On November 16, at the Regular Schedule Council meeting, Council approved a motion for an additional $30,000 to the 2023 legal budget from unrestricted general reserves to address the noncompliance of declared restricted and nuisance dogs within the regulations of the Animal Control Bylaw.

November 17,22 Council Highlights

Bylaw 595 Fees & Charges Bylaw

Council approved 2^nd and 3^rd reading of the news Fees & Charges Bylaw to take effect January 1, 2023.

2023 Operating Budget

Council approved the 2023 Operating Budget in the amount of $3,040,010.

Bylaw 596 Consolidations and Corrections Bylaw

Council approved all readings of Bylaw 5996 Consolidations and Corrections Bylaw which allows Administration to consolidate bylaws that have been amended and to make grammatical or clerical corrections to bylaws.

Policy 17-02 Human Resources Policy

Council approved the Human Resources Policy with changes to the accrued sick time, office closure days at Christmas and removal of Firefighters from long-term service awards.

Sedgewick Recreation Board Mowing Agreement

Council rescinded the earlier motion approving the mowing of public lands by the Sedgewick Recreation Board staff effective 2023.

Interim CAO Contract

Council approved the extension and amendment to the Interim CAO contract.

October 20, 2022 Council Meeting Highlights

RECREATION TAX – RECREATION CENTRE HEATING COSTS

Council approve adding a monthly recreation fee to the utility billings at a rate to ensure that $40,000 is generated to be utilized for the recreation and culture grants to be provided to town-owned recreation and cultural facilities and that this fee would be effective January 1, 2023.

Fortis Alberta Franchise Fee

Council agree to increase the Fortis Alberta franchise fee from 9% to 10% effective January 1, 2023.

Flagstaff Family & Community Services 2023 Budget

Council approve the Flagstaff Family & Community Services 2023 budget in the amount of $435,105 with an expected requisition for the Town of Sedgewick of $7,039.25.

Flagstaff Waste 2023 Draft Budget

Council approve the Flagstaff Regional Solid Waste Management Association 2023 draft budget in the amount of $2,648,050 with an expected requisition for the Town of Sedgewick of $135,535.58.

Parkland Regional Library 2023 Proposed Budget

Council approve the Parkland Regional Library System 2023 proposed budget in the amount of $3,597,800 with an expected requisition for the Town of Sedgewick of $6,660.

Sedgewick Community Hall Board Request for Funding

Council will be setting aside the annual rent paid by the Sedgewick Public Library for future maintenance issues for their building, and also capped the building purchase and renovation fund at $147,000.

Sale of Tax Recovery Property

Council accept the offer of $5,000 for Plan 3825P; Block 9; Lot 7 as presented and direct Administration to write off all outstanding taxes..

RECREATION TAX – RECREATION CENTRE HEATING COSTS

Council directed Administration to prepare a costing model to generate sufficient funds to cover the cost of heating at the Recreation Centre to be brought forward to a future meeting.

PUBLIC WORKS – INCREASED STAFFING

Council approved the job description and has directed Administration to include the costs in the draft 2023 operating budget.

INTERIM CAO

Council appointed Debra Moffatt to act as the interim CAO.

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION DATE

Council approved closing the office and public works shop on Friday, September 30 to observe Truth & Reconciliation day.

HONORARY NAME FOR A PORTION OF 47 STREET

Council will be renaming the 4800 block of 47 Street (downtown core) to Queen Elizabeth Way.  This will be an honorary name and will not require any address changes for the businesses located in this area.

LIBRARY RESERVE AND BUILDING PURCHASE AND RENOVATION

Council will be setting aside the annual rent paid by the Sedgewick Public Library for future maintenance issues for their building, and also capped the building purchase and renovation fund at $147,000.

LAND SALE

Council reviewed an offer to purchase of two lots in the new 54^th Avenue subdivision which was subsequently accepted and the land has been transferred to the new owners.

With the Flagstaff Fresh Market set to touch down on 47th Street in Sedgewick this Thursday, Edmonton’s premier brass band the Brasstactics are gearing up to bring their patented craziness to our beautiful Main Street. Playing everything from AC/DC to Dr. Dre, the band aims to provide a crash course in human culture and are always on the search for a new venue in which to demonstrate their skills.

Main Street will be closed to vehicular traffic at 12pm with setup of the market to be ongoing throughout the afternoon. A huge number of vendors have signed up to take part in the event which proved to be very successful in the past.

The Town of Sedgewick will be sponsoring free caricature sketches drawn by one of Alberta’s premier caricature artists. Drawings will be available between 4pm and 6pm only and will be drawn on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Vendors will be ready to sell at 4pm sharp and the market will go on until 7pm.

DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 22-08 – 07; 03; 992 2523

Acting in their role as the Municipal Planning Commission, members of Council approved Development Permit 2022-08 with no further conditions for the construction of a commercial

pole shed as an accessory building within the Light Industrial Business District on lands legally described as Plan 992 2523; Block 03; Lot 07.

POLICY 22/21 – PROPERTY DAMAGE OR INJURY COMPENSATION POLICY

Council approved Policy 22-21, the Property Damage or Injury Compensation Policy, as presented.  The purpose of the policy is to establish that any payment in respect of property damage or bodily injury made by the Town of Sedgewick is contingent upon the Town being determined to be legally liable.

POLICY 22/22 – POLICY AND BYLAW REVIEW POLICY

Council approved Policy 22-22, the Policy and Bylaw Review Policy, as presented.  The purpose of the policy is to provide the best understanding of the intent of Council through the periodic review of its Policies and Bylaws.

