September 24th, 2020

What's New

Alberta Biz Connect

Workplace guidance and supports to help businesses and non-profits affected by COVID-19 begin to reopen and resume operations safely.

• Alberta Biz Connect Website

Relaunch Strategy

A safely staged COVID-19 recovery plan to gradually reopen businesses and services and get people back to work.

See the full plan here https://www.alberta.cahttps://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx#PathForward/external/covid19-alberta-relaunch-strategy.pdf

Enforcement

All individuals within a business, including owners, workers, volunteers and patrons, found to be in violation of public health orders are subject to a $1,000 penalty.

If you are concerned someone is not following public health orders, you can:

• remind the person that not following public health orders is against the law and puts people at risk
• submit a complaint to AHS public health inspectors

Submit a complaint

If you cannot submit online, you can also call 1-833-415-9179 to submit a complaint by leaving a message when prompted. Please only submit a complaint once. Do not submit online and by phone.

The latest information on Town of Edson facilities is as follows:

Civic Centre

Starting Feb 8th, the Civic Centre will be open to the public Monday to Thursday 10am to 3pm. Remote meeting and banking options are still recommended where possible.

Emergency Services Building (Fire Hall)

The Emergency Services Building remains closed to the public at this time. Meetings can be requested by calling the office at 780-723-3178.

Kinsmen Spray Park

The Kinsmen Spray Park is now closed for the winter months

Vision Park

Is now closed for the winter months

Repsol Place

Landfill/Lagoon

Remains open. Visit www.edson.ca/residents/landfill for the full schedule.

Airport

Remains open with limited public access at this time.

Updates on facilities and health measures will continue to be updated as changes are made.

The Town of Edson Emergency Management Plan has been activated and there has been a partial activation of Edson’s Emergency Coordination Centre (ECC).

This allows our senior staff to meet regularly to implement strategies to protect and support our residents, staff, and to support Alberta Health through this incident. The ECC activation also allows for greater coordination between agencies and puts dedicated staff in place to help plan and implement strategies on a larger scale.

Council is taking this action to ensure we are prepared in the event additional steps need to be taken.

Passed at the April 21st, 2020 Council Meeting

Revised Capital Budget. Council has approved the 2020 Revised Capital Budget. The capital plans includes $1.2 million for road rehab projects, as well as money for new landfill cells, work at Vision Park, upgrades at the snow dump, pedestrian crossing lights, and other projects. A full list will be posted at edson.ca/budget in early May.

2020 Emergency Operating Budget. As we go through the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s become necessary to revise the budget to meet the new realities and challenges the Town of Edson now faces. The operating budget is being prepared with an equivalent of a 5% tax decrease from the 2020 budget passed in December. The actual mill rate and where the tax decrease will be applied will be discussed at next week’s Committee of the Whole Meeting.

In the emergency budget, approximately $1.8 million was removed. This will be used to administer the tax reduction mentioned above, as well as set up a reserve for future economic recovery strategies. The reserve will also act as a buffer in the event of possible tax defaults in 2020.

The savings do not come without some sacrifices and service disruptions.

General (company-wide)

• All Management and Union staff down to a 0.9 work schedule –savings of 10% of salaries and wages.
• Other staff position adjustments e.g. staff on maternity leave, no hiring of summer students, vacant positions not filled.
• Layoff of 18 staff due to closure of facilities.
• Overtime limited to emergency situations only.
• Professional Development budgets decreased significantly.
• Staff Wellness Program removed for the remainder of the 2020.
• Staff Development Budgets reduced.
• Conference Registrations and Travel and Expenses reduced.
• Insurance increases for 2020 (added ~$25,000).
• Reserve transfers suspended for 2020 –$100,000 Public Safety Initiative and $360,000 Energy Reserve.

Administration/Legislative

• Council Chambers remodel removed.
• Computer Replacement Program put on hold.
• Reduced Promotional Spending.

Community & Protective Services

• Net reduction in Fines Revenue (added ~$230,000).
• Reduced Fire Training temporarily.
• Bylaw COP 1 staffing delayed.
• Increase to Disaster budget for Covid-19 related expenses (added $50,000).
• Rec and Culture programming cancelled for April-June.
• Canada Day cancelled.
• Eddies Big Run cancelled.
• Mowing reduced by ~50%.
• Weeding reduced by ~75%.
• No flowers.
• Repsol Place temporarily closed –no pool.
• Library Funding reduction due to closure

Infrastructure & Planning

• Land Use Bylaw external support services removed.
• Aerial photo for Munisight Map removed.
• Water and Sewer Break Contingency removed (use reserves if needed).
• Private Sewer Camera work removed.
• Airport –Less weeding, tree topping, and fence repair.
• Landfill – no summer hours implemented for 2020 and reduced operating days (select Tuesdays closed).
• Increase to Recycling ~$60,000.
• Roads – no dust control, Line Painting (exception - crosswalks).
• Snow Removal –minimal contracted services, will have noticeable impact to snow removal.

