Flagstaff County, as nominated by Flagstaff Family & Community Services (FFCS) was chosen as one of 15 communities in Alberta to take part in a Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) pilot project that focuses on mental health, mental illness and community well-being in Rural Alberta.

The Goal is to support 150 rural communities over the next 3 years, to develop community road-maps and actions plans through the Rural Mental Health Project (RMHN)

The Vision for this project is to support mental wellness in rural communities. CMHA believes mentally healthy communities think broadly about mental health and mental illness. This includes, but goes beyond access to treatment centres… think: Agricultural & Community Societies; service organizations and programs and committees (such as AHS – Building Blocks program, Flagstaff Beaver Early Childhood Coalition, Battle River Spray Park at Sedgewick Lake Park…)

To facilitate this project, Holly Bovencamp has been trained and is preparing to form a coalition of interested persons to set direction, generate solutions and implement a road-map/Action Plan dedicated to supporting a mentally healthy region.

Road-maps will identify existing services, community strengths, opportunities, promising practices and a set of key strategic activities to consider over the next three years and beyond.

The Coalition will also maintain ties with the Rural Mental Health Project to collaborate with other rural/remote communities across the province and will also maintain connection for additional training, resources and funding.

The proposed schedule is to hold two meetings before Ms. Bovencamp reports back to the RMHN in June 2020. The Organizational Meeting is scheduled for October 16, 2019.

Ideally, a Flagstaff Coalition would include people from all over the county, from all walks of life. If you are interested, she would love to talk further.

For more information Contact Holly at (780) 385-1446 or (780) 385-3976 (FFCS Office)

For more information, check the RMHN website.

Bylaw 559 – Utilities Bylaw

Council endorsed final readings to amended Bylaw 559, the Utilities Bylaw.

Bylaw 562 – LUB Amendment #12

Council endorsed first reading to Bylaw 562 – Amendment #12 to Land Use Bylaw 461. The amendment updates and clarifies Section 40, for Fences. A Public Hearing will be held on September 19, 2019 at 6:00 pm in the Town Administration Office Council Chambers at 4818 – 47 Street, Sedgewick. Draft copy of Bylaw 562 may be viewed on the Town of Sedgewick website (www.Sedgewick.ca)

2019 Capital Budget Amendment

Council approved an amendment to the 2019 Capital Budget to fund the increased Main Street Revitalization Project totalling $100,000 from the General Capital Reserve. Council also approved the transfer of funds from the Fire Truck Reserve to the General Capital Reserve.

FIP – Next Generation Broadband Project

Council approved commitment to Phase I and II of the Regional Broadband Project.

Main Street Pole-Mount Christmas Lighting

Council approved the purchase of 12 pole-mount Christmas Lights for $7,898 with the source of funding to be the General Operating Reserve.

Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF)

Council appointed Mayor Robinson and Councillors Levy and Imlah as representatives for the development of the ICF. (The ICF is a new legislated requirement.)

Flagstaff Scottish Club

Council waived the fees for the Flagstaff Scottish Club to use the portable stage on August 24, 2019 in exchange for a full-color ad in their program for the 2nd Annual Gathering of the Clan Highland Festival.

REMINDER: The 2019 Property Tax Deadline is one week away: JULY 31, 2019. (Property Owners on a Tax Payment Plan are excluded from this reminder.)

The Town Office is open weekdays, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (closed over lunch.)

Tax Payments sent by Canada Post must have a stamped date on or before 2019-07-31.

On August 1, 2019, Unpaid Property Taxes shall have a 10% Penalty applied against the balance owing.

National Drowning Prevention Week is July 21 – 27, 2019.

Whereas the mission of the Lifesaving Society Canada is to prevent drowning throughout this great country, and even one drowning in Alberta is one too many; and

Whereas most drowning are preventable in a Water Smart community, and only through Water Smart education and a healthy respect for the potential danger that any body of water may present can we truly enjoy the beauty and recreation opportunities offered by these bodies of water; and

Whereas the Lifesaving Society urges Canadians and residents of Sedgewick, Alberta to supervise children who are in and around the water, to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages while participating in aquatic activities, and to wear a Personal Flotation Device or lifejacket at all times when boating; and

Whereas the Lifesaving Society Canada has declared July 21 – 27, 2019 National Drowning Prevention Week to focus on the drowning problem and the hundreds of lives that could be saved this year.

Therefore, be it resolved that I, Perry Robinson, Mayor, do hereby proclaim July 21 – 27, 2019 National Drowning Prevention Week in Sedgewick, Alberta and do commend its thoughtful recognition to all citizens of our community.

After much study and deliberation, the Board of Directors of Flagstaff Waste has decided unanimously to discontinue collection of recyclable plastics for the foreseeable future.

Please “click on” this link to read Flagstaff Waste’s Poster detailing this decision

Flagstaff Waste will continue to recycle: tin, office paper, newsprint and cardboard as well as compost (grass clippings/leaves only.

Council has approved a motion to reschedule the Regular Council meeting from the third Thursday of the month to Tuesday, July 30th at 6 PM ,

Council also endorsed the cancellation of the August Council meeting; next meeting after July 30 is scheduled for Thursday, September 19 at 6 PM.

