Elk Point’s first-ever cemetery bylaw and reviews of bylaws regulating off-highway vehicles and noise are in the works, with all three discussed at the first regular meeting for the new configuration of town council.
The cemetery bylaw came into being when town manager Myron Goyan realized that the town currently doesn’t even have, and will be studied further regulations stating how many bodies can be buried in one plot. “I started researching, and found, for instance, that in Edmonton, some cemeteries allow up to eight. I came up with a bylaw for council’s review.”
Nor does Elk Point have areas designated for depositing urns of cremated ashes, Coun. Ron Fraess noted. A compartmented wall would be one option. Mayor Parrish Tung noted that in Hong Kong, such walls are common because cemetery plots cost between $150,000 and $200,000 Canadian.
The length of ownership of a vacant plot was discussed and will be studied further. The mayor cautioned council that the situation “can get very emotional” when dealing with the plot holders.
Goyan is also hoping to get a proper registry of Elk Point’s cemetery plots in place.
Speed and consistency are key aspects of the off-highway vehicle bylaw. The old bylaw set the speed limit at 30 kph, but this was changed to 20 in town. The town’s bylaw said helmets were mandatory, which the provincial law does not, and the town’s OHV usage hours end at 10 p.m., while the Iron Horse Trail can be used until 11 p.m. Muni Corr has its own bylaws for the Iron Horse Trail. The town’s Muni Corr representative, Coun. Dwayne Yaremkevich was asked to compare the town’s current bylaw with the trail bylaw and bring his findings back to council.
The town’s noise bylaw is also under review, with one item of discussion being the definition of ‘a loud noise.’ The renewable energy bylaw, council noted, states allowable decibel levels.
RCMP visit council
Sgt. Brad Lazicki and Corp. Kevin McGillivray paid one of their regular visits to council and reported on a current crackdown on impaired driving. The detachment has laid six impaired driving charges in the past four weeks “to try and avoid going to a fatal (alcohol-related collision) in December,” Lazicki said. The detachment will be participating in Operation Red Nose, and will also be targeting seat belt infractions, speed and aggressive driving. Highway 41 at the north entrance to Elk Point will especially be under surveillance for speed infractions.
Economic Development
Economic development coordinator Bob Bezpalko congratulated the mayor and council on their election, and provided the new members of council with a brief overview of what his position entails. “It’s a work in progress. The marketing plan has been updated and I hope to have an actual economic development plan in place.” He spoke on his involvement with Northeast Alberta Hub and the Alberta’s Lakeland destination marketing organization, and reported that Elk Point’s Visitor Information EcoCentre is now an official test site for Lakeland College’s renewable energy project. He was scheduled to meet with Goyan and chamber of commerce president Sandy Smith later in the week to discuss plans for an input session for the Iron Horse Trail staging area.
Bezpalko also suggested that council consider designating parking in strategic areas, such as near banks and post office, for seniors and mobility-impaired individuals. “Vermilion has done this and they have gotten a good response from the community.”
Mayor Tung agreed that such a move would “provide convenience for people.”
Residential waste
Council was advised that the town’s current two-year residential waste removal contract runs out Jan. 1. Council agreed with Goyan’s suggestion that the contract be put out to tender.
Justice Week
Mayor Tung proclaimed Nov. 14 to 21 as Justice Week.
Budget
Budgets for both the FCSS department, where 20 per cent of funding comes from the town and the balance from the province, and Northern Lights Library System, which is asking for a six per cent increase from member municipalities, were passed.
In the dust
Coun. Fraess brought the dusty condition of 50 Ave. in the area recently excavated for utility line replacement to council’s attention. It was agreed to post a 30-kph speed limit for the area until the avenue is repaved next spring.