A reminder on other measures taking place in the Town of Edson to help ease the financial burden during this time.

Temporary Tax Payment Due Date. Council has passed all three readings of Bylaw 2244. This bylaw amends the taxation due dates and the subsequent penalty dates for 2020, as directed by the Emergency Management Committee.

• Taxes due – September 30, 2020.
• First penalty run – October 1, 2020
• Second penalty run – November 1, 2020

Automatic payments for tax accounts will continue unless the account holder contacts the finance department with further instructions. Residents and businesses that can make payments are encouraged to keep their accounts up to date.

Utility Bill Payment Deferrals and Credit

• The Town of Edson will continue sending out utility bills but suspend processing penalties on unpaid utility accounts until the bills due on August 25, 2020. From that date on, penalties will only apply to new balances.
• Give utility customers until the end of 2020 to catch up on the unpaid balances. This allows them to spread the payments over a number of months if necessary.
• A $100 credit will be applied to residential utility accounts to assist during this pandemic.

Automatic payments for utility and tax accounts will continue unless the account holder contacts the finance department with further instructions. Customers that can make payments on time are encouraged to do so. These payments will still need to be made up in 2020.

Please stay apprised on the evolving situation through the following websites.

Edson – www.edson.ca/covid

Alberta – www.alberta.ca/covid19

Canada – www.canada.ca/covid19

Passed May 5th, 2020

Council has given three readings to the 2020 Mill Rate Bylaw. The Town of Edson’s overall taxable assessment has decreased by 2.6%. This is used to generate the taxation revenue and is what drives the mill rate calculations for Municipal taxes, School, and Evergreens Requisitions. In the Emergency Budget, Council decreased the amount of tax revenue to be collected by 5% from the original 2020 budget passed in December 2019. The 5% reduction has been split 20/80 between residential and non-residential respectively.

When taking into account the municipal mill rate, an increase in the Evergreens Foundation requisition, and a decrease in the Education requisition (due to an over levy for 2019 due to the delayed Provincial Budget), the COMBINED Mill Rates have gone down slightly for residential, and more substantially for non-residential.

The chart below provides a comparison of the 2019, 2020 (original), and 2020 (actual) combined tax levies per $100,000 in assessment. Individual tax notices will go out in mid-May.

2020 Residential Mill rates:

Municipal mill rate – 5.7717 mills (2019 mill rate – 5.6246)
Evergreens Foundation mill rate – 0.4452 mills (2019 mill rate – 0.3911 mills)
School mill rate - 2.5099 mills (2019 mill rate – 2.7143 mills)
2020 Total Combined mill rate – 8.7268 mills (2019 mill rate – 8.73 mills)

2020 Non-residential Mill rates:

Municipal mill rate – 13.0712 mills (2019 mill rate – 13.9309 mills)
Evergreens Foundation mill rate – 0.4452 mills (2019 mill rate – 0.3911 mills)
School mill rate - 3.6006 mills (2019 mill rate –3.9380 mills)
2020 Total Combined mill rate – 17.1170 mills (2019 mill rate – 18.26 mills)

Most complaints are currently being handled by Alberta Health Services. See the picture for some steps to consider if you have concerns about potential non-compliance.

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Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health issued orders under the Public Health Act to legally require:

-restrictions on gatherings and businesses
-returning international travellers to self-isolate for 14 days
-people exposed to COVID-19 to self-isolate for 14 days
-people experiencing symptoms to self-isolate for a minimum 10 days or until symptoms resolve, whichever is longer. The most current information on symptoms can be found at https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page16997.aspx…
-limited access to all nursing homes, designated supportive living and long-term care facilities, seniors lodges and residential addiction treatment facilities to essential visitors

For the most current list of restrictions, please refer to https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx

Violators may be subject to tickets of $1,000 per occurrence. Courts could administer fines of up to $100,000 for a first offence and up to $500,000 for a subsequent offence for more serious violations.

