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Lacombe County Council discusses COVID restrictions at final meeting of the year

County Council will not meet again until January for its next regular meeting
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COVID-19 Q&A

Council was provided with an update on the latest COVID-19 statistics and the new mandatory restrictions introduced by the Province.

LACOMBE COUNTY MUTUAL AID ORGANIZATION – SUPPORT SERVICES AGREEMENT

By resolution Lacombe County Council authorized the provision of emergency support services by The City of Red Deer within the municipal boundaries of Lacombe County pursuant to the terms of a mutual aid agreement.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE – CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION PROGRAM

Council received a presentation on Lacombe County’s Health & Safety Certificate of Recognition (COR) Program highlighting the following:

• 2020 External Core Audit

• The Partnerships in Injury Reduction (PIR)

• The Certificate of Recognition (COR) Audit Process

• 2020 Audit Score 93 per cent

• Element Highlights

CLOSURE & CONSOLIDATION OF ROAD PLAN 736CL

At the Nov. 12 meeting, by resolution, Council instructed the County Manager to proceed with the process to close Road Plan 736CL and that this proposal be circulated to interested parties for comment. Council was informed that there have been no objections received from government agencies, utility companies or adjacent landowners.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

The 2021 Lacombe County Environmental Management Plan was adopted by Council as presented.

ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN

The 2021 Lacombe County Environmental Action Plan was adopted by Council as presented.

POLICY AG(11) CLUBROOT OF CANOLA

Policy AG(11) Clubroot of Canola received Council approval as amended.

MUNICIPAL ELECTION 2021 UPDATE

The next general municipal election is scheduled for October 18, 2021. The Local Authorities Act has had several changes since the last election in 2017.

The changes to the Act currently in place with regard to nominations, voter accessibility and eligibility, campaign finance rules and third-party advertising were reviewed. There is currently a third set of amendments before the Provincial legislature to deal with the senate elections and provincial referendum.

KEY ACTION ITEMS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

An update on the Key Action Items Implementation Plan for the 2018 to 2023 Strategic Plan was approved as presented.

ANNUAL UNCOLLECTABLE TAX CANCELLATION REQUEST

Due to the struggles of the oil and gas industry, the pandemic and associated economic decline in Alberta, Lacombe County has experienced unpaid taxes related to oil and gas wells, pipelines and other facilities. As per Council resolution, outstanding property taxes and late payment penalties in the amount of $89,808 were cancelled; and further, $50,569 of the balance will be funded from the “Allowance for Uncollectable Taxes” account and the remaining $39,239 will be funded from the 2020 operating budget.

TOWN OF BLACKFALDS – ALBERTA COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP GRANT PROGRAM

An inquiry from the Town of Blackfalds with regard to the Alberta Community Partnership Grant Program was received for information.

ASPELUND INDUSTRIAL PARKS WATER & WASTEWATER SERVICES

Council moved first, second and third readings of the following bylaw:

Bylaw 1332/20, a bylaw of Lacombe County to establish 2021 water and wastewater rates for Aspelund Industrial Parks.

BYLAW NO. 1330/20 – STATUTORY ROAD CLOSURE

Bylaw No. 1330/20 is a bylaw of Lacombe County to provide for the closure of a portion of the statutory road allowance located east of the NE Section 32, Township 38, Range 24 W4M containing 0.93 in accordance with Section 22 of the Municipal Government Act.

As per Section 22, Bylaw No. 1330/20 was forwarded to the Minister of Transportation for approval prior to consideration of second and third reading by Council. As the approval was received from the Minister, Council granted second and third reading and so passed Bylaw No. 1330/20.

BYLAW NO. 1333/20

Bylaw No.1333/20, a bylaw of Lacombe County to provide for the orderly proceedings of Council meetings and the transacting of business by the Council of Lacombe County. Bylaw No. 1333/20 received first, second and third reading and so passed. Bylaw 1333/20 provides for an amendment with regard to Councillor participation in a meeting by means of electronic or other communication facilities.

EAST CENTRAL EXPRESS TRANSPORTATION SERVICE LTD.

A presentation by Robert Duncan, representing East Central Express Transportation Service Ltd. was received for information.

BYLAW NO. 1328/20 BUFFALO LAKE IDP

Bylaw No. 1328/20, a bylaw of Lacombe County to amend the Buffalo Lake Intermunicipal Development Plan (BLIDP), received second reading of Council.

REGIONAL WASTEWATER LINE – JOINT SERVICING OF SUMMER VILLAGE OF SUNBREAKER COVE/LACOMBE COUNTY

The County Manager was authorized to enter into negotiations with the Summer Village of Sunbreaker Cove for the joint servicing of the Summer Village Sunbreaker Cove and Lacombe County through the construction of a regional wastewater line.

-Submitted by Lacombe County