is estimated to be about S16,000. The cost distribution among stakeholding municipalities is proposed to be as attached, and I would appreciate a prompt fax response of this covering sheet filling in the appropriate boxes: ' Check On behalf of the Municipality of ::: , I advise that the Business Plan Development.for a : Regional Property. Assessment Service is: Supported and Funding approved. Supported by Administration and a recommendation for funding approval will go to our next Council meeting on J u^_ °j ( /ftY . Not supported, because " I don't know (Ifyou want to mark this, please call Bernie Kreiner at 865-2217 for discussion / clarification). PLEASE FAX A RESPONSE BYTHURSDAY, MAY 26 @ 4:00 PM On a related matter, it is still expected that following the Y.R.P.C. session on June 9th, a Regional Managers meeting will be held in Evansburg. Any items for this agenda should be submitted to us no later than May 29th,so an agenda can be finalized and distributed. * Bernie Kreiner Town Manager Attachment: Regional Assessment Project - Table of Cost Distribution Town of Whliecoun Council report (a3 a model of how information is being presented to Municipal Councils. • Thi5 is page 1 of H" pages to be transmitted from the Town of Hinton. rf you experience difficulties, please contact Bernie or Elaine at (403) 865-2217. Ifthis fax was received by you or your business In error and you wore not the intondod reclpiont, ploase contact us immediately. .^^ q( ^ ^ ^^ ^ s/a,Won.. «g nmm^ r—j ^m^ -^ **x*^ "i REGIONAL ASSESSMENT PROJECT o This table calculates the cost to each municipality in the Yellowhead Region for developing a en to business plan for Property Assessment sen/ices inthe future. en A + B = C Municipality # of Tax Rolls % A B Fixed Share (25%) Prorated Share based Total Cost of Tax Rolls Co In the Region $4,000/9) on % of tax rolls »-» (% X $12,000) 00 $ 444.44 $ 1,240.80 $ 1.685.24 ! Hinton w(U*Pf 10.34% 123.60 568.04 $ ! Evansburg 440 1.03% 444.44 o 2,158.80 2,603.24 M.D. of Brazeau 5.800 17.99% 444.44 00 4.60% 444.44 552.00 996.44 o> Grande Cache 1,485 Ol 4.03% 444.44 483.60 928.04 Ol Jasper 1,300 -I o 444.44 866.40 1,310.84 Whitecourt 2.330 7.22% 4,695.60 5,104.04 M.D. Yellowhead 12,615 39.13% 444.44 444.44 1.086.00 1.530.44 Edson 2,920 9.05% 1.188.44 Drayton Valley 2.000 6.20% 444.44 744.00 H o 99.86% $ 3.999.96 11.950.80 15.950.76 TOTALS 32,234 o W l—i Prepared by tiame i-ianaer H O Direct any questions to: 5*. Bernie Kreiner Town Manager - Hinton 865-2217 (phone) 865-5706 (fax) 03 > > O o en v The mandate ofthe Pembina Advisory Committee (PAC) is to make recommendations to the provincial government as to what steps shouldbe takento assistresidents alongthe river. There aretwo kinds of floods; spring and summer. 70% ofspring flood water originatesin the lower basin, is not usually high and, becausecrops are not up yet, is not as damaging. Summer flood wateroriginates in the upperbasin, canbe very high and damages cropsby depositing silt, I trees and debris. | There have been two public meetings in Entwistle and two public meetings plus one open house in Barrhead so that interested parties may tell me committee their concerns. The main concerns P from Barrhead residents are flooding and erosion.. At the Entwistle meetings' residents were concerned with the loss offarm and recreation land and changes to the river should water control •p structures be put in place. Concern aboutthe loss ofwildlife habitant shoulda dam be built has i' * also been brought forward. p> - PAC is considering solutionsthat include: flood control structures, land use bylaws and gm restrictions, crop insurance, land buyouts by government with alease back, selective dyking to t protect infrastructure, bank armoring in selected areas and chanelization ofthe meanders. IB) The cost for a flood control dam is approximately 1.38million dollars andthe cost benefit ratio is 14 centsbenefit for every dollar spent. If a dam were constructed, it would be about 1 kilometre up stream ofEntwistle and thereservoir area would extend 12 kilometres up stream. Intheevent ofa flood about 1540 ha would be inundated; 1000 ha ofthis is forest and the remainder is cultivated farm land. Because this dam would be a flood control structure, there would be no reservoir ofwater for recreation or hydroelectric purposes. The benefit to landownersdown stream would be that flood water would be retained and allowed out in a controlled manner, decreasing flooding and erosion. Experts from Environmental Protection estimate erosion control ofthis dam would be more than 10% but less than 50%. The type ofsoils in the river basin is the reason there is such a large amount oferosion. r PJ Bankerosion can be controlled by heavyvegetation. If landowners along the river planted trees and grasses, it would reduce the rate oferosion. Selective dyking offers a high degree ofprotection forbuildings and farmsteads; but to try to build enough dykes to protect low lying farm land is not viable. Chanelization wouldhelpmove the water past a given point faster, but it tends to make flooding anderosion worsedown stream. Thisjust transfers yourproblem to yourneighbor. PI Thereis interest shownby residents ofthe flood plain in beingable to buy spot loss crop P* insurance, on a basissimilar to hailinsurance. P The provincial government has, in the past, purchased land thatis flood prone, andthenleased it back to area residents. The farmer can not collect assistance ifa flood occurs and the lease m payments help to offset the purchaseprice. m Landuse planning by-lawscouldbe usedasa way to restrict future development in the riverbasin ip> Engineers from AlbertaEnvironmental Protection report the activities of forestry and oil in the upperriverbasin do not have a large impacton the frequency or severity of flooding in the lower basin. Therehavebeen accurate records of flood levels on the riverkept sincethe 1930's. Since then, there hasbeentwo major summer floods and several smaller spring floods; there is no wayto guess whenorifthe river will flood again. The river has flooded and eroded for countless years andwill continueto do so regardless ofman's actions. The flood plainis very fertile because of P> periodic flooding. Ifthe flooding were stopped it is just a matteroftime until the landwould be less productive. p\ 0 There are no easy solutions, but ones that rely on personal responsibility and accountability I believe will in the long run prove to be ofthe most benefit to everyone. By controlling the environment, people are given a false sense ofsecurity and tend to build in areas that are never p completely safe. Wewould all like toleave our children the best we can; piling up debt and changing theenvironment should be looked atvery carefully before we act. (1 pt p> to fl Mm City of Wetaskiwin City in motion 4904 - 51 Street, Wetaskiwin, Alberta T9A 1L2 Phone: (403) 352-3344 Fax: (403) 352-0930 ' May 27, 1994 Mr. John Eriksson, Manager M.D. of Brazeau No. 77 Box 77 ' Drayton Valley, AB TOE 0M0 Dear Sir/Madam: • RE: FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS WITH TRANSALTA The City of Wetaskiwin's franchise agreement has expired. In exploring options on a new franchise agreement an approach through the A.U.M.A. was chosen. • The letter enclosed from TransAlta Utilities, dated April 12th, 1994 and addressed to the A.U.M.A., outlines the current situation fairly succinctly. i The City ofWetaskiwin, in the interests of reducing costs for all municipalities, proposes that a standard basic agreement between municipalities and TransAlta be developed/negotiated. At this time we are asking if the M.D. of Brazeau No. 77 would be interested in principle in being a participant in the process. If sufficient municipalities are interested then it is proposed that a meeting would be called to discuss the process to be undertaken. Please forward a letter to this office on or before June 17th to indicate if the M.D. of Brazeau No. 77 is interested in participating.^ Sincerely, Doug Plamping • City Manager /ks • End. • fr* TransAlta K^_^j^ ' A Utilities Corporation 110-12th Avenue S.W., Box 1900. Calgary. Alberta T2P 2M1 Telephone: (403) 267-7110 April 12,1994 Mr. John Maddison Executive Director Alberta Urban Municipalities Association P.O. Box 4607 ••-=•• y.Xb Station S.E. Edmonton, Alberta T6E 5G4 Dear Mr. Maddison: Re: Franchise Taxes Further to oiff recent conversationon this issue, the purpose of a franchise agreement is for the municipality to grant to TransAlta the right to use the streets, lanes and other public places within the municipality. This right allows for the construction and maintenance ofthe facilities necessary to provide electric service to the residents ofthe municipality. TransAlta considers the payment ofits fair share ofmunicipal taxes as a normal SB> cost of doing business and TransAlta recovers such costs in the rates charged to all consumers. TransAlta has traditionally opposed the use offranchise taxes as a mechanism for municipalities to collect indirect taxes from their residents. Pi TransAlta's position has been that taxing residents on the basis ofelectricity t bills is not an equitable allocation ofthe tax burden andthat electricity is an essential service unnecessarily increased in cost by the addition ofa franchise P tax. However, TransAlta recognizes that municipalities are under increasing fiscal f pressures and that other investor-owned utilities in the province have offered franchise taxes for some time. Indeed, TransAlta has recently offered a franchise tax to the Town of Drayton Valley as part ofa franchise renewal m package. We are currently awaiting a decision from Drayton Valley. Committed to building a sustainable future £\ A TransAlta UtiHtlma Corporation TransAlta is prepared to openly discuss the possibility ofa franchise tax with any ofthemunicipalities we serve. Notwithstanding TransAlta's commitment to our customers nottoraise our rates untilatleast the end of1996, TransAlta is prepared tomake franchise taxes available tothose municipalities who insist on thecollection ofsuch indirect taxes and who are prepared toaccept accountability for the impact on their residents electric bills. Yours truly, W. K Taylor Manager, Distribution Rates &Billing PI frl p> ALBERTA DEPUTY PREMIER MINISTER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM '•• MLA Barrhead-Westlock Minister Responsible for Technology, Research andTelecommunications International Trade Offices PT Lotteries PI May 24,1994 Dear Mayor/Reeve/Chairman: The federal, provincial and territorial governments in Canada are involved in a process to eliminate internal barriers to trade. The objective is to negotiate a comprehensive agreement by June 30, 1994 that provides for a more open, efficient and stable domestic market within Canada. The Agreement will take effect on July 1,1995. A successful conclusion to these negotiations is a high priority for the Government of Alberta. Freer trade and improved labour mobility within the country will have significant benefits for Canada and for Alberta. Broader market access will contribute to efficiency and the establishment of competitive Canadian companies at home and abroad. pi Barrier reduction will also result in reduced costs for consumers and taxpayers. The Agreement will include general rules for internal trade, dispute settlement and p compliance provisions, and chapters encompassing virtually every aspect of the economy. The following sectors will be covered: public sector procurement, investment, labour mobility, consumer-related measures and standards, agricultural and food products, alcoholic beverages, natural resources processing, energy, communications, transportation, and environmental protection. PI 408 Legislature Building, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5K 2B6 403/427-3162, Fax 403/422-6338 5040 - 49A Street, Barrhead, Alberta, Canada TOG 0E0 403/674-3225, Fax 403/674-6183 O Printed on recycled paper M r7 .-HI P7 Page 2 There are six general rules which will govern internal trade in Canada (see attachment for description). Reciprocal Non-Discrimination. Right of Entry and Exit • No Obstacles .',;..,, Pt Legitimate Objectives Reconciliation of Regulatory and Standards-Related Measures Transparency Government departments and agencies will be subject to the Agreement. Certain activities of Crown corporations and the MASH sector (municipalities, academic institutions, schools, and hospitals) will also be covered by the Agreement. For example, W MASH organizations will be affected by the provisions of the procurement chapter and perhaps other chapters of the Agreement suchas labour mobility. A key element for the MASH sector will be the levels at which procurement will be subject to open-tendering. Practical threshold levels will be established for goods, services, and construction. The precise terms of the Agreement are currently under negotiation. As negotiations proceed you will be provided with more information as to the specific application of the Agreement to MASH sector organizations. Thank you for your support in achieving the goal of freer trade within Canada. Alberta's and Canada's international and domestic competitiveness depend on the successful conclusion of the internal trade negotiations. P Yours sincerely,. lku.WM^l Deputy Premier and Minister of Municipal Affairs Minister of Economic Development and Tourism Attachment SI PI j iA _ Attachment: General Rules of the Agreement p. The Framework for anAgreement includes six general rules to govern internal trade in Canada. Reciprocal Non-Discrimination -Right of Entry and Exit No Obstacles p • Legitimate Objectives Reconciliation of Regulatory and Standards-Related Measures Transparency p ! 1. Reciprocal Non-Discrimination Thegeneral ruleto refrain from discrimination is pivotal, as it embodies the central ideaof fair play andeven- handedness toward which the Agreement is striving. This ruleprohibits governments from imposing measures ! which favour theirown persons, goods, services or investment over those of another Party to the Agreement. 2. Right of Entry and Exit W This rule is complementary to the first obligation. It recognizes that trade maybe restricted on a basis other l than discrimination. Implicitly acknowledging thateach Party has jurisdiction over a certain territory, it simply states that a measure may notbe introduced which restricts the movement across boundaries. This obligation p ensures thatParties donotimpede market access through import and export restrictions. ! 3. No Obstacles Thisruleensures that coverage undertheAgreement extends beyond measures clearly intended to restrict trade I to measures which, while not openly discriminatory, nonetheless have the effect of restricting trade. Through this rule, each Party ensures that any measure it adopts or maintains does not operate so as to create an obstacle to trade. 