Public spaces and trails are still open and free to use for those that are able during this COVID-19 crisis. Outdoor activity is still encouraged as long as groupings are kept below the Provincial mass gathering regulations.

Please enjoy the outdoors responsibly and watch for updates as new regulations and restrictions continue to be updated daily.

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Until further notice, the Town of Edson has enacted the following closures/cancellations:

Civic Centre

Starting Feb 8th, the Civic Centre will be open to the public Monday to Thursday 10am to 3pm. Remote meeting and banking options are still recommended where possible.

Emergency Services Building (Fire Hall)

The Emergency Services Building remains closed to the public at this time. Meetings can be requested by calling the office at 780-723-3178.

Kinsmen Spray Park

The Kinsmen Spray Park is now closed for the winter months

Vision Park

Is now closed for the winter months

Repsol Place

Landfill/Lagoon

Remains open. Visit www.edson.ca/residents/landfill for the full schedule.

Airport

Remains open with limited public access at this time.

As the situation is evolving there may be changes/additions to the above list as updated information becomes available.

Updated April 1st, 2020 - As COVID-19 continues to cause havoc around the world, the Town of Edson is taking steps to ensure the community is in the best position to deal with the pandemic now and in the future. With this in mind, a number of difficult decisions were required to help remain fiscally responsible to our taxpayers.

“This crisis is taking a huge toll on our residents and businesses,” said Edson CAO Mike Derricott. “We understand the difficulties our community is facing, and we know it’s our responsibility to treat this pandemic, and the financial burdens it is creating, with the care and attention it deserves.”

At this time the Town of Edson has temporarily laid off 18 employees. This includes lifeguards and some full time and part time staff from recreation facilities and the ParentLink Centre. Vacant positions are also not being filled at this time.

On top of the layoffs, all remaining staff are moving to a 0.9 schedule moving forward. This temporary measure will mean a reduction in hours, reducing wage expenses by about 10%.

“We understand this move will have a very big impact on Town staff,” said Mayor Kevin Zahara. “Council thanks them for their continued dedication during these tough times. It’s our hope that by making these moves now, we’ll be able to pass on some savings to our taxpayers and reduce further staff impacts in the future.”

While these moves have been supported by Council, they still require approval through the budget process. It’s expected some of these measures will be implemented at the April 7^th, 2020 meeting of Council., with the larger budget discussions happening April 14^th, 2020.

Derricott adds that Administration has been working very hard to come up with an emergency budget to bring forward. “Along with the savings in wages from the staffing adjustments, further operational cuts are anticipated to help reduce the tax burden at this time. This will have service level impacts and will be discussed at the Council level.”

“This isn’t a decision we take lightly,” concluded CAO Derricott. “We have made every effort to balance the needs of our organization, the taxpayers, and our staff. It’s hoped that these unprecedented moves will allow us the flexibility to assist our business community, keeping more people employed, and ensuring the Town of Edson remains viable into the future.”

With the Civic Centre closed to the public, the Town of Edson would like to remind residents of alternative options for bill payments and provide an update on the program registration refund process.

Bill Payments

The Town of Edson offers several options for payments of tax and utility bills. Please choose one that suits your needs.

• NEW - Electronic Transfer - Payments can now be sent vie e-transfer to receipts@edson.ca. Please be sure to indicate what the payment is for (input account number and info) to aid us in applying the payment.
• Set up pre-authorized payments to have your bill paid by automatic withdrawals from your bank account.
• Pay through your financial institution, including online, over the phone, in person, etc. Check with your bank to see what options are available. More details at www.edson.ca/pay.
• Pay online with credit cards through OptionPay (www.edson.ca/pay)
• Use the Drop box outside the Town Office.
• Mail in your payments to PO Box 6300, Edson, AB, T7E 1T7

Program Refunds

Refunds are being done for all cancelled programming due to the COVID-19 closures. Refunds will be made directly to individual ActivNet accounts. Cheques can be mailed out upon request. If you have any questions please contact Repsol Place at 780-723-7665.

What's New

Alberta Biz Connect

Workplace guidance and supports to help businesses and non-profits affected by COVID-19 begin to reopen and resume operations safely.

• Alberta Biz Connect Website

COVID19 Business Supports Partnership Release (March 30th, 2020)

Town of Edson Supports

Council has approved some key recommendations from the Emergency Management Advisory Committee for personal and business-related supports at their April 7th meeting.

