MD of Bonnyville council now has a better idea of what to expect from the 2020 Cold Lake Air Show after a presentation from Wing Commander of 4 Wing Cold Lake, Col. Paul Doyle.
The show, which is scheduled for July 18 and 19 next year, will build off of the success of their 2018 event, Doyle expressed during the MD's committee meeting on Wednesday, June 5.
“The fact that we’re doing it on a two-year cycle is really great from a managing and planning out perspective,” he noted. “It doesn’t overwhelm everyone and it allows us to ensure we have the emphasis, energy, and dedication to put in the line of effort required for what we think is one of the larger tourism events in northeastern Alberta."
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Moose Lake Watershed Society taking a new direction for Moose Lake
The MD has agreed to reallocate their $50,000 contribution for equipment used to test the DNA of Moose Lake to a different project.
At the request of the Moose Lake Watershed Society, council will instead put the money towards an internal phosphorus study.
The project would be conducted by Algae Control Canada at a cost of over $40,000.
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Busy beavers
Director of agriculture and waste services, Matt Janz, explained how the MD is battling pesky beavers this year.
"Obviously our trapping season has come to an end officially, but we still do trapping on our own roadways that we have care and control of," he detailed. "Blasting on our creeks and rivers where there's fish spawning is still on hold until July 1, but we do have a list ongoing right now that we're doing some flood mitigation and blasting where we don't have any fish spawning."
The drier weather has also helped when it comes to flooding issues, although it's hard on crops, Janz expressed.
Blueprints for the fire halls
Council has given the green light on blueprints for the Ardmore and Fort Kent Fire Halls, however, there is still an opportunity for change when it comes to the aesthetics of the facility.
After discussing including a rest area for those travelling along the Iron Horse Trail, council voted to accept the blueprints as they were with the chance to alter the outside design of the building.
Coun. Ben Fadeyiw was opposed to going ahead, suggesting council delve deeper into the opportunity to create more of a "style," specifically in relation to the side facing the trail.
"I think the thought was to put the overhang on the back to start, and then fill in those finer details afterwards," stated Reeve Greg Sawchuk.
He added, "This could get drawn out, administration comes back with a proposal, we look at it... and we go on for another month and a half. I think we need to get the work started."
Council adopts 2019 budget, passes mill rate
The MD of Bonnyville adopted their $132-million budget for 2019. This includes both the operational and the capital budgets.
The municipality has included $25,000 for the regional aquatics centre feasibility study, 15,000 for the North Shore Heights Trail, $1.5-million in funding for the Wolf Lake Road surface work, and just shy of $250,000 for the Wolf Lake Rd. bridge.
For 2019, small businesses can expect a reduced mill rate from last year at 13.05.
The non-residential mill rate is set at 14.5 mills, compared to 15 mills in 2018.
The residential and farmland mill rates are remaining the same as 2018.
CAO Luc Mercier said, "I commend council on its direction to move towards the 5:1 ratio... I think that's great and it says a lot about this council and where you're going and what you're showing for businesses, especially during a tough time. Kudos to you, I know it's tough to do, and you accommodated it in your budget."