4. Legitimate Objectives Thisrule allows a Party,underdefined circumstances, to adopta measure that is inconsistent with the firstthree p rules. "Legitimate Objective" is defined within the Definitions section in order toprovide narrow and specific I parameters for theacceptance ofrestrictive barriers. Parties adopting a measure for a "legitimate objective" must demonstrate thatthe measure isnotmore trade restrictive thannecessary andthat the measure does notcreate a disguised restriction on trade. p 5. Reconciliation of Regulatory and Standards-Related Measures This ruleoperates to require governments to address the differences in theirregulations andstandards thatdo notallow forthe freemovement ofpersons, goods, services andinvestment. It recognizes thatthis can be done in a variety of ways, from harmonization, to mutual recognition, to any other ways that may be identified in sector specific discussions. 6. Transparency This rule is intended to ensure thatallgovernment measures (policies, practices, programs, laws, etc) covered by the Agreement are made readily accessible to persons and Parties that have an interest in them. P PI I • • : '••>••• ')•& . • ,• a Community • • A campaign to foster coopera tion between Alberta suppliers and public sector purchasers of goods and services •{•.ECONOMICDEVELOPMENT. AND TOURISM ^Economic Development and Tourism • Industry Development Branch : 10th Floor, Sterling Place 9940- 106 Street Edmonton, 'Alberta /f5K2P6 Telephone 403/427-2005 Fax 403/427-5924 .fSty- •:." « • 3 O ';SJ X) ' c CO a, o _o a, a. Sifllfe" _ - _..-rM »'• in-..-. •5- -'.V-"Dl,7 -O •-Wo C•*'•> ^i - ^on^'.a^-.x:-'* . c . c .;----y...W^i'^ :G:\vo -•+-' X3l.!£;'-- •,a^3? '^^- '•"S- • ., -^#%^ •';^«5 ?>.»'P £ =• ^o •-••5 :^> O-' •'i'Jay-'Kj gfr •<«>'_''ov =3-.->C cw:: v^:42- " ".a» M> ALBERTA ,' ^-'2 5 1S<* ;: DEPUTY PREMIER u ~ MINISTER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM- MLA Barrhead-Westlock Minister Responsible forTechnology, Research andTelecommunications International Trade Offices Lotteries MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERS OF THE ALBERTA ASSOCIATION OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICTS AND COUNTIES P) As Minister ofEconomic Development and Tourism, I am anxious to explore all possible ways of increasing employment through the growth and diversification of the Alberta economy. The municipalities, academic institutions, schools and hospitals (MASH) sector you represent is a major purchaser of products and services. Your procurement activities can play a role in shaping our future. SI An opportunity exists for us to encourage communication between our buyers and Alberta suppliers so they can work together towards a common goal of creating a competitive and expanded local source of supply. Simply stated, increase the level of awareness, making sure that public purchasers are informed about the capabilities of Alberta suppliers and that suppliers are aware of the needs of the public purchaser. I am writing to ask for your assistance in an initiative entitled "The Alberta Community Partners Campaign" which will try and establishthe communication link. A brochure is attached outlining the campaign and how we can work together. The use of Alberta products and servicescreates jobs. Albertans all share directly in the wealth generated. It also creates a source of funds which can be reinvested in our schools, hospitals and municipalities. While we are firm believers in the concept of free trade and the IP elimination of interprovincial trade barriers, we also believe that there is an opportunity to increase Alberta benefits in public sector buying within the spirit of free and open competition. ...12 408 Legislature Building, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5K 2B6 403/427-3162, Fax 403/422-6338 5040 - 49A Street, Barrhead, Alberta, Canada TOG 0E0 403/674-3225, Fax 403/674-6183 p$^ O Printed on recycled paper r- • . &,,, a* -2-' It is our intention to work through the sector associations, purchasing associations and P) supplier organizations. For this campaign to be successful, your support is essential. Please encourage your administrative and purchasing staffto support theinitiative. Any comments you may have would be greatly appreciated. Yours sincerely, Minister P A' TARGET A NEWSLETTER ON REGIONALIZATION AND AMALGAMATION " |MAY 11, 1994 ISSUE NO. 2 We believe that boards across the province have information and suggestions on regionalization and amalgamation that should be shared with others. If you would like to contribute or see a particular issue addressed in the newsletter, please contact Steve Cymbol, Assistant Deputy Minister, Regional Services Division by phone at 427-7484 or fax at 422-1400. Our goal is to provide you with the information that you need to ensure the smooth and timely regionalization or amalgamation of yourschool board. HIGHLIGHTS The MLA Regionalization Committee is also responsible for making recommendations to the Minister, r Cabinet and Caucus regarding the amalgamation and regionalization of those boards that have not submitted a regional agreement by August 31, 1994. This responsibility of the Committee was inadvertently omitted in the last issue of Target 60. Boards continue to make considerable progress. Draft regional agreements and by-laws continue to be sent in for comment and suggestions prior to their being executed by the boards. This practice is of considerable assistance to the Minister. • On April 22, school boards were provided with a copy of the Guide to Regionalization that was prepared to assist them with regionalization and amalgamation initiatives. Unfortunately, not every question and concern could be addressed in the Guide. We will use Target 60 to convey additional information to you. We strongly recommend that school boards use the information provided in the Guide to Regionalization for the development of by-laws and agreements. This will expedite the regionalization/amalgamation process. Effective dates for the dissolution of the member boards should be August 31,1994 or December 31, 1994. Each of these dates has its advantages: audit requirements, preparation of T-4's, pension reports, etc. Although other dates are possible, they will complicate the process and result in additional costs and inconveniences. Just a reminder that in accordance with section 208.2(2) ofthe School Act the order establishing the regional division shall give the regional division a name and number in the following form: The __ Regional Division No. . The word "school" cannot appear between "Regional" and "Division" because the legal name does not provide for the insertion of the word "school" between these two words. The Minister will assign the number. Please ensure thatthe participating boards only recommend individuals to various administrative • positions; the board of the regional division must be able to negotiate the terms and conditions of employment with these individuals. A$ P) ACTIVITY REPORT On April 5, at separate meetings, SPRUCE GROVE RCSSD and STONY PLAIN RCSSO, each gave first reading to a by-law approving the regional agreement negotiated between their two boards . Immediately thereafter, they placed advertisements in their local papers to advise their electors of their intent of proceed. Electors were given the opportunity to make representations to their respective boards either in favour of or in opposition to the proposed regionalization initiative. Second and final readings of the by- law were given at board meetings held on April 25. The regional agreement and by-laws to establish the ipl Evergreen Catholic Separate Regional Division have been sent to the Minister for his approval - they are currently being reviewed by department personnel. The COUNTY OF FORTY MILE, CYPRESS SCHOOL DIVISION, ACADIA SCHOOL DIVISION and REDCUFF SCHOOL DISTRICT have indicated to the Minister their decision to establish a regional division. FOOTHILLS RCSSD, ASSUMPTION RCSSD and DRUMHELLER RCSSD have submitted a regional agreement that is currently being reviewed by members of the department. The Minister hopes to have CHRIST THE REDEEMER CATHOLIC REGIONAL DIVISION approved soon. TABER SCHOOL DIVISION and the COUNTY OF LETHBRIDGE are close to finalizing their regional agreement. The interim regional board would consist of four trustees from each ward. The boards are requesting December 31,1994 as the effective date for regionalization. The present boards would continue the operations of theirrespective jurisdictions until December 31, 1994. At that time, the board of education for the county as well as the board of trustees for the division would be dissolved and the board of trustees of the regional division would be established. The-regional division board would assume governance on January 1,1995. The regional division board will be responsible for making decisions relatively soon on a number of important items, including the location of the jurisdiction office, appointment of the superintendent and the secretary-treasurer, and the establishment of electoral subdivisions. I The boardshave agreed that each administration will continue to operateits system forthe remainder of the 1994-95 school year under the governance of the regional division board. On September 1,1995 the two system administrations will be collapsed into one regional administration. MOUNT RUNDLE SCHOOL DIVISION, BANFF SCHOOL DISTRICT and EXSHAW SCHOOL DISTRICT have submitteda preliminary regional agreement - a number of changes havebeen suggested. The Minister hopes to be able to endorse this agreement soon. FAIRV1EW RCSSD and SPIRIT RIVER RCSSD have asked the Minister of Education to amalgamate their districts with GRANDE PRAIRIE RCSSD effective August 31,1994. The boards have asked the Ministerto increase the number of trustees on the Grande Prairie board and to appoint two interim trustees, one for the Fakview area and one for the Spirit River area, onthe Grande Prairie board - this will be possible with the amendment of section 2t1(2) of the School Act aa provided in Bill 19. CALGARY RCSSD, COCHRANE RCSSD and AIRDRIE RCSSD are working to finalize the details of their proposed amalgamation. The three boards have agreed that Cochrane and Airdrie school districts will each have a non-voting trustee attend all Calgary Catholic Board meetings until tho October 1995 elections. At that time, the two districts win be added to existing Calgary wards. As soon a#the Minister receives final resolutions from the individual boards, he will make the necessary Order to give effect to the amalgamation. p\ fa BILL 19 The School Amendment Act, BUI 19 proposes changes to the School Act in ordsr to allow the province to deal more effectively with regionalization. We would like to review these quickly for you: APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM AMALGAMATED BOARDS To facilitate the amalgamation of school boards, section 211 of the School Act is being amended to allowthe Minister the authority to appoint one or more trustees to the board of a district or division to which another district or division is being amalgamated. The trustees would be appointed from the board of the district ordivision being dissolved and will hold office until after the next general election. In the case ofamalgamations, the amalgamated jurisdiction ceases toexist In some instances, when smaller jurisdictions are added toconsiderably larger jurisdictions, the area being amalgamated is not given interim representation on the receiving board. In some Instances, however, it is deemed appropriate and necessary for trustee representation tobeprovided on the receiving board. In these cases, the Minister increases thenumber oftrustees onthe receiving board, creates a newelectoral subdivision comprised ofthedissolved jurisdiction and under current legislation requires the receiving jurisdiction tohold aby-election toelect the trustee from the new electoral subdivision. This is usually an interim measure; theexpanded jurisdiction isdirected to undertake astudy to recommend electoral wards forthe next generalelection. By amending the School Act, the amalgamating school boards are not required to hold by- elections resulting in a more timely and less costly process. Districts or divisions that have had p» other districts or divisions amalgamated with them will need to complete a review of their wards and trustee representation, and pass the necessary by-law prior to March 1, 1995. PROVINCIAL INITIATION OF REGIONALIZATION Section 208.31 in Bill 19 gives the Lieutenant Governor in Council authority to regionalize school boards where appropriate. The Lieutenant Governor in Council could then regionalize p> counties, divisions and districts which have notdone so voluntarily. Although it does not permit the regionalization of public with separate school boards, itdoes permit the regionalization of separate school boards with other separate school boards. Electors of school jurisdictions regionalized byOrder-in-Council will nothave the option of petitioning for a plebiscite to withdraw from the regional division. SPLITTING OF COUNTIES As a result of numerous requests to enable counties to be split prior to joining a regional division, section 208.32 was added into Bill 19. This will allow counties to be subdivided for educational purposes iiito two or more portions. One portion of thecounty could then regionalize with one group ofschool districts/divisions/counties while the other portion regionalizes with another group of districts/divisions/counties. If all the parts ofacounty are included in aregional division, the county council may request the Minister of Municipal Affairs to change the status of the county to a municipal district. This is included in Bill 19 as a consequential amendment to section 5.2 of the County Act. Even ifthe status ofthe county has been changed to a municipal district, the Minister of Municipal Affairs may permit the municipal district to retain its county name. W$S 11 QUESTIONS! May two or more Roman Catholic Separate School Districts join together to form a Roman Catholic Regional Division? Yes, nothing would prevent two ormore Roman Catholic separate school districts from banding together to form a regional division, if ail the participating boards of a regional division are boards of trustees from Roman Catholic separate school districts, the participating boards could retain their identity by including in p> the name of their regional division the •Roman Catholic* designation. The word "separate" could also be included in the name. This would be allowable under section 208.2(2) of the School Act which provides for a fill in the blank approach to the naming of regional divisions. p> Is the regional board of trustees obliged to follow the policies and regulations of the participating member boards? No, but as the board oftrustees ofthe regional division develops its own set of policies and regulations, it would be expected to take into consideration the policies and regulations from its participating boards. Could the regional agreement recommend or stipulate the staffing level for the administration office? No. Nothing in the regional agreement must force the board ofthe regional division to continue alevel of operations or service which may over time become inefficient or redundant. Could the regional agreement hdude the names of the superintendent and secretary-treasurer to be employed by the board of trustees of the regional division? jjp) No. The participating boards can only recommend tothe regional board that certain individuals be employed by the board of the regional division. The naming of individuals for appointment to various positions is considered restrictive on the regional division boards decision-making abilities. Participating boards could consider who they wish toserve as acting superintendent and acting secretary- treasurer until the regional board can complete the selection processes. This would ensure administrative continuity. FOR INFORMATION Again, if you need more information on regionalization or if you would Oka to see aparticular issue discussed in our newsletter, please call: Judy Gordon Chairperson, MLA Committee 427-1807 Steve Cymbol Assistant Deputy Minister, Regional Services Division 427-7484 Steve Bemount Assistant Director, School Business 427-7235 S^ May 11,1994 „„•••„• j,..