Temporary Tax Payment Due Date. Council has passed all three readings of Bylaw 2244. This bylaw amends the taxation due dates and the subsequent penalty dates for 2020, as directed by the Emergency Management Committee.

• Taxes due – September 30, 2020.
• First penalty run – October 1, 2020
• Second penalty run – November 1, 2020

Automatic payments for tax accounts will continue unless the account holder contacts the finance department with further instructions. Residents and businesses that can make payments are encouraged to keep their accounts up to date.

Utility Bill Payment Deferrals. Council has approved the recommendation to defer utility bill payments. The following is now in place:

• The Town of Edson will continue sending out utility bills but suspend processing penalties on unpaid utility accounts until the bills due on August 25, 2020.From that date on, penalties will only apply to new balances.
• Give utility customers until the end of 2020 to catch up on the unpaid balances. This allows them to spread the payments over a number of months if necessary.

Automatic payments for utility accounts will continue unless the account holder contacts the finance department with further instructions. Again, customers that can make payments on time are encouraged to do so. These payments will still need to be made up in 2020.

Adjustment of Staff Hours. Approval was given for the reduction of staff hours to a 0.9 schedule. While this move will have impacts on service levels, the resulting savings would be approximately $540,000 for 2020. Further emergency budget discussions will be happening at the Committee of the Whole meeting of April 14^th, 2020.

211 Support - The Town of Edson would like to remind everyone that there are supports available in these difficult times. Please call 211 to speak to a live person who can assist 24 hours a day. 211 can help connect residents to social supports and referrals, including mental health assistance. This free resource is available by call, text, or online chat at https://www.ab.211.ca/.

Local Business Supports

Community Futures West Yellowhead is available to chat with via phone or email should you have any concerns or questions about your business during this time.

780-865-1224, or email nrobbins@albertacf.com

Small Business Loan Program

In order to better serve the businesses of our region during the COVID-19 crisis, we are asking for you to complete the following survey.  Thank you for your participation as we all work to manage this public health and economic crisis together.

BUSINESS IMPACT SURVEY

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The Edson and District Chamber of Commerce is also available via phone or email. 

780-723-4918, or email edsonchamber@gmail.com

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The Town of Edson Planning department is working hard to keep up to date on recent changes and can assist or direct by calling 780-723-4402 or emailing engineeringandplanning@edson.ca.

Provincial Supports

• Alberta Biz Connect Website

• Alberta Government Announced Support Plans 

Please see the link below for details on how to register and apply for MyAlberta Emergency Isolation Supports.

https://www.alberta.ca/emergency-isolation-support.aspx - Eligible working Albertans can receive a one-time emergency isolation support payment of $1,146 if they are required to self-isolate or are the sole caregiver of someone in self-isolation and they have no other source of pay or compensation.

For further supports see :  https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-supports-for-albertans.aspx

Economic Developers Alberta is conducting an online survey for Alberta businesses to help determine trends and resources required. This can be found at https://edaalberta.wufoo.com/forms/r19ded0919ea64b

The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association is also keeping a summary of supports available. Their guide can serve as a helpful resource to inform local not-for-profit organizations,  local businesses, and stakeholders about the supports that are available. The Guide will be updated weekly and can be found through the AUMA online hub for COVID-19.

Federal Supports

The Government of Canada has outlined their Economic Response Plan. It contains supports for individuals and businesses. Follow the link for the official release.

• Canada Economic Response Plan

Highlights of Canada Economic Response Plan (from Community Futures West Yellowhead)

• If you owe taxes, you will have until August 2020 to pay those taxes.  You still need to file but the deadline is now extended to June 1^st.  It is important that even if your business is closing that you still stay on top of your CRA and tax obligations.  If you are concerned about paying this obligations, please call CRA at 1-800-959-5525 for businesses. It may be faster to get details through your CRA account.  Your accountant can also answer questions but please remember, they are also small business owners and are working in tax season to also manage their small businesses, their staff and their families.  Please be patient. 
  
  
• Canada-US border is shut to non-essential travel.  If you are an export-import business, please contact the BDC as they are working with Export Canada on this every changing issue.  BDC also has a business credit program that is available for applications online.  https://www.bdc.ca/en/pages/special-support.aspx?special-initiative=covid19
• Wage subsidy for small business employers at 10% (now updated to $75%).  If you are still paying your workers and not laying them off, this will be available for 3 months. 
  
  
• Self-employed individuals can apply for employment benefits at $900 bi-weekly (every two weeks) up to 15 weeks.  You are able to apply online and receive funds by direct deposit.  Medical documentation is not required.  This will start in early April.
  