CAPITAL BUDGET – 2022 AMENDED

Council approved an amended and updated version of the 2022 Capital Budget.  The changes include an increase to the budget for replacing the raw water lines at the water treatment plant and $80,000 for water valve repairs.

PUBLIC WORKS – INCREASED STAFFING

Council approved that a job description be prepared for a third public works position and be brought back to Council for review with the cost of the position to be included in the preparation of the 2023 operating budget.

The Town of Sedgewick is currently recruiting for the position of Chief Administrative Officer.

Council is seeking a Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) that will embrace the community and welcome the
objective of growing, promoting, and helping develop the Town along with its regional municipal partners. It is preferred the new CAO reside within or near the town. The CAO will report to Council and will be responsible for implementing Council’s direction and vision and be accountable for administration, operations and finances for the town.

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is responsible for providing corporate leadership for the general
management and stewardship of the municipality. An ideal CAO should be self-motivated, resourceful,
innovative, and a collaborative leader. In addition to having mature tact and diplomacy skills, they will have the ability to build trusting relationships. They will have exceptional interpersonal skills and the capacity to work cohesively with elected officials, residents, community organizations, industry, agencies, businesses, and other internal and external stakeholders including residents.

For more information, see the opportunity profile here

The Flagstaff Fresh Market is less than 2 weeks away and a number of handmade and multilevel marketing businesses are putting in their final preparations for the big event. Flagstaff Fresh Markets strive to live up to their vison statement of “to serve our local communities with quality, locally farmed and focused products, while supporting growth of prospering businesses and entrepreneurs in the Flagstaff Region”.

The event will be held on Thursday, August 25th from 4pm to 7pm on Main Street in Sedgewick. 47th Street will be barricaded off from vehicular traffic starting at 12pm so that set up can proceed. Vendors will be allowed to start selling their wares at 4pm sharp. In addition to a great shopping experience there will also be family entertainment offered for the duration of the market.

The Brasstactics, who many sports fans will recognize as being the official brass band of the Edmonton Oilers and Edmonton Elks will be tearing up Main Street from the start to the end of the market. Touting themselves as Edmonton’s premier brass party band, The Brasstactics serve up hot throwbacks from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and 00’s, and guarantee you’ll dance and sing along.

In addition to live music, a professional caricature artist will be drawing free caricatures from 4pm to 6pm. This is a great opportunity to grab the kids and have a family ‘portrait’ done that you will treasure for years to come.

For more information on the market, go to https://flagstaffcrafted.ca/

MUNICIPAL PLANNING COMMISSION – DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 22-05

Council, in their role as the Municipal Planning Commission, approved development permit 22-05 for the development of a detached garage in the R1A district allowing for the variance of 10’ wall height and a 16’ peak.

TAX SALE 2022 – RESERVE BID AND CONDITIONS

Council set the reserve bid for roll #30001291 000 at $80,550 and for roll #50019218 700 at $153,660 for a public auction for the purpose of tax recover to occur on August 25^th.  Conditions of the sale include the properties being sold on an “as is” and “where is” basis, that a deposit of 10% required at the time of sale with the remainder due within 30 days.  The auction will be advertised in the July 15^th edition of the Alberta Gazette and the August 10^th edition of the Community Press.

DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 22-04 – 05P-09; 07; 3825P

As a property within a Direct Control district, Council approved the change of use of the property to include the use as a commercial water fill station with the station to be treated in the same manner as the Town of Sedgewick’s bulk loading station including the fee charged for the water.

SIDEWALK REPLACEMENT PROGRAM – 2022 PRIORITIES

Council approved the sidewalk replacement priority list for 2022 with repairs to be made at 5021 48^th Street, 4845 50^th Street and the curb and gutter on the west side of the 5100 block of 50^th Street.  Estimated cost of repairs is between $30,000 and $35,000.

RECREATION FUNDING COMMITTEE – 2022 ALLOCATIONS

Council approved the Recreation Funding Committee’s recommendations regarding the distribution of $104,142 in recreation funding which is originally allocated by Flagstaff County to the Sedgewick and District Agricultural Society.

FLAGSTAFF SCOTTISH CLUB – REQUEST FOR DONATION

Council respectfully declined the Flagstaff Scottish Club’s request to waive the fees to rent the stage.  The Town passed Policy 18-08, the Portable Stage Rental Policy in August of 2018 which establishes guidelines for the rental of the stage to local non-profit and community groups.  The policy affirms a fee of $25/panel for local groups compared to the regular rate of $80/panel.

BYLAW 594 – AMENDMENT #3 TO THE FEES AND CHARGES BYLAW

Council gave all three readings to Bylaw 594, a bylaw which amends the Fees and Charges Bylaw.  The amending bylaw authorizes that any property deemed by the development authority as a commercial water fill station be charged the same rate for water as the Town of Sedgewick’s bulk loading station.

SEDGEWICK KILLAM NATURAL GAS SYSTEM – SCADA

Council approved installing SCADA remote software capability in the Town’s natural gas RMO station for $12,000 with funding to come from unrestricted reserves.

WATER TREATMENT PLANT – RAW WATER FLOW

Council ratified that a temporary raw water line be installed at the water treatment plant and that a complete network leak detection be performed at a cost of $60,000 to come from unrestricted reserves.  Council also approved an increase in cost to the raw water pipe replacement project from $200,000 to $420,000 with funding to come though an amendment to the Town’s Municipal Sustainability Fund grant application.