^,,.^ ..iebPAGE3 /§ Circulated to all Municipal Distr^ts^s&sUCounties, May 20, 1994 courtesy ,.Jf -****>: v. A.A.M.D. & C, ALBERTA PUBLIC WORKS, SUPPLY AND SERVICES Office oftheMinister MLA. Drayton Valley - Calmar PW10010-B May 17, 1994 Mr. Roelof Heinen, President (!!,'(? t'"J1ZDIU2EJ7. Alberta Association of Municipal ^ m r.w •> c ,0(SI P Districts & Counties I111 4504 - 101 Street U Ut5IE7I3tP Edmonton, Alberta -><_- T6E 5G9 " '" Dear Mr. Heinen: RE: FUEL SYSTEMS PRIVATIZATION Implementation of the new Alberta Fire Code regarding fuel tanks, enacted in 1992, will have a financial impact on governments and the fuel supply industry. Apparently, some small retailers are closing their operations because of the costs resulting from the Code. To reduce the financial impact, and eliminate future liabilities to the provincial government, we have a policy to g) privatize, where practicable, all government-owned fuel tanks. Privatization will be achieved by removing existing tanks and using the services offered by the private sector. This will assist retailers by creating additional demand for fuel, which will make operation of fuel stations more viable. A task force, which includes representatives from several government departments, has been established to review all provincial government-owned fuel tanks and provide recommendations for implementing the policy of privatization. The task force is expected to finalize their recommendations by June 30, 1994. I am sharing this information with you because I feel that both the municipalities and the provincial government will benefit from privatization- of our fuel business. I also see opportunities for joint use of fuel systems among municipalities, various boards, and the government for fuel systems that cannot be privatized. SSI 424 Legislature Building, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5K 2B6 Telephone 403/427-3666, Fax 403/427-3649 5008 - 51 Avenue, Drayton Valley, Alberta, Canada TOE 0M0 Telephone 403/542-3355, Fax 403/542-3331 O Printedon recycled paper j'r 1 1« ii) Mr. Roelof Heinen - 2 - If you require any further information on this subject, please contact me or the chairman of the task force, Mr. Habib Dhalla (telephone 427-7850). Yours sincerely, w) ffiiSl /^n Tom Thurber Cjp) Minister wp |IP) I p Hi /•.! P I'M ft) I a ?p\ J -/??,>0aa3X/9M Ip) lip) i p t^QudbicL io Cua^LUt jot ±hX* dtm~ ^jqaj j^au m ..jfrhod- s/&usa-& hao Osthjl.., - dka^i^ztp ojaiu^d h&uO faouo k&CuuO «,. PtcaiuLt tot cuxjl cAj flu. uo/id <5b rfULCh a,md cn/u irei, JLonjb uLftt. jujehju UllcJo '? CjOua/Us /K>e pouA +cu)cu;,aMd t Smut d&aAMj 1 M-jiLSt uJankd do /m&kjL a. -zfk&hJ) pa)jct c^ y^hortJt -UQLl ...... Wv&i 26W\ 3LbU U LbQy s^ DISCOVER %\ 3<$ ?% ALBERNISPECIALTIES 4r-J>. O^j 'no y<5^^ i / . I •^tf-^^& u& C. ftjLt^ £ '(••-/ Forgeneralforestryinformation * • please call toll-free i 1-800-972-WOOD 9 ALBERTA ASSOCIATION of MUNICIPAL DISTRICTS & COUNTIES 4504-101 STREET • EDMONTON, ALBERTA T6E 5G9 TELEPHONE 436-9375 FAX 437-5993 LARRY GOODHOPE — EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ELGDrpnn nrpr MUNICIPAL NEWS HIGHLIGHTS PREPARED BY THE A.A.M.D.& C.Ut May 18, 1994 05.04.94 12.04.94 * The M.D. of Brazeau has The. M.D. of Spirit River has approved in principle its 1994 joined with a number of neighbouring budget. Pending completion of Court municipalities in seeking ways to of Revision, the M.D. intends to reduce costs through increased maintain the same municipal mill intermunicipa 1 cooperation. rate as in 1993, which was set at Representatives of the M.D. have met 10.12 mills. The budget calls for with the Town of Spirit River and total expenditures of some $19.7 the Village of Rycroft to discuss million, with almost $11 million of such measures as sharing equipment that figure going towards education and manpower, bulk purchasing and and other requisitions. joint waste management initiatives. The 3 municipalities have recently 06.04.94 written to Improvement Districts 19 * Improvement District No. 22, and 20 and the Villages of Eaglesham (headquartered in Manning), will and Wanham to invite them to hold a plebiscite on September 6, to participate in the discussions. determine ratepayer support for incorporation into a Municipal 09.05.94 District. If approved, Calgary Bow M.L.A. Bonnie incorporation would be planned for T.aing has introduced Bill 34, the January 1, 1995. Alberta Housing Act, on behalf of Municipal Affairs Minister Steve 12.04.94 West. The new Act, which will * The M.D. of Rocky View has replace the Alberta Senior Citizens' withdrawn its support for an Housing Act and the Alberta Mortgage annexation proposal put forward by and Housing Corporation Act, will streamline the administrative the Town of Chestermere which could requirements faced by social housing eventually triple the size of the town. The M.D. had originally agencies, and incorporate those agencies as "housing management supported the annexation bodies". These new bodies will have application, but has withdrawn its the powers of a natural- person, support as a result of a lack of subject to specific limits set out progress in settling two ongoing in che Act. Existing cost-sharing disputes involving the Town. The agreements will be maintained, and M.D. is seeking a new recreation the new bodies retain the ability to agreement with the Town, and also requisition municipalities to cover wants the Town's assistance in operating deficits. supplying water to the Chestermere High School. S3 iff) EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY VEHICLES FOR SALE M.D. of Yellowhead No. 94 County of Flagstaff Agricultural Fieldman (Salary Range: $29,041 - $40,658) m\ Sealed tenders will be received by Reporting to the Director of Community the undersigned up to 12:00 Noon, Services, the position is responsible Friday, June 10, 1994, for the for a variety of legislative and following school buses: administrative functions related to the agricultural sector. Duties of Unit #24 the position include advising on the 1979 Chev 36 passenger development and implementation of Wayne Body programs for the Agricultural Service Serial # C16PB95300602 Board and carrying out the legislated •pi duties of the Municipality concerning Unit #25 weed control, soil and water 1981 Chev 36 passenger conservation, problem wildlife and Wayne Body livestock diseases. Serial # 2GB6P1A7B5300295 The applicant should have a minimum of two years post-secondary education in All vehicles sold on an "as is agriculture or a related field. In basis. addition, preference will be given to applicants with a valid Class Three Vehicles may be inspected by Driver's License with air endorsement jffil contacting C. Schurman at 384-3537, and a valid Pesticide Applicator's Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. License. The applicant should have to 4:00 p.m. Vehicles are located strong supervisory, organizational and at the County Public Work Shop, communication skills and the ability to which is 1/2 mile north of the Town function well with a minimum of of Sedgewick. supervision and a demonstrated ability to work in a group setting. This PI Highest or any tender not position will operate from the necessarily accepted, Wildwood office of the Municipality. Smoking restrictions may apply. F. McKee (Mrs.) Manager, School Administration For more detailed information, please County of Flagstaff No. 29 contact the Director of Community Box 358 Services at the number listed below. Sedgewick, Alberta Consideration may be given for directly T0B 4C0 related experience where educational requirements are not entirely met. 5SI Please send resumes to: Grant Dixon Director of Community Services M.D. of Yellowhead No. 94 2716 - 1st Avenue Edson, Alberta T7E 1N9 Phone: 723-4800 FAX: 723-5066 p^i Closing date for applications is May 27. 1994 IT ALBERTA ASSOCIATION of MUNICIPAL DISTRICTS & COUNTIES 4504-101 STREET • EDMONTON. ALBERTA T6E 5G9 TELEPHONE 436-9375 FAX 437-5993 LARRY GOODHOPE - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR rprapnn nr? m a*« 1 \Xi. MUNICIPAL NEWS HIGHLIGHTS O i_5 u O ~C5tz> PREPARED BY THE A.A.M.D.& C May 25, 1994 20.04.94 04.05.94 * The M.D. of Cypress has Environmental Protection written to Municipal Affairs Minister Brian Evans has introduced Minister Steve West, expressing Bill 30, the Environmental opposition to the enactment of a Protection and Enhancement Amendment legislative requirement for Act 1994. Included in the Act are I municipalities to disclose staff clauses clarifying the liability of salaries. The M.D. agrees that public officials for offences ratepayers should have access to committed by employees. (A summary this information on request, but of this Act has been sent out to contends that a statutory M.D.'s and counties under separate requirement to publish the cover. ) I information is inconsistent with the principle of municipal autonomy. 18.05.94 * Education Minister Halvar 26.04.94 Jonson has announced that there * The M.D. of Cypress has will be no overall education tax entered into an agreement with the rate increase for Alberta neighbouring Rural Municipality of communities. Alberta Education has Enterprise, in Saskatchewan, to amended its requisition requests to allow the R.M. to purchase gravel factor out any growth in market from the M.D. The R.M. will value of existing properties. Under purchase 5000 yards of gravel for the revised plan, the 1994 education $4.57 per yard plus GST and loading requisition will not exceed the 1993 costs, the same rate the M.D. local education requisition, except charges any other purchaser. In for growth through new properties addition, the two municipalities and improvements. will cooperate on a joint project to The AAMD&C would like to thank locate future gravel sources in the the 16 M.D.'s and 18 counties who M.D. and the R.M. responded to our recent survey regarding 1994 education 27.04.94 requisitions. The information * The County of Newell has provided was critical in enabling approved its 1994 municipal budget, this Association to take forward including a spending reduction of municipal concerns to Alberta some $465,000. Municipal Education, eventually resulting in expenditures were reduced by the above announcement. slightly over 7% in order to avoid any increase in the municipal mill rate. tf iff) EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FIRE TRUCKS FOR SALE County of Parkland M.D. of Sturgeon Manager, Recreation Services One 1968 GMC 960 complete with: The County of Parkland, located 750 gallon tank; 366 engine immediately west of Edmonton, is a with five speed transmission; unique rural/urban environment to front bumper hale pump (625 its 20,000 plus residents. As a gpm); pump cover; new motor result of a vacancy, we are (310 miles); red in color; p currently seeking applications for: rotating beacon; fender mount Manager, Recreation Services. siren; booster reel c/w one inch booster hose; 12,074 As the successful candidate, you will miles as of April 1994; 4 foot be responsible for the delivery of ladder; 24 foot extension leisure, recreation, and cultural ladder; and service manuals. services to County residents and Asking $20,000. organizations. You will report to the Director, Public Services, and will be a member of the County's One 1979 Chev C-70 complete with: management team. Your focus will be 1000 gallon tank; 427 engine community development and consulting with a five speed transmission services to rural community and two speed differential; associations. You will work with the front mount hale pump (625 County Parks and Recreation Board to gpm); lime yellow in color; gain input on leisure matters, and light bar and siren; extra with other municipalities in such side cabinets built on; areas as recreation facility cost external P/A speaker; 26,000 sharing agreement and special miles as of April 1994; projects. plumbing for booster reel; 2.5 inch and 5 inch hard suction Ideally, you will have a degree in hose; and service manuals. recreation or a related discipline (Other miscellaneous equipment from a recognized post-secondary is available.) institution; five years recreation Asking $40,000. experience, preferably in a municipal setting, with at least two years at a management level desirable; highly For more information or to arrange effective community development and viewing, please call Don Found at oral and written communications 939-3393 (daytime), or Romeo Houle skills essential; solid financial, at 939-3393 (daytime) or 939-5187 planning, and problem-solving skills (evenings/weekends). also required. Pay Range: $41,753 - $50,799 per annum plus an excellent benefits package. Send your resume by June 13, 1994 to: Human Resources County of Parkland 1BI 4601 - 48 Street Stony Plain, Alberta T7Z 1R1 * ZLa GmimhMiAcFMPmm TI AA I T A 7thFloor« Sterling Place, 9940 -106Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2P6 11AA LIA phone: (403) 422-9507 Fax: (4°3)422-311.3 May 27, 1994 Mr. Dennis Belair Jr. Technical Director Alberta Amateur Boxing Association 11759 Groat Road Edmonton, Alberta T5M 3K6 r Dear Mr. Belair: •p» RE: Community Tourism Action Program Application #575 B3 05 ! Campground at AABA Lodaepole Retreat | We are pleased to confirm that the Alberta Amateur Boxing Association has been awarded a Community Tourism Action Program qrant in the amount of $13,950.00 to complete the above project. •pi •* - Due to the cancellation and reduction in funding for the program all grants have been reduced to 30% of the original request. p i This assistance has been made possible through revenues from the Alberta Lottery Fund. When the opportunity arises, we would F> appreciate if you would acknowledge Alberta Lotteries for this I assistance, especially in the case of media releases and interviews. pi t i Enclosed please find two copies of the contract, outlining the terms and conditions of funding. Please have these contracts p signed under seal by the President and any other signing officer(s) ; as required, and return both copies for execution by TIAALTA to: Community Tourism Action Program f 7th Floor, Sterling Place 1 9940 - 106 Street Edmonton, Alberta P T5K 2P6 i If the contracts are not signed under seal, the signatures must be r witnessed and affidavits of execution must be completed and signed by a Commissioner of Oaths. Blank affidavits of execution are attached for your convenience. However, you may wish to seek legal m advice regarding potential implications of not affixing a seal. ! Once the contracts have been duly executed, the first installment of the grant will be forthcoming. Approvals are not finalized pi until the contracts have been executed. The Tourism