The Council of the Town of Sedgewick has approved the temporary closure of the arena at the Wild Rose Co-op Recreation Centre due to excessive corrosion of the roof’s purlins.  Purlins refer to roof framing members that span parallel to the building eaves and support the roof.  The Town recently engaged the services of an engineering firm to conduct tests after a noticeable amount of rust was identified on some of the purlins.

Prior to making their decision, Council reviewed the technical report provided to them which showed the center purlins having a 25% reduction in strength as well as a recommendation from a structural engineer advising to immediately close the facility.  Council also discussed the 2014 roof collapse of a curling rink in Drayton Valley and the 2018 roof collapse of the City of Calgary’s Fairview Arena which triggered city-wide arena inspections prior to making their decision.

Council is diligently engaging all avenues to mitigate the issue as safely and quickly as possible. Mayor Perry Robinson stated “as it is Council’s #1 priority to secure the safety and well-being of our citizens, we are left with no other choices in the end.” Programming at the arena will be moved to neighboring facilities in the interim.  Further information will be released to the public upon availability.

Council addressed the following items at their November 21st regular council meeting:

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Council addressed the following items during the regular Council meeting;

Traffic Bylaw 564

Council endorsed final readings to Traffic Bylaw 564; available on sedgewick.ca

Recreation Funding Committee – Phase II Funding

Council approved the allocation of $4,016 to the Sedgewick Community Hall Association and $4,174 to the Sedgewick Lake Park Association for Phase II funding.

FortisAB – 2020 Electric Franchise Fee

Council approved an increase of the FortisAB Electric Franchise Fee from 8 to 9% for 2020.

Parkland Regional Library – 2020 Budget

Council approved the Parkland Regional Library 2020 budget, as presented, with a requisition of $6,935.05 to the Town of Sedgewick.

2127358 AB LTD – Conditional Development Permit

Development Permit 2019-16 for Plan 9023092, Block J, Lots A & B was conditionally approved to permit:

• A Change of Use – to a caretaker’s residence
• No requirement to separate the street from off-street parking facilities with a 1.0 meter-wide landscaped area.

3-Year Tax Agreement

Council authorized Administration to enter into a 3-year tax agreement regarding Tax Roll#20009095-300, with specific terms.

FIP – Management Model

Council approved the recommendation of the Flagstaff Intermunicipal Partnership Committee to eliminate the FIP Committee and split those responsibilities among municipalities with current operations to wind up no later than December 31, 2019.

Municipal Collaboration – Community Peace Officer Program

Council directed Administration to budget $6,500 in capital and $23,200 in operating costs in 2020 for the Community Peace Officer Program to be reviewed further upon the presentation of the 2020 budget to Council.

Deputy Mayor Appointment

Councillor Tim Schmutz was appointed as Deputy Mayor effective immediately, to continue through to the Organizational meeting in October 2020.

Board & Committee Appointments

Councillor’s appointments to the boards and committees were approved; a list of the appointments is available on the Town website.

Council Meetings

The monthly council meetings will continue to be held on the third Thursday of each month, beginning at 6:00 pm.

Bylaw 562 – Amending Land Use Bylaw 461

Council approved final readings to Bylaw 562 that amends Land Use Bylaw 461 regarding fencing.

Bylaw 563

Council approved Designated Officers Bylaw 563 that establishes the positions of certain Designated Officers and establishes a framework for delegation of Administrative functions.

Bylaw 564 – Traffic Bylaw

Council approved first reading to Traffic Bylaw 563.

NOTE: Bylaws are available on the Town website

Main Street Businesses – Request for Tax Break

Council directed Administration to provide a 2019 tax break equal to six months of the municipal portion of commercial taxes to each of the petitioning businesses and send a letter explaining the additional financial contributions that the Town made on behalf of the businesses during the Main Street construction.

Nutec ElectroTel – High Speed Internet

Council directed Administration to proceed with entering into an agreement with Nutec ElectroTel to provide high speed internet within the Town of Sedgewick and the immediate perimeter.

SustainErgy – Rec Centre Scoping Audit

Council directed Administration to proceed with an engineering study through a company called SustainErgy Group as the next step in the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC) Rebate Program for the Wild Rose Coop Recreation Centre.

Town of Sedgewick 2019 Organizational Meeting

Council scheduled the 2019 Organizational meeting for October 17th, 2019 at 6 pm at the Sedgewick Town Office Council Chambers with October’s Regular Council meeting to follow at 6:15 pm.

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.

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.

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