At the December 14th regular meeting of Lacombe County Council, numerous issues were discussed including financial support for The Abbey Centre, fire pits on Sylvan Lake, and stable funding for libraries.

Here are some of the notes from that meeting:

FIVE YEAR BRIDGE PROGRAM AMENDMENT

By resolution of Council, the Five-Year Bridge Program was approved as presented.

POLICY AD(4) INVESTMENTS – REVIEW

Council approved Policy AD(4) Investments. Approved revisions to the policy provide clarification on investment safety, standard of care, eligible investments, asset mix, diversification, safekeeping, and reports.

POLICY RC(6) LIBRARY SUPPORT – REVIEW

Council approved Policy AD(6) Library Support. Approved revisions to the policy provide predictable and stable funding for all libraries receiving Lacombe County Rural Services Grant funding.

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND UTILITY ACCOUNT WRITE-OFFS

Council approved the write-off of accounts receivables totaling $111,096.51 and utility accounts totaling $ 6,579.85. All efforts to collect on the outstanding accounts have been exhausted.

POLICY RC(1) FUNDING APPLICATION – TOWN OF BLACKFALDS

Lacombe County will provide financial support in the amount of $9,356.00 to the Town of Blackfalds for repairs to pool decking and water pumps at the Abbey Centre. The contribution will be funded from the Recreation and Capital Assistance Reserve.

POLICY RC(1) FUNDING APPLICATION – MIRROR JOLLY SENIORS HALL

Council approved funding up to $6,381.01 to the Mirror Jolly Seniors Club for electrical and soffit and facia repairs at the Mirror Jolly Seniors Hall. The contribution will be funded from the Recreation and Capital Assistance Reserve.

BULK WATER FILL STATION

The County Manager was authorized to engage a qualified professional to prepare a preliminary design and cost estimate for the potential construction of a bulk water fill station at the County’s remote shop property adjacent to the Hamlet of Tees.

TOWN OF BLACKFALDS/LACOMBE COUNTY ICF MASTER AGREEMENT

Council approved the revised Town of Blackfalds and Lacombe County ICF Master Agreement as presented.

LETTER FROM TOWN OF SYLVAN LAKE REGARDING FIRE PITS ON SYLVAN LAKE

The Town of Sylvan Lake has expressed concern, via a letter to Lacombe County, regarding the environmental effects of fire pits on the ice on Sylvan Lake. By resolution of Council, Councillor Wilson was appointed as the representative of Lacombe County to participate in a meeting with the Town of Sylvan Lake and other affected stakeholders regarding this concern.

GULL LAKE TRAIL

The County Manager was directed to engage with affected and interested parties to develop a trail plan for the Gull Lake Trail in 2025. If such plan is approved by Council, the County shall proceed with trail construction in 2026, pending trail routing being secured.

BYLAW NO. 1398/23 PARKS AND RESERVES MANAGEMENT BYLAW

At the October 26, 2023 Council Meeting, the first two readings of Bylaw No. 1398/23 Parks and Reserve Management were passed. At the request of Council, an article outlining key changes to Policy RC(8) and Council’s intent to give third reading to proposed Bylaw No. 1398/23 was advertised in the November County News, on the County website, and on social media; no feedback has since been received. By resolution of Council, the proposed amendments to Bylaw No. 1398/23 Parks and Reserves Management were approved. Bylaw No. 1396/23, having been read a first time and a second time, was read a third time and finally passed.

DOW CHEMICAL RAIL YARD EXPANSION LAND USE BYLAW AMENDMENT REQUEST

DOW Chemic is seeking permission to rezone approximately 9.03 acres (3.65 hectares) of their 122.2 acres (49.45 hectare) parcel (Ot. SW 31-39-25-W4M) on Prentiss Road north west of the Hamlet of Joffre, form Agricultural ‘A’ District to Heavy Industrial “I-HI’ District. This rezoning is being requested to facilitate an expansion of their existing rail yard. Bylaw No. 1399/23, a bylaw of Lacombe County to amend the Lacombe County Land Use Bylaw No. 1237/17 as it relates to land use designation, received first reading. A public hearing for Bylaw No. 1399/23 will be held on January 11, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.

UTILITY RATE BYLAWS

Council moved first, second, and third readings of the following bylaws: 1. Bylaw No. 1400/23, a bylaw respecting water and wastewater services in the Aspelund Industrial Parks. 2. Bylaw No. 1401/23, a bylaw respecting water, wastewater, and garbage collection services in the Hamlet of Mirror. 3. Bylaw No. 1402/23, a bylaw respecting water services in Lakeview Estates. 4. Bylaw No. 1403/23, a bylaw to regulate the connections and operations of communal sanitary sewage collection systems in the Blissful Beach, Kuusamo Krest, Palm Bay, Yuill, The Slopes, and Westside Country Estates subdivisions. 5. Bylaw No. 1404, a bylaw respecting water and wastewater services in the QE II West Lacombe Business Parks.

PRESENTATION BY BATTLE RIVER WATERSHED ALLIANCE

Catherine Peirce, Executive Director, Battle River Watershed Alliance, provided a presentation regarding key projects, upcoming events, and opportunities for stewardship of the Battle River Watershed Alliance

PRESENTATION BY GULL LAKE WATERSHED SOCIETY

Lon Kasha, a representative of the Gull Lake Watershed Society, provided a presentation regarding key projects and current initiatives of the Gull Lake Watershed Society.

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