Industry Association of Alberta (TIAALTA) administers the funding of the Community Tourism Action Program. If you have any questions you can contact the Senior Project Evaluation Officer, Alistair Milne, at 422-9v507. S1 -2- ipl Thank you for your participation in the Community Tourism Action Program. Best of luck with all your future tourism operations. ffl Sine r-JfyRomaniuk Prdgram Manager cc: EdiLair^^r5?, Reeve M.D. of Brazeau Colleen Ovens, Executive Director Evergreen Country Tourism Council Attachments. pi (iSI F p * ALBERTA ASSOCIATION of MUNICIPAL DISTRICTS & COUNTIES • 4504 - 101 STREET . EDMONTON, ALBERTA T6E 5G9 TELEPHONE 436-9375 FAX 437-5993 LARRY GOODHOPE - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR May 25, 1994 MM 3 1 '£B TO ALL M.D.'S AND COUNTIES Over the course of the current legislative session, the Government of Alberta has introduced a number of Bills with important implications for local governments of this province. Earlier this month, our office prepared and circulated to each of you a summary of Bill 19, the School Amendment Act. I am pleased to provide you now with summaries of the following legislation, as summarized by our office: Bill 18 Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act Bill 20 Regional Health Authorities Act Bill 30 Environmental Protection and Enhancement Amendment Act 1994 Bill 31 Municipal Government Act I would caution all municipalities that these summaries merely provide the key highlights of the proposed Acts, as identified by our office. Individual municipalities are encouraged to review the Acts themselves if further detail is desired. As well, of course, please do not hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions or concerns with respect to the legislation or the summaries as presented. Yours truly, dp&<—y Larry Goodhope. Executive Director Enclosures I IP tf PI SUMMARY OF BILL 18 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND PROTECTION OF PRIVACY ACT (prepared by the AAMD&C) May 25, 1994 On March 31, 1994, Premier Ralph Klein introduced Bill 18, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Bill 18 follows a year-long public consultation process, beginning with the introduction of Bill 61 in April of 1993, and consisting of a series of regional public meetings held by a special all-party committee of the Legislative Assembly. Bill 18 reflects many of the changes recommended by the all-party committee as a result of input received through the public meetings. The legislation is designed to achieve five key goals: 1. to allow public access to information held by public bodies wherever reasonable; 2. to control the collection of personal information by public bodies; 3. to allow individuals access to personal information about themselves which is held by public bodies; 4. to allow individuals the right to request corrections to personal information about themselves which is held by public bodies; and 5. to provide for independent reviews of decisions with respect to the release or withholding of information. The Act will apply to virtually all records maintained by "public bodies", which are defined as including provincial government departments, agencies, boards, etc., as well as "local public bodies" such as municipalities, health Pi and hospital boards, school jurisdictions, regional planning commissions, and regional services commissions. All such "public bodies" will be required to designate by bylaw, resolution, or other official means, a "head" of the public body who will be responsible for dealing with all requests relating to the Act. P> Requests for information held by public bodies must be made in writing, and must provide enough detail to allow the public body to identify the record. Fees may be charged for the costs associated with the search and production of the requested information, although these fees will be subject to guidelines to be established by the provincial Cabinet. Fees may be waived at the pi discretion of the head of the public body (eg. inability to pay). Requests for information are generally to be responded to, whether positively or negatively, within 30 days, although provision does exist to extend this time period under certain circumstances. Where a request for information is refused, reasons must be provided and the applicant must be advised of his/her right to appeal the decision to the Information and Privacy Commissioner. fpi v> •2- Pi It is important to note that where the information requested is related to some third party, the third party must be notified by the head of the public body before any information may be released, and must be allowed to voice any objections to the release of the information. The third party has up to 20 days to lodge a written objection. In general terms, all records held by the public body should be provided upon request. However, certain types of information may be withheld, and some other types of information must be withheld. Examples of information which must be withheld include the following: * trade secrets and commercial, financial, labour relations, scientific or technical information of a third party; * information that is supplied in confidence; * information whose disclosure might cause undue financial loss or gain to any person or organization; * personal information which would result in an unreasonable invasion of a third party's personal privacy (the Act provides a number of examples of such information). Wt Information which may be withheld includes the following: * information which could be reasonably expected to threaten anyone's health _ or safety, or interfere with public safety. * information which might interfere with a law enforcement matter; *• * information regarding draft by-laws, resolutions, etc. which have not yet been deliberated or discussed publicly; F * the substance of discussions of "in-camera" meetings; * plans relating to the management of personnel or the administration of a public body, if those plans have not yet been implemented; p * information which is subject to legal privilege, including client-solicitor privilege; * information which is available for purchase by the public; * information which is to be published within the next 60 days after the request is received. The Act also sets out specific requirements with respect to the collection and P disclosure of personal information by public bodies. Personal information may only be collected if the public body is specifically empowered to collect that information by an Act of Alberta or Canada, or if the information is to be r collected for law enforcement purposes, or if the information is directly related to and is necessary for an operating program or activity of the public body. In most cases, the individual must be advised of the purpose of the information collection, and the information must be obtained directly from the P individual. Personal information may only be used for the purposes for which it was m originally intended when collected, unless related to law enforcement matters, or with the consent of the individual. -3- Bill 18 also creates a new Information and Privacy Commissioner, to provide IP an independent review mechanism for all decisions relating to the release or [ withholding of information. Where an individual is unhappy with the decision of a public body regarding the release/withholding of information, an appeal _ may be lodged with the Commissioner. *- The Commissioner may appoint a mediator to investigate and settle the dispute. If this fails, or if no mediator is to be appointed, the Commissioner must P conduct an inquiry and may decide all questions of fact and law arising from the inquiry. The Commissioner may require any record to be produced for his/her examination, whether or not the record is subject to this Act, and the m public body must produce those records within 10 days. I The Commissioner may require the public body to release information, withhold information, refund or reduce fees charged, correct personal information on file, destroy personal information collected in violation of the Act, etc. An order of the Commissioner may be enforceable as an Order of the Court (of Queen's Bench). However, within 30 days of the issuance of the Commissioner's P> order, the public body may apply for a judicial review of the Commissioner's f decision. m The Act also provides protection for employees who disclose information to the | Commissioner "in good faith". Public bodies are prohibited from taking any adverse employment action against such employees - the penalty for violating this provision is a fine of up to $10,000. [ In addition to the above requirements, every public body is required to develop and make available to the public a directory that lists the public p body's personal information banks, along with a brief description of the nature ! of the information and the authority under which it is collected. Public bodies must also provide facilities at their offices where the public may inspect any manual, handbook or other guideline used by the public body or its employees in decision-making processes that affect the public. The Act also includes a clause protecting public bodies, their heads , and P their elected officials, from any legal liability for actions taken under this / Act "in good faith". m The Act will be reviewed by a special eommittpo of the F,egislative Assembly j. within 3 years after coming into force. It should be noted that the Government of Alberta has indicated that this Act p will eventually apply to municipalities. For the first five years following I passage of this Act, municipalities will be governed by the information provisions included in the Municipal Government Act, however following that m period, municipal governments will become subject to this Act. £B?) SUMMARY OF BILL 20 REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES ACT (prepared by the AAMD&C) May 25, 1994 On March 31, 1994, Rocky Mountain House M.L.A. Ty Lund introduced Bill 20, the Regional Health Authorities Act. The Act is the legislative tool by which the Government of Alberta will restructure Alberta's publicly funded health care system. The Act provides the Minister of Health with the authority to establish one or more health regions in Alberta. (On April 21, Health Minister Shirley McClellan announced the intended boundaries for a total of 17 health regions across Alberta.) Each health region will be administered by a regional health authority, which shall be either elected or appointed, dependent upon yet-to-be-released regulations. Members of the initial regional authorities will be appointed by the Minister. The new regional authorities will be responsible for assessing the health needs of the region, determining priorities, allocating resources, and ensuring reasonable access to health care within the region. (All of this will be done within the context of an overall "envelope" of funding, which the authority will administer on behalf of the region.) The Minister will retain broad powers to oversee and direct the activities of the new regional authorities. Among other items, the Minister may provide priorities and guidelines, and co-ordinate the work of the authority with the programs, policies and work of the Government. As well, each regional authority must prepare a health plan for its region, and submit this plan to the Minister for approval. This plan must state how the authority intends to carry out its responsibilities and allow for the creation of "community health councils", whose functions and powers may be set by the Minister via regulation. The Act provides regional health authorities with the rights, powers and privileges of a natural person, similar to the flexibility embodied in the proposed new Municipal Government Act. In addition, the regional authorities may expropriate land for health-related purposes, and may requisition a municipality for the "local responsibility portion of the regional health authority's capital costs." It should be noted that the Minister has indicated that she may bring forward amendments to this latter clause, to clarify that the requisitions may only be related to "minor" capital costs such as parking lots, landscaping, etc. 4* -2 ip The Act provides few details regarding the actual operation of the regional authorities or their impact on the health care system. Instead, the provincial Cabinet and the Minister are provided with broad powers to set regulations determining most aspects of the health system. By way of example, the Cabinet may make regulations regarding such matters as the following: ^ * the management, functions, duties and jurisdiction of regional health authorities and community health councils; * the size and composition of regional health authorities and community health councils; * eligibility for membership on regional health authorities and community health councils; - the process for nomination, appointment or election and the terms of office for members of regional health authorities and community health councils; * borrowing and investment powers; * requisition powers of regional health authorities, including the ability to limit the amount of the requisition; * authorizing the direct payment of funds to individuals to enable them to acquire health services. Meanwhile, the Minister may make regulations on such matters as: * the definition of "health services" and "health related services"; * the services to be provided by a regional health authority; * standards and guidelines to be observed in the provision of health services and the construction and operation of facilities; * authorizing the charging of fees for goods and services provided by regional health authorities and community health councils. p si r SUMMARY OF BILL 30 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT AMENDMENT ACT, 1994 pi (prepared by the AAMD&C) May 25, 1994 On May 4, 1994, Environmental Protection Minister Brian Evans introduced Bill 30, the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Amendment Act 1994. This Act primarily consists of a large number of "administrative" amendments to the Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (AEPEA). However, there are two particular amendments of specific interest to municipalities, both relating to protection from liability. Firstly, the Act will amend section 208 of AEPEA, dealing with protection from ifpl liability for employees of municipalities, the province and the federal government. This section has simply been expanded to include individuals under contract to these entities. More importantly, section 219 of AEPEA will be amended to clarify the liability of public officials for the actions of employees. Previously, the Act held public officials (including Reeves and municipal council members) liable for the actions of employees where the official "directed, authorized, assented to, acquiesced in or participated in" the commission of an offence. This section will now be amended to limit liability to those situations where the public official "knew or ought reasonably to have known of the circumstances that constituted the commission of the offence and had the influence or control to prevent its commission." pi This latter change flows from concerns raised on a number of occasions by the AAMD&C and individual municipalities in discussions with the Minister and departmental officials. The new wording should reduce the possibility of s public officials being found liable for actions about which they had no knowledge. There is one other aspect of this Act which may bo of some interest to municipalities. The Act repeals those sections of AEPEA which provided for the existence of the Conservation and Reclamation Council, formerly known as the Land Surface Conservation and Reclamation Council. This Council will be discontinued. : <*> j May 25, 1994 f BILL 31 - MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT ACT SUMMARY P (Prepared by the AAMD&C) i r Earlier this month, Lacombe-Stettler MLA Judy Gordon introduced Bill 31, the new Municipal Government Act. The AAMD&C has had the opportunity to review this piece of legislation and has prepared the following overview for your information. This summary is not intended P to be a comprehensive or detailed review, rather, it is to highlight some of the major issues addressed by the bill. