Council Notes - October 17th, 2023

Council Notes - Organizational Meeting October 17th, 2023

Council Boards and Committees. The 2023/2024 Committee list has been updated and approved by Council. The new list is attached HERE.

Meeting Schedule. The Council meeting schedule has been adopted as follows:

Regular Meetings of Council to be held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, in the Council Chambers, commencing at 7:00 P.M.

Committee of the Whole meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month in the Council Chambers, commencing at 7:00 P.M.

The following meetings will be cancelled: December 19, 2023 (winter break); January 2, 2024 (winter break); July 2, 2024 (summer break); July 19, 2024 (summer break), August 6, 2024 (summer break); and August 13, 2024 (summer break).

The January 9, 2024, Committee of the Whole meeting has also been cancelled and replaced with a regular Meeting of Council at 7:00 P.M. in Council Chambers.

Board Appointments. Council has appointed two public at large members to the Edson Public Library Board. Administration has extended the application period to November 3rd, 2023.

Deputy Mayor Rotation. Council voted to adjust the Deputy Mayor rotation to every 8 months, rather than the current 4 months, following the current scheduled rotation with an option to pass. Councillor Taylor is the current Deputy Mayor and Councillor Chouinard will take over on November 1, 2023.

 

Council Notes - October 17th, 2023

Public Auction Date. Approval was given to set the public auction date for recovery of unpaid property taxes for January 17th, 2024.

Franchise Fees - Fortis. Council has reduced the Fortis Franchise Fee rate from 4.91% to 4.7%. The Franchise Fee Revenue Policy outlines how the Franchise Fee rates will be set annually to maintain budgeted fee revenues, adjusted for inflation. Revenues collected through this fee are moved to the Energy Reserve in the 2024 Budget.

Road Study. Council has approved the allocation of $150,000 from the 2023 Capital Road Repairs Budget to procure tree removal ad detailed design for the construction of a new light industrial rural road between 54th Street to Willmore Park Road. This would provide a secondary access/egress to the area south of the railway and for the new development in the area. Council has committed to meet with area residents to discuss the project further once further information is received.  Council has also directed Administration to research costs for removing more trees in the area at that time to create a large fire break.

LUB Update. An update was provided to Council regarding the ongoing Land Use Bylaw Rewrite Project, including the progress so far, and some upcoming public engagement. More details on the project can be found at www.edson.ca/lub.

Community Energy Association Letter. Council has authorized the Mayor to sign a funding request letter to the Government of Alberta Ministers in support of the Community Energy Association Northwest Alberta EV Charging Station Network Project. The Mayor was also authorized to sign a funding request letter to West Yellowhead MLA Martin Long. This EV Charging Network Project is aiming to maximize electric vehicle tourism and economic diversification for the entire region.

Alberta Collaboration Program Grant Application. Administration has been authorized to pursue a grant application through the Alberta Community Partnership (ACP). The maximum grant awarded is $200,000 and the Town of Edson is exploring the opportunity to partner with the Town of Devon on a project to manage digital strategies designed to improve citizen engagement and overall operational efficiency. This would include records management, IT enhancements, and strengthening inter-municipal relationships.

Next meetings - The next Council meeting is scheduled for November 7th, 2023, at 7:00 pm.

Agenda/Information package Organizational - Regular

App users view the video HERE