Message of Encouragement: We have been going through a world-changing few weeks and dealing with a lot of stress. Every morning we have to make a decision whether to be overwhelmed by this new reality, or whether to RISE-and-SHINE! I invite you to do just that: RISE-and-SHINE! Start your day with positive thoughts and action. Think about something you are thankful for and share with your family, friends and co-workers. Help someone. Ask for help. Encourage someone. Read a good news story. Be filled with inspiration. There’s hope and we will get through this together. One day at a time. You are valued by Foothills County. We are thinking of you and your families and send best wishes for your health and safekeeping! RISE-and- SHINE Everyone!
Recovery Planning: Let’s look and plan ahead. We are certainly continuing on the response phase of this pandemic, but can also discuss the recovery phase at the same time. Of course it’s “health first”, we are following all the AHS and Provincial rules and we care about our residents and employees. In addition to that, we are getting prepared to be a part of the Provincial plans to reconvene the economy. Foothills County Council and Staff continue to interact with residents and provide services, community water and wastewater, fire department response and road maintenance. As we navigate the COVID-19 outbreak, we are making an inventory of losses, savings and opportunities. Over the last weeks, our council and administration have been thinking this through and are dealing with this in a proactive way. We are strategizing how the county can best move forward, keep business flowing and partake in upcoming stimulus projects from Federal and Provincial governments.
Electronic Council Meetings: In April, we streamed our first-ever live Council Meeting and will continue to use this means of communication as long as our Municipal Office Building is closed to the public. Using a conference video program, we enable remote attendance of Council and Staff. In May, we are hoping to add electronic public hearings to our agendas, thereby allowing remote attendance of other participants so we can keep business moving on these matters as well. All these changes to Council Meetings have been allowed temporarily through a COVID-19 Regulation under the Provincial Municipal Government Act. You can find the link to watch our Council Meetings on the homepage of our website: www.foothillscountyab.ca/
Budget 2020 on-going deliberations: This topic is quite complicated and has yet to be finalized as we are carefully paying attention to the issues at hand, to be responsive and also prepare for the unknown. We are planning for a zero-increase budget, which is possible now that, thankfully, the Province has removed the school tax increase. However, the policing requisition of approximately $660,000 is still due to be collected this year on behalf of the Province. The County has deferred late penalties on utility and tax payments for those who need more time. We are also in the midst of figuring out how the Province’s deferral of the collection of non-residential taxes will affect us. More on that later…
Fire Ban in the Forest Protection area of Alberta: In case you are not aware of this yet… As of April 15, 2020, a Province-wide Fire Ban has been instituted in order to keep emergency resources available for responding to non-fire issues or fire issues that are not human-caused. On private and public lands within these areas, all open fires, firepits, briquette BBQs, campfires in campgrounds, backcountry campfires, fireworks and exploding targets are prohibited. All Fire Permits are cancelled. Off-Highway vehicles are prohibited from use on public lands. Conditions will be monitored to determine opening this up again. For more information, visit: albertafirebans.ca
Road and Drainage Issues: Due to the harsh winter that started in September, we’ve had to plow County roads dozens of times, which has resulted in significant gravel loss. With that and the continuous snow/rain events, the frost coming out of the ground in these last few weeks and the heavy truck traffic, the problems on our gravel roads have compounded, producing muddy/slippery conditions. The County will continue to tend to these roads and with some dryer weather, conditions should improve. Public Works operators will pull the shoulders, reshape road surfaces, improve drainage and add gravel.
Elk & Wildlife Event delayed: As mentioned in my last High Country News article, I confirm that this event will be held later on in the year. I’ll let you know when it is rescheduled.
Best Regards,
Councillor Suzanne Oel
For Other News & Updates:
Please visit my website: suzanneoel.com
www.facebook.com/councillorSuzanneOel