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the AAMD&C office. Purpose of a Municipality r According to the new MGA,the purpose of a municipality is: 1. to provide good government; 2. to provide services, facilities or other things that, in the r opinion of council, are necessary or desirable for all or a part of the municipality, and 3. to develop and maintain safe and viable communities. ^ Jurisdiction ^ s:tGeneral bylaw making authority - For municipal purposes, councils may I pass bylaws regarding: 1. the safety, health, welfare and protection of people and r property; 2. public gatherings and activities in a public place; 3. nuisances; 4. transport and transportation systems; ! 5. businesses and business activities; ' 6. services provided by or on behalf of the municipality and public utilities; P 7. wild and domestic animals; and ; 8. the enforcement of any bylaws (including offenses, fines, imprisonment, bylaw inspection, remedying contraventions of m bylaws etc.) *These general powers are limited in two ways: 1. a bylaw cannot be inconsistent with provincial law; and 2. a bylaw passed under this P1 general authority is of no effect to the extent that it is inconsistent 1 with a specific bylaw passing power in another enactment. P ^Natural Person Powers - Except where limited by legislation, | municipalities are granted natural person powers, meaning they have all the powers of an individual, including the ability to enter into _ agreements; design and implement an organizational structure; borrow ) and invest money; buy, sell or rent property etc. •pi \\f - 2 - Municipal Government Board :!!The Municipal Government Board is a consolidation of the Alberta Assessment Appeal Board and the Local Authorities Board. *It will hear appeals regarding equalized assessment, assessments of linear property, as well as appeals from local assessment review boards (formerly courts of revision). ^Pending review of the Planning Act, the Board may also hear appeals relating to planning issues. *It may also inquire into and make recommendations regarding annexations and any other dispute referred to it by the Minister. *It may decide disputes between a municipality and a housing authority or two housing authorities (as referred to it by the Minister). *The Board may determine and allocate costs associated with any hearing before it. The Minister may establish fees payable by those who appear at hearings or inquiries conducted by the Board and for obtaining copies of the Board's decisions. *As an alternative to having the Board hear (nonresidential) assessment appeals, there is an option for the parties to select a mutually agreeable independent arbitrator to decide on the matter. If there is not agreement on an arbitrator, the Board will hear the appeal. Formation. Dissolution. Amalgamation. Annexation ^Requests for formation, dissolution and amalgamation are to be made to the Minister. In the case of an amalgamation, the municipalities involved must first negotiate amongst themselves and report to the Minister. 'The Minister may initiate dissolution or amalgamation. ^Requests for annexation go directly to the Municipal Government Board. As with amalgamations, the emphasis is on negotiation, and the municipalities must submit a report of their negotiations to the Board for consideration. The Board may hold hearings with respect to the application, and will then make recommendations to Cabinet. If an application for annexation is refused, the initiating municipality may not make another application for that same land for at least one year . Chief Elected Official *It is at the discretion of the municipality to choose a title for the Chief Elected Official (does not have to be Mayor or Reeve). *A11 municipalities will have the option of electing the Chief Elected Official at large, or choosing him/her from among the elected councillors. 11 Access to Information ^Requests for information will go through the Chief Administrative Officer. Information that can be withheld includes: commercial information, personal information, information subject to obligation of confidence, etc. *If a request for information is denied, a written appeal can be made to council. These provisions are transitional until municipalities are brought under the Freedom of Information Legislation. Public Participation 'IB *A councillor cannot vote on an issue arising from a public hearing if he did not attend it, and may abstain from voting if absent from a part of the hearing. '!tFor municipalities over 10,000 people, signatures equal to 10% of the population are required (same for all municipalities). Signatures are valid for 60 days. Financial Administration *Municipalities are required to pass an operating and a capital budget each year before they may pass a property tax bylaw. *Debt limits will be set for each municipality. Borrowing within these limits will not require Ministerial approval (borrowing beyond the limits will require approval) ^Municipalities must balance revenues and expenditures. If they are unable to do so over a three year period, they will be required to make up the difference in the next year unless otherwise authorized by the Minister. Assessment of Property ^Assessments must be updated every two years. The valuation standards will be set by the Minister through regulation. 'There are three classes of assessment: residential, nonresidential and farmland. Residential may be divided into any number of subclasses, nonresidential may be divided into vacant and improved. ^Machinery and Equipment and farm buildings are exempt from assessment except as provided for under the regulations t\* - 4 - Taxation r*Mobile homes are defined as improvements to the land and are therefore taxable property. Outside a mobile home park, the owner of the land is liable for the taxes. Within a mobile home park, the owner rof the mobile home is liable for the taxes, and municipalities may impose a tax by installment plan. _ There are no limits on split mill rates. t '^Municipalities will assume responsibility for authorizing tax exemptions (i.e. for nonprofit organizations etc.) Existing exemptions 'm authorized by the Province will remain in force unless the municipality passes a bylaw otherwise. p Tax recovery is made entirely a municipal responsibility. No ministerial approval will be required. ^ Liability There is increased liability protection for municipalities. For r example, the Act states that municipalities are not liable if they have the discretion to do something and make a policy decision not to do it. "" *With respect to injury or damage caused by snow, ice or slush on roads, municipalities are only liable if they are grossly negligent. | General Ministerial Power p, The Minister may order an inspection or an inquiry into the management, administration or operation of any municipality at the * request of a council, upon receipt of a petition of at least 20% of the municipal population or on his own initiative. :W> *If irregularities are discovered as a result of one of these audits, the Minister may order the council and/or the chief administrative officer to take necessary steps to remedy the situation. If these steps are not carried out in a satisfactory manner, the Minister may dismiss the council or any member of it, or the chief administrative officer. *With respect to intermunicipal disagreements referred to the Minister by a council, the Minister may conduct an investigation or inquiry as appropriate, and/or appoint a mediator to assist the municipalities in resolving the issue. Penalties for Offenses ^General provision provides for fines of up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to one year or both. 41 '0 MUNICIPAL MANAGER'S REPORT TO COUNCIL DATE: JUNE 9, 1993 SUBJECT: ATTENDANCE AT EMERGENCY PUBLIC WARNING TRAINING SEMINAR REPORT: On May 19, Terry Fleming, Steve Murray and I attended a training session on the use of the Emergency Public Warning System at the Public Safety Services office in Edmonton. The one day seminar provided an explanation of the system, training required to use it, and the necessary access codes. The system allows authorized users to immediately transmit a 60 second emergency message directly over the airwaves of the 'pa major television and radio stations in the Edmonton area. Having attended the session, Steve, Terry and I are now able to access the system and transmit warning messages in the event of an emergency. It is hoped that the use of the system will never be required, but it is nice to know that such a warning system is in place. §m\ ALBERTA ASSOCIATION ? of MUNICIPAL DISTRICTS & COUNTIES 4504-101 STREET • EDMONTON, ALBERTA T6E 5G9 TELEPHONE 436-9375 FAX 437-599 LARRY GOODHOPE — EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR pr^rppn nn^ra May 27, 1994 •) v' •-> -, ,AI L L TO ALL MUNICIPAL DISTRICTS AND COUNTIF.S: RE: 1994 SPRING CONVENTION March 29 - 30, 1994 Edmonton Inn, Edmonton, Alberta Passed Resolutions We enclose a copy of the officio 1 government replies to the resolutions which passed at our recent spring convention. Sincerely, jarry Goohope Executive Director LG/ejr Encl . ,01 AAMD&C 1994 Spring Resolution No. 1(1) County of Warner No. 5 Provincial Water Tax WHEREAS consumption taxes can be very regressive in nature; and WHEREAS the imposition of new taxes is inconsistent with current government's policy; and WHEREAS a tax on a basic necessity of life has far reaching implications; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the AAMD&C request the provincial government not to apply a provincial water tax. GOVERNMENT RESPONSE The proposal which is referred to as a "provincial water tax" is a proposal to initiate Annual Licence, Interim Licence, and Temporary Permission fees for water users who have larger allocations of surface water or ground water. The proposed fee would only be charged to surface water licences over 1,000 acre-feet and ground water licences over 100 acre-feet, used for a variety of purposes including; municipal, industrial and irrigation. The proposal excludes all small agricultural and domestic water users from annual fees and only charges large users of water. Due to the importance of this issue, it is being carefully reviewed to determine its potential impacts. Irrigation issues, including the feasibility and implications of instituting an annual water licencefee for the irrigation districts, is being reviewed by a subcommittee of the Standing Policy Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. o> V AAMD&C 1994 Spring Resolution No. 2(2) County of Camrose No. 22 Taxation of Oilfield, Pipelines and Wells „ WHEREAS municipalities have the authority under the Municipal Taxation Act to tax oil and gas wells and batteries; and p WHEREAS municipalities have the right under the Tax Recovery Act to recover | unpaid taxes through the seizure of the companies' assets; and p WHEREAS under provincial legislation the municipality is a preferred creditor in j_ terms ofcollecting unpaid taxes; and P WHEREAS under federal legislation, in the event of a bankruptcy the municipality is lL not a preferred creditor and if the lending institution forecloses on the oil field operator, the municipality will have little or no chance of collecting unpaid taxes; and r WHEREAS the response from the Alberta Government to 1993 Resolution No. 6(7) was not acceptable; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties urge the Government of Alberta to institute a method of collecting municipal property taxes on oil and gas wells and batteries at the'source, similar to the method that the Province collects royalties on the sale of oil and gas. BACKGROUND The major oil companies in Alberta are selling off many of their smaller marginal fields across Alberta. The companies that have purchased these fields are experiencing difficulty paying their bills and the municipality is having difficulty collecting the property taxes owed to the municipality. (over) |o3 As the well sites and batteries are located on rental property, the municipality is not able to secure the unpaid taxes against the land. If the municipality is unable to collect the back taxes, it may, under the Tax Recovery Act, seize the assets of the company. If the creditors of the company are aware of the seizure, they can force the company into bankruptcy and the municipality will not be protected under federal legislation. Without the ability to register unpaid taxes against the property there is no guarantee that the municipality will be able to collect any unpaid taxes. GOVERNMENT RESPONSE The proposal to collect municipal property taxes on oil and gas wells and batteries, in the same manner as the Province collects royalties, is not seen as a workable solution. The result of a provincial survey taken in mid-1993 showed that less than one percent of the total taxes levied by municipalities on oil field equipment, pipelines, and wells was in arrears. On a total tax levied of approximately $250 million, this level of arrearsis quite acceptable on a province-wide basis. The Energy Resources Conversation Board through Interim Directive ID93-2 (copy attached) has prepared new criteria for the issuance of a well license or approval of well license transfers. The new criteria provides a measure of protection by establishing requirements to hold a license and evaluation procedures to be used when r transferring wells to new licensees. The Industrial Assessment Branch of Alberta Municipal Affairs is working with industry to emphasize the importance of tax agreements as part of the sale agreement when properties change hands. As well, a study is near completion with recommendations forthcoming on low/marginal producing oil and gas wells. The study is examining how economical it is to operate and produce marginal wells, and what property taxes may be applicable to those wells. From surveys taken, most tax arrears are recognized on low/marginal producing properties with ratepayer complaints being received on the excessive valuation on these propertiesand high taxes. These initiatives will help in reducing the exposure of municipalities for unpaid taxes. 