Regional funding made available through the ID 349 agreement will be used to combat rural crime.
On Wednesday, Jan. 9, MD of Bonnyville Reeve Greg Sawchuk explained how intermunicipal funding available through ID 349 that is meant to be used on a regionally-driven project is going to cover the cost of creating a team to support the Regional Eastern Alberta District Rural Crime Reduction Unit.
The decision follows a joint meeting between local municipalities and Métis settlements within the agreement.
"Everyone sees the need for crime prevention," explained Sawchuk.
According to director of public safety for the MD Chris Garner, Prince Albert, SK, created an approach to combat and reduce social issues that contribute to crime.
The hub model focuses on improving communities through partnerships and mobilization of multiple agencies and organizations, he described, adding the initiative has been very effective.
The crime reduction unit will cost over $474,000, plus the wages for support staff. In order to access the intermunicipal funding from the ID 349 agreement, the municipalities must submit an application to Alberta Municipal Affairs.
"This, I feel, is truly a regional project," Sawchuk expressed.
Council passed a motion during their meeting to support the application to Municipal Affairs, and to look into how the hub model could be utilized locally.
All councillors were in favour, aside from Ed Duchesne.
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Libraries share their successful years and plans for 2019
Bonnyville Municipal Library director Ina Smith made a presentation to council to request additional funding for the new year.
According to Smith, the local library has patrons from across the region utilizing their services and programming. In 2018, over 33,000 of their circulation was by those who live in the MD, while town residents accounted for just over 28,700.
This year, their ask is for a lump sum of over $148,000, rather than the previous per capita model.
In terms of the Cold Lake Public Library, Lesley Price informed council they were requesting an increase in funding of just shy of $1,500, for a total of about $72,700.
The increase is to help support their growth in 2019, Price said.
Council will bring both items back for discussion during their budget deliberations in the coming weeks.
"I think it's amazing what both libraries are accomplishing," noted Coun. Marc Jubinville.
MD awards recreation feasibility study tender
The MD of Bonnyville has awarded RC Strategies the tender for their Recreation and Culture Facility feasibility study at a cost of just under $25,000.
The study, which was given the go-ahead by council at their Nov. 28, 2018 meeting, will review the proposed recreation park facility west of Bonnyville.
The funds will be taken from the Parks and Recreational Development Fund restricted surplus.
Coyote and Wolf Reduction Program going strong
Director of agriculture and waste Matt Janz told council their Coyote and Wolf Reduction Program is doing well so far.
"It's fairly consistent," he explained when discussing the number of coyotes being brought into the municipality.
A total of 438 coyotes have been received so far. The number of wolves is a little less than prior years with only four.
As animals are brought in, they're checked for disease, which has been noted on some.
Janz said so far, mange has been present, but the number of ticks seems to be down.
The information they gather is provided to Alberta Fish and Wildlife, he added.
MD renews VSI contract for 2019
Council voted to renew their veterinary health program, which expired on Dec. 31, 2018.
The initiative covers 50 per cent of the costs of veterinary fees for ag producers within the municipality. It doesn't pay for medications.
According to Janz, it was created in order to retain and recruit large animal vets to the area, and has been ongoing for over 15 years.
Coun. Dana Swigart suggested the Agricultural Service Board (ASB) review the program's policies, and recommended creating a funding cap per producer.
Janz said he would take the issue back to the board for discussion.
