Bonnyville town council passed two amendments to their cannabis bylaws.
During their regular council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 14, the town gave amendments to both the consumption and land use bylaws second and third reading.
Changes to the consumption bylaw were first discussed during the Oct. 23 meeting. Council has decided to restrict cannabis consumption in public areas, treating it the same as alcohol.
CAO Mark Power requested a further amendment be made to remove the restriction of consumption in vehicles clause, since provincial law already covers the issue.
"It doesn't hurt to leave it in there because it's a repeat, but it implies that we have the authority to overrule the province, which we don't," he explained.
The town's original land use bylaw restricted cannabis retail establishments to one sign identifying their location. The amendment removes the restriction, making the sign regulation the same as other businesses in the area.
The bylaw, which refers to cannabis retail establishments, previously restricted these establishments to only one sign. A local business owner approached council requesting they revisit the topic, which led to their decision to remove the limitation.
"This bylaw has the affect of removing the limitation on signs for cannabis retail stores that makes the rules for signs exactly the same as all the other retail stores," Power detailed.
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Aquatics feasibility and visioning study set for next year
Council voted in favour of partnering on an aquatics centre feasibility and visioning study with the MD of Bonnyville. The town approved covering 50 per cent of the cost, up to $30,000.
Assistant CAO Bill Rogers said the aquatic centre committee passed a motion stating the study be undertaken by both municipalities "to explore concepts, costs, funding, and other factors per a new regional aquatics facility to be located at the C2."
Coun. Ray Prevost noted, "I think we have to do the study... You don't have to do anything until you do this study. We move forward on this issue, and see where it sits... I think we would be remiss if we didn't move forward with the study."
The approved amount will be included on the next draft of the 2019 capital budget.
The MD voted in favour of co-funding the project during their regular meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 14, approving up to $30,000 as well.
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Bonnyville downtown sign getting a face lift
After council discussed repainting the Town of Bonnyville overhead sign on main street at their Aug. 28 meeting, administration presented information on refurbishing the feature.
The project will cost just over $5,650.
"This discussion council had was the sign was in disrepair, and needs to be repainted. This is what it's going to cost to repaint it, and we have the money in the budget," Power noted.
The topic of revamping the sign was originally brought up by Coun. Chad Colbourne because Bonnyville is hosting the World Junior A Challenge (WJAC) in December.
"It's proposed that we just refinish the (sign) the way it is right now... The reason why is because we have the world coming back, and the sign is a little worn," he expressed.
While the project is slated to happen, it won't be done before the tournament.
"It takes well over a month. The sign has to come down, we had to make a decision whether we wanted no sign or that sign (during the WJAC)," Power said.
Council will provide feedback on solid waste management strategy
Councillors voted in favour of providing recommendations to the Country of Lac La Biche in regards to their solid waste management strategy.
The town received a letter in August from Lac La Biche County to be a part of the waste management initiative that would include other municipalities in the area, such as the MD of Bonnyville.
After indicating they were interested in being a part of the program, council discussed options they would like to bring forward to the County of Lac La Biche in the future.
"It's a long time coming. I think it's a very good idea to start to work with our neighbours to see what kind of strategies we can come up with locally. I'm in favour of that," expressed Mayor Gene Sobolewski.
Council agreed to meet with Lac La Biche about the opportunity to work collaboratively with other municipalities on regional waste management.