0* mFm '{ Energy Resources 640 Fifth Avenue SW Conservation Board Calgary.Calgary, Alberta I I^TA«-^—•Ml |^f^ CanadaT2P3G4 || Hwl || | | ID 93*2 Directive TO: All Licensees and Oil and Gas Operators 2 July 1993 REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A WELL LICENCE OR APPROVAL OF WELL LICENCE TRANSFERS BACKGROUND In December 1989, the Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) circulated a report to industry entitled, "Recommendations to Limit the Public Risk from Corporate Insolvencies Involving Inactive Wells". The report outlined proposed changes to legislation and tothe ERCB's own procedures to reflect the view that the responsibility for proper abandonment of awell should fall to the primary c beneficiaries of thewell. Rationalization activities that were shifting wells between different sectors of the industry coupled with an increasing number of corporate insolvencies, bankruptcies, and companies who failed to carry out their responsibilities contributed to fears of future orphan well problems. In addition, the Board was finding that new companies were inadequately equipped to handle regulatory requirements and inmany cases were unaware of the spirit and intent behind theregulations. In order to consider theviews of all stakeholders, ajoint industry/government committee known as the Orphan Well Steering Committee (Steering Committee) was formed, consisting of senior representatives from the ERCB, Alberta Energy, Alberta Environmental Protection, the Canadian Petroleum Association, the Independent Petroleum Association of Canada, and the Small Explorers and Producers Association of Canada. Thebasic principle adopted bythis committee was that an orphan well abandonment fund would be established, by industry, to pay thedownhole abandonment costs of insolvent ornon-existent well licensees and working interest owners ina well. The orphan well abandonment fund has been established and is maintained through an annual levy against inactive wells. It provides the ERCB thenecessary funds to carry out the orphan well abandonment program. To develop a comprehensive well abandonment program, the Steering Committee created aWell Licence Criteria Subcommittee and anOrphan Well Program Administration Subcommittee. The objectives established for theWell Licence Criteria Subcommittee were to develop licensing criteria to beapplied bythe ERCB whenever awell licence is issued, orsubsequently transferred, as well as procedures to ensure that reluctant licensees fulfil their regulatory obligations. The objectives of the Orphan Well Program Administration Subcommittee were to define thepolicy and administrative procedures pertaining to the abandonment fund and theidentification and administration of orphan wells. The subcommittees recommended increased requirements for well licence applicants in s\ conjunction with a review of existing well licence transferors. These recommendations were ratified by the Steering Committee in May 1993. \* ip Details of the new requirements are includedin the subcommittee's report entitled, "Specific Criteria to be Applied by the ERCB When a Well Licence is Issued or Transferred", dated 18 November 1992. Details of operation and administration of the orphan well abandonment fund are givenin the subcommittee's report entitled, "Amended Recommendations of the OrphanWell Program Administration Subcommittee" dated 29 March 1993. Copiesof the completesubcommittee'sreports are available at no cost to interested parties from either the ERCB's Drilling and Production Department (297-6486)or the industry associations. WELL LICENCE AND WELL LICENCE TRANSFER REQUIREMENTS Interim Directive ID 93-2 supersedesInformational Letter IL 89-22and the interim documentissuedon 21 December 1989 which outlined supplemental information required in support of a well licence transfer application. The ERCB has adopted, withminorrevisions, the recommendations of the Steering Committee pertaining to new criteria for well licence issuance and transfers. The new criteria provide a measure of protectionfor the industry-supportedand maintained orphan well abandonment fund by establishing requirements to hold a licence and evaluation procedures to be used when transferring wells. The ERCB believesthat this will help ensure that licensees are responsibleand accountableand also encouragetimely abandonment of wells. The requirementsdetailed in the attachment to this interimdirective apply to all new or first time applicants for the issuance of, or as transferee of, a well licenceand to all applications for the transfer of well licences. These requirements also apply to any existing licensee whose file with the ERCB is incomplete or no longer current. Highlights ofthese requirements are as follows: 1 A well licence fee of$10000, effective 5 July 1993, has been established andapplies to all new or first time applicants for a well licence. 2. All new applicants mustfile a corporate profile in support of either a drillingor transfer application. 3. Deficiencies identifiedin the processingof an application to drill or transfer a well must be addressedby the applicantprior to application approval. 4. The potentialrecipientof a well licence transfermust sign a declaration stating that the company has the rightto produce oil, gas or crudebitumen, or injector disposeof fluids for all lands containingthe wells being transferred. 5. The potentialrecipientof a well licencetransfermust sign a declaration stating that the companyhas the right to enter upon the land. 6. All applicants for a well licence1 must develop andhavein their possession a functional CorporateLevel Emergency Response Plan in accordancewith ED 91-2. 7. All applicantsfor a well licencemust submit either a certificate ofproofofinsurance or a statement ofthe insurer, describingthe coverageand the effective date of the insurance. Unless otherwise specified, all references to well licences include both new well licences and transfers of existing well licences .V i° 3 8. All applicants for a well licence are required to file a list of working interest owners in a well. 9. All new licensees for well licences are required to formally acknowledge, by corporate signature, their responsibility as an ERCB licensee. 10. All applicants are subjectto an ERCB operational history/surveillancereview. 11. A well-screening ratio (WR) test for the initial processingoftransfer applications has been establishedto determine if a further review is necessary. This test will be applied to both the i(S transferor.and-transferee. 12. Well-classificationmethodsto evaluate each well in a transfer application that fails the well- P screening ratio and to determine if a well deposit is required has been established along with a L well deposit system for individual wells that do not meet the criteria. p 13. A deposit reduction system for multiple well transfers has been established as well as acceptable alternatives to the deposit anddeposit refund criteria. f_ The status of the transferor's remaining wells was identified as an area of concern and accordingly the transferorof a well licence will also be subjectto the administrative and screening criteria. p* Notwithstandingthe new criteria, the Board will requirethat an applicant for a well licence or well licence transfer address, priorto approval, any outstanding deficiencies identifiedby the ERCB during the processing ofthe application. I - Failure to meet these requirements will result in the denial ofthe new application or the well licence \ transfers. Even though sale ofthe wells hasbeencompleted, operators must be aware that where the „ well licence transfer is denied, responsibility forthe well remains with the existinglicensee. L Legislativechanges to supportthe new criteria for the transfer of inactive wells are forthcoming and eventually will be incorporated into an application form supported by a guide similar to Guide G-33, P "Application for aWell Licence." In the interim, the Board requires licensees to submit the ' - application in the format and sequence outlined in the attachment to this interim directive. J-1 Questions regarding this interim directive should be directed to the ERCB, Drilling and Production ' Department at 297-6486. N.G. Berndtsson, P.Eng. Board Member Attachments id AAMD&C 1994 Spring Resolution No. 3(3) County of Strathcona No. 20 Tax Reform Commission Report p WHEREAS major industry has provided funding for essential local municipal services through the assessment and taxation of machinery and equipment (M&E); and m WHEREAS in 1992 M&E assessment amounted to 9% of the total assessment for all f municipalities in Alberta and generated estimated M&E taxes of $171 million for municipal and education purposes. Of this amount, the M&E assessment of p 53 municipal districts and counties generated estimated M&E taxes of $36 million to support essential local municipal services; and f WHEREAS major industry has lobbied the province on the need to abolish M&E assessment and taxation in order to allow industry in Alberta to become competitive; and * WHEREAS theTax Reform Commission Report: I a) stated that, in overall terms, compared to other provinces, Alberta's overall tax regime is competitive, C. b) recommended that, for municipal purposes, M&E assessment on existing plants be phased out over two years and that there be no M&E assessment on new plants and industry and the M&E assessment on existing plants be replaced by property taxes; specifically, a system of property tax factors; and c) also made recommendations on property taxes, business taxes, split mill rates and taxes on intensive farming operations; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties urge the provincial government not to adopt the Tax Reform Commission Report recommendations on M&E, property taxes, business taxes, split mill rates and taxes on intensive farming operations until: a) there has been full consultation with municipalities, b) the proposed property tax factor system alternative has been thoroughly researched and analyzed, (over) .0* c) each municipality can be assured that the factor system alternative or any other alternative to M&E will be revenue neutral and will not impact their fiscal position and d) there can be assurance that the adoption of any of the Commission's recommendations will not result in increased property taxes for home owners, farm operations and small business. >f& GOVERNMENT RESPONSE The Government is currently reviewing the recommendations of the Alberta Tax Reform Commission and will fully respond to the recommendations in the near future. The Commission carried out extensive consultation prior to making its recommendations, but the Government agrees that further consultation with key stakeholders, such as municipalities, may be required prior to implementing any significant change to the municipal taxation system. This consultation would have to be supported by analysis of any option under consideration. The Government is not prepared to guarantee that no municipality and no taxpayer will be affected by any changes to the tax system. The Government will, however, continueto pursue the development of a property tax system that is fair and equitable to all taxpayers. •iipl r |04 AAMD&C 1994 Spring Resolution No. 4(4) County of Strathcona No. 20 (p> Senior Citizens Housing Act jsy WHEREAS section 11.1 of the Senior Citizens Housing Act (the "Act") provides that the Minister, if he considers that any municipality that is not a party to a master agreement that provides for the establishment of a foundation should contribute to the wt> operating deficit of that foundation, may, by order, specify that that municipality be requisitioned by that foundation; and B? WHEREAS this section of the Act undermines the contracting process entered into between the parties to a master agreement; and Pt WHEREAS this section of the Act creates uncertainty for municipalities in preparing estimates of the probable expenditures of the municipality in a given year; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties request the Government of Alberta, in its review of the Senior Citizens Housing Act, to amend the legislation so as to provide that: a) any discretionary power given to the Minister in this regard should be 51 exercised in a manner that would require the Minister to provide notice to a municipality of his intention to specify that municipality be requisitioned by a foundation. The notice must be sufficient so as not to prejudice the municipality's position with respect to its current budget year and in sufficient time to accommodate the requisitioning process for any following budget year; and b) any municipality which is so requisitioned by a foundation under section 11.1 ofthe Act be authorized to appoint a majority of representatives to the board ofthat foundation. (over) > BACKGROUND t Under the Senior Citizens Housing Act, when a municipality desires a senior citizens housing project to be undertaken within its limits or wholly or partly within the limits of any other municipality, the municipality may enter into a master agreement with the 1 Alberta Mortgage and Housing Corporation or the Minister and any one or more municipalities for the purpose of providing units or homes or both for senior citizens of r the municipality. Under the Act, a municipality which has entered into a master agreement for the establishment of a foundation can be requisitioned by the foundation p for the annual operating deficit ofthe foundation. The Act also provides, however, that the Minister may designate a municipality was m responsible for the operating deficit of a foundation and provide for the requisitioning of that municipality by a foundation without the municipality having entered into a master agreement. This puts a municipality at a disadvantage in preparing its estimates p of the probable expenditures of the municipality in a given year for budget purposes. The proposed amendment to the Act would require that the Minister give a municipality w sufficient notice of his intention to do so in order that the municipality can properly budget for any such requisition. In those instances where a municipality is requisitioned by a foundation by virtue of an order of the Minister, it is appropriate that the Council of that municipality have the ability to appoint a majority of representatives to the Board of that foundation. This would give the municipality budgetary control in the management of the foundation. pp GOVERNMENT RESPONSE The Senior Citizens Housing Act and the Alberta Mortgage and Housing Corporation Act will be replaced with a new Act, the Alberta Housing Act. The purpose of the existing provision enabling the Minister to specify non-participating municipalities to be requisitioned by foundations is to assist in ensuring that all property in Alberta contributes to the operational deficits of senior citizen lodges. A similar provision will be included in the new Act. The new Act will also provide significantly greater flexibility in structuring board memberships to suit community needs. However, the proposal to permit one municipality to appoint the majority of the directors is unlikely to be acceptable to the other contributing municipalities. \* AAMD&C 1994 Spring Resolution No. 5(5) County of Strathcona No. 20 f^) Night Sittings Of The Provincial Court p, WHEREAS Alberta's Provincial Courts are experiencing extremely heavy caseloads, I