  
• Emergency support benefits will be for those who are not eligible for EI for up to 14 weeks.  This is especially important for small business owners who are not eligible for EI.  Please do not visit Service Canada offices in the region as it is not guaranteed that they will be able to serve you in person.  Details on how to apply is at this link https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html or you can call at 1-833-381-2725. 
  
  
• Banks and mortgage lenders are offering mortgage deferrals for a 6 month period.   You are going to be able to skip a payment but you need to contact your bank directly.  Please do not go to the banks but use email and phone to contact your local banker.  They will have messaging and tools to help you do this.  Please be patient as our banking partners are trying to help you as much as possible and stay on top of current information.

Links to business support programs and associations

Helping understand the challenges and opportunities associated with running your business operations during the COVID-19 outbreak.

• COVID-19 Continuity - Resources for Business Leaders

Federal Government Support for Canadians and Businesses

• https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/canadas-covid-19-economic-response-plan-support-for-canadians-and-businesses.html#Helping_Businesses_Keep

Business Development Canada – Support for Entrepreneurs

• https://www.bdc.ca/en/pages/special-support.aspx?special-initiative=covid19

Export Development Canada – Support for Exporters

• https://www.edc.ca/en/campaign/coronavirus-covid-19.html

Western Economic Diversification (WD) – Support for Businesses

• https://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/eng/20051.asp

Canadian Chamber of Commerce Pandemic Preparedness Guide to help create a business continuity plan

• http://www.chamber.ca/resources/pandemic-preparedness/BusinessPrepGuidePanPrep2020

Canadian Federation of Independent Business – Small Business Guide- Keeping You and Your Employees Safe

• https://www.cfib-fcei.ca/en/tools-resources/covid-19-coronavirus-business

Economic Developers Alberta supports

• http://www.edaalberta.ca/page-1635680

Tips for Alberta Business and Community Leaders to Address the Social and Economic Fallout from the Coronavirus

• http://www.edaalberta.ca/resources/Documents/Coronavirus%20Socio-Economic%20Impact%20Tips%20for%20Alberta%20Business%20and%20Community%20Leaders.pdf

Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of Alberta (CPHR Alberta)

• CPHR Alberta has launched a free webinar series for HR professionals facing the many challenges presented as the coronavirus pandemic evolves. As the situation changes and escalates, HR professionals are making difficult decisions affecting our employees and organizations.  From March 31 – April 23 they will host two webinars per week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 pm - 1 pm MST. Click HERE for webinar topics and to access registration.
• https://www.cphrab.ca/cphr-alberta-webinar-series-hr-pandemic-essentials

*Please note that this is an evolving situation. Check original sources for the latest information.

The Alberta Government is providing $30 million to municipalities, charitable and non-profit organizations to provide help to individuals, seniors, families and other vulnerable Albertans who are isolated or impacted by measures to contain COVID-19.

We encourage agencies and groups to contact us at the Town of Edson FCSS office (Civic Centre-605-50 Street) to discuss this process and the services you are hoping to provide or enhance to support vulnerable Albertans in our community during this critical time.  We also encourage you to align with other organizations and groups and submit applications together if it makes sense to do so, as combining volunteer groups will increase capacity and help avoid exhausting your valuable volunteers.    

Some examples of eligible and needed services include but are not limited to; at-home help for seniors, crisis and helplines, food security issues (such as meal and grocery delivery), emotional and mental health counselling or any other identified community issues.

Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta (FCSSAA) will be managing the awarding and distribution of these grants to organizations for all areas of the Province outside of Edmonton and Calgary, and your local Edson FCSS representatives noted below will support local organizations through the application process.   

Please note, your applications are to be submitted to your local FCSS office at the Town of Edson, and we will submit them to FCSSAA on your behalf.  Submissions must be done electronically. Please call us to discuss your ideas today! 

Application Documents

FCSSAA COVID-19 Funding Guidelines

FCSSAA COVID-19 Funding Application

Contact Information

Primary Contact Name: Tanya Byers, Community Development Manager, Town of Edson           
Primary Contact Telephone: cell: 780-725-1200 office: 780-723-4403
Primary Contact Email: tanyab@edson.ca

Secondary Contact Name: Alicja Broda, Community Development Coordinator, Town of Edson
Secondary Contact Telephone: 780-723-8616
Secondary Contact Email: alicjab@edson.ca