ELK POINT – Three delegations, two of them sending council to closed sessions for over two hours, and a 745-page agenda packed with detailed information kept Town of Elk Point council busy until almost 10 p.m. at their Nov. 12 regular meeting.
Lakeland Centre for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder executive director Lisa Murphy presented a detailed rundown on the centre’s annual report, telling council that approximately four per cent of the Lakeland’s population, which would equal 56 victims in Elk Point alone, suffer from FASD, with the COVID pandemic increased the incidences significantly.
Her visit was part of an effort by the centre to strengthen relationships with municipalities, she told council. Coun. Tim Smereka commented that it is “Good to know there are people fighting the fight” against FASD.
STEP Economic Development Officer Linda Sallstrom was second on the agenda, bringing STEP’s strategic priorities for the next two years, including centralized economic development, a focus on the key industry sectors of agriculture, energy tourism, manufacturing and film, investment attraction, partnerships and advocacy.
Sallstrom is taking a brief leave of absence from her position, with Lisa Danyluk stepping into that role in the interim. Council later accepted the listing of priorities as information.
MD of St. Paul Foundation’s independent consultant Derek Weiss brought council a rundown on a proposed lodge project in St. Paul that would provide more accommodation for seniors in coming years, and provided them with five motions for up-front capital funding and ongoing commitment for operating requirements. This would cost the Town $221,209.80 for the up-front capital funding and a similar amount in operating costs, determined by the town’s assessment.
The commitments would be contingent on funding from the provincial government and approval of CMHC loans for the balance, if these are approved. The Town would have the ability to opt out if approval is not obtained.
Structure Plan bylaws
First reading was given to both the North Area Structure Plan Bylaw encompassed in a detailed 322-page document and the 286-page South Area Structure Plan, which were previously viewed by the public at open house sessions during their development stages. The bylaws will be brought to a public hearing on Dec. 9 at the Northern Lights Library System.
Remuneration policy
While increases to honorariums and meal expenses were approved at council’s Oct. 28 Organizational Meeting, accommodation costs were not included in the motion. Final changes to the policy included the addition of reimbursement for accommodation only with a submitted receipt to a maximum of $300 per night.
Windsor Salt assessment
Council received a request from STEP Economic Development Alliance for a letter of support for a feasibility assessment on the Windsor Salt property and assets. A decommissioning and reclamation plan is currently being implemented, and is to be completed in 2025, and council agreed that due to existing ongoing projects, they would not support the feasibility assessment at this time.
Provincial decisions
Provincial government decisions back in 2019-2020 cut the funding for Grants in Place of Property Taxes (GIPOT) in half, and a resolution was passed at the 2024 Alberta Municipalities (ABMunis) convention calling for reinstatement of full GIPOT funding.
Premier Danielle Smith urged delegates at the convention to share with the province the change this has made on their municipalities.
Council agreed to send the premier a letter summarizing the cost to the town, with copies going to Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver, MLA Scott Cyr and ABMunis President Tyler Gandam.
Cultural Nights 2025
Coun. Dwayne Yaremkevich asked council for the go-ahead to use the Town’s annual free usage of the Allied Arts Centre for one event for Cultural Nights 2025, to be held in August, which is Heritage Month. Coun. Wanda Cochrane urged him to contact Don Conrad at the earliest opportunity, as bookings for the summer months are coming in daily.
No waiving
Another utility customer hoping to have late charges waived on their water bill, which had been paid online on the Labour Day weekend, was turned down, with Coun. Cochrane suggesting that those paying at the last minute “drop a cheque in the mail slot” to avoid late charges, as online payments may not be processed immediately.
Tournament sponsorship
A request from the U7 and U9 Avalanche teams for a donation or sponsorship for their upcoming tournament on Dec. 14 received approval for donation of a raffle item.
Going places
CAO Ken Gwozdz and Coun. Cochrane were approved to attend the Regional Water and Wastewater Commission in Edmonton on Nov. 18.
Mayor Parrish Tung and CAO Gwozdz were approved to attend a meeting of Lakeland municipalities and First Nations on rural crime with Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Mickey Amery, Minister of Indigenous Relations Rick Wilson and Lesser Slave Lake MLA Scott Sinclair in Edmonton on Nov. 25.