particularly in respect of traffic and criminal matters; and p WHEREAS many municipal by-laws require enforcement through court proceedings [ the long dockets before the Court have often resulted in an inability for municipalities to have by-law matters scheduled for a set date and time; and |pp WHEREAS this has resulted in delays in the hearing of municipal by-law enforcement issues and in increased costs to a municipality in terms of both staff time and legal fees; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties request the Government of Alberta to establish P night sittings of the Provincial Court to assist in dealing with the heavy demand for court services. W BACKGROUND The Provincial Court is currently experiencing heavy caseloads and the demand for their services is increasing. Municipalities, in the prosecution of by-law infractions, find it most convenient if all by-law matters can be scheduled for and heard ata set time each month. This makes it possible for a municipality to have staff and legal counsel on hand at that time in order to efficiently conduct prosecutions. As a consequence of the heavy caseloads currently being experienced by the Provincial Court, by-law matters are often set to the end of the dockets with the result that staff and legal counsel are required to spend significant PI amounts of time awaiting trial. These delays are costly. Night sittings of the Provincial Court would help to alleviate the pressure on the P9. existing system and would free up time for municipal by-law prosecutions. ^1 (over) [vf GOVERNMENT RESPONSE pi This proposal is understood to be a request for additional court sittings, which would require additional resources to be committed. The rescheduling of existing resources Wi from day sittings to night sittings does not provide an increased capacity for trials and may increase costs to the province. Municipal districts and counties having concerns regarding the scheduling of bylaw trials should contact the local court administrator so that alternatives may be explored with the participants. p? pi ft w\ AAMD&C 1994 Spring Resolution No. 6(6) County of Strathcona No. 20 Pi Utility Rate Increases WHEREAS the Government of the Province of Alberta has made a commitment to open and accountable government and increased public involvement in decision making; and WHEREAS the Government of the Province of Alberta has embarked on a far- pi reaching program of fiscal constraint, which program has called for significant rollbacks for all government departments; and WHEREAS the Provincial Government has called upon all sectors of the community to enter into the spirit of constraint; and WHEREAS utility rate increases have been approved by the Public Utilities Board to support revenue earnings for utility companies which increases are not consistent with economic constraint; and WHEREAS it is not disputed that utility companies should make reasonable profits, pi the amounts of those profits should be more realistic given the call for economic constraint; pi NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties request the Government of Alberta to direct that the Public Utilities Board, or its successor, amend its policies and procedures used in the determination of rate increases such as to provide for increased public involvement in the hearing process and to take into consideration the provincial government's program of economic constraint. pi BACKGROUND Over the past year, the Public Utilities Board has approved rate increases for Northwestern Utilities and TransAlta Utilities. (over) \v* While these increases are impossible to quantify given the wide diversity of rates and m services available, in a time of economic constraint when government departments and I many other sectors of the community face budgetary freezes and even rollbacks, it is difficult to justify these increases as approved by the Public Utilities Board. The Public f> Utilities Board in making its determinations as to increases should be directed to take into consideration the provincial government's program of budget cuts. The utility companies should make reasonable profits, however, the amounts of those profits f should be more realistic given the call for economic constraint and current investment interest rates. There should also be greater opportunities for the public to have input into the hearing process by which the Public Utilities Board makes decisions regarding rate increases. GOVERNMENT RESPONSE p In general, using a governmental directive as requested under the resolution would contradict the principle of regulatory independence. The specific direction to public openness is not required since the hearing process is designed to be open to all m interested parties. The proposed direction to apply restraint measures misreads the [ government's motivation for restraint: cutting government expenditures, not private activity. Indeed, private sector development will provide increased employment and P economic growth in Alberta. 1. The Principle of Regulatory Independence ^ The Public Utilities Board and its successor, the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board, are established to be independent, quasi-judicial agencies to hear and decide the issues within their jurisdiction. It would be an infringement on the fundamental principal of regulatory independence to issue a directive to p influence the board's decisions. The regulator should decide on the basis of the evidence presented in the public hearing process. If members of the public believe that economic restraint should be reflected in utility rate decisions, then pi they should make their argumentsdirectly to the board. 2. The Open Hearing Process p» The Public Utilities Board is required by the Administrative Procedures Act to provide adequate notice of a hearing, and give interested parties a reasonable P opportunity to furnish evidence, provide arguments and cross-examine witnesses. These established procedures provide for public involvement in the hearing process. Indeed, open participation by all interested parties is the basis p for establishing the board, and for the procedures the board has adopted for ^ hearings, and for reimbursing intervenors. The government would welcome specific suggestions to increase involvement, particularly during the process of structuring the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board. II r The AlbertaAssociation of Municipal Districts and Counties is already an active intervenor. If increased participation is desired, it is suggested that you co-ordinate your efforts through the AAMD&C. 3. Utility Rate Increases and Government Restraint The majority of utility rate increases over the last five years have been directly attributable to increases in fuel costs, rather than to increased utility "profits". pi Increases in electric utility rates are primarily the result of additions of new electric generation plants. These plants do not come into the base rate until they are required to meet Alberta requirements. Increases in 1994 are expected to be moderate, and largely due to natural gas prices which increased gas-fired electricity generation costs. These increases have been borne by all Alberta electricity users. For gas utilities, rate increases are predominately the result of increases in gas prices, determined by free market forces. The utilities pass these prices directly through to customers without adding a rate of return component. Beyond the issue of why utility rates are increasing, is the more fundamental question, whether the government is calling for restraint in all sectors and should extend the restraint to regulated utilities. The reason for restraint is to reduce provincial government expenditures in order to bring the debt under control and reduce debt charges. This requires reduction of direct expenditures by the province and of grants to other governments oragencies. It also involves wage restraint in those provincially funded activities. The Government is not looking for overall economic restraint; instead it is looking to the private sector as the source of economic growth and job creation. There is no general private sector program with which utilities should be forced to comply. pii As noted in the preamble to the resolution, regulation of utilities is intended to prevent abuses of monopoly power, but also to provide utilities with a market - competitive rate of return which will ensure that necessary investment is made to meet growing demand for utility services. Asinflation and interest rates have declined, utility regulators throughout Canada have generally been reducing approved rates of return. These decisions result from evidence presented at specific hearings. Determination of the proper market rate of return is the role and responsibility of the regulatory board. Again, it would be inappropriate for r a government to interferein thatdecision. (over) s*> Alberta utilities are also taking steps to moderate rate increases. TransAlta Utilities, for example, announced it may lay offas many as 375 staffin order to maintain stable rates. IB m 3P} pn fW \fl f AAMD&C 1994SPRING RESOLUTION NO. 7(7) County of Mountain View No. 17 P Feeder Associations Of Alberta f§) •ps) WHEREAS The Feeder Association Program has been in existence since 1938and has seen major growth since 1980; and WHEREAS over 1.6 billion dollars worth of cattle have been financed without a loss to the province since 1980; and WHEREAS the program provides members with low equity financing in a secure financial environment, the majority of whom could not obtain equivalent financing elsewhere; and WHEREAS the economic value added benefits to local communities amounts to many millions of dollars as members purchase goods and services from auction marts, vet pi clinics, equipment dealers, trucking industry, feed companies, livestock dealers, lenders, etc.; and WHEREAS the program provides for the utilization of surplus farm feed stocks, especially in years when quality and price is substandard; and WHEREAS the growth pattern is expected to continue in the future; and WHEREAS the Provincial Government has indicated that it will not approve any further Orders in Council which are needed to increase the amounts feeder associations are permitted to lend to producers; and WHEREAS the Provincial Government may be considering the termination of the program; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties urge the Provincial Government to maintain the Feeder Association Program, and further that the province provide the Orders in Council to allow associations to increase their lending limits. (over) pp£> b GOVERNMENT RESPONSE This government recognizes the many benefits the Feeder Association Program has for individual members and for rural communities. However, the program requires the province to provide a loan guarantee to each of the 62 associations. Even though the risk to the province is low, the loan guarantees show up on our balance sheet as a potential liability of approximately $70 million. The Feeder Association Loan Guarantee Act was established in 1938 and lending practices have changed a great deal since then. The program is being reviewed to see if feeder associations could provide effective services to members with a substantially reduced loan guarantee. The intention is not to terminate the program, but to continue the benefits to the large number of farmers who use it. A review of the Feeder Association Program has been initiated. The Feeder Associations of Alberta is cooperating with this process and have hired a consultant to meet with associations, lenders, and other stakeholders to recommend alternatives. Once this review is completed, appropriate changes to the program will be presented to Cabinet. V»4 P AAMD&C 1994 Spring Resolution No. 8(8) - County of Paintearth No. 18 P Secondary Highway Upgrading p WHEREAS the province desires to enter into a new "partnership" with rural [ municipalities for all future secondary highway construction projects; and p WHEREAS all of the said "partnership" criteria are couched in words like "municipalities must participate"; and » WHEREAS one criterion stipulates that any project undertaken by a municipality must I bedone with 100% private equipment; and IP WHEREAS the taxpayers of many municipalities have prepaid some of the expenses I! by virtue ofhaving the equipment in place; and P WHEREAS forcing these municipalities to use private contractors would be equivalent I to forcing their taxpayers to pay twice for a portion ofeach job; and I WHEREAS this government has said it will impose no additional taxes; and ipi WHEREAS many of these municipalities cannot afford the export of jobs associated with outside contracting; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Minister responsible be requested to amend the document to make it solely at municipal discretion as to whether any or all of the "partnered" work be privately contracted. •pi GOVERNMENT RESPONSE There have been several changes relative to the initial criteria established for the Iff) Secondary Highway Partnership Program. Included in the changes is the requirement 1 for municipalities to use private equipment on projects funded by the municipality. The new criteria allows the municipality to use their own equipment and forces to undertake projects funded by the municipality. Projects either totally or partially p» funded by Alberta Transportation and Utilities will be subject to the public tender [ process. The new criteria for this program will be provided to every municipality. C?R> V r •m AAMD&C 1994 Spring Resolution No. 9(9) [ Municipal District Of Sturgeon No. 90 P Landfill Regulatory Control WHEREAS the provincial legislature is presently working to make the provincial government more effective and efficient; and p WHEREAS the Department ofEnvironmental Protection and the Department ofHealth both currently independently evaluate municipally operated landfills, sometimes reaching different conclusions which causes concern and confusion to the operators; m and WHEREAS the primary aim of municipal landfill operations is to contain waste in a p manner that causes minimal impact on the environment; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Association of P Municipal Districts and Counties petition the provincial government to place total regulatory control of municipal landfills under the Department of Environmental Protection. GOVERNMENT RESPONSE Wi Environmental Protection works very closely with Alberta Health and individual health units to address operational problems at regional municipal landfills. While normal communications with municipalities are generally through local health units, there are some situations where Environmental Protection has direct contact with municipalities to address concerns about compliance with requirements under existing grant agreements. The provincial government recognizes that municipalities have concerns about the manner in which municipal landfills are regulated. A multi-stakeholder advisory committee, chaired by Alberta Health and with representation from the municipal $ft associations, Environmental Protection, Municipal Affairs, and others is considering waste management issues. Municipalities, municipal