MARCH 2021 BIGHORN NEWS
In This Issue: MD Elections...... 2 MD Finance...... 3 Flood Projects Update...... 4 Bylaw News...... 5 MD Information...... 6 Community Services...... 7 Municipal Calendar...... 12
Photo Credit: ROB FULLEN FABLE MOUNTAIN MD ELECTIONS
THINKING ABOUT RUNNING FOR MUNICIPAL OFFICE? The Municipal General Election will be held Monday, October 18, 2021 The Nomination period began on January 1, 2021 and runs until 12:00 p.m. (Noon) on September 20, 2021 (Nomination Day) If you are thinking about running, here are some important things you should consider before you file nomination papers. Qualifications of a Candidate A person may be nominated as a candidate in the municipal election if, on Nomination Day (September 20, 2021), the person is: ◊ 18 Years of age or older, ◊ a Canadian citizen, ◊ you must have been a resident of the local jurisdiction for the 6 consecutive months preceding nomination day. **You must also have been a resident of the ward in which you intend to run for the same six-month period.** ◊ Not otherwise ineligible or disqualified. Are you eligible to be nominated? You would not be eligible to become a candidate under any of the following circumstances: • If you are an auditor of the municipality • If you are a municipal employee, unless you take the entitled leave of absence • If your property taxes are more than $50 in arrears or you are in default, for more than 90 days, for any other debt in excess of $500 to the municipality. • If you have, within the previous 10 years, been convicted of a offense under the LocalAuthorities Election Act, the Election Act or the Canada Elections Act. • If you are a judge, member of parliament, senator, or member of the legislative assembly, you must resign that position before you take office as a member of council. Do you understand the position? As a member of Council, you will have the opportunity to significantly influence the future of your community. Your power as a member of Council depends on your ability to persuade the other members of Council to adopt your view. All decisions must be made at meetings, held in public, at which a quorum is present. Do you have the time? The demands on your time will be heavy. You will be elected for a four-year term of office and during that time you will be required to attend: ► regular and special meetings of council ► council committee meetings ► meetings of other boards and agencies to which you are appointed as council’s representative ► conferences, conventions, seminars, and workshops for training and discussion ► social and other events promoting your municipality Being a member of Council is more than a part time job. Potential candidates for the Municipal District of Bighorn must be willing to expend the time and energy required to provide quality governance for our rate payers. Effective decisions involving budgets, policies, bylaws, and corporate operations can only be achieved with a full commitment to be engaged and willing to read, listen and understand the information required for sound decision making. You will also need to spend time reading material and talking with residents, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), and others. This will all be part of the necessary preparation for meetings so that you can make informed decisions. For more Candidate information visit our website at www.mdbighorn.ca Page 2 MD FINANCE
PROPERTY ASSESSMENT NOTICES The MD of Bighorn has enlisted the services of a new property assessment contractor – KCL Consulting. KCL Consulting continues to visit MD properties to better understand the assessment base. You may visit their website at www.kcl-consulting.com The annual Assessment Notices have been mailed. If you have not received your notice, please contact the office and we would be happy to send you another copy. Please note: 1. The deadline to file an appeal of your assessment will be 60 days after notices are mailed. Forms for filing an appeal are available on our website or can be picked up at our office. 2. An advertisement that assessment notices have been sent is placed in three local newspapers, which constitutes as mailing, whether the owner actually received the notice or not. We make every effort to ensure that notices are sent to all property owners, but sometimes the addresses we have on file are incorrect. Please remember to update our office and Land Titles Alberta (through your nearest registry office) when your mailing address changes. The MD of Bighorn has an online form to update your address. 3. The MD encourages you to contact KCL Consulting Inc. to discuss any concerns you have with your assessment before filing a formal appeal at:www.kcl-consulting.com/inquiry-form or 1-888-419-2128. 4. The fees for appealing 2021 assessment are $50.00 for each residential/farmland and $650.00 for each commercial/industrial appeal. If your appeal is successful, your fees will be returned to you. 5. The Assessment Review Board Clerk is Lana Hill. If you need to submit your assessment review board appeal please send it to [email protected] or mail it to PO Box 310, Exshaw AB, T0L 2C0 or drop it off to the Administration office at #2 Heart Mountain Drive, Exshaw, Attention Lana Hill.
A list of all assessed values and complaint forms will be available on our website, www.mdbighorn.ca, or at the M.D. offices.
