Kevin Hanson – Division 1
Quick Bits
Folks have been asking for updates on Bingham Crossing (Costco?) or Gateway Developments. The most up-to-date and accurate information will be on the developers’ websites, or via discussions with them. With respect to Bingham, they have subdivision approval, and are continuing work to meet their subdivision conditions. With respect to Gateway, Dick and I had a quick update March 19th, and he indicated that they are working through their approval of stormwater designs with Alberta Environment and Parks, and that the Road Acquisition is almost complete. Final tweaking of the plans based on approved stormwater plans is imminent. See www.gateway.ca for more information, or pop in his office.
Rural Municipalities of Alberta Conference
Mid-March saw 2 Staff and 4 Councillors including myself in Edmonton for the spring convention. Rocky View is taking more of a leadership position with this organization as Deputy Mayor Kissel is the chair of our Central region, and was on the resolution committee on stage helping introduce motions. Mayor Kochan and I participated in the Growth Management Board Rural Caucus roundtable. We also had official and unofficial discussions with Minister McIver regarding sustainable and predictable infrastructure funding, regional growth, provincial policing. I find the spring meeting shorter and more focused than the bigger fall convention.
Master Rates Bylaw Updates for 2022
Council approved the revised Master Rates schedule as part of the 2022 Budget delivery process. Highlights were:
- Clarification on legislated fees in the Freedom of Information / Access to Information Category – all fees are now the provincially legislated amounts;
- Dog licensing fees were added to the Pets and Animals section, however this fee is not effective until January 1, 2023 – $20 per intact dogs, $15 if spayed or neutered;
- Application fee of $5,000 added for planning applications referred to the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board cost recovery for additional staff time;
- Various fees in the Utilities section were increased by 10% Bragg Creek Water and sewer the flat fee remains at $25/month but the variable rate increased by 10%, as we move to remove subsidy as the system matures. Elbow Valley and Pinebrook remain unchanged at $83.26/month as this utility has been operating at full cost recovery for several years.
Easier Public Access to Council
Administration was tasked by Council to develop new terms of reference for a reconstituted Public Participation Committee (PPC). This should make it easier for developers or residents to come before Council outside of public hearings to present their ideas and inform the whole of Council of important issues in the community. Bragg Creek Wild has already shown interest.
Tourism Promotion
With the Canadian Badlands Tourism Association being officially defunct, as part of our Budget deliberations, Council instructed Administration to explore alternate memberships for Rocky View to partner with. When this report comes back, the ability to promote Bragg Creek business will be top of mind for me when we are looking for replacement agencies. Langdon, and the Balzac area locations are our other traditional tourism draws. In the meantime, support the Bragg Creek Chamber if you can.
CAO Hiring Progress
The execution of the contract and start date confirmation are complete, but the final Council resolutions required to complete the hiring process are on the Council Agenda for March 22nd. Councillors that were in Edmonton met briefly in person with the candidate at the RMA conference and I am even more excited for the positive change this hire will bring!
Please e-mail me if you would like to be added to my contact list for e-mail and online communications Kevin.Hanson@RockyView.ca or call 403.463.1166.