associations, government departments and agencies were given the opportunity of tabling their chief concerns about the current process for making decisions about site selection and ultimate approval of landfills and other waste management facilities. (over) p) The advisory committee has now submitted its report to the Deputy Ministers of Alberta Environmental Protection, Alberta Municipal Affairs, and Alberta Health. The report will be reviewed in the context of the departmental business plans. Following the review, the advisory committee report together with recommendations from the Deputy Ministers will be submitted to the Honourable Shirley McCllelan, the Honourable Brian Evans, and the Honourable Stephen West. Premier Klein has already indicated that the Government of Alberta would prefer to awaitthis reportbefore deciding on this significant policy issue. S) g^ V- s •Wb AAMD&C 1994 Spring Resolution No. 10(ER1) County of Mountain View No. 17 Alberta Agriculture Wl WHEREAS agriculture is one of the major industries in the province and in the global p market; and WHEREAS the province is making sweeping changes to the delivery of its services to p Alberta farmers; and WHEREAS many district agriculturists are being replaced with agricultural specialists; P and WHEREAS the relocation of district agriculturists and specialists is expensive; and pi *--- WHEREAS the placement of some of the "specialists" does not seem to fit the needs of the area to which they have been appointed; and WHEREAS many of the appointments appear to be based on political consideration m rather than the needs of the area; and WHEREAS the needs of the farming community is such that an individual who has a SI more general and well rounded knowledge of all aspects of the agricultural industry would be more of a benefit to the community; and p WHEREAS with the relocation, some of the specialists will not reside in the community in which they will be serving and will therefore not have a feel or the contact with the community; and i WHEREAS the loss of this more general area of knowledge will result in less and less use of the specialists which could lead to the closing of all district or regional | agricultural offices; p NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Association of i Municipal Districts and Counties urge the Government of Alberta to review without delay, the new appointments to ensure that they are aptly serving the Pi farming community to which they are appointed, and further, that when future appointments are made, consideration be given to the specific needs of the agricultural area to which they are appointed. fp^ (over) p^ I* GOVERNMENT RESPONSE tBl i ' Extensive consultation with the industry has occurred over the last two years. Creating Tomorrow, Towards a Business Plan and extensive use of focus groups involved I several thousand farmers and agribusiness. Their message was clear - provide improved access to a system of specialists. f We have done this through provision ofanetwork of 131 specialists in 52 offices. We will be doing more to provide electronic access to all of these specialists via computer ,p» systems, fax, distance education services, and toll free phone access using the Provincial Government RITE system. Computer access to information will take time to develop. Approximately 95 percent of Alberta farm families are still within a one-half, m hour drive of a field office. We will be building expanded relationships with agribusiness, farm and community groups, etc. to partner with them the delivery of our services to farm families, processors and agribusiness. We feel that these approaches, •p coupled with electronic services, will provide an increased level of accessibility when compared to what we have been able to offer in the past. P The farm community through these extensive consultations clearly indicated that there *- were four key aspects to the quality of service they expected from field based specialists. These were: 151 high quality, timeliness and accuracy ofinformation p unbiased information and services ability to integrate information into their overall business decisions easily and cost effectively accessible s The restructured field services of Alberta Agriculture Food and Rural Development will do this in a more effective manner than in the past. Farmers, agribusiness, processors, and farm/community groups will have ready access to a network of specialists. Not all will be located in the local office, nor need they be. Specialists will be providing services beyond the office they are located in. By teaming with each other and with various groups and businesses throughout the agricultural industry, they will be able to make their individual services quite well known and available throughout the area they serve. This will be enhanced in the future as partnerships strengthen and as electronic access becomes widely available. In the past we have focused delivery through an office. In future we are focusing delivery through a network of people, partnerships, and electronics. We will certainly be reviewing closely the appropriateness of the type of specialists we appoint at various locations in the future. The needs of the local community will be one of the considerations we will take into account. The needs of the larger area that the specialist services will also be taken into account. B£\ 5* AAMD&C 1994 Spring Resolution NO. 12(ER3) Municipal District of Sturgeon No. 90 Secondary Road Construction Environmental Requirements WHEREAS Alberta Environmental Enhancement and Protection (Land Reclamation), Alberta Environmental Enhancement and Protection (Water Resources), Alberta Forestry Lands and Wildlife; Alberta Culture and Multiculturalism, and Alberta |Pl Recreation and Parks have the mandate for regulating surface disturbances on private or crown land and water throughout the province for the construction of secondary roads; and WHEREAS it is mandatory these government departments be contacted at least six weeks in advance of any secondary road project being tendered to ensure their requirements are met; and WHEREAS it is likely that local roads in the future may have to comply with this same referral process; and WHEREAS it would assist municipalities immeasurably by having one government department accept responsibility for coordinating all provincial standards and requirements. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties urge the provincial government amend their p<) referral process by incorporating a one window approach whereby a municipality would deal with one contact or department for all applicable acts and regulations for secondary or local road projects. (over) 5SSI t* GOVERNMENT RESPONSE An important initiative of Environmental Protection is the deregulation and streamlining of processes for required authorizations while ensuring the protection of P the environment. The above resolution reflects the importance of this initiative, and - provides an example of an opportunity to simplify the authorization process. With Alberta Environmental Protection now responsible for land reclamation, water P resources, forestry, lands and wildlife, and provincial parks and recreation areas, Larry Brocke, Director, Land Reclamation Director, Environmental Regulatory p Services, has been appointed as Environmental Protection's one window contact regarding secondary road construction. He will be contacting the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties to discuss the details of this one window p) authorization process. .. Responsibility for requiring a Historical Resources Impact Analysis will remain with P Alberta Community Development. However, Alberta Community Development will [ continue to work with Alberta Transportation and Utilities in providing a "single window" approach for all secondary highway projects. PI AAMD&C 1994 Spring Resolution No. 11(ER2) County of Vulcan No. 2 #§f Resource Industry Impacts on Highway Systems WHEREAS it is the express and implied director of the Government of Alberta to promote development in the Province of Alberta; and p) WHEREAS the resource industry (i.e. oil, gas, forestry, and mining) is a major economic resource within the Province of Alberta; and WHEREAS the resource industry is a major and growing user of the highway system in the Province of Alberta, whether primary, secondary or local highways; and WHEREAS there is no direct financial assistance to the local jurisdiction for the unusual wear and tear on the highway systems within its management and control, created by the resource industry; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties encourage the Government of Alberta to determine the appropriate revenue sources and/or mechanisms to fund local jurisdictions in the construction, reconstruction and major maintenance of highways within their management and control which are used extensively by the resource industry. GOVERNMENT RESPONSE The Province and its municipalities benefit both directly and indirectly from the ongoing activities and continuing development of the resource industries in Alberta. We also bear the costs associated with these activities, including the stress placed on our road transportation systems. Revenues generated from the resource industries through such measures as property taxation, oil and gas royalties, stumpage fees, wellhead fees and, overweight load permit fees help to provide the funding for the maintenance and upgrading of our provincial and local road transportation networks. (over) m<) »W PI The provincial government is continually assessing the need for and feasibility of revising or introducing new measures to ensure that vital transportation networks are not allowed to deteriorate. As part of this effort, the Government introduced the Log Haul Transportation Fee Program last winter. Its revenues are earmarked to finance the repair and reconstruction of sixty highway and local bridges being damaged by winter-weight logging transport. Pending its implementation, another initiative, The Forest Resource Improvement Program, currently under development, will set aside a P) portion of stumpage revenue primarily for reforestation, as well as for infrastructure (including bridge and public road) reconstruction. The fiscal realities of the times dictate that the provincial and local governments maintain a careful allocation of their limited resources among the many demands competing for funding. Fulfilling these demands should not be accomplished by jeopardizing responsible fiscal management, or by reducing the economic advantage for the resource industries of doing business in Alberta. pi pi s? w jSI (pi i^A JmHS^ *^u4ie€(faz/ ^€4&cc£ ct ^wvx&cwt JVc. 77 &.€. @ May 26, 1994 Associated Ambulance Box 419 Mayerthorpe, Alberta TOE 1N0 Attention: Terry Schueler Dear Mr. Schueler: RE: Pembina Valley Regional Ambulance Authority Contract Extension I am pleased to confirm that the Pembina Valley Regional Ambulance Authority has agreed to the terms of the contract extension offered in your correspondence dated Feb. 22, 1994. To confirm your offer, the terms of the two year extension for 1995 JB and 1996, are as follows. 1) The current contract's subsidy rate for 1994 shall be reduced to equal the subsidy rate in 1993. 2) The proposed 1995 rate shall remain at the same rate as was paid in 1993. pB 3) The rate paid in 1996 shall be 3% higher than the rate paid in 1995. i 4) The excess amounts paid thus far as a result of the reduced subsidy for 1994 will be credited towards the remaining payments for 1994. After having met with representatives from Alberta Health Care, the Pembina Valley Ambulance Authority is satisfied that the incorporation of Ambulance Services into the new Regional Health Authorities will not occur for a couple of years. For this reason, the Ambulance Authority feels that a move to extend the contract at this time will bring stability during this transition period and will allow sufficient time for details regarding the provision of ambulance services under the Regional Health Authorities to be worked out prior to the expiry of the extended contract period. (..2) S&cated S&: 551SJnduAfoicU 0load, Qkayfon 'fa/Uif, \* if) I will be in contact with you concerning the revision to the contract document and to arrange for its signing. ipl Sincerely, Layne Johnson on behalf of The Pembina Valley Regional Ambulance Authority Pl C.C. Municipal District of Yellowhead Village of Evansburg Village of Entwistle Town of Drayton Valley Village of Breton County of Parkland p&l $51 IP pi £D Box 6333f Brayton klalley TOE 0M0 Att: Mr. Ed Lambert Reeve: M.J), of Brazeau Dear Edi On behalf of Blockbulster Productions I want to convey our thanks for the assistance given by the M.D. in the filming of the Livestock '94' Video. A special Nord of appreciation to: Rick Flikkemaz Terry Fleming; Rola Hogan and Layne Johnson. We hope that this film helps to bring an added awareness about life in the rural area as Nell as its' main intent uhich is to promote Livestock ShoN '94' Thank you again and please accept our invitation to attend the Nine and cheese reception hosted by the Western Artists on Saturday June 11 in the Curling Rink lobby at 8:00 p.m. ^tl11 MR hBhRhN^!^ •:..v 19 '-•V i?KM& taBBB^wKS^^raS^'^^S^ '••:;-'-"-:"'»Q»J .'/.•-. |IIli¥Sftrfl? ^8R :V-V '"',' •';>• COMMERCIAL TRANSPORT DISTRICT ADVISORYCOMMITTEE DRAYTON VALLEY, HONOURABLE TOM THURBER Chairman Facilitator Scribe Artie T. Kos Brent Rudolfsen Wayne H. Larson P.O. Box 6717 #112 111-54 Street Main Foor, Twin Atria Drayton Valley, Alberta Provincial Building 4999 - 98 Avenue TOE 0M0 Edson, Alberta Edmonton, Alberta Phone: 542-6773 T7E1T2 T6B2X3 Phone: 723-8311 Phone: 427-8901 Municipal District of Brazeau, #77 May 20,199fpm^rE5-nn.JI[Hn\ Box 77 0 Drayton Valley, Alberta Ipi "N: '" V- -1^a y^C!) TOE 0M0 ATTENTION: Terry Fleming Director of Public Works As you are aware a Commercial Transport District Advisory Committee has been operating in the Drayton Valley constituency since October 1993. These committees were established under the direction of Honorable Peter Trenchy, Minister of Transportation and Utilities as a means of providing a structured opportunity for representatives of industryand associated interest groups to have input intothe operations of Motor Transport Services, Field Operations and Transportation Laws of Alberta in general. The committee has appreciated your attendance as an invited resource person and the insight that you were able to bring to committee members with respect to vehicles operating on your Municipal District roads. Also the contacts you have provided us with other areas has been greatly appreciated. With this in mindthe Drayton Valley Constituency Commercial Transport District AdvisoryCommittee wishes to invite you to sit on the committee as a representative of Municipal District of Brazeau #77. It is felt that your presence on the committee would further a positive exchange of information between M.D. #77 and industry operating in M.D. #77 who utilize representation through present committee members. Thank you for your consideration of this invitation. ArtieT. Kos /2*. Chairman, Drayton Valley Constituency Commercial Transport District Advisory Committee CL/smh cc: Hon. Tom Thurber Steve Callahan Char Ehlert Tom Nyuli