Council Notes - December 7th, 2021
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Council Notes - December 7th, 2021
Land Use Bylaw Amendments. A public hearing was held for Bylaw 2267, amending the Land Use Bylaw to include outside storage of industrial materials, heavy trucks, end equipment, as well as a truck depot, as permitted uses in M-1A zoning (Light Industrial-Serviced). No members of the public were present for the Public Hearing and Council passed second and third reading of the bylaw.
Council has also passed first reading on Bylaw 2271, proposing that a parcel of land at 351 26th Street be set as Direct Control. The purpose of the change would be to provide site-specific development regulations that will ensure compatibility with surrounding land uses. A public hearing will be set for January.
Utility Rate Changes. Council has amended Schedule A, Appendix C of the Fees, Rates, & Charges Bylaw as presented. This adjusts the rates to match those approved in the 2022 interim budget and go into effect January 1st, 2022. As operational costs increase, utility rates need to be adjusted to maintain the cost-recovery model. The changes are as follows:
- Water – Rate per cubic metre change from $1.21 to $1.31.
- Sewer – Rate per cubic metre change from $1.38 to $1.50.
- Residential Waste & Organics Collection – Base rate per month change from $17.85 to $18.22.
- Recycling
- Residential base rate per month changes from $10.00 to $10.20.
- Commercial base rate per month changes from $17.00 to $17.40.
Meeting Schedule. Council has cancelled the January 11, 2021, Committee of the Whole meeting and replaced it with a regular Council Meeting at 7:00pm.
Tax Exemption Request - SCOPE. Council has granted property tax exemption status to Supporting Choices of People, Edson (SCOPE). This is effective for the 2022 tax year and continues for a maximum of 3 consecutive taxation years.
Tax Penalty Waiver Request. A motion to reverse late tax payment penalties on a property was defeated by Council. It was noted that property owners are responsible for ensuring their account is up to date and that the property tax deadlines were extended to allow extra time for payments to be made in 2021.
Uncollectible Accounts. The 2021 uncollectible accounts were written off as listed. The Finance Department regularly reviews outstanding accounts and brings them forward for decision each year.
Emissions Reduction Target. Council has directed Administration to set a target of 5% emissions reduction from 2019 levels in 2022 for the buildings currently included in the Municipal Energy Management Program. Those buildings include Repsol Place, Civic Centre, Edson and District Public Library, Fire Hall, Galloway Station Museum, Griffiths Park Building, Public Works Shop, Edson Airport, Landfill Building, and the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Next meetings - The next regularly scheduled Committee of the Whole meeting is December 14th, 2021, at 7:00 pm. The next Council meeting is scheduled for January 11th, 2022, at 7:00 pm.
While the Council Chambers remains closed to the public at this time, public and media are able to register for virtual attendance for regular Council and Committee Meetings. Registration links and agenda details are normally available by Monday morning on the Town of Edson website and Facebook Page.
Agenda/Information package HERE
App users view the video HERE