PROPERTY TAX NOTICES The annual Property Tax Notices will be mailed in May 2021 and are due June 30, 2021. Please note: 1. Be sure to put the correct date on your payment, to avoid the application of a 9% penalty on July 1, 2021. 2. Consider signing up for our monthly tax installment payment plan (TIPP). Contact our office for more information. For more information contact our office or check out our website at www.mdbighorn.ca
Page 3 FLOOD PROJECT UPDATE
HEART CREEK - DRONE IMAGE BY BOW KOR
EXSHAW CREEK The Exshaw Creek flood mitigation and landscaping projects are complete and in the warranty period. In January, 2021 two piezometers were installed near Exshaw Creek to replace two piezometers that were removed during construction. These piezometers will be used to measure groundwater flows. HEART CREEK Due to technical difficulties experienced by a subcontractor, completion of the Heart Creek project has been delayed until 2021. The contractor has constructed a temporary channel to carry the spring runoff. The emergency stockpile of class 4 rip-rap is still available for use in case of a debris flood in spring 2021. In the event of a debris flood, this rip-rap will be used to partially block the culvert under highway 1 to divert the main flow to the east, thereby protecting the community of Lac Des Arcs. JURA CREEK Final design of the Jura Creek flood mitigation project is currently underway. If all regulatory permits and stakeholder approvals can be obtained in a timely manner, construction could start as early as July, 2021. FUNDING FOR FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECTS Over the last three years the MD of Bighorn has secured an additional $8.5 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments for purpose of completing flood mitigation projects at Exshaw, Heart, Jura and Pigeon Creeks.
Page 4 BYLAW NEWS
PET LICENSE RENEWAL NOTICE As we are well into the new year, the M.D. of Bighorn is reminding pet owners to renew their dog’s license. A dog license and accompanying identification tag are required for every dog over six months of age in Harvie Heights, Dead Man’s Flats, Lac Des Arc and Exshaw. Licenses are sold for $20 (neutered) or $100 for intact male/female. Key Points • Dog owners are required to purchase a license every year. • A dog license acts as a critical piece of ID. In the event of a lost or missing dog is found, the tag can be used to contact the owner. You can also provide a photo to be attached to the license. • Dog licenses can be purchased at the Municipal Office in Exshaw at #2 Heart Mountain Drive or by visiting the form center on our website
http://mdbighorn.ca/FormCenter/Financial-Services-7/Pet-License-Form-47 The fine for this offence under the Domestic Animal Control Bylaw is $75.
Owners in the Hamlets of Dead Man’s Flats, Lac All dog owners are reminded to clean up des Arcs and Harvie Heights are also reminded to after their dogs! please keep their pets on a leash! It’s not only a Every year complaints are bylaw violation but its also safer to have your dog received that not all dog on a leash. Being off leash is only one offence, but it owners are not cleaning up can lead to a host of others under the Bylaw. after their dog. There are health concerns linked to The current fine for this violation (first pet waste not being properly offence) is $100.00. disposed of. Bags and bins are provided by the MD in all Hamlets. The current Domestic Animal Control Bylaw states: “No Owner, whose Domestic Animal defecates on any Private or Public Property, other than the property of the owner, must ensure that defecation is removed immediately, and placed into a waste receptacle.” The fine for this offence is $250!
Page 5 MD INFORMATION
2021 SPRING CLEAN-UPS AND LANDFILL HOURS
LOCATION CLEAN UP WEEKEND PICK-UP DATES Dead Man’s Flats / May 8 & 9, 2021 May 10, 2021 Kananaskis Settlement Benchlands May 15 & 16, 2021 May 17, 2021 Exshaw May 29 & 30, 2021 May 31, 2021 Lac Des Arcs June 5 & 6, 2021 June 7, 2021 Harvie Heights June 12 & 13, 2021 June 14, 2021
RULES FOR 2021 SPRING CLEAN-UPS AND LANDFILL HOURS 1. Only branches and brush will be picked up. 2. MATERIAL IN BAGS WILL NOT BE PICKED UP. PLEASE USE COMPOST FACILITIES FOR LEAVES AND GRASS. 3. Materials other than branches and brush will not be picked up and remain the responsibility of the resident to take to the appropriate recycling, or landfill site. Household garbage goes in the normal waste stream to Calgary. 4. No materials may be placed on the road sides after midnight on Sunday. 5. There is a limit of one load per household. A truck load is considered to be 8’×7’×4’. FRANCIS COOKE REGIONAL LANDFILL 6. Material for pick-up should be no longer that 8 HOURS OF OPERATION feet in length and neatly stacked alongside the roadway in a manner, which does not impair Monday through Saturday traffic or become a safety concern. Branches 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. and bushes stacked with all the trunks parallel For more information call will be easier to pick-up with our Skid Steer. 403-673-2708 ANY BRANCHES LONGER THAN 8 FEET WILL NOT BE PICKED UP. 7. There is no charge for this service.
