On Thursday, February 22nd, Lacombe County held their regular council meeting. 

Here are some of the highlights from that meeting.

AGRICULTURE SERVICE BOARD MEETING NOTES

Council reviewed the meeting notes of the January 17, 2024, Lacombe County Agriculture Service Board (ASB) meeting and approved recommendations as follows:

• That the Drought Support Programming Report be received for information.

• That the 2023 Insect Surveillance Report be received for information.

• That the 2024 Agricultural Services Operational Plan be received for information.

• That the County Manager be directed to explore options to support veterinary students practicing within Lacombe County.

• That Council consideration be given for an Agricultural Service Board Member to participate as a member of the Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) Lacombe Public Advisory Committee.

• That the 2024 Provincial ASB Conference Resolutions be received for information.

• That the Agricultural Plastics Volume Report be received for information.

• That the 2024 – 2028 ALUS Lacombe Strategic Plan be received for information.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING NOTES

The following recommendations from the Committee of the Whole meeting held on February 6, 2024, received the approval of Council:

• That the Dust Control Program Overview be received for information; and further, that the County Manager be directed to provide a report and recommendation regarding subsidy options, the number of calcium applications, and the impact of loopholes (ie. landowner applications on behalf of commercial or industrial businesses to mitigate cost) related to the Dust Control Program, for consideration at a future Council meeting.

• That the FCSS Funding Allocation and Program Review be received for information; and further, that the County Manager be directed to provide a report with further details about current FCSS servicing in Lacombe County as well as home support options for outlying communities, for consideration at a future Council meeting.

• That the Golf Carts on Municipal Roads Presentation be received for information; and further, that the County Manager be directed to prepare a report and recommendation, identifying lobbying efforts and next steps in advancing the issue of golf carts on municipal roads (including writing a letter to Minister of ATEC as well as speaking notes to address the Minister at the Spring RMA Convention), for consideration at a future Council meeting.

• That the Elizabeth Lake Presentation be received for information; and further, that the County Manager be directed to provide a report and recommendation regarding the City’s request for County support of the Elizabeth Lake Outlet Project, for consideration at a future Council meeting.

• That the presentation on Environmental Regulatory Requirements for Municipal Operations be received for information.

• That the discussion regarding Brownfield Solar sites be received for information.

• That the Lacombe Lake Water Level discussion be received for information; and further that the County Manager be directed to send a response letter to the Alexander Family advising that the County’s position remains that the control structure is being operated in accordance with the lake levels set out in the 1970 Grant of Easement and that no further action will be taken at this time.

• That Mark Sproule, Manager of Community Peace Officer Services, be directed to draft a response to the Provincial Police Advisory Questionnaire on behalf of Council for consideration at a future Council meeting.

TOWN OF BLACKFALDS REQUEST TO ACQUIRE AN INTEREST IN LAND

By resolution of Council, Lacombe County consents to the Town of Blackfalds purchasing an approximate 9.02-acre parcel of land within the County located in Lot 5, Block 1, Plan 152 0048 (SE 3- 40-27-W4M) to facilitate the construction of a stormwater management system.

CITY OF LACOMBE ELIZABETH LAKE OUTLET PROJECT

Lacombe County will provide the City of Lacombe with a letter of support, in principle, to change the portion of the Elizabeth Lake boundary that affects the southern end of Wildrose Street; and further, that Lacombe County supports the City of Lacombe engaging with the Lacombe County private landowner to change the Elizabeth Lakebed-and-shore boundary.

POLICY RC(9) COUNTY SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, EVENTS, & ACTIVITIES UPDATE

Council approved the following 2024 RC(9) funding applications:

photo of spreadsheet

 

ALBERTA COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP GRANT APPLICATION – REGIONAL RECREATION FACILITY PLAN

The City of Lacombe has proposed the development of a long-range recreation facility plan for the City of Lacombe, Lacombe County, and the Town of Blackfalds, to be funded through an Alberta Partnership Grant, with the intent of developing a future multi-use facility. This topic will be further discussed at a future Council Committee of the Whole meeting.

RCMP ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PLANS

At the request of the RCMP Detachment Commanders in Bashaw, Blackfalds, Ponoka, Rimbey, and Sylvan Lake, Council identified crime reduction, road safety, communication, and mental health and wellness as priorities for inclusion in the Detachment Commander’s Annual Performance Plans. Councillor Kreil, Councillor Weenink, and Mark Sproule, Manager of Community Peace Officer Services, were authorized as the Lacombe County representatives to meet with the Blackfalds and Sylvan Lake Detachment Commanders to discuss these priorities.

ASPELUND JOINT ECONOMIC AREA WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICING

The County Manager was authorized to enter into an agreement with the Town of Blackfalds for the upgrade of the Broadway Reservoir and Pumps to service the Lacombe County and Town of Blackfalds Joint Economic Area. The County’s share of this project, estimated at $2,540,000, will be funded from the Aspelund Water Offsite Levy Reserve.

BYLAW NO. 1408/24 RESERVE LAND DESIGNATION

Bylaw No. 1408/24, a bylaw of Lacombe County to designate certain lands as municipal reserve, environmental reserve and public utility lot received first reading and approval to hold a public hearing. A public hearing for Bylaw No. 1408/24 will be held on April 25, 2024, commencing at 9:00 a.m. at Lacombe County Council Chambers

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