Designated Officers Bylaw

As per the 2019 Municipal Accountability Program Review Report, Council endorsed Designated Officers Bylaw 558 that establishes the positions of Assessor, Assessment Review Board clerk, Subdivision and Development Board clerk and any other required designated officers.

Utilities Bylaw

Council gave first reading to Utilities Bylaw 559 which addresses maintenance and repair responsibilities for water and sanitary sewer lateral lines.

Intermunicipal Assessment Review Board Bylaw

As per recommendations from the 2019 Municipal Accountability Program Review Report, Council endorsed Intermunicipal Assessment Review Board Bylaw 560 that replaces the former Intermunicipal ARB Bylaw 494.

Flagstaff Regional Subdivision & Development Appeal Board Bylaw

As per recommendations from the 2019 Municipal Accountability Program Review Report, Council endorsed Flagstaff Regional Subdivision & Development Appeal Board Bylaw 561 that replaces former Flagstaff SDAB Bylaw 489.

2019 Tax Recovery Auction

Council approved the reserve bids and conditions of sale for the 2019 Tax Recovery Auction properties.

Regional Broadband Project

Council withdrew from participating in the Regional Broadband Project due to the departure of other municipalities from the project.

FIP Managing Partner

Council decided to notify the Flagstaff Intermunicipal Partnership that they are not prepared to commit to a further 5 years under the current format.

Development Permit 2019-09 Variance

Council approved Development Permit 2019-09 for Plan 3825P, Block 7, Lot 1 and part of Lot 2, allowing a 5’ high fence to be built with a variance of being installed 11’ 6” from the north curb. Further, Council directed Administration to develop an amending bylaw to clarify section 40.1 of Land Use Bylaw 461 based on Council input.

Sidewalk Assessment

Council reviewed a sidewalk assessment and committed $10,000 to making the necessary repairs.

Splash Park

Council allocated $3500 towards a high-lift sewage pump for the spray park.

Summer Meeting Schedule

Council rescheduled their July regular meeting to July 30^th at 6pm and cancelled their August regular meeting.

Spruce Drive Sewer Extension

Council decided not to further extend the sewer on Spruce Drive at this time due to budgetary constraints.

Recreation Funding Committee – Phase I Allocations

Council approved the Phase I Recreation grants as per the recommendations of the Recreation Funding Committee:

Battle River Knights Hockey            $30,000

CHSPS Parent Support Group          $2,500

Flagstaff Fusion Lacrosse                  $6,000

Flagstaff Scottish Club                       $2,000

Parents for Fun in Flagstaff                $1,000

Sedgewick Curling Club                     $5,000

Sedgewick Lake Park                          $4,000

Sedgewick Minor Ball                         $1,000

Sedgewick Mixed Bowling                 $4,617

Town of Killam (Killam Rec Board)    $5,000

Valley Ski Hill Alliance                        $5,000

Sedgewick Recreation Board           $47,500

Lifesaving Society Canada – National Drowning Prevention Week

Council declared July 21-27 as National Drowning week with the following motion:

Whereas the mission of the Lifesaving Society Canada is to prevent drowning throughout this great country, and even one drowning in Alberta is one too many; and

Whereas most drowning are preventable in a Water Smart community, and only through Water Smart education and a healthy respect for the potential danger that any body of water may present can we truly enjoy the beauty and recreation opportunities offered by these bodies of water; and

Whereas the Lifesaving Society urges Canadians and residents of Sedgewick, Alberta to supervise children who are in and around the water, to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages while participating in aquatic activities, and to wear a Personal Flotation Device or lifejacket at all times when boating; and

Whereas the Lifesaving Society Canada has declared July 21 – 27, 2019 National Drowning Prevention Week to focus on the drowning problem and the hundreds of lives that could be saved this year.

Therefore, be it resolved that I, Perry Robinson, Mayor, do hereby proclaim July 21 – 27, 2019 National Drowning Prevention Week in Sedgewick, Alberta and do commend its thoughtful recognition to all citizens of our community.

The Town of Sedgewick has developed 13 lots as part of Phase I of the 54th Avenue subdivision. The lots are in the heart of our Town’s recreation district…. only steps away from the Golf Course, Rec Centre and school!

Check out the Terms of Purchase

Lot Purchase Prices

Council approved the following motions during the May 22, 2019 Council Meeting:

2019 Operating Budget

Council approved the 2019 Operating Budget set out with a request for $830,000 in Taxes which is a 1.76% increase overall, including the Alberta School Foundation Fund and the Regional Housing Group requisitions.

2019 Capital Budget

Council approved the 2019 Capital Budget with capital spending totalling $3,879,000.

NOTE: The 2019 Operating and Capital Detailed Budgets are available online at: www.sedgewick.ca

2019 Tax Rate Bylaw 557

Council approved the 2019 Tax Rate Bylaw; available online at www.sedgewick.ca

June Regular Meeting Re-scheduled

Council approved the rescheduling of the June Regular meeting to the fourth Thursday in June, on June 27^th at 6:00 pm at the Town of Sedgewick Administration Office.

Council has approved a motion to reschedule the Regular Council meeting from the third Thursday of the month to Thursday, June 27th at 6 PM