In a partnership with the Province of Alberta, the Town of Sedgewick will be distributing 3-ply disposable face masks from their office to residents. Masks are available for free and can be picked-up as of June 8th. There is a limit of 4 masks per individual.

Although masks are not mandatory, they are being prescribed to be used in situations where physical distancing is not possible such as grocery stores or when visiting a hair salon.

Masks can be picked up for family members, friends and neighbours if they ask you to do so, however the current supply is reserved for town residents.

The Town office is located at 4818 47th Street and is open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 12pm and 1pm to 4:30pm.

This is to certify that the 2020 Combined Assessment and Tax Notices prepared by the Town of Sedgewick have been issued and mailed on May 29th, 2020, in accordance with the Municipal Government Act, Section 335.

Tax notices are deemed to have been received 7 days after they are sent, in accordance with the Municipal Government Act, Section 337.

On April 1, 2018 the Alberta Ombudsman assumed the responsibility of investigating complaints about Alberta municipalities. One of the primary tasks of the office is to instill confidence in both municipalities and complainants, by demonstrating the Ombudsman is a fair, effective and impartial office that can help resolve complaints related to administrative decisions.

Over the past two years, the office has had many interactions with municipalities across the province. In an effort to explain what their involvement may look like, they have compiled a report in which they explore specific case examples as well as general themes around municipal complaints. The goal of the report is twofold: the first, to continue developing positive rapport with municipal administration, and the second, to raise awareness and understanding of the role of the Ombudsman.

The full report can be found at https://sedgewick.ca/government/reports/

Council made decisions on the following issues at their May 21st regular meeting:

(more…)

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the May 21st regular meeting of council will be held electronically via Zoom. To access the meeting, please go to https://sedgewick.ca/live-streamed-council-meetings/

The meeting begins at 6pm.

The Recreation Funding Committee is now accepting applications for 2020 recreation funding. The Sedgewick and District Ag Society has been allocated $109,627 by Flagstaff County to distribute to deserving recreation and culture groups. Applications are due by May 15th.

(more…)

Council discussed the following issues at their April 16th, 2020 regular meeting:

FLAGSTAFF REGIONAL EMERGENCY SERVICES SOCIETY – DRAFT DOCUMENTS

Council developed an itemized list of concerns regarding the proposed agreement and bylaws for the formation of the Flagstaff Regional Emergency Services Society which will be sent to the transition team.  The purpose of the society is to amalgamate fire services within the region.

UTILITIES BYLAW

Council approved Bylaw 571, an updated version of the Utilities Bylaw.  The update included adding a section that would permit council to implement a utility deferral program by resolution.  Council has not yet exercised this option.

FEES AND CHARGES BYLAW

Council updated the Fees and Charges Bylaw by removing the monthly charge for fire services which had been charged to active utility accounts since January.  The fees were being collected in order to pay for a requisition from the Flagstaff Regional Emergency Services Society.  The society was to be formed by January 1^st, 2020 however as of yet the participating municipalities have not come to an agreement and the establishment has been delayed.  The already collected charges will be returned and will appear as credit amounts on May’s utility invoicing.

Internet charges for the Town’s broadband internet service were also added to the Bylaw.  The service includes basic, advanced and unlimited plans.

DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 20-05

Permit 20-05 was approved allowing for the discretionary use of an accessory building at the property legally described as Plan 5755s; Block A; Lots 28-31.

SEDGEWICK KILLAM NATURAL GAS SYSTEM

Council approved allocating $121,500 in the 2020 Capital Budget toward updating the gas and water meter reading system.  The current hardware and software is outdated and no longer able to be part of a maintenance/support package.  The project would include converting current meters to allow for drive-by data collection.

MAIN STREET PARKING STALLS

Council approved a motion to widen Main Street parking stalls by one foot and to decrease the angle of parking from 60 to 55 degrees resulting in 54 stalls.  Council also decided to add a portion of concrete into the corner of each landscaped bulb so as to provide easier access to the sidewalk by foot traffic.  Total estimate for the work is $12,400 with the source of funding to be Municipal Sustainability Initiative grant funding.

AUDITING SERVICES

Council approved entering into a three-year agreement with Brian King Professional Corporation to provide auditing services to town.

SEDGEWICK PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD

Council approved the appointment of Carol Arntzen to the Sedgewick Public Library Board for a three-year term and expiring on April 1^st, 2023.

Due to COVID-19 and to protect the health and safety of the public, elected officials and Town staff, Sedgewick Town Council will hold its regular meeting on Thursday, April 16th, electronically via Zoom beginning at 6 p.m.

Alberta Municipal Affairs has given municipalities flexibility under the Meeting Procedures (COVID-19 Suppression) Regulation to hold Council meetings electronically during the COVID-19 outbreak in order to comply with social distancing requirements outlined by the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

The Council meeting package for April 16th is posted online at https://sedgewick.civicweb.net/Portal/

Members of the public are welcome to listen in to the meeting by phone. Citizens who wish to access the meeting must first register by phoning the Town office at 780-384-3504 prior to 4:30pm on April 16th. Once they are registered, citizens will be provided with a toll free number to access the meeting.

Although the Sedgewick Town Office is open for business, we will be locking our front door as of Wednesday March 24th and not allowing access to further our effort towards social distancing and keeping our staff safe. Residents who require assistance may still call us at (780) 384-3504 or email reception@sedgewick.ca

Payments may be made by mail, through our mail slot in the front door, by e-transfer (email), or through your bank as an electronic fund transfer. Receipts will be mailed out upon request.

Council discussed the following issues at their March 12th regular meeting:

BYLAW 569 – TAX AND ASSESSMENT ELECTRONIC MEANS BYLAW

Council gave second and third reading of Bylaw 569.  This bylaw allows taxpayers to opt-in to receiving tax and assessment documents through secure email.  Property owners who wish to opt-in should contact Town office and complete a form.

BYLAW 570 – INTERMUNICIPAL ASSESSMENT REVIEW BOARDS BYLAW

Council gave all three readings to and approved Bylaw 570.  This bylaw establishes a joint assessment review board with neighboring municipalities and updated the previous version by removing all references to the Flagstaff Intermunicipal Partnership (FIP).  The future status of FIP is unknown at the moment.

INTERMUNICIPAL ASSESSMENT REVIEW BOARD – MEMBER

APPOINTMENT

John Lunty was appointed to the Intermunicipal Assessment Review Board for a term of 3 years.  The purpose of this board is to hear property assessment complaints

FLAGSTAFF REGIONAL EMERGENCY SERVICES SOCIETY – DRAFT

MASTER AGREEMENT AND BYLAWS

Council reviewed draft documents for the operations of the Flagstaff Regional Emergency Services Society and deferred making comment until their April regular meeting so that they would be able to have a more in-depth review.

MAIN STREET – PARKING LINES

Council requested that engineers be consulted regarding making the parking stalls on Main Street wider and more angled.