Page 6 COMMUNITY SERVICES
Town of Cochrane has compiled these lists of things we can do while keeping our distance and helping to reduce COVID spread. The list and links are listed on their website under SOCIAL RECOVERY TASK FORCE
THINGS YOU CAN DO DURING COVID-19 As we all adjust to following COVID safety protocols, there are still things we can do to make each day a little bit brighter. Here are some ideas for activities you can enjoy, online and in-person, while keeping yourself and your family safe. o 10 things to experience art, music and culture o 10 things to experience your neighbourhood o 10 things to experience the great outdoors o 10 things to be a tourist in your own town o 10 things to experience an Alberta staycation o 10 things to discover Cochrane’s history o 10 things to discover world culture o 10 things: Choose your own adventure!
INCOME TAX PREPARATION Simple tax return preparation is a free service offered by Canmore and Cochrane FCSS for lower income MD and area residents. Keeping your tax returns current is important to ensure you are accessing all the support programs available to you and you get any refunds! Please book your appointment early for this popular service. If your tax returns are not filed by April 30 various Seniors (Old Age Security, Canada Pension Plan, Guaranteed Income Supplement, Alberta Seniors Benefits), Disability, Child Care Benefits, GST and Carbon Tax Credits may stop or any increases you are entitled to will not occur. If your income is suddenly less than usual some senior’s programs allow for a current year income estimate to be submitted – this needs to be done early in the year so that your new benefit year will be adjusted correctly (the Seniors Benefits year runs July 1 to June 30). Please contact Community Services Coordinator Deb Grady for further information on submitting an Income Estimate.
Page 7 COMMUNITY SERVICES
2021 MD COMMUNITY GRANTS The MD of Bighorn is pleased to announce that the following organizations received Community Service Grant funding for 2021 or their 2020 funding was extended to 2021:
Canmore Alberta Canada Day Society Cochrane and Area Rural Crime Watch
Cochrane New Year’s Eve Family Celebration Dead Man’s Flats Community Association
Exshaw Community Association Ghost Watershed Alliance Society
Guy Gibson (Benchlands) Community Harvie Heights Community Association Association
KidSport Bow Valley McDougall Stoney Mission Society
Palliative Care Society of the Bow Valley Water Valley Library Society
These 2021 Capital projects received Community Enhancement Fund grants which are collected from the hosting fees paid by the Bow Valley Waste Management Commission on Francis Cooke Landfill operations. Exshaw Community Hall – 2020-21 groundwater flood repairs & upgrades Ward 1 – Exshaw Recreation Grounds – 2020 Backstop Repairs (extended to 2021) Wards 1, 2, 3 & Dead Man’s Flats Community Rink/Play Surface (pending provincial 4 – matching grant)
Ward 3 – Jumpingpound Hall – 2020 electrical repairs (extended to 2021)
Ghost Waiparous Trails Association – new bench Ward 4 – Water Valley Community Hall – small equipment purchases
2021 Community Insurance Grants were awarded to these community associations to assist with 75% of the cost of General Liability and Directors Liability Insurance coverage for their societies. Dead Man’s Flats, Exshaw, Guy Gibson (Benchlands), Harvie Heights. Lac des Arcs The MD of Bighorn also supports other organizations on an annual basis through its regular budget process, including: Bighorn Library Society STARS Air Ambulance Bow Valley Biosphere Institute Cochrane and Area Victim Services Bow Valley Victim Services Marigold Library The MD believes it is important to support community organizations and the volunteers who provide so much to all of us. Do you belong to a local community organization in the MD of Bighorn that could benefit from some funding to help with a project or to recognize your volunteers? If so, the MD has small grant program to assist. Check out mdbighorn.ca/309/Grant-Programs web pages or call Community Services for more information on our grants, eligibility, application processes and deadlines.
Page 8 COMMUNITY SERVICES
DEAD MAN’S FLATS COMMUNITY GARDEN There’s a new landmark in Dead Man’s Flats. A jumble of highly organized edible plants hugging the edge of the TransCanada highway. Cars whizzing past 23 raised vegetable beds laden with rows of beet greens, climbing pea tendrils, and herbs gone to seed, their flowers oscillating against a fierce chinook wind. This May, during the height of the pandemic, volunteers and businesses worked together to complete the Dead Man’s Flats Community Garden. It took three years of planning for the Community Garden to finally begin to take form. The site levelling, wildlife fence construction and waterline installation were completed in 2019 by community volunteers and funded by the Dead Man’s Flats Community Association in conjunction with River’s Bend Development Inc. In May of 2020 the garden bed frames were built, painted with wood preservative, and then assembled on site. Over a 3 day period landscape fabric was laid, the garden beds were positioned and filled with garden soil, and then surrounded by crushed gravel to hold them in place and form walkways. All of this work took place while social distancing and maintaining a 15 person on site maximum. The community looks forward to welcoming visitors to our garden when COVID 19 restrictions have been lifted. As the first season wrapped we realized it was not only about growing a garden that surpassed our expectations; joyous with colour and bountiful food. It was about trying something new, gardening with neighbours, swapping tips with each other, donating food to the community, and watching children nip in and out of the garden while dogs waited patiently outside the gate. Connecting with each other during the dreariness of lock-down life and enjoying and sharing the fruits of our labour was an unexpected high point this year. Thank you to the MD of Bighorn for financing the majority of the project, providing support and for donating the land in conjunction with Alberta Transportation. Many thanks to Alberta Parks and Recreation for grant funding. Thank you as well to all the volunteers, municipal staff, Councilor Rosvold and the following businesses who made this project possible; Graymont for donating all the crushed gravel, Competition Concrete for donating the bobcat and the amazing operator, Ground Work Garden Design, Downer Contracting, Canmore Plumbing and Heating, River’s Bend Development Inc. and the Lopushinsky family for the water tank and garden bed design and construction. Anyone from DMF interested in the Community Garden please contact [email protected] Authors: Lynn Brown & Karen Tewnion
Page 9 COMMUNITY SERVICES
KEEPINGKEEPING GOODGOOD FOODFOOD FROMFROM BECOMINGBECOMING FOODFOOD WASTEWASTE
Volunteers & MD Bighorn supporting BreadBread RescueRescue
Generally Sundays 3pm, Tuesdays/Thursdays 6pm Exshaw Post Office lobby Take what donated bread you need and can use.. Watch Exshaw Block Watch Facebook group for updates & help by flattening & recycling boxes as they empty.
If you can, donate $5 via e-transfer to [email protected] or donate online to canmorefoodrecoverybarn.weebly.com
Page 10 COMMUNITY SERVICES
Community Services and Contact Information My Street Address:______24-hour numbers My Fire Emergency Address:______My Legal Address:______Police / Fire / Ambulance 911 myAlbertaSupports.ca 877-644-9992 RCMP Canmore 403-678-5516 Health Services Cochrane 403-851-8000 Alberta Health Link 811 Sundre 403-638-3655 Poison Centre 800-332-1414 Community Watch issues; call local RCMP not 911 Canmore Hospital - Emergency Dept. 403-678-5536 MD Bighorn Bylaw Services 403-673-3611, 233 or 160 Cochrane Urgent Care 403-851-6000 MD Public Works Emergency 403-673-3611, option 1 Canmore Public Health 403-678-5656 Bow Valley SPCA 403-609-2022 Cochrane Community Health 403-851-6000 Cochrane Humane Society 403-932-2072 Home Care Canmore 403-678-7200 Forest Fires (toll-free, 24/7) 310-FIRE (3473) Home Care Cochrane 403-851-6060 Report a Poacher & Land Use Infractions 800-642-3800 Palliative Care Society of Bow Valley 403-707-7111 Fish and Wildlife Cochrane 403-932-2388 STD’s / AIDS / HIV Information Line 811 Francis Cooke Regional Landfill 403-673-2708 Family & Community Support Services Crisis Supports Community and Social Supports 211 Bow Valley Victim Services 403-760-0197 FCSS Canmore 403-609-3743 Cochrane & Area Victim Services 403-851-8055 FCSS Cochrane 403-851-2250 AHS Addiction Services- Help Line 1-866-332-2322 MD Bighorn Community Services 403-673-3611 x 223 AHS Mental Health Crisis Line 1-877-303-2642 Parent Support Association of Calgary 403-270-1809 Mental Health Clinics Intake Line 1-844-943-1500 Kids Help Phone 800-668-6868 Distress Centre Crisis Line www.ab.211.ca 211 Teen Help Line (Peer Talk) 403-264-TEEN (8336) Family Violence Bullying Help Line 888-456-2323 Child and Family Services – Calgary 403-297-6100 Cochrane Boys & Girls Club 403-981-2020 Child Abuse Line (24hr) 800-387-KIDS (5437) Family Resource Network - Bow Valley 403-678-2529 24 Hour Family Violence Helpline 403-234-SAFE (7233) Family Resource Network - Cochrane 403-851-2265 Calgary Emergency Shelter toll-free 866-606-7233 Libraries YWCA Sheriff King Crisis Line 403-266-0707 Bighorn Public (Exshaw) 403-673-3571 Family Violence Info Line (toll-free, 24/7) 403-310-1818 Canmore Public 403-678-2468 Nan Boothby Public (Cochrane) 403-932-4353 Water Valley Library 403-637-3899 Community Groups Beaupre Community Association www.beauprehall.com Benchlands Community Association [email protected] Dead Man’s Flats Community Association [email protected] Exshaw Community Association www.exshaw.ca Exshaw Legion 179 [email protected] Ghost Waiparous Trails Association [email protected] Ghost Watershed Alliance Society www.ghostwatershed.ca Harvie Heights Community Association [email protected] Heart Mountain Go-getters www.exshaw.ca/heart-mountain-go-getters Jumpingpound Community Association [email protected] Lac des Arcs Community Association [email protected] Water Valley Community Association www.ilovewatervalley.com Useful Links: Alberta Emergency Alert www.emergencyalert.alberta.ca Emergency Preparedness –72-hour kit http://www.aema.alberta.ca/personal-emergency-preparedness MD Bighorn website http://mdbighorn.ca/ • Emergency notification sign up http://mdbighorn.ca/379/Emergency-Notification • Community Services http://mdbighorn.ca/269/community-services/ • Event Calendars http://mdbighorn.ca/449/events/ • Bylaw Services http://www.mdbighorn.ca/267/Bylaw-Services • Pet Licence & Bylaw http://www.mdbighorn.ca/524/Pet Licenses • Good Food Box http://www.mdbighorn.ca/577/Good-Food-Box Bow Valley Affordability Guide www.banff.ca/index.aspx?NID=187 Crossway Thrift Store (Canmore) http://web.rmvc.ca/thrift-store.html Cochrane Home Treasures http://www.cochranehometreasures.ca/ Clothesline Thrift Store (Cochrane) http://www.cochraneactivettes.com/clothing-store-cochrane/ Bow Valley Regional Housing www.BVRH.ca Community Key http://keyed.ca/ Benefit for Parents of Young Victims http://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/ of Crime services/parents-young-victims-crime.html Cochrane & Area Rural Crimewatch www.cfparcw.ca Cochrane & Area Hospice Society www.cochranehospicesociety.ca WildSmart www.wildsmart.ca Page 11 MUNICIPAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS
MEETINGS IN THE MD OF BIGHORN DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC All the meetings of MD Council, Board, Committees and Commissions are being held by video conferencing. Public meetings are live streamed via the MD of Bighorn’s Youtube channel. Please contact the MD office at 403-673-3611 or by [email protected] for more information Please note, the scheduled meetings shown below are subject to change.
March 3 Bighorn Corridor Environment Committee 4:00 pm March 9 Council Meeting 9:00 am ASEAB Agriculture Services And Environmental Advisory March 12 9:00 am Board March 17 Municipal Planning Commission 9:00 am March 22 Streets and Roads Committee 9:00 am March 23 Finance and Economic Development Committee 9:00 am April 2 GOOD FRIDAY OFFICE CLOSED April 5 EASTER MONDAY OFFICE CLOSED April 13 Council Meeting 9:00 am April 21 Municipal Planning Commission 9:00 am April 26 Streets and Roads Committee 9:00 am April 27 Finance and Economic Development Committee 9:00 am May 11 Council Meeting 9:00 am May 19 Municipal Planning Commission 9:00 am May 24 VICTORIA DAY OFFICE CLOSED May 24 Streets and Roads Committee 9:00 am May 25 Finance and Economic Development Committee 9:00 am
Municipal Website: www.mdbighorn.ca MD of Bighorn MD Bighorn @MDBighorn @ExshawFire Council Contact us Reeve Phone: (403)-673-3611 Dene Cooper [email protected] Calgary Direct: (403)-233-7678 Fax: (403)-673-3895 Deputy Reeve Email: [email protected] Paul Clark [email protected] Website: www.mdbighorn.ca Councillors Mailing/Civic Address: Lisa Rosvold [email protected] Box 310 #2 Heart Mountain Drive Paul Ryan [email protected] Exshaw, AB T0L 2C0 Erik